Notes from 2011 KBIS – Las Vegas

I was chatting with some folks while waiting in line at the 2011 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas, and was asked why I came all the way from Philadelphia for this event. Without hesitation, I said it was because it’s a unique opportunity to meet directly with the representatives of products that we already know and specify, find out what’s new, get to know their product lines better, and see the products in action. It’s also a chance to find and vet out new vendors, or even find out if we want to re-introduce some products that we have not used in a while. And it’s also a chance to see who is coming to the table with sustainable solutions and see if their definition gels with our approach. See who is meeting the challenge of meshing GOOD DESIGN and FUNCTION, especially in the area of universal design. This show offers a chance to meet professionals from all sides of our industry. And, of course, since the show is in Las Vegas, I can now check this city off my list of places to see at least once. 🙂

So here’s some impressions from the first day with the vendors.

One of the biggest show presences is Kohler – their booth is almost the size of a Philadelphia Center City block! They have created a tailored experience to show off what’s new, remind you of how they have been there for the long haul, and introduce the latest. This year is no exception –- there is a new toilet/bidet combo called Numi that is smart! Smart in technology, smart in looks. Here’s the link that gives some details about it. And they have some new entries for a more standard toilet that aren’t as smart but have water savings integrated into the design.
There’s a new luxury air tub that is universal in use and seems extremely well thought out! The tub walls raise so you do not have to climb over the walls of the tub. You sit down, swing your legs over and push a control to raise the wall that includes a robust gasket system. This is a great way to allow those less mobile the chance to take spa bath with little to no assistance. I don’t have a good picture yet, but here’s the link – and, by the way, its footprint is about the same as a standard tub.
For sinks, I was excited to see that kitchen cast iron sinks have been given a new life. Kohler cast iron sinks have a long life, which is something we look for in all the products we specify, and now this tried-and-true material is manufactured with 80+% recycled content and, at last –- a “farm style” sink that can be installed without the yucky caulk gap.
In other news, it seems Kraftmaid is addressing the slamming cabinet door problem with the introduction of a new soft-close hinge. Many of our clients have chosen the option to use the soft-close drawer system; this is the sister function.
Some solutions for linear drains are starting to come in. I’ve always loved the look of linear drains, but in smaller residential spaces and a smaller budget scope, we have not always been able to incorporate this clean look. Now companies are making our job easier by creating linear drains that do the work for us. Here’s one pic of just one I saw.
Stay tuned for more updates from the show…