Kitchenware News • December 2023 (2024 Buyers Guide) by OserCommunicationsGroup

Vol. 29 • Issue 7 December 2023 • $7.00

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from the

editor

PUBLISHER Kimberly Oser

In 2023, after the post-pandemic return of the International Housewares Association’s The Inspired Home Show, the consensus was that it’s back in full swing. TIHS 2023 proved to have what the IHA called “significant year-over-year increases in both exhibitor and retailer participation.” More than 1,600 exhibitors and nearly 30,000 home and housewares professionals from 125 countries arrived to discover new products, reconnect with colleagues and advance the industry, according to IHA. “The 2023 Show was an incredible step forward in the post-pandemic recovery of faceto-face events for the home + housewares industry,” said Derek Miller, IHA president and CEO. “It was particularly rewarding to see the return of so many who were unable to participate last year.” The Inspired Home Show 2024, to be held next March in Chicago, will undergo several changes to show length and layout. After feedback from two industry-wide surveys and four committees made up of both exhibitors and retailers, the IHA board of directors decided to reduce the overall length to three days and to optimize the show layout to create the most vibrant, productive and efficient trade show experience possible for the industry. In mid-2023, International Market Centers announced that it was rebranding itself to unify its physical marketplace business with its Juniper digital offerings as ANDMORE, an omnichannel wholesale marketmaker. “ANDMORE captures our spirit of innovation and focuses on doing more to support our customers by enhancing and extending the value of our physical markets for both buyers and sellers across the furniture, home décor, gift and apparel industries,” CEO Bob Maricich said. The first product was a buyer mobile app that launched before the summer markets in Atlanta and Las Vegas. The @Market app includes pre-market planning tools, a personal QR code for quick badge pick-up, the ability to capture and organize images with notes, turn-by-turn directions to help buyers make the most of their time at market and a comprehensive, post-market recap for easy follow-up and ordering. The first Casual Market Atlanta was held at AmericasMart Atlanta in an all-new outdoor furnishings destination featuring more than 50 showrooms and 100 temporary exhibits. Casual Market included the International Casual Furnishings Association’s annual Awards Gala and charitable giving opportunities, plus new educational and networking opportunities. Also, ANDMORE launched the first Shoppe Object at High Point in October, presenting more than 100 brands that were new to High Point Market. The show-within-a-show focused on home décor, accessories and furnishings. ANDMORE said it marked a successful start for the new twice-yearly fixture at High Point Market, describing it as “one big housewarming party.” With all those changes, let’s see what 2024 can bring!.KN — AJ Flick Senior Editor aj_flick@oser.com

PRESIDENT Tara Neal VICE PRESIDENT Abeer Abiaad PRESIDENT OF SALES Anthony Socci anthony_s@oser.com PRODUCTION MANAGER/ART DIRECTOR Yasmine Brown SENIOR EDITOR AJ Flick aj_f@oser.com EDITOR JoEllen Lowry CUSTOMER SERVICE customerservice@oser.com CIRCULATION MANAGER Jamie Green jamie_g@oser.com EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Heather Albrecht heather_a@oser.com Kitchenware News & Housewares Review is a publication of Oser Communications Group Inc. 1877 N. Kolb Road • Tucson, AZ 85715 520.721.1300 www.kitchenwarenews.com • www.oser.com

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dinnerware

TRENDS European Style Wields Influence

BY A.J. FLICK

Americans have a lot on their plates, so we might as well set a good-looking table, right? Trend spotters say trends seen in 2023 will continue to sell well. “In 2024, the push towards casual dining looks in dinnerware will translate into a growing interest in mixed materials and colors that nod to traditional style while keeping things fun and light,” says Adelaide Elliott, associate editor with the trade magazine Gifts & Decorative Accessories. “Playful, whimsical ceramic small plates that feature colorful, intricate patterns, earthenware bowls and dinner plates with textural finishes,

uniquely shaped bowls, and stoneware designs that pair highshine glazes and matte finishes together will work well in this space. More uncommon dinnerware materials like wood, coconut, resin and steel also work in the mix-and-match style consumers will be seeking out and will pair well with serveware pieces more commonly found in those materials. “Consumers will also be looking for dinnerware that blends indoor and outdoor living as seamlessly as they do in their dayto-day lives,” she says. European style will continue to inspire dinnerware.

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Cont. on page 6 5

DINNERWARE TRENDS Continued from page 7 “Keeping things casual has been key to mastering the more refined, minimalist European tabletop trends of the last several years. In 2024 – thanks to that rising consumer interest in casual dinnerware in the U.S. marketplace – many European trends will translate over nicely. Heavier European stoneware and pottery – especially handcrafted and artisan-made pieces – that lean into natural, textural finishes and organic shapes and edges will be popular next year,” Elliott says. Irregular stoneware continues to capture attention, according to the trend spotters at Livingetc.com home decor and design experts. Oonagh Turner writes, “The frill of scallop edge decor has been everywhere this year. While the scallop look remains popular, we're noticing a move away from the scallop edging

towards more irregular plates, bowls and dishes that give that handcrafted feel.” Graphic designs are forecast to remain a 2024 trend. “We think it's just the start for the geometric pattern trends, bringing a modern twist to our tablescape and eschewing the more playful, colorful patterned plates in favor of something a little more refined and sophisticated,” Turner writes. Italian brands Zafferano and Talenti reflect the trends in their dinnerware collections. Renowned for its classic lamps and glassware, Zafferano has emerged in the dinnerware market, thanks to a collaboration between owner Federico de Majo and the founder of Italian lifestyle brand Arte Italica, Chris Collins. Zafferano America strives to create not only functional and decorative products, but those that “bring dreams and emotions 6

