News from KBIS: Highlights from Las Vegas

What a difference a year makes! The 2014 KBIS conference in Las Vegas was a completely new experience from past shows, with the addition of the International Builders’ Show for a combined “super show” called Design & Construction Week. We know the rule is usually, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” but we just found too much great stuff—we have to share it with you!

Cabinets & Designs at KBIS

Stay tuned to the blog next week for more on what caught the eye of our designers Grace and Bill. Maria will also be sharing her impressions of the new KBIS show, and we’ll take a sneak peek at some of the products and trends that caught her eye! A few of our general impressions include:

• It’s all about universal design: Whether it’s a better organized kitchen cabinet, or safety-enhancing bathroom accessories, universal/aging-in-place continues to be a huge trend in product development.

• Technology time: We got pretty wired up over the increase in wireless technology. “Smart technology” is growing, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom. Are you smarter than your oven, or showerhead? Maybe not for long!

• It’s getting easier to be green: Water conservation in the kitchen and bathroom, plus manufacturers—like Wood-Mode—who are committed to (and transparent about) their environmental stewardship.

Best of KBIS

Winning products of the Best of KBIS awards were “selected for their functionality, quality/durability, flexibility, aesthetics/style, and innovation. Review photos and details of the 2014 Best of KBIS winners, who we have listed below—congratulations to all!

• Best in Show: Dacor Discovery™ iQ 30” Wall Oven – The world’s first wall oven to feature an integrated, wirelessly-connected tablet; the control panel features mobile technology for cooking control from both inside and outside the home via any smartphone or tablet.

• Best of Kitchen, Gold: Dacor Discovery™ iQ 30” Wall Oven

• Best of Kitchen, Silver: Glideware – Universal design and incredible storage and organization capabilities.

• Best of Bath, Gold: Delta® Temp20™ Technology – The digital temperature display features LED color indicators to signal different water temperature ranges for easy, visual indication; will be available on a variety of handshowers, showerheads, and tub showers beginning in Spring 2014.

• Best of Bath, Silver: TOTO NEOREST 750H – Universal design and ADA-compliant toilet is ultra high-efficiency, and will perform well in high-rise or low-rise housing; includes auto open/close and auto flush features.

People’s Choice Winners

Congratulations to Viking, who took home first, second, and third place in the People’s Choice Awards at KBIS 2014. The winning products were:

• First Place: Viking Professional French-Door Double Oven – As impressive to look at as it is to cook in, the French door feature was a crowd-pleaser at KBIS.

• Second Place: Viking Professional 7 Series Range – This series takes its inspiration from the Viking Commercial line; high-performance, restaurant-caliber range.

• Third Place: Viking Professional Cooktops– Amazing technology and a modern aesthetic; innovation for gas, electric, and induction cooktops.

Don’t forget to join the conversation with Cabinets & Designs on Facebook and Twitter!