2021 Best Kitchens Over $225,000

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GOLD

Contrasting Colors

TODD ATKINS

Phil Kean Design Group, Winter Park, FL


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Photos: Uneek Image

The objective for the kitchen design team – which included designer Todd Atkins along with architect Phil Kean and interior designer Keri Ferguson – for the 2021 New American Home was to demonstrate how the space could be beautifully designed using a combination of multiple colors and textures. 

Cabinets from Plato Woodwork’ INOVAE Classic line are used in contrasting colors of walnut, creamy whites, dark carbon, sparkling champagne and reflective glass in gray. A traditional walnut finish is showcased on the 10′ illuminated walnut hutch, which includes glass-front doors that highlight the contents. Walnut is also used in a chevron pattern on the island cabinetry, interior cabinetry in the TV niche, and custom hood built using a Panasonic 36″ range hood. 

The kitchen also features a range of interior storage options, including peg boards, spice racks, utensil dividers and roll-outs. Specialty spaces including a coffee bar and TV niche can be closed off and hidden behind their retractable bi-fold doors.

Modo cabinet hardware from Schaub & Company adds a touch of gold, along with the Kohler Crue Semi-Professional Kitchen Faucet. The faucet is paired with Kohler’s Prolific Undermount Sink.

The Signature Kitchen Suite appliances deliver luxury built-in cooking and refrigeration options. Included are: 48″ Dual-Fuel Range with Sous Vide and Induction, 30″ Double Wall Oven with Steam-Combi and Microwave Oven Drawer, all in stainless steel, as well as 30″ Integrated Panel-Ready Column Refrigerator and Freezer units, and Quadwash Panel-Ready Dishwasher.

To contrast the Engineered Natural Walnut flooring, the designers used a bright white Viatera Quartz from LG Hausys for both the countertops and the backsplash. Idril Sconces in brushed nickel, as well as the Loop Linear fixture in brushed aluminum above the island – all from Kichler – provide illumination.

SILVER

Form & Aesthetic

STEVEN COOPER

Cooper Pacific Kitchens, West Hollywood, CA


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The request for this project was to create a kitchen that felt architectural rather than noticeably “kitchen.” Steven Cooper, in collaboration with interior designer Thomas Schoos of Schoos Design, chose Form and Aesthetic as the key objectives needed to create a high-functioning kitchen that would allow for caterers and chefs to prepare for large parties and entertaining.

Since the client doesn’t cook but entertains quite a bit, concealed appliances were highly desired. The column refrigerator with freezer and Gaggenau dishwasher were integrated, and a drop-down flat screen television can be hidden from view when not in use. A custom hood that matches the Cooper Pacific Kitchens Custom 861 cabinets hovers over the island, which houses five independent burners from Pitt Cooking. A Gaggenau speed oven and two single ovens disappear behind pocket doors and feature a custom temperature gauge and safety shutoffs in case the doors are ever closed over the units while in operation. A bar area with Thermador Wine Undercounter Refrigerator also vanishes from view.

Balancing the mix of texture in the 351-sq.-ft. penthouse kitchen was the focus. Oak logs, sourced from German forests, give the space an organic, tactile quality, while cement and stone augment the more austere architecture. The Caesarstone Rugged Concrete quartz countertop and backsplash blend with the overall aesthetic, while the Waterworks Regulator faucets and custom bronze sink from Rocky Mountain Hardware enhance the industrial feel.

BRONZE

Contemporary Condo

JENNIFER GILMER & MEGHAN BROWNE

Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen and Bath, Chevy Chase, MD


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Photos: Anice Hoachlander, Anice Hoachlander Photography

The contemporary style of this full condo remodel needed to be reflected in the kitchen as well, where the desire for more open space and increased size were primary. Jennifer Gilmer and Meghan Browne, working alongside Greg Wiedemann of Wiedemann Architects, focused on these interests, along with having a more functional work triangle and providing seating for four in the 350-sq.-ft. room.

A focal-point back wall blends the Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer columns into the space, with a narrow pantry finishing the look. On that same wall are a Miele convection oven and Miele Speed Microwave. 

The Gaggenau cooktop was moved to the other side of the room so that the wall in the hallway could be reduced, a request of the clients. The Amore hood above was hidden by connecting it to a ceiling panel, with a cabinet of the same color reaching down to the countertop. This cabinet has bi-fold/retractable doors and houses the coffee machine and other amenities.
A peninsula was created to the left of the bi-fold cabinet, which offered a landing space at the end of the hallway.