to life, creating unique interiors that stir emotions with their eye-catching decorative effects of light and color,” according to the company’s history. It seemed a match made in tabletop heaven and Collins was tapped to take charge of Zafferano’s emerging tableware line. “It’s been quite a project!” said Collins, whose enthusiasm carries through the phone. “I’ve done this in the past, and it’s equally exciting to do it again with Zafferano.” Knowing that he had a reputation to live up to – not only Zafferano’s but his own – Collins approached the project with fervor. Right away, Collins was trusted with taking to market the design history that de Majo lovingly curated over the years that carried over to tableware. Zafferano had recently bought a state-of-the-art ceramic factory in Gallese, Italy, to produce the dinnerware collections. “The factory has tremendous capacity,” he said, “better than any I’ve worked with.” Collins said having the perfect facility with the abundance of experienced, talented artisans proved to be a winning combination. “One of the main artisans just moved in and took over operations in the factory,” he said. “So the relationship was there. He came on in October and didn’t miss a beat. He was working hand-in-hand with the designer.” All of the collections hold true to de Mayo’s design aesthetic yet they fit contemporary consumers’ needs well as they are safe to use in the oven, microwave and dishwasher as well as being chip resistant. Keep in mind that Collins came on board with Zafferano in September as vice president of sales and marketing. Zafferano’s tableware division made its debut at Atlanta Market in January. “Launching a new dinnerware division,” Collins mused, “I don’t know exactly what the timeframe would be, but we did it in two months!” Zafferano launched five collections, all designed and made in Italy, in Atlanta: •Reablu: A blue-gray glazed stoneware with a finish both stylish and rustic, Reablu shows off its true Italian heritage. •Perle: Both inspired by and complements Zafferano America’s ever-popular and award-winning Perle colored glassware, Perle dinnerware is a clean-looking stackable collection available in four bold colors that evoke a subtle playfulness. • Stone: A fiery and brightly glazed stoneware collection with a charming rim of hand-painted design with a unique reactive glaze, Stone delivers emotions that reflect both Italy’s deep history and modern design sense. • Spirale: A bold and solid-colored dinnerware collection designed to not only complement but build out the existing Zafferano America lines with chargers, mugs, small bowls and other complimentary pieces. • Graffito: Offered in a beautiful pure white and a trend-forward

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vibrant Zafferano green, Graffito is truly one-of-a-kind. With sculpted accents on the rims and with signature designs on the underbelly of the dinnerware, the line is reflective of the skillfulness of the local Italian Artisans who expertly craft each piece. “The dinnerware completes the Zafferano story,” Collins said. “We want to make sure the dinnerware is in lockstep with the Zafferano brand, so the dinnerware has to be the highest quality with the highest design, a unique design that tells a unique story different than any other brand,” he said. And, while it’s a little like asking parents which child is their favorite, Collins admits he does lean toward Graffito, which caught a lot of other eyes in Atlanta. “Graffito, with its scratch accents, did extremely well in Atlanta,” he said. The line is produced with a reactive glaze that makes every piece distinctive. “The scratches on the underbelly are unique to each piece,” Collins added. “And the colors are unique as well, starting with the white and basic green, what I call the Zafferano green, they’re electric and beautiful. “What makes it so natural to launch a dinner line, it’s all about the color story,” Collins said. “When you introduce dinnerware to it, it’s such a beautiful table, such a beautiful story.” Another consideration in creating the lines was to make them within the reach of the wholesale and consumer markets. “We want to fit in the marketplace,” Collins said. “I knew this, coming from Arte Italica. You want to be right smack in the sweet spot, so it’s an affordable luxury. You’re not at the top of the pyramid, but you’re not at the bottom.” At retail, for instance, Graffito sells for $35 for a salad plate, $25 for a cereal bowl.

“And that’s for quality, Italian stoneware that’s completely oven safe, safe for the oven and dishwasher and chip resistant,” he said. The lines will be available for shipping in early spring. Collins talks fast in his excitement for having brought a tabletop collection to fruition for Zafferano. It’s hard to keep up with taking notes, he’s talking so fast. But his excitement for what has been done is nothing like his anticipation of what’s to come. “The idea that we own our own ceramic factory – its capabilities are endless,” he said. “It can allow us to create unique designs, unique processes and colors that are second to none. “Owning your own factory is an advantage that trumps all other challenges,” Collins said. “One of the challenges of any dinnerware line is finding factories that produce collections the way you want to produce them. We own the factory, so we’ve achieved that. And that’s among the best situations that you can be in.” After a successful preview at Milan Design Week 2022, Talenti, a reference brand for the high-end outdoor Made in Italy in more than 65 countries, presented in its entirety the elegant Salinas collection signed by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba. This sophisticated line, created by the most glamorous pair of Italian design, draws inspiration from the homonymous natural region of Ibiza, a location that has always exerted a great charm in the collective imagination, a sort of earthly paradise at your fingertips. The result is a project with strong references to the natural world and the interior with the clear intention of reducing the distance between in and out by highlighting an ideal continuity between the various environments. Ibiza as a muse where design blends with the landscape. “A landscape where the lands used for salt harvesting overlook pristine beaches,” Ludovica and Roberto Palomba say. “Surrounded by greenery, contemporary

