Galleries: Trends & Inspirations
KBB Announces 2020 Product Innovator Award Winners
KITCHEN PRODUCT OF THE YEAR: 3-In-1 In-Sink Dishwasher by Fotile
A big trend for today’s homeowners is small-space living, and designers are constantly tasked with fitting in all client requests in a reduced footprint. FOTILE’s 3-IN-1 IN-SINK Dishwasher is a helpful solution to this common challenge in the most-used room in the house – the kitchen.
The stainless-steel appliance/fixture – with a tempered-glass dishwasher lid – is a combination of an energy- and water-efficient dishwasher, sink and produce cleaner that can be mounted into a countertop in about the same space required for a double sink.
KITCHEN PRODUCT OF THE YEAR: 3-In-1 In-Sink Dishwasher by Fotile
HITS & HIGHLIGHTS
- The dishwasher uses 1.6 gallons of water to clean and dry dishes.
- Three modes are available: 20 minutes for the Delicate mode, 45 minutes for Normal and 80 minutes for Intensive.
- A rotary, all-angle water spray provides 360-degree cleaning that removes 99.99 percent of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus from dishes.
The produce-cleaning apparatus uses ultrasound turbulence to remove dirt and more than 90 percent of pesticide residue.
The 3-IN-1 IN-SINK Dishwasher retails for $1,499, eliminates the need to bend down for filling or emptying a traditional dishwasher and will soon feature an available accessory that will allow the user to turn the dishwasher into a second sink.
The company is currently researching other product variations for future use.
BATHROOM PRODUCT OF THE YEAR: SwapAble by Design by Intent
You’ve heard it so many times before: Your client is looking for an accessible bathroom design that doesn’t feel clinical. Another caveat is that the space needs to accommodate all users in the household. Design by Intent’s SwapAble line of safety seating, a Product Innovator Award winner, for the shower is designed to be interchangeable for everyone’s needs – those who are mobility impaired and those who are not – with a contemporary look to boot.
The lightweight shower seats can be replaced with a functional shelf through the aid of a simple clip. This also provides a smart solution for planning for future accessibility needs by installing the shelf now with the ability to switch it to a seat later.
“It is a growing trend for multiple generations to live in the same house, and some homeowners might have visiting parents who are mobility impaired,” said Terri Gelman, CEO of Design by Intent.“They might not wish to have their spare shower look like a dedicated handicap shower, so the shower seat can be interchanged with a shaving foot rest or a shelf.More importantly, this allows all users to plan ahead for the future mobility and safety needs of occupants.”
BATHROOM PRODUCT OF THE YEAR: SwapAble by Design by Intent
SWAPABLE FUN FACTS
- The lightweight seat can hold up to 330 lbs.
- When the seat is removed, the shelf fits onto the wall bracket with no tools necessary.
- The seat features an integrated leg that automatically swings out when the seat is lowered, as well as a fold-down mechanism that prevents injury while in use.
- When not in use, the seat can lock into place compactly against the wall.
- The back rest can be placed in two different heights to accommodate more than one user
Gelman said the feedback from KBIS 2020 was positive, with many at- tendees admitting they came to the show to find such a product and had been looking for something like it for years.The SwapAble system retails for $495 and offers an industrial, ergonomic design in dark ebony gray or dove white.
Second Place Kitchen Product: CAFÉ Quad-Door Refrigerator by GE Appliances
Are more of your clients looking for a variety of options with which to store fresh food while spending more time preparing meals at home? Enter the CAFÉ Quad-Door Refrigerator – a four-door unit with a convertible temperature zone that offers the flexibility to accommodate different foods for different seasons. The appliance has several functional features, including a compartment that can double as a freezer when you need more space for fewer trips to the grocery store, as well as a wipeable glass-overlay surface on which homeowners can jot down lists or schedules.
