I went to a press event the other night in New York City. INAX, a Japanese corporation, was introducing its incredibly gorgeous line of water saving toilets to the U.S. market.
An incredibly gorgeous TOILET? I’m guessing that the only people who can get jazzed about a toilet are the ones who are reading this blog, and you know who you are…
The Japanese are well-known for their sleek organic design, and INAX didn’t disappoint with its display of at least 30 or so modern and elegant toilets. All of them deliver either a dual or low-flow flush, and are WaterSense-certified. Beyond that, there were options like integrated bidet features, automatic flushes, deodorizers, music and motion sensors to automatically lift the lid or seat when approached! I should also mention some sexy blue LED lighting, and price points that range from reasonable to astronomical, depending on the features.

One of the first KBIS shows I ever went to many years ago opened my eyes to the world of THE GOOD FLUSH. I honestly never gave much thought to what makes a good toilet flush prior to that introduction by “another” toilet manufacturer. Men in white lab coats were flushing multiple hot-dog-shaped water balloons down a toilet and remarking on the “flushability.” I thought this was quite humorous until I installed a toilet in my home that continually clogged and occasionally overflowed. After replacing it with a new HET toilet, which I still have to this day, I have to say it’s never ever overflowed and has clogged maybe twice in 5 years. So I continually specify an HET toilet for my clients, and with the introduction of this beautiful new line from INAX, I’ve got so many more wonderful design choices.

One of the other great products that INAX was introducing was its line of ECOCARAT wall tiles. Made from a porous mineral called ALLOPHANE, the tiles are used to absorb excess humidity, odors and chemical VOCs. Great for public areas such as schools and restaurants, they are also great in residential settings, such as accent walls, to absorb household odors and repel mold growth. These tiles are also great installed in rooms designed for meditation or relaxation, purifying the air and promoting a sense of well being. They would be a boon for people with chemical sensitivities or small children, as INAX claims the tile will absorb chemicals such as formaldehyde.

I love this idea. It’s another very innovative way to include beautiful products that have a positive effect on the user and promote health and wellbeing. And isn’t that what good design is all about?

—Patricia Gaylor

I wish there was more I could tell you about these sinks but perhaps the images pretty much say it all. What I do know is that these pure quartz basins are handcrafted by High Point, a Polish company whose website, unfortunately, does not include an English version. I asked my contact, Piotr Blumicz, about their durability and maintenance, to which he responded that they’re “very durable” and that “they don’t need any special care.” And they’re also available in London.

The company also offers stone sinks that look as if they were uncovered during an archaeological dig and wooden sinks,

as well as eco-friendly furniture.

But as I’m a very shallow editor with a weakness for certain kinds of flash, I liked the transparent sinks the best.

Do you suffer from social networking fatigue? I know I do.

For many, the fatigue comes from doing all the work of posting content and thinking up new content only to see no results.

If you feel like you’ve been posting the same thing over and over again on Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin, you are probably not alone. I’m sure many readers feel that too much content is rehashed and repackaged.

Is your content boring?
Print out your last 20 posts and after a while take a look at them from a reader’s point of view. Are they dull? Do you say the same thing too many times? Fortunately, this problem can be fixed fairly easily.

Too many platforms?
Do you rush to join the newest social networking site only to lose track of who is in your network? If you don’t know who is in your network then how do you know what they want from you?

One-sided engagement?
Do you neglect to reply to comments other leave you? Do you post weak comments on other blogs and fan pages just to leave a link to your page? If you are not interesting, people will not click through.

I’d love to know if you are experiencing any social media fatigue and why you think that is. Leave a comment so I can know someone read this post and feel a little happier on the inside.

I’ll even post a few more questions to get the conversation started:

Do you think marketing contributes to the fatigue or does it feed your growing appetite for information?

Do you enjoy hearing from companies and brands you are a fan of? Are you dropping brands because they are cluttering your information stream?

—Ann Porter

My close friends know of my terrible addiction to K-dramas (Korean dramas). But as I’ve tried to explain to them as they shake their heads and roll their eyes, I am thus afflicted not only because of the sheer escapist thrill these serials provide, but also because of the richness of visual stimuli that abounds in them. I look at everything: the fashions the characters wear, their hairstyles, the foods they eat, the houses they live in and yes, the kitchens and bathrooms that show up once in a while.

Case in point, recently I sat up when I saw a refrigerator with a door inside a door:

This is the second such refrigerator I’ve seen in these dramas but unlike the other, which opened sideways, it is hinged on the bottom. (Incidentally, its novelty also sparked a little dialogue between the two characters: see “Mary Stayed Out All Night”, Episode 13.) In both cases, I guess the idea is to provide users quick access to stored items without their having to open the refrigerator completely, thus minimizing the amount of cold air that escapes.

These refrigerators reminded me of the Kenmore Elite Trio Refrigerator with Grab-N-Go, which I had the opportunity of seeing a few months ago at a press event. Kenmore’s version, however, is cleaner in look. Instead of a smaller door through which to access, say, a can of soda or a snack, the 31-cu.-ft. refrigerator includes a separate compartment that can be opened with a push of a button on the handle—thus eliminating any unsightly outlines in the refrigerator door…and the possibility of a creatively inclined child, such as my three-year-old nephew, amusing himself by trying to throw things into the lit opening. (It’s kind of tempting, no?)

The unit also incorporates other bells and whistles, such as an integrated water dispenser, an AirTight Crisper with Moisture Lock to keep produce fresher longer, SlideAway Shelves for flexible storage, a Gourmet Pantry Drawer with digital temperature controls, a 3-Tier Freezer Drawer, water and air filtration, as well as, of course, LED interior lighting.

The Kenmore Elite Trio Refrigerator with Grab-N-Go is set to launch early next year.

—Alice Liao