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Cont. on page 8 7

DINNERWARE TRENDS Continued from page 7 villas with minimal volumes are thrown onto this landscape in which we imagined life around a large pool. Sofas and armchairs in which the textile component is predominant. “Together with flat rope and precious metal details visible in the ends of the backrests, they create an elegant and timeless charm. With this project, we want to bring into the outdoor world the refinement typical of indoor and shorten more and more the distance between the two environments putting them in continuity.” For the dining collection, the concept that inspired Ludovica+Roberto Palomba was monolicity. The table, available with both concrete and Accoya structure, consists of a top resting on a powerful monolithic base characterized by three faceted columns. The same concept is also repeated in the coffee table version. “The idea starts from the desire to design for Talenti a collection of monopod tables suitable for outdoor life,” according to Studio Palomba. “We wanted to create an object with a marked monolithic appearance. The result is a piece with essential shapes that once united in a single foot, create a strong distinctive detail. We have always been fascinated by the theme of the columns that we use here to give simplicity and iconicity.” The Salinas family – consisting of sofas, armchairs, benches, deck chairs, chairs and tables – expresses the refinement typical of the indoor into the outdoor world, through the preciousness

of fabrics. The refined chromatic range evokes the colors of sand and sea, giving the outdoor environments a natural timeless charm. The soft lines of the cushions are enhanced by the contrast, the use of the padded strap in the back that becomes here a design element. Among the products, the dining table stands out, statutory with imposing columns that recall the trunk of a tree and that raise the top upwards and the armchair, an invitation to stop and enjoy the view. The materials include Accoya, Aluminum, lava stone, cement and 100 percent green coverings, where design meets sustainability. For Talenti, sustainability is not a fashion but an entrepreneurial philosophy that translates into research and development and the combination of design and technology. Having a responsible attitude toward the environment around us is undoubtedly an objective that a company in the outdoor world must pursue. When Talenti thinks of a product, already in the concept phase, the will is to create a quality and lasting project. This is why prestigious designers such as Ludovica+Roberto Palomba choose to support the creation of collections with a timeless design and careful research and selection of materials to be used. Talenti relies on suppliers who share the same vision of the company: every component is designed, thought and intended to last over time because the brand has the firm belief that the longevity of the product and therefore of the materials that make it up is already a first decisive step along the path of

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sustainable development and towards sustainability in more general terms. The collaboration with Studio Palomba has a long history and it has marked a before and after in the corporate vision where matter and design come together. At first glance, it is evident that the Salinas collection has a great protagonist: the fabric. While this marine color creates a feeling of peace and relaxation, at the same time, its composition is undergoing an epochal change. After years of research, for the first time, Talenti has introduced in some collections like this, a new 100 percent green fabric created by the recycling of post-consumer PET bottles, which is further recyclable at the end of its use. In full harmony with the philosophy of circular design, this range of fabrics is completely Made in Italy and made with a unique production process. Through a mechanical process and without the use of chemicals that could be harmful to the environment, plastic bottles are transformed into small flakes, then into polymers and into recycled PET yarn. The use of recycled polyester, which requires fewer processing steps, allows considerable energy and water savings and a significant reduction in carbon emissions. This incredible material gives an aura of eternity to the sofas and seats of the entire collection. If the covering is the protagonist, wood certainly shares an important role in this collection. But not just any wood – the Accoya wood, world leader in the high technology segment and the result of more than 75 years of research and development. The Accoya wood that in Salinas we can find in the dining tables and in the coffee tables, has not only an aesthetic value, but it arises from the need to make a more solid and durable product that, being outdoors, is used in direct contact with water and exposed to the weather daily. Accoya is created from softwoods from sustainable sources that are subjected to a patented and completely non-toxic process, known as acetylation, which permanently changes the internal structure of the wood, increasing dimensional stability and durability. The result is the equivalent of solid, but ecofriendly wood, coming from fast-growing, totally non-toxic sustainable forests, which provides dimensional stability and durability superior to even the best tropical hardwood. Accoya wood is FSC certified, which means that it is a sustainable wood born, grown and harvested in selected and regularly reforested and protected forests. Aluminum, mainly used for the structure and feet of the sofa, is a lightweight and durable material. Easy to handle, extremely versatile, but above all eternal. In fact, one of the main characteristics of aluminum is the

infinite recyclability and the substantial energy savings that result in terms of production, in addition to evolution, performance and other obvious advantages guaranteed by the material and its applications. A set of values that make the concept of green economy and resource conservation evident and intrinsic to aluminum. With the Salinas collection, Talenti has introduced another material, cement. Thanks to constant research and experimentation, this material has reached levels of quality, workability and usability such as to make it suitable for outdoor and indoor furniture. Cement is a material that adapts to all styles for its multiple qualities; it is an extremely resistant material, but also ductile and this allows one to imagine with more freedom complex shapes and geometries. Thanks to the creative work of Ludovica+Roberto Palomba, this material has been chosen for the realization of the elegant dining tables and coffee tables of the collection, elegant, resistant and functional furnishing accessories. Stone also plays a big role in this project. If the sculptural concrete bases seduce with their statuesque minimalism, the lava stone tops of some coffee tables deserve special attention. This material not only creates a bond with the territory, but amplifies the beauty of the furnishings by according the colors to the coverings. When a great company meets great designers, the results can only be exciting, and Salinas invites people to embark on a journey to the planet through an exclusive and highly sustainable design. KN

