Art Nouveau at KBIS 2010

Art Nouveau (French for “new art”) is a style in art, architecture and design that peaked in popularity at the beginning of the 20th century.

Wikipedia excerpt:
The origins of Art Nouveau are found in the resistance of William Morris to the cluttered compositions and the revival tendencies of the Victorian era and his theoretical approaches that helped initiate the Arts and Crafts movement. However, Arthur Mackmurdo’s book-cover for Wren’s City Churches (1883), with its rhythmic floral patterns, is often considered the first realisation of Art Nouveau. Around the same time, the flat perspective and strong colors of Japanese woodcuts, especially those of Katsushika Hokusai, had a strong effect on the formulation of Art Nouveau’s formal language. The wave of Japonisme that swept through Europe in the 1880s and 1890s was particularly influential on many artists with its organic forms, references to the natural world, and clear designs that contrasted strongly with the reigning taste.

Art Nouveau in architecture and interior design eschewed the eclectic revival styles of the Victorian era. Though Art Nouveau designers selected and ‘modernized’ some of the more abstract elements of Rococo style, such as flame and shell textures, they also advocated the use of highly stylized organic forms as a source of inspiration, expanding the ‘natural’ repertoire to embrace seaweed, grasses, and insects.

Art Nouveau Design inspiration | Kitchen Studio of Naples

Art Nouveau Design inspiration | Kitchen Studio of Naples

Studio One by Ornamental Products

Ornamental Products showcased their Liana series from their “Studio One” collections.  Using CNC carving equipment, Ornamental Products is able to create intertwined stems and foliage from premium hardwoods.

Art Nouveau Design inspiration | Kitchen Studio of Naples

Art Nouveau Design inspiration | Kitchen Studio of Naples

Hafele will be offering hardware that matches Ornamental Products’ carved components.  I didn’t get a good picture of the Liana hardware but the knob below matches Ornamental’s new Revival Series from the Studio One collection. Hopefully these will be available soon.

Art Nouveau Design inspiration | Kitchen Studio of Naples

Speaking of hardware, Notting Hill Decorative Hardware  is a great source for period pieces.  I think their Cicada Hinge Plate is exquisite.

Art Nouveau Design inspiration | Kitchen Studio of Naples

Notting Hill Decorative Hardware partnered with South Sudan Voices of Hope (SSVOH) and created Hope Blossom to benefit the people in the war-torn area of the Sudan. This hardware features the stylized blossom of the peanut plant which is a sustainable food source in the Sudan. 75% of the profits of Hope Blossom will be donated to SSVOH to help provide such things as clean drinking water, seeds, tools, medical care and education.

Art Nouveau Design inspiration | Kitchen Studio of Naples

Another great exhibitor at KBIS showing beautiful artistic hardware was Marella from Classic Hardware.  Their Aurea Collection is an exclusive collection “dedicated to those interested in precious objects, exclusive in aesthetical aspects and design”.

Another beautiful feature of this hardware is its availability in Gold (24kt), Silver, Sweet Gold (rose), Chocolate Gold (brown) and Spring Gold (green).

Art Nouveau Design inspiration | Kitchen Studio of Naples

Art Nouveau Design inspiration | Kitchen Studio of Naples

I hope you are inspired.  Please add any comments for your favorite Art Nouveau sources.

KBIS Standout: Bathroom Vanities

Xylem Bambu

Xylem introduced its new BAMBU bathroom vanity and mirror set.  The collection uses eco-friendly bamboo veneer and raw bamboo stalk accents to tie contemporary styling with nature-inspired accents.

The clean, handle-free, console appearance of the BAMBU bath vanity offers no hint of its two spacious drawers. The BAMBU vanity is offered in a choice of wall-mount or base-stand applications 26″ and 36″ wide. 

  Bambu hidden drawer from KBIS Bambu with black top from KBIS

In 2009 the Xylem Group, LLC acquire the Loft & Bath® and Coret® luxury brands from the Zoli Corporation.

The Gira Basin displayed at the show is so spectacular everyone had to stop and touch it.  

The Zoli Permesso Series of lavatories are made from a proprietary and patented material called Coret®. Coret is a synthetic material made from a combination of resins and alumina. These special components give the product a matte satin finish combined with a very natural “soft to the touch” feeling.

Coret is fire-resistant, chemical-resistant, stain-resistant and the finished product also has a very high resistance to abrasions.

Gira Basin 

Robern

To the joy of designers everywhere, Robern has expanded their product line to offer wall-hung vanities.  These contemporary vanities are constructed from aluminum and glass with a night-light along the top channel. Aside from the beautiful styling, the interior accessories will make every woman want one.  Glass storage bins neatly hold cosmetics and the hairdryer and curling iron holders are well thought out with safety and convenience in mind.

