Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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38 | Kitchen & Bath Design News October 2014 Flexible Functionality, Customized Style The latest trends in kitchen appliances favor fexible designs, smart functionality, healthy cooking options and customized style. A ppliances are designed to make kitchen tasks as easy as possible, but they must also bring a certain amount of style or fair to the overall design in the kitchen. "An appliance's major task is to help people in their everyday life," says Valentina Bertazzoni, brand manager for Bertazzoni, based in Guastalla, Italy. "Our homes are full of appliances because we buy the big potential they have to make our lives simpler. Saving time, eliminating the uncertainty of results, making work more enjoyable or less heavy – these are just examples of the reasons why we love them," she says. Current trends call for appliances that ofer fexibility, customized design and functions, technology that increases convenience and efciency, and options geared toward healthy living and responsible energy use. That's according to manu- facturers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News. "We are observing that the current trend of fully custom- ized kitchens that incorporate a mix of textures and fnishes is becoming extremely popular in home renovations. As appliance manufacturers, it is important to provide consum- ers with compact, yet efcient, appliances that will fawlessly ft within their kitchen's design," says Josef Steigmiller, v.p. of Liebherr Refrigeration, The Americas, based in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. "More consumers are making the kitchen the focus of the home," adds Zach Elkin, director, brand marketing for Thermador and Bosch at BSH Appliances in Irvine, CA. "Over the past two years, the largest increases in budgets for kitchen projects have been for major appliances." In these appliances, he says, consumers are looking for options that ft their personal style, in terms of both design and performance. FLEXIBLE AND FUNCTIONAL For consumers to have the exact culinary experience they de- sire, appliances must be fexible, with features that provide both convenience and maximum functionality. Versatility is key, according to manufacturers. Designers must take into account the varying needs of the homeowner, and identify specifc ap- pliances that best accommodate those needs. "Appliances had to adapt signifcantly in the recent past to our new lifestyle that is faster, more educated and extremely demanding," says Bertazzoni. "Flexibility is the best feature you can give to today's users. Why should I choose between gas or induction if I can have the two in the same cooktop? Why should I pick between microwaves and electric when I can have both technologies in one oven and use one, the other or the two combined together according to my needs?" she asks. People are looking for convenience and smart design in their appliances, says Colleen Kasel, a spokesperson for Perlick Corp. in Milwaukee, WI. Consumers are looking for quality, but also expect appliances that conform to their lifestyle. Perlick's undercounter refrigeration solutions, ofered in a variety of sizes, ft the bill, the company notes. This undercounter refrig- eration can replace upright units to add stylish and convenient refrigeration throughout the home. By Elizabeth Richards Product Trend Report Ranges in the new European style range collection from Fagor America are designed with a European convection fan system and a built-in rotisserie feature. Available in 24" and 36" sizes, the stainless steel ranges operate on 15 amps of power and run on natural gas or liquefed petroleum. The oven features seven pre-set cooking programs, including Bake, Pizza, Top Cooking, Broil, Convection Broil, Turbo Plus and Defrosting. Circle No. 161 on Product Card MLD Hood Designs creates standard and custom residential range hoods that are light weight and easy to install. A variety of ventilation packages is available depending on consumer needs. Circle No. 157 on Product Card Electrolux's latest dishwasher model features a 30-minute fast wash cycle that cleans and dries dishes in 30 minutes. A Third Level Rack ofers a convenient space for spatulas and unique kitchen tools, or extra room for everyday utensils. Circle No. 158 on Product Card The Bertazzoni 24" Segmented Cooktop ofers a choice between three and four gas burners, and installs into any standard 24" counter cut-out. The three- burner model includes the signature Bertazzoni dual- control power gas burner that features an inner and outer fame that can be controlled independently or together with a range of 750 BTU – 18,000 BTU. The aluminum four gas-burner cooktop features diferent heating zones including rapid, semi-rapid and auxiliary burners. Circle No. 156 on Product Card The K400 Household Compactor supplements Krushr's K300- style bin with a can crush that compresses drink cans and food tins to as little as one-sixth of their original size. Cans and tins are stored separately, thereby freeing up storage space within the main bin for all other recyclables. The compactor is available fully integrated, undercounter or freestanding, with stainless steel door optional. Circle No. 159 on Product Card Streamline Hoods will be ofering a line of range hoods at a value price point in addition to its higher-end products. The new line completes the company's Good, Better, Best pricing. Streamline Hoods provides a range of hoods that match cabinets or appliances, as well as those that can be imprinted with photos or feature glass colors. Circle No. 160 on Product Card The Big Chill 30" Pro Range features four sealed burners: an 18,000 BTU power burner, 15,000 BTU and 10,000 BTU burners, and a 6,000 BTU simmer burner. The oven fts a full-sized sheet pan and features convection baking, a ceramic infrared broiler and full-extension racks. The range is available in stainless steel as well as 11 colors, including French Blue, Cabernet Red, Basil Green and Sunfower Yellow, or any one of 200 custom colors. Circle No. 155 on Product Card