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wellwalls

2024 Trends Embrace Wellness

BY A.J. FLICK

In the superhero world, seeing through walls is an advantage. But in our world, we want people to see our walls. Sometimes, we want our walls to be functional, too. The wall trends for 2024 include wall features that look great and improve our lives. “One of the interior trends of 2024 sure to stick around embraces productivity,” according to the interior design group Decorilla. “The home office isn’t going anywhere – it’s becoming a permanent fixture in homes. With remote work here to stay, people are investing in ergonomic furniture, 10

soundproofing and stylish design to make their workspaces more functional and inspiring.” Take Pennsylvania-based Spacekit, which makes artful acoustic tiles that snap in place, no tools required. “We’re a team of designers with a passion for beautiful spaces – a passion we share with Armstrong,” said Rob Barber, ATOMIC/Spacekit vice president modular systems and R&D. “When the entertainment industry effectively shut down during COVID-19, we saw an opportunity to apply our expertise to a new market. We started with home décor, and now we’re expanding into commercial spaces, a perfect fit with

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Armstrong’s brand reputation and reach. It’s a winning combination and opportunity for both our companies to work together to introduce easy-to-use, stylish solutions to the market.” Spacekit created a new commercial acoustic art panel line to include several exclusive, customizable designs. Just like the original art system, Spacekit’s acoustic panels feature design style and functionality to provide sound dampening properties. While Spacekit can ease noise pollution, living walls can ease indoor pollutants. Decorilla says living walls will continue to rise in popularity in 2024. “Nature-inspired reigns supreme as designers, homeowners and businesses gravitate towards bringing the outdoors in. We’re talking lush greenery, earthy colors, eco-friendly materials and an oh-so-soothing atmosphere,” according to Decorilla. “It’s fitting, too, as sustainability is also cementing its spot in 2024’s interior design trends. Along these, maximalism and personality-rich interiors are also climbing the ranks.” Decorilla rated “green living” as its top 2024 trend. “Green living is more than just a trend – it’s a lifestyle,” Decorilla says. “In 2024, eco-conscious interior design takes center stage, enveloping many other trends. Biophilic elements, sustainable materials and living walls will bring the outdoors in. “Nature-inspired elements and design improve well-being, highlight a connection with nature, and awaken a sense of responsibility toward the environment. Embracing the trend could be as easy as keeping windows bare to delight in the view, including pot plants, and being environmentally conscious in your design choices.” More than half of Americans experience stress during the day, with 94 percent report feeling stress at work, according to the American Psychiatric Association. At the same time, health experts say people are spending too much time indoors and don’t have enough greenery in their lives, said Jamie Mitri, founder and CEO of Moss Pure. If people won’t or can’t get outdoors to better their health, Mitri believed, bringing nature indoors had to be done on

a larger scale than a potted plant in a room. Mitri founded Moss Pure at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lebanon Challenge, where it won first place as a startup in 2020, later that year placing in the top 10 in the United Nations Development Program. This summer, Moss Pure was named 2023’s Best Living Wall Art Solutions Provider by Corporate Visions. Moss Pure is the blending of Mitri’s background in chemical engineering and interior design. At the MIT challenge, Mitri noticed the demand for moss walls and that live moss had health benefits. She put the two together to create aesthetically pleasing moss wall hanging featuring no-maintenance live moss. “It’s going to have a huge effect on you and on your space, “Mitri said. “It is bringing nature indoors.” Indeed, Moss Pure’s slogan is Bring Nature to Your Place. Perhaps one of the most surprising things about Moss Pure, which can be installed inside or outside a building, is that it requires no watering, sunlight or maintenance. “If you take moss from your back yard and put it in a frame, it’s not going to live,” Mitri said. Using patent pending science, the live moss in Moss Pure draws nutrients from the air – carbon dioxide, allergens, volatile organic compounds, bacteria, viruses and specific metals – thus filtering the air and producing a clean, natural scent. Laboratory testing proved that one square foot of Moss Pure captures 30 percent of carbon dioxide within two minutes. The company claims Moss Pure captures millions of pollutant

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Cont. on page 12

WELL WALLS Continued from page 11 particles that can contribute to allergies, asthma, respiratory disease and perhaps cancer. Moss Pure’s biophilic science improves mental health through the sense of sight, touch and smell – reducing stress and anxiety and increasing productivity, Mitri said. “We’re the only company in the world using 100 percent live moss as an air filter and stress reliever,” Mitri said. “But there’s a lot more involved in the process than using 100 percent live moss.” Perhaps the real brilliance behind Moss Pure is that the design not only complements the science within the product, it envelops it so well that you could forget its functions. “There’s so much science in it, but you can’t see the science,” Mitri said. “People are skeptical because they can’t see the science that’s been applied, but it works.” In addition to investing in extensive laboratory testing to back Moss Pure’s health claims, Mitri wanted to ensure that all of the elements of her product were as easy on the environment as possible. Moss Pure filters are made in the United States with 95 percent sustainable and eco-friendly materials including the frame, which is made of 100 percent reclaimed wood. Even the moss is sourced inside the United States, even though she could get more affordable moss from countries including China. “The quality of the moss, even in

