Earth-friendly housewares made of bamboo

Natural Home Products collection

Natural Home & Garden magazine debuted a line of housewares at the  2012 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago last month. The line, called Natural Home Products, is meant to offer the consumer sustainable products with exceptional quality that are priced at or below the current market leaders is a huge step forward, says company president Bill Mitchell. 

Among the items is the space-saving Eazistore nesting cookware set, which reduces required storage space by up to 67 percent. The line is oven- and dishwasher-safe as well as recyclable.
 

Another collection is made from the material Moboo. The molded-bamboo kitchenware is made from bamboo sawdust, rice starch and an all-natural plant-based binder. It is durable, nontoxic and dishwasher-safe with a similar look and feel to plastic. The Moboo line is composed of kitchen tools, gadgets, bowls, measuring cups/spoons and compost bins. Most are available in a variety of colors such as Charcoal, Natural, Cherry and Pistachio. 

Stylish anti-fatigue mat for the kitchen

The new Seasons Mat Cover collection from WellnessMats  is  a collection of removable, interchangeable, and seasonable decorative mat covers. The covers are made of stain-, spill- and bacterial-free fabric. The company added Moiré, an grid design inspired by the French textile process.

Kitchen tools from Curtis Stone

Here are three new items introduced by Curtis Stone Kitchen Solutions at the International Housewares Show this week. There are also prep tools, cookware, bakeware and servingware.

Chef Curtis Stone created Kitchen Solutions after working in domestic kitchens on "Take Home Chef" and seeing many of the common problems that home cooks were facing. He started thinking about products that would help them to better organize and learn the skills that professionals use in the kitchen, such as Workbench Cutting Board (shown above),  which offers a more hygienic and organized work station for prepping.

The  "Go with the Flow Oil Can" (below) has an upward elongated narrow spout to allow a thin steady stream of oil for a perfect pour. The design cuts down on spillage on the outside of the bottle. 

Foldable ice bucket stores flat after use

Foldable ice bucket

Ravi Solution, makers of the Ravi-Instant Wine Refresher, launched its Instant Wine Refresher at the Chicago Housewares show.

Another new product is the Foldable Ice Bucket made of PVC. Available in four colors, it can be folded after use and stored.

The 2-in-1 Vacuum Stopper is a wine stopper and a pump that removes the air in wine bottle to preserve freshness and flavor.

Wall-mounted wine racks made of exotic wood

Vynebar introduced its newest collection, called Allure, at the International Home and Housewares show in Chicago this week. The wine racks are made in the United States with exotic woods accented with brass, copper or nickel metals.  The Vynebar 8 Allure Collection holds eight bottles of wine and the Vynebar 4 Allure Collection holds four bottles. Easy to install, the Vynebar can also be mounted under kitchen cabinets.

Another collection offers eight anodized metal colors in four finishes: Glossy Polished, Flat Bead Blasted, Brushed Stainless Steel and Polished Mirror.

See French housewares at Housewares Show

Thion - Arvix, a leading French manufacturer of household products, will be exhibiting at the International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago this month.

The company's product line includes household mats (welcome mats and mats for the kitchen and bath). All are made with natural products.

It is one company showing within the French Pavilion, organized by UBIFRANCE-the French Trade Commission.

In all, 12 exhibitors will be showing innovative products for the home, including kitchenware, tableware, cutlery and flatware. Other housewares include Laguiole knives, dinnerware, serving pieces, wine accessories, bakeware, kitchen gadgets and kitchen textiles.

The French pavilion is located in the Dine & Design section of the South Hall in McCormick Place, booths S4443 to S4549.

Reusable suction hooks for kitchen, bath

UM! Brands is showing its innovative nanosuction EverSTIK adhesive housewares at the International Housewares Show in Chicago in March. The hooks are said to combine the strength of glue, the convenience of suction cups and the ease of tape into one simple“stick-peel-repeat” wall mounting solution. The line includes wall hooks, double-sided adhesive, portable whiteboards and more.

Stylish kitchen gadgets for chopping, slicing

Zyliss will show a variety of kitchen gadgets at the 2012 International Housewares Show next month. The Fast Cut Herb Tool has five high-grade stainless steel cutting wheels that glide through herbs easily. A 90-degree blade rotation mechanism allows the home chef to select a preferred hold position: comfortably grip the soft touch handle or place the palm of the hand on the ergonomically-designed top.

The Egg Cutter has cutting wires to ensure consistent and even slicing. A food-grade and dishwasher-safe plastic housing makes this sturdy tool ready to use after hand- or dishwashing.

The bulky box grater has been redesigned to fold down into a compact stack to fit inside a drawer. When in use, it locks into a pyramid-like shape featuring three sides, each offering a specific grating utility, from fine to coarse or two-way grating all with acid-etched technology ensuring a premium clean grate from chocolate to citrus to cheese.

Cuckoo clocks by Mark Feldstein & Associates

Mark Feldstein & Associates (MFA), a product development company and importer of housewares, giftware, and electronics for over 25 years, is rolling out a line of seasonal and holiday cuckoo clocks. The line includes: 
The North Pole cuckoo clock depicts elves  in Santa's workshop at the North Pole. On each hour, an elf comes out of the workshop holding a present, accompanied by one of 12 Christmas carols.
The Snowy Cabin cuckoo clock is a snow-covered log cabin. One the hour, a cardinal pops out from his roost chirping his distinctive, beautiful song.
The Garden Cottage cuckoo clock is a cottage.  Like the Winter Cabin clock, a Cardinal pops out on the hour to chirping its song.
The company previewed the clocks at the Housewares Show in Chicago in March. The will be available in August.

