Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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April 2015 | ForResidentialPros.com | 31 Expect to see more of these in coming years as clients continue to use their devices in the kitchen and as ever-bigger apps demand even more power. Providing it conveniently and attractively is one of the many de- mands of the kitchen designer today. This multi-tasker can defnitely help and its availability in quartz is def- nitely welcome. MULTI-TASKERS IN THE BATHROOM Multi-taskers have made their way into our most private spaces, too, as we take our tablets and smart phones there with us. Kohler introduced and has expanded its popular Moxie line of showerheads that stream Bluetooth along with water. Broan Nu-Tone is streaming Bluetooth via its new bath- room vent fan. Televisions, safes and charg- ing stations made their way into Robern's medicine cabinets several years ago. Now your medicine cabi- net can also play your device via Bluetooth. That innovation is ex- pected to expand beyond one or two oferings, depending on their popu - larity. TVs and Bluetooth speakers are also available in mirrors without cabinets. Lookinglass Mirror TV is a San Diego-based brand that cus- tomizes mirrors for clients wanting one, the other or both. The frm will even convert a local client's existing framed mirror to a TV-ready model. On the less technical, but extreme- ly important end, Moen and Delta Faucet Co. both ofer a series of multi- tasking accessories with built-in grab bars. These enable you to add safety features to storage elements such as towel bars and shelves. Rohl also has a grab bar that doubles as a hand-held shower slide. Both Brizo and Delta are ofering two-in-one hand-held/fxed showerheads. As the population ages, look for more brands to come up with stylish ways to add aging-in-place features to the bath, sometimes in tandem with other products. LAST WORDS You may be one of those designers who prefer simplicity to complex- ity in the products you specify. You probably value simplicity in your professional life, too. Regardless, it's important to identify which elements of this trend best meet your client needs, and advise them on the pros and cons. It's also important to have a candid conversation with your general con- tractor about the added complexity of the multi-tasking products you're specifying. They will probably add time to the job and that's crucial for a GC to know when bidding. Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS is an indepen- dent designer in San Diego, the author of New Kitchen Ideas That Work and upcoming New Bath Idea Book (Taunton Press), and a blogger, design journalist, seminar developer and in- dustry consultant. Circle No. 19 on Product Card GROW YOUR BUSINESS Outsource your Cabinet Boxes, Drawer Boxes and Closet Components to CabParts. All high-quality components are manufactured to your exact requirements, materials and confgurations. Plus, they are easily assembled, passing AWI Custom Grade. Exceptional customer service since 1987. 970.241.7682 To learn more or to download a free catalog www.cabparts.com No Capital Outlay No Additional Workforce Lower Your Costs Expand Your Productivity RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL + CLOSETS Circle No. 18 on Product Card This showerhead doubles as stationary and hand-held. Bath accessories with grab bars multi-task stylishly and safely. Moxie rain showerhead doubles as a Bluetooth speaker. Multi-tasking medicine cabinets charge phones, play TV and more. A mirror can also be a TV and Bluetooth speaker. Photo: Kohler Co Photo: Delta Faucet Co. Photo: Lookinglass Mirror TV Photo: Brizo Photo: Robern