Kitchen & Bath Design News

JAN 2018

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

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Vinotemp's Designer Series Outdoor Automatic Icemaker produces and stores up to 25 lbs. of clear ice in three different sizes – users select the desired cube size with the push of a button. The stainless steel icemaker features auto-inlet water with a built-in pump and a gravity drain or drain pump. Circle No. 155 on Product Card The Bera & Beren collection from Walker Zanger provides porcelain flooring in natural and structured fin- ishes in both standard and large sizes. Available across a range of neutral colors, the collection mimics fine-grain Portuguese and Spanish limestone and features subtle variation. Circle No. 156 on Product Card Designed for 22"-deep cabinets and constructed from weather-resistant polyethene, the Glideware by Rev- A-Shelf Outdoor Organizer glides on stainless steel, ball-bearing, side-mount slides. It features easy four-screw installation, five adjustable hooks and the firm's Synchronized Motion. Circle No. 157 on Product Card Scotsman Ice Systems provides the Bril- liance Gourmet Cuber and the Brilliance Nugget Ice Machines for indoor and outdoor settings. The Gourmet Cuber produces a uniquely shaped ice that pre- vents clumping and melts more slowly, while the Nugget Ice Machine yields soft, compacted ice in nugget form. Circle No. 158 on Product Card itchens are increasingly becoming the all-purpose gathering spot in the home, particularly with the popularity of open floor plans. Since this gathering space often extends to the outside, the outdoor kitchen area must now also function as more than simply a place to throw some burgers on the barbecue. "Nowadays, homeowners are not just building outdoor kitchens, but cre- ating an overall outdoor living experience," says Stephen Schroeter, senior v.p. of sales and marketing at Ontario, Canada-based Napoleon Products. That doesn't mean, however, that food preparation is unimportant. Some trends continue to be driven by food preferences, so the need for customized options, particularly in cooking appliances, is still big. "Clients seek authen- ticity in their cooking. They gravitate toward products that reflect this desire," says Russ Faulk, chief designer and head of product for Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet in Chicago. "Clients truly embrace the authentic cooking experienc- es that are best enjoyed outdoors." Another key trend is the move toward outdoor spaces that are more connected – both physically and stylistically – to their indoor counterparts. "Architecturally, one of the biggest trends we're seeing is homeowners wanting to create a transitional space that ties in with the rest of their home and is truly an extension of their usable living space. This can be achieved by using similar materials both inside and outside to create continuity," says Schroeter. Other top considerations for the outdoor space include a sleek, contempo- rary styling and a demand for durable products that will withstand the more rugged outdoor environment. That's according to manufacturers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News. THE HEART OF ENTERTAINING While entertaining often centers around food, with the grill being one of the essential items in the outdoor kitchen area, it can't end there. The outdoor space must be set up for optimal entertaining, often including seating areas and a heat source. "We see homeowners creating outdoors spaces that expand habitable space by creating complete outdoor living areas, not just outdoor kitchens. Outdoor kitchens are now lifestyle-centered," says Chelsea McClaran, brand manager at True Manufacturing in O'Fallon, MO. Daniel Germani, an interior designer and architect who collaborates with Cosentino North America, in Miami, agrees. "I think the biggest shift in outdoor kitchen spaces is that now we're designing multiple entertaining and seating areas, with tons of room for gathering and having fun," he says. Mitch Slater, president of Danver Stainless Outdoor Kitchens in Wallingford, CT sees outdoor entertainment areas becoming much larger than last year – and they don't always focus on the cooking. "A lot of people just want a nice add-on to their house. So, they're selling themselves short As more people embrace fresh air living and entertaining at home, outdoor kitchens mirror indoor spaces in both style and purpose. BY ELIZABETH RICHARDS Outdoor Style K 96 Kitchen & Bath Design News • January 2018 PRODUCT TREND REPORT

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