It's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow - The Start of a New Era.

Attending KBIS this year totally reminded me of The Carousel of Progress at Walt Disney World.
I just can't believe All the technology and product Innovations that have developed since the last time I was at KBIS 5 years ago.  We are there .... the Future as seen in the last scene of Carousel of Progress- the age of Voice Activation, touch screen and Wi-Fi Connectivity.

"KBIS was all about Smart Appliances with wi-fi capabilities,  A Lot of voice activated products, touch screen appliances, smart phone connectivity ." quote from KBTRIBECHAT - Erica Islas

 

THERMADOR  - THE START OF A NEW ERA

Thermador , One of the Sponsors for Modenus Blog Tour KBIS2018, had over 300 new products to debut, I will only highlight a couple on this blog so go check them out for yourselves after reading my highlights.  I will be doing another blogpost soon to cover the other brands that showcased all these wonderful new technologies and innovations in Kitchen appliances too, so check back with me soon.

Continuing to redefine the possibilities

in the kitchen and beyond, Thermador introduced

the Thermador Connected Experience by Home Connect, an industry exclusive app that takes

the luxury consumer on an exceptional journey by connecting them to exclusive personalized

content, unique partnerships and customized product guidance. Through Home Connect, the Thermador Connected Experience will build

a personal connection with the consumer and

empower them to get the most out of their Thermador suite. 

 CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO below TO SEE HOW IT ALL WORKS WITH VOICE ACTIVATION.

 

For Example :

Let's say you found a great recipe... with Home Connect you can Send the appliance and temperature settings straight to your oven! You can now simply follow the step-by-step instructions for the correct method and perfect results. Season your dishes with fresh herbs and spices, and discover all manner of tips on how to use herbs, spices and ingredients.  You can also give your appliances a voice commands using Home Connect with Amazon Alexa to turn them on , off , etc... Isn't this so Neat ?!  It's also really convenient!    We all have busy mornings ... imagine this  "Alexa, tell Home Connect coffee machine to make a cappuccino." You can use this and many other commands to easily control your Home Connect coffee machine. Which means that you have your hands free to do other things.  I personally think this is a great feature for the Aging in place design that is so prevalent in our design industry today.
 

Freedom induction cooktop

The Thermador collection of ovens include: Thermador Connected Experience by Home Connect Cook smarter with Remote Start and mobile notifications that let you know when your food is hot and ready to enjoy.  Aside from the great technology, I LOVE the flush install , vertical alignment , no trim , sleek look of the Masterpiece series with the metallic glass . 

The new Freedom induction cook top was another item they debut .  It is the largest cooking surface on the market... with great features and accessories like the teppanyaki griddle ... Check them out here.

Masterpiece Series Ventilation

A perfect complement to the sleek, intelligently designed Thermador cook tops, Masterpiece Series Ventilation seamlessly blends into any kitchen aesthetic.

Features : Noise Control Technology, Thermador Connected Experience by Home Connect offers added flexibility and personalization, so you can program custom functionality like delay shut-off, mobile notifications, lighting adjustments and more using the mobile app. 

Performance Pairing Feature :  Thermador Masterpiece Series Ventilation is specifically engineered to work with Thermador cooktops. Cooktop Hood Sync Offered with Freedom Induction cooktops. When they are paired: The hood light automatically turns on when the cooktop is turned on.

Everyone was talking about:

The Entertainer’s Dishwasher

The Entertainer’s Dishwasher features a gentle cycle that won’t break or damage glasses, with a no-slip, soft rubber lower rack and adjustable stands specifically designed to keep stems secure.

The Specialty Glass Dishwasher allows you to wash up to 26 large wine glasses or even more smaller ones at once.

Mixed Use Top Rack

Thermador Connected Experience by Home Connect features include:

Amazon Dash Replenishment ( YUP , THAT's Right.... your smart dishwasher will re-order replenishment supplies)

Easy Start Function Control of appliance through app.  Let's face it ... we live in a world where APP simplify the way we do things.

Refrigeration with Thermafresh system , push assist and self close was another favorite .

.........Now Getting back to my story about Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress , the imagineers on this attraction take us on a journey thru time in a series of vignettes /sets which show an American Family in their home  ( thru animatronics) while noting the changes in innovations and technology as the carousel rotates around the stage and they move onto different eras all while the song "It's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow " plays from scene to scene.

Photo by Nate Rasmussen, Librarian, Walt Disney Archives

First scene is set in a kitchen pre-electric era 1900's where you have a cast iron stove and an ice box... then it moves to the 20's same setting with updated appliances....40's was beginning of the electric era, Now the scene has a electric appliances , lighting , a TV, and it continues to move thru time until last scene where you are in The Future ... The 21st century .

40's scene Photo from Internet - couln't find photo credit. 

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/walt-disney-carousel-of-progress/

In the last scene the family is shown in the Kitchen and Living room Mom is at the computer , kids and Grandma on video games with VR, Dad is cooking in a modern Kitchen with voice activated wall ovens.....the Future is push button living and voice activated .  

Well that's exactly where we are now my friends.... Voice activated lighting controls, appliances, TV , phones and all sorts of technological advancements.   When I saw this attraction for the first time a few years ago, I remember thinking to myself " that would be so cool if Appliances were voice activated"  But I didn't think technology would be moving so quickly in this direction with appliances , BUT I stand corrected,  technology is moving fast in the Kitchen industry as well . SO excited about the future in Kitchen appliances.   I'm getting ready to re-do my own Kitchen soon and excited to incorporate some new innovated products from these wonderful brands who are so forward thinking. 

WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT ????

