Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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46 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | October 2015 Product Trend Report Summit Appliance's new FFBF181SS, a counter-depth bottom freezer refrigerator, is just 24" wide and 25" deep, but ofers 12.5 cu.-ft. capacity with separate digital controls to manage each section. The interior includes: adjust- able glass shelves, multiple door racks, a wine rack and a large crisper. The lower freezer features pull-out shelves with clear fronts to protect stored items but keeps all storage in view. Additional features include alarms for open door, high temperature and power failure warnings; a child lock, and intensive cooling and freezing functions. Circle No. 158 on Product Card A ppliances aren't a "one-size-fts-all" product – they're personal. A number of factors including cooking styles, aesthetic preferences, the way appliances complement each other and the overall kitchen space all have an impact on current trends. "A continuing trend is the desire to create beautiful kitch- ens, and incorporating appliances that help achieve this aesthetic," says Brian Maynard, marketing director for Benton Harbor, MI-based Jenn-Air. An example, he says, are appli- ances installed fush with very tight gaps that ft seamlessly into cabinets. "Consumers and designers alike are interested in appliances with thoughtful design," says Diana Franklin, brand manager for U-Line Corp., based in Milwaukee, WI. "They are seeking appliances that ofer seamless integration, making it appear as if the appliances 'disappear' into their kitchen design." Features like custom integrated door and toe-kick panels that match the surrounding cabinetry are an easy way to integrate appliances in a variety of applications, she adds. A desire to create a kitchen just right for individual clients and incorporating appliances that have high functionality are top priorities for designers, manufacturers say. "Per- formance and personalization continue to rule the day," says Zach Elkin, director of brand marketing for Thermador at BSH Appliances in Irvine, CA. "We are seeing personalization as a strong trend in the mar- ketplace," concurs Melissa Haber, director of sales & marketing for EuroChef USA in Edgewood, NY. Along with personalized appliance selection that accounts for the way a kitchen is used and integrated appliances, a greater in- terest in induction and steam cooking and connected appliances that make working in the kitchen efortless round out current top trends in kitchen appliances. That's according to manufacturers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News . CUSTOMIZED CHOICES Options abound in appliance selection, and how the home- owner will use the kitchen is a critical factor in the appliances they choose. Customization is high priority, and there must be enough choices to fnd just the right product to suit the consumer's needs. "People are looking at appliances for their reliability and performance, but also for versatility in terms of space in the kitchen," says Valentina Bertazzoni, brand manager for Gustalla, Italy-based Bertazzoni. "The use of an avant-garde appliance coordinated with elegance and substance in the kitchen is becoming more and more important," she adds. "Con- sumers no longer have to decide between a kitchen range only or a cooktop with wall ovens. They can choose elements that work in synchronicity with one By Elizabeth Richards Personalized Design, Meaningful Connections A wide variety of options and customized features allow designers to make a statement with today's appliances, whether by blending in seamlessly with their surroundings or becoming a visual focal point, while connected appliances that ofer a real beneft in the kitchen are also on the rise. Zephyr Ventilation is celebrating its 10-year anni- versary with design partner Fu-Tung Cheng with the introduction of the Limited Edition Okeanito kitchen hood. Available in Rose Gold and Black Mirror Stainless, the hood features Zephyr's Bloom HD LED lights, which were designed in partnership with commercial camera lens design- ers. They have a 25,000-hour life and are the only range hood LED light bulbs that are dimmable with dual levels. The Okeanito is available in 36", 42" and 48" sizes, with an internal 290 or 600 CFM blower and external 1,000 CFM blower. Circle No. 156 on Product Card Dacor's Discovery iQ 36" Dual-Fuel Range features an integrated, wirelessly-connected tablet and voice activation. Incorporating the proprietary Dacor iQ Controller – a sleek new control panel for today's sophisticated chef – the Discovery iQ technology empowers users to customize the cooking experi- ence. The Discovery iQ products are now available in 10 new Dacor- Match color options, including Crimson, Envy, Black Tie, Tanger- ine, Cordon Bleu, Citron, Smoke, Sangria, Arctic and Marsala. Circle No. 155 on Product Card The Bosch 24" Glass Door Refrigerator is de- signed to meet the needs of small and ancillary spaces. Available in white glass, black glass or glass on stainless steel, this unique material of- fers an easy-to-clean exterior while providing a sleek, modern look that is further enhanced by handleless design. Circle No. 157 on Product Card The CSL-36" S-Series Grill from Coyote Outdoor Living is equipped with three 11-gauge stainless steel Coyote iBurners, plus one infrared rear burner and one RapidSear burner. The grill also features amber back-lit knobs for nighttime grilling, 875 square inches of cooking area and up to 95,000 BTUs. Circle No. 159 on Product Card