Perhaps more than any other home products industry, housewares is plugged in to what consumers are doing, what they want and what they buy. When the annual International Housewares Show rolls into Chicago in the spring, as much of a draw as the products on display are dozens of informative panels. One uber-popular feature is a look at color directions for the next couple of years by Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.
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This past March, for the first time, there was a focus group comprised of that coveted millennial group, which represents 92 million Americans, the youngest starting college and the oldest in their mid-30s. Editors Warren Shoulberg and Maureen Azzato from Home Furnishings News, a trade publication, led a lively discussion that delved into cooking, dining and shopping habits, including meal-kit delivery options like Blue Apron.
Why is this important? Housewares is big business. In 2015, the U.S. retail market totaled $82.2 billion (up 9.5 percent from 2014). Globally, the market is $346.9 billion. So understanding that market is key.
"In the past, millennials had more of an emotional effect on the economy, but now they're actually spending more," says Tom Mirabile, senior vice president of global trend and design at Lifetime Brands and a trend forecaster for the International Housewares Association. In fact, millennials account for 31 percent of all household spending, catching up to baby boomers' 36 percent.
With the influence of social media, particularly Pinterest, Instagram and Snapchat, color and pattern are destined to be front and center on the consumer radar. Panelists said they get tips on cookware and devices (like spiralizers) from food shots and recipes, and sometimes on YouTube.
They want sleek, sexy, small appliances that are less bulky; multifunctional cookware, such as pressure and rice cookers; cookware that stores easily -- nesting, or with interlocking handles. Saving time is a universal need.
Of course, the new and shiny is appealing, especially at the right price. And particularly in the right color.
Color burst onto the housewares scene as far back as the 1990s. But the influx of silicone -- in utensils, baking goods and containers -- has boosted options. These days, though, the use of color in housewares is more fashion-based, rooted in global trends that may embrace ethnic and retro styles.
One color grouping -- a riff on avocado (though less muddy, and a prettier yellow green), egg yolk (not quite orange, but close) and off-white -- definitely nods to the '70s. So does a return to brown, which we're starting to see in home decor. It's not dark, but almost espresso brown, almost cappuccino, taupey -- and sometimes with a yellow cast, perhaps a red cast or carmelized.
The range of wooden cutting, cheese and serving boards with beautiful grains (sometimes teamed with white marble), as well as cookware in those chocolatey shades, is offering an alternative to black and stainless, and presents a ubiquitous range of colors like turquoise, aqua, plum, red, blue, orange and yellow.
Pastels have strengthened, very much globally influenced, especially with the pinks, rosy terra cottas, blue-greens and icy blues, which are amazing in utensils, storage containers and ironing board covers. Zeal's utensils at Kitchen Innovations cover a soft palette of soft green, blue, gray and cream.
One company, Whitford, curiously touts iPhone colors like rose and champagne gold on its herringbone-patterned baking trays.
"The retro and vintage look is becoming increasingly popular as more homeowners seek to add nostalgic design elements from past decades to their homes," says Ryan Boyle, managing director at Kitchen Innovations.
At the same time, chic, elegant matte black, which is a trend percolating in kitchen and bath appliances, faucets dinnerware, flatware and paint, also is making its way into housewares. Staub's braiser, a perfect pot for one-dish suppers, is especially handsome with majolica enameling in matte black and a gold knob. The most buzzed about: a $1,000 limited-edition Black Tie mixer at KitchenAid (online only at www.kitchenaid.com). The matte cast-iron body with stainless bowl is limited to a production run of 500, each individually numbered.
Metals, especially in warm tones, are striking in serveware, as in the shiny gold trays with laser-cut, lacy corners at the Italian brand Elleffe Design, as well as utilitarian pieces, like a sleek garbage can in matte gold from Brabantia.
Patterns are expected in categories like melamine, which tend to be more playful in scale and boldness. Retro patterns, such as Nordic cool canisters from Studio California designer Laurie Gates for Gibson, have a mid-century feel. A pretty mosaic place mat in jacquard weave from Chilewich is subtle in shades of soft blue and cream, and is part of a collection called Nordic Design. Principal Sandy Chilewich describes that design sensibility as one that feels "both warm and cool at the same time," with specific yarns woven in a unique way in which "the colors seems to appear and disappear, breaking up the distinct diamond pattern and the undulating line of wave."
But there are brights, as well, with ethnic influences from fiery Cuba hues to Marrakesh, a bright floral dinnerware collection from Gates for Gibson.
There's even camo -- a surprise in small appliances at Magic Chef -- on toasters, coffee makers, as well as a mini refrigerator, as a collaboration with Realtree.
As the maker movement and appreciation for the handcrafted continues to engage consumers, so do artisanal pieces. A familiar brand, the glassware company Pyrex, introduced a dazzling Blue Lagoon watercolor collection, which looks like cobalt blue ink suspended in water. The swirling patterns are unique in each piece.
Distinctive form always catches the eye, as do unconventional shapes, which is why square dinner plates were so intriguing when they first came on the scene. One of the most striking utilitarian pieces is a black and stainless steel cheese grater designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid at Alessi. Such familiar objects always are engaging when reimagined.
