Highlights from KBIS 2017

January 13, 2017Tom MajewskiNo comments

The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show is the annual big-deal event each year. If you want to make a splash in the kitchen and bath industry, this is a must to debut new products, while wooing the press and consumers alike.  KBIS is much like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), but with stoves, showers, and toilets.

There were a few products that caught our eye this year.  In no particular order, here are some highlights from #KBIS2017 that you may want to put on your kitchen wish list.

 

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This @BlueStarCooking #natgas stove in @pantone color of the year is a must see in our booth! #ibsorlando #KBIS2017 pic.twitter.com/nthhfcgAQV

— AGA (@aga_naturalgas) January 12, 2017

First was the gorgeous green stove from BlueStar®, a manufacturer of high-performance appliances for the home.  Not only is the green color very unusual in and of itself, but what makes it especially exciting is that it’s actually custom-matched to the Pantone Color of the Year for 2017, “Greenery.” (…and it’s awefully close to our very own “CliqGreen” too!!)

Of course, who could forget the drab green and mustard yellow appliances of the 1970s and 1980s.  Consumers shied away from color for a long time, but after the last decade or two of stainless appliances ruling supreme, it’s definitely making a comeback.  We’ve seen some color in appliances before, but nothing has ever come close to BlueStar’s library of over 750 colors and textured finishes. For the ultimate in customization — or to match the latest Pantone trend — they will even create a custom color just for you!

 

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Concrete tiles by @annsacks that can be bent to allow an LED light to shine through. Amazing! #KBIS2017 pic.twitter.com/mvXQm0pu7L

— Samantha Hart (@samhart06) January 10, 2017

An innovative approach to wall coverings easily adapted to be a back splash, are these concrete tiles.  Seen at the show in a stunning display were the “Itai Bar-On Field Tiles” from ANNSACKS. They’re part of a handcrafted collection of concrete of concrete tiles “that embodies the simple beauty of sculptural form.”

The one on display was the “Kwa” design which comes in both a flat version and one that features a corner slightly bent out.  Two or four of these tiles combined can create a very dramatic look when lighting is embedded behind them.  We recommend some form of LED lights, as having to un-tile half your wall to change a lightbulb doesn’t sound like a lot of fun.

 

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Check out this amazing 3D printed faucet – by far the coolest thing we have seen @KBIS2017 #mindsblown #KBIS2017 #kitchenandbathdesign pic.twitter.com/ElWIh7OH16

— CCK (@CaseysKitchens) January 10, 2017

American Standard really took the idea of faucets to a whole new level.  The luxury division of American Standard, DXV was showing off their 3d-printed products, which are truly mind-blowing.  Attracting a lot of attention was the “Vibrato” model and its lace-inspired design.  It looks as though the water “magically” appears, as it is actually channeled through water lines “printed” into the interior of the lace elements.

DXV’s 3D faucets are created using a computer-guided laser beam that fuses together powdered metal.  This creates one solid metal piece in the shape of the faucet.  Each piece is hand finished to smooth out any rough bits and remove any extra metal, and then goes through a finishing process for a hand-polished look.  Each faucet is truly a work of art after this 24-hour process and priced accordingly at around $15,000 each.