Ann Sacks showed 3 new tile collections at KBIS, all of them fantabulous. Perennial, Beau Monde, and Robert Kuo carved stone collections are viewable at:
The rose mosaic pattern in Beau Monde can be customized to any color palette (as long as the natural stone exists) and is truly beautiful. All of the patterns in these collections take tile into a different dimension- they are art, worthy of standing alone. But think about using them in your bath!
The real estate market is in a much different place than it was a couple of years ago- Kim Wong of @ Properties (www.CantGoWong.com) says some people are trying to figure out if the market has bottomed. I’m not a realtor but I think that trying to time the market is very tricky- difficult or impossible, with stocks or real estate.
I’ve always been an advocate of buying a place with potential and adding value through remodeling- and with this strategy it doesn’t matter if the market is at its very bottom. Because you add value, (strategically, of course, where the future buyer wants the improvements and so is willing pay you for them) getting the property at the very bottom isn’t as critical- the price when you sell will be higher.
The bonus is that you get to live in a home remodeling the way you want it- and you can sell faster, too.
Armstrong and others are showing interesting organic materials and textures imbedded in acrylic panels, which can be used as innovative window treatment, privacy screens, room or shower dividers, decorative accents or panels- anywhere. Check out their web link and the photos at http://www.armstrong.com/resclgam/na/ceilings/en/us/definitions.html?cid=us2defn
More looks from the show:
Walker Zanger’s booth was a knockout, with global traditions, updated with a modern aesthetic: “Sonja” made me and my client stop, ooh, and aah. It’s being made in Tunesia, is from a traditional design, and immaculately executed. It looks like a million bucks, and listing at $400 per square foot, it should- but again, WOW! www.walkerzanger.com
Lasco Bathware has developed an audio product- speakers mounted to the unseen side of their acrylic tubs and showers, make the bathware itself transmit the sound. Even with your head under water, the sound is clear. www.lascobathware.com
On a similar vein, Kohler has Sound Tiles, which are chrome squares the size of tiles (4-1/4″) delivering, not water, but sound! Of course, Kohler also has products are available in that same line to deliver body sprays, etc, allowing a fully matched shower. Sound delivery is especially important in steam showers- since the shower door is vapor proof, which prevents sound getting in there. Something I overlooked at my house- don’t make the same mistake! www.kohler.com
