(656) Kitchen and Bath Industry Show 2008
Kitchens and Baths, Today's Homeowner by Danny Lipford
Almost a thousand exhibitors were on hand at the 2008 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Chicago to highlight the latest in innovative products designed for the kitchen or bath.
Countertops
Solid surface materials such as Corian remain popular with products like i.FORMZ by Design Studio molding and cutting the versatile material into unusual shapes and patterns.
Countertops made from recycled glass by Vetrazzo are an eco-friendly option for kitchens and baths. They come in an assortment of bright colors from cobalt blue to firehouse red and are as durable as natural stone.
Solid glass countertops, sinks, and shower stalls from Renaissance Glass Works have opaque textured surfaces, sensor controls, and a built-in light channel to infuse the surface with a soft luminescent glow.
Appliances
Some unique new kitchen appliances were on display, including the Evo Affinity circular cooktop that’s perfect for parties. It features duel heating zones surrounded by a spill tray to make clean-up easy.
The GE Profile single/double oven combines two ovens in one 30” wide space. Glass touch controls built directly into the doors eliminate wasted space. Siemens also employs user friendly controls in their cooktops, allowing the temperature to be changed simply by sliding a finger.
A sensor on the new cooktop from Thermador uses infrared light to monitor the temperature of pots to cut the heat off before they boil over and maintain a constant temperature. For those who prefer to cook with gas, Fisher & Paykel have a cooktop with burners and supports that retract flush with the surface to make cleanup a breeze.
The new trash compactor from Broan Nutone includes a six month deodorizer that will keep your kitchen smelling fresh. They use 3,000 pounds of pressure to compress the trash and are available in standard and custom finishes.
The KBIS Design Idea Center showcased model kitchens and baths to demonstrate how all the various components work and harmonize together. The kitchen from Better Homes and Gardens featured a pullout utensil organizer, a wall surface made from colored glass wine and beer bottles, and a cabinet with translucent doors.
Cabinetry
Innovative racks, drawers, shelves, and organizers were on prominent display at KBIS as well. These included Sensotronic drawers made by Grass America that open and close at a touch, and a pull through drawer from Häfele that can be accessed from either side of the cabinet.
A wall mounted stainless steel rail system from Franke allows various attachments to be moved about as needed.
Duel Flush Toilets
Duel flush toilets, such as those from Caroma save water by incorporating separate controls for liquid and solid waste. A new device from Brondell called Ecoflow allows most existing toilets to be converted to duel flush.
Another innovative bathroom product is the Just Lift toilet seat from Leibfried, LLC with a sliding hinge that lifts up for easy cleaning.
Faucets & Plumbing
The single lever kitchen faucet from Delta turns on and off simply by touching the neck, while one from Price Pfister has a flow adjustor built into the swiveling nozzle.
Innovations were evident under the sink as well, like PermaFLOW from PF WaterWorks, a clear P-trap that allows you to easily see a clog and come equipped with a rotating paddle for easy cleaning.
Sinks
There were several unique bathroom sinks on display, including this sink made from solid bamboo.
Brightly patterned glass sinks from Wells Sinkware make a bold fashion statement.
If you want to convert your kitchen or bath to stainless steel for a fraction of the cost, consider coating appliances, fixtures, and hardware with Thomas’ Liquid Stainless Steel. It’s 100% stainless steel that can be brushed or sprayed on surfaces.
Additional Products
There were so many innovative new products at KBIS that we just couldn’t include them all. Here are some links to other items of interest:
- Drawer Box Specialties Corner Drawer System
- Gaggenau Lift Door Microwave
- Custom ceramic tile from JEM Expressions
- Water Dance Baths by Jetta
- Stone sinks by John Stone Fixtures
- Linkasink custom sinks
- Handcrafted copper sinks and tubs by Native Trails
- Tub/sauna from NeoQi Balance
- Silestone quartz countertops
- Suzanne Crane Fine Stoneware
Other Tips From This Episode
Simple Solutions with Joe Truini:
Preventing Rusted Toilet Seat Screws
Often steel screws are used to attach the toilet seat lid to the hinge which can rust over time and leave annoying stains on both the lid and toilet bowl. To keep this from happening, fill the screw holes in the toilet seat lid with tub and tile caulking. Use a putty knife to level the caulking and allow it to harden before closing the lid.
