Nanotech Countertops

Fenix NTM ‘Nanotech Matt’ surface recently debuted in many trendsetting kitchen and furniture manufacturers displays at Salone del Mobile in Milan.

Fenix NTM is a thermo-laminate with unique properties, produced in Italy by Arpa Industriale with the aid of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology is the branch of applied science that involves controlling materials, at an infinitesimal level: from 1 – 100 millionths of a millimetre. This type of process has only been available for a few decades, but it is already transforming the world we live in, even the furniture sector.

The core structure of Fenix NTM is composed of craft paper impregnated with thermosetting resins. It is produced by the simultaneous application of heat and high specific pressure to produce a homogeneous non-porous high density product.

Fenix NTM is very resistant to scratches, abrasion, rubbing and dry heat. It is also resistance to stress, solvents and household reagents. Its surface is hygienic and easy to clean thanks to its enhanced anti-bacterial properties. Fenix NTM is also water repellant and mold resistant.

Despite its many features, it seems that it’s Fenix NTM’s matte anti-reflective surface, depth of color (especially black) and soft-to-the-touch feel that has designers flocking to it.

Homeowners and facility managers seem to love it because it is self-healing. To repair a scratch, just place a damp paper towel over the affected area and pass over the scratch with a hot iron. Your countertop will look brand new again.

FENIX NTM is available in the following sizes and thicknesses:
4200 x 1600 mm: 0.9, 1.2, 10 and 12 mm.
4300 x 1850 mm: 10 and 12 mm.

About Arpa:
Since 1954 Arpa Industriale has been designing and manufacturing panels with very high quality HPL technology for the most diverse applications: from architecture to interior design, from healthcare to shipyards, from transport to hospitality, from retail to kitchens.

Arpa’s American showroom is located in SoHo, the artistic and creative heart of New York City, the center for contemporary excellence. Arpa’s unique products and colorful collections on display are in this 7,500 square foot showroom center.

April 17, 2014

Kinetic Lighting Control and All White Bulbs for Philips Hue

Philips’ hue lighting system is gaining two new components, a hue lux remote-control white bulb, and the hue tap, a clever little switch which makes controlling your favorite Hue light scenes even easier. And, since it’s kinetic-powered no batteries are needed.

The new hue tap is built on Philips’ hue wireless lighting system, which has grown from the original iOS app-enabled, color-changing LED bulbs to an ecosystem of smart lighting accessories.

The tap is the first official product from Philips to bring hue lighting control out of the app and into the physical world.

Philips Hue tap needs no batteries as it operates using kinetic energy – simply through taps from your finger. As a result, it has a remarkable zero watts of power consumption and needs no main power source. Meaning it’s not only smarter, but greener and hassle free.

“Hue tap is the perfect solution for users who want to control their personal wireless lighting with yet more convenience. It is more than just a modern take on the wall switch – it combines easy-to-use traditional lighting control with the smart, intuitive, fun world of Philips Hue.” -Filip Jan Depauw, Senior Director, Philips Lighting

Philips Hue tap control requires the hue bridge found with all starter kits for Philips hue and Friends of hue products. Hue tap will be available this fall for $60.

Interestingly, Philips will open the hue tap API to third-party smart home developers. That potentially means easy installation of a multi-function switch that could be mapped to multiple different home automation products, addressing a common request in the growing smart home market.

Philips has also introduced a new bulb called the hue lux, and it’s dimmable like the other hue bulbs (and other smart bulbs) but doesn’t do the chameleon color changing of the original bulbs. The lux bulb has a max lighting output of 600 lumens and temperature range from 2000-6500 Kelvin. Philips estimates hue will last 15,000 hours while drawing up to 8.5 watts at full intensity.

Hue lux works on the same ZigBee protocol, meaning users can incorporate the lights with third-party sensors, that the original color-changing hue bulbs use, but changes through white light intensity instead.

Philips says lux will go on sale this fall at a price of $39.99 each or $99 for a two-bulb starter kit that includes the hue wireless bridge.

April 14, 2014

Classtone

TheSize keeps up with current trends and introduces a new collection to their innovative Neolith compact surfacing line called Classtone.

