New options for kitchens and baths are unveiled each year at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show for designers and builders looking for best-in-class products to offer their clients. This year's presenters showcased many problem-solving solutions, including great technological improvements for easy-to-use, environmentally friendly products that reduce the use of the earth's resources. There are too many to list here, but here are a few that won Best in Show.
Sustainability track record
RainStick is a new way to reduce the amount of water you use in your shower, developed by a startup in 2019. This product has won him several awards in the last few years, including from TIME magazine and the Consumer Electronics Show, and won the “Outstanding Award in Sustainability” at an international exhibition. This year's Kitchen & Bath Show.
A traditional 10-minute shower uses 18 to 26 gallons of water, while the same 10-minute shower with RainStick uses less than 5 gallons of water while maintaining high water pressure.
The water recycling system was tested under highly hygienic evaluation in an ISO certified laboratory. It uses both a UV treatment that removes 99.99% of bacteria and viruses, and a 200 micron filter that removes particles larger than a grain of sand. Capture hair and other particles on a large screen. This water cleaning system also combats waterborne bacteria that can live and grow within pipes and equipment. Can be used for new construction, renovations, off-grid installations, RVs, and more. The optional His Wi-Fi Connect app provides additional functionality.
style and performance
The industry continues to see great improvements in induction cookers. There are now high-output options that rival professional gas stoves, with the added benefits of safety and reduced energy usage for the same results.
Bertazzoni won a gold award at the Kitchen and Bath Show for its new 48-inch wide induction range. Equipped with 6 high-power heating zones with a maximum output of 3,700W. The heating zone on the right side can be bridged to create a larger cooking area. Each induction area is controlled by a knob and has a convenient readout interface on the glass worktop for those who prefer manual control or use a digital interface.
The 4.6 cubic foot self-cleaning oven is the largest in its class, with dual convection fans for balanced airflow and seven shelf levels for even baking temperatures. A large removable cast iron griddle is also included. An attractive digital thermometer monitors the actual temperature inside the oven and integrates food temperature probe controls into the bezel.
The “Carbonio” color in this series is rich and dark, almost black, but much lighter and softer. Keep an eye out for colors like this as stainless steel continues to recede in high-end kitchen trends.
Most functional search
Manual pocket doors are not new, but there is a new product category called pocket systems that creates opportunities to improve the design of multifunctional spaces. Revego is a new vanishing door system with fully integrated technology operated by touch hardware (no handles) that allows you to open and use living and sleeping areas with kitchen, laundry and office when you need them. and can be hidden again when not in use. The full overlay front disappears into its own narrow cabinet, pocket. For apartments, condos, or accessory dwelling units, this makes small spaces functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Best introduction overall
The overall winner at both the 2024 Kitchen & Bath Show and CES is the FreePower wireless countertop charger. Following the success of the second generation wireless charger for Tesla, kitchen and bath counters are next in line to integrate wireless charging.
The charger has a wired connection when installed on the underside of the countertop, but once installed, simply hovering over that area lights up the surrounding area, allowing you to place your phone anywhere in the rectangle and instantly turn it on. can be charged wirelessly. These rooms need to be equipped with tools that will last for the next 20 to 30 years, so this is something to consider when building a new kitchen or renovating a kitchen. It's wise.
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Sherry Scott is a California certified interior designer, a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers, and the owner of Sherry Scott Design, located at 169 Main Street in downtown Los Altos.