JSI Raves: Getting Steamy with Mr. Steam!

I recently had the privilege to travel to the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Orlando as part of the Modenus Blogtour team.  As a member of this team, I was introduced to some fabulous vendors with new product introductions that blew me away.  I came back inspired with new visions for ongoing and future projects and I'm really excited to share these discoveries with anyone who will listen to me.  One terrific surprise was getting to know Mr. Steam and the people behind this terrific company.

If you're considering a bathroom renovation or planning a new construction project, you definitely need to consider adding a steam shower!  My next bathroom will most assuredly have one.  Most people know the benefits that steam has on your respiratory system but I was floored to learn of all of the other great benefits.  Learn more of the benefits of steam therapy by clicking this link! 

KBIS was all about smart technology this year and Mr. Steam was right on point with their new iSteam®3.  Delivering unsurpassed swipe-touch functionality and sleek, contemporary styling, the iSteam®3 control from Mr. Steam offers a variety of exciting new options designed to perfectly adapt to the preferences of every bather, seamlessly personalizing the steam shower environment.

Now available in black and white finishes, iSteam3 now provides the option to choose a black or white display screen mode, fully accommodating the user’s tastes and steam shower design.  Designed for exceptional performance in the hot and humid environment of a home steam shower, the iSteam3 control offers a superb user experience and intuitive navigation. The bather can control a wide array of features with the simple touch of a finger, including temperature, duration, AromaSteam, ChromaSteam®3 and AudioSteam®3. Additionally, users can control functions of the steam shower on the go with the free SteamLinx App from their smartphone or mobile device. The iSteam3 is design-matched to the high-grade AromaSteam SteamHeads and pairs seamlessly with the industry-leading Mr. Steam E Series Residential Steam Generators.

And after you've luxuriated in your new steam bath, you'll definitely want to grab a nice warm towel.  Mr. Steam introduced their new Lexington Collection of towel warmers.  With wider bars to extend the warmth on towels, the Lexington Collection towel warmers are perfect enhancements for contemporary spa bathrooms.  Made of high-quality stainless steel in polished or brushed stainless finishes, the five wall-mounted models of the Lexington Collection come standard with a digital timer allowing for convenient pre-start and automatic shutoff.

Ready to update your bathroom and garner all of the wonderful health benefits of steam bathing?  Give us a call and we'll introduce you to all of the wonderful customizable steam experiences that Mr. Steam has to offer!

Please note: According to FTC rules, I need to disclose that my trip to KBIS was sponsored.    While I did not get paid for my time at KBIS, my hotel, airfare and some meals were covered.  As I write about our sponsors  I wish for you to know that I do not receive any additional monetary compensation for doing so.  And please note, the views expressed in this blog are totally mine! 

JSI Raves: Thinking About Renovating? Wilsonart Can Make Your LIfe Easier!

Are you considering a kitchen or bath remodel in 2018?  Or are you building a new house?  In the Virginia area, one word that's been left out of the renovation discussion for the past several years is laminate, unless you're talking about taking it out.  But, Wilsonart did a terrific job of educating me at the 2018 KBIS show in Orlando.  These new laminates are not your Grandmother's old laminate!  

Photo courtesy of Christine Kohut of Christine Kohut Interiors

We were treated to a presentation by Danny Seo, Wilsonart’s spokesperson and host of NBC’s Naturally Danny, to showcase Wilsonart’s latest innovations.  This beautiful kitchen vignette featured the new Soft Silk (-21) laminate finish which is a stunning ultra-matte surface. This new finish is incredibly soft and smooth with a silky touch. Visit www.wilsonart.com/finish-options to learn more this spring.

One of the big trends that we saw throughout KBIS this year was the matte black finish.  It was featured heavily by the plumbing showrooms in their fixtures, but also by a lot of cabinetry lines.  While I love black cabinets, one drawback has always been that they show fingerprints and scratches.  But with this new Soft Silk Finish featuring AEON™ Enhanced Scratch & Scuff Resistance Technology, fingerprints and scratches are a thing of the past!  

Photo courtesy of Erica Islas of EMI Interior Design

I also enjoyed seeing their Material Mixology Collection.  With social media driving us to always stay ahead of trends and create instagram worthy spaces, Wilsonart has specially curated this collection that is bursting with character.  The out-of-the-box laminates in this collection beautifully capture the fluidity of design style and trends between residential and commercial markets, and join hundreds of other one-of-a-kind designs in the Virtual Design Library collection of laminates.  Check out the back lit Arctic Dune (#9253CM) laminate that serves as the backsplash in this terrific galley kitchen vignette.  And I love the cabinetry by MasterBrand Cabinets featuring this Wilsonart Phantom Charcoal (#8214K-28) laminate. 

Photo courtesy of Claire Jefford of Creating Contrast Designs

This was another terrific vignette showcasing how you can get high style with affordable laminates!  Love how they were able to incorporate the very trendy waterfall countertop which wraps around the base also.  They also have a lot of great wood grained laminates to create a hassle-free and easy to maintain shiplap wall.  

Wilsonart does a lot more than just laminate!  They have a beautiful collection of quartz products with a wide variety of styles, colors and textures. 

Photo courtesy of Claire Jefford of Creating Contrast Designs

They also do some wonderful things with their solid surface collection.  Check out their "Wet Walls" system that allows you to install directly over tile for a quick bathroom update.  

Wilsonart Wet Wall System – Benjamin Grey 1887K-22 (behind mirror wall), Grey Elm 8201K-12 (shower), Pearl Sequoia 5001K-07 (vanity wrap) and Mangalore Mango 7984-38 (vanity reveal).
 

