March 2010

Here’s what’s on my radar after a recent spin (OK, make that trend-seeking triathlon) around the International Home and Housewares Show. Purple royally ruled the runways and furnishing forecasts last season; now it’s trying on housewares. Fav execution? Le Creuset’s enamel cast iron and utensils in Cassis and their Lilac and Violet stoneware counterparts. Aluminum frying pans sporting anchors, Union Jack and bright finishes on their meant-to-be-seen bottoms were swoon-worthy! For the kitchen sophisticate, go for shimmery mineral tones sure to match countertop and tile trends. Two examples: Kitchenaid’s Artisan Series mixer in lush metallic and Farberware’s pots and pans in black and bronze with a hint of glimmer. Wesco’s breadbox and knifeblock in New Silver looked retro-fabulous. Garbage cans got the treatment in prints from The Macbeth Collection; keep an eye out for their new line (we heard The Container Store chain is a fan). Loved their chic prints on shower curtains—even tub mats! On the cleaning scene, I’d like the mini Mint automatic floor cleaner to come dust and mop my hardwood floors. Even germophobes can delight in high design with touch-free paper towel dispensers from Clean Cut and iTouchless. If the person who swiped the Pantone color-sample books (worth hundreds of dollars) from that company’s booth happens to be reading this—please return them immediately, and shame on you.

—Barri Leiner Grant

Imagine McCormick Place as a giant Bed, Bath & Beyond, with aisles and aisles of pepper grinders, knives, glasses, toasters, cookware, ironing board covers, and the like. That’s the annual International Home & Housewares show. Overwhelming to say the least, but certain new products always make an impression. For ingenuity, I appreciated the Andrea air purifier system, which uses a real plant to help it function. But for sheer beauty, I loved the new Alyson Fox tabletop line, called “May,” from Ink Dish, which will be available at Hazel on Montrose at the beginning of April (shown here, place setting for a suggested retail of $72); ASA Selection’s simple vases and tableware, which will be sold at I.D., and these new eco-friendly trivets from Epicurean, which you can likely pick up at Chopping Block. Watch this space (and our mag) for more cool stuff we found at the show.

—JAN PARR