Born in The
U.S.A.
by Patrick J. Galvin
Until recently, many foreign
incursions into the U.S. bath and
kitchen market have had the
advantages of superior styling and
snob appeal. But these advantages
have all but disappeared. Now, many
U.S.-made appliances, cabinets, sinks,
faucets, and fixtures are practically
indistinguishable from their
equivalents made in Europe. And
some products sold by U.S. kitchen
and bath firms are actually being
made in Europe.
That's my conclusion after visiting
the 1987 shows: the NAHB show in
Dallas and National Kitchen & Bath
Show in Atlanta, and the
International Kitchen & Bath Expo in
Toronto.
In cabinets, the melding of
European and U.S. styles is old news
by now. Most major U.S.
manufacturers now offer the
contemporary, flush look of