Scenes from supersalone
Though this fall’s gathering at Salone in Italy was an abbreviated version of the annual event, visitors were wowed by what they saw and got a taste of what is to come. According to Maria Porro, the new president of Salone del Mobile.Milano, supersalone was not to be viewed as a smaller event, but rather as a special edition of the massive event – “the trade show reimagined.”
Held in September at the Rho Fairgrounds in Milan, the whole show – which was planned over the course of three months – had a different vibe than its predecessors. Held in just four exhibit halls, booths were scaled down and encouraged to follow an “art gallery” theme, allowing visitors to view displays from a comfortable distance if preferred. All surrounding rest and eating areas were fabricated from raw wood, a commitment to sustainability that allowed all of the materials to be disassembled and used again.
More than 60,000 attendees walked the floor, 30 percent of them from 113 countries other than Italy. All attendees adhered to a strict COVID-19 protocol, which included a check of vaccination cards or COVID testing at the gate and masks worn within the halls. Exhibitors included 425 brands, 18 percent of which were from countries other than Italy.
The new Salone del Mobile.Milano digital platform also played a decisive role during the event, used by an unprecedented number of visitors both at the fair and remote, noted show organizers.
“It was important to take that first but decisive step, to make our presence felt and send a signal to the country as a whole,” stated Porro. “Deciding to go ahead with this ‘supersalone’ took a good dose of courage and meant taking on a lot of responsibility – for the system as a whole and for the entire supply chain, which needed a physical and concrete occasion, not just symbolic and digital, to press the accelerator for a restart.” She added that the show organizers will use what they learned from this event to discover what works and what doesn’t, as well as what is missing. The result will be reflected in the full-sized 60th edition of Salone del Mobile.Milano, planned for April 5-10, 2022. 
Scavolini
Photos: Cammi Shaw
TREND: Metallic Finishes, Textured Finishes, Bold Colors
Cabinets got new life, with textured finishes, bright colors and matte surfaces among the displays. Metallic looks drew significant attention for cabinets, with copper tones and patinated metal looks interpreted on doors and drawers. Bright colored surfaces made bold statements in a number of other product categories.
Products Inspired by Nature
Booths and products embraced the great outdoors, with bold prints and natural settings acting as backdrops to earthy colors and nature-inspired products. Weathered woods, rugged stones and all things green were front and center, including a tree that acts as the focal point of the kitchen.
Caranto
Stylish Storage
The juxtaposition of open display and hidden spaces was a key theme on the show floor. Beautifully lit shelving and glass-front cabinets with modern trim were prevalent, providing opulent opportunities to show off prized possessions. Just as captivating was the clever and discreet storage, or the kitchens that disappeared completely behind elegant doors and sliding countertops.
KALDEWEI
Spa Products
In an atmosphere of safety, wellness continued to be top of mind, and products on the show floor did not disappoint. Whether the interest was in totally decked-out pampering with custom designs or a more whimsical take on taking care, a range of products were examined and noted by show attendees.
Castro Lighting
Lighting it Up
Accessories and lighting delivered a modern vibe, with LEDs expanding the scope of what is possible in design. The finishing touches to any space, on display were products that can add significant impact or just the right element to complete a room.
The post Scenes from supersalone appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://anekitchencabinets.com/?p=557
Loan Limits Raised for Mortgages to be Acquired by the Enterprises
WASHINGTON, DC — The Federal Housing Finance Agency has announced an increase in conforming loan limits (CLLs) for mortgages to be acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) in 2022.
In most of the U.S., the 2022 CLL for one-unit properties will be $647,200, an increase of $98,950 from $548,250 in 2021, according to the FHFA.
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 requires that the baseline CLL for the Enterprises be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the average U.S. home price. According to the latest FHFA House Price Index (HPI), house prices increased 18.05%, on average, between the third quarters of 2020 and 2021. Due to rising home values, the baseline CLL in 2022 in all but four U.S. counties or county equivalents will increase by the same percentage, the FHFA said.
“These increases are an important step to ensure that government-backed mortgages keep pace with the sharp rise in home prices over the past year,” said Robert Dietz, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders. “Supply-side challenges, including building material bottlenecks and lot and labor shortages, will continue to place upward pressure on construction costs and home prices in 2022.”
For additional information, visit https://www.fhfa.gov/CLLs.
The post Loan Limits Raised for Mortgages to be Acquired by the Enterprises appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://anekitchencabinets.com/?p=554
Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition Open for Entries
NEW YORK — Confindustria Ceramica (the Italian Association of Ceramics) and the Italian Trade Agency have announced that the 2022 Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition is open for entries.
The annual awards program celebrates the exceptional work of top North American architects, designers, and students who use Italian ceramic and porcelain tile in their projects “to create innovative solutions that demonstrate an understanding of the material’s practical, aesthetic, and sustainable benefits,” competition sponsors said.