Europe and Canada, is not the same as in the U.S.,” she said. “Outside sources are supposed to be cheaper in theory when you go outside the U.S. But I want to keep the quality high and the price as low as possible. I don’t have to wait months or weeks to get the moss. It’s not sitting in a warehouse. It’s fresh.” Mitri sources live moss from suppliers across the country, making sure they comply with sustainable practices and don’t use chemicals on the moss, because that ruins the fresh smell she wants from Moss Pure products. It may be hard to imagine, but Moss Pure is as low maintenance as possible. As much testing as Mitri invested in Moss Pure’s science, she went above and beyond to test Moss Pure out in the real world – starting in her own home. “I love plants,” Mitri said, “but I cannot keep a plant alive for the life of me. I tried killing this thing. I tested it myself and with random customers and it hasn’t died yet.” Mitri made sure to test Moss Pure in diverse climates. “Our product design is what makes it work,” Mitri said, “indoors or outdoors, in Arizona, California, New York, Florida – wherever it goes.” So far, word of mouth is helping Moss Pure steadily gain customers. Mitri knows she needs to do more. “I want to continue to expand the product and get it out to more people,” she said. “I have to keep building the brand and its reputation. “I’d love to have an investor come in and blow things up,” she said cheerfully. “Word of mouth really helps us. The product speaks for itself. It becomes a conversation starter.” KN

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‘unapologetic

PINK’ Color Experts Say 2024 Will Be Well Red

BY A.J. FLICK

Think the Barbie mania for all things pink was a passing fad? It’s still going strong, experts say. “Color trend forecasters from across the world tapped into the cultural and design zeitgeists to predict which palettes will be popping up the next year – and it looks like life will be a lot bolder in 2024. Color experts are predicting that people will be much more adventurous with their color choices with bright pinks, playful aquas and rich browns leading the charge,” Sarah DiMarco writes for the high-end design magazine Veranda. DiMarco calls the Barbie hues “Unapologetic Pinks and Reds.” “Barbie's reign over culture will continue to (be) prosperous in the upcoming year,” she writes. “Sherwin-Williams, DunnEdwards, and Pantone all predict vivacious shades of pink will continue to rise in popularity as (they) feel both nostalgic and optimistic. Shades of blush and baby pink will also remain a

staple as proven by the British paint and wallpaper company, Little Greene, which announced the soft pink neutral Masquerade as their color of the year.” “As we see the shift to warmer stone colors as consumers move away from cold greys, we also predict a natural transition towards earthy pink,” Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene, told DiMarco. “Masquerade is a timeless ontrend tone that brings a natural tranquility into the home.” “Even Benjamin Moore can't stay away from the brilliance of red and pink, including earthy Topaz and cheerful Teacup Rose in their Color Trends 2024 palette,” DiMarco writes. Some homes are more ready than others to embrace pink. In Scottsdale, Ariz., a three-bedroom house listed on Airbnb – for $788 a night – boasts “masterfully renovated” interiors and exteriors with enough bright pink amenities for the home Cont. on page 14 13

‘UNAPOLOGETIC PINKS’ Continued from page 13 to be named the “Scottsdoll Dreamhouse.” Yes, the pink – especially hot pink – was rampant this summer, banking on the success of the blockbuster feature film “Barbie.” The Scottsdale dreamhouse even includes a life-size pink “Scottsdoll” box for Barbie (and Ken, let’s not forget about him) fans to pose in and presumably post on Instagram. Pink cornhole bags and a giant pink Jenga game are included along with numerous other setups primed for photo taking including Barbie portraits on walls, a fullsized lip-shaped sofa (in muted pink), custom neon signs (one reads “you’re like really pretty” in bright pink) and a high-heel-shaped chair (not pink, but pink’s bestie, white) along with lots of pink doors, chairs, cushions and pillows scattered throughout the grounds – not to mention pink floats for the pool (no, the pool isn’t pink). Also this summer, HGTV hosted “Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge” to promote the film, setting teams against each other to renovate homes with Barbie-friendly touches. “Barbie is part of a universal language,” said Brian Kleinschmidt, co-leader of the winning team along with his wife, Mika. “Everyone around the world knows who she is. “So many people have told us, ‘I would

live in that house in a heartbeat,’ because it takes them back to their childhood.” The winning HGTV Barbie house in Santa Clarita, Calif., features a bright pink water slide, a topiary shaped in the iconic Barbie “B” with her favorite flower, peonies, in white and pink, a stocked pink Barbie closet and pink turf by the pool (which wasn’t easy to find, the designers said). But arguably the most Barbie-est Dreamhouse is an oceanfront mansion in – where else? – Malibu, Calif. The three-story mansion even looks like the Mattel Dreamhouse – a “life-sized toy pink mansion,” according to the Airbnb website. Mattel put the Malibu Dreamhouse up to rent in 2019, to promote Barbie’s 60th anniversary, for $60 a night. Barbiemenities included a walk-in closet with Barbie fashions 14

