ATLANTA – At the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), which was held at Chicago’s McCormick Place from April 24-26, 2012, visitors to Amerock’s space were able to gain insights into the company’s extended portfolio of decorative and functional hardware, as well as learn about the latest design trends from one of the area’s most popular local designers. Amerock enlisted Chicago-based, celebrity designer Erik Kolacz to share his hottest tips with visitors and add his unique design perspective to the company’s displays at the show. Kolacz created a customized kitchen and bath vignette with swappable hardware options to showcase the dramatic impact decorative hardware can create – as it is a key style element in any room.

Kolacz gained national recognition when he was featured on season one of “Top Design,” Bravo TV’s reality competition that showcases talented interior designers from across the country. Originally from Indiana, Kolacz moved to Chicago in 2000 to pursue design full time, eventually striking out on his own and co-founding Contrast Design Group. Along with “Top Design,” Kolacz has been an on-camera design consultant for shows such as Lou Manfredini’s “House Smarts” and WGN’s “Bring It Home.”

Within Amerock’s KBIS booth, visitors were able to view Kolacz’s eye-catching hardware pairings. In his bath vignette, Kolacz showcased a mixed finish design, with the rich tones of grass cloth covered walls contrasting with the light green stain of the cabinetry. With the kitchen display, Kolacz expressed the urban experience by using sleek finishes, and created a sense of warmth through items such as hand finished glass and soft walnut cabinets. In addition, Kolacz worked to design spaces with the bold, daring look often admired by guests by utilizing larger scale elements and matching those with oversized cabinet hardware to create a sense of balance in the room.

“As a designer, my job is to inspire,” noted Kolacz. “Through the contrasting styles of the bath and kitchen vignettes that I designed, we were able to compare the range of the Amerock hardware to find beautiful, yet unexpected combinations that pushed us beyond our comfort zones to truly reflect a unique sense of style and bring the room to life,” continuedKolacz.

“We were thrilled to partner with such a well-known Chicago designer, and Erik was able to provide our visitors with insightful tips and trends for designing any space,” stated Katie Hindman, Amerock Brand Manager. “Also, Erik’s vignettes with swappable hardware highlighted how hardware can completely change the look and feel of a room while showcasing one’s individual style.”

Amerock markets decorative hardware solutions that inspire, coordinate and help express personal style. For the kitchen, bathroom and the rest of the home, with a variety of finishes and designs for all decorating tastes, Amerock is the ultimate, time-tested source for hardware needs. Founded in 1929, Amerock is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with a distribution facility in Freeport, Illinois. Amerock markets products in four categories: decorative cabinet hardware, bath hardware, decorative hooks, and functional cabinet hardware. For additional information on the company, visit the company website at www.amerock.com or call (800) 435-6959. For media inquiries, contact Maureen Brennan at (312) 946-6075 or e-mail at [email protected].

Source: Amerock