Inspired by the timeless look of marble, Classtone blends the classicism and elegance of marble with their revolutionary Neolith Digital Design (NDD) technology.

Neolith Estatuario | KitchAnn Style — Estatuario

The Classtone Collection was presented at Cersaie 2013 and KBIS 2014 this past February and introduced a new sizing format, 3,200 x 1,500 mm with a thickness of 12 mm.

Neolith Marfil | KitchAnn Style — Marfil

Rigorously realistic marble-like Pulpis, Marfil, Estatuario and Marquina comprise the Classtone line. The new collection is suitable for floors and facades, but designers will find it ideal for large kitchen countertops and bathrooms walls.

Neolith Pukpis | KitchAnn Style — Pulpis

“Neolith is perfect for architects, interior designers and other industry professionals who really aim at impressing their clients with striking designs and high-performance spaces.” –Mario Ramirez, North American Sales

Neolith Marquina | KitchAnn Style — Marquina – coming soon

Estatuario is the most versatile color and comes in 6 different variations with 2 finishes: Satin and Riverwashed. The patterns are E01, E02, E03 and their mirrored images E01R, E02R, E03R. Marfil and Pulpis are offered only in the satin finish.

Like all Neolith products, Classtone is an ultra compact surface that’s made of 100-percent natural material including clay, feldspar, silica, and mineral oxide. It’s an exceptionally durable, extremely thin material that’s scratch, stain, UV, cold, heat, and fire resistant. It also stands up to harsh cleaning agents and chemicals, plus requires very little maintenance. Neolith’s super thin sheets offer a lightweight alternative to natural stone.

One should note that each quarry is unique, so the clay or sand will have different amounts of silicates and feldspar. Depending on the mixture, clay may have to be added, and other times they just have to add color.

TheSize offers a 15 year limited warranty on its 3+3+3, 3+3, 5+3, 5+5, 10 and 12 mm thick NEOLITH slabs used for countertop applications.

April 10, 2014

SMEG Launches Stylish Small Appliances

Smeg, the family-owned Italian brand started by Vittorio Bertazzoni the elder in 1947 has branched out from its major appliances core into the world of small domestic appliances.

Faithful to the style of the company, Smeg’s new collection of small appliances harkens back to the era of the 50’s with stylish appeal.

Created by Matteo Bazzicalupo and Raffaella Mangiarotti of Milan-based design house deepdesign, the small appliance collection features curved lines, Smeg lettering, and comes in a palate of colors taken from the 1950’s.

There are two toasters, two kettles, a blender and a mixer. A coffee machine is in the pipeline. The range will be available in the vivid colours made famous by Smeg’s range of FAB fridges. There’s baby blue, understated pink, bright red, traditional black and white, and a stainless steel so redolent that it acts as a mirror.

“This is an exciting new avenue for Smeg, designed to meet the rising demand for our iconic Smeg retro-style designs. Now, you can now choose to complement your existing 50’s-style fridge freezer or washing machine with a matching kettle, toaster or small appliance. The products are inspired by colours, icons, objects and designs of the retro era and there are up to seven different colours available. Each shade will match with the Pantone color of existing Smeg appliances, for those who wish to co-ordinate. This new collection is also perfect for those who aspire to own a larger appliance, as they can still afford to join the artistic Smeg following with a stylish mixer or blender. ” –Mike Giddings, Managing Director

There are two toasters, two kettles, a blender and a mixer. A coffee machine is in the pipeline. Unlike Smeg’s ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers and hobs, this small appliance range is not and will not be manufactured in Italy. Due to the competitive business nature of small appliance manufacturing, the products will be assembled in China.

These new products are being shown at the Smeg booth (stand B15-B21 in FTK, Pavilion 11) in Milan at EuroCucina 2014 April 8th-13th.

To coincide with the small appliance launch, on April 7th Smeg launched their new retro-style website revised vivid graphics and content. A special area on the site has also been created for SMEGazine, which will contain periodically updated content devised to retain users and uncover some of the curiosities from around the Smeg world.