including bright dresses, a neon pink motorcycle helmet and the space suit she wore as an astronaut. The re-pinkified mansion was opened up this summer on Airbnb to promote the movie – but with Kenergy. In addition to more pink, Ken “hosted” guests with added Kenmenities such as a tufted seashell bed covered in Western-themed bedding, Ken’s wardrobe in the closet (heavy on cowboy shirts and animal print button-downs), a “Ken-ecue” to replace the “Barbie-cue,” a disco roller rink and a gym with Ken’s Beefy Body Brine. All of this is great fun, but a recurring question is, can all this pink survive past the “Barbie” film popularity? Is pink the new black? “Absolutely the ‘Barbie’ movie pushes pink to the fore – $1 billion at the box office is a forceful wind in pink sails – I mean, sales!” said Julie Smith Vincenti of Nine Muses Media, who curates the FIRST LOOK and TrendWatch programs for ANDMORE’s Las Vegas Market. “But we’ve been courting pinks in home furnishings and housewares for several years now. Remember Millennial Pink? It has had surprising staying power and influence since the mid 2010s,” she said. “What the ‘Barbie’ film does exceptionally well is show multiple variations of pink: as a sweet, whispered pastel; as a ’90s-era neon bright; and as a mid-tone hue,” Smith Vincenti said. “It’s the warm, mid-tone pinks and sporty pinks that I can’t get ‘Kenough’ of right now. “It’s worth noting that beyond the colors in the movie, Barbie’s many homes are fertile ground for pattern inspiration. The iconic Townhouse of the mid 1970s with its flat design features comes to mind,” she said. “Historians point out this was influenced by the textilesforward Pattern and Decoration Movement of the 1970s, which presents as feminine, decorative, artful and strong.” The world of design agrees with Smith Vincenti, rediscovering pink as a color full of life and style. Seating, wardrobes, coverings and accessories, here are tips for furniture from prestigious brands such as Tonelli Design, Terratinta Group, Horm, Antolini, laCividina and Casamania by Horm in many hues of pink that would surely please Barbie and Ken. Tonelli Design Pink & Glass Created by designer Karim Rashid for Tonelli Design, the Aperture mirror, thanks to its soft lines, gives a refined and minimalist touch, making it ideal as a living room mirror. Pink is proposed here for the small glove compartment, which can be customized in bright pink and creates a lovely contrast.

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An effective combination also for the Naked armchair, conceived by architect and designer Giovanni Tommaso Garattoni, which has a minimal and clean structure. Composed of transparent or extra-clear tempered glass, it can be customized with an opaque leather seat that shines in bright pink. Terratinta Group Ceramic Wall Tiles & Wallpaper Terratinta Group has always considered pink as a color to play with, opting for cheerful and fresh tones and combinations. First it did it with ceramics, passing through collections such as Artigiana, Vernici and Typic, to reach the patterns of the Wallpapers collection. where this color merges with a natural inspiration. Solutions where pink is combined with white and blue highlights its luminosity and casualness. Antolini’s Magnificence of Nature With Rose Quartz, pink is also among the protagonists in the world of natural stones, for an interior of splendor and magnificence. Part of Antolini’s Precioustone Collection, which includes a selection of more than 130 varieties of precious gems, Rose Quartz surprises with its chromatic suggestions and shines on its own light, thanks to its translucence that allows it to be retro illuminated. Casamania by Horm’s HER & HIM Like Barbie and Ken, HER & HIM by Casamania by Horm breaks into the scene, as protagonists! Casamania by Horm, sister brand of Horm, has an eclectic style, where everyday furniture is interpreted through cosmopolitan and avant-garde influences for an ironic and pop design.

The irreverent HIM & HER chairs by Fabio Novembre take up the Panton Chair model, reshaping its physicality on the cast of a male and a female body. Available in different colors, as well as in matt or glossy finishes, HIM & HER takes on “sculpted forms like naked models of seduction, but are not ashamed,” Novembre said. Another interesting proposal is Lobby; the chair’s aesthetic is clear and decisive, with a strong profile and clean lines, while the interior is softer and molded to accommodate the user in extreme comfort. Giro, on the other hand, is a pouf system that comes in different sizes, echoing the game of the hula hoop and its movement. Giro moves in space and the colors set the tone and nuances. It’s available fixed or on castors. In the Fantin Palette, Quartz Pink The multi-award-winning Frame Kitchen, winner of the Archiproducts Design Award 2018 and selected in the ADI Index 2019, is available in two workstations with two or three doors (128 or 188 cm wide) that are also suitable for outdoors, thanks to the special cataphoresis treatment that allows high resistance to atmospheric agents. The modularity allows the free composition of doors, drawers and deep drawers, as well as the possibility of integrating accessories and household appliances of the best brands. Among the 35 color finishes in the catalog is Quartz Pink. laCividina Tinged Pink Pink is often associated solely as the color for decorating children’s bedrooms. In reality, pink is an elegant and refined color that can enrich both residential and contract spaces. laCividina, which through the design and production of designer sofa and armchair collections expresses the authentic Made in Italy, offers the iconic Osaka sofa, the elegant Nap, the brand new Agetti armchair and the graceful Ala by Sebastian Herkner. With their different shades of pink, they are well suited to various design styles. G.T.Design’s Antique Pink Elegance Designed by Deanna Comellini, Kama has revolutionized the industry of contemporary carpets, rightfully entering the history of design. The first carpet made of a sumptuous and wild hand-woven viscose fiber, Kama captures the light and lets it float on its wefts, also in the shade Sabbia Lunare, with its elegant antique pink reflections. KN

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2024 Finishes First in Interior Trends

Among the eight trends that online design marketplace 1stDibs says will define 2024 interiors is texture. Limewash finished first for popular materials and finishes among surveyed designers. “It feels softer and enveloping,” said Anthony Barzilay Freund, director of fine art and editorial director . Adding to the warmth trend are ceramic/terra-cotta (21 percent) and blond wood (19 percent). Don’t underestimate the visual impact of a carefully chosen finish; it completes a design and brings together the overall look of a room. Selecting the right decorative accents can have

a direct impact on achieving a certain aesthetic. With an abundance of options available, homeowners and designers alike are tasked with choosing the perfect fixture and metal to bring a vision to life. Here is a look at an exceptional range of trending finishes that are essential to creating a cohesive look and elevate the beauty of any living environment. The Resurgence of Brass Brass finishes such as aged brass and satin brass are here to stay. These golden tones are rich, warm and offer a vintage and nostalgic charm. Brass pairs well with most designs, adding

