Quality and fashion in a trendy blend. Franke makes some beautiful new additions to its faucet family.

According to an NKBA Survey this year, preferences for kitchen styles have dropped from 77% traditional in 2010 to only 60% traditional in 2013. Looks like we are all becoming more modern in our taste and looking to streamline a dated look into a cleaner more contemporary feeling. This year,  a leap to  69% in favor of transitional styling has swept away the notion that traditional will always be dominant. Satin nickel finishes are also increasing in popularity and subtle matte finishes that exude a quiet elegance are on the rise.

Take a peek at the new FF2400/ FFBP2400 faucets —-I just love the long elegant handle and the sprayhead is metal not plastic (pretty rare these days…!)

You can also take a look at the official press release distributed earlier this week by visiting frankeksd.com.

 Melissa Evans
 Franke Kitchen Systems- Luxury Products Group
 Product Manager

Franke Kitchen Systems in the US launched instructional ‘how-to’ videos to give the customer an easy visual demonstration on how to replace their Franke filtration cartridge, upgrade their Franke filtration service kit, simply add new sound pads to a Franke sink and more!

The excitement and wait surrounding the launch of the videos to enhance Franke customer service experience has been well worth it and proven very effective.

Customer Service representative, Steven Weissflog has done an awesome job for Franke using his technical expertise in providing these step-by-step demonstrations.

“These videos have been great tool for our department and our customers! Customers have been so pleased to have easy access to these online tools,” comments Nancy Ehly, Customer Service Representative at Franke in Hatfield, PA.

The videos were just launched in March of this year and have already received a combined total of 645 views with more coming in every day!

Did you know Franke recommends that you replace your filter cartridge at least every six months? This will ensure that your system maintains optimum performance and your water continues to taste great.

If you need some help on HOW to replace your cartridge, just check out these videos!

Mother’s Day is only 4 days away and your still not sure what to do!? A lot of us may be in the same boat…I’m here to share easy, simple solutions to make your Mom happy this Mother’s Day right from her own kitchen.

I’ve visited various blogs to find some of my favorite suggestions – pick and choose which are best for you and you’ll be sure to put a smile on your Mom’s face this Sunday!

While we know most Mom’s would love a completely new kitchen, with only 4 days left, some of us may have to think of something quick.

(Find this beautiful kitchen design shared via Calypso in The Country blog and bhg.com.)

From SheKnows.com

Clean your mom’s house –

Does your mom have chores that she just hates to do? If your mother dreads cleaning out the closet or scrubbing the bathroom, head to her house and start cleaning. Allow your mom to relax on the couch while you do the cleaning on Mother’s Day. If you hate cleaning too, spring for a maid for the day!

~ Don’t forget the kitchen! Your kitchen can capture the most germs in your house – help your Mom steer clear of this by pampering her with a clean kitchen! ~

To find out more about the products in this kitchen, visit frankeksd.com .

Cook a week’s worth of meal for your mom

Give your mom a break from the kitchen by cooking a week’s worth of dinners. Make simple meals like casseroles and pasta, then package them up and place in the freezer. Throughout the week, your mother will just have to defrost and heat them up.

~ Or…why not cook WIITH her!? Mom’s love time with their kids, this could be a great time to reminisce about your younger days and all the fun times you had together! ~

Just looking for a unique gift idea? With “ the latest trend in residential gardening making its way into the kitchen”, give your Mom the convenience of having a herb garden within arms reach! Take a look at this free standing vertical planter by Willams-Sonoma.

Are you cooking up anything special for your Mom this Mother’s Day? Are you using your kitchen or hers!? We would love to hear your stories…please share with comments on our blog!

 Krista Rivers
 Franke Kitchen Systems
 Marketing Service Coordinator

Franke is excited to be a part of Davis & Warshow’s grand opening event in Mt. Kisco, NY.

The evening will surely be pleasing to the eye and even provide rest and relaxation with mini spa treatments, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and prizes from Beauty by Amanda Birch, Bellava MedAesthetics & Spa, Spa Chiara and Massage Envy.

This newly expanded and renovated showroom provides kitchen and bath solutions and professional services to ensure that every project meets – or exceeds – your vision.