An international jury of design experts will select winners and honorable mentions in four built project categories, including new construction and residential, as well as a winner in the student category. Architects and designers based in the U.S. or Canada and students currently enrolled in a North American college or university are invited to submit their work through January 7, 2022.
Winners and honorable mentions will be notified in February and announced during the next edition of Coverings, the largest international tile and stone exhibition in North America, scheduled to take place in Las Vegas April 5-8, 2022. Winners will be invited to attend the show and present their projects in front of an audience of design and trade media, manufacturers, and tile industry professionals, sponsors said, In addition to a cash prize of $1,500, the four built project category winners will receive a five-day CEU trip to attend Cersaie, the world’s largest exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings, set for Sept. 26-30, 2022 in Bologna, Italy.
Competition guidelines, submission forms and additional information can be found on the Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition website, www.tilecompetition.com.
The post Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition Open for Entries appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://anekitchencabinets.com/?p=551
Indulgent Reflections
While bath accessories are often touted for the organization or comfort they provide, products such as medicine cabinets and mirrors can be statement-making pieces while they provide a needed function. Lighting is a key component of today’s mirrored fixtures, and many deliver different colors and temperatures to add brightness or a softer atmosphere, depending upon what is desired.
Some of the trends in bath mirrors and medicine cabinets include:
–Specialty lighting within mirrors that adjusts according to need and personal preference, including for makeup application and grooming as well as to mimic daylight and indoor lighting.
–Refrigeration within medicine cabinets to help preserve expensive face creams or properly store medications.
–Electronic outlets inside cabinets that supply power for hairdryers and electric shavers, as well as charging stations for cell phones and tablets.
–Backlighting on mirrors and medicine cabinets with color settings for drama and night-light displays for middle-of-the-night visits.
–Medicine cabinets and mirrors with smart capabilities for connected function, complete with disappearing television screens and computer settings for music, weather and other reports.
–Mirrors in dramatic shapes that enhance the overall design or act as the focal point of the bath.
The post Indulgent Reflections appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
Kitchen Franchise Company Adds Pair of Business Units
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — Multi-brand franchisor Premium Service Brands has added a major grout cleaning and restoration franchise to its network of home-service brands, the company announced.
The 67-location franchise operation The Grout Medic was added to a roster of home-service franchises that includes kitchen remodeling brand Kitchen Wise, painting brand 360-Degree Painting, cleaning brand Maid Right, outdoor surface cleaning brand Renew Crew, home-repair brand Handyman Pro, junk removal franchise Rubbish Works, and garage-door services brand ProLift Garage Doors, the Charlottesville, VA-based Premium Service Brands said.
Premium Service Brands also announced the acquisition of 36-unit handy- man franchise House Doctors, a home-services provider that was previously owned and operated by Saltire Brands, LLC.
The post Kitchen Franchise Company Adds Pair of Business Units appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://anekitchencabinets.com/?p=545
Formica Corp. Accepting Entries For 2022 Student Competition
CINCINNATI, OH — Formica Corp. has announced the opening of the com- pany’s “FORM Student Innovation Competition,” an annual competition that will be marking its fifth anniversary in 2022.
The annual competition invites architecture and interior design students in the U.S. and Canada to showcase their creativity through original furniture designs that feature Formica Brand products. To celebrate its fifth anniversary, students will be asked to create their designs using Formica Brand woodgrain products, as a nod to the traditional fifth anniversary gift of wood.
Entrants have the chance to win cash prizes, earn national recognition and have their work showcased at NeoCon 2022, according to the Cincinnati-based Formica Corp. The competition is open through March 4, 2022, with winners announced in May of 2022, the company added.
Additional information can be obtained by visiting www.formica.com/ studentcompetition.
The post Formica Corp. Accepting Entries For 2022 Student Competition appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://anekitchencabinets.com/?p=542
Appliance Firm Relocates Showroom To LuxeHome in Chicago
CHICAGO — Middleby Residential Showcase Gallery, an appliance retailer anchored by Viking Range and La Cornue, has relocated to a new, larger space at LuxeHome, the Chicago-based collection of boutiques for home building and renovation.
At more than 7,000 sq. ft., Middleby Residential will more than double the size of its existing showroom at the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago.
“The significant expansion will allow for greater visibility for Middleby Residen- tial’s collection of ultra-premium, luxury consumer brands,” said the company, whose featured brands include Viking, La Cornue, AGA, Lynx, U-Line, Marvel, Evo and Brava.
The post Appliance Firm Relocates Showroom To LuxeHome in Chicago appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://anekitchencabinets.com/?p=539
Wellborn Cabinet Marks Alabama Factory Expansion
ASHLAND, AL — Wellborn Cabinet Inc. has announced the groundbreaking for a major expansion of the company’s cabinet manufacturing facility here.
