Not all the products they saw will be available in the States right away (and some might never make it here at all), but attendance at Salone and EuroCucina is a must for inspiration and an important part of a well-rounded design education on how things are done in other parts of the world. In Milan, the kitchen concepts—and bathrooms, too—were merged into the rest of the residence with complementary textiles, soft seating, and artwork. Toni Sabatino was impressed by the quality of the millwork, clever storage solutions, and the integration of multiple functions in a fairly open plan with kitchen features that rolled into the living space. Another trend that has caught on everywhere is the integration of kitchen appliances throughout the residence, like an espresso bar or wine cooler in the bedroom or home office. Europe has been at the forefront of induction cooking for a long time, and this success story can be shared with design clients in the States who are still on the fence about giving up gas. At EuroCucina, panelists also saw versatile appliances that switch between grilling, baking, steaming, and more to help minimize the kitchen real estate. Kitchen faucets also continue to evolve. Filtered water, regular water, sparkling water, mineral water, and hot water—everything comes from one tap. Felicitas Oefelein was surprised to see so few freestanding bathtubs or jetted tubs in Milan—but she reports there were many phenomenal showerheads on display. The new breed of shower heads equipped with LED lights, lots of different settings, and new water-saving technology make it easier than ever to create a spa experience at home. Sergio Mercado, an early adopter of chromotherapy, is also excited about shower heads that integrate chromotherapy features so even more design clients can enjoy the benefits of healing spaces. Prefabricated sauna and steam room units were also attention-getting exhibits in Milan. | 