“Whether you’re an individual homeowner searching for the perfect faucet, or a real estate professional planning an entire complex, Davis & Warshow can support you with expert council, unparalleled selection and matchless service.” www.daviswarshowny.com

Below is just a sneak peak at the Franke products you will see on display…


Shown left to right above: Franke Professional Series sink, PSX1103010 and FFP1000 pull out faucet in chrome. FF7080 bridge faucet in satin nickel and FHF260 faucet in old world bronze.

If you’re in the area, I can’t think of one reason why not to check it out! The event begins at 6:00pm, Thursday May 2nd and doors close at 8:00p.m.

Bilotta Kitchens recently shared a kitchen design with the words, ‘Welcome Spring in Your Kitchen!’.

A quick glance at this kitchen and one would think, ‘how appropriate for the season with its soft spring green tones!’ A closer look and you begin to realize, this kitchen by designer, Randy O’Kane of Bilotta Kitchens, maximizes this kitchen space with extreme efficiency and…icing on the cake!? She uses two Franke sinks. The layout of this kitchen can surely handle big family gatherings!

“It’s open, it’s friendly, and we can have 22 people in the kitchen without feeling crowded,” says Nadine Bilotta, proud owner of this U-shaped kitchen layout.

 
Including ‘his and hers’ sinks -  Jim Bilotta is a leftie, Nadine is a rightie. One sink has the faucet at the far left corner, the other at the right, so the couple could cook and clean up together.

After seeing these photos, I wanted to share some other Spring Kitchen Ideas/designs that caught my eye!

This light and airy kitchen was designed by Jodi Macklin, shared by House Beautiful with an article on ‘Kitchen Color Ideas for Spring.’

Bring in Spring with potted plants and herbs… Franke Fireclay sink by Villeroy & Boch in white adds to the crisp color combination in this kitchen.

‘Beautiful, Spring Inspired Rooms’ - by HouseBeautiful.com - shares a kitchen design by Dionne Trifro with robin-egg blue cabinetry and green glass tiles, making standing in the kitchen feel like the first day of spring! Cabinetry by Smallbone of Devizes; appliances by SubZero and Wolf.

For more Spring Kitchen ideas follow our Pinterest board, Spring Kitchen Design Ideas!

Tell me, do you have a favorite ‘Spring’ inspired kitchen? Please send us a link to your photo for consideration, and I would be happy to share to Franke’s Pinterest board.

 Krista Rivers
 Franke Kitchen Systems
 Marketing Service Coordinator

The 2013 Architectural Digest Home Design Show brought designers, architects, high end consumers and media friends into Franke’s booth again this year, despite the chilly weather!

Before the show began, a lot of buzz had already started for both Franke and International Stone Collections. To see video and the full the press release on this story, please click here.

In the above photo you can see a snapshot of the steps taken just to display this work of art in the Franke booth. I am very excited to be able to share that the image of the Polyedro was showcased in Times Square right before the big event!

Attendees were in awe over the design and many asked if International Stone Collections and/or Franke intend to sell the piece or what the plan is for this unique design. The piece will literally makes it’s way around the world…stay tuned for all the details later this year.

The design of the new faucets in the booth were very well received and will be launching in the next few weeks. Please make sure to check out our Facebook page for the updates on the launch. In discussions with on-lookers from the show, there is a lot of feedback on a trending faucet finish being satin nickel.

Franke Product Manager, Melissa Evans, comments “Stainless steel appliances have become hugely popular and the finish most closely matching this is satin nickel. This finish is also an upscale look from the more common chrome.”

The matte black Franke Fireclay sink by Villeroy and Boch was a favorite. When you stop to think about having a black sink in your kitchen design, it might seem improbable until you actually see how beautiful the matte black finish looks in reality. Designers and consumers alike kept commenting, ‘I want this in my kitchen!’.

Above was the entry way to the DIFFA’S Dining by Design area - here the creativity overflowed with 40+ one-of-a-kind dining environments that inspired.

The crowd at the event was one to be admired - after anticipation mounted in the past several weeks, all were excited to be able to explore every aspect of the show. Franke was happy to be part of such a successful 2013 event.