These wet walls can simply any bathroom remodel project!  So, if you're entertaining the idea of undertaking a kitchen or bath renovation, be sure to think outside the box with your surface solutions.  Laminates, quartz and solid surface materials from Wilsonart are for more than just countertop materials.  They can provide a chic, yet affordable option for any surface in any space!

Please note: According to FTC rules, I need to disclose that my trip to KBIS was sponsored.    While I did not get paid for my time at KBIS, my hotel, airfare and some meals were covered.  As I write about our sponsors  I wish for you to know that I do not receive any additional monetary compensation for doing so.  And please note, the views expressed in this blog are totally mine! 

JSI Faves: DXV and Grohe Up Their Luxury Plumbing Game!

Jennifer Stoner Interiors has been heavily involved in a lot of renovation and construction projects for the past several years, with a big emphasis on luxury bathrooms.  This year at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Orlando, Florida, all of the plumbing lines had beautiful showrooms with a lot of energy and new introductions.  One standout was the Lixil Corporation's showroom with their luxury brands, DXV and Grohe.  Each of these lines had some particularly ingenious and beautiful new introductions!

Exhibiting a versatile combination of modern design and functional geometry, the new DXV Modulus collection offers bath fixtures, faucets, furniture and accessories ideal for a luxury bathroom setting in residential and hospitality applications.  This assortment expands the DXV Modern Movement, a curated selection of bath collections that celebrate the play of artful lines and flowing forms against contrasting, geometric structures.

Showcasing softly angular lines, the elegantly simple form of these DXV Modulus bathroom lavatories incorporates a sink bowl, a “dry” ledge and a semi-wet, transition zone to gather toiletries and personal accessories for convenient access. A coordinating solid surface accessory tray is designed to integrate perfectly onto the adjoining transition zone. This rectangular tray can easily be moved and stored in the matching wall-mounted DXV Modulus vanity or storage cabinet drawers.  This is the perfect example of form meeting function!

And check out this new DXV tub!

The waterfall feature that comes out just below the headrest is inspired by hot springs and is designed to deliver a soft veil of warm water from an elongated spout.  I already have one of my clients ready to specify this for the master bathroom in the new home that we're helping to design.  I have a feeling that we'll be placing these in a few other client's homes as well.  How about yours?

Another star in the Lixil Corporation's portfolio is the German plumbing powerhouse, Grohe.  Grohe is the world's leading supplier of luxury plumbing fixtures.  Over the past ten years alone, the success of GROHE has been confirmed by more than 240 design and innovation awards.  This year at KBIS, Grohe has expanded their Grohe Smart Control shower fixture offerings with their new GrohTherm Smart Control Trim.  

The “Push, Turn, Shower” experience has become even more multifaceted, thanks to a new model and combination options being added to this popular line of smart shower controls.  The expanded range includes a concealed behind-the-wall model that offers an innovative universal rough-in valve for more efficient installation. This concealed GrohTherm SmartControl trim offers the option of having up to three shower outlets running through a single wall plate.  In a shower with multiple showerheads and body jet sprays, this eliminates the need for multiple valves and diverters or "handles" in the shower.  With all of the money we can spend on beautiful tile in our showers, this sleek design allows the tile to become the main focal point!

And your plumber will thank you also!  Behind the wall powering the GrohTherm SmartControl trim is the new Rapido SmartBox. This innovative valve has some unique features that make installation simple and easy. Water supply inlets are positioned at the bottom of the valve, eliminating the need for additional adaptors and simplifying installation. This pioneering valve also adds no additional depth to the wall trim with its super slim design, maximizing room in the shower for user comfort. 

This is the kind of nerdy stuff designers who do a lot of bathroom remodels get excited about!  Sometimes it's what's going on behind the wall that really makes all the difference to the final look of your shower.  If you're considering a bathroom remodel project, give us a call!  We can inspire you with all sorts of great product we found at the 2018 KBIS show.  

Please note: According to FTC rules, I need to disclose that my trip to KBIS was sponsored.    While I did not get paid for my time at KBIS, my hotel, airfare and some meals were covered.  As I write about our sponsors  I wish for you to know that I do not receive any additional monetary compensation for doing so.  And please note, the views expressed in this blog are totally mine! 

JSI Raves: Barbie Kennedy Designs

One of the vendors from the KBIS 2017 show in Orlando, Florida that I came home raving about was Barbie Kennedy Designs.  Barbie Kennedy is the force behind the custom water jet company that creates beautiful designs using multiple materials including natural wood, metal, mirror and stone.

The company showcases the works of two designers, Barbie Kennedy and Marc Thee.  Barbie is responsible for the Heritage collection and her inspiration comes from her families love and passion for life. Each pattern is named for one of her ancestors and each honors the influence they had on shaping the person she is today.  With mixing wood, metal, mirror and stone these water jet designs represent the traditions that have been developed in family homes for centuries. Inspired by shapes and patterns, this collection brings to life Barbie’s vision that every home should have artful surfaces.

Interior designer, Marc Thee, created The Essence collection to be flexible in color, scale and style to appeal to interior designers, builders and home owners alike. The patterns work for small-scale projects such as backsplashes or fireplaces and large-scale patterns that can be used over an entire wall or floor. Many of the designs work in wet environments and even exterior applications.

All of their designs can be completely customized with a variety of sizes, scale of pattern, mix of materials and colors.  They will also work with you to create your very own design for your project.  The possibilities are endless!

The blend of textures is absolutely incredible and so sophisticated.  Visit them online to see more of their patterns and images of some really great installations - www.barbiekennedydesigns.com

I need this in my life ... or at least in a client's life!  Give us a shout if you want to further explore this line for one of your upcoming projects!