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Designer's Choice Joins Essential Cabinetry Brands NEW CANAAN, CT — Gridiron Capital LLC has announced the acquisition of Designer's Choice, Inc., a manufacturer of stock and semi-custom, face-frame and full-access cab- inetry. Designer's Choice joins Tedd Wood Fine Cabinetry and Executive Cabinetry in the Essential Cabinetry Brands portfolio offered by the company. With the addition of Designer's Choice, Essential Cab- inetry now offers a full line of full-access framed and inset cabinetry at the stock, semi-custom and custom cabinetry price points. Designer's Choice will continue to operate out of its current manufacturing facilities in Rockledge, FL. "Designer's Choice is a terrific addition to our Essen- tial Cabinetry portfolio," said Gridiron Capital's Managing Partner Tom Burger. "We look forward to partnering with Jim Murfin and the rest of his management team to bring the Designer's Choice brand into new markets." "We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with Designer's Choice," said Essential's Chief Executive Officer Dave Romeo. "Strategically, Designer's Choice is a perfect complement to Tedd Wood and Executive Cabinetry. This acquisition gives the Essential Cabinetry portfolio great balance." "Never did I imagine, 38 years ago, that Designer's Choice Cabinetry would grow into the company that it is today," said Jim Murfin, founder and owner of Designer's Choice Cabinetry. "The opportunity to join Tedd Wood Fine Cabinetry and Executive Cabinetry, and leverage the com- bined strength that these three companies could bring to the kitchen industry, made it clear that this partnership had unlimited potential. The entire staff at Designer's Choice Cabinetry is excited to be working with Dave and the rest of the Essential Cabinetry team." MasterBrand Presentation Identifies Key Kitchen Trends N E W YO R K — Transitional styling, multiple finishes, more integrated kitch- en features, open layouts, vintage looks, handcrafted minimalism and a growing interest in color and texture were among the top kitchen trends identified by MasterBrand Cabinets Director of Design and Trends Stephanie Pierce, who spoke about what's trending in kitchen design at the MasterBrands Trends Luncheon held in New York City last month. Addressing an audience of trade and consumer me- dia, Pierce stated, "The two most important trends we're seeing right now are an increased demand for transi- tional styling, and the mixing of two or more finishes." However, she noted that both designers and con- sumers sometimes have trouble identifying what "transitional" actually is – a style she defined as "clean lines, classic layout, easily updateable." Other trends she cited in her presentation included: • Handcrafted minimalism, driven by a clean, organic feel, such as that seen in Scandinavian design; • Vintage finds, including retro and refurbished pieces; • Housewarming, wherein the goal is to create a warm, inviting space by blowing out the walls and opening up the space to bring everyone together; • More integrated or hidden kitchen features; • Increased interest in oak for its tactile nature and optical texture. Attendees at the event also had the opportunity to preview some of the company's latest products in three categories: neutrals, opaques and textures. Tile of Spain Issues Call for Entrants for Tile Competition MIAMI — Tile of Spain, the international brand repre- senting 125 ceramic tile manufacturers belonging to the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers' Association (AS- CER), has announced an open call for the 15th Tile of Spain Awards competition. The awards honor interna- tional excellence in projects with Spanish ceramic tile in three categories: Architecture, Interior Design and Degree Project in Architecture. A jury of recognized international architecture and design professionals will judge the entries, competition sponsors said. The deadline for submitting entries is Oct. 22. Competition rules and entry forms are available at www.tileofspainawards.com. Kountry Wood Products Holds Open House N A P PA N E E , I L — An Open House conducted by Kountry Wood Products and its corporate affiliates, Borkholder Furniture and Kountry Cabinets, provided the Nappanee, IN-based cabinet manufacturer with an opportunity to host customers and vendors, while honoring top performers. The annual, two-day event, conducted in July, includ- ed tours of the company's new 58,000-sq.-ft. factory addition, as well as a golf outing, Customer Appreciation Dinner and awards presentation in nearby Elkhart, IN. "At Kountry Wood Products, one thing for sure is that we truly appreciate all of our customers, vendors and deal- ers," said Marketing Coordinator Bob Yoder. "Our Open House demonstrated just how much we appreciate them." Kountry Wood Products, founded in 1998, manu- factures and markets a kitchen and bath cabinet line comprised of numerous modules in a variety of flat and raised door styles, and a wide range of finishes. The company's Borkholder Furniture unit produces heir- loom-quality, solid-wood furniture. Pierce Tours of its new factory addition were part of Kountry Wood's recent Open House festivities. September 2016 • KitchenBathDesign.com 19 INDUSTRY UPDATE Easy to Clean With no obstacles on the floor, no tank to clean, and no exposed pipework, a wall-hung toilet makes cleaning easy. Saves Space The Geberit System takes up less space than a conventional toilet, and the concealed installation offers flexibility in small spaces. Strong and Durable The wall-hung toilet bolts simply and securely to the mounting frame. This sturdy system holds up to 880 lbs. Saves Water Geberit dual-flush saves water – a cost-effective solution for the home and a more sustainable concept for the environment. Easy to Maintain The Geberit one-piece tank is guaranteed not to leak. The stylish flush plate offers easy access to all internal components. See lust for yourself. Ask for your free copy of Geberit Inspire. → geberitnow.com/inspire or call 866/787-3924. The Qualities of Lust Circle No. 11 on Product Card