  

    

Barbara Barry Counterpoint for Kallista

Barbara Barry introduced her fourth Collection for Kallista at KBIS. The Counterpoint Collection by Barbara Barry is inspired by the minimal elegance of the 1930s.  This collection is distinctly modern and sophisticated.  The vanity features a startburst wood inlay, Barbara Barry’s signature motif.  It will be offered in two wood finishes, Barry’s signature deep, dark Java finish, or the warmer tones of Brunette, a new finish designed exclusively for the collection. The marble countertop is available in Statuary White or Crema Marfil marble with undermount bowl. A coordinating  medicine cabinet features a beveled mirror with the same startburst etched into the top.

 

Late Addition: Native Trails

Native Trails showed two new vanities at the show; the Yanama and the Savannah.  I’m sharing the Savannah Vanity which is entirely handcrafted using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood in a one-of-a-kind distressed finish.

The 30″ Antique White vanity is avialable with with the Lava, a dark charcoal grey basalt or Crema, a lightly polished marble tops and your choice of sink. I love it with the Calypso basin as shown in the photo.  Look for it to be available in May.

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2009 KBIS Product Showcase

Guest post from Jamie Goldberg

These are some of the products I spotted at the 2009 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show that I thought fellow KitchAnn Style readers would enjoy. As I always check this blog for the latest and greatest, it was an honor and a challenge looking for new things that would interest KAS readers.

TOTO-LY EXCELLENT

Toto can always be counted on for great product introductions, and this year was no exception. My favorite releases were the Luminist series of resin lavs that could be lit from below with LEDs or even fluorescents. Your lav could be illuminated with colored – even changing lights – for a dramatic powder room or master bath. (Night lights never looked this good!)LUMINIST SilhouetteAnother Toto favorite of mine was the Waza Noir. Not only is it sculpturally beautiful, its finish is as smooth and touchable as velvet.

Waza Noir Lav

KOHLER ME WHITE AND GOLD

Kohler has redefined the white fixture. And the results are soft, matte and elegant. Its new Honed White lavs and toilets feature a gentler-toned finish that lends itself beautifully to spa style baths. Rather than the traditional, glossy paper look, Honed White looks like Haagen Dazs vanilla bean ice cream. KitchAnn Style readers may particularly enjoy the new Reve contemporary bath suites in this luscious new finish.

Kohler Reve Vessel Lav

Kohler also reintroduced gold to the designer’s palette with its Vibrant Moderne Brushed Gold. It’s got a polished companion, too, but I think the softer brushed works best in these hard-edged times.

Koher Purist Faucet

I was also taken by Kohler’s new Parity bath, which features a richly-stained transfer seat. While this wooden perch makes it easier for someone to get in and out of the tub, it also makes it easier to keep bath goodies at hand, or even add candlelight to your bath.

Kohler Parity Bath

TECH NOTES

Many of the top appliance manufacturers stayed home this year. Two, however, brought their A Game. LG introduced a new double drawer French door fridge with automation. If you’ve ever wished for a third hand, this may be the appliance for you. A control panel on the front of the fridge makes it easy to open the freezer drawers without bending or tugging.
LG French Door Fridge

Bosch is also making it easier to work in the kitchen. Its new AutoChef Induction Cooktop includes pre-sets for frequently-made foods. I’ve been a big proponent of induction, and I know Ann is a fan of this energy-saving technology, too. One hesitation clients have had is that they’re very comfortable cooking with electric or gas and aren’t sure how to adjust their recipes for induction. This is a good solution, and a pretty sleek cooktop, too.

Bosch AutoChef Induction

Robern has brought a touch of technology to the medicine cabinet. Its new Uplift series can hold a flat-screen TV, along with your standard bath fare. Its sleek design incorporates a door that slides upwards, creating a range of new design options.

Robert Uplift Medicine Cabinet

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Design enthusiasts know that great hardware can update your home in a heartbeat. If they’re fans of the world-renowned Clodagh, they might be interested to know that Du Verre has released two new lines of cabinet hardware the famed interior designer created just for them. One is called Primitive. The other is Stacked. Both are fun, quirky and unique, and will definitely update any room they show up in.

Du Verre Clodagh Primitive

Affluence Seamless Sink

Kitchen Studio of Naples Sink Choice

affluence

I don’t know about you, but I really dislike trying to keep the drain area of my sink clean.  Having to clean the crevasse around the food disposer is a thing of the past with the new Affluence Seamless Sink.

The Affluence Seamless Sink has removed the seam that traps unsanitary bacteria & debris and created a smooth beautiful sink bottom.

The custom strainer baskets included with the sink also seal the disposer opening for filling the sink with water. Now your drains can appear uniform without the need for the unsightly black plastic plug.

The Affluence Seamless Sink comes in eight styles in 18 gauge 304 Stainless Steel with a light brushed finish.

Your installer should like it too because installation time is reduced by 20 to 60 minutes and the undermount drain design eliminates the need for messy sealant at the drain flange.

The Affluence Seamless Sink was recently awarded the Best of Competition & Gold Award for the Kitchen Category at the 2009 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show.

Watch this video.