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character to cabinetry, lighting, appliances and doors. Nuanced Nickel Incorporating nickel finishes throughout the home adds a sleek and contemporary feel. Often used to enhance a color scheme, nickel fixtures complement a variety of architectural styles and elevate the overall look of interior spaces ranging from kitchens to baths. Captivating Copper Copper finishes offer a warm alternative to more traditional hues. This elegant and softer option complements various color

palettes, especially those featuring neutral and earthy tones. Copper blends well with design styles that range from rustic and traditional to modern and eclectic. Two Worlds Collide Mixed finishes add depth and visual interest, creating a personalized aesthetic. In keeping with this trend, designers have stepped up their game when it comes to thinking outside of the box. From clean lines to curves to architectural details, incorporating mixed metals is an opportunity to showcase both function and style; don’t sacrifice one for the other. Pop of Color Tap into the playful side of design and add a pop of color as the vibrant focal point to a room. Infusing color brings a fresh and lively feel to interiors. Embrace personal style and choose a finish that reflects individual tastes. KN www.kitchenwarenews.com • 2024 BUYERS GUIDE • KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW

FEATURED PRODUCTS Franmara Jolie Square Spirit Decanter This square classic spirit decanter is simply beautiful. Display a bit of elegance with this lead-free crystal liquor decanter. A handsome addition for any bar. Fitted with flattened square stopper with leaf motif design. It’s 10¾ inches high, 3½ inches square and weighs 3½ pounds. Easily engraved (an additional charge) with your private mark, logo or design. The 9420 retails for around $26 or more. Franmara, Inc. has recently enlarged our spirit decanter selection, some with matching glassware. Look out for the new catalog with over 300 new products. Call or email for your free copy.

Cook Pro 4 Cup Egg Poacher This 18/10 stainless steel egg poacher with non-stick coated egg cups is perfect for preparing that Sunday brunch. Invite your friends and family over for perfectly poached eggs. Features a riveted silicone covered handle and stay cool knob, as well as a vented glass lid for easy monitoring. Built with an encapsulated base for even heat distribution. Included is a free silicone spatula to get started the day it arrives. All in one 7.5-inch lidded frypan. Cook Pro, Inc. 951.686.8282 www.cook-pro.com

Franmara 800.423.5855 www.franmara.com

Swiffer PowerMop

To add some glorious color to the kitchen, Ankarsrum has introduced its stand mixer in Coral Crush, inspired by balmy sunsets and soft florals. The peachy-pink Coral Crush is a light-hearted hue that elicits a smile and delivers a burst of color to the kitchen counter. This lively shade is intended to inspire imagination, playfulness and creativity in the kitchen. The Assistent Original is built in Sweden with high standards of quality and craftsmanship. Unlike other mixers, it has a rotating bowl instead of something rotating in a bowl. This creates a different way of kneading and treating the dough that simulates kneading by hand. The large capacity 7.3-quart bowl is open at the top, making it easy to add ingredients and see what you’re doing. Additional attachments expand the possibilities even more – for whisking, mixing, kneading, pasta making, blending, pressing, grinding, shredding, sausage stuffing and more. The Ankarsrum Assistent Original Stand Mixer is available in 14 colors: Ocean Blue, Forest Green, Olive Green, Red, Sunbeam Yellow, Royal Blue, Black Diamond, Black Chrome, Jubilee Silver, Glossy White, Creme, Creme Light, Harmony Beige and Coral Crush. The Ankarsrum Assistent Original in Coral Crush has a suggested retail price of $749.9

Swiffer has introduced its biggest innovation in 20 years with the Swiffer PowerMop – an all-in-one wet cleaning system. Cleaning with a traditional mop and bucket can be a real chore. From heating the water, filling the bucket, lugging the bucket around your home, to finally mopping your floors and waiting for them to dry, it can be both strenuous and time-consuming. The Swiffer PowerMop was designed to make mopping floors as simple, quick, easy and effective as possible, saving people time and up to 70 gallons of water a year on their regular floor cleaning routines. A breakthrough 3D Mop Pad includes 300-plus powerful scrubbing strips made up of six layers of two-sided strips to provide five times the cleaning power vs. the WetJet pad to tackle tough messes on finished floor surfaces. The 3D Mop Pad’s fibers are positioned in a looped design to provide just the right texture to entangle and capture loose soils and hair, while also allowing the PowerMop to break down tough, sticky messes with ease. A sleeker, more modern design than Swiffer WetJet boasts a 30 percent larger mop head with 360 swivel for easy maneuverability to ensure greater coverage and flexibility – to clean hard to reach spaces such as nooks, crannies and grout lines. The Swiffer PowerMop Starter Kit includes the PowerMop, one full-size bottle of Cleaning Solution and one pack of 3D Mop Pads. The PowerMop 3D Mop Pad is available in both Multi-Surface and Wood varieties.

