So you’re tired of stainless steel appliances. You’re not the only one. There’ve been rumblings that stainless is falling out of favor with consumers and why wouldn’t it? Stainless has enjoyed quite a ride in the kitchen, providing a user-friendly alternative to custom paneling that works well with a wide range of finishes and colors and can provide striking contrast where none is available but needed. It’s pretty much a standard in kitchens.

But of course, once a standard, ennui can settle in.

So what will take the place of stainless? Personally, I don’t think any one finish can, but some of the latest options from appliance manufacturers can send one’s imagination racing.

If you’re looking for a “new” neutral, you can always check out the Fire & Ice collection Whirlpool unveiled last year. The line comprises white (shown) or black metallic appliances, which might look at home if your kitchen is transitional or modern in style:

GE’s Slate, according to the company, is enjoying great reception—and why wouldn’t it? It’s a warm, metallic gray that’s also fingerprint-resistant:

And then there’s always color—bright, cheerful and attention-grabbing—for those who want, say, their range (Capital Cooking’s Connoiseurian shown) to be the center of attention:

Got your attention? But what more can you do, you ask? Well, BlueStar, which recently stopped by K+BB’s offices for a show-and-tell, might just have what you’re looking for. Its new Textures collection comprises three textures—River, Silver Vein, Mini Texture—each of which is available with the company’s existing 190 colors,

as well as seven additional tactile offerings that range from gray to copper to gold.

Just in case you’re not at the International Builders Show (IBS) this year or you’re just busy with, oh, life and work, it was announced today that IBS and KBIS will co-locate in 2014. Pretty cool, huh?

Following is the text for the announcement made today by NAHB 2013 Chairman of the Board Barry Rutenberg and NKBA 2013 President John Morgan during the opening session of the International Builders Show 2013 in the Las Vegas Convention Center:

Rutenberg: Along with NAHB, the National Kitchen and Bath Association works hard to bring Americans beautiful spaces to call home.

Our missions to help members succeed, promote industry professionalism and provide industry leadership are similar. Both organizations are owners of important industry events that help our members learn about new products, attend world class education and network with peers.

The International Builders’ Show and the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show are the two most important industry events for design and construction professionals and the suppliers who bring us new ideas and technology to build and remodel the American home.

It is my great pleasure to announce that beginning in 2014, right here in Las Vegas, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and the International Builders’ Show will take place together at the same time here in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

To market these co-located shows, we will jointly promote the week as “Design and Construction Week.”

It’s now my pleasure to introduce to you my counterpart, the 2013 President of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, John Morgan. John, would you like to say a few words …

Morgan: Barry, thank you. I can’t tell you how excited we are at NKBA about this great collaboration and the co-location of our two shows.

It’s quite a birthday present for us, because NKBA is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! 50 years ago Leon Rader, a manufacturer’s rep, sent a letter to the magazine that would eventually become K+BB.

In that letter, he called for an association that -and I quote- “could be established only through the cooperative efforts of many.”

Thus, NKBA was born and through the “cooperative efforts of many,” has grown to an organization of 60,000 members championing excellence in the heart and soul of the home: the kitchen and the bathroom.

K+BB has been our long-time sponsor of KBIS.

Now the “cooperative efforts of many” bring us together with all of you.

Our common ground is that we create the most important spaces in North America: the places that families call home.

Our co-located shows will advance our collective knowledge to serve these consumers, while helping us all succeed and prosper in our businesses.

Two shows.

Two associations.

And ONE place to see and connect with every angle of residential design construction and remodeling.

On behalf of the NKBA, I couldn’t be more excited for our industry.

I look forward to spending time with you at this show and being together with you in 2014.

Our common ground is that we create the most important spaces in North America: the places that families call home.

Our co-located shows will advance our collective knowledge to serve these consumers, while helping us all succeed and prosper in our businesses.

Two shows. Two associations. And one place to see and connect with every angle of residential construction and remodeling.

On behalf of the NKBA, I couldn’t be more excited for our industry.

 

Want to learn more? Read the news piece

And here’s more about the mega-event

Repurposing old elements to create a fresh design approach

I just spent a solid hour browsing through Pinterest looking at pictures of gorgeous rooms using salvaged materials. I “pinned” some of them and will share some of my favorite images with you. But first, here’s a couple of photos from a house I designed in Orlando for GreenBuilder Magazine a couple of years ago.

As a “green” designer, I love using anything I can to create the look I want while also being low-impact. Using salvaged materials isn’t just for us “greenies”; it also creates a one-of-a-kind custom look that will always please your customers. Sometimes I’m lucky enough to use stuff that’s already in my client’s home, which I then try to find new and different ways to display. For example, I had these shelves made from shipping pallets that were used to ship ceramic tile to the house I was working on. The mantle on the left was made from a scrap of leftover micro-lam lying around the job site.

The dining room table top was made from salvaged bleacher seats!

Here are some awesome images from Pinterest from various sources showcasing salvaged design
at its best:

When this homeowner discovered 100 years worth of linoleum and sailcloth under the kitchen floor, he salvaged enough to cover one stair with each layer.

Italian marble tops the kitchen’s custom cabinetry, while salvaged Victorian corbels serve as distinctive brackets for the stove’s hood.

Adding character to a kitchen with a salvaged sink

Island corbels from salvaged Victorian porch

 

Shelving ideas…

Here’s a salvaged headboard turned chalkboard:

So pretty !

—Patricia Gaylor