Our Favorites from 2019 Design & Construction Week

When you spend three days walking a massive trade show, it’s tricky to pick just a few favorite products (or feel your feet). Actually, Design & Construction Week is two trade shows, the International Builders’ Show and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, combined into one mega-event for designers, builders, contractors, architects and other professionals who work with residential building and remodeling products. But let’s give the product picking a shot.

True Residential in Emerald

OK, Emerald isn’t a product, it’s a color. Specifically, it’s the newest color from premium American refrigeration manufacturer True Residential, known for its products’ handsome style, custom finishes and high performance. Green was a major color story at DCW this year and True’s emerald green refrigerators rendered it in vibrant style. There are undercounter fridges and freezers, beverage centers, wine cabinets, a beverage dispenser and built-in refrigerators ranging from 15-inch drawers to 48-inch full-height models. Price range: $3,794 for 15-inch undercounter refrigerator to $18, 450 for a 48-inch full refrigerator

Ann Sacks Crackle Collection by Kohler WasteLAB

Tile is one of the most versatile, durable and low-maintenance materials you can choose for your home. It can also be beautiful and sustainable, as this new collection from Kohler’s Ann Sacks brand shows. The Wisconsin-based brand has partnered with Kohler WasteLAB to use unfired pottery leftovers to create distinctive, handcrafted tiles that will enhance your kitchen, bath and living spaces. Crackle is available in six colors, including cool trend emerald, and in shapes from 4-inch squares and 5-inch hexagons to 6-by-12-inch rectangles. The design possibilities are pretty endless with this collection. Price range: From $39.95 per square foot for standard colors to $44.95 per square foot for premium colors

Smeg Dolce & Gabbana Small Appliances

The haute couture designers are widely known for their fashionable clothing lines. But did you know that they also design fashions for your home? A few years ago, they created a series of vividly patterned large appliances like ranges, refrigerators and vent hoods with historic themes for Italian appliance manufacturer Smeg. More recently, they have created patterned countertop appliances, like toasters, blenders, stand mixers, juicers and espresso makers. The new collection, available later in 2019, shares coordinating colors and patterns with their large appliances, bringing D&G’s signature style to a more affordable price point. Price Range: Not yet announced

Rev-a-Shelf Compo+

Not all kitchen products are meant to be pretty. Some, like this waste container collection from the popular American organizers and lighting manufacturer Rev-a-Shelf, are designed to be practical. This collection, as its name implies, helps you compost food scraps but without the all-too-common odor and mess problems from lesser competitors. Its closure and carbon filter systems keep your kitchen fresh, and its compostable bags mean sustainable, neat, easy transport outside. As you might imagine, a system like this can also help with diapers, kitty litter and regular kitchen trash. Price Range: $71.20 containers only to $507.20 for aluminum bottom mount pullout frame and containers

Flo by Moen [link: and Sense Guard by Grohe

Yes, these are two separate products from two separate, well-respected plumbing products manufacturers, but they both do the same very worthwhile thing. What thing is that? Simply put, they can keep your home from flooding. Both smart home systems can detect faucets left running, leaking faucets or burst pipes. Any one of these issues can result in wasted water, flooded rooms and a massive insurance headache. Both systems come with shut-off mechanisms to stop a leak before it becomes a problem, and both can alert your tablet or smartphone to a problem. These capabilities are ideal for households with small children, forgetful seniors or regular travelers. It’s also great for vacation properties, and for those who split their time between winter and summer addresses. Price Range: Flo by Moen, $499.98 on Amazon and Sense Guard by Grohe, $500 on Buygrohe.us

Formica dECOLeather Recycled Leather Veneer

Formica is best known for its laminate countertops, a mainstay of starter home kitchens and baths around the country for decades, but this venerable American manufacturer has much, much more to offer. This new collection of recycled leather surfaces can clad walls, built-ins or furniture for a pretty dramatic focal point, and is definitely worth checking out. (Think sexy headboard, coffee table or the backs of an open bookcase.) It comes in an array of neutral colors and looks and feels like vintage leather. Price Range: Varies widely by application and local installer rates

Last words

With so many fabulous new products to enhance the functionality and flair of our living spaces, you can find ones that make sense for most any property, neighborhood, lifestyle and budget.