“Our showrooms have beautifully appointed viewing rooms where we present designs, illustrate estimates and view video clips from various television programs that have featured NYKB,” reports Ted Pratt, marketing director for NYKB. “This comfortable and informative environment helps customers make informed choices and helps demonstrate NYKB’s expertise in full-service kitchen and bath renovation.”

Reporter Shazia Khan interviewed a host of NYKB designers for the story. More on kitchens: “Back then you used to just use island for prep area, these days you are actually putting appliances in your island. You can put a cook top, you can put an oven, a wine cooler,” says Mairav Gargano of New York Kitchen and Bath.

Hood design has also reached new heights over the past few years. You now have the option to downsize or even hide your hood.

“For clients who want an integrated hood, this is a great feature,” says New York Kitchen and Bath interior designer Ali Swidler, demonstrating a hood that slides out from a glass panel. “It covers the cooking surface and you can’t really see it. It’s hidden in the cabinet.”

This is from NY1’s bathroom segment: “The new trend in the toilet bowls is the tank being hidden in the wall – it’s like the tankless look,” says New York Kitchen and Bath interior designer Steve Babus. “So that the toilet looks more like a furniture piece and it’s really trendy in these open floor plans of bathrooms. The concept here is that the button for the flusher is mounted basically on a tile, but in this case you know we are showing the internal view of it and you would just see the bowl itself separate, so it’s like a free-standing piece.”

Special thanks to NY1’s Shazia Khan, whose professionalism and kindness put the whole showroom at ease.   

Steve Babus, a designer at New York Kitchen & Bath, recommends removing old metal hampers because their narrow configuration can make them difficult to use. “It’s a great concept, but it’s only so deep and it’s very hard to get things in and out of there,” he said. “No one’s come up with anything really modern that works in that space.”

Mr. Babus prefers to replace hampers with custom recessed cabinets. The added space should let you clean out your existing vanity, where you can hide a laundry basket like Umbra’s Crunch can, above ($21 to $26.50, from 800-387-5122 or umbra.com), which can be adjusted in height.

New York Kitchen & Bath (800-780-8700 or nykb.com) will build a custom cabinet for a hole occupied by a hamper for about $800. The company can also increase the height of the hole to fit a larger cabinet for a total cost of between $1,500 and $2,000.

For those who have pedestal sinks or are looking for a more sophisticated solution, Mr. Babus suggests borrowing space from an adjoining closet and installing a recessed linen tower with a pull-out hamper basket. “It’s not a huge remodeling thing,” he said. “You basically cut a hole and slide the linen tower in. We do that a lot. You lose a bit of closet space, but most of the time people are using that closet for their linens anyway.” The cost, he said, is about $1,800.

It’s a cinch for pros like Steve and other designers at NYKB.

… To simplify the work processes in the kitchen, it’s important to be cognizant of the value of energy management. Each person has a finite amount of energy depending on physical heritage, age and general health. Minimizing the efforts needed to cook in the new room is possible if you are familiar with the research and ask the right questions when you first interview your client.

Designing expressly for a client’s needs.  That’s a key ingredient in creating a happy customer base. 

On Monday, October 29th, Mairav became a mother for the first time, giving birth to Alessia.  Both mother and child are doing well and everyone at NYKB sends Mairav the very best.

NYKB officially recognized National Kitchen and Bath Month with a press release, put out today.  We’ll put up a link later.  It touches on a few industry pointers that consumers should think about when mulling over the prospect of home renovation.

Okay, thanks, bye now - it’s Geoffrey’s birthday today!  Geoffrey is a talented designer, popular with clients and co-workers alike.  Come into NYKB anytime and wish him a Happy Birthday - (or check him out on WNBC’s Open House New York) 

One product Holly raves about is the 24″ Bertazzoni Professional Series Gas Range. This appliance, as any NYKB designer can attest to, is hot in new New York City kitchens right now. A small high-performance range, the 24″ has all the craftsmanship of the larger models in the Bertazzoni Professional Series.  From Bertazzoni’s website: “[It has] four burners including a triple-ring high-efficiency burner and gas oven with gas broiler. The 15,000 BTU triple-ring high efficiency burner makes this model a top performer. A matching 24” professional range hood and backsplash are also available.”  Perfect for the space conscious Manhattan apartment dweller who loves to cook, isn’t it?   

These gas ranges come in a variety of colors. Holly tells us that stainless steel is very popular right now, but Bertazzoni did not forget those who prefer something bolder, such as strong blues, reds, or yellows. There are beautiful models on display in Gringer’s E. 2nd St. showroom.  A trip would be well worth checking out. Thanks Holly!

Not all good things last; there’s only one remaining unsold kitchen in NYKB’s Kitchen Display Sale.  Just one.  Five whole kitchens were snapped up in less than five weeks.  Why?  Well, not only are they all gorgeous and professionally designed, but they are priced at 25% of their retail price - in order to make room for a wholenew kitchen display.  Unreal.  Well, here are the specs on the final kitchen: 

Maistri White & Brown Lacquer Kitchen

- Maistri cabinetry display

- Gaggenau cooktop and hood

- Entire island includes L-shaped wenge dining counter, legs, and chairs

- White Silestone countertop (includes island)

- Franke double-bowl sink & faucet