Archive for the 'Design Trends' Category

K/BIS - Day 3: Conclusion

Monday, April 24th, 2006

On Sunday, K/BIS came to a close, with exhibitors packing up and attendees scurrying to the airports. Barbara recorded some final thoughts on her way to the show. Click Play to listen.

Here are some of the highlights:

New outdoor living concepts were introduced, including a gas/charcoal grill that doubles as a cooking island.

Jack Ulrich discussed applications for nano-technology in the kitchen, such as refrigerator doors that become transparent at the push of a button.

Mary Yearns of Hera Research focused on designing for baby boomers as they age.

At K/BIS, KBDN editor, Janice Costa completed a video satellite tour of 30 countries. Look for her on your local news channel. Don’t forget to look for her book, Everything and the Kitchen Sink at KitchenBathDesign.com

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Depicted here is the show floor in front of the Eljer booth.

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K/BIS - Day 2

Saturday, April 22nd, 2006

Saturday was a busy day on the K/BIS show floor and Barbara was there to record her observations and insights. Click the Play button to listen.

Here are some of the highlights:

Finishes were a hot topic this year, including antique metals and stainless steel.

Appliances rated for outdoor use, as well as indoor versions of outdoor products — such as grills — were also popular.

Health, wellness and sustainability were major themes, as evidenced by eco-friendly appliances.

At the NKBA Business Luncheon, Dr. Andrew Tuck discussed market segmentation, collaboration between dealers, designers and manufacturers, and the service-based aspect of the high-end kitchen/bath market.

At the MasterBrand booth, industry icon and KBDN contributor Ellen Cheever announced results of the Real Deal survey and offered her impressions on how to meet the demands of baby boomers, gen-x’ers and more.

Jentle Pet Spa

MTI Whirlpools’ Jentle Pet Spa for dogs — and cats. Here, Mick is getting gently toweled off by Gail Meyers of Chicago-based Animal Talent after helping demonstrate the product.

We apologize for the earlier spelling error. Jentle Pet is spelled with a ‘J,’ not a ‘G.’

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Here is the the KBDN booth, a hive of activity throughout the show.

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