Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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32 | Kitchen & Bath Design News December 2014 Most Asked About Products 8 (TIE) CUSTOM WOOD COUNTERTOPS J. Aaron custom wood countertops are made from premium hard- woods suited for the heavy use of a kitchen work surface. The countertops are available in more than 20 species, reclaimed woods and exotics from Africa and Asia. With three sealer options, they can be used with undermount sinks. "Hardwood countertops add an extra bit of texture with a 'warm' feeling to projects, especially contemporary spaces with clean, crisp cabinetry," says Joshua Johnson, president/founder, J. Aaron. "Wood also brings in natural characteristics and colors, toning down the 'hard' edges. Designers are mixing multiple materials into their projects, and wood is a great choice for those designs." Circle No. 207 on Product Card 8 (TIE) WOOD-LOOK LAMINATE Inspired by the trend for bespoke international furniture design that celebrates the natural beauty of wood in its true form and scale, Black Walnut Timber laminate is a matte fnish from Formica Corp. It features two 170-year-old slabs of Black American Walnut – book matched and joined down the center with Walnut dovetails. The realistic woodgrain laminate is produced in 5' expanses. "As true scale and exotic stones move from the kitchen island to surrounding countertops, consumers are looking to make a statement with new surfaces," says Gerri Chmiel, senior design manager, Formica Corp. "For example, the increased popularity of painted cabinetry is allowing homeowners to use wood-like surfaces in other areas…namely, the countertop. These dramatic wood planks are now being celebrated much like exotic stones were 10 years ago. Traditionally a commercial element, reclaimed wood is now making an appearance in upscale homes and kitchens. In new homes, in particular, wood provides warmth and authenticity to the environment. Wood planking used in kitchens today is wide, knotted and shows graining contrast between heartwood and sapwood. Typically these types of wood planks are rare, exotic and expensive, making a laminate version such as Formica's woodgrain patterns a celebrated alternative." Circle No. 208 on Product Card 10 (TIE) SILESTONE NEBULA CODE Silestone's Nebula Code from Cosentino North America is an evolution of the company's Silestone Nebula series. The new collection is composed of fve colors inspired by the appearance of natural stone. The fve colors in the series include: Helix, Pulsar, Daria, Istmo and Dreis. The neutral hues are subtle yet distinctive, featuring an original pattern of colored veining throughout the surface that never repeats. "Silestone's quartz surfaces ofer patterns that emulate natural stone, as seen in the Nebula Code and new Nebula Alpha series, but are capable of with- standing higher levels of wear and tear – such as resistance to stains, scratches and scorching – and don't require sealing," says Lorenzo Marquez, v.p., marketing at Cosentino North America. "Quartz remains a popular surfacing mate- rial because consumers are increasingly savvy about the performance capabilities and longevity of the materials they are using in their homes," Marquez continues. "When making the investment in projects, they demand assurances that these products will withstand the test of time to ensure the best return without requiring signifcant maintenance commitments." All colors are available in polished and suede fnishes. Circle No. 209 on Product Card 10 (TIE) COMPACT LAUNDRY LINE Bosch's compact 24" laundry line ofers a range of key features for ease of use. The laundry pair requires no duct for venting, and the washer plugs into the dryer so only one electrical plug is needed. Energy Star qualifed, the compact line provides the cleaning power of a full-sized model, and accommodates large loads of laundry in less time; the laundry pair can clean a load of laundry from start to fnish in 30 minutes. "We are following the trend of urban- ization – people are moving into smaller apartments and condos where costs are high and space is limited, but they don't want to sacrifce the luxury of having laun - dry in the unit," says Malte Peters, senior product manager. "The Bosch 24" Compact Laundry pair provides the cleaning power of a full-sized unit on a smaller footprint. Its functions were designed to save money on installation fees, and also provide con- sumers with endless options for where they install their laundry pair. With undercounter, stackable and side-by-side installation options, the laundry pair can easily serve as the highlight of the laundry room or a hidden gem in a non-traditional space, like the den or a bedroom." The line is available in three design options, and includes new sleek control panels and door designs as well as stainless steel and chrome accents. Circle No. 210 on Product Card 12 (TIE) GRANITE-LOOK COUNTERTOP COLLECTION VT Industries has launched VT Dimensions, a new countertop collection with more proprietary edge profles, surface options and in-stock colors with the look of granite, according to the company. The countertops are formed as a single piece from the backsplash to the front edge, creating a seamless look. They are manufactured using biode- gradable, water-based adhesives that virtually eliminate VOCs, and are GREENGUARD Certifed and FSC certifed. Circle No. 211 on Product Card 12 (TIE) NATURAL QUARTZ SURFACES Radianz natural quartz surfaces from Samsung are available in a wide range of colors and patterns that work with any kitchen design. The production process provides consistent and uniform color through- out. Shown here is Radianz Quartz in Kunlun Ink. Circle No. 212 on Product Card