Davis supplies this list of new appliances and how they suit Adcock-Smith's design elements for hiving today:

 

1. Dacor has introduced two new oven lines; one has numerous designer colors with the ability to program the control panel display colors. Dacor also introduced a gas cooktop with a remote counter-mounted control panel. Dacor’s 30” wide large capacity dishwasher introduced last year continues to be a hit.

    

2. Subzero expanded their 700 series refrigerators so popular with kitchen designers to now include a 36” wide refrigerator that is beautiful, integrated and practical. Their glass-door refrigerator introduced last year drew a lot of attention.

    

3. Thermador is showcasing their popular SMW oven combining a warming drawer and microwave in a 30” wide unit. They also have incorporated the latest in touch-screen programming in their wall ovens. Thermador and Bosch have introduced new fully integrated dishwashers with hidden controls, so quiet that they have incorporated a small display light beam to shine on the floor to indicate when the unit is still washing. These dishwashers include a speed cycle capable of washing six place settings in 30 minutes.

    

4. Whirlpool aggressively expanded their laundry and clothes care appliances to coincide with last year’s introduction of the Family Studio concept that combines the laundry room with the family play/ activity room as a multi-use space within the home. Whirlpool also introduced several new garage organizational products under their Gladiator lineup. Under the Kitchenaid brand, they have introduced a dish-drawer dishwasher to compete with Fisher & Pakel.

    

5. Laundry is seeing a revolution in quiet, efficient, attractive and practical products. Front-load laundry, which has been the mainstay overseas, has revolutionized the U.S. marketplace. Efficiency in energy, water usage and detergent usage is here to stay. From washers and dryers that communicate with each other to a top load dryer that collects numerous drying cycles of lint to under counter or stackable configurations, old models that damage clothes are noisy and inefficient and inflexible in design applications are obsolete. Maytag introduced their new drying center designed to gently dry without a tumbling the clothes. It is ideal for delicates and sweaters.

    

6. Systems that produce a quality cup of coffee and steam milk for cappuccino or lattés are hot, hot, hot! Built-in systems in new kitchens will soon be standard equipment. New countertop systems such as Bosch introduced make quality coffee and will be the answer for those who cannot build them into their cabinets. Starbucks, look out!

    

7. Lighting for task or mood lighting in or on appliances will continue to improve and grow. Dishwashers are now available with internal lighting. Mood lighting is expanding in hood, oven, refrigeration and other appliance designs.

    

8. Dishwashers with stainless steel interiors and tall tub design are replacing the old plastic tub models. Quiet operation and efficiency of operation continues to be the goal of every manufacturer.

Adds Adcock-Smith, "I think the two strongest continuing design elements for the hive are light and horizontal-ness. From translucency to transparency, our lives are enriched by materials that bring light into formerly dark areas. Horizontal lines have a grounding effect."