Qualified Remodeler Magazine

FEB 2017

Qualified Remodeler helps independent remodeling firms to survive, become more professional and more profitable by providing must-have business information, namely best business practices, new product information and timely design ideas.

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trend toward "focal sink designs" in kitch- ens, which places more emphasis on faucet selection earlier in the process. "e sink and faucet decision both further the design style of the kitchen. We are seeing an increase in focal sink designs, such as the apron front sink which has to be 'designed' into the cabinetry. So these decisions are made upfront and not a throwaway," she says. "More designers and consumers are aware of the options and so they drive design." On the same note, Katie Hayes, senior product manager for Danze and Gerber Plumbing Fixtures, points out that the in- clusion of a pot filler needs to be specified during the design phase. "When you consider adding a pot filler, you need to make sure it's considered early on as there are big impacts to of their kitchen or a specific look they are try- ing to achieve. Also, what we've been seeing over recent years is that one of the main other contributors really is that evolving role of the kitchen," she says. "We did a lot of research and found that two-thirds of consumers are spending three or more hours in the kitchen per day, so it's really important for them to get the right faucet but also the right func- tionality to handle different tasks going on in the kitchen." is progression of time spent in the kitch- en, beyond food prep and doing dishes, also extends to the way consumers use water with- in the space, notes Rohl's vice president of marketing, Greg Rohl. "People are looking at how they use their kitchen space to de- termine not just the type of faucet but the number of faucets they should include—that includes bar faucets, pot fillers and filtration faucets. You especially see this with people who are very conscious of the products they use and how they impact their life," he says. "For example, in the last three years, we've seen a definite increase in people adding hot water faucets to their kitchen in addition to their primary faucet. If they are a tea drinker or make oatmeal or quinoa frequently, the convenience of having boiling water available with just the turn of a lever is a benefit to their lifestyle." Inclusion of a hot water faucet, as in Rohl's example, a bar faucet, island sink/faucet or pot filler led several manufacturers to observe that planning for such items have shifted faucet(s) from a "finishing touch" item to something that, along with a sink, can impact other de- sign decisions. "I think this is where a home- owner greatly benefits from having a design professional, because I think a homeowner on their own would be left to think about the faucets as a finishing touch and really focus on things like flooring, cabinets and counter- tops," says Sarah Schlif ke, kitchen product manager for Brizo. "[A design professional] is more attuned to looking at the holistic pic- ture, like setting a tone with whatever finish or configuration is selected and how many holes you need to drill in the beautiful countertop. If you want it to look very streamlined and minimal with a single hole, you have to know that ahead of time, and at the end of the day it is plumbing, which means it's behind the wall so delaying such a decision could be ex- traordinarily costly." Blanco Marketing Communications Manager Christy Emens sees a growing The Modern Kitchen Collection from ROHL— including the Modern Quartile Pull-Down Side Lever Kitchen Faucet (left) and Modern Architectural Pot Filler (above)—meet both style and function demands. Circle 11 on inquiry card BLANCO wraps technology into its materials throughout the design process, as was the case for the Artona Faucet with its hidden pulldown. Dual-finish colors pair a stainless finish with Blanco Silgranit. Circle 12 on inquiry card QualifiedRemodeler.com QR February 2017 55

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