Janet Cook
For 50 years, the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) has been showcasing the latest product innovations, and bigger still is the annual International Building Show (IBS), whose vendor displays fill the size of four football fields for professionals to see and learn about! Both shows judge hundreds of entries to determine what new products are the best in innovation, functionality and design. This year was exceptional in rolling out some great products I believe to be game changers for homeowners in functionality, beauty and fun!
The most functional everyday appliance is the increasing array of brand choices of independent columnar refrigerator and freezers. No longer does one have to choose one unit having both refrigerator and freezer that typically has too small of a side freezer or a bottom drawer freezer. Now homeowners can choose the modular unit of needed interior capacity of freestanding freezer and choose the size of a freestanding refrigerator to fit their needs. One will also enjoy having the majority of shelves right in front of them with the products they use most for quick and easy access. The second most practical product in my opinion is Samsung’s award-winning Flexwash and Flexdry laundry system. They are front-load machines that have a top load mini washer and top load dryer shelf which is great for delicates, to do a quick wash of your favorite workout outfit or a small load. It’s like 2 in 1 for each!
The most in making a home beautiful is the award finalist, NanaWall Systems, for their Kitchen Transitions product. Formerly, one could have a sliding glass wall system from top to floor to expand the home to outdoor living and entertaining. Now they have created a system that can continue onto countertops. It is a space-saving way to have guests sit at the outdoor “snack bar” and easily be served food and drink. The Best Kitchen Product Award went to the product Artis Wall by ArtisWall, a peel and stick accent wall that can be easily placed and removed without damaging the wall. One can have shiplap, stone or even put cedar planks in the closet for less. They even have a beautiful American flag with reclaimed wood one can order, made in the USA. The planks stamped with a code that tells the location of the barn it came from!
Now for the most fun products, both for the bathroom! Here is both a do-it-yourselfer dream, as great for the eco-friendly minded, Easy Frame by Precision Works. It is decorative tape one can adhere around the edge of a mirror to give it a premium decorative frame. The other innovation will take you back to school days! It turns the bathroom faucet into a water fountain by the pull of a lever, Fontanina 2 by Nasoni, which won the People’s Choice Award for their reinvention of the faucet. Now one can easily swish after brushing their teeth or get an inline filter to have a source of drinking water on demand.
For photos and more in-depth reviews of these products or links to special pricing, go to www.CookRemodeling.com and click on the corresponding tab. Happy Home Remodeling!
Janet Cook, President of Cook Remodeling (celebrating their 39th year), invites you to “like” their Facebook page for more information and resources on trends, design and home care.