Espresso machine and milk frother

The Concerto

At the Housewares Show in Chicago in March, Espressione introduced a range of coffee appliances. Among them are:

• The Rapid Touch Coffee Grinder with stainless steel blades and chromated push button control
• The Squissita Plus 18 bar pressure espresso machine with unique electroplate chrome finish, and the
• “Concerto” capsule espresso machine with a cool-to-the-touch plastic housing, built-in thermostat and automatic shut-off system.

The espresso machine uses Meseta biodegradable capsules, which are available in four blends.

The Cremaccino milk frother

2 new air purifiers for home or office

The stylish cylindrically shaped silver and black mesh Blueair Model 103 air purifier is designed for small rooms (150 square feet; 14 square meters; or smaller), such as bedrooms, playrooms and home offices. The new model use HEPAQuiet air purifying technology that is said to deliver more clean air at a faster rate with less noise than any other comparably rated air purifier on the market.

The company's new ZON personal air purifier stands less than 8 in (20 cm) tall and weighs just 1.5 lbs (6.8 kg). with the filter included.

Classic plastic boxes in 5 new colors

AMAC has been producing the classic M Series boxes since 1960. This year, the company exhibited at the Housewares Show for the first time. It introduced five new colors: Ember, Olive, Pink, Slate and Marine. They will only be available packaged in retail friendly "Consumer Packs." The smallest three sizes are wrapped in sets of three, the two medium sizes are packed in sets of two and the four largest sizes are wrapped singly. Together, this colorful collection of jewel tone boxes adds a splash of color to any retail environment.

Company founder Gene Hurwitt designed the boxes in 1960 in the bohemian enclave of Sausalito, Calif. AMAC boxes joined the permanent collection of New York's MoMA in 1966.

Dining trays for indoor and outdoor use

Lappers are ergonomically designed dining trays with indentations fitted with an anti-slip silicone mat to keep plates and glasses in their place. The trays have large, comfortable handles for easy carrying. The trays nest into each other for convenient storage. Made of melamine, they are dishwasher-safe. The mats can be custom-printed (see insert photo for examples).

Stylish plastic wine, cocktail glasses

Swirl 6-ounce wine tumbler by Takeya

Swirl premium plastic wine and cocktail party tumblers are suitable for around a swimming pool and parties when glass is not an option. The built-in swirl ridge on the glass is at the 6-ounce pour line. The ridge is also positioned to give the hand a grip on the glass.
The tumblers are made of BPA-free plastic. They hold 16 ounces. The glasses are sold in two-packs, six-packs and 72-packs (for institutional buyers). There is a four-pack mail order box option, too. Swirl is sold by Takeya.

Cook set for fruits and vegetables

The Apple Cooker set from Mastrad is said to be a better way to cook fruits and vegetables. Fruits cook in the microwave or a conventional oven.

The set includes two non-stick, BPA-free silicone apple cookers, one corer with scoop and a recipe book. The scoop has a slight tip, which helps pierce the fruit flesh and enables swift removal of the core and seeds in one clean motion. The scoop is also marked for one teaspoon and one tablespoon measures to make food prep easier. Sets are available in candy apple red, apple green and black.

Under-bed storage products

Evriholder Products’ patented Rise ‘N Stor bed risers are said to be “the perfect solution” for cramped dorm rooms and living quarters. The risers lift the bed 6 inches for under-bed storage of mobile phones, TV remotes, keys, notebooks and other items. There is a large compartment for magazines, books and papers while the slits in the storage pod accommodate chargers and cables. The storage pod even spins for easy access.

The Rise ‘N Stor five-piece set includes four bed risers and one storage pod which comes in lime green and gray colors.

Keith Haring art livens up mops and brooms

Dust pans from the Keith Haring collection

The Keith Haring Cleaning Collection from Casabella uses the late artist's imagery on mops, broom, dust pans and microfiber dusting cloths. Casabella's cleaning tools, kitchen and bath accessories and organizing products have received numerous design awards and industry recognition. It also markets the BE Gourmet line of food prep.

Tagine in new colors holds 4 quarts

The Emile Henry large tagine is now available in fig and olive colors. Introduced at the Housewares show in Chicago this month, the large tagine is 12.5 inches in diameter and holds nearly 4 quarts of food (enough to serve six people).

It is made from an innovative ceramic technology that allows the vessel to be used directly on a heat source or stovetop (for browning meats and vegetables) and then can be placed in the oven for a gentle, flavor-producing simmer. The traditional tagine lid allows the steam to rise, condense on the walls and then moisten the food below.

Create a French bistro at home

Picardie tumblers

The Picardie Tumbler is a popular drinking glass used in French bistros, cafeterias and homes. Duralex offers multiple sizes of the stackable tumbler. The glass is extremely tough and durable and will last for many years without breaking or chipping. Eight sizes range from 3.25 ounces to nearly 17 ounces.

The Duralex For Kids collection of glass, bowls, tumblers and plates are BPA-free, 100% recyclable, dishwasher and microwave-safe and an eco-friendly alternative to plastic. Made in France, the collection is said to be 4 to 5 times stronger than standard glass.

The “le Gigogne" (below) is an iconic drinking glass used in cafeterias for half a century. It is considered to be a national treasure.


le Gigogne, an iconic drinking glass from France

A set of 3 nesting birch bowls

The new Family Tree bowl set from The Great Alaskan Bowl Company includes 7-inch, 9-inch and 11-inch birch bowls. The set comes with a display stand, a bottle of block oil, an instruction card and wood chips.
The company was a first-time exhibitor at the Housewares show this month in Chicago.