Kitchen & Bath Design News

JUL 2015

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

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July 2015 | KitchenBathDesign.com | ForResidentialPros.com | 31 ally isn't anywhere where I wouldn't use them." Chumbley also likes using LEDs in part because of what they portray about his company. "I think when you are an early adopter of any technology, it conveys to your clients that you are an advanced company, that you are always looking for new products," he says. "It also conveys that we are trying to help them 'better' their home. Our clients want the best product available. They un- derstand the cost of LEDs and they want to buy whatever is the best value. That may not always be the cheapest option." Susan Rocco of The Kitchenworks in Fort Lauderdale, FL, also recommends LEDs to her clients. "It wasn't that way even fve years ago when all the LEDs were blue," she says. "We prefer the warm white LEDs that are available now. They are more of a pure, natural light. I don't like to draw attention to the lighting fxtures…the key is to hide them. It's more about the accents, the color and the feel of the room and what the light fxture does to enhance the design and the way a space functions." With the increasing popularity and availability of LED lighting, this month KBDN asked designers to discuss some of their most common uses for LEDs and what trends they are seeing as they relate to LED products and applications. Susan Rocco THE KITCHENWORKS FORT LAUDERDALE, FL Undercabinet lighting: "We use a warm white LED [strip/tape] light with a lens cap so you don't see dots of light," says Rocco. "In general, LEDs are more expensive, but they are worth it because they don't give of the heat [of a halogen or xenon bulb] and they are energy efcient. You can leave them on for hours and hours. LED lighting is defnitely the wave of the future. Manu- facturers have made such strides and there is now so much great technology." 'Personality' fxtures: "We're seeing that people love to use lighting, es- pecially pendants and chandeliers, to refect their own personal style…any- thing from funky to artsy to coastal," she notes. "It's a neat way for people to showcase their taste or to give a room a certain direction." Rocco also suggests that her cli- ents use dimmer switches with their LED light fxtures. "You can really set the mood," she says. "For example, a chandelier above an island can be kept bright for everyday use but then be dimmed down for a romantic occasion or to highlight an island for entertain- ing. It's great to be able to play with This kitchen remodel by Chris Chumbley involved very few new cabinets but still manages to achieve a unique, new look…thanks, in part, to the diversity of the lighting, which includes several LED options. Undercabinet lights illuminate the countertops, while the bar is illuminated with LED rope lights. Puck lights integrated into the architecture around the sink provide task lighting as well as add character. General illumination is provided with LED cans, which feature a difused lens that helps broaden the light. "I prefer to use LEDs in all fxtures, when possible, so you can achieve the same lighting," he says. Susan Rocco included a variety of LED lights in this 'Shades of Grey' kitchen, including tape lights hidden with trim moulding inside wall cabinets. Plexiglass, linen-look doors allow the light to shine through. LED puck lights illuminate the open cabinet above the refrigerator. One unique LED application is featured inside the custom spice storage integrated into the range backsplash. Motion sensors control the lights…automatically turning on when the marble door slides open, then turning of when the door is closed. "It performs the task you need it to, while saving energy," she says. "In general, this kitchen features several unique lighting fxtures, including those over the breakfast table and island. That uniqueness is a sign of the times…people love to shop for just the perfect light fxture. Photo: Matt Horton, Horton Photography Photo: Ken Vaughan

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