Founded nearly four decades ago, Kitchen & Bath Design News magazine is the only monthly magazine serving the kitchen and bath industry. The magazine serves an audience of more than 45,000 professionals engaged in the design, construction and remodeling of kitchens and baths.
Each year Kitchen & Bath Design News hosts their Design Awards, recognizing outstanding achievement in project design and construction. Nominees are kitchen and bath specialists from across the country and entries are judged on aesthetic appeal, handling of unusual situations/challenges, attention to detail, functionality of space, originality, selection of color and finishes and overall impression of the project. Over 200 projects were judged in 10 categories: Best Kitchen Over $225,000; Best Kitchen $150,000-$225,000; Best Kitchen $75,000-$150,000; Best Kitchen Under $75,000; Best Master Bath Over $100,000; Best Master Bath $50,000-$100,000; Best Master Bath Under $50,000; Best Powder Room; Best Showroom, and Best Specialty Project. Impeccable designs were celebrated in the 30 spaces that were named winners, all of which can be seen in the August issue.
This year, we were thrilled to win a Gold award in the Best Showroom category for our new showroom at Abt Electronics. Abt one of the nation’s largest independent electronics and appliance retailers, located in Glenview, IL. The showroom, designed by Interior designer Ann von Kreuter of House & Home Design, Chicago, is an experiential space which features 18 BlueStar® products where home chefs can personally experience the power and design mastery of our appliances.
Ann von Kreuter turned to European cafés and bistros for inspiration – spaces that encourage lingering and conversation. Being influenced by such gathering places, von Kreuter was able to transform a small space into an experiential microcosm of bespoke luxury. A luxe café-style seating area boasts deep blue walls, chandeliers, over-sized mirrors and banquette seating, inviting guests to sit and stay a while, perhaps while enjoying gourmet food from the focal point of the display, the Café kitchen. Von Kreuter said, “There are so many wonderful possibilities. We were thrilled with BlueStar’s custom abilities which allowed us to create beautifully balanced kitchens with color and vitality, using true, professional-level appliances.”
The center of the display is the Café kitchen that allows guests to experience firsthand BlueStar’s chef-inspired features and high-performance functionalities. The focal point is a 60-inch Platinum Gas Range with interchangeable griddle/charbroiler and complimentary custom ventilation, shown in a rich, Steel Blue (RAL 5011) with Brushed Brass trim, along with Electric Wall Ovens in Signal White (RAL 9003) with brushed brass trim.
Another vignette showcases our award-winning 36” PRO built-in refrigerator in Matte Black with stainless steel trim plus two addition wall ovens in stainless steel. Next Level Cabinetry and Caesarstone engineered quartz countertops in muted, neutral shades allow the appliances to take command, while The Galley Sink and Faucet provide function for entertaining. Painted porcelain floor tiles bring a high-end, artistic feel to the kitchen area. The kitchen serves as an interactive space where the retailer can entertain and educate groups through cooking demonstrations and other events.
James Beard Award winner and BlueStar® All-Star Paul Kahan cooked live in the Abt showroom to a group of local designers. Chef Kahan is known in Chicago and beyond for his work as the executive chef at internationally acclaimed restaurants avec, Blackbird and The Publican to name a few.