Second Place Kitchen Product: CAFÉ Quad-Door Refrigerator by GE Appliances
Other CAFÉ Quad-Door Refrigerator offerings include an LED panel on the back wall that uniformly illuminates the interior, an AutoFill feature that provides filtered water for any size container and an easy-to-clean Modern Glass platinum finish that complements other stainless-steel appliances in the kitchen. The refrigerator retails for $4,399, is fingerprint free and includes integrated pocket handles, a light gray interior and copper-trimmed shelf details.
Second Place Bath: Eir Intelligent Toilet by Kohler
While one an afterthought in bathroom design, the toilet has risen to the forefront because of multiple capabilities we didn’t even know were possible. Kohler Co.’s Eir Intelligent Toilet offers a ton of these bells and whistles – complete with a sleek, tankless design with an optional rose gold or gold decorative metal ring around the lid and back-to-wall installation to hide plumbing and electrical connections. Other “intelligent toileting” features include a self-cleaning,UV-sanitized wand that uses an electrolyzed water system to clean the toilet’s surfaces; hands-free opening and closing; adjustable and customizable water sprays; a heated seat; and a touchscreen remote.
Second Place Bath: Eir Intelligent Toilet by Kohler
The Eir Intelligent Toilet, which retails for $6,300, also offers a one-click bowl sanitization process, a night light for easy access in the dark and dual-flush technology.The toilet’s customizable cleansing capabilities include the remote-controlled adjustable water temperature, water pressure, wand position and massage functions.
Third Place Kitchen: 30-in. Perlick Collection Refrigerator by Perlick
Homeowners are ramping up their refrigeration game, and the Perlick Collection Column Refrigerator has stepped up to the plate. The appliance features the company’s QuatroCool Advanced Preservation System, which includes four micro zones that preserve food longer by controlling temperature, humidity and air quality. Catering to the client need for low-maintenance products that exude health and well-being, the Perlick Collection Column Refrigerator provides easy-to-clean Spill-Proof Glass Shelving, as well as carbon air filtration that removes odors and an ethylene filter that eliminates harmful gas.The refrigeration deck can be removed for maintenance without having to uninstall the unit, and a PerlIQ touch screen provides access to such smart settings as a Sabbath mode. The stainless- steel and glass interior includes a slide-in marinating pan, a two-tiered deli display and a tip-out produce bin,which monitors humidity.This appliance retails for $7,799 and also features a CARB-compliant system that uses a more efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerant.
Third Place Kitchen: DTV Mode Digital Shower System by Kohler Co.
Smart tech is making its way into the bathroom with Kohler Co.’s DTV Mode Digital Showering System.The system provides digital shower function with an easy-to-use, push-button control. DTV (digital thermostatic valve) Mode is available for a bath/shower combo, a dual-shower configuration or for a bath only and features digital thermostatic valve technology to maintain accurate and safe temperature control. The DTV Mode Digital Showering System is compatible with Kohler’s Mode app, which allows the user to remotely turn the system on or off and personalize temperature settings (programmable by more than one user). Other digital features include the ability to warm up pipes to prevent cold water from getting through and to control water use and shower length.This product speaks to the need for smart tech in the bathroom, sports a sleek and minimalist design for those who are more comfortable using a dial control over a touch screen and is competitively priced at $225.
Judges’ Picks: Shokunin Kamado Grill by Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet
LOOKING FOR A COOL APPLIANCE to help enhance the outdoor experience for your clients? The Shokunin Kamado Grill has improved on the traditional model with features that include an adjustable fire grate system that accommodates three cooking positions: smoking, roasting and searing. Users can choose charcoal or wood – or a combination of the two – when using this grill, which can maintain a temperature of 225 degrees for 65 hours on 12 pounds of charcoal.The stainless-steel $5,995 Shokunin Kamado Grill design was inspired by high-end furniture, as seen in the ipe wood detail on the frame and handle.According to Russ Faulk, Kalamazoo’s chief designer and head of product, the basics of this grill are very easy for beginners to learn, but there are more advanced techniques that open up as the client’s experience grows. Judges chose this product for its well-thought-out design and performance characteristics.