Contemporary cabinets from Premier Custom Built are featured in white and pale wood tones, topped with Bianco Lassa marble with a waterfall edge. Along the wall, the countertop is met by handmade ceramic tile from Pratt + Larson. The island now houses The Galley sink, paired with a ROHL faucet, with a Miele dishwasher to the side. A Miele warming drawer and Sub-Zero undercounter refrigerator are also featured in the space.

VIEW ALL 2021 KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN AWARDS WINNERS


Kitchens Over $225,000

Kitchens $150,000–$225,000

Kitchens $75,000–$150,000

Kitchens Under $75,000

Specialty Kitchens

Showrooms

Master Bathrooms Over $100,000

Master Bathrooms $50,000–$100,000

Master Bathrooms Under $50,000

Powder Rooms

Specialty Projects

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NKBA Seeks Hall of Fame Nominations


HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — The National Kitchen & Bath Associations is now accepting nominations for 2022 inductees to the Kitchen and Bath Hall of Fame,recognizing individuals “for their significant and enduring contributions” to the kitchen and bath industry, the association announced.

Nominees will be reviewed based on outstanding achievement, leadership and corporate citizenship, according to the NKBA.

“The Kitchen & Bath Hall of Fame recognizes the pinnacle of excellence in K&B design, invention, entrepreneurship and service to the industry,” said Bill Darcy, CEO of the NKBA.

“These are the people whose contributions have impacted our homes and industry work in notable ways,” Darcy said. “We encourage our members to help celebrate these remarkable individuals by nominating them for this prestigious honor.”

Although nominees are not limited to NKBA members, nominations must be submitted by NKBA members. Each selection is based on merit of the nominee, not by the number of nominations. All nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee. Nominations must be submitted online on NKBA.org. The deadline for nominations is 5:00 pm ET, Sept. 30, 2021.

New inductees will be recognized during the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Design + Industry Awards on Feb. 7, as part of the 2022 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Orlando, FL.

The NKBA created the Kitchen & Bath Hall of Fame in 1989, and over the last three decades has inducted more than 90 individuals, who are featured in a special gallery at NKBA’s Hackettstown, NJ headquarters.

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LIXIL Plumbing Workshops for Women


New York — LIXIL Americas, the parent company of kitchen/bath plumbing products manufacturer American Standard, partnered with Tools & Tiaras Inc. to sponsor a plumbing-focused workshop as part of a multi-day summer camp designed to introduce young girls and women to the skilled trade industry, the company announced.

Tools & Tiaras is an organization dedicated to advancing the interests of young girls and women who want to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated trade professions. The initiative is one effort to help reduce the downward labor shortage trend in the skilled trade industry. The multi-day vocational camp featured female participants, ages 13-17, who are interested in learning more about the skilled trade industry, sponsors said.

“We are committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work,” said LIXIL Americas spokesperson Debbie Drury. “Knowing that plumbers protect the health of the nation, yet the number of people entering plumbing and trade crafts is on a steady decline, we believe it is our duty to support programs that encourage the pursuit of plumbing as a profession.

“It is particularly exciting to be partnering with Tools & Tiaras, whose purpose is to empower ambitious and determined young women to knock down the social barrier of entering these trade professions,” Drury said.

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Gains in Single-Family Housing Expected to Increase in 2022

WASHINGTON, DC — Breaking an eight-year trend, there have been more single-family homes under construction in recent months than multifamily units, according to the National Association of Home Builders, which predicted additional gains in single-family construction in 2022.

Despite some cooling earlier this year, the continued strength of single-family construction in 2021 means that there are now 28% more single-family homes under construction than a year ago, said Robert Dietz, chief economist for the Washington, DC-based NAHB.

“These gains mean single-family completions will increase in 2022, bringing more inventory to market despite a 19% year-over-year rise in construction material costs and longer construction times,” Dietz said.

Ongoing single-family and multifamily housing production accelerated in November, due to strong demand, with overall housing starts increasing 11.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.68 million units, according to U.S. government figures.

Despite inflation concerns and ongoing production bottlenecks, builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes also edged higher for the fourth consecutive month on strong consumer demand and limited existing inventory, the NAHB added.