Ankarsrum www.ankarsrum.com

Swiffer www.swiffer.com

Ankarsrum Coral Crush

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FEATURED PRODUCTS Teflon Platinum Plus Nonstick

Prodyne Bar-B-Board

Teflon™ nonstick coating systems last longer than pans with ceramic or silicone coatings and are dishwasher and metal utensil safe. Chemours ensures durability by providing a nonstick coating that is not only abrasion- and scratch-resistant, but also helps protect against adhesion and corrosion. It’s this balance of properties that keeps these nonstick coatings performing like new, year after year, so there’s little erosion to the wallet. That's because highquality Teflon coatings have been perfected over 50 years. Teflon nonstick coatings are the finest nonstick, with a variety of products to meet the variety of cooking needs. All Teflon products are quality tested to live up to the Teflon brand promise: easier cooking and cleanup, time after time. Teflon Platinum Plus nonstick is the most scratch- and abrasion-resistant Teflon branded nonstick finish to date.

Conquering the grill is effortless with Prodyne’s ingenious Bar-B-Board™, a multiuse food preparation and carry system designed to give grill masters and everyday cooks an efficient tool to prepare, season, carry and serve favorite barbecue dishes. Bar-B-Board consolidates multiple cooking tasks into a convenient grilling and everyday cooking workstation. The bottom carry tray design allows for seasoning and marinating a variety of meats and seafoods. The large top-mounted cutting board provides a prep workspace directly above the carry tray, preserving counter space. The shaped design of the cutting board incorporates side exits that allow users to easily slide prepped foods or unwanted debris into the tray below. When slicing cooked meats, the uniquely designed cutting board catches juices in the bottom tray. This year Prodyne celebrates its 50-year anniversary year manufacturing “Dynamic Designs for Good Living.” To see Prodyne’s full line of quality kitchenware, serveware and barware, visit www.prodyne.com and download the online catalog.

The Chemours Company 866.205.1664 www.chemours.com

Prodyne 800.822.4776 www.prodyne.com

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FEATURED PRODUCTS Aqua Optima Water Filtration

Smithy No. 14 Skillet From Smithey’s line of traditional skillets, the No. 14 reflects the company’s iconic cast iron skillet design, but with 14 inches of surface area to go from searing multiple cuts of steak to sautéing a dinner’s worth of vegetables. This skillet is at home wherever there is heat. From oven to grill, or stovetop to campfire rest, the No. 14 will become a go-to vessel for large quantity cooking. Complete with Smithey’s signature polished interior finish, the No. 14 when seasoned is naturally non-stick and free of chemical coatings. As with all Smithey products, the No. 14 can be engraved. Launched in May, the No. 14 retails for $250. Smithy www.smithey.com

United Kingdom-based Strix, known for its kettle safety controls and water filtration products, is expanding its foothold in the United States with the introduction of a product collection focused on its mission to Innovate safety and design for a sustainable future. Strix is deploying its world class technology into simple sustainable solutions. The expansion will unveil a number of products under its Aqua Optima brand, highlighting cost-effective water solutions. Strix is a British company whose journey dates back to the 1950s, developing temperature control flight suits for RAF pilots. Today, its technology is in an estimated 70 percent of electric kettles in the United States. Its range of heating and filtration technologies are efficient and eco-friendly, most notably the Strix True Boil technology that allows consumers to save money by filtering and heating only the water they need on demand, with accurate temperatures. Consumer awareness of water contamination issues, and the impact of single-use plastics continues to grow at a rapid rate. In line with these trends, the group will unveil a range of Perfect Pour filtered water pitchers/dispensers, an SCAA certified coffee/hot drinks machine, and more. Throughout the year, Strix will unveil innovations that offer water solutions and alternatives to single-use plastics. Aqua Optima www.aqua-optima.com

Stasher Bowls

Igloo tapped into its seven-plus decades of expertise in crafting water jugs and coolers to strategically design its Drinkware Collection with features that creatively address a variety of consumer needs while also replacing single-use water bottles and plastic cups. This assortment of bottles and tumblers is crafted with doublewalled, vacuum-insulated 304-grade stainless steel and a copper lining that provide extended cold and hot liquid temperature retention. Each style is dishwasher safe and includes one of three leakproof lids: Flip ‘n’ Sip lid, Sport Sipper lid or Twist ‘n’ Chug lid. Most are interchangeable with similar-sized bottle/tumbler rims within the collection. Igloo combines aesthetically pleasing design features that also enhance how everyone drinks. The flat surface “thumb-grabber” along the side aligns with the mouth opening on the lid, so users know where to drink from without looking. The slimline shape with a rounded bottom cap easily slides into bag pockets and fits standard cup holders (most styles). The built-in rubber coaster keeps the vessel in place (without making a sound) on hard surfaces. The integrated, low-profile handle provides an extremely convenient carry option. The Igloo Drinkware Collection comes in a variety of durable clear gloss-coated colors: white, carbonite, modern blue, spruce and flamingo.

Stasher, a leading brand of reusable silicone bags, is expanding its lineup by adding Stasher Bowls to its portfolio of premium products. This launch celebrates the company’s biggest innovation since it created the bestselling bags that reinvented the food storage category. Every bowl allows you to store, safely reheat and eat from the same bowl. The entire set easily nests without having to worry about finding the matching lid. This product was made for anyone who has tried (and failed) to pour liquids out of a regular bowl and experienced a messy result. Stasher Bowls are available in five sizes ranging from 1 cup to 8 cups and come in both clear and rainbow colors.

Igloo www.igloocoolers.com

Stasher www.stasherbag.com

Igloo Drinkware Collection

KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW • 2024 BUYERS GUIDE • www.kitchenwarenews.com