Household Appliances
Kitchen Design Trend Spotting from the Jenn-Air Design Advisory Council
Recently, the Jenn-Air brand tapped members of its Design Advisory Council (DAC) to gain insights into current design trends being incorporated in their kitchen designs. Several members of this accomplished group of design professionals from across the country shared thoughts on what ideas their clients are responding favorably to, requesting, and in some cases demanding, for this essential space.
According to members of the Jenn-Air Design Advisory Council, some of the latest kitchen design trends include functional items like kitchen islands designed to look more like furniture pieces and open shelving for displaying favorite items. Glass cabinets that allow for the display of beautiful items while also being beautiful themselves are back with a vengeance.
Panelists noticed a growing interest and demand for connected technology in the kitchen. Consumers also seem to be interested in investing in great interior storage accessories and the best appliances they can afford.
The new kitchen will have less stainless steel, and the new designs will incorporate more interior elements to make more of family room/ kitchen design concept. In the kitchen of the future, the traditional appliances will be more separated and more hidden.
The most prominent trend in kitchens is the increasing personalization of the appliances. Stainless steel is still popular, but many clients prefer to integrate it into the environment with custom cabinetry to hide the appliances. “My clients are still torn between gas and induction cooktops, and those with large kitchens and budgets often put in both. Double-ovens are giving way to two separate ovens, with at least one of these ovens being a combi-steam or a speed cook oven. Smaller appliances are being bought—whether for a second appliance, smaller spaces, or outside kitchen uses,” said designer Julia Johnston.
With the strengthening of the economy, consumers seem to be taking more risks with color. Although white cabinetry continues to be strong, because its timelessness is an absolutely safe choice, more consumers are interested in doing something a little bit different — a navy blue so dark as to be easily mistaken for black.
Consumers are asking for more black, more white, more lacquer, less finished wood. The very thin ceramics that look like precious marbles are trending. There are also many new quartzites available, and design clients are selecting statement pieces with very graphic and colorful patterns.
Miele Introduces New Elegant Gas on Glass Cooktops
Miele is introducing two new Gas on Glass cooktops. The sophisticated Gas on Glass cooktops, are designed for life: the configuration of both allows for even heat, easy clean-up and assured safety while cooking.
Available in 24-inch and 36-inch options, the black glass cooktops have a centally located control panel with stainless steel knobs. With Miele QuickStart technology, the rotary electronic controls switch the burners on without needing to press or hold the controls. Both cooktops also include Miele signature ComfortClean dishwasher-safe grates, made for easy pot and pan transfer between burners.
To ensure a safe cooking experience with each use, the GasStop & Restart feature will automatically re-ignite the flame if the flame withers while cooking. If the re-ignition fails, the gas supply is temporarily withdrawn for optimal safety.
KM 3010
The Miele KM 3010 24-inch Gas on Glass cooktop with stainless steel trim offers incredible cooking power with four sealed burners, designed for different heat levels. The high speed burner reaches 9,300 BTU while the simmer burner can reach as low as 3,750 BTU – ideal for simmering delicate ingredients such as chocolate or butter. The two standard burners reach 5,800 BTU and can be modified with minimal effort.
KM 3054
The Miele KM 3054 36-inch Gas on Glass cooktop provides additional power, featuring the same burners as the KM 3010 option with an additional Super (Wok) burner that can reach 16,500 BTU. This model also includes a timer and indicator lighting.
The cooktops retail for $1,199 (KM3010) and $1,999 (KM3054) and will be available for purchase through Miele authorized dealers.
KitchenAid Debuts New Freestanding Refrigerator
KitchenAid is unveiling a new, three-door free standing refrigerator that is the largest capacity refrigerator in its class. Available in three models, the 72-inch Counter-Depth French Door Bottom Mount refrigerator features a slide-away split shelf that allows three quarters of the shelf to retract to accommodate taller items, up to 16.75 inches. The new addition will also include the first ever self-close freezer drawer in its class.
“In terms of performance, features and aesthetics, this is the finest freestanding refrigerator that KitchenAid has ever offered,” says Beth Robinson, Senior Manager of Brand Experience for KitchenAid. “From organizational versatility and ease of access, to efficiency and quiet performance, our engineers and designers went above and beyond to incorporate thoughtful features and elegant design.”
Additional internal features on select models include an under-shelf prep zone with removable oven safe pan ideal for setting dough or marinating meats. A Platinum interior design with premium wood accents is stain resistant and helps mask dirt while showcasing ingredients beautifully. External features include the brand’s PrintShield™ Finish that resists against smudges and fingerprints. The specialized coating for stainless steel is easy to clean with just water and a towel.