“While demand remains strong, finding workers, predicting pricing and dealing with material delays remains a challenge,” said Dietz. “Building has increased but the industry faces constraints, namely cost/availability of materials, labor and lots. And while 2021 single-family starts are expected to end the year 24% higher than the pre-COVID 2019 level, we expect that higher interest rates in 2022 will put a damper on housing affordability.”

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Demand Seen Strong for Aging-in-Place Remodeling Projects

FOSTER CITY, CA — A significant percentage of American homeowners across multiple home-improvement trades plan to explore aging-in-place projects for themselves or a loved one in the coming year, a newly released survey reveals.

According to the survey’s findings, some 63% of the homeowners polled report that they will explore aging-in-place home improvement projects for themselves within the next 12 months, while another 6% plan to do so for a loved one.

The November survey, which involved some 2,110 respondents in the U.S., was conducted by Modernize Home Services, a Foster City, CA-based online firm that connects homeowners with contractors and other home-services professionals. The company operates in more than 15 home segments, including bathrooms and kitchens.

Among the primary projects to be considered, researchers said, are bath remodels that feature walk-in tubs and seats within a shower. Other aging-in-place products in high demand include medical alerts, non-slip flooring, stair lifts, grab bars and wider hallways.

“There are a few projects that offer more safety and security – such as installing brighter lightbulbs – that can be done by any homeowner, but more complex projects like walk-in tubs and concurrent bath and kitchen upgrades require professionals,” said Modernize V.P. Gregg Hicks. “This study shows an opportunity for contractors to capitalize on the increased demand for aging-in-place home improvement projects in the coming years.”

 

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Wellness Features Termed a ‘Necessity’ for Today’s Homes

INDIANAPOLIS — Well­ness fea­tures, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and an elevated awareness of indoor envi­ron­ments’ impact on phys­i­cal and men­tal health, are no longer a lux­u­ry, but rather a necessity in today’s homes, a leading wellness expert contends.

According to Dr. Jie Zhao, exec­. v.p. of Delos, a New York-based well­ness real estate and tech­nol­o­gy com­pa­ny, COVID-19 has literally reshaped the way homes – including kitchens and baths ­– will be designed, built, equipped and remodeled in years to come.

“Peo­ple are much more cog­nizant of the impor­tant role that homes play in our lives, and how these envi­ron­ments can have a pos­i­tive or neg­a­tive impact on the well­ness of their inhab­i­tants,” Jie said.

At the recent “Insights Sum­mit,” an annual event sponsored by the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI), Jie outlined four key wellness trends that he believes will have the greatest impact on home improve­ment in the post-pan­dem­ic world. Among them:

• Indoor Air Quality: Because virus­es spread through the air much eas­i­er than by sur­face con­tact, the pan­dem­ic shed light on the impor­tance of indoor air qual­i­ty, or IAQ, as a com­po­nent of a healthy home, Jie said.

“Air fil­tra­tion is vital to the reduc­tion of par­ti­cle trans­mis­sion,” he observed. “Not only can air-clean­ing tech­nolo­gies improve peace of mind when it comes to invis­i­ble health threats like COVID-19, they also tack­le vis­i­ble parti­cles in the air such as smoke and oth­er harm­ful particles.”

Jie said that ven­ti­la­tion and/​or ion­iza­tion tech­nol­o­gy will be at the fore­front of the fight against con­t­a­m­i­nat­ed air in home spaces. ​“For this rea­son, IAQ may be the biggest well­ness trend to have emerged from the pan­dem­ic,” he noted.

• Mental Wellness: Men­tal well­ness issues per­sist­ed long before the emer­gence of the coro­n­avirus, but the amount of atten­tion devot­ed to the top­ic increased sig­nif­i­cant­ly after­ward, Jie said, noting that men­tal health came to the fore­front of con­ver­sa­tion due to iso­la­tion dur­ing stay-at-home orders.

Jie observed that one result of this for the home-improvement industry is the gen­er­al migra­tion away from con­gest­ed cities in favor of larg­er res­i­dences, more nature and less com­mut­ing time. Jie also point­ed to the effect of men­tal well­ness on increased demand in cer­tain prod­uct cat­e­gories, including home enter­tain­ment, artists’ sup­plies, sports equip­ment and pets.

• Home Offices: Anoth­er major change emerg­ing from the pan­dem­ic is the increased impor­tance of the home office.