Judges’ Picks: Terra Waterfall Vanity Sink by MTI Baths
Customization is key with clients these days. Enter the Terra Waterfall Vanity Sink, which is a handcrafted unit from MTI Baths that can be personalized for different preferences. The sink is integrated with the vanity, and the design controls water flow down the right-hand side into a floor-mounted drain.According to Russell Adams,MTI Baths’ president and chief design officer, by using Solid Works and 3D printing, the design team graduated the flow of water toward the top of the waterfall and then contoured the waterfall side with slight steps, so the water flows smoothly down the side in a controlled fashion. The version shown is $20,000, but smaller choices are available, and the sink bowl can also be made to use with a different vanity top and drain for more conventional usage. The judges chose this product for its waterfall like-ness, wheelchair accessibility and hidden plumbing. mtibaths.com
Judges’ Pick: Smart Cooker by Chef iQ
A pressure cooker that inspires recipes and helps you prepare meals? Yes please! The CHEF iQ Smart Cooker features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity to its firmware updates, a built-in scale and calculator and a helpful app that includes a multitude of recipe ideas, as well as a Guided Cooking experience with video tutorials. Users – even those who are not tech savvy – can easily send cooking data and updates from the app to the cooker and vice versa so that both can track the user’s preferences.The CHEF iQ Smart Cooker retails for $199 and offers a matte-black finish, a 6-quart capacity, a variety of presets and special technology that allows it to release pressure at the appropriate pace and time for cooking precision and safety. The judges chose the product because it packs a punch in a small, portable appliance.
Judges’ Pick: Opal Nugget Ice Maker by GE Profile
Do you love the crunchy, chewable ice you normally only savor in movie theater and restaurant refreshments? GE Profile offers the Opal Ice Maker so your clients can enjoy the same option in their own homes.The stainless-steel, portable unit can produce up to 24 lbs. of ice in 24 hours and can store up to 3 lbs. at one time. A quick-start feature allows the user to enjoy fresh nugget ice in 20 minutes,and a detachable side-tank attachment that pumps additional water in the machine outside of the central reservoir allows for three times more ice production. The Opal Nugget Ice Maker is Wi-Fi equipped for scheduling ice, checking the status and ordering accessories, and it starts out at $655.99. Our judges appreciated this product for its size, affordability and portability.
Judges’ Pick: G7000 Dishwasher by Miele
What homeowner doesn’t want an appliance that takes away the guesswork? Miele’s G7000 Dishwasher Series offers just that with its Auto- Dos and PowerDisk features, which make it possible for the unit to automatically dispense the accurate amount of detergent based on how dirty the load is. Users can select from a variety of cleaning programs, and the PowerDisk stores and releases the correct amount of detergent needed each time it rotates. Other features include movable sections, increased space, less water consumption and increased energy efficiency.Users can open the handle-less door with a Knock2Open function, and the ExtraQuiet program offers an almost noiseless operation. The G7000 Dishwasher Series starts at $1,499 and is Wi-Fi compatible with AutoStart so users can monitor and operate the appliance from the convenience of a smart device.The judges were most im- pressed by the dishwasher’s QuickIntenseWash setting for a faster operation.
Judges’ Pick: SensoWash i by Duravit
Did you experience a toilet paper shortage earlier this year? Duravit’s SensoWash i – a shower and toilet in one fixture – solves that problem. An antimicrobial, stainless-steel interior wand sprays water for various cleansing programs, which include Rear, Lady and Comfortwash, and cleans itself before and after each use.Other features include a heated seat, an odor extractor and an auto-open/close lid on the Plus version. SensoWash i’s sustainable properties include Duravit Rimless water-saving flushing technology and HygieneGlaze 2.0, which promotes toilet cleanliness with fewer chemicals. The shower/toilet ranges in price from
$7,070 to $8,755 and is a contender in the smart tech bathroom movement with an app and a remote that allow users to program their preferred settings for water hardness, various temperatures and spray angle.The judges chose this product because it speaks to today’s need for health and hygiene in the home.