Best New Products with Emilie Barta:
InSinkErator Evolution Garbage Disposal
The Evolution line of kitchen waste disposers from InSinkErator increases grinding power while reducing noise up to 60%. The Excel model features three separate grind stages to handle difficult waste like corn husks and rib bones. A special Jam-Sensor automatically increases motor torque to handle the toughest problems. InSinkErator Evolution garbage disposals are available at The Home Depot.
Ask Danny: Payback on Kitchen Remodeling
What kind of payback can I expect to get on a kitchen remodel? -Deb from Sidney, Maine
The return on your investment when remodeling your kitchen is dependent on a number of factors including the current real estate market, local property values, and the extent of your remodel. You’ll usually see a greater return on a more modest project—such as replacing your appliances, countertops, flooring, and sink—than on a major renovation that requires tearing out walls and replacing cabinets.
The national average rate of return for a minor kitchen remodel is 83% while a major kitchen renovation is 5% less. To check the rate of return for various home improvement projects in your area, go to Cost vs. Value.
7 Comments on “(656) Kitchen and Bath Industry Show 2008”
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July 6th, 2008 at 07:14
I saw on your program this morning, Sunday, July 6 about a product that you could apply to your refrigerator or other appliance, Stainless steel, first does it leave fingerprints after application (some stainless steels do) and also my refrigerator is a textured white not smooth, can it be applied over this. Where would I find this product in Des Moines, Iowa??
Debbie Wade
Ben Erickson Says:July 8th, 2008 at 09:10
Hi Debbie,
The Thomas’ Liquid Stainless Steel featured on the show doesn’t leave fingerprints and can be painted over textured surfaces. You can buy it online at their website at http://www.liquidstainlesssteel.com or click on the “find a store” link to find out where to buy it in your area.
August 6th, 2008 at 21:19
I want to know more information about the “Circle Kitchen” that was featured on HGTV Kitchens and Bath 2008. I want to know the company that makes them. Thank you.
August 30th, 2008 at 06:18
A FEW WEEKS AGO I WATCHED THE CHICAGO KITCHEN AND BATH EPISODE AND WOULD LIKE INOFRMATION ABOUT THE SHOWER ENCLOSURE THAT WAS FRAMELESS. I BELIEVE THAT THE GLASS WAS NOT CLEAR BUT POSSIBLY FROSTED OR ETCHED. IF MY MEMORY SERVES ME RIGHT (WHICH IS DEBATEABLE) IT MAY OF HAD AN ETCHED PATTERN TO IT. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE TO GET SOME INFORMATION OR WHO THE MANUFACTURER/VENDOR MIGHT BE. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR COOPERATION.
Ben Erickson Says:September 2nd, 2008 at 11:45
Hi Kay,
The opaque glass shower stall we featured in the KBIS 2008 show was made by Renaissance Glass Works.
March 4th, 2009 at 00:52
I was watching your show Monday March 2nd at 4:30am and saw a few tools that would greatly help me in my occupation. i am a flooring installer and saw a tool that connects to a saws all that is used to scrape floors and another that also connects to a saws all that cuts trim for laminent flooring so the laminent can slide under it. I was wondering if i could get the names of those two tools and where i might could purchese them. I believe you said they are at the home depot. If you could respond with the names of these two tools and where i could buy them at i would greatly appriciate it. Thanks for your time.
Ben Erickson Says:March 4th, 2009 at 08:12
Hi Phillip,
That would be our show on (682) New Products for Your Home from the International Builders’ Show 2009. Click on the link to learn more about the tools and other products that were shown.