Welcome to the Kleber & Associates blog! Here’s the latest on the Top 10 Poducts At IBS/KBIS 2014
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Danver
Affectionately known as the “grandfather” of all the building professional trade shows, the International Builders Show (IBS) welcomed a new partner to the mix in 2014 with great results. The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), usually held in April, co-located with IBS for the first time in both the show’s storied histories with a renewed emphasis on design and construction. The combined show proved to be a hit in terms of attendance – preliminary estimates place the number at 75,000. Also, professionals had a rare chance to learn about design philosophy along with building products for an enhanced learning experience. Speaking of products, this year’s IBS-KBIS delivered. With more than 650,000 square feet of exhibitor space, companies were rolling out their latest and greatest for an eager crowd ready to “get back to business” in 2014.
So which ones stood out? We offer our top 10 favorites below.
Ronbow
Ronbow had nine new vanities on display – all reflecting the latest in design studio influences with vibrant finishing options and unique textures. We were particularly fond of the Sophie – a sort of throwback look with rich colors and the ever-popular grey tone finish option. These new vanities are available through Ronbow dealers nationwide at a great price point given the high quality build and materials. In addition, we got a sneak peek of some new products heading to Ronbow showrooms that will be the talk of the industry heading into 2015.
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Danver
While stainless steel remains king in the outdoor kitchen market, we loved the new color palette options from Danver, an industry leader in outdoor kitchens. Inspired by nature, these new cabinet finishes come in a wide variety of colors like Redwood, Beetle, and Carlsbad Canyon to best complement outdoor living trends and landscapes. While responding to popular consumer demands of bringing indoor themes to the great outdoors, Danver also premiered a line of American-Made Bronze Handles to enhance the new door finishes.
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Rev-A-Shelf
A high-dollar kitchen renovation is all for naught if function is sacrificed – that’s where the geniuses at Rev-A-Shelf enter the picture. The company has long been known for its revolutionary space organization systems and 2014 is no different. We couldn’t get enough of this hinged organization unit that actually extends to the user versus having them reach into the pantry. With clear organization containers, the system is a great idea for young children or those with disabilities including the elderly. Rev A Shelf offers a huge inventory of space-saving solutions for the bath, kitchen, closet and pantry in a wide variety of metals and color options.
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Feeney
Feeney brought a great new take on the tried and true cable railing product to the show this year. Borrowing from cabinetry manufacturers and other under-mount applications, Feeney has added LED lighting into the frame of its DesignRail line. The new look offers a dramatic design note while greatly improving safety for outdoor installations. We could see this becoming a popular addition to outdoor living areas where lighting is at a premium or even apartment complex walkways for added peace of mind.
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Fiberon
The weather outside was chilly but Fiberon’s two new deck lines had the crowds dreaming of spring. The company introduced two new lines at the show – a capped composite decking line appropriately titled “Good Life” – and new, durable polymer line called “Paramount”. The Good Life series is a low-maintenance composite decking that offers an unbeatable combination of price and performance while the Paramount is made of a highly resilient surface designed for lasting durability. The line is available in five rich solid and multi-chromatic color options with a true wood look finish.
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Masonite
Embracing the new designer element brought to the show with KBIS, Masonite doors offered attendees a completely new take on their product line with matching doors throughout the home. The concept was intriguing – by choosing a contemporary front facade, Masonite contends the same contemporary design notes and color should be reflected inside the home as well. Using this idea, the door becomes more than just hardware – it’s a critical component in the home’s overall design envelope. In addition to traditional wood, Masonite had a wide breadth of fiberglass door options with textured finishes and color palettes for a classic look all the way to cutting edge. We were huge fans of their hanging door product which is slated for a 2014 release.
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Walpole Outdoors
Walpole Outdoors brought to the show their new PVC Pergola product – again echoing the overall show trend of alternative materials for traditional applications. PVC brings superior durability and resistance to the elements with the ability to color match to the homeowner’s specifications. To Walpole’s credit, however, they have brought their signature woodworking design to the material for a nearly indistinguishable appearance. These PVC products offer years of worry-free use but with the timeless design that makes Walpole famous.
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Kohler
The folks at Kohler must have held a wife-only panel when brainstorming this great new product. Available on the company’s Cachet® Q3 and Reveal® Q3 toilet seats, Nightlight features two unique LED light displays that illuminate your toilet in a soft glow. The light runs on (2) double A batteries and even includes a seven hour timer for overnight operation. No more “misses” – this product gives the user both a navigation light in the dark and a “target” so you don’t have to turn on the main lights to use the facility.
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WoodTrac
Woodtrac by Sauder has brought high-end style to the ceiling with a hook and place fastening system which can now be directly mounted to the drywall itself. Woodtrac uses Sauder’s proprietary screening technology, which can mimic the look and richness of actual wood in a variety of applications. In addition to their ceiling product, Woodtrac also had its closet storage system on display – using the same screened wood for a high-end look at the fraction of the cost.
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Lava Heat Italia
We were drawn to these striking patio heaters from a company called Lava Heat Italia from California. Using stainless steel construction and controlled ignition by remote control, the Lava Heat 2G, for example, put out an incredible 61,000 BTU’s of heat in a 360 radius. Unlike similar products, we liked how Lava Heat offered multiple finishing options to make their heaters part of the outdoor living area versus an eyesore to the overall design. We did feel for their salespeople – those units put out the heat!
