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Function and Fashion Combine in the Home (WMS) - In the name of efficiency, fashion is turning to function. Throughout the home, simplistic design and open spaces have become popular. In many cases, this translates to products and equipment with a commercial look and materials that are easy on the eye and easy to maintain, like stainless steel. Nowhere is that focus more evident than in the kitchen. Industrial carts and open shelving are popular storage options. Commercial and commercial-look appliances are prized as much for their appearance as for their performance. To wash the oversized cookware used on their commercial-sized ranges, consumers now have the option of extra deep, oversized sinks, like the one showcased in an upscale, residential kitchen setting by Elkay, the largest manufacturer of stainless steel sinks, at the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show. Complete with three bowls, double drainboards and an 8-inch high backsplash, the impressive 8-foot-long sink was a dramatic focal point in the kitchen vignette. The use of commercial products to solve residential needs was a dominant theme at the Elkay exhibit. A mud room vignette featured a stainless steel floor sink -- the large type typically found in a janitor's closet -- paired with a long, flexible pre-rinse faucet to create a convenient dog wash, or a place to hose down sandy feet or muddy gardening clogs. In another adaptation of commercial practicality, a drinking fountain recessed into a countertop just inside the back door offered a fun and refreshing thirst solution for sending active children back to play without going all the way into the kitchen. "The commercial look, which got its foothold in the kitchen, is creeping into other areas of the household," says Alan Danenberg, Elkay director of marketing services. "Consumers are looking for solutions. They don't care if a product was designed for a restaurant or a school; if it meets their individual needs, it's right for them." Stainless steel itself offers practical advantages. It won't rust. It can't be burned and it won't absorb the dyes and colors from foods or other sources. On a day-to-day basis, the only maintenance necessary is to rinse after use. To maintain maximum shine, resist leaving wet sponges, dishwashing cloths, cleaning pads and liquid detergents on the surface. Like many metallic surfaces, stainless steel will scratch, but these scratches will blend into the overall finish over time. For more information or to find an Elkay showroom in your area, visit the company Web site at www.elkay.com
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larger view. Local Resources Visit our local resource center for links to Home & Garden services in your area. To advertise your business here, contact the SentinelSource Design Team by email or phone 603-352-1234, ext. 290 |
