LATEST PRODUCTS TAKE THE STAGE

I’m finally feeling better, thank you, after being laid low by a vicious virus last week. You know the one, right? I won’t bore you with the details. Suffice to say, while I was out going viral (and not in the way I would wish) here’s what’s been happening far and wide.

DREAM20 Features interactive displays showcasing the latest technology from Delta Faucet Company

Delta Faucet Company unveiled its flagship DREAM2O(SM) showroom, located in Chicago's Merchandise Mart, during a private grand opening event on Thursday, May 5.   (You’ll remember my amazing experience with them last year in New York.  If not, click here for a flashback.)  The new 3,097 square-foot design center is a hands-on, interactive environment where architects, designers, and homeowners can experience more than 90 fully-functioning faucets and fixtures from the Delta® and Brizo® brands.  What makes this showroom unique is not only the fact that it is the first and only showroom of its kind, but also the innovative displays which are just a perfect way to showcase their cutting-edge products. Read more about it here.

Silgranit Truffle sink paired with new Culina faucet

 

If you’re in  NYC this weekend you can visit the International Contemporary Furniture Fair or ICFF held at  New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center  through May 17^th.  Sink manufacturer extraordinaire, Blanco (another flashback here) is officially launching two new collections including the Silgranit II Truffle Sink and the Culina faucet.

Italian style, courtesy of Scavolini May 16th

 

Italian kitchen cabinet manufacturer Scavolini is introducing the new quartz surface Santa Margherita on May 16th from 6-9pm in their Soho gallery.  If you'd like to attend contact Daniele Busca  212-209-0910 as this is an invitation only event.

DREAM KITCHENS MADE IN ITALY

Flux by Scavolini designed by automotive designer Giugiaro who designs for Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini

Daniele Busca lives for Scavolini.  After spending an hour chatting with him and touring the showroom and US headquarters in Soho I can understand why.  Daniele is the Manager and Creative Director who makes it all work on this side of the pond.  The new location which has been open since last October is enjoying a brisk business and I think it's largely due to Daniele's knack for tweaking this Italian product for an American market.  "American kitchens are generally bigger", he says, "and where you would have an island in America we might have a kitchen table instead in Italy."  Another major difference is the appliances.  American refrigerators are almost always bigger."  White still reigns.

Showroom Manager and Creative Director Daniele Busca

I thought it was interesting to hear that home owners are requesting glossy finishes and architects prefer the matte look.  A artful mixing of textures, both tactile and visual,  is also important.  I asked Daniele to define a trend.  He says, "in the end a trend is what sells." The showroom spans two floors.  Displays were designed in Italy and re-designed by Daniele for an exact fit both in size and taste for the US market.  "Americans also tend to prefer symmetry in kitchen design," he added.  Scavolini is a family business based in Pesaro, Italy and has been the largest cabinet manufacturer in Italy since 1984 with 40 dealers  in the US.  This year marks the company's 50th anniversary.  Clientele for the New York location is largely an international group who keep an apartment in New York City as well as elsewhere.  This year Scavolini will roll out seven new models.  Four new displays are already in the works for this new showroom.  The Tetrix line, as seen at IDS,  designed by internationally-famous British designer Michael Young, is also being featured.  Tetrix is not yet on display here but Daniele's sending me some pix to share with you.  Designers may be interested to know that Scavolini has developed their own design and pricing program.  Scavolini is very involved in the Green movement.  I was surprised to hear that the manufacturing facility in Italy is 85% powered by solar panels and they are planning to make it 100% by the end of the year.  All cabinet boxes and door panels are made from 100% recycled fire retardant and water resistant wood.  All lacquers used are water-based.  Scavolini is involved in the local community offering the showroom for fund raising events  organized by trade associations and design schools.  Generally speaking, a Scavolini kitchen can be yours for from about 10K to upwards of 90K.

Cool corner storage

Love the sculptural upper cabinets (if you have the room)

Ultimate trash/recyling pull out

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The magic of efficient pantry storage!

A place for everything

check out that hood!

Follow the red glass steps to a whole other world of displays downstairs

The traditional display is down there just in case someone wants it. Daniele wants you to know that the exact same cabinets in black are HOT!

Italian walnut

You can probably afford this laminate kitchen but it still looks like a million bucks!

This is "niche storage", very specific (love the Italiano shoes and skinny trousers)

Thank you to Daniele for hosting my visit.  I really enjoyed chatting with him.  I asked a million questions and he was up to the task, warm and most gracious.  If you're ever in Soho stop in and see for yourself.  Tomorrow I will be back with more from New York.

KITCHEN FUN IN NEW YORK (AGAIN)!

I will see a replica of this kitchen at Counter Space at the MOMA

That's right. Today I'm back in the BA (big apple but you should know that). If you recall, I was here only 6 months ago during fashion week courtesy of  Brizo Faucets. Click here for a journey 6 months back in time. Wouldn't you know it, the amazing exhibit Counter Space: Design and the Modern Kitchen at MOMA opened within days of my departure necessitating a return trip before it closes on March 11th.  Some savvy bloggers wrote about it on the front end so I'm going to wrap it up for you and send it out with a bang.   I'll be there on Sunday. Tomorrow I'll be visiting the new super slick Scavolini showroom in Soho.  I hear it's not to be missed so I will also be bringing you the latest in Italian kitchen design from this progressive cabinet manufacturer.  Now if you know me, you'll know I have to fit in a little art and guess what's happening this weekend? Yes that's right, the Armory Art Show.

Scavolini Showroom NYC here I come! Photo from Scavolini

NEWSFLASH!!!

You can now subscribe to Kitchens for Living on your Kindle!  Check it out here.

If you're paying attention you'll notice yet another badge on my sidebar.   I am now officially an "expert" at EzineArticles.com with one published article and loads more to come,  as soon as I have time.    More from New York tomorrow.

PS.   If there's anything you think I should check out while I'm there drop me a comment and I'll try to squeeze it in. Cheers!

Armory Art Show