Household Appliances
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.
Wolf Appliance, Inc. Couples Sleek Design with Powerful Performance in New Induction Range
Wolf Appliance, Inc. introduced its first ever induction range at the Architectural Digest Design Show 2016 in New York City. Available to consumers this fall, the new induction range combines the sleek design and efficient performance of induction with the precise control and power of the iconic Wolf dual convection range.
“Homeowners are becoming more interested in induction technology and until now haven’t had the option to combine it with the power and precision of the dual convection range,” said Brian Jones, Director of Marketing for Sub-Zero and Wolf. “We created this product as a direct response to the feedback we’re receiving from designers and homeowners, and this launch further underscores Wolf’s commitment to offering an even wider range of quality cooking equipment in more design options.”
The Wolf Induction Range
Induction cooking harnesses the power of magnets, generating heat directly in the cooking vessel rather than the cooktop, to create a precise and efficient control of heat. Increased temperature response means lightning-fast high heat, super-low melts and simmers, and quick recovery. Foods like sauces and melted chocolate can be held at a simmer for hours without scorching. Additional benefits of induction:
- Pan-sensing technology ensures almost no heat is wasted during cooking because energy is supplied only to the cooking vessel.
- Electromagnetic fields heat only induction-compatible cookware so the cooktop stays relatively cool to the touch.
- Induction cooktops are easier to clean because spills and splatters won’t burn on and adhere to the surface.
The range also features the signature Wolf dual convection oven cavity with two convection fans that saturate and circulate heat to ensure that food is cooked evenly without hot and cool spots, regardless of its placement within the oven, allowing multi-rack cooking with no rotation necessary. The dual convection oven also features 10 cooking modes that provide home cooks with the ideal cooking environments for everything from Cornish hens to cherry pie to roasted vegetables. The 10 modes are Bake, Roast, Broil, Convection, Convection Bake, Convection Roast, Convection Broil, Bake Stone, Proof and Dehydrate.
The induction range will be available in 30-inch and 36-inch widths—the 36-inch Wolf induction range is an industry first. Both sizes will include a sleek black glass cooking surface topside, choice of iconic red, black, or brushed stainless steel knobs, and are available in professional or transitional styles, thus signifying another landmark–the first time Wolf has offered a transitional option for its iconic range. For preliminary product details and more information, click here.
Whirlpool Corporation Reveals Millennial Insights, Innovative Products
Whirlpool Corporation showcased some of its most innovative products at the International Builders Show to provide insights into the vital role Millennials are now playing in the home building market.
Millennials will make up 35 percent of home buyers in 2016, and their purchase habits have given them trend-setter status for many of the top kitchen and laundry appliances. Whirlpool Corporation partnered with TRI Pointe Group, Metrostudy, Hanley Wood and Ketchum Global Research & Analytics (KGRA) on a study as part of the Builder TRI Pointe Responsive Home project.
The study found that outdoor space is the No. 1 “must-have,” followed by an open kitchen, with 53 percent of respondents classifying an open kitchen as an essential home feature. On average, Millennial homebuyers will spend one-fifth of their home-buying budget on customizations suited to their needs, with the majority willing to renovate to get the home they want.
“We know there is a strong demand for an open concept in homes, which includes integration with appliances beyond the kitchen,” said Pat Schiavone, Vice President, Global Consumer Design. “Home floor plans have changed, and Whirlpool Corporation helps builders adjust to the open concept with new design options and appliances that adjust to the environment, such as the remarkably quiet Jenn-Air[R] TriFecta[TM] Dishwasher that’s only 46 decibels.”
LG to Unveil Robotic Vacuum Cleaners at CES
LG Electronics (LG) will unveil an upgraded lineup of its CordZero™ collection at CES 2016, which will be headlined by HOM-BOT Turbo+, the industry’s first robotic vacuum cleaner equipped with augmented reality technology. Also included in the cordless vacuum collection are the CordZero Canister, the 2-in-1 CordZero handstick, as well as the CordZero Bedding Cleaner. Together, the CordZero collection provides a premium cleaning experience that is free of tangled cords and smarter than ever before.
HOM-BOT Turbo+: Smart Cleaning with Smart Technology
LG’s robotic vacuum cleaner, the HOM-BOT Turbo+, employs augmented reality technology with a smart feature called Home-Joy. This new user interface allows consumers to issue instructions to the vacuum cleaner by designating areas that need extra cleaning using the camera of any smartphone. Simply tap on the part of the room in the image to clean and HOM-BOT Turbo+ goes to that exact location and begins cleaning.
The HOM-BOT Turbo+ also intelligently navigates consumers’ homes and avoids obstacles such as stairs thanks to Robonavi™, an intelligent software system that utilizes the robot’s dual CPUs to make lightning fast directional decisions. Both powerful and durable, LG’s latest smart vacuum with Smart Inverter Motor is backed by a 10-year warranty giving owners long-lasting peace of mind.
CordZero Canister: No Cords, No Hassles
The LG CordZero Canister is fueled by a new lithium-ion battery PowerPack™ 80V that provides powerful suction and continuous cleaning for up to 40 minutes in regular mode, guaranteeing maximum suction and cleaning performance that is nearly 10 percent more effective in cleaning than LG’s conventional 2,000 watt corded vacuum cleaner 1. Powered by LG’s Smart Inverter Motor, the LG CordZero Canister generates an outstanding 79,000 RPM and is approximately 60 percent smaller and 48 percent lighter than LG’s previous Smart Inverter Motor.
LG has equipped the CordZero Canister with a new ergonomic handle, which was inspired by flight control sticks found in aircrafts. The handle enables the vacuum to be easily maneuvered in all directions without placing the weight of the vacuum hose on a user’s wrist or back. Another advanced feature included in the CordZero Canister is the one-of-a-kind RoboSense™ technology. This feature eliminates the need to pull the vacuum cleaner body along while cleaning because the Automatic Location Recognition technology and Active Following Wheel technology allow the vacuum cleaner to track the user and follow at a constant distance.
Rounding out LG’s cordless vacuum lineup is the versatile CordZero Handstick with long-lasting Dual PowerPack battery and the CordZero Bedding Cleaner with the Dual Punch™ feature.
LG Debuts ‘Black Stainless Steel’ Kitchen Appliances
A new series of kitchen appliances from LG Electronics, featuring a highly anticipated finish called “Black Stainless Steel,” is elevating the popular stainless steel category to a new level with an undeniable luster and warmth. LG’s new black stainless finish, featured in an array of new refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers and microwaves, is an exciting evolution to the traditional stainless steel that has become a mainstay in tens of millions of American kitchens. The modern update features a timeless aesthetic that seamlessly complements a range of infinite kitchen design styles and colors. Its warm, satin-smooth and sophisticated finish is fingerprint and smudge resistant, making it easier than ever to have a premium kitchen that is effortless to maintain.
“We’ve seen stainless steel move from an exclusive high-end segment to an aspirational category and now to mass premium products, so this is the optimal time to update the category,” said David VanderWaal, Vice President of Marketing for LG Electronics USA. “Core and premium brands have introduced new colors to meet the needs of consumers who desire change, and as a pioneer of the black stainless steel movement, LG has created an exciting new finish in the category that offers consumers limitless design possibilities to enhance the look of their kitchen.”
LG’s new Black Stainless Steel Series consists of 13 appliances, available now through major U.S. retailers nationwide.
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