The latest kitchen designs include a supersmart fridge that can keep food three times fresher than conventional models and a line of wood-veneer doors and panels specially designed to customize IKEA's affordable, off-the-shelf systems.
Products in Brief: What's Cooking
Sorpresa Range-Hood Collection
Best has expanded its award-winning Sorpresa collection of Italian-inspired range hoods to include 13 designs in island, chimney, and ceiling models. The collection includes the curvy stainless steel Intrigue island hood, which requires a minimal 6”-diameter duct size. Intrigue features two 25-watt halogen lamps and a four-speed electronic push button with LED indicators. The hood base measures 31½” x 16 9/16”.
BK2 System
Italian modern kitchen maker Effeti unveiled its BK2 system during New York City's first official design week in May. The system, along with its predecessor, BK1, will be displayed in a new flagship showroom designed by Murdock Solon Architects in the Terminal Warehouse Company Central Stores Building on the west side of Manhattan. The BK2 system features textured oak doors finished in a matte lacquer and a peninsula table finished in a thermo-treated chestnut. (Thermo-treated wood is heated and smoked, rather than stained.)
Miele Brilliant White Plus
Miele's new Brilliant White Plus series of built-in appliances includes a 30” convection oven, steam oven, speed oven, and whole-bean coffee system and cup warmer. The streamlined chrome handles, sleek white glass doors, and Miele's intuitive Navitronic touch control pad subtly help the assembly appear integral within a contained space.
Shaws Apron Front Fireclay Kitchen Sink
Rohl's Shaws Original Waterside Apron Front Fireclay Kitchen Sink was named the year's best new kitchen product at the 2013 Best of KBIS awards. The latest addition to Rohl's fireclay collection, the sink comes in a variety of shapes and styles. Each is still hand-poured and hand-shaped in a process developed by the company more than a century ago. The fireclay construction makes it extremely durable and resistant to acid, alkali, and scratches.
Customized Wood-Veneer Facing System
A winner in the Kitchen and Bath category in the 2013 ICFF Editors Awards, Semihandmade is a customized wood-veneer door, panel, and drawer facing system that is designed and measured to fit IKEA kitchens (IKEA does not require customers to purchase doors with its systems). Semihandmade can be used in commercial or residential settings. Facing options range from unfinished, DIY-inspired designs to classic, specialty, reclaimed, and premium woods.
SBS 244 Built-In Refrigerator
The new SBS 244 48” built-in stainless steel refrigerator introduces Liebherr's patented BioFresh Plus technology. Stored at an ideal temperature and humidity, food in the BioFresh Plus compartments retains its vitamins, aroma, and fresh appearance up to three times longer than in a conventional fridge. An independent electronic control system allows the temperature in the three compartments to be adjusted from 28°F (for fish) to 48°F (for exotic fruits). The fridge features LED lighting and a water and ice maker on the door.
Solna Kitchen Collection
The Brizo Solna kitchen-faucet collection has been updated with a single-handle, pullout model that can be used in compact spaces where high-arc pull-downs may not fit. In addition to its new model, the CALGreen-compliant collection features single-hole, single-handle pull-down kitchen and bar/prep configurations. The full collection is offered in polished chrome, Brilliance stainless, and matte-black finishes. Matte-white and Brilliance brushed-bronze finishes are also available on both pull-down models.
Kiora Sink
Duravit has expanded its range of kitchen ceramics with the new Kiora sink. Sieger Design created a rectilinear sink for Duravit with a 2”-wide frame that tapers inward with a slim, elegant appearance to provide splash protection. The easy tilt of the drain board allows water to flow off plates, pots, and pans back into the sink. Kiora is available in surface-mounted and drop-in variations. The sink is reversible as a right- or left-handed bowl, thanks to the axial layoutof the tap, overflow, and pop-up waste control.
