More than 100 people attended the grand opening for the Bath & Idea Center by Noland Co. in Falls Church, VA, on Jan. 28. Among the brands carried are American Standard, Grohe, Brizo, Delta, Moen, MTI, MAAX and Acryline. At the grand opening, the company donated $2,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C. Pictured (L-R): Monte Salsman, chief operating officer for Noland's parent company, WinWholesale (Dayton, OH);Claudia Lewis, community relations director for the charity; and YoLanda Sarraga, Bath & Idea Center manager.

Omni Corporate Services Ltd. hosted the inaugural meeting of its Luxury Products Group Jan. 28-30 in Miami, FL. Omni's membership includes more than 200 wholesalers representing 500-plus locations, of which 80% operate showrooms focusing on high-end luxury products. More than 45 vendors exhibited bath, plumbing, kitchen and decorative hardware products. The event included special interest discussion groups on topics such as transitioning from wholesale to showroom; customer service; advertising; competing with Internet sales; rotating showroom displays; and switching product lines.

Palmer Industries hired rep firm Van Landingham Marketing , Thousand Oaks, CA, to represent its luxury sink legs in Southern California, Las Vegas and Arizona. Pictured: Jim Van Landingham, president of Van Landingham Marketing, which also represents MGS Designs, Legacy Brass, Studio Italia, Valsan, Hardware Renaissance and Quick Drains.

TOTO announced the launch of a Spanish-language edition of its Web site designed to provide Hispanic consumers and kitchen and bath dealers with easy access to information about the company's eco-luxury plumbing products, programs and services. The new site can be accessed on TOTO USA's homepage by clicking the "Español" link, or log on directly.

Hansgrohe AG supplied more than 5,000 fittings for the Burj Khalifa, the 828-meter (2,716.5 feet) skyscraper, now dubbed the tallest structure in the world, that opened in Dubai Jan. 4. The wash basin mixers are from the Axor Starck luxury collection. Hansgrohe said it will be opening a subsidiary in Abu Dhabi and a new flagship store in Dubai, not far from the Burj Khalifa.

THG USA, the North American importer of luxury bath products from the house of Tetard, Haudiquez and Grisoni, has launched a luxury lifestyle Web site that provides news, tips and trends. The company envisions the site as a meeting place where customers, homeowners, designers, architects, showroom staff and the media can share information on products, installations and projects.

Digital 2010 Radiant Flooring Guide Now Available
Designed for architects, heating contractors, mechanical contractors, floor covering retailers and installers, builders, wholesalers, radiant system specifiers and homeowners, the 2010 Radiant Flooring Guide includes an updated directory of manufacturers, plus direct links to articles and advertisers' Web sites. The print version costs $15. Contact Stephanie Weingartz. Phone: 248-244-1275 or visit: www.AECstore.com.

Rinnai Corp. announced that four of its products are featured in the HGTV Dream Home 2010 located in Sandia Park, NM, including the Q205S condensing wall-mounted boiler, RC98HPi condensing tankless water heater and R75LSi tankless water heater. Also, Rinnai has been hosting a "Win a Tankless" online sweepstakes for consumers, giving away one tankless water heater each week through Feb. 19 at http://www.rinnai.us/hgtv-dream-home-2010.

Briggs Industries has launched its Maelstrom HET with Turbo 3 Flush Valve. Its powerful one-flush performance uses only 1.28 gpf. "While the EPA requires a minimum solids removal (MaP) of 350 grams for WaterSense certification, we have more than doubled that number by achieving 900 grams with the Maelstrom HET ADA/4688,"  according to Aron Simons , marketing and customer service manager at Briggs.

The WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition opened its expo hall registration Feb.17. This urban water-efficiency conference is slated for Oct. 6-8, 2010, at the South Point Hotel and Conference Center in Las Vegas.

American Standard Brands said it has committed to donating $1 million over a two-year period to The Nature Conservancy . The contribution will be used to educate consumers on more efficient water usage and fund global freshwater conservation programs.

Geberit has been named one of the Top 10 in a new study that ranks the world's most sustainable companies. Read more.

Bazzèo , which describes itself as an earth-friendly cabinet line made in the USA, added Responsible Luxury in Ojai, CA, as its marketing partner. Responsible Luxury plans to open a showroom that will showcase the Bazzeo line in early spring 2010. Bazzeo components, such as doors, drawers and panels, are manufactured using a composite material made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.

Mr. Steam unveiled its 2010 Price Book effective Feb. 1, containing the company's residential and commercial steam bath products and towel warmers. It provides pricing information, product and specification details, and also educates the user on the benefits associated with Steamtherapy and the use of Mr.Steam products.

Danfoss announced the inaugural EnVisioneer of the Year award competition. Launched at the International Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Expo in Orlando, FL, in January, the competition recognizes end users, building owners and original equipment manufacturers that exemplify the Danfoss EnVisioneering core values and have used Danfoss products to realize significant energy and environmental savings. The deadline to apply is March 31.

Al Levi and Ellen Rohr are kicking off a new teleseminar series, "Get More Calls Now," starting March 16, to help business owners looking to boost sales and create more opportunities for growth. Levi, named one of the 25 most influential contractors in the last quarter century by Plumbing & Mechanical magazine (March 2009), teaches business systems to contractors. Trade magazine columnist Rohr helps contractors keep track of the money, increase cash flow and get profitable.

