Product Innovator Awards from KBIS 2020!

For the next few weeks, I’m going to introduce (and comment on, of course) some products that were voted as some of the most innovative products around by a panel of kitchen and bath industry professionals earlier this year at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. As this show was held earlier this year, it was an in-person and not virtual event! Here are some of my favorites:

  1. First Place for Kitchen Innovation is Fotile’s 3-in-1 In-Sink Dishwasher!  Just take a look at how cool this is. 

Not only is it a sink and dishwasher all in one place, but you can also wash produce in the dishwasher! Not while you’re washing dishes, of course. This would be fabulous for a tiny kitchen, bar area, butler’s pantry or 2nd kitchen! 

  1. Second place for Kitchen Innovation is GE’s Café Quad Door Refrigerator. It’s a 4-door refrigerator with a convertible temperature zone that offers the flexibility to store different foods in different seasons. There’s a compartment that can double as a freezer when you need more freezer space, a wipeable glass-overlay surface for jotting your list while standing at the fridge and has a fingerprint free finish. Additionally, I like the integrated pocket handles as a space-saving feature when opening the door in tight spaces.

  1. Second place for Bath Innovation is Kohler’s Eir Intelligent Toilet.  If you want the only the best for your tush, this is the toilet for you.  It features a sleek tankless design with an optional rose gold or gold decorative ring around the lid for you design fans.  It also backs up to the wall so the plumbing and electrical connections are hidden.  Again, sleek design.  There’s a UV sanitizing wand that delivers an electrolyzed water spray to clean the surfaces, hands-free opening and closing, adjustable and customizable water sprays, a heated seat, and night light.  On the “green” side of things, it offers dual flush modes for water conservation.  You can even adjust all of the cleansing properties with a remote control.  A must-have for anyone who wants the ultimate in their bathroom experience!

Earth Day – Everyday

I was 10 for the first “Earth Day” and I remember it well. Our entire school went outside, and we planted a tree and talked about the environment and what we could do to keep it clean. I went home and created a little flyer that I distributed up and down my neighborhood that was titled “STP – Stop Treacherous Pollution!”.  A little nerdy, but I was a convert. Fast-forward 50 years and I am in an industry that is working to not only uphold the ideals established on that first Earth Day, but actually is finding ways to be even more conscious of our resources and environment. Here are just 5 things you can consider when remodeling or building that will not only be healthier for you – but for our environment as well.

Choose no or low VOC paints – this protects the environment inside your home from the off-gassing of harmful ingredients. It’s not just for the initial painting, but on-going health for your home.

Sherwin-Williams “Harmony” and Benjamin Moore “Natura“

Choose locally sourced materials – and support local artisans who are using reclaimed or re-purposed materials. You’d be surprised at their beauty. They’re not just for hippies anymore!

Choose cabinetry that is made by companies participating the Forest Stewardship Council. They are environmentally considerate when sourcing their products.

When doing a remodel that involves a considerable amount of demolition, consider donating your wood flooring, cabinets, countertops, sinks, faucets and appliances as well as other construction materials. There are several companies that will take them and what a great way to help out others AND keep construction waste out of landfills! Two that I like are Renovation Angel and Recyclean.

Select materials like ceramic tile that not only has a long life-span but may include recycled elements and flooring like Tarkett’s laminate and sheet vinyl flooring. Tarkett not only has many products that are asthma and allergy friendly, but as a company they are committed to producing sustainable products.

Last, but certainly not least- if you’re in need of a good desk chair to support you comfortably while we work from home, take a look at Humanscale’s Smart Ocean Chair. It’s made with nearly 2 lbs. of recycled fishing net material.

Yes, this year’s Earth Day will definitely be a different one. Maybe our current experience will remind us of the impact we all have on each other for the health and well-being of all. Click here for a pinterest board of ideas for sustainable products for your home. Happy Earth Day.

(images from pixabay.com)

Radiant Renovations REVEALED!

