Last month, the Washington, D.C.-based American Institute of Architects (AIA) released its quarterly home design trends survey, and the news was not very good for luxury kitchen and bath products.
The report said the popularity of high-end features such as wine refrigerators, drinking water filtration systems, and renewable flooring materials had slipped, but that interest in eco-friendly features and building materials had remained strong. “Because of concerns over affordability and re-sale value, it’s not surprising that there has been a sharp decline in demand for high-end kitchen and bath products,” AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker said in a statement about the findings.
Not so fast, says the National Kitchen & Bath Association. On the eve of its annual--and very popular--Kitchen/Bath Industry Show, which is slated for this week in Atlanta, Suzie Williford, president of the New Jersey-based NKBA, asserts that luxury goods shouldn't be overlooked as an option by builders, architects, or remodelers. “Luxury products are playing the predominant role in our business today,” she recently told BUILDER. “In this economic climate, higher-end remodels and custom homes are the strongest part of the market, and they require luxury products.”
Such customers also benefit from the spectrum of choices now available to designers and clients, Williford says. “Moderately price brands are creating and unveiling luxury products in their particular price range to deliver a higher-end product to their loyal users to circumvent losing clients to a luxury line, all the while keeping budget in mind,” she explains. “All projects have a budget, regardless of the size or scope, and luxury is a multi-tiered concept. I say ‘luxury’ is a relative term.”
So while high-end buyers may no longer have money to burn, they do still have it to spend. Or so manufacturers are hoping, with many companies still unveiling big-ticket kitchen and bath items at next week's show, regardless of the weak economy. Here are the 10 luxury products we think are worth checking out, whether you're doing product research online or you’re heading to Atlanta to see such options in person.
Jenn-Air by Whirlpool Corp.: The manufacturer’s new premium appliance collection includes high-performance wall ovens, ductless traditional ventilation products, and integrated refrigeration products. The oven has a 7-inch color “touch anywhere” LCD screen and a dual-fan convection element offering 6,800 watts of cooking power. www.insideadvantage.com.
Villeroy & Boch: Designed by Conran & Partners of London, the Aveo tub is the height of luxury. With fluid lines and a clean distinctive egg shape, the tub is made from Quaryl, a homogeneous mixture of quartz powder and acrylic, so it’s durable and easy to clean. It has a list price of $9,700 and measures 74¾ inches long and 373/8 inches wide. www.villeroy-boch.com/en.
BLANCO: The Flow sink is the latest high-end addition to the company’s SteelArt brand. Equal parts architectural element and sink, it has seamless side drainers and is designed with MicroEdge technology that gives the illusion that it sits flush into the countertop. Flow measures 46 inches long and 20 inches wide and retails for $4,195. www.blancoamerica.com.
Staron Surfaces by Samsung: With the addition of six new colors, the Radianz brand of quartz surfacing has now been expanded to 20 high-gloss color options, including Everest White and Amazon Twilight. The product is made from 93% quartz crystals and polymers. Durable and waterproof, it doesn’t need sealing like natural stone products do and is resistant to scratches and chipping. www.staron.com.
Brizo: The Sensori Custom Shower offers fully customizable options that coordinate with the company’s other bath products. It offers a 12-gallons-per-minute flow rate, thermostatic valve for anti-scald protection, and an expansive showerhead offering for wall- or ceiling-mount installation. Multiple showerhead options are available including body sprays, body jets, and handshowers. Pieces come in a wide variety of finishes. www.brizo.com.
TOTO USA: The Eco Soirée high-efficiency toilet looks like a traditional two-piece product, but actually has a one-piece design. The glazed ceramic unit flushes with 1.28 gallons of water, making it eligible for the EPA’s WaterSense certification. It features a Double Cyclone flush engine, 12-inch rough-in, elongated bowl with SoftClose seat, and chrome lever handle. www.totousa.com.
Grohe America: Simple forms meet function in the manufacturer’s new Veris collection of faucets that includes floor-mount tub fillers and lavatory units. Instead of the regular minimalist aesthetic, the pieces feature fluid lines and flat spouts that blend into a cylindrical body. Solid metal handles and levers are standard as well as ceramic-alloy discs that are covered in a Teflon lubricant. It comes in a StarLight finish. www.groheamerica.com.
Cosentino North America: Add another recycled-content surfacing product to your list. This one, ECO by Cosentino, is made from 75% recycled post-industrial or post-consumer materials that include such items as porcelain, mirrors, glass, stone scraps, and crystallized ash. Everything is then bound by an environmentally friendly corn-oil based resin. A variety of colors are available in the Revive Collection and the Green Collection. www.cosentinona.com.
Kaldewei: Measuring 78.8 inches long and 39.4 inches wide, Bassino has an unusual form and size that allows bathers to stretch out and float freely in the water. Plus, the shallow 14-inch depth allows them to climb in and out easily. It’s available with a Styrofoam support, self-supporting paneling, and a matching bath shelf that also can be used as a seating option. www.kaldewei.com.
MTI Whirlpools: This new luxury collection of solid surface bath products by designer Matthew Quinn is highlighted by the Intarcia tub with antique brass inlay. Available in white, biscuit, raven, and osprey, the tub can be specified with or without either of two pedestal bases and be configured to accept an inlay of a client’s choosing: metal, glass, wood, stone, or any other material. www.mtiwhirlpools.com.