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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36 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | July 2015 Product Trend Report By Elizabeth Richards T he outward appearance of kitchen cabinetry is a critical element to the design, but equally impor- tant is how these cabinets function to maximize space, convenience and accessibility. Additionally, there is increasing demand for interior storage that can be custom- ized to ft the homeowner's needs and personality. "Innovative storage solutions are one of the key con- siderations in any modern kitchen design," says Billy Peele, marketing/PR representative for Doug Mockett & Company Inc. in Torrance, CA. "Utilizing and maximiz- ing all usable space while still maintaining a minimalist look is the biggest challenge any designer faces when it comes to kitchens." In addition to making the most of the space available, top trends in cabinet storage and in- terior fttings include clean and simple design, motion and easy access, lit interior spaces and unique combinations of cabinets and drawers that ofer convenience and fexibility. That's according to manufacturers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News. MAXIMIZING SPACE & VALUE Interior storage is essential, which means the design must include enough cabinets to hide everything away, but also incorporate the right kinds of organizers to create a distinct spot for each and every item. "Designers are looking for simple storage solutions. They want to organize the items that have not typically been organized in the past," says Dave Hall, owner of Glideware LLC based in Grand Junction, CO. These items might include mops and brooms, cookware, cooking uten- sils and plates. "They also want to be able to specify these items easily and know that they can be adapted to existing cabinet sizes and technologies," says Hall. Veronique St. Cyr, training coordinator for Richelieu based in Quebec, Canada says that designers are looking to include products that are versatile and multifunctional, as well as those that increase storage capacity without requiring a lot of space. "Designers are not only looking for add-on items, they're looking for cabinets that are solutions. What I mean by that is, they want to choose cabinets that have been designed to store and organize specifc storage goods, and they want cabinets that utilize every inch of storage space," says Debbie Cannon, marketing services & communications manager at Stanley, NC-based Blum Inc. Storage items that address the desire for more open and minimalist spaces are also in demand, says Shari McPeek, public relations & advertising manager at Rev-A-Shelf, LLC in Jefersontown, KY. Pull-outs for items like knife blocks, utensil caddies and appliances can clear the countertops for a cleaner look. "Customers want more things hidden away and look for products like our RAS-ML-HDSC Soft Close Mixer Lift, which not only provides hidden convenience but expands the workspace by leaving the appliance on the pull-out and of the counter when in use," she says. When it comes to taking advantage of all available space, corner units are essential, manufacturers say. Claus Sagel, managing director of Vauth-Sagel based in Germany, says the frm's newest corner cupboard solutions, CORNERSTONE, were met with great interest at Interzum 2015. "We see space-creating corner cupboard solutions like the CORNERSTONE or Flex corner as important ft- tings that use difcult-to-access space in the corner in a practical way and make it easy to access," he says. Daniel Tripp, product manager for kitchen products at Hafele America Co., based in Archdale, NC, notes that the company's LeMans blind corner unit shows up in 80-85% of cabinet lines. WalzCraft manufactures Notched Pattern Drawer Box styles that ofer solutions to obstacles that naturally occur within cabinetry applications. Whether trying to dodge an existing pipe, drain or other stationary object, the custom-built Notched Pattern Drawer Boxes allow for efcient use of the space at the back side of a drawer box when in its stationary position. WalzCraft ofers many choices for wood species, side panel and bottom panel thicknesses, and top edge profles. Circle No. 203 on Product Card Richelieu Hardware 's pull-out drawer table mechanisms help maximize living spaces. The table can be pulled out to create an extra surface area for food preparation or an infor- mal eating area. When no longer needed, the table easily hides away in a drawer or cabinet space. The pull-out mechanisms are fastened to telescopic slides and ofer extra-strong load-bearing capacity for additional safety. Circle No. 201 on Product Card Kitchen interior fttings and accessories focus on maximizing space and accessibility, providing customized storage solutions and simplifying convenience with smoother opening and closing mechanisms. The interior of LEGRABOX, the full-extension box sys- tem from Blum , can be organized with AMBIA-LINE, an interior organization system that has been specifcally developed to complement the design of the metal drawer system. LEGRABOX ofers a slim drawer profle thickness of only 1/2" that is straight on the inside and the outside to maximize the usable interior space of the drawer. Available in a new brushed stainless steel or a gray matte fnish, the program consists of three drawer side heights for standard drawers and two drawer side heights for interior roll-outs. Circle No. 204 on Product Card M.O.C. Boards are 12" magnetic knife holders made out of furniture-grade clear- fnished cherry, maple, walnut, wenge, white oak, lacewood, bubinga or zebra- wood, with a continuous magnetic feld for ease of use. Available from M.O.C. Woodworks , M.O.C. Boards will hold knives safely and conveniently while safeguarding fne edges. Circle No. 202 on Product Card Illuminate an area that has tight, limited space with the Environmental Lights Premium Modular LED Under Cabinet line. The ultra-thin bars provide a difused light, eliminating hotspots to the area for a uniform look. Customize lighting needs with dimming technology, lengths ranging from 12" to 40" and two color temperatures. Circle No. 205 on Product Card

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