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GENERAL NEWS 8 KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW n NOVEMBER 2015 n www.kitchenwarenews.com the world's best design minds, selected the finalists f rom among 1,500 international submissions across 14 categories. The Sabi Space line has also received previous acclaim as the 2014 ICFF Editors Award Winner for Kitchen and Bath, and was most recently selected as a nominee in the Designs of The Year Awards, product category, by London's Design Museum. The acquisition of the bathroom and kitchen range further increases Urbio's market share in the home organization market, by adding yet another award- winning line of accessories to its portfolio of solutions for small spaces. "Welcoming this range of products, now called Sabi by Urbio, into the Urbio family was a natural Urbio Inc. Acquires Sabi Space Urbio® Inc., the creators of both Urbio and Perch by Urbio, the award winning organizational solutions for small-space living, announced its acquisition of Sabi Space f rom Sabi Inc., a company specializing in the redesign of everyday products that make individuals' lives easier. Sabi Space, a finalist in Fast Company's 2015 Innovation By Design Awards, consists of 12 bathroom and kitchen accessories that are incredibly easy to install and create a f resh solution for any bathroom or kitchen storage or organizational challenge. The Innovation by Design Awards program honors only the most innovative and disruptive design solutions. This year's panel, comprised of premium, high performance option for this very common footprint." According to Maynard, downdraft ventilation is appreciated by both consumers and designers alike for its performance and aesthetic benefits. Downdraft ventilation, with its location on the cooktop rather than above it, immediately whisks away smoke, steam and cooking odors at the cooking surface before they escape into the kitchen. Additionally, notes Maynard, downdraft ventilation eliminates the need for overhead ventilation, allowing for the uninterrupted sight lines popular in today's modern, open kitchen designs. New dual-fuel downdraft range models feature cooking surfaces with four brass burners, including a 17,000 BTU Dual- Stacked PowerBurner offering the control and flexibility to immediately transition from a high-heat sear to a delicate simmer. The PowerBurner is complemented by Jenn-Air Introduces its First Duct-Free Downdraft Range Collection Jenn-Air is introducing a 30-inch range with downdraft ventilation that also features its first-ever option for duct-f ree range installation. W ith a full-depth design that easily installs seamlessly into a standard opening, these elegantly designed ranges keep both air and sight lines clear. Available in dual fuel and electric models that can either be vented outside or utilize the duct-f ree option that doesn't require exterior duct work, they join a recently introduced collection of 30-inch updraft range models. "For the first time, exterior ducting issues will not limit the choices of those who have a standard 30-inch space and prefer the high performance downdraft ventilation our brand offers," notes Jenn- Air Marketing Director Brian Maynard. " W hether the challenge is a high-rise environment that prohibits this choice, or simply a homeowner not wanting to install exterior duct-work, these ranges offer a 15,000-and 9,200-BTU burners, together with a 5,000 BTU simmer burner. An included aluminum die-cast griddle offers the convenience of a broad flat surface to handle everything f rom cooking bacon and pancakes to searing shrimp. DuraFinish™ Protection on these models helps keeps the stainless steel surface looking like new. Cooking surfaces on the electric range models feature four radiant elements including a Dual Zone Element that can reach a searing 3,000 watts while accommodating various sized cookware. Additional elements include a Rapid Boil Element; a 1,200-watt 6-inch Element; and a Melt Element that helps prevent scorching of more delicate ingredients like chocolate and butter. With a generous 6.2-cubic foot baking capacity, both new range options feature ovens with a 3,200 Watt true convection element that distributes heated air throughout the oven cavity for temperature consistency. An Auto Convection Conversion quickly converts traditional cooking times and temperatures. Other powerful oven elements in the ovens include a 3,600-Watt Hidden Bake Element and a 4,000-Watt Broil Element. Additional features throughout the line include soft-close oven doors and ramp up theater lighting. Easily maneuverable telescoping glide racks in the ovens extend out smoothly and provide easy access when removing or checking on dishes in progress. An offset rack provides further flexibility for items in the oven. Both new models are now available in Euro-Style stainless steel featuring sleek, slightly cur ved handles or in Black Floating glass with a color-coordinated handle. The dual-fuel model is also available in Pro-Style® stainless, offering a more commercial look and a handle designed with diamond etching. KN Project Manager of Mission Kitchen and Bath. "Ever ything f rom handling appetizers