Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Innovations and Technology at KBIS 2018


If you LOVE innovations and technology  , this was the year to be at KBIS in Orlando , Florida .  This year there were hundreds of brands showing off their latest and greatest more so than any other year I've been. 
Couple of my favorite products where among a couple of our Modenus Blog tour sponsors:
https://www.wilsonart.com/
https://www.grohe.us/en_us/
https://www.americanstandard-us.com/
Innovations and Technology at KBIS2018
Wilsonart was one of those brands.  One of the never before seen products they introduced was this innovative product with it's water resistant wet wall panels which provide no grout , easy alternative to tile.  The concept if very cool , you can install over tile over drywall and over studs.  

Innovations and Technology at KBIS2018

Their products are aesthetically really pleasing .  If you are looking for low maintenance with luxury on a budget , this is the product for you .  

Innovations and Technology at KBIS2018
Miter Fold Edge
Innovations and Technology at KBIS2018
Reverse Knife Edge detail
Wilsonart® Laminate
Blending existing styles and colors with newer styles and colors in a cohesive way can be challenging. Two new trend-forward premium laminate designs featuring AEON™ Enhanced Scratch & Scuff Resistance Technology, Drama Marble and Praline Antico, blur the lines between past and present, and coordinate well with nearly any cabinet, appliance or décor, breathing new life into the story of your space.

The new Soft Silk (-21) laminate finish is more than a stunning ultra-matte surface. This new finish is incredibly soft and smooth with a silky touch. Seven luxurious stone designs will feature the velvety finish. Visit www.wilsonart.com/finish-options to learn more.



You may or may not know that Wilsonart also offers Quartz and Solid Surface materials Check them out for your next Affordable Luxury Kitchen .



Innovation in Plumbing
LIXIL was another one of our sponsors who represents American Standard - they have been a favorite for years. What I loved about their NEW products is that they are not only innovative they are sustainable.

In the Kitchen:


First on the market to think about water preservation with this unique… American Standard BEALE Measure Fill kitchen faucet that dispenses precise volume of water on demand.  No more filling up your measuring cup and dumping water until you have exactly 2 cups, or 4 cups , etc... THIS faucet does the calculating for you !  
 

In the Bathroom : 
Innovations and Technology at KBIS2018
Delivering total control over the showering experience, the new Spectra+ collection offers a comprehensive range of products for savvy homeowners to customize their shower space, all from American Standard, part of the LIXIL corporation. Ranging from convenient hand showers to fixed showerheads, the Spectra+ collection empowers the user with flexible choices to suit individualized preferences for all ages and mobility levels in the home.

Technologically Advanced Solutions
Employing first-to-market technology, the Spectra+Touch showerhead changes spray patterns with a simple touch on the outside ring of the showerhead, making it easy to customize the shower experience, even with wet hands. This pioneering showerhead delivers a luxurious experience with an oversized, multi-function 7-inch showerhead that offers a choice of four 4 spray patterns.
Innovations and Technology at KBIS2018Innovative, Two-In-One Shower System

Innovations and Technology at KBIS2018
The Spectra+ Duo model combines a 9 ½-inch fixed showerhead and 5-inch multi-function hand shower all in one sleek fixture. Designed to deliver a drenching experience through a superior width of water coverage across the user’s body, the Spectra+ Duo shower system offers the widest spray coverage of any two-in-one showerhead on the market. This functional design allows homeowners to enjoy two convenient showering options without breaking any wall tile for remodeling.
The DivertPaddle, conveniently located on the front of the fixed shower head unit, makes it simple to switch from the combined spray to hand shower only. The Spectra+ Duo’s Dock-Tite feature incorporates a strong magnet to easily and securely dock the hand shower to the showerhead.

Innovations and Technology at KBIS2018Immersing oneself in a new dimension of showering this is what GROHE SmartControl is all about. The Push, Turn, Shower” experience has become even more multifaceted, thanks to a new model and combination options being added to this popular line of smart shower controls.

 

 

 

 

 

This was a fan favorite among the interior designers I was with .... these "free standing (3 sided) tubs"  they have a flat backside !  Do you know how great this is ?  This is perfect for those installations where you want the look of a freestanding tub but you need to put up against the wall for space saving situations or simply the aesthetic of the room .  They come in Traditional , Transitional and Contemporary styles.

