Merlot clients debut new products at Design and Construction Week 2016

We had a whirlwind week representing five of our national clients at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) and International Builders’ Show (IBS) during Design and Construction Week 2016, the largest event in the world for home and building products.

Our clients continue to innovate and influence trends in the luxury kitchen and professional builder industries with beautiful and inspiring new products. We invite you to behold the best new products that debuted at KBIS and IBS 2016, including the Kaza collection by Walker Zanger that was recognized with the “Best of Kitchen: Gold” award during the Best of KBIS Awards 2016.

Dacor kicked off Design and Construction Week by hosting a VIP media event at The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas. All the residential penthouse suites on display showcased the latest ultra-premium kitchen appliances from Dacor including the Discovery iQ Dual-Fuel Range, Fully Integrated Refrigerator and many more. These products were hand-selected by renowned designer Pedram Rahimi for their premium performance and beautiful integration into his stunning sleek designs.

Walker Zanger debuted four new tile collections at KBIS and won the prestigious “Best of Kitchen: Gold” award for its Kaza collection.

• Kaza: The Kaza collection redefines concrete with a bold and modern sensibility. Born from a collaboration between Kaza, a European tile studio and Walker Zanger, the collection comprises both stock products and bespoke items, making it possible to find just the right design and color for almost any application. Designed by Walker Zanger and several well-known European designers and architects, the designs in Kaza span the stylistic spectrum, from the angular geometry of ”Edgy” to the soft curves of ”Lantern.”

• Studio Moderne: Walker Zanger revisited the popular Studio Moderne collection, in collaboration with interior designer Michael Berman, to create a sequel to the existing collection. Inspired by 1970’s glamour, Art Deco and Neo-Egyptian architecture, the collection features contemporary and textural designs that allow designers to be creative with a variety of applications.

• Knit: The new Knit collection mirrors the flexibility and texture of luxury textiles to create noteworthy and beautiful designs. Each of the design fields—Quilt, Twill and Corduroy—expertly mimic their namesake fabric, recreating the look of quilted, woven and knitted material. The matte finish of the tile accentuates the detailed texture, and with the durability of porcelain, this tile is perfect for both floor and wall applications.

• Sketchbook: Combined with organic inspiration, artisans bring the new Sketchbook collection to life with unique paint-strokes in every tile. Carefully hand-painted, the bold black lines in the new collection reflect the work of the craftsmen who create them. Each individual tile is a work of art, as evidenced by the slight variations that are clear in the stroke and thickness of the lines.

True Residential expanded into a brand-new category with the announcement of its Undercounter Freezers and debuted the True 48, a new side-by-side refrigerator/freezer with nearly 30 cubic feet of storage space.

• Undercounter Freezer: True’s 24-inch Undercounter Freezers are the industry’s first residential undercounter freezers that are UL-rated for both indoor and outdoor use. The freezers are made from industry exclusive 300-series stainless steel and keep food at temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

• The True 48: This 48-inch side-by-side refrigerator-freezer features increased refrigerator storage space for preserving vast quantities of fresh produce. The True 48’s all-stainless interior and exterior ensures a hygienic and easy-to-clean surface, with dramatic ramp-up LED interior lighting designed to showcase—not just reveal—its contents.

• Drawer Pan Kit: These elegant stainless steel inserts mimic the ingredient stations that top chefs use in their commercial kitchens, allowing for an almost Zen-like connection to the art of food preparation and home entertaining. The Drawer Pan Kit can hold up to six different ingredients at once, making elements such as freshly chopped vegetables, meats, and par-cooked ingredients instantly accessible.

• Clear Ice Machine: No longer will homeowners worry about running out of ice while entertaining. UL-rated for both indoor and outdoor use, the Clear Ice Machine is capable of producing an impressive 70 pounds of ice per day and can store up to 28 pounds. Its energy efficiency is unmatched as well, and it is the only residential 15-inch undercounter clear ice machine that qualifies for Energy Star.

• Spa and Makeup Station: The new True Spa and Makeup Station enhances the home vanity with True’s exclusive balanced refrigeration system, capable of keeping dairy- and yogurt-based face creams refreshingly cool at temperatures as low as 33°F. It can be customized with an infinite variety of overlays and includes the patented TruLumina™ LED lighting system to softly illuminate contents in 14 different colors with the push of a button.

NanaWall Systems was the leader in indoor/outdoor trends at IBS, showcasing its new bear-resistant BEARricade™ system and being awarded Beautiful Kitchens & Baths magazine’s “30 Most Innovative Products 2016” award for its Kitchen Transition systems. NanaWall was also chosen to present during the education session “10 New High Performance Products to Hit the Market,” discussing the energy efficiency value homeowners and builders gain from using its systems.

• BEARricade: While closed, the BEARricade system fends off the most persistent and resourceful bears; when the coast is clear, it provides openings up to 38-feet wide to aesthetically erase indoor/outdoor boundaries. The system provides all the attributes of a NanaWall opening glass wall—indoor/outdoor lifestyle, fresh air ventilation, unequalled weather protection, and open views—now with bear-resistant strength added to its list of unmatched performance attributes.

• FoldFlat: NanaWall FoldFlat folding glass wall panels stack and fold flat against the wall—completely out of the way. Useful for patios, decks, and balconies where space is a premium. FoldFlat eliminates the issue of the panels protruding out into the deck or patio space.

• Kitchen Transition: The NanaWall Kitchen Transition is a combination of the company’s folding glass windows and folding glass walls. The window/wall combination is an innovative way to enjoy the benefits and beauty of an outdoor kitchen—offered as a Folding System or Single Track Sliding System. The window and wall portions of the Folding System open and operate independently; any combination can be created for virtually any kitchen that faces a backyard, courtyard or deck. The innovative single track sliding system features a dual-height window/door combination with the option of zero floor track (for pristine countertops) and hidden pocketed panels.

Eldorado Stone launched three collections at the International Builders’ Show – the largest product launch from Eldorado Stone in over a decade: Modern Collection, Eldorado Artisan Fire Bowls Collection and Eldorado Natural Stone.

• Modern Collection – Stemming from the results of a survey conducted by Eldorado Stone last year to over 1,000 architects, designers and builders, Eldorado Stone launched the new linear, neutral-toned Modern Collection. This new collection includes 34 new colors and six new stone veneer profiles that provide neutral color palettes architects and homeowners alike have demanded.

• Eldorado Artisan Fire Bowls Collection – Taking the modern theme outside is achieved in Eldorado’s six all-new, handcrafted fire bowls. These one-of-a-kind fire bowls are available in four unique colors with either a honed or travertine finish and allow for a luxurious outdoor lifestyle.

• Natural Stone – Last year, Eldorado Stone purchased two quarries in upstate New York and developed an all-new line of Natural Stone profiles as an answer to developments and architects that do not typically specify architectural stone veneer for outdoor applications.

Design and Construction Week was full of new trends and exciting product launches. Stay tuned for Merlot’s trendspotting video from the show floors at KBIS and IBS, highlighting the best in products and design.