“Many employ­ees have made invest­ments in their home offices and have got­ten used to work­ing from home,” Jie said, pointing to surveys which found that 80% of work­ers want to be able to work from home three days per week, and 92% want at least one remote work­day per week.

“There has been a rise in office fur­ni­ture and acces­sories that sup­port health and well­ness, such as the stand­ing desk or ergonom­ic key­board,” Jie said, adding that 20-25% of com­pa­nies are cur­rent­ly reim­burs­ing their employ­ees for well­ness-relat­ed home office sup­plies and fur­ni­ture, “hint­ing at the prospect that work-from-home may be around well into the com­ing years.”

• Fitness: While the spread of COVID-19 led to the tem­po­rary clo­sure of most gyms and ath­let­ic insti­tu­tions, it gave rise to new home fit­ness technolo­gies, as peo­ple sought to stay fit with­in the con­fines of their own homes, Jie pointed out.

“Com­pa­nies like Pelo­ton and MIRROR are chang­ing the way we think about fit­ness (and) com­bin­ing the phys­i­cal and vir­tu­al,” he said. “Con­sumers not only pur­chase a piece of gym equip­ment for their home, but they buy into an entire online social and con­tent expe­ri­ence.”

“I expect to see more inte­gra­tion with online fit­ness plat­forms and home décor,” he said. “Peo­ple want con­vert­ible spaces, so the eas­i­er their equipment blends with their home and lifestyle, the bet­ter.”

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Tile of Spain Awards Call for Entries

Miami, FL – The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER) has issued the call for entry for the 20th annual Tile of Spain Awards of Architecture, Interior Design and Final Degree Project.

Sponsored by Endesa, the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX) and Port Valencia, the Tile of Spain Awards promote the use of Spanish ceramic tiles in architecture and interior design projects worldwide.For the 2021 installment of the Awards, the jury will be chaired by architect Carlos Ferrater, who also led the jury during the first edition of the Awards in 2001. Carlos Ferrater is a founding partner of the Office of Architecture in Barcelona (OAB) and is a professor of Architectural Projects at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, with a long history backed by numerous awards and distinctions.The Tile of Spain Awards have a prize fund of €35,000 ($41,220.11) shared between three categories. The two main categories, Architecture and Interior Design, each have cash prizes of €15,000 ($17,665.76). The Final Degree Project award has a cash prize of €5,000 ($5,888,58). The panel of judges is also entitled to give two special mentions in each category.Entries from Spain and abroad are being accepted now through October 28, 2021. Visit www.tileofspainawards.com to enter the contest or learn more about the Tile of Spain Awards.

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Home Sizes Rise With Virus-Fueled Demand for More Space

WASHINGTON, DC — Single-family home sizes are reported to be rising as an offshoot of the COVID-19 pandemic, reversing a recent trend toward downsizing as homeowners are seeking additional residential space for a wider range of purposes, particularly teleworking and school-related activities.

According to second-quarter 2021 U.S. government data and analysis from the National Association of Home Builders, the median size of a newly built single-family home increased to 2,297 sq. ft. The average size for new single-family homes increased to 2,540.

Since Great Recession lows, home size rose between 2009 to 2015 as entry-level new construction was constrained, according to the Washington, DC-based NAHB. In contrast, home sizes declined between 2016 and 2020, as more starter homes were developed, the NAHB said.

“Going forward we expect home size to increase again, given a shift in consumer preferences for more space due to the increased use and roles of homes in the post-COVID-19 environment,” observed Robert Dietz, chief economist for the Washington, DC-based NAHB.

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2021 Home Spending Continued at ‘Dizzying Pace,’ Report Finds

DENVER — Not only did homeowners spend more on their homes in 2021, but they also completed more projects, according to a new report by Angi, the Denver-based firm that links homeowners with remodeling and other home-related professionals.

According to Angi’s report annual 2021 State of Home Spending Report – entitled The Great Shift: How the Pandemic Put Homes in Focus – surveyed homeowners spent an average of $15,680 on home improvement, home maintenance and emergency repairs in 2021, and took on an average of 14.4 separate home projects.

“The growth in home spending we witnessed continued at a dizzying pace as people have continued spending more time in their homes,” said Mischa Fisher, chief economist for Angi, whose annual report focuses on trends in home spending including drivers, obstacles, top projects and forecasts for the years ahead.