Last fall, we brought you a sneak peek of this remodel in Northbrook while it was in process. We remodeled the kitchen of this lovely home a couple of years ago. (See Northbrook Kitchen on our Houzz profile.) The homeowners invited us back to remodel the master bath, bedroom, and hall bath. They wanted to remove a giant tub that they didn’t use, expand and upgrade the shower, and create a make-up area on the wall opposite the vanities, all with a new, modern design.

BEFORE:
Before Images for Reveal CC

AFTER:
The finished design is just divine!
After Images for Reveal CC

Let’s take a closer look:

We added luxury features such as a radiant heat “warm floor” and contemporary dark grey porcelain tile to this spa-experience master bathroom. A Kallista body spray shower with Kohler showerhead, and digital interface, and Kallista handshower all have a sparkling nickel finish. The shower gleams with Maximum Premium White from TransCeramica porcelain slab marbled with soft silver grains.

shower for blog

The sink vanity continues the bright modern design with Wood-Mode slab panel cabinets in high gloss Nordic White topped with Difiniti Torano quartz countertops. Beautiful nickel silver wall sconces integrate seamlessly with the cabinet-to-ceiling mirrors. A private water closet with a Kohler one-piece tankless toilet has a touchscreen remote with all the latest cutting-edge technology.

vanity and toilet for blog

The old tub area now boasts a gorgeous makeup vanity with cabinetry and countertops that matches the sink vanity. Separated from the sink vanity by large shower, it offers a balance of privacy and shared space for the couple as they get ready for the day. An organized linen closet keeps necessities close at hand.

makeup vanity and linen closet for blog

The bedroom remodel evokes the softer, relaxed side of modern design. A dreamy Kravet Langhorne California King bed is framed by custom designed floating nightstands and chrome wall sconces, along with “floating” shelves in the niche. A comfortable swivel chair and tufted ottoman create an inviting sitting area for reading or looking out the window to complete the master suite retreat.

Bedroom and Sitting Area for blog

The full bath in the hallway makes a contemporary statement of light and dark. Tub to ceiling champagne glass tile and high gloss dark chocolate cabinets topped with Verde Peacock Extra granite countertops is offset by a white sink, tub, toilet, and porcelain tile floor. Beautiful aqua Thibaut Como Silk wall paper lines the walls (that’s actually vinyl!) for a look that is both modern yet welcoming.

Hall Bath for blog

It was wonderful to work with Michael Menn and team on the construction, Diane Lawson of Better Kitchens on the cabinetry, and our amazing repeat clients! You can find all the details on the products in this project on our Houzz profile Radiant Renovation project.

The Kitchen Exhaust Hood Gets a Makeover

The old-fashioned kitchen range hood is no longer the ugly duckling of appliances. It is now anything you want it to be: sleek and sophisticated, contemporary, funky, rustic, or even custom-made designs to match a theme kitchen.


This sleek, contemporary wall mounted Blanco Cooker Hood by Gutmann Adelante is perfect for modern kitchen designs.


The Francois Marble/Limestone Range Hood by GCAT Stone Design, crafted from one single piece of natural limestone, lends a classic old-world charm to this kitchen design.


The Lipstick Range Hood from the Sorpresa collection by Best gives a fun splash of color in a compact size.


This Pop-Up Downdraft Vent system by Broan is a space-saving design with a stainless steel cover that sits flush with the countertop when not in use.


You can find range hoods in a variety of metals, such as copper, brass, bronze, nickel silver and stainless steel. Here is a soft distressed Copper Range Hood by Texas Lightsmith with brick surround.


Custom-made range hoods add an inspired touch to a theme kitchen, like this unique range hood made to look like a storefront with sloping Mediterranean-style roof tile.

Today’s range hoods offer a mix of beauty and efficiency to compliment every kitchen design. Do you think a hood should be the showpiece of a kitchen, or only play a supporting role?

Splurge or Save??

