In the Tri-State NY area, lockdowns have changed remodeling priorities.
I have been speaking with many trade professionals in the tri-state area who are experiencing home improvement projects taking center stage due to the lock down experience. The new way we work, play, study and communicate is driving many product and renovation choices. We have higher expectations of our homes including the desire for a healthy atmosphere. Let's explore top products and designs happening which enable the home to satisfy all our senses.
1. Indoor entertaining - Wine cellars/beverage refrigeration units are hot - The thought of giving up socializing with family and friends is driving new entertaining spaces in the home. There is a variety of projects architects, designers and contractors are working on.
a) Basement wine cellars with a tasting room or dining area
b) Wine and beverage refrigeration - Full size and undercounter units are being designed into the kitchen or home bar. Some people are adding undercounter freezers for liquor.
c) Home Bars - People are using their basements for a full bar and dining area. Smaller bars are being installed in dining rooms, living rooms and dens.
d) Home Theatres - Indoors and out! What better way is there to get the whole family together for movie night. Beverage fridges, microwaves and popcorn makers are making their way into these roooms. Home technology systems are being installed starting with the home theatre and expanding to security, lighting, music, temperature and more.
2. Additional refrigeration - Entertaining & Peace of Mind - Once the lockdowns began, residential freezers were flying off the shelf. Within weeks, they were backordered. Due to these recent events, the reality of food shortages, lockdowns and the desire to entertain at home has led to the need for more refrigeration space at home - fridges and freezers. Of course basements and garages are housing these units. For larger homes, commercial walk-in refrigeration is trending. Walk-ins are customized for size as well as type - fridge/freezer - based on need. They preserve food longer and safer than any residential model. Trays of prepared food are easily accommodated for parties and entertaining. They can be designed into any area including outdoors.
3. Steam Ovens - Healthy cooking - This appliance has gained "steam" over the years. Today, a high percentage of projects include a steam oven due to the versatility and healthy cooking aspects people enjoy. In a 2018 Crain's Roundtable on " How the Food & Beverage Industry Can Find Opportunity in Disruption", Bruce Bronster (Bronster LLC) stated " If the world stopped producing food this minute, we would have a 23-day supply. Everything we eat is farm-to-table. It’s a question of access, transportation, timing and supply." The fact that people want fresh food begs for a steam oven to fulfill their desires.
4. Outdoor Living & entertaining - What's trending? BBQ's, hearth ovens, smokers, fridges, sinks, outdoor motorized shading, outdoor speakers and heaters. Every appliance that enhances outdoor living and entertaining is considered. Outdoor theatres are gaining traction with amazing products such as weather sturdy speakers, TV's and screens.
5. Human Centric Lighting - Paying attention to the human side of a lighting plan in the kitchen and whole house can significantly affect all the activities you do at home. According to the Human Centric Lighting Society," The proper use of dimming and CCT shifting, which is often called Kelvin changing, can improve circadian rhythms, mood, visual acuity and performance in addition to substantial energy savings and sustainability.human centric lighting
6. Blast Chillers -Locally grown freshness all year long, food safety/longevity and convenience - Bet you never heard of a blast chiller. This is the sleeper appliance that is becoming one of the most desired! Have you ever wondered how restaurants serve local fresh berries, herbs all year long and they taste fresh picked? They never serve soggy frozen fruit. They prepare many ingredients/meals ahead of time and when served, they taste like they were just cooked! Restaurants have a blast chiller /freezer that chills or freezes food so fast, the taste and texture of food is preserved.
Ordinary freezing methods transform the liquids in food into macrocrystals which damage its structure. Shock freezing gets the food core to -18°C at a higher speed, leading to the formation of microcrystals that preserve the original properties of the food.
Fast blast chilling blocks food aging, avoids oxidization and reduces bacterial proliferation. Taking the core of your food to +3°C faster than any residential fridge reduces the loss of weight caused by evaporation, and preserving nutrients. With a blastchiller, you can serve wonderful meals, cooked ahead of time, that taste like they were just made.
Since this appliance is new to many, we will feature one major brand made in Italy, Irinox Freddy. Irinox offers a residential built in appliance as well as a free standing unit. What does a residential blast chiller do? "Freddy is the first blast chiller made for home use, with essential design that’s appealing in any kitchen. Freddy is the only domestic appliance that enables blast chilling of food straight after cooking, quickly and carefully freezing and thawing food, cooking meat and fish at low temperature, proofing bread, pizza and focaccia, holding food at the ideal temperature, and provides meals that are hot and ready to serve as well as chilling wine and other drinks." This is an appliance used to lock the succulence into food and keep it intact over time. Blast chillers lock in flavor, vitamins, color and consistency so food is always at its best. https://www.curatedappliancegroup.com/irinox
Trends can improve our lives. Let’s embrace them!