Kitchen Tech: Slip Sliding Away
New kitchen gear slides in and out of view, giving you a sleek look where everything's still handy
One of the trends I observed at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show this year were the large number of products that slide. There were products that slide up or out to use, then slide out of sight when not in use. There were also great products with sliding components that add to their style and functionality. This Ideabook encompasses those, and others spotted at other recent trade shows.
More: Top 20 Kitchens of 2011
More: Top 20 Kitchens of 2011
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This entry is about full-overlay drawers that slide open without knobs or pulls. Blum has long been known for superior cabinet hardware, including full-extension, soft-close undermounting drawer glides and soft-close door hinges. Servo-Drive allows you to create a clean-lined, full-overlay drawer bank with no decorative hardware. A touch of the finger activates the drawer opener.
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This hood slides out from below a cabinet, where it remains unobtrusive until you need to use it. It can also be used as a stand-alone chimney-style hood. I used it in an upscale kitchen with integrated appliances to great effect.
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Salice, another premium European hardware manufacturer, introduced its Bortoluzzi Sistemi to the US market in 2011.
These heavy-duty hinges allow cabinet doors to slide open across each other, like the passenger doors on a minivan, rather than swinging out. This frees up walkway space. They offer automation, which is great for the larger, heavier doors you might want to include in a European-style kitchen.
These heavy-duty hinges allow cabinet doors to slide open across each other, like the passenger doors on a minivan, rather than swinging out. This frees up walkway space. They offer automation, which is great for the larger, heavier doors you might want to include in a European-style kitchen.
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| S-Box has introduced a series of sliding organizers. This one replaces your standard, countertop-cluttering knife block, and doesn't tie up a drawer the way a cutting center does. |
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| You're going to want your iPod handy in the kitchen to enjoy your favorite tunes while you work. Why not keep it charged and skip the ear buds at the same time? This slider brings your charging station from below the countertop to easy use with the touch of a finger. |
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| Here's a clever way to add a television to your kitchen. This set, complete with an HD-ready TV/DVD and remote control, slides up from your countertop when you want to watch — and back out of sight when you don't. |
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| This slide-up-from-the-countertop key holder adds an element of convenience to your daily routines. Keys can be stored out of sight, but within easy reach. |
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| Where to store your spices is always a kitchen planning question. This slide-up organizer adds another option. Locate it where you prep your meals for a convenient, clever way to keep your favorite seasonings organized and within finger reach. |
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| This contemporary kitchen faucet and its companion bar/prep faucet offer a unique feature: Their pull-down spray heads slide out of sight when not in use for a sleek, contemporary look not often achieved in this category. The sliding spray heads pull out via levers tucked subtly behind their graceful necks. |
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This Gaggenau induction cooktop is not yet available in the U.S. I spotted it at the LivingKitchen Show in Cologne, Germany. What gets it into this sliding Ideabook is that you can slide a pot or pan anywhere on its surface and cook there. It will even remember the settings you created in its previous position and slide them to the new location. It's planned for 2012 US release.
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One of the trends I'm really enjoying is the European-style "un-kitchen/hidden kitchen" look. Doors slide open to reveal appliances and storage. Countertops slide open to reveal sinks and retractable faucets. The kitchen shown below, by Minimal USA, is typical of its category — coming to an upscale showroom near you!
More: Kitchen Innovations Heading Our Way
Top 20 Kitchens of 2011
20 of the Coziest Kitchens Around
More: Kitchen Innovations Heading Our Way
Top 20 Kitchens of 2011
20 of the Coziest Kitchens Around
Ideabook updated on Dec. 24, 2011.
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city slick / euro design due to enormous cost of specialized hardware; at least until Ikea markets a simpler and economical alternative.
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