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.

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.

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.

April 14, 2010

KBIS 2010 Live Events

If you can’t make it to the Kitchen And Bath Industry Show this year you may want to check out these live streams from the show floor.

Fisher & Paykel

Fisher & Paykel has a full range of programming scheduled including: appearances from America’s Test Kitchen’s founder Christopher Kimball, Chef Demos with Celebrity Chef Tim Creehan, and multiple virtual tours showcasing the newest innovative products from Fisher & Paykel and DCS Appliances.

Kitchen and Bath Design News

Another way to keep up with what is happening at the show is through KBDN Radio. Senior editor John Filippelli will be providing daily updates live from the show floor in a series of podcasts.

Additionally, KBDN will be covering the KBIS Show live, through its Satellite Media Tour, hosted by KBDN editor Janice Costa. The Satellite Media Tour will start its broadcast live from the Broan booth at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, April 16.

K+BB online

As the exclusive sponsor of KBIS, K+BB TV will go behind the scenes to showcase the new and innovative product launches from the show. K+BB will also conduct on-air interviews with some of the most influential leaders in the industry.

April 1, 2010

Appliance Savings

Combining utility, manufacturer, store and state rebates when buying a single Energy Star appliance can save hundreds of dollars.

Depending on where you live, the savings on new appliances this spring could be very significant.

Major appliance manufacturers such as Thermador, LG, Monogram and Sub-Zero are making the dollar go further with large rebates on appliance packages (Ovens, Ranges & Cooktops, etc.) that probably do not fall under the Energy Star requirements in the State Rebate programs.

Rebate Programs Overview

Thermador’s One, Two, FREE

Purchase a Professional Series 36- or 48-inch Range, or any Rangetop, or any Masterpiece Series Cooktop, with an accompanying Professional or Masterpiece Double or Triple Oven and get a free Thermador Emerald Dishwasher.

New for 2010, step-up to Thermador’s top-of-the-line Sapphire™ 6-program Dishwashers for an additional $500 or $750 (depending on model).

Add any Thermador Refrigerator or any two Freedom Columns and get any size free Ventilation System.

Thermaodr Freedom columns are Energy Star Qualified while the built-in refrigeration is not and will not qualify for state rebates.

LG’s Buy More, Save More

Homeowners who purchase an appliance within 2, 3 or 4 categories qualify for a $200, $300 or $500 rebate. Add a LWS3081ST or LWD3081ST wall oven and get a bonus $500 mail-in rebate for up to $1000 in savings.

Monogram’s Luxury Has It’s Rewards

Buy any pro range and hood OR cooktop, wall oven and hood and receive and instant rebate of $1,000. Add a built-in refrigerator and get an additional $1000 rebate.

Monogram’s list of qualified refrigerators appear to be Energy Star Certified making them eligible for State rebate programs.

Sub-Zero and Wolf National Consumer Promotion

Purchase a full-size (600 series excluded) built-in integrated or pro refrigerator plus any Range OR any wall oven with accompanying range top or 30″/36″ cooktop and receive an instant $1000 savings.

If you purchase 6 additional appliances you can receive an additional $1,500 in savings ($250 each). Eligible appliances listed here.

Not all of Sub-Zero’s refrigerators such as the Pro Refrigeration and the Dispenser models are Energy Star Qualified. Check your selection for eligibility in State rebate programs.

* Subject to retail participation.

March 1, 2010

Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend

I’m sure you’ve heard that diamonds are a girl’s best friend but did you know it applies to the functionality of a kitchen?

I don’t mean that the “little woman” will be happier slaving over your dinner if she’s wearing a giant rock. I am referring to DIAMOND™ Seal Technology from Brizo.

You may recall from an earlier post that I was recently flown to NY as a guest of Brizo. While there I got to learn about the incredible technology going into faucets and future technologies that will come in the near future. I can’t give away what’s coming in the next few years but I can discuss the relevance of what’s available now.

Brizo faucets use diamond-coated valves to keep water from coming into contact with outside contaminants. This advanced functionality adds to the durability of each faucet to stand up to the rigors of everyday use and have less leaks over time. The DIAMOND™ Seal Technology reduces the number of leak points and lasts up to 10 times longer than the industry standard. (Industry standard based on ASME 112.18.1 = 500,000 cycles.)

It also satisfies California statute AB 1953 mandating that by January 1, 2010, the weighted average (average amount of) lead content in pipes, fittings and fixtures used to convey drinking water cannot exceed 0.25% on wetted surfaces. The DIAMOND Seal Technology effectively keeps the water as pure as when it enters the faucet because there it keeps the water free of contact with potential metal contaminants.

Less leaks means more water conservation. Less contaminants means better water purity. These two benefits play a vital role in Brizo’s commitment to Green Design. A third part of their Green initiative that you can’t taste or see in your home is their commitment to environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.

Brizo has taken steps so all of their manufacturing plants recycle the water they use, recycle any excess brass from the manufacturing process and they use a water-based metal cleaning methods that eliminates the need for ozone-depleting solvent degreasers.

Your faucet with DIAMOND Seal Technology will keep working well for years since it has no internal parts with lubricants that can get gunky. It’s stylish design and smooth operation will allow you to enjoy it in your home instead of replacing it and having it enter a landfill which makes it easier for you to be environmentally responsible.

Brizo®, the faucet brand for the fashion forward, meets the demand for aesthetics and performance with a collection of distinctively designed faucets and related products that create a fashion statement in the home.

I’ll be posting pictures of the NY trip on my Facebook page.