“I Do” or “I Re-Do”
After traveling to Chicago in April to go to the KBIS show, (the national Kitchen and Bath) home show, I brought back a basket full of brochures and contacts for all the fantastic products that are currently available for remodel and new home construction.
There were thousands of vendors who were showing the latest in counter tops, bath and kitchen plumbing fixtures and new products beyond belief.
Some of the more interesting products on the market currently are things like bamboo countertops and cabinets. Something fun I saw was a freestanding bathtub made completely out of bamboo! Not for everyone, but a conversation piece and “green”. There are plenty of new green products like countertops, recycled terrazzo tile and renewable resource teak countertops and even sinks made out of wood! I also enjoyed seeing the solid glass countertops with a textured finish. That was one of the big newer entries at the show.
I met a couple of top designers in the country and they took me around and introduced me to some of the primary vendors of the appliance companies, such as Sub-Zero and Wolf ranges. It was a gets opportunity to meet a world renowned kitchen and bath designer. I asked her what her favorite new item was at the show and it was the new 36” wide refrigerator drawer that can also double as a freezer! Wow talk about convenience!
It was also fun to see the different door fronts that are being use in modern kitchens on cabinets and appliances. At the sub-zero display, they covered the refrigerator and freezer side by side units with a wood panel that looked like an apothecary cabinet, with several small drawer faces covering the entire front of both appliances. In the middle, there were smaller drawers that pulled out to reveal more refrigerator space. Lots of ideas to stimulate the imagination!
I went to the show to see the latest in appliances and products to bring back all of these new ideas to Mammoth.
As we continue to be inundated with new clients who are interested in updating the homes in Mammoth and throughout the Eastern Sierra. So we are working the best contractors and trades people here to help our clients get the best, quickest results and quality for their money in this ever changing market.
With the cost of building permits, Mono Co. has created their own building shut down. Contractors are seeing their slowest period of time in recent memory. Many are cutting their crews considerably and some who have been busy for decades are down to a skeleton crew.
Fortunately there is resurgence in remodeling and that will definitely help upgrade some of the older homes and condos that have needed a facelift for years.
When I started Sierra Design Studio in 1988, it was a similar economy and we started working with clients to remodel at that time. So, we are staying busy with our clients who want to take advantage of this time, when the contractors are not quite as busy as they have been over the past few years. It’s a bit of a silver lining…
I also enjoyed seeing all the different ranges and one of my favorite was the La Cornue. This line of ranges is handmade by artisans in France and has been in operation for over 100 years. They are the most beautiful and colorful ranges imaginable.
Another fun line I came across was one with vessel sinks for the powder bath that are made of incredible materials. Almost everyone is familiar with vessel sinks that became popular over the past decade. There are copper, ceramic, glass and stone in a variety of choices.
I purchased a line that I’m featuring at Sierra Design studio currently that is very unique. The most eye catching piece is carved out of a solid stone that looks like a boulder! Stop by to see what is new in vessel sinks.
So, whether you or redecorating, remodeling or just curious, drop by and see some of the new products that are the fashion statement of the era.
