In today's culture we are starting to move away from stereotyping and this shift is starting to explode in design. I have always been interested in the application of male and female features across architecture and design. Mostly the masculine - luxe mix, if I were to label it. But recently, an “aha” moment happened. I realized that the type of design that I am really drawn to and execute as a professional is a design without stereotypes, a more gender-neutral design: a cross pollination of masculine and feminine traits wrung with innovation. I think this gender evolution stems from cultural shifts we are all experiencing today ie) new perspectives on equality of men and women in the business place, and incredible leading edge design we are seeing in science and technology. During my awesome experience on BlogTourKBIS in Vegas with Modenus, I had the privilege to be a part of something larger than I expected. I have been on BlogTour before, Cologne and California but this time around I was with an amazing group of 25 designers/bloggers, and exposed to groundbreaking ideas, materials and technologies at KBIS (the Kitchen and Bath Industry show), Responsive Homes built by Pardee Homes designed by Bobby Berk and The New American Home built by NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) designed by Element Design Build. While absorbing all this new information I felt my mind vibrating....design today is moving towards a gender - neutral arena where I feel connected, and in groove. Design is not just for His or Her; Design, assisted by technologies today is adaptable for everyone....
The New American Home
image credit: NAHB
image credit: NAHB
On BlogTour, we were privileged to get a tour of the New American home by NAHB in Vegas. It shows the latest in innovative products for the future of home building. It shows how housing performance concepts, (energy efficiency, air quality) materials, designs and construction techniques can be replicated into the most simple or most complex homes. Its an universal design which is as almost important as the aesthetics. This is a very important project for the future of adaptable homes.
image credit: NAHB
image credit: NAHB
I'm loving this dressing room/bathroom concept where there is an integration of Thermador's built in coffee system and warming drawers for towels.
image credit: Tori Aston
image credit: NAHB
A mini bar off the bedroom, now that is luxury! Yes, please!
image credit: Tori Aston
We were also fortunate to take an evening tour of the Responsive homes by Pardee, designed by Bobby Berk. The homes serve the millennial generation's desire for smart technology, more space, seamless indoor and outdoor living and separate living areas for short term rental air b and b. Now this is excellent affordable and versatile living for young home buyers!!
image credit: Tori Aston
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Onto KBIS....
BlogTourKBIS #sistas
As a group we had an opportunity to connect with some awesome brands at KBIS (the Kitchen and Bath Industry show) such as TOTO, Thermador, Blanco, Wood-mode, Wilsonart,Top Knobs and Mr. Steam. These brands and more are showing that the home, specifically the kitchen and bathroom are now spaces for everyone, merging design, technology and innovation.
My winning #ikonrocksselfie at KBIS
BLANCO, a German company who is passionate and committed to innovation, high quality and unsurpassed service since 1925. The company designs and engineers unique sinks, faucets and decorative accessories in their revolutionary material called SILGRANIT. Thier newest product is called the Blanco IKON, an apron front design proving to be durable, ultra cleanable, and resistant to heat scratches and stains. The sink is fitted with an unique custom floating grid that can be used as an additional workstation for prepping or cleaning. It can fit and be customized at any height you like. This is a great feature for aging hands.
Blanco IKON. image credit: Blanco
image credit: Blanco
The anthrachite IKON and Artona faucet really pops in this white kitchen. The Artona's dual finish can be customized to match the color of your sink. Comes in three colors: Anthracite, Cafe brown and Stainless,
Franke Chef center. image credit: Franke
Ahh Thermador! Thermador exhibited an automotive painted ombre effect on this Culinary Preservation center. To fit any lifestyle, Thermador offers ultimate configurations. Yes!, personalized refrigerator possibilities! The ombre unit below combines a built-in fridge freezer with a wine center for ultimate entertaining! This is just one way. How will you build it?
Thermador Culinary Preservation center
Thermador Induction cooking has also taken new revolutionary heights! The new Freedom Induction cooktop offers responsiveness and flexibility that I have never seen before. Anywhere, any position the heating elements below the cooking surface self maps. Place up to four pots in any configuration and move them around and the cooking surface automatically detects the presence of your cookware. If you need to move your pot to another location, the cooktop will transfer all of your programmed settings to the new position of the pan. Here I am learning a few tricks from Thermador's chef.
Thermador Induction cooktop
Wilsonart combines art and science to create their new HD
Laminate with Antimicrobial Protection. Laminate is having a come back with dramatic
designs and textures with enhanced scratch and scuff resistant AEON technology
too. Not only does it include an antimicrobial agent that protects the surface
from odor and stain causing bacteria like mold and mildew but also produces the
best countertop for work surfaces. Great customizable options for young families!!
Me with Danny Seo, Wilsonarts brand ambassador - I won a magazine prescription for saying I was a germ phobe!
Whether your aesthetic is classic or modern, Wood Mode's fashion forward cabinetry is designed and fabricated to fit your needs. I learned that they can design anything whether its for your kitchen, bar, or bathroom. The style, finish and wood options are infinite. At KBIS, they showed us different metal options to inset into the cabietry. The polished metal on the drawer fronts were gorgeous! Alternatives were brushed and hammered.
As you can see, design is shifting away from His and Her. Due to the merge of design, technology and innovation, future homes are flexible and accommodating for both men and women. I must thank Veronika Miller of Modenus, and all the Sponsors for an amazing week filled with Design, Friendship and New Brand Connectivity!
This is a sponsored post in collaboration with some of the generous BlogTour sponsors:
Thermador, Blanco, Wood-mode, Wilsonart
Thermador, Blanco, Wood-mode, Wilsonart