  Krista Rivers
  Franke Kitchen Systems
  Marketing Service Coordinator

See this faucet and more in Franke Booth #383 at the…

Today is the day all Franke fans can enter to win Franke’s gorgeous designer bridge faucet, FF6000. The winner will have a choice of finish: Polished Chrome, Old World Bronze, Polished Nickel or Satin Nickel. Although the faucet will be showcased in Franke booth #383 with access to the entry form at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show THIS week - we wanted to make sure all of our fans had the opportunity to win!

You can also see this faucet installed in Colour Expert, Maria Killiam’s kitchen!

Pictured in this photo with the FF6000 faucet in chrome is Franke Oceania sink, OXX110, with Franke integral ledge and custom shelf grid.

Good luck to all those who enter! Please access the ENTRY FORM here!

Entries are only valid March 21 to 24, 2013. Final entries will be taken Sunday, March 24th at 6pm.

The winner will be announced Wednesday, March 27, 2013.

  Krista Rivers
  Franke Kitchen Systems
  Marketing Service Coordinator

Franke & International Stone Collections Makes its Debut!…

A project collaboration that began in March of 2012 is finally ready to unveil at this years’ Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2013. Watch the video to see how this magnificent piece of art was developed from Franke’s Polyedro sink at its core! For the full story, visit modenus.com.

See it live in our Franke booth, #383 during the show - we looking forward to seeing all the activity surrounding this magnificent piece!

Also, don’t foret to check out International Stone Collection’s website: http://intlstone.co/

Franke, a member of the NKBA® (National Kitchen & Bath Association) is proud to be a sponsor of the 2013 NKBA Kitchen Planning Book.

The NKBA® has over 60,000 members across the United States and Canada, representing manufacturers, cabinet shops, designers, dealers, builders, remodelers, multi-branch retailers, distributors, fabricators, installers, manufacturers’ representatives, and the like.  NKBA has led the kitchen and bath industry for 50 years and is the proud owner of the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS®). 

As a member of the NKBA, Franke Kitchen Systems couldn’t be more happy to be able to support their mission to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices, and provide leadership direction for the kitchen and bath industry worldwide.

Education in an extremely important element and a key to success in the industry, so why not show support for one of the most widely recognized Kitchen organizations?

Representing the definitive knowledge and professional experience of leading authorities, the nine volumes of the NKBA’s Professional Resource Library make up the core body of knowledge for the kitchen and bath industry and are required for NKBA certification.  The full library will be published and marketed to students, educators, professionals and consumers and sold through the NKBA at KBIS, Barnes & Noble, regional bookstores and many other outlets worldwide.

The Kitchen Planning volume is an essential learning and reference tool for anyone in the kitchen field.  It contains everything a professional needs to know to design kitchens that are convenient, functional, and efficient, and that meet the needs of today’s lifestyles.

Authors of the book include Julia Beamish, CKE, Kathleen Parrott, CKE, and JoAnn Emmel, with Mary Jo Peterson, CKD, CBD, CAPS.

~ Post by Krista Rivers, Marketing Services Coorindator - Franke Kitchen Systems in conjunction with Susan Wheeler, NKBA Representative. ~

Think about it – where you do spend most of your time in your kitchen? You prep, clean, wash hands, drain pasta, place dishes, entertain, etc, etc…all while standing at your sink! When most of your time in the kitchen is spent around the kitchen sink, Franke couldn’t agree more with what interior designers are saying on Yahoo Homes.

Adding a stylish sink can drastically change the look of your kitchen. So what will be trending in 2013? Fies says the answer is deep bowl sinks.

“Deep bowls are still the rage,” he says. “Although there are endless possibilities with today’s sinks, our homeowners want large, deep sinks to accommodate their larger pots and pans. The debate between single or double bowl is still in full effect, but we tend to see homeowners choosing the one bowl option.”

After you’ve decided on the style, the next thing to consider is the material of the sink. And in terms of what will be trending for 2013, New York, interior designer, Cami Weinstein believes stainless steel sinks will be hot due to their durability and flexibility.

“They just look great for a very long time and work with both modern and traditional cabinetry,” he says.

To read more on what design experts are dishing up as the seven most popular kitchen remodeling trends for 2013, visit YahooHomes.