What’s hot right now in kitchen and bath? More than 2,000 design professionals descended on LuxeHome in the Merchandise Mart Oct. 2-3 for Design Chicago to find out. This annual two-day event is the Midwest’s largest residential design conference and includes educational programs from some of the industry’s top thought leaders and design innovators, as well as nearly 80 product launches.
NKBA drew upon three members of its Chicago Mid West Chapter — Brandie McCoy, Ember & Brune; Gladys Schanstra, Schanstra Design Group, and Katharine Andrews, Katharine Andrews Interiors — to serve as Design Chicago StyleSpotters and share new products and trends that caught their eye.
Brandie McCoy
Lighting:
“When it comes to lighting, I loved this LED Iris Sconce from Siemon & Salazar. The hand-forged look of the glass and metal, along with the artistic shadows it created on the wall, made this piece more than a light fixture, but a piece of art.”
Tile:
“These 3D marble tiles from Paris Ceramics had texture and depth that I have not seen in a tile before. The rectangular tiles had what they called a ‘piqué texture’ on the surface, which I thought was beautiful. Natural stone is gorgeous on its own, and adding these textural elements really added something unique.”
Faucets:
“TheBrizo Litze Collection offers a ‘knurling’ detail option that I love! Overall texture is a really big theme for me this year in design, and the knurling not only is nice to the touch, it catches light in beautiful ways.”
Cabinetry:
“This wood piece on the back of the island was made right here in Chicago on New Style Cabinet’s CNC machine. The Art Deco style and depth of the piece caught my eye immediately. I learned that it was inspired by the El Capitan Theater’s ceiling in Hollywood, which sent me down a rabbit hole of inspiration and research myself!”
Appliances:
“Commercial appliances have come a long way. This year, True Residential introduced ‘ultra-matte black,’ which is pure velvet to the eye and touch. True also added ‘emerald green,’ which has me ready to design a whole space around it.”
Gladys Schanstra
Cabinetry:
“What’s not to love about a pink bathroom? Christopher Peacock’s lacquered pink cabinetry is sweet and sophisticated.”
Bath:
“K&B Galleries carved marble tub — a gorgeous natural material. This is a true sculptural statement.”
Appliances:
“The Dacor 24” Wine Cooler holds up to 100 bottles of wine and features push-to-open technology and an enhanced lighting system.”
Katharine Andrews
Color:
“This gorgeous velvet Century Continental chair in the Bentwood Luxury Kitchen Showroom definitely caught my eye. The pillow brings in the beautiful custom wood panels in the front of the showroom.”
Cabinetry:
“Also from Bentwood was the new Modern Color collection. This new vignette features custom hardware with crustal globe knobs and a Toulouse beveled paneled door. The striking color — Sherwin Williams Seaworthy — was a showstopper.”
Presentations:
“In addition to all of the great products, I attended several of the day’s presentations. My favorite panel, ‘Closet Drama,’ featured designers Christopher Peacock, Shea Soucie and Suzanne Lovell, and Jacqueline Terrabonne, editor in chief of Galerie magazine. Each of these experts offered great tips on designing personalized dressing rooms. One of my favorites was this glamorous dressing room was designed Peacock and his design team.”
NKBA thanks the Chicago Chapter’s StyleSpotters for identifying some of the latest products from Design Chicago. With such amazing design coming to market, we can’t wait to see what’s on the launch pad at KBIS, Jan. 21-23 in Las Vegas!