Innovations and Technology at KBIS2018


Innovations and Technology at KBIS2018 
 HOW COOL IS THIS????
Tell me ,  is this something you can see using in your next project ?  Please leave a comment and tell me your thoughts.

















#sponsored 

Although my trip was paid for by these wonderful sponsors my comments and opinions are my own.  I was invited as an influencer interior designer and feel very proud to offer my opinions and feedback on these products that I've highlighted.  This is only a fraction of all their wonderful products.  Please take a moment to look them up and spec some of these wonderful new innovated products.  You can not go wrong, these companies have been around forever. 


Sunday, February 4, 2018

The HOME SPA Experience


Just because you have a small bathroom to renovate doesn't mean you can't have luxurious amenities... Like a Mr. Steam unit  , in fact .... You SHOULD incorporate them to make up for the lack of space.  Here is one of our projects where we didn't let the size of the bathroom hold us back from creating a Spa retreat for our client.   Adding a Mr. Steam unit with aroma therapy was as must. It is not only a health benefit , it also instantly increases the equity of your home , so it's a win, win. Not to mention the luxury of having a "spa" at home.
    
Bathroom Design by : Erica Islas, EMI Interior Design , Inc.




iTempoPlus Keypad control













Here's just a few of our favorites benefits associated with Steam Bathing are :
  • Respiratory Health -opens up nasal passages
  • Skin Care - cleanses the skin
  • Holistic Health -removes toxins from body
  • Well- Being- relieves stress 
  • Physical Wellness - increases blood circulation
There are SO many other benefits and reasons why a Mr. Steam unit is a MUST in your next renovation...check out this link here and see all the benefits for yourself.

This photo below shows you a BEFORE PHOTO of the renovated bathroom with steam unit above , we did push wall back 18" simply to get more counter space at the vanity , but the shower/ tub area stayed the same 36" .
 
Spa bathroom
BEFORE RENOVATION

TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCEMENTS :
Having a steam unit is one thing.... having aromatherapy with it is even better .... BUT Mr. Steam units don't Stop there.... You can also have Chroma Therapy system and also add Audio system .  Best part is you can control from your smart phones.   We just finished a project using the Audio System with Mr.Steam in shower ceiling speakers ( which we will be photographing soon) and our client can not get enough of their new bathroom.  We have given them a fully customized home sanctuary . As Mr. Steam describes on their website and gets into the history of it .... "Our contemporary need to find a tranquil escape in steam has extensive and long-standing roots". With latest the technology and advancements in plumbing , it is now so much more readily available to us ... literally at our fingertips.  

SWIPE - TOUCH FUNCTIONALITY 
 iSteam3 Touch Screen Control
SteamLinx Mobile App


 WiFi enabled system is compatible with ALL Mr. Steam Shower controls


Music Therapy with the Audio 3 System
glass tile
After Renovation  - Spa at home 



Spa bathroom
BEFORE Renovation



































ENHANCE YOUR CURRENT BATHROOM: 
Of Course you DON'T have to renovate a bathroom to add a Mr. Steam unit , in fact... you can simply add one to an existing shower ..... That's my next project ...so I can show you in another blog post how easy it is.

Want to try out ?   Use their Virtual Spa to see what it takes to get yours.


The Towel Warmer Collections from Mr. Steam is available in a variety of dimensions and finishes.
This new one from their Lexington collection, it has wider bars to extend warmth on towels, it's the perfect enhancement for contemporary spa bathrooms. Comes with a digital timer allowing for convenient pre-start and automatic shutoff .






Mr. Steam is one the sponsors for Modenus BlogtourKBIS Orlando .  I was very thankful to be included in this sponsored trip .  I have always been a BIG Fan of their product and have been using it since I started in the design industry 20 something years ago . So I write this blogpost from first hand experience because I LOVE their product , NOT because they are a sponsor. I have spec'd their product many, many times and all my clients have been very pleased. I LOVE everything they do and stand for .  WE LOVE Mr. Steam,  because they make us all FEEL GOOD !