Kitchen & Bath Design News

MAR 2016

Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.

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Design & Construction Week made a success- ful return to the Las Vegas Convention Center in late January. It was the third year for the consciously happy coupling of the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show and International Builders' Show, with more exhibitors and attendees than ever. That in itself is a positive trend worth noting. Returning to the KBIS side this year – and contributing to some of the top trends worth spotting – were American Standard, Grohe and AGA Marvel. LG also made a return to the show foor and displayed its new up-market Signature Kitchens line. While roofng widgets and exterior cladding products won't entice too many designers to their booths, some of the exhibitors on the IBS side also had notable oferings worth seeing. Did you make it to any of them? CONTINUING CONNECTIVITY One of the major trends of the kitchen and bath industry over the past few years has been connectivity. It's seen in a growing array of products that can be operated via smart phone or tablet, or that integrate their features, such as Bluetooth streaming. It's also seen in storage options, countertops and outlets accommo- dating chargers, acknowledging how regularly our devices are used in the kitchen and bath. A perfect melding of old world problems and new world opportunities, Delta's iDevice can alert your mobile device if there's a leak under your sink or water heater, and NuTone's Garage Door Controller will not only let your device know if you left the door open, it can close it for you that way, too. The latest incarnation of the connectivity trend to hit the residential construction and remodeling sector is geofencing, (also called geo-fencing). Taking smart to a new level, geofencing technology can determine your loca- tion via your mobile device and make operating choices accordingly. Using Warmup's radiant foor-heating system as an example, when your phone gets within a certain distance of the house, the software tells it to start warming the room, so that it's comfortable when you arrive home. When you head out, it works in reverse to save energy. LED ON THE MARCH You might have heard the recent announcement that GE will be phasing out production of fuores- cent bulbs completely in favor of LEDs. This won't come as a surprise to anyone attending DCW; LEDs had a very strong presence at the show. Tresco, Rev-A-Shelf's lighting brand, showed of a new RF-based under-cabinet line called FREEDiM that can be installed without tearing up a wall. Even a casual stroll around the exhibit halls showed numerous vanity mirrors with built-in LED lighting. This abundance of low-energy technology is having a healthy impact on costs, as well, and will likely continue to do so as selection increases. It will also help designers in states like California that have ever-stricter energy codes. INDUCTION EXPANDING Induction technology is another example of widespread adaption. Not only is it available on more ranges and cooktops, it's taking new forms, as well. AGA introduced its 48" Mercury Range at the show, sporting what is likely the industry's largest induction cooktop at 44". Viking showed of what might be the smallest. Hidden below the countertop, its Incogneeto induction cooking system can't be seen at all, but can slow cook or warm up a meal via a triv- et you put between your conductive cookware and the counter. (A similar system that operates Trends from Design & Construction Week BY JAMIE GOLD, CKD, CAPS Products that promote connectivity, enhanced LED lighting options, expanded induction cooking lines and hands-free plumbing technology were among the hottest trends at KBIS. Geofencing means coming home to a warm room. Induction is getting larger on a 48" range. LED lighting with mirrors and medicine cabinets is a huge bathroom trend. Photo: Warmup Inc. Photo: AGA Marvel Photo: Robern 32 Kitchen & Bath Design News • March 2016 TREND SPOTTING

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