Cad Kitchen Plans

Reports are surfacing that the future of KBIS is at best shaky and at worst in deep trouble. After a stunningly unsuccessful show last year in Atlanta a KBIS press release reported that pre show attendance figures for this year were up 40%. However, for the second consecutive year the heavy hitters in the appliance biz have elected to pass on KBIS. Subzero, Wolf and Dacor to name just a few have been noticeably absent.

Best S.p.A. has chosen to show off some very flashy hoods at KBIS this year in Chicago. They displayed eight hoods from their European Platinum Collection all of which are very contemporary in design.

German manufacturer Stadtnomaden (city nomad in English) has developed a line of cabinetry for those who move around often and need to take their cabinetry with them. The A la Carte – System offers the flexibility to pack up your cabinetry and roll it off using the caster option. Each unit is 24″ wide by 24″ deep and can can easily be broken down for transport. The cabinetry is constructed of plywood  and laminate so it’s light weight and durable. Dishwasher, sink and oven units are available and each is designed with accessible backs to eliminate cutting for appliance hook ups.

Residents in a Barcelona apartment of slightly more than 600 square feet have been doing all they can to make a difference in the environment. A structural engineer, Sergio Carratala and his designer/writer wife Petz Scholtus, have been applying their “green” principles to the flat they purchased in 2006.

Rock star designer Karim Rashid continues to focus on home interiors [see Scavolini collaboration] with the unveiling of the Smart-ologic Corian Living Home at the semi-annual i-Saloni design show in Milan this month. The concept design will feature the next generation of Corian products made of “environmentally sustainable bio-sourced components” along with recycled materials. i-Saloni represents the world premier of this new “green” version of Corian.

Smooth and fluid capturing the essence of timeless modern elegance is an accurate way to describe this new bath collection. Also know as the Puravida collection this suite of bath fixtures was conceived by Phoenix Design for high end bath fixture supplier Duravit. This collaboration moves Duravit beyond fixture supplier and into the realm of bathroom furniture solutions. With fittings manufactured by Hansgrohe the theme of clean, smooth and subtle lines flows from plumbing products to furniture.

The concept of using recycled glass for kitchen countertops is not entirely new. In fact the product was invented back in 1996 by Berkeley, CA glass scientist and PhD student Don McPherson. McPherson combined a cement binder with recycled glass to create a polished countertop. Along with architect Bruce Brubaker McPherson formed a company called Counter Production. They named their new product Vetrazzo.