Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
Issue link: http://kitchenbathdesign.epubxp.com/i/432557
December 2014 ForResidentialPros.com | 31 4 SPECIALTY SURFACE COUNTERTOPS The Craft-Art Co. provides specialty surface countertops, including 25-plus wood species, a variety of metal options and over 50 combinations of custom glass options. "Granite is everywhere," says Sarah Anderson, product manager, The Craft-Art Co., "but so is information about alternatives to granite. With such easy access to information on alternatives, we are seeing a more informed buyer. That buyer realizes you don't have to have the same kitchen as your neighbor anymore, and you don't even have to spend more (or much more). People are starting to see that mixing in a specialty surface like a wood island countertop with a granite perimeter may cost the exact same as all-granite, but can really boost the design." Craft Art's wood countertops, such as the Distressed American Cherry Plank, shown, are hand fnished to provide a waterproof surface. Circle No. 203 on Product Card 5 CABINET STORAGE SYSTEM Designed for kitchen cabinets, Glideware is a cabinet storage system that features Glideware Synchronized Motion, which keeps cookware quiet even as it slides in and out of the cabinet. From the company of the same name, Glideware installs inside a standard-depth cabinet and slides out a 21-piece set of cookware on a fully extendable rail system, eliminating stacking, stooping and clutter. Constructed from clear hard maple, the unit's adjustable hook system holds 100 lbs. "Organization is a huge trend right now," says Dave Hall, owner/president, Glideware. "People love to be organized and they want to give everything its own place. Sites such as Pinterest, which celebrate creativity and organization, are so popular. Historically, people, in my opinion, have accepted what's on the market when it comes to cabinet storage. But Glideware solves the accessibility problem by extending cookware out. You can grab what you need, then slide the unit back into the cabinet. You don't need to unstack a whole drawer to get to the pan you want. It organizes pans, improves acces- sibility and protects cookware." Circle No. 204 on Product Card 6 (TIE) CHROME PULL-OUT PANTRY Chrome Pull-out Pantries from Rev-A-Shelf provide pull-out access to items inside of kitchen cabinets. Available in a range of sizes, the pantry features adjustable mount- ing brackets, 250-lb. weight-rated slide system and top and bottom soft-close slides. The unit also features a sturdy telescoping frame and wire baskets. Several factors are creating a need for more storage, notes Shari McPeek, market- ing manager, Rev-A-Shelf, including the move to de- signs with fewer cabinets and more drawers as base cabinets. "Clean, minimalist designs also require in-cab- inet storage for items once stored on counters, and an increase in multi-gen- erational homes is driving designs to include addi- tional storage options," she adds. "Pull-out pantries op- timize the space and allow full accessibility for young children to the elderly. "A rise in open f loor plans and an increase in ' k itchent a i n ment' a l s o decrease the amount of available storage space, as does the desire for full walk- in pantries for those who are downsizing," she notes. R e v - A - S h e l f o f f e r s pull-out pantries in mul- tiple sizes with soft-close features and various con- struction and fnishes, including wood and wire. Circle No. 205 on Product Card 6 (TIE) METAL SHOWER PANS The new stainless steel and copper shower pans from Diamond Spas are relatively light weight and available in nearly any shape, size or drain placement for a custom shower. In particular, "copper appeals to so many frst and foremost because the look is very classic," says Krista Payne, marketing manager, Diamond Spas. "It really has this appeal in the design world as it gives any project a depth of sophistication and Old World charm." Copper and stain- less steel also work well as a bathroom f loor due to t hei r durability, easy main- tenance and hygienic properties. The metals are non-porous, so they won't harbor bacteria, mold or mildew, the frm notes. "Copper is a natural antimicro- bial material, meaning that it kills over 99.9% of most of the bacteria on its surface, includ- ing E.coli, inf luenza, staphylococcus and H1N1," says Payne. Both metals are also ideal for custom design because the materials are fexible and can be fabricated into any shape and design. "We are not used to seeing metal in bathroom fxtures (sinks, tubs, shower pans), so there is a real 'wow' factor when you see them in a bathroom project because they are so unique," Payne adds. The new line is fabricated primarily from recycled sheet metal. Circle No. 206 on Product Card