The health category continues to draw those who want to assure that there are no harmful components -- such as BPAs, PVs or phthalates -- in the products they use. New products based on health trends like fermentation also are emerging. One from Kraut Source features a stainless steel device that fits on any wide-mouth mason jar to ferment small batches. Some rice cookers now have different settings for specific grains, such as oatmeal and quinoa, and breadmakers now include gluten-free options.
Health certainly has affected styles of cooking, which is why there's an influx of air fryers like NuWave and Frieling that don't require oils and fats, have more streamlined countertop designs and LED displays. The closed systems eliminate odor and spattering. Steaming options continue to be popular, as does one-pot cooking (crock). And juicers have a large fan base, now nuanced as to the merits of cold press -- more juice volume, higher nutrient volume and longer shelf life.
Even styles of eating have morphed. As The Wall Street Journal reported last year in a story titled "Bowls are the new plates," retail sales of bowls were rising. Manufacturers like Gibson and Villeroy & Boch are responding to a growing desire for bowls in a variety of shapes to accommodate entire meals.
One need that is universal is that of storage. Those who live in small apartments are painfully aware of limitations, and they need to maximize every square inch. Manufacturers are delivering with more thoughtful, practical and attractive solutions for every room of the house.
Canisters in all shapes and materials -- from metal tins to cloth bins -- are available in fashionable colors and prints. There are stack organizers for coffee pods and stands that hold 100 standard size tea bags, as well as drawer organizers with magnets to hold bins together -- MagnaBin at YouCopia (www.youcopia.com). Stadium-style spice racks that also work for nail polish and makeup underscore multifunctionality.
Space-saving also is addressed with objects that nest, whether it's cookware, water bottles or colanders.
One thing is clear: the idea of curated display. As exposure to good design expands through magazines, TV and social media, consumers want function that's also decorative or striking in its minimalism -- on the counter or the bookshelf or in the drawer.
Sources
-- Alessi, 212-941-7300, www.alessi.com
-- Aquasana, 866-662-6885, www.aquasana.com
-- Bialetti, 909-476-3884, www.bialetti.com
-- Brabantia, 201-933-3192, www.brabantia.com
-- Chilewich, 888-851-7130, www.chilewich.com
-- Elleffe Design, www.elleffedesignnorthamerica.com
-- French Bull, 866-337-8174, www.frenchbull.com
-- Gibson, 800-281-2810, www.gibsonusaoutlet.com
-- Jamie Oliver, at Bed Bath & Beyond, 800-462-3966, www.bedbathandbeyond.com
-- Magic Chef, MCA Corp., 888-775-0202, www.mcappliance.com
-- notNeutral, 800-270-6511, www.notNeutral.com
-- Paula Deen, 800-214-8369, www.pauladeen.com,
-- Pyrex/World Kitchen, 800-999-3436, www.worldkitchen.com
-- Rachael Ray Hygge Stoneware, 800-214-8369, www.rachaelray.com
-- SMEG, available at West Elm, 888-922-4119, www.westelm.com
SIDEBAR
The Dawn of 'A.I.' -- Appliance Intelligence
With so much buzz about the internet of things (IoT) in recent years, one might think the new smart home pavilion at the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago would be huge.
Not yet. But it's only a matter of time.
As digital assistant devices like Google Home and Amazon Echo gain followers and consumers crave more Bluetooth connectivity for smart homes, the U.S. tech industry anticipates $292 billion in retail revenues in 2017, according to the Consumer Technology Association. And more buyers will emerge as prices come down on large appliances, like the Sanyo Family Hub refrigerator with the exterior touchscreen TV and a camera inside that allows you to take a peek when you're at the grocery store.
Now comes this: the GenieCan, a small device that attaches to the side of a garbage can. As you toss items, it scans the bar codes and notes what you need to replace. In fact, if you prefer, it will signal Amazon and order it, so you can have it delivered to your home or office ($149 at www.geniecan.com).
Kind of a fun two-fer: the SoundBeam from Charcoal Companion -- a grill light with Bluetooth speaker. Clamp it on the hood to shine a beam of light on the grill top. Connect it to a smartphone to play fave songs, listen to FM radio, songs stored on a micro SD card, or anything connected to an AUX cable. It synchs up with Apple and Android devices and even accepts or declines incoming calls when connected to grill. It sells for $48.49 at Amazon.
Then there's a small cooktop that acts a bit like a sous chef. The cooking system from Hestan Cue appears to be a simple, round, 1,600-watt induction burner with an 11-inch saute pan, but it links to your tablet through Bluetooth. Follow a recipe on the app with step-by-step instructions on cooking and plating. As you add ingredients, the system adjusts the temperature for you (it has embedded sensors); $549 from www.hestancue.com.
StoreBound, a company more known for small appliances, dipped into furniture with an ultra-modern smart coffee table called Sobro that raised more than $1.2 million through crowdfunding. What's the draw? The minimal design of the smooth white "cooler coffee table" with black tempered glass top has some surprises: A refrigerator drawer holds 30 beverages with LED lighting beneath. Its Bluetooth speakers and lighting can be controlled from your phone. There are touch controls, a couple of USB charging and power ports on the side. You can even connect your TV to the speakers. Available now on www.indiegogo.com, for a bargain 40-percent-off preorder price of $899.