Blog, Blog, Blog

'Made In America' Designation Still Carries Weight For Many Americans
by David MacNair,  InSinkErator division of Emerson Electric Co.

Why Aren't We Selling More Hot Taps?
by Don Arnold, INTERSOURCE

When A Staff Member Is Spiraling Down
by Al Levi, Appleseed Business

These are just a few of the blogs you can read and comment on at www.supplyht.com, www.pmmag.com, www.bathandkitchenpro.com and www.pmengineer.com.
Stop by and browse! We'd love to hear what you think!

Five Design Trends
 
Judd Lord, director of industrial design at Brizo, discussed design trends at a meeting of the Chicago Midwest chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association on Jan. 19, held at Banner Plumbing Supply's 15,000-sq.-ft. showroom in Buffalo Grove, IL. The event was attended by more than 130 guests. Here are the trends he identified:
 
1.      Antiquities.   This includes warm woods and framing with stainless steel or silver material. Imagine a timepiece or typesetting equipment. The style is Victorian and the texture is vintage inspired. Rivets and leathers are used. Colors include blue, cognac, tobacco gold. Example: Brizo's Tresa lav faucet.
2.     Industrial Era. This has some glamour and an Art Deco influence but relates to the Machine Age. Think exposed nailheads, deconstructed pipe. It features warmer tones - brushed nickel and bronzes - and a masculine bent. Colors include cream, grey, dusty charcoal. Example: Brizo's Vesi Channel lav faucet.
3.     Blissful Home. This trend has some pops of color and great patterns including mosaics. It is influenced by Art Nouveau and has a more stylized, ornate appearance with feminine touches. Colors include aqua, amethyst, yellows. Example: Brizo's Belo faucet.
4.     Modern Homestead. The next generation of designers is reinterpreting designs. This design trend incorporates natural wood, earthy topographical patterns, concrete, high machining. It is a celebration of the beauty in manmade items. It represents jewelry for the home and functional sculpture. Colors include sunset orange, rum raisin, silver finish, buff anthracite. Example: Brizo's Talo kitchen pull-down faucet.
5.      Modern By Nature. This includes green and contemporary products. It is a fast-growing trend that brings the senses into play. Ceramic that looks like old barn board and surfaces with modern scrollwork or simple botanical patterns reflect this trend. These designs can be asymmetric, organic, soft, with rounded corners often juxtaposed against a crisp, geometric environment. Colors include rose and gold. Example: Brizo's Floriano kitchen faucet.
 
For more information, visit www.brizo.com.

Can't wait for, or not able to obtain, the print magazine? Our Web sites provide a digital edition of each month's print issue, with all editorial and advertising content.

Amba Products offers Italian-designed towel warmers crafted from stainless steel. Additional uses for towel warmers include providing an alternative source of heat in the bathroom or helping to dry damp clothing or towels in the bathroom or laundry room. A towel warmer also can serve as a space heater and mold/mildew inhibitor in a garage or basement.  

DuPont has expanded its Corian palette for 2010, adding eight rich metallics - Aqualite, Olivite, Azurite, Silverite, Sorrel, Graylite, Bronzite, Copperite - infused with sparkling silver or gold accents; a bold, crisp Designer White; and the nature-inspired Cottage Lane featuring warm caramel, tan and clear particulates on a neutral beige background. DuPont Corian can be used for kitchen and bathroom countertops, backsplashes, wet bars, tub decks and tub and shower surrounds.

Aquatic has introduced the sleek, modern and accessible Ava bath. Its easy-transfer, automated door lowers to open and rises to close for ease of access. The bathing well is roomy and benchless so that any bather has the option to recline.  A patent-pending, quick-drain feature empties the 70-gallon tub in 30 seconds or less. The Ava will be offered in four models: soaker, whirlpool, air bath and (coming soon) an air/whirlpool.

Top Knobs unveiled seven crystal knobs featuring three distinct jewel tones to enhance cabinet doors or drawers in the kitchen or bathroom. The collection is available in sapphire blue, burgundy or clear crystal encased in a brushed satin nickel cone-shaped shell. The knobs are offered in 1-1/16 inch or 3/4-inch widths. The clear crystal is also featured in a rounded knob with polished chrome base, 1-1/8 inches wide.

blvd Products offers luxurious accessory bath products manufactured of solid brass or stainless steel, including showerheads with extremely thin profiles and installation accessories, shower arms and escutcheons. Square, round and oval showerheads are available from 10 to 20 inches in diameter, in polished chrome and stainless steel finishes.

         AEC Store Corner

2009's Popular Products For BK Pros

Kitchen and Bath Laminate Countertops DVD $19.95
This 45-minute video provides installation shortcuts for a professional countertop job. Learn more.

Glass Tile Inspirations For Kitchens And Baths $29.95
View 205 color photos showing high-performance glass tiles both close-up and installed for walls, countertops and floor coverings in kitchens and baths. Read more.

College of Product Knowledge CD - NOW $89.85
This highly acclaimed product training series is ideal for wholesalers, manufacturers, agents, designers, contractors, technicians, engineers, architects and other pros.

More on this.

Granite Countertop Fabrication & Installation DVD $42.99
Alpha Professional Tools offers a step-by-step DVD that covers all phases of production including purchasing materials, fabrication techniques, installation and presentation to your client. Read more.

Visit AECStore.com to view all of our technical resources, CDs and DVDs.