JSI Raves: Thinking About Renovating? Wilsonart Can Make Your LIfe Easier!
Thinking About Renovating? Wilsonart has solutions not just for your countertops, but for your walls, floors, showers and much more! Check out their new matte black finish which is impervious to fingerprints and scratches. And their new wet walls system makes bathroom renovations a snap!
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 shares the innovative new plumbing products introduced at the KBIS 2018 show from luxury plumbing brands, DXV and Grohe.
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: Thermador Ushers In A New Era Of Luxury at KBIS 2018!
The iconic appliance brand, Thermador, announced the unprecedented launch of 300 new products and unveiled it's impressive Home Connect technology. After touring the Thermador showroom at KBIS, I've highlighted just a few impressive new entries into the field.
Last week at the 2018 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Orlando, Florida, Thermador, the iconic American luxury home appliance brand, announced the launch of more than 300 groundbreaking new products, the most significant launch in the brand’s 102-year history. As a member of the Modenus Blogtour team, I was there to see the unveiling of several exciting new additions to Thermador's repertoire.
Completely redesigned, the sleek new Masterpiece and Professional Collections deliver the seamless culinary experience consumers expect from Thermador. Both collections offer a seamless inset integration without a bulky frame and they're beautifully styled with metallic gray glass and sleek contemporary handles.
Thermador Masterpiece Series Oven
The new Freedom® Induction Cooktop offers the largest fully usable cooking surface on the market within its class. The entire surface can be used! This new cooktop offers more responsiveness, more flexibility and the first full-color touch-screen interface on an induction cooktop.
In the dishwashing arena, Thermador introduced their newest dishwashers featuring StarDry™ with Zeolite for a superior drying process without the use of chemicals, as well as the Star Speed® cycle which is the fastest hot water cycle in the industry at 20 minutes. One of Thermador's newest dishwashers is called "The Entertainers' Dishwasher". This dishwasher features a gentle cycle that won’t break or damage glasses, with a no-slip, soft rubber lower rack and adjustable stands specifically designed to keep stems secure. The rack stands are fully adjustable at multiple levels to accommodate different heights and sizes of your glasses. It can accommodate up to 26 large wine glasses. What a great addition to a butler's pantry!
Thermador Freedom Induction Cooktop
In the dishwashing arena, Thermador introduced a suite of luxury dishwashers including the New Star-Sapphire™ Dishwasher. It's features include Push to Open, allowing you to either push or pull open the unit, as well as Thermador exclusive Star Glow, which illuminates the inside of the dishwasher in a variety of colors, so you can set the mood that matches the occasion. And, with the two-step StarDry™, Thermador delivers the only program that provides the ultimate drying, so all your place settings are ready for use after each cycle and you can get back to serving your guests. It also boasts the fastest hot water cycle in the industry with the Star Speed® 20 minute cycle.
Thermador's "Entertainers' Dishwasher" features a gentle cycle that won’t break or damage glasses, with a no-slip, soft rubber lower rack and adjustable stands specifically designed to keep stems secure. The rack stands are fully adjustable at multiple levels to accommodate different heights and sizes of your glasses. It can accommodate up to 26 large wine glasses. What a great addition to a butler's pantry!
Entertainer's Dishwasher
One of the most eye catching displays in all of KBIS was the section of custom paneled Freedom Refrigerators which come in a variety of sizes and configerations. These units accept any custom panel and for the show, Thermador outfitted their refrigerators with large panels wrapped in custom abstract art canvas.
Thermador Paneled Freedom Refrigerators
While I'm not sure I have a client bold enough for this look, the features of these units are the real story. You have the option of handle-less units with push latch openers that automatically close if left ajar. Inside, you have soft-close bins, including bins with Thermal Fresh humidity and temperature control. And no more dark corners, these refrigerators feature "theater lighting" in the form of LED panels from top to bottom.
Continuing to redefine the possibilities in the kitchen and beyond, Thermador also introduces the Thermador Connected Experience by Home Connect, an industry-exclusive app. Home Connect provides culinary assistance by partnering with Kitchen Stories, the unique app that provides you with recipes, wine pairing suggestions and video tutorials. It will allow you to remotely control your Thermador appliances through brand partners like Amazon Alexa or EVE, Tesla's connected vehicle software. Cut down on trips to the grocery store by letting Thermador's Home Connect and Amazon Dash inventory and replenish groceries as needed.
With this new launch, Thermador will be able to empower consumers to perfect recipes, enhance their experience with smart tools and provide expert knowledge that helps them reach their culinary goals. With the comprehensive collection of products, exceptional cooks can now choose from more options than ever before to perfect even the most adventurous recipes and elevate their culinary lifestyle.
If you're building a home or considering a kitchen remodel or update, I would strongly suggest that you spend some time getting to know Thermador. Personally, I want to pull out all of my appliances after seeing that exciting showroom!
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!
