Truly New At KBIS
Innovation front and center
By Barbara Schmidt
Victoria and Albert launch a new color service with 197 options and a variety of soaking tub styles
Victoria and Albert’s custom color collection from KBIS 2020
Trend #1: Designer Choice
Color is back and in a big way. We have color in our kitchen cabinets, colored appliances, and now colored bathtubs. Victoria and Albert have several soaking tub styles to choose from and the colors are endless - 197 RAL colors to be exact.
Of course you can find the exact color you like. They even have seven standard colors and I’ve chosen one of my favorites here. The blue-ish “Silver Grey” RAL 7001 is a neutral cool tone that could blend with a lot of today’s tile colors.
The egg shape of the tub pictured here looks very inviting - imagine soaking in a tub that shape after a long day. Paint colors can be finished in either matte or gloss and take about 6 weeks to be created on the tub of your choice and delivered to you.
Delta Faucet’s Glass Rinser - fits 1 inch bottles all the way to 3.6 inch To-Go mugs
Trend #2: Function First
This is one of those trends where I wonder - why didn’t we think of this a long time ago? Delta Faucet’s new glass rinser is simple to use, and works for most sized glasses, bottles or cups in just seconds.
The spray nozzle can work with a 1 inch opening up to a 3.6 inch opening. That means I don’t have to twist a wet rag to reach the bottom of my to-go cup everyday. And honestly, this doesn’t get it clean anyway, right?
There are downloadable instructions to install this as a DIY project at your kitchen or bar sink. I also like that there is a cover for the nozzle when not in use.
I was shown this demo by one of the brand managers when I visited Delta Faucet’s booth display last week. That’s one of the reasons I like attending trade shows, getting to hear the personal stories and passion, behind the products. Delta Faucet has a lot of passion and their innovation is a focus to product development year over year.
Natufia Labs Hydroponic Indoor Garden - grow you own herbs year round
Trend #3: Growing Green
Here’s another great idea - your own hydroponic herb garden. That’s right, an enclosed garden environment to grow all your own herbs. The Natfuia Labs’ appliance comes with seeds and automatically creates the right environment to grow fresh herbs for your cuisine.
The technology maintains the perfect light, temperature, water, and pH level to ensure optimal health for the plants. It also optimizes all minerals, nutrients, and vitamins for the non-GMO leaves and flowers.
This display was one of the favorites at the show, and they were surrounded by so many people we had a hard time getting to see the unit itself. This type of technology is one of the biggest trends out there for two reasons 1) Health and Wellness and 2) Biomimicry.
Wellness has been a huge trend in everything for the home for years, but now with climate change, it has become even more of focus. One of the key architectural and interior trends is to create environments that mimic our biospheres. The Natufia gardens do just that.
As a designer, I’m not so sure about a pink glowing cabinet in my kitchen designs, but the standard size will fit into most configurations. The three styles of music playing for the plants - classical, ambiance and nature sounds - is genius.
Trend #4: Voice Activation
Another hot trend in the home environment is voice activation. Lots of companies are coming up with voice activation for smart home technologies, but faucets? At first, I thought why would I need a voice activated faucet? For easy measuring and for just the right temperature.
So imagine that you need two tablespoons of hot water for a cake mix. Just place your measuring cup under the faucet and ask for it. The Moen U faucet will dispense exactly the correct amount at exactly the right temperature.
The Moen technology works with Alexa or Google Assistant. The faucet comes in a range of styles and finishes to fit a variety of budgets and interior designs.
I watched a demonstration with Moen’s Senior Marketing Communications Specialist. She dispensed exactly the right amount of water to fit into a tablespoon within seconds. This U faucet also works with a wave of a hand for on and off and can connect to your smartphone (to make sure your kids or grandkids can’t have a water fight while you’re in the other room!)
Mr. Direct Bamboo Farmhouse Sink
Trends #5 True Sustainability
Bamboo is one of those more sustainable crops out there if grown properly. Bamboo is actually a grass, and it can grow quickly and without pesticides, so it’s definitely in the green column for product materials.
Mr. Direct has come out with a Bamboo sink that caught my eye at the show. It can be undermounted or flush mounted depending on your kitchen design. There is a smooth apron front on one side and a recessed apron front depending on your modern or transitional style.
This all natural sink is created with laminated bamboo stalks which is surprisingly very durable and affordable. Mr. Direct offers a whole line of bathroom sinks in bamboo as well.
Barbara Schmidt, studiobstyle is a national recognized Interior Designer and Marketer for Home and Fashion brands including manufacturers and retailers. Her next projects include designing and publishing two new kitchens, creating a Paris fashion editorial and releasing a new shoppable digital campaign.