To help keep produce at its peak of freshness, the full extension self-close FreshSeal™ crispers drawers maintain optimal humidity levels, with brightly lit drawers that open fully for easy viewing and access to all items within. In addition, a temperature controlled pantry features four pre-sets for customizing temperature for meat and fish, cold drinks, deli items and wine.
The KitchenAid brand’s Preserva® Food Care System provides the height of food preservation with independent cooling systems for the refrigerator and freezer plus a produce preserver to help keep fruits and vegetables at peak freshness. An advanced linear compressor offers minimal temperature variations and super efficient cooling, making this the brand’s quietest free standing refrigerator to date.
Scheduled for availability in August, the new three-door refrigerator will be offered in three models with varying features in stainless steel, PrintShield™, and the brand’s popular black stainless finish. Suggested retail prices will range from $3,999 to $4,399.
Jenn-Air Black Floating Glass Appliances Offer Sleek Alternative to Stainless Steel
Now available in a complete suite of appliances, the black floating glass collection from Jenn-Air offers a sleek and equally versatile option to stainless steel appliances. The newly-available full collection includes built-in wall ovens in single, double and combination microwave/wall oven configurations; a cabinet-depth French door refrigerator; electric, gas, and duel-fuel 30-inch slide in ranges; and its high performance dishwashers. In addition, the brand’s collection of low profile canopy and pyramid style hoods feature black glass that pairs with both stainless steel and black floating glass.
Blue Star Announces Winner of Kitchen Design Competition
BlueStar® announced that Heidi Piron, of Heidi Piron Design & Cabinetry, Summit, New Jersey, took the top prize in its first-ever Kitchen Design Competition. Acclaimed designer Eric Cohler, the lead judge for the contest, made the announcement live from the BlueStar exhibit space at the Architectural Digest Design Show in New York City.
While the judges applauded all finalists for their thoughtful designs and creative use of BlueStar appliances in multiple colors and metal trims, Piron’s entry, dubbed ‘Star Attraction,’ edged out in front through its thoughtful display of a gorgeous custom hood, the jewel in the crown, and its smart use of space and appliances.
“The winning design reflects an industrial style which is trending now, with the classic blending of black and white,” said Cohler. “Being a neutral, black is never not in style, but it is enjoying a rebirth, especially matte black in the kitchen. It is extremely versatile, so that it can be incredibly dramatic or serve as an accent against a white palette – another neutral that is in vogue now as well.”
BlueStar’s rugged good looks and power fit perfectly with the industrial kitchen style, marrying design and performance seamlessly. BlueStar’s matte black appliances – as well as its 750+ other color options – blend well within a commercially styled space, especially when outfitted with metal finishes in stainless, burnished brass or copper.
The contest, which attracted entries from across the country, honors design professionals who incorporate BlueStar products into innovative, beautiful kitchen designs. The Grand Prize winner receives BlueStar appliances for his/her home kitchen plus a trip to the Architectural Digest Home Design Show. In addition to Cohler, the judging panel included four industry professionals – Amanda Nisbet, Brett Beldock, Ken Kelly and Grace Kelly.
The winning kitchen design was built around the BlueStar gas range. The matte black of the range recurs in the beverage area, which features a backsplash in a shimmery bronze tile that sets a festive mood. The custom range hood was powder coated matte black to match the range.
From a design perspective, the range and hood combination is the star attraction of the kitchen. Oversize white subway tile with gray grout to the ceiling add to the drama of the curved range hood that is slightly larger than the range. Everything is within close reach of the range—the adjacent spice drawer, the pullout drawers for the pots and pans, and the four-seater island to serve family and guests. Built into the back of the island is another unique design element of the kitchen: the seven-inch thick butcher’s block made of natural walnut, set on a walnut furniture base cabinet. “This allows the chef of the house to face his audience as he chops without ever having to grab a cutting board,” explained Piron. The countertop is a leathered quartzite in a light gray that is durable and low maintenance. The black matte recurs in the beverage area, which features a backsplash in a shimmery bronze tile that sets a festive mood.
The 2017 competition is open for entries from March 21, 2016 through January 31, 2017. The kitchen design entry can be any style kitchen. A minimum of one BlueStar cooking appliance as the primary cooking appliance is required. Ranges, rangetops, ovens and cooktops meet this requirement. Official rules and entry criteria can be found at www.bluestarcooking.com/designcontest.
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