The 2009 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show is behind us now, and in my last two posts I focused on great new products for the kitchen and bath.This final posting accompanies my new Style/File photo feature: KBIS 2009 - Designed to Thrill on the right column of this blog until the end of September. (Starting in October 2009, you can view it here.)
This posting's emphasis isn't on innovation or excellence. It's all about looking great!
These were my favorite style stars from this year's show. Some I'd definitely consider using in projects for my clients. In fact, I've already specified Kohler's velvety new Honed White lavs and toilet for a new client. They're shown in this photo album on the contemporary Reve series.
A few other products in the slide show are more pretty than performance-oriented. But, again, this is about the style stars, not the star performers!
A brand that I discovered at this year's show is actually 100 years old. It's Cifial, a Portuguese manufacturer of faucets and hardware. I was especially drawn to their Rough Bronze finish, (shown above right on the Brookhaven L Spout Faucet), which ages along with its homeowners, mellowing over the years to a soft, pale sheen. The Porto door hardware is also wonderfully handsome. Having a pair of these on double doors to your master suite would be like retreating into another world, not just another room in your home.
Kohler and Toto stole the show, in my opinion. They each brought beautiful new textures, colors, styles and, yes, innovation to KBIS 2009. In fact, Toto's Waza Noir Rectangular Lav had the finest finish I've ever seen or felt on a fixture. It was a soft, lustrous black with a velvet surface that can only be described as sensual. No kidding; it ought to have an NC-17 rating!
LaCava and MTI Whirlpool also brought impressive offerings to the show, and I look forward to seeing more from both brands in the future.
LaCava brings Italian style (and American woodworking skill) to the bath with its vanities and sinks. Two of them are featured in this photo feature.
MTI Whirlpool brings American ingenuity and good looks to its line. I've written before about its innovative products, including a jetted laundry tub that showed up in my last Style/File: That Sinking Feeling.
I look forward to experiencing KBIS 2010 next year in Chicago. If you need an added fix until then, HGTV will be airing its annual show broadcast Sunday night, May 24 at 8/7c.
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You might also enjoy these related posts:
KBIS 2009 - Bathroom Spotlight
KBIS 2009 - Kitchen Spotlight
Style/File: That Sinking Feeling
Style/File: Counter Intelligence
