ALPHARETTA, GA – The 2012 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Chicago unveiled the newest, most innovative products of the year as the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA) Vice President John Petrie announced the eight winners who were judged on the basis of functionality, quality/durability, flexibility, aesthetics/style and innovation. Winners reflected the innovative trends present at the show by embracing new uses of technology and remaining flexible in design, accommodating multiple generations including aging-in-place homeowners and those looking to enhance the beauty and personal style of their homes.

Out of the nearly 70 entries submitted, winners were chosen by an extensive panel of senior print and television media members, including Linda Eggerss, Editor of Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Nigel Maynard, Senior Editor of Residential Architect and Builder, Eliana Barriga, Managing Editor of The Retail Observer, David Barista, Editor of Professional Builder, Professional Remodeler and Custom Builder, and Brain Pontolilo, Editor of Fine Homebuilding. KBIS attendees also had the chance to vote for their favorite product, dubbed the “People’s Choice.”

Winners included:

Best of Show: Segmented Cooktop, Bertazzoni - Bertazzoni’s new Design Series Segmented Cooktop includes three types of heat: induction, gas and electric griddle, allowing for increased cooking flexibility in the kitchen. Housed in a sleek stainless steel frame, these 36” cooktops are designed to match any style of cooking.

“The growth of urban living and multi-family housing has spurred demand for products that are extremely versatile and space efficient,” notes Barista. “This appliance offers homeowners -- especially amateur chefs -- three cooking options in a unit that is no larger than a standard cooktop.”

Best of Kitchen—Gold: ROHL Single Bowl Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink, ROHL - Handcrafted in Italy, ROHL’s single bowl Stainless Steel kitchen sinks are constructed of 16 gauge commercial stainless steel for extreme durability. With an insulating undercoat that reduces splash-back sound and a unique tangent edge, ROHL’s kitchen sinks are perfectly designed for the high-end residential market.

Best of Kitchen—Silver: Liebherr HC 1540, Almo Speciality Products - Liebherr’s fully integrated HC 1540 combines the convenience of 30” sizing with sleek, European styling and state-of-the-art performance features. The HC 1540 can be concealed behind cabinetry or stainless steel, giving homeowners the design flexibility they crave.

Best of Bath—Gold: Redi Trench, Tile Redi USA - Tile Redi’s Redi Trench combines both design and function in a customized shower pan. With endless design flexibility and a choice of tile or grate, the Redi Trench comes in any size Redi Base (52-72”) and can be placed in any location in the bathroom.

Best of Bath—Silver: Alessa Shower Base, Fleurco Products - Fleurco’s new Alessa acrylic base offers a variety of options for the bathroom. With a roomy bench that appeals to parents, people with disabilities and older generations, the Alessa base also comes with a selection of decorative drain covers that can be matched with Fleurco shower doors.

Best Green Product: MotionSense Faucets, Moen - Moen’s MotionSense hands-free kitchen faucet uses hand movements to activate water flow, saving water in between washing dishes or cooking. The faucet can be turned on using the Wave Sensor at the top, the Ready Sensor near the base that identifies when an object is placed beneath the spout, and the handle on the side for manual operation.

Best Universal Design Product: Elevance Rising Wall Bath, KOHLER - The Elevance Rising Wall bath from KOHLER offers increased accessibility and a stylish alternative to traditional walk-in baths. With an extra-wide opening, an integrated grab bar and a chairheight seat, the Elevance makes entering and leaving easier for a relaxing and safe bathing experience.

People’s Choice: U-Socket Wall Outlet, U-Socket - The U-Socket wall outlet comes with built-in USB ports that can power iPods, iPhones and iPads. Designed to replace the traditional wall outlet, U-Socket eliminates the clutter of AC adapters and offers a convenient charging solution. U-Socket has an eco-friendly design that auto-senses wattage and only outputs full power when connected to a charger.

For more information about Best of KBIS and to view images of the winners, please visit www.kbis.com/best-of-kbis.

Source: National Kitchen & Bath Association