Lastly , I'd like to mention how gracious our Sponsor was ... Not only did Thermador (along with other sponsors including KBIS)  paid for flights, hotel accommodations, some meals, for this KBIS trip I was on with 24+ other influential interior designers and bloggers from around the world, THEY also threw an EPIC party! The food stations were insane! SO good!  Full hosted bar and THE Entertainment.... ONE REPUBLIC!  It was THE Party to be at.  Had SOO much fun !  Thank you Thermador for always taking it up a notch ! Excited to have been there for the unveiling of all your products.

 
#sponsored

Vanity Cabinetry re-imagined by DXV and OH! the NEW TUB!

So excited to see brands this year at KBIS get creative with fun storage solutions integrated in cabinetry like drawers sections, versatile moving parts to cabinetry to make them more versatile and functional.   One Brand in particular this year at KBIS was DXV, and not just because they happen to be one of our sponsors for Modenus Blogtour KBIS2018, BUT seriously, they knocked it out of the park with their minimalist design ... offering maximum flexibility in installation.  It truly feels like a custom vanity I would design for a client.  What they did is awesome.  Check it out.... It's called DXV Modulus Collection.

Which by the way include lighting and mirrors too! 

 Also LOVE that they offer the lavatory sink in either white or smoke concrete and sizes range from 21"wide to 55"wide !  

 

Another FUN detail is the coordinating solid surface accessory tray that is designed to integrate perfectly onto the adjoining transition zone. This rectangular tray can easily be moved and stored in the matching wall-mounted DXV Modulus vanity or storage cabinet drawers.

DXV Modulus Double Lavatory and Accessories

Their entire plumbing fixture line for this collection is great!  Streamline and Chic.  Lines are soft and proportions are perfect.  It has a really timeless look which as you probably know is what I LOVE most about anything in design.   Check out their site and see for yourself.

Oh and I just have to share this gorgeous SPA TUB from DXV too.... It's a drop in airbath not on the market quiet yet... it just debut at KBIS .   It has an elongated spout accentuated by light , the water falls gently on your shoulders as you rest your head on the comfy pillow, you can then turn on your air bubble or not for an incredble spa experience.

Without a doubt one of my favorites at KBIS this Year !

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Layering with Metrie : Architectural Interior moldings

A lot of my clients come to me with an idea of what they want their spaces to look like , they describe the style , the colors, materials ,  but they rarely mention the moldings and the treatments of the walls or ceilings.... that's usually my job to show them and educate them on what makes a finished interior space.  We interior designers layer spaces .  We layer materials , textures, color and MOLDINGS.  Moldings is a BIG factor in the layering process, it adds depth and dimension.  It gives spaces their architectural landscape and makes the room /space complete.

Last week , I was invited by Modenus and their wonderful sponsors to attend the KBIS /IBIS show in Orlando Florida along with 24 other influential interior designers and bloggers for an Educational/  FUN packed 3 days of everything Kitchen,Bath, and Construction and lot's of shop talk .

It's taken me a week to decompress from all the information I obtained ... my brain has been on sensory overload .  So much to see and experience.  Lot's of great new (to me) product and new advances in technology made for an amazing show.  And now,  I would love to share with you , some my inspirational finds Starting with one of our sponsors.  ( more KBIS blog posts to follow )  

 If you don't already know about Metrie, they are a wonderful source for interior trims, moldings and doors.  Not only are they the largest manufacturer of interior finishings for North America, they have been around for 90 years.   For those of you who already know about them, spec them and use them,  Bet you were excited to see the latest product solution they just debuted,  It is one of my Favorites !  For those who don't know,  It's called Option M .  

Option M is a curated selection of baseboards, crown moldings, trims, casings, doors , All perfectly packaged into 5 different styles - Bohemian, New Traditional, Modern Farmhouse , Shabby Chic & Vintage Industrial to make it easy for the homeowner, builder or designer to spec & use.  

We use trim moldings in all of our projects , even the most contemporary homes we do .  Moldings add that layer I was talking about earlier.  It gives the space it's architectural style and makes the space complete .

I Invite you to visit Metrie's website and see the wonderful product they have.  Option M is just one of their many collections. They also have decorative doors.  Go and Explore the possibilities.

Here are some photos of the little vignettes of their KBIS Booth in Orlando that I took last week .

You can see how instantly a space is transformed and defined by a style.

Ship lap for your next Modern Farmhouse or Beach house project

 

Applied trim molding to walls.

And DON'T forget the 5th wall ! Metrie and their talented designers did a beautiful job at KBIS on their displays/ vignettes at their booth with ceiling treatments! We just recently did this in our award winning kitchen project too ( see previous Blog post) .

Peek a boo! Loving all the displays of Metrie's Ceiling

Metrie Ceiling photo

Here's an example of how we used molding in one of our projects.  The Pasadena Showcase house (below) we did the Cloakroom and Lavatory where the walls were plain, lacked any architectural style and the proportions/ scale was off .  By adding molding we solved both these issues. 

See our before and after.  

This before photo below shows you that not even this tapestry or large mirror could help this space feel proportioned... if anything... this homeowner made it worse / amplified with the over-scaled items in a narrow space . 

BEFORE

Molding height strategically placed 3/4 of the way up in Cloak room brings ceiling down /wallpaper by BlackCrowStudios

 

You can still hang things on wall Overlapping molding like this mirror

Wainscot Molding in the Bathroom instead was lower than the cloakroom for better proportion

So the next time you start an interior design project , don't overlook using moldings.  It can be done simple or over the top , what ever your preference .  That layer is not just an added detail,  it is a foundation for great design.  Give your space the architectural detail it deserves. 

 

  THANK YOU Metrie for the wonderful tour of your Booth ! It was inspiring !   

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Featured in Architectural Digest 2018 January Issue

What an honor to be Featured in Architectural Digest ! 

Thank you Viking for naming me Viking's Kitchen Designer of the Year.  I'm so honored.