Fresh from KBIS

We’ve blogged about the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) before, and as many of you know, the world’s largest kitchen-and-bath trade show took place last week in Chicago. But today, we wanted to share with you the winners of the 2010 “Best of KBIS” competition and take a look at some of the products–each introduced in the last 12 months–that were awarded for their functionality, quality/durability, flexibility, aesthetics/style and innovation:

Best of Show: Integrated Wine Storage from Liebherr

Best of Bath: TOTO’s eco-powered Aimes Shower Lighting System

Universal Design was a new category introduced at the competition. Here, the Best of Universal Design:  HealthCraft Products‘ Invisia Collection

To see more of the winners from this year’s show, visit Kitchen & Bath Business magazine online for “Best of KBIS Winners.”

K/BIS Trend Watch

Marketing Home Products wrote a great blog post last month about the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (K/BIS) Trend Watch, and we’ll be bringing you a full report on trends coming out of K/BIS in the upcoming weeks. But in the mean time, check out a few of the emerging trends in the kitchen and bath in 2010 that Marketing Home Products blog is predicting:

* “The push to turn convenience into a luxury is very exciting. This can be seen with the under-counter refrigerated drawers and the dishwasher drawers for small loads. According to the NKBA, nearly a third of designers are incorporating this new trend into kitchens.”

* “The pull-down/pull-out faucet, which is utilized by 85 percent of kitchen designers. This fixture has a retractable spray hose hidden inside the traditional fixed spigot. Sleek arms contain a hose, faucet, spray, and hot and cold controls all in one place. It’s convenient, compact and functional.”

* Consider installing a dishwasher drawer. “Because it’s independently operated, you can wash small loads as economically as large ones. Plus, the extra flexibility to run cycles simultaneously with your traditional dishwasher makes clean-up quicker and easier, explaining why nearly a third of designers are incorporating this new trend into kitchens as well.”

* “Granite and chrome will be stealing the show in 2010. According to the NKBA, granite is the dominant material chosen for vanities in current remodels – used by seven of every eight designers. However, granite will have some stiff competition as alternative natural materials, like marble, continue to gain momentum.”

Want to know more? Check out K/BIS Trend Watch: Kitchen & Bath’s Top 10.

KBIS: A Preview from NKBA

Will you be attending the world’s largest kitchen-and-bath show this April in Chicago? If you’ll be at KBIS (or the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show), you’ll want to start planning your schedule ASAP. Between the more than 11,000 particpants and 750 exhibitors, you’ve got a lot of ground to cover.

So check out the NKBA’s (National Kitchen and Bath Association) Website for a spectacular preview of events, and start scheduling (and thinking about a comfortable pair of shoes!).

From keynotes by the “World’s first Chief Marketing Officer” to lectures by a Generational Insight President, these engaging events will help separate your business from the competition.

Let us know if you’ll be in attendance!