Favorite Products from KBIS 2015

Below are photos and short descriptions of some of my favorite new and innovative products from KBIS 2015.  Held annually, this show is a great way for manufacturers and service providers to connect with designers and other industry pros.  The show provides quite a bit of inspiration for me. The ideas I see here often translate into new and innovative concepts and I look forward to translating what I've found into tangible designs for my customers.  

The theme that runs through this year's show is integration of technology into the home. Touchless plumbing fixtures, home automation systems, countertops that charge mobile devices, new manufacturing techniques, and integrated smart lighting are just a few of the ways that manufacturers are changing the way we live in and use our homes. It's certainly an exciting time to be remodeling or building.

Ann Sacks structured tiles

Solid surface freestanding tub in matte finish

Dipped metal finish cabinet doors with wrapped channel construction

Brizo Kitchen Faucet

Built in wall wine coolers by Liebherr

Recessed channel LED lighting by Hafele

Ever wonder what a $50,000 range looks like?  LaCornue

Kohler's gigantic space

Greenwood Village Kitchen

This new home in Greenwood Village belongs to one of the nicest families I've ever met.  This kitchen is a true reflection of their style.  It is warm and inviting, but feels elegant and sophisticated at the same time.  When I first met them in 2012, they had yet to break ground on this house. Here are a few of the highlights in this kitchen:

• Originally, the sink was in the southeast corner of the kitchen.  It was in an area that I felt would become a choke point, especially for a family of 5.  I moved the sink to the East wall and added an arched window that was not previously there.

  

• The North wall of the kitchen (which is the wall with all the brick) was really lacking any balance.  I moved the 48" dual fuel Thermador range onto that wall and then flanked it with symmetrical cabinetry.  All of the top boxes are individually lit with LED puck lights.

• I contrasted the white perimeter cabinetry with a black paint rub-through finish on the island.  The implied weight of the finish provides a visual anchor for the kitchen.

• Lots of fantastic storage inserts...

  

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Pressure Balance vs. Thermostatic Valves

"What is the difference between a thermostatic valve and a pressure balance valve?" I get this question pretty often.  In fact, I get this question so often that I am writing a post about it.  You'll most likely be given the choice of one of these types of valves when you plan your new shower or tub.  Here are the basics:

Pressure Balance Valves (PB)

A pressure balance valve has a single control that regulates the ratio of hot to cold water that flows out of the fixture.  There is no true volume control with a PB valve.  When the valve is turned on, 100% water volume passes through.  The more the valve is opened, the hotter the temperature gets.  Pressure balance valves have a maximum temperature limit that is set at the time of installation, which provides scald protection for families with children.  The most common scenario that people think about is how the shower reacts when a toilet is flushed.  The tank of the toilet will need more cold water to refill after the flush, so there will be less cold water for the shower.  In this scenario, the PB valve automatically reduces the amount of hot water as it senses this.  The pressure remains constant and so does the temperature.

Pressure Balance Valve

Thermostatic Valves (TS)

Thermostatic Valves have two control valves.  One controls the pressure and one controls the temperature.  TS valves also provide maximum temperature limits that provide scald protection.  These valves allow the user to set the temperature completely independent of the volume.  It makes it easy to find the correct temperature every time.  Thermostatic valves also allow the user to control the volume, so if you're interested in having a very hot temperature water at low volume, you can do that.  PB valves do not have that capability.

Thermostatic Valve

Which is best for you?

For the most part, thermostatic trims are more pleasing to look at than pressure balance trims, and you'll find that thermostatic valves are used almost exclusively in luxury showers.  However, pressure balance valves are much lower in cost (sometimes less than half a comparable thermostatic)  Both of these types of valves will last a long time provided you purchase a quality brand that stands behind their product.  Personally, I prefer thermostatic valves: they look better and have a better functionality.

Here are a few thermostatic trim packages I really like:

Notice the two handles on the valve trim. One controls pressure and one is set for temperature

This Newport Brass Thermostatic Valve has a cross handle for the volume and a rotating collar for the temperature.

Dornbracht Thermostatic Valve

Hansgrohe

Custom Glass Wine Enclosure with a View!

My clients asked me to design an area to store their wine inside their corner unit on the 28th floor of The Spire building, in downtown Denver.  I found the wine racking system locally here in Denver.  VintageView; a Denver based wine cellar company provided the interior racking system.  None of their standard units were perfect for our application, so they made a custom rack for us and delivered it directly to the building.  The sides of the racking system are made out of a high quality clear acrylic that is 3/4" thick.  Each rod is polished stainless steel.  In all, the unit weighs in at over 250lbs and is extremely sturdy.  It is a free standing system that can be placed anywhere. We chose to enclose the 350 bottle capacity wine rack with a custom glass surround.  1/2" industrial grade tempered glass was used and we worked with Denver Glass Interiors to create the finished product.  Not shown in this photo: LED lights are strategically placed along the floor.  They shine upward - creating a really unique effect for entertaining.