“2021 also presented homeowners with trillions of dollars of unexpected home equity and that wealth has been, at least in part, reinvested in the home through improvements, maintenance and repairs,” Fisher observed. “Pre-pandemic, people were motivated to work on their homes for a return on investment or other financial incentives. Now, they’re prioritizing projects that help their homes better suit their new normal,” she added.

The most popular home project of 2021 was interior painting, completed by nearly one in three homeowners (32%), followed by bathroom remodels (28%) and installing smart home devices (27%). Other top projects include flooring (26.7%), landscaping (24.7%), exterior painting (24.2%), kitchen remodels (23.7%), fencing (23.1%), new roofing (19.6%) and new cabinets (19.5%).

The Angi report also asked homeowners what home projects they would do if given $10,000. While the overall top project was a living room upgrade, selected by 17% of homeowners, the different priorities of men and women were clear. Male homeowners prioritized living room upgrades (18%), outdoor space upgrades (17%) and bedroom upgrades (15%), while women were more interested in kitchen remodels (21%), bathroom upgrades (17%) and outdoor space upgrades (16%).

The State of Home Spending was based on Angi’s analysis of surveys fielded to 6,400 consumers in early October, the company said.

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Exertis Acquires Almo Corporation

Philadelphia – DCC Technology, a Dublin, Ireland-based technology distribution and services business that trades as Exertis, has acquired Almo Corporation in North America.

The move extends the company’s international scale in the Pro AV sector and ramps up its expansion in the North American market. The addition of Almo Corporation builds on other acquisitions in North America such as Stampede, Jam Industries, The Music People and JB&A. It expands Exertis’ Pro AV capability to form the largest specialist Pro AV business in North America.

Alongside its Pro AV business, Almo Corporation is the largest distributor of mainstream appliances, delivering a comprehensive portfolio of products including full kitchen packages with essential appliances to small and medium-sized retailers throughout the U.S. In addition, it is the leading distributor of premium appliances, serving retailers and builders designing luxury residential installations for refrigeration, ventilation and cooking in both indoor and outdoor settings. Almo’s business in consumer appliances and lifestyle products will add scale to Exertis North America’s business in the consumer channel.

Almo’s 75-year-old, third-generation, family-owned business brings 660 employees, nine distribution centers and more than 2.5 million square feet of warehousing space across North America. Almo Corporation will benefit from leveraging Exertis’ financial resources and supply-chain logistics, according to the company. The acquisition will provide Exertis North America with increased back-end economies of scale allied to the front-end specialization.

Almo will continue to be operated by the Chaiken Family, with Warren Chaiken as president and CEO and Gene Chaiken as Chairman. The combined Exertis and Almo Pro AV divisions will, in due course, be led by Sam Taylor, current exec. v.p. & COO of Almo Pro AV. Shortly after the completion of the integration, the combined business will be rebranded as Exertis Almo Pro AV.

John Dunne, a long-time senior executive with Exertis, currently leading the Exertis Pro AV team in North America, will join the Almo executive team and help lead the integration. The Premium Appliances and Mainstream Appliances divisions will continue to be led by Steve Terry and Jack Halperin, respectively.

Exertis’ expanded North American operation becomes a $2.4 billion business overseen by Martin Szpiro, managing director of Exertis North America. It forms part of the international expansion strategy of Exertis International, under Managing Director Clive Fitzharris.

Tim Griffin, DCC Technology & Exertis managing director said, “The acquisition of Almo Corporation is the largest in DCC’s history and signals our confident and ambitious intent to expand DCC Technology. By integrating Almo with our North American business, we will form the largest specialist Pro AV business in North America. Almo’s 75-year history of growth and success, combined with its longstanding relationships with industry partners and its ability to continually innovate and expand will be great assets to Exertis. In turn, we will bring significant economies of scale, global supply chain access and other benefits to the customers of Almo Corporation.”

Warren Chaiken, Almo Corporation president & CEO stated, “Having just completed a year-long celebration of 75 years of growth and business success, the time is right to give our manufacturer and channel partners a truly global distribution stage so they can operate their businesses at a greater capacity, leverage more buying power and the ability to compete for a more comprehensive position in the global supply chain. We are committed to growing with our partners by remaining their value-added distributor with larger scale and access to more products, more services and more financial support. For them, this transition will be seamless in that we will operate business as usual.”

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