The 2013 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is two weeks away! As we look forward to the show’s fresh, new location in New Orleans this year, we took to Twitter to ask attendees what they would look for in a Deep South kitchen and bath design. For the most part, designers agreed that combinations of classic and contemporary styles are the hallmark of Southern charm and the show’s host city. A collection of New Orleans–inspired products is in the slide show at left. Keep reading to see what designers had to say about the concept.
Senior products editor Lauren Hunter asked: What are some signature touches you’d look for in Deep South K&B design?
“Definitely ornamental iron, yes?” replied Veronika Miller, CEO of @Modenus, a top interior design resource in the U.S. and U.K. We agree. The French Quarter’s iconic wrought iron balcony balustrades would be a classic look to incorporate into design. Urban Ironcraft will be at the show with its Victoria vanity base showcasing just that look.
Lighting is another entry point for wrought iron. Try a fixture like this one, LaFitte, from New Orleans–based lighting manufacturer Bevolo, which will be exhibiting at the show.
Additionally, the folks at @Bevolo noted, “we would use more wrought iron and brick work for Deep South K&B design.” We wonder what that fixture would look like with a backdrop of a wall faced with Eldorado Stone’s Hartford Brick? (Eldorado Stone won’t be at KBIS, but did recently exhibit at the International Builders’ Show.)
New Orleans native Angel Robinson, a stationery designer, blogger, and owner of @Write Robinson said, “NOLA has always loved the modern and traditional mix, especially nostalgic since Katrina.” As a relatively modern convenience, we think a pot filler could “fill” that bill — especially with traditional styling like this one from Brizo.
Miller also noted that she’ll be interested to learn how designers combine classical with modern design requirements. Stationery designer and blogger Tamara Stephenson, who tweets from @nestnestnest, agreed, saying, “juxtaposition makes it special.” Though this will be Stephenson’s first KBIS and first trip to New Orleans, the combination of “classic bones and contemporary access/lighting” intrigues her.
And nothing says “classic” better than black and white together. Canyon Creek Cabinetry will showcase its Brentwood cabinetry shown in this black-and-white kitchen design chock-full of modern and traditional design elements.
Cabinet and door hardware can be another easy way to bring a touch of Southern charm to kitchen and bath design. New at KBIS, Vicenza adds the Louisiana-inspired Fleur de Lis design (below, left) to its line of “cabinet jewelry,” and Omnia introduces its Prodigy collection (below, right) — to which we say, that glass knob looks pretty smart.
So, if you were to design a New Orleans kitchen or bath project, what would you include in your Deep South design? Learn more about these products and a few others through the slide show above, and let us know what we missed. Email [email protected], or find us on Twitter at @LaurenHunter_HW or @RemodelingMag. —Lauren Hunter, senior editor, REMODELING.