I know what you're thinking - with all that light, it's really going to mess with the wine!  AHH HAAA - I brought in a special commercial window tinting specialist to advise on this.  As it turns out, the windows in this LEED certified building are all super Low E...meaning they block 99% of all UV rays, and a lot of the heat.  Also - the patio of the unit above this apartment casts a year long shadow over the windowed area where we installed the glass enclosure.  But just to be sure, the homeowners also had auto-blinds installed behind the wine rack.  The blinds are operated by remote control and can be closed in any situation where directly sunlight makes its way into the apartment.

I think this wine enclosure is awesome.  It was the first one I had ever designed and I think that it turned out amazing.  I can easily see using this version or a modified version of it (possibly temperature controlled) in any wine enthusiast's home.

This 10' tall wine enclosure has a 350 bottle capacity.

Photoshoot Today in Denver

Our photographer taking some pro shots of a luxury bathroom remodel that I recently completed.  Edited shots to follow... [gallery type="rectangular" ids="736,737,738"]

Dramatic Kitchen Shines in this Mountain Retreat

Every once in a while, a project comes along that is really special.  Now, that's not to take away anything from any of my other remodels or new construction projects - but sometimes you are lucky enough to be part of a project in which all of the involved parties have an unquenchable thirst to build something that pushes our creative boundaries in the quest to provide a truly unique space.  This house, this kitchen is definitely one of these spaces, and it shows through in every room of the house.  I was hired by the interior designer on this project to provide the cabinetry design for this kitchen.  We started from scratch and built something that we had never done before.  I'm quite proud of the result. You'll notice that all of the cabinetry has a reflective surface in the door.  I had to work with our cabinet shop to create a new door that would accept both a bronze glass panel and a cherry veneer panel in the door.  It wasn't easy but we figured it out and the end result is beautiful!  The Sub Zero housing is encased in a floor to ceiling column that is cladded in a natural stone.  The housing itself had to be completely re-thought from our standard because of the door swings on the refrigerator, hence the 135 degree angles on the pilasters that anchor either end of the housing.  Above the fridge, we placed a piece of Lumix Quartz (same as countertops).  The result is a piece that mimics a work of art instead of an appliance.

If you are interested in working with any of the other professionals associated with this project (interior designer, architect, builder), please get in touch with me.

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Sanctuary

Here's a scouting shot from one of my recently completed bathroom projects.

Cherry Hills Kitchen Remodel

Located in Cherry Hills Village, CO - the homeowners, a working couple with two young kids, were intent on opening up the footprint of the kitchen and modernizing the home throughout.  A larger window was installed on the south facing exterior wall, and the old covered porch was removed, allowing for much more sunlight.  The flooring was changed to wood throughout the main level.  The new kitchen includes an island with seating for four, new appliances, lighting, granite, etc. and a very family-friendly footprint. The most dramatic improvement came from removing the wall cabinets that were suspended from the ceiling at the East end of the kitchen.  Before, they cut off the kitchen from the rest of the home...After removal of these cabinets, the island was extended to over 10 feet long, allowing for a much larger prep space, and an additional sink for prepping meals.

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Limestone Backsplash Tile

Found this little guy recently.  I think it'll make a pretty nice backsplash in the right project.  

Three Exciting Projects Beginning Soon...

Just as a couple of projects are coming to a close, a few are starting to begin... A kitchen remodel in Centennial is just about complete.  We've got a few finishing touches, including a 2-1/2" thick walnut and maple checkerboard butcher block top, that still need to be installed, but the kitchen is fully functional at this point.  The general contractor has done a fantastic job keeping to schedule, and we expect to be out of there before the end of the month.

A seperate kitchen remodel in Cherry Creek is just now beginning to take shape.  The granite and appliances are installed.  Hardware is going on soon, and the final steps to completion are just a few weeks away.  I can't wait to photograph the finished kitchen, completely staged - the transformation is amazing.

On to the new...more specifically new construction.  The Flats, in Cherry Creek North, a multi unit luxury loft development, is just about ready for kitchen and bath installation.  The framing, plumbing, and electrical is complete.  Flooring and drywall will be added in the next few weeks and then the real fun begins when we start to organize and manage the installation of six custom kitchens, six master bathrooms, six guest bathrooms, laundry rooms, butler's pantries - all simultaneously!

Another new construction project delivers next week.  One of the area's most respected builders is nearing installation phase on a new custom build in the Observatory Park neighborhood of Denver.  I have been collaborating with the client and builder since JULY of 2011 on this project and I'm so excited to finally see it come to fruition.

Last but not least is a gorgeous bungalow remodel in the Wash Park neighborhood of Denver - also delivering next week.  Talented designer Megan Kane, of M Street Denver, referred me to the homeowners to help them design and space plan the kitchen, bar, and bathrooms and specify the best cabinetry for their project.  Of course, I'll keep you posted with pictures of the project throughout the install.

Sorry, no pictures today!  Don't worry, I'll get some installation shots up soon.