to wine tasting is so much better and easier since you don't need a formal living room any more." According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the second most common leisure activity for Americans between 2003 – 2014 was socializing – visiting with friends and either attending or hosting parties in the home. The emergence of the "kitchen hearth room," is now making the idea of a separate family room in which to entertain guests as obsolete, says Lang The inclusion of a large island in a kitchen eliminates unnecessary foot traffic, establishes an openness in the home and helps pull two rooms together for a larger, more inclusive social hub. "A typical party I've seen has about three or four couples, and an open kitchen offers enough room for about eight people comfortably," says Lang. Cabinetry and kitchen design go hand- in-hand at Mission Kitchen and Bath and its owner, Al Felman, knows how Everything and the Kitchen Sink BY RICHARD THOMPSON Social kitchens are finding a permanent place in the hearts of American consumers as Millenials, professionals and foodies want more experiential cooking occasions at home. Once relegated to a corner of the house where the chore of cooking took place, open-floor kitchen designs have reemerged as more consumers have become comfortable with making the kitchen a social hub that accommodates parties, enables multiple cooks and fosters more communicative socialization, according to the 2005 study by the Housing Education Research Association, "Kitchen Activities of Twenty-First Centur y American Households." Recently, as more consumers – Millenials in particular – have shifted to see food as not just fuel, but as an experience, the desire to embrace the foodie lifestyle of hosting dinner parties and trying new types of foods has made the need for a social kitchen more mainstream. "It's great to have an open kitchen plan," says Sonya Lang, Lead Designer and important it is for consumers to understand the costs and benefits of having an open- plan kitchen. As a certified kitchen and bath re-modeler with over 20 years experience, Felman recognizes that the kitchen is a gathering place. "It comes down to how you want to use a kitchen," he says. "Someone who doesn't entertain much wants to maximize storage solutions and preparatory space while those wanting a 'party kitchen' find minimizing storage and prep space more beneficial." Felman explains that a standard design consists of a seating area, a small overhang and an island or a peninsula for at least six people to sit around and eat. For a proper open kitchen, it would be unusual for a sitting area not to be factored in. Nowadays though, understanding just what can help make a kitchen more open makes all the difference between creating a sense of openness versus one of chaos, according to a recent study by ConsumerReports.com. By being able to visually integrate the kitchen into the rest of the home, such as by repeating a hue from a connecting room onto kitchen walls or counter tops establishes a continuity between the rooms. "Even widening a door way or keeping consistent hard flooring helps keep an openness in the plan that makes it seem all-in-one," says Lang. Since casual dining is integral to the social kitchen, built-in banquettes are making a strong comeback as are islands – with between 42 and 48 inches of clearance on all sides – that allow people to both sit and relax while not getting in the way of the helpful cook that is preparing meals for them. This inclusion is central to new home buyers as a 2013 sur vey by the National Association of Realtors found that an eat-in kitchen was one of the most desired features for future homeowners. A strong trait of a proficient social kitchen also keeps placement of beverage and snack stations in the fore-f ront edge of the kitchen, and can take the form of a wet bar, wine chiller or a coffeemaker – or, for kids, a snack and juice area. KN fit as both companies aim to solve the small space organizational dilemma, and it 's crystal clear that we share a similar design DNA," said Urbio's CEO Merrick Rosner. Sabi by Urbio will serve as the latest chapter in Urbio's product line stor y, moving into another room in one's life. Unlike traditional bathroom and kitchen collections, Sabi by Urbio utilizes modern materials, colors, clean lines and soft edges for a sleek and contemporary look, while also providing ease of installation and great organization. Sabi by Urbio is now available on myurbio.com and has plans to make brick and mortar appearances as early as January 2016. KN JURA Moves Headquarters JURA has moved to a new headquarters with more than twice the space of its previous location, reflecting the company's growth and plans for future expansion. The new space includes a showroom, meeting facilities and a full test kitchen. The company's US-based customer service department, which handles all inquires on JURA and Capresso brands, has also moved to the new location. The new address is: JURA, Inc. 20 Craig Road Montvale, NJ 07645 The JURA phone, 201.767.3999, remains the same. For more information, visit www.jura.com. KN

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