KBIS!

Greetings from KBIS (or Kitchen & Bath Industry Show for those of you not in the know)! What a great excuse to be in one of my favorite cities, Chicago.

But fear not, I have not just been eating hot dogs and hitting Cubs games - I actually spent quite a bit of time at the show this morning, starting with an 8:15 presentation at Delta by Universal Design specialist Mary Jo Peterson (thank you @charliekkendo)

Mary Jo reiterated that universal design is a winning combination of beauty and function that enhances living and benefits all. This is always a good reminder for me - while I'm often concentrating on Steve and trying to aid in his eventual independence, there are 4 other family members living in the household and the design needs to both work and enhance their lives as well.

Delta had some great new products that will be released this year. Here are a few of the highlights:

• The Zero Threshold Shower Bases: available in 63x39" and 39X39, you can still have a gorgeous tiled shower with an easy to maintain, slip resistant base and, as advertised, zero threshold. (For those of us who don't want to clean grout, they also make acrylic shower walls that comes as a 3 piece set along with grab bars and shelving)
• The 60" transfer tub : I had a previous post about parents complaining of back and knee pain while bathing their children (remember the fire truck bath?!) - well here is another solution that also benefits a full spectrum of people. The transfer area can be used by caregivers, or by the bather who wants to access the tub safely or from a wheelchair. There is also a removable bench and built in handles from which the bather can use to hoist themselves out of the tub.

• Handshowers with 8 spray combination, that include a pause button!
• Brizo's Smart Touch Faucets - Almost like a motion sensor, the faucets begin operating by a touch rather than a lever. They also have an auto off should they be activated by mistake or forgotten.

The floor is really vibrant and high energy and little old exhausted me needed to take the afternoon off! Didn't make it back at 5 for Jenn Air cocktails, but did make it to their booth earlier today to see the amazing ductless downdraft ventilation for island cooktops. Sick of stainless? They now make products in an Oiled Bronze finish and it's GORGEOUS!!!