More than 75,000 design/build professionals were expected to
attend the Design and Construction Week in Las Vegas last week and I've no
doubt that expectation was met. The
combination of KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show) and IBS (International
Builders Show) offered more exhibitors for designers and trade professionals to
see and to take advantage of the variety of learning opportunities the combined
forces presented. They built the Show, people
came, and it did not disappoint.
The mega Show was divided into three large buildings; North
Hall dedicated to KBIS, Central Hall to IBS and South Hall featured more of IBS and WCI
(Window Covering Industry). It's best to
plan ahead as much as possible and yet always leave enough time for discovery. The show constantly surprises.
As I made my way through the registration area, I entered the showroom floor at the Kohler Booth. The Kohler business started with the plumbing industry that we associate as Kohler but today it is home to a variety of furniture and home decorative products such as Robern, Kallista and Ann Sacks Tile and Stone Inc., so I spent a lot of time in the Kohler section.
Kohler Kitchen and Bath products are endless. I love the new Sensate - touchless kitchen faucet. This is great for cooks with sauce on the hands and good for all the generations living under one roof. It just takes a wave of your hand behind the spout to turn it on or off. It's a pull down hose with a magnetic docking system that locks the hose back into place. The faucet comes with a two-function sprayhead: spray and steam. Kohler has some fabulous sinks as well. This red enameled cast iron double sink is an eye catcher. Cast Iron can definitely live up to the daily beatings from pots and pans but it also comes with a life long warranty against chipping. It comes in a wide range of shapes and you have a choice of 20 colors.
Since Kohler has Kallista under its wing you also see Mick deGiulio's fabulous stainless steel sinks here. Fabricated with a 16 gauge sink for durability this multi tiered sink is a real task master. There are a variety of accessories such as the teak cutting board and a flatware tray.
A little known fact that people outside of the Midwest may not realize about Kohler is that it is owner of the American Club, a 5 star hotel resort in Kohler Wisconsin. The Chefs of the American Club were looking for a better turtle candy and 100 batches later, the Kohler original recipe for their chocolates was born. Like every office worker in America knows, chocolate always brings people back. So, I was at this display everyday of the show.
On my first pass through the KBIS North Hall, I tried to pick up the
common themes or occurrences . There were several things
that popped up as I made my way through the crowd: Copper Craze, Technology
in the Kitchen. Mixed Materials and The Italian Influence.
So much to see and hear in 3 days time. What a whirlwind!
So much to see and hear in 3 days time. What a whirlwind!
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