Whenever I’m working with a client – be it on a large remodel or a smaller project, the issue of budget always comes up. I actually ask for it at our very first meeting so that I can help my clients select the right items and we don’t waste time on things that they’re not interested in. Having a budget also means that if we splurge in one area we save in another. Here’s a project I’m currently working on:

The clients want to re-do their master bedroom including paint, window treatments, and new bedding. We selected our window treatment fabrics, but found that our panel fabric took us over their budget. We had several options to bring the budget back in line:

  • A. Do the valances only, without doing panels alongside the windows
  • B. Keep the more expensive panel fabric and go beyond the budget
  • C. Use the less expensive panel fabric and add a trim to the valance for a dressier look
  • D. Give up because they can’t make a decision

Sadly, many people make choice D. Here are our fabric and trim choices:

The winner: the original panel fabric and the fabulous trim! The client decided that they deserved to have a beautiful master bedroom and going beyond the budget was ok.

Client's Choice!

Which would you choose?

Designer Kitchens

So, you’d like to redo your kitchen. Great! You should work with a kitchen designer! “What? I don’t need a designer for my kitchen,” you think. Well, here is a list of things that a kitchen designer can do to make your kitchen re-do better than you dreamed.

  1. They’ll get to know you, how you use your kitchen and what’s important to you and your family before they design anything.
  2. They will take that information and incorporate it into a plan that allows for the best flow and function for you.

  3. They understand the decisions that need to be made, when they need to be made, and can assist you in keeping the look cohesive and stay within your budget.
  4. They understand how to talk with the contractor and various trades to ensure that what gets built is what you had envisioned.

These are just 4 of the many reasons that having a kitchen designer on your team is a great idea. In upcoming posts we’ll discuss how to select and work with a designer. Here’s to a fabulous result!!

Window Dressing

Think of a time when a window treatment really captured your attention. Did it beautifully enhance the overall look of the room or was it outdated, under-done, or poorly done? There are so many options for dressing windows that there’s no reason to suffer with unattractive windows. Choosing the right style for you depends on the answers to a few questions:

  1. What are your primary needs in dressing the window?

    2. a. Privacy
    b. Light Control or blocking
    c. Hide a less-than-lovely view
    d. Enhance the look of the room

    Most of us have a combination of answers so it’s good to know which one is most important.

  2. How do you feel about window treatments?

    3. a. I love an opulent look with draperies and top treatments
    b. I prefer to enhance my room with window treatments but don’t want them to be the primary focus
    c. I prefer to frame the beautiful view outside instead of looking at window treatments

    This is great information to have when deciding what to do with your windows.

  3. What’s the overall style and formality of this room?

    4. a. Sleek and sophisticated
    b. Richly decorated with a lot of embellishments
    c. Simple and spare

    Here are some great examples of different styles:

This week’s Facebook post shows a window treatment that won’t win a beauty award! Take a look and share what you think.

Contractors and Designers: A Winning Team

Are you ready to tackle your dream remodeling project? Consider adding a designer and a contractor to your team! These professionals each bring unique skills that blend together to create an outstanding result. Here’s how the synergy works:

Designers:

  • Help you “flesh out” your dreams, needs, and goals into a concrete plan
  • Communicate a clear, cohesive design vision to the contractor with details he understands
  • See the “big picture” as well as the details that make all the difference
  • Coordinate all of the decorative elements so that your vision is complete

  • Collaborate with contractors to resolve unexpected challenges in the way that preserves the integrity of the design vision
  • Stay on top of design trends and the newest products
  • Help you make timely decisions to keep your project on time and budget

Contractors

  • Convey the plan, concepts and design vision to the artisans that bring them to life
  • Are experienced in anticipating and troubleshooting construction challenges

  • Keep your project moving forward by understanding how to orchestrate a number of different trades at once
  • Know the best materials and construction techniques to use to achieve the desired outcome

Although their talents differ, together they are like the blended musical notes of a symphony – enhancing the experience and the enjoyment of your project!