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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Based on observational research the compa- ny conducts, spray technology has also been a consideration for Delta Faucet Company, who will introduce its ShieldSpray toward the end of the year. Designed to clean dishes with a concentrated jet of water but simultaneously control the splash or splatter, the technology will be available on select pull-down kitchen faucets, including its Esque, Leland, Mateo, Addison and Cassidy collections. Gallagher says the company's approach is, "We look at innovation, not for innovation's sake, but it has to be relevant and purposeful." Blanco has been focusing on what Emens refers to as "livable designs" with some of the company's product introductions. "We offer a wide range of pull-down or pull-out fau- cets, and our technologies are wrapped into the materials themselves. Highly durable, scratch-resistant surfaces, like Silgranit, are easy to maintain, ultra hygienic and stand up to daily use," she says. "Technology and engineering are incorporated into our design process. [For example], a hidden pulldown in our powerful Artona faucet doesn't look high-tech, but it took a lot of technology to make these livable designs a reality." homeowners." Moen recently added a matte black finish for the Align collection to meet consumers' demand for statement finishes. Emens from Blanco sees the commercial fau- cet trend growing, partially due to the kitchen's multifunction as a food prep and entertaining space. "We are all fascinated with our 'inner foodie.' Whether or not we are at-home chefs, we want to have the chef-inspired kitchen to demonstrate our love of good food and enter- taining, which go hand-in-hand. And this is why we reference 'chef-inspired' because to- day's home kitchen is very different from a back room restaurant or commercial setting," she says. "We want the 'look' of a chef 's kitchen, such as professional faucets with coils and mov- ing spray arms, but we live in our kitchens— they aren't hidden from our guests. We have to take this into account in the design of the home kitchen by stealing the look, but softening and amending it to a more organic, livable style that works in the home environment." Professional cooking television shows could be another inspiration source for consumers, notes Christine Ramos, product manager for Kohler Kitchen Faucets, but demand goes beyond achieving a certain look or style. "Consumers aspire to be a professional chef at home, and the products in your kitchen can also help achieve the professional chef aspi- ration. We have just launched the Tournant Faucet, a pro-style faucet in a traditional look, and we have plans to continue to launch prod- uct in this category," she says. "Consumers are also saying, 'Help me use my space more effi- ciently; help my space work harder for me.'" NOT FOR TECHNOLOGY'S SAKE Kohler's Ramos believes that consumer re- quests for efficiency aids can translate to spray technology, as one such example. "Kohler ap- proaches technology with the mindset of how can we make consumers' lives easier and bet- ter—definitely not technology for technology's sake. e prepping and cleanup tasks are areas where we spend a great deal of time innovating to improve the consumer's experience," she adds. "e spray technologies help consumers with efficiency. e Sweep Spray allows one to quickly and effectively rinse plates or rinse down your sink basin. Berry soft spray is a full-volume yet gentle spray; this full-volume can efficiently wash fruits and vegetables with- out frapping your berries." BRIZO's Artesso Single Handle Articulating Kitchen Faucet incorporates SmartTouch Technology with TempID for on/off functionality and a temperature visual cue via the LED light in the base. Circle 15 on inquiry card Hayes from Danze notes the company's attention to saving homeonwers time and ef- fort, even when it comes to interactions with their kitchen faucet. "Pull-down faucets are key today—everyone is looking for products and tools that make their life easier and reduce their work time on chores like dishes," she says. "We are introducing a proprietary mag- netic docking technology to our new kitch- en pull-down faucets that, paired with our SnapBack system, provides a tight fit of the spray head to the spout everyday, everytime." Consumer demand has been a driving force behind Rohl's decorative interpretations of pull- down kitchen faucets. Rohl points to several offerings that span design styles: the stream- lined Quartile Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet, the American Moderne influence on the Michael Berman Faucet, the Perrin & Rowe Georgian Era Pull-Down's take on classic English tradi- tional style, and the Italian country design of the Patrizia Pull-Down. While still focused on delivering a "luxurious experience," he adds the California-based company continues its devel- opment of low-flow products—what he calls "responsible luxury"—to ensure its products go beyond federal regulation standards. QualifiedRemodeler.com QR February 2017 57

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