KBIS 2008 - Cool Finds
I took about 700 pictures at KBIS, that's right, well, closer to 800! OK, it was the new, fancy, camera that made me go crazily snapping on and on and on. Plus, I didn't want to miss a thing!
The show is fantastic...always. New products = fun, cool, interesting, plus, always, a slow shake of the head in wonder at what they thought of next! Here are some random, but notable, picks...
Ann Sacks tile, always gorgeous, introduces the Perennial series of tile, all, made in a small, Portland, Oregon, studio. This is custom mosaic tile, and I think it's amazing!
I'll tell you one thing that I kept saying to myself and the person who walked me around the Elkay booth...Elkay has stepped it up! I was continually impressed by the beautiful design and innovation at the products in the Elkay booth. Smart, modern, very nice. Here's a new pot filler.
Here was a lovely, new, sink by Kohler, called the Cordial. It's an "entertainment" sink, ready to hold a block of ice, or bottles of wine, a staging area for mixing drinks, all that good stuff. A cutting board is included, an ice mold (hmmm!) and a steel pouring tray. Makes cast iron look modern, doesn't it?
From Fisher & Paykel, a new refrigerator drawer. It's great to have a SINGLE refrigerator drawer. You don't always need a double. BUT, that's not all. It's not only a refrigerator drawer, it can be a freezer, a pantry (53 degrees) OR a wine storage unit. Just select the lock button to lock and unlock the temperature selections, decide what you need it for, and wa-laaa, the ultimate in flexible refrigeration!
And, here's a new oven from Smeg...a glossy, mirrored finished door. Looks to me like it is a 24" size, perfect for a second oven in a medium or small kitchen or in an apartment. It's new!
More analysis and images, tons more, soon. An hour after I returned home from the airport yesterday, I met with clients for several hours, so I'm a bit late out of the gate! Lots more to share...
Monday, April 14, 2008 at 07:13AM
Reader Comments (11)
Sub-Zero Display photos?
Sure, Mike, they'll be coming soon. (I took lots of photos!)
This versatile refrigerator drawer is a good idea, I think. I'll save that photo in my kitchen directory, as a reminder.
The custom mosaic tile looks gorgeou$$$$. ;)
Connie, yes, I think it's a great idea. It's a "who knew they could do that??"
I would have gone crazy with pictures too!
What kind of new camera did you get? Very exciting :)
My husband was just asking me if they made a single refrigerator drawer and thanks to you I have the answer! Thanks for the great updates from the show. We are just starting a kitchen remodeling project and your product information is very helpful.
Hi Kristen, well, I got this gorgeous, and heavy, Nikon D300. There's nothing it doesn't do. But, I've been a photographer for a very long time, and my other one just died a miserable death after 4 1/2 years. It's a fantastic camera, this Nikon!
Beth, yes, this looks like a great and very versatile product, to say the least. I'm thinking of putting it in my own kitchen and using a smaller width refrigerator, but all refrigerator. Glad it could help you!
Wow! Very cool. Love that Ann Sacks tile, but I always love Ann Sacks tile. I used to live practically across the street from the Ann Sacks showroom, which was also on the same block as the Country Floors showroom, which also had amazingly beautiful tile. I walked past them every single day to and from the subway, so even when I had nothing to tile, I drooled. Crazy pricey though.
Yes! That's THE solution! The single refrigerator drawer as a small, but large enough, freezer - PLUS a full size all fridge. I think that's all I ever wanted in my rather small FL kitchen. Just perfect!
Jean, I hate to tell you this, but some of the tile I saw was $400 to $500 a square foot! It's like buying one piece of tile and framing it as art! I'll be showing a bunch of that soon.
Connie, well, truth be told, I had in mind the very sexy Sub Zero 27" refrigerator with the drawers, all refrigerator, and using this drawer as a freezer elsewhere. I'm tired of a big refrigerator!
Wondering if you ever got a chance to upload the Subzero display photos from KBIS '08? The one William Draper did was out of this world! He accomplished things I had never even thought of as a kitchen & bath designer. Very inspiring & well thought out. It really opened my eyes to new possibilities & reminded me to always pay attention to every minute detail. Not that I don't pay attention to detail, but as a busy designer sometimes you get caught up in the time line & forget to pay attention to everything. This display served as a reminder to me.
By the way...love your blog & the information you present. I admire that you take the time to do this- your passion for the industry shines through!