The $15-million expansion will add more than 175,000 sq. ft. to the 60-year-old company’s cabinet manufacturing factory, impacting more than a dozen facets of the company’s operations, Wellborn officials said. The expansion is expected to result in the creation of more than 200 jobs, the Ashland, AL-based company added.
“With the help of our local, state and federal officials, along with our local schools, we’ve been blessed with the ability to undertake this expansion and have the opportunity to add these jobs,” said Wellborn Cabinet CEO Paul Wellborn. “We’re especially thankful for all of our dedicated employees, who have helped make all of this possible.”
The post Wellborn Cabinet Marks Alabama Factory Expansion appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
Cabinet, Vanity Sales Termed ‘Healthy’ Through October
RESTON, VA — Major domestic kitchen cabinet/vanity manufacturers continued to report “healthy” sales through October, according to the latest in a series of monthly surveys conducted by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association.
The KCMA’s latest “Trend of Business Survey,” released today, reflected a year-to-date sales increase among participating cabinet manufacturers of 14.7% through October, compared to the same ten-month period in 2020. Custom cabinet sales through the first 10 months of 2021 were reported up 20.1% over the same period the previous year, while semi-custom sales rose 11.5% and sales of stock cabinets gained 16.0%, the Reston, VA-based KCMA said.
Manufacturers reported an increase in overall cabinet sales of 6.7% for October 2021 compared to the same month in 2020, with custom sales up 10.4%, stock sales up 11.2% and semi-custom sales posting a 0.6% decline, the KCMA added.
The post Cabinet, Vanity Sales Termed ‘Healthy’ Through October appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
Homeowners Seeking ‘Spa Feel’ in Bath Remodels, Study Finds
PALO ALTO, CA — U.S. homeowners are increasingly turning to their master bathroom as a safe and peaceful respite from a world that often seems chaotic and threatening, a major new survey has found.
According to the 2021 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study, whose results were released last month, two in five surveyed homeowners report using their renovated bathroom for rest and relaxation. The survey also found that cleanliness and a lack of clutter are keys to creating a “spa-like atmosphere” in the bath.
The annual online survey was fielded between June and July 2021 to nearly 3,000 U.S. Houzz users who are in the midst of, are planning, or recently completed a bathroom renovation, according to the Palo Alto, CA-based online platform for home renovation and design.
“In the midst of the chaos created by the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re seeing homeowners turn to their bathrooms for respite, creating calming sanctuaries with premium features, hygienic surfaces, and plants and other greenery,” said Marine Sargsyan, Houzz senior economist.
“Given the major changes involved, homeowners renovating their bathrooms are (also) seeking professional help at a growing rate,” Sargsyan added.
According to Houzz, modern, transitional and contemporary styles remain the leading choices for renovated bathrooms. Other features gaining popularity include dimmable lighting and greenery. The percentage of homeowners who relax in their renovated bathroom by soaking in the tub was up six points compared to last year, outpacing the share of those who unwind with long showers, Houzz said.
More than three quarters of homeowners incorporate premium features into their bathtubs and showers, the company added. Top premium features for the bath include soaking tubs, space for two and silent whirlpool baths, while premium shower upgrades include rainfall showerheads, dual showers, body sprayers and thermostatic mixers.
Additional survey findings include:
n Marble in Vogue: Marble is being adopted at a higher rate by renovating homeowners, with increased usage in shower flooring, non-shower flooring and non-shower walls.
n Colorful Vanities: While white continues to be the dominant color chosen across all bathroom features, blue and wood vanities have become more popular over the past year, bringing warmth and texture to bathrooms.
n Lighting Upgrades: Homeowners cite both insufficient lighting and no natural lighting as issues before a bathroom renovation, which may explain why more than four in five homeowners upgraded their lighting fixtures this year, Houzz said. Wall lights and recessed lights remain the top two choices in upgraded lighting. However lighted mirrors, pendant lights and chandeliers all inched up in popularity from last year.
n Toilet Technology: More than a third of homeowners who upgraded their toilets during renovations incorporated technology. Bidets remain the most popular tech feature for one in five homeowners, followed by self-cleaning, heated seats, overflow protection and built-in nightlights.
n Lighted Mirrors: Three-quarters of renovating homeowners installed mirrors in their renovated bathroom, with over half installing more than one mirror. Some upgraded mirrors have advanced features, such as LED lighting and anti-fog systems.
n Custom Medicine Cabinets: Nearly one-third of renovating homeowners install custom or semi-custom medicine cabinets, many of which include features such as hidden plugs and lighting on the inside.
The post Homeowners Seeking ‘Spa Feel’ in Bath Remodels, Study Finds appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://anekitchencabinets.com/?p=530