By Jennifer Quail
CHICAGO–Eco-friendly choices and ending the battle for clutter control were on the minds of designers when creating products to launch at this year’s International Home & Housewares Show. Products have morphed from merely containing household waste, to actually compacting, and thereby lessening it, and options abound for keeping track of necessities and safely and effectively gaining control over all the excess a household can create.
The Art of Storage
The Art of Storage introduces the Brahams coat stand. Intended as a hybrid of expression of style and serious function, the stand features looped branches that allow clothes to delicately drape, without distorting or stretching fabrics and creating unsightly bulges in garments. The company will also introduce several variations of this “kinder coat hook,” including the Over-the-Door Bach, designed to save space with its discreet positioning behind a door.
Base Brands
Base Brands is introducing the Reduce product series. The eco-friendly products were created to make it easier for consumers to go green in their daily lives. Included in the line are a Compactor Can, a 40-liter can with a soft, compressible lid that compacts trash up to 50 percent; a Shredder Can, a space-saving design that allows consumers to dispose of trash and shred paper with an all-in-one unit; and Bag It, a small trash can that gives consumers another practical use for their grocery bags in the bedroom or office, reducing the frequency of non-biodegradable plastic waste disposal.
Brabantia
Branbantia is introducing products across several of its key product categories, including waste control, kitchen storage, kitchen tools and gadgets, and laundry care. Among the introductions are new Sensor Bins—a 50-liter option in a matte black finish and a 45-liter capacity, slimline option. The Sensor Bins feature the company’s electronic sensor-activiated lid. The company also adds the Slide Bin to its waste disposal range of products. Slide Bin’s new lid design allows the user to throw away waste with a simple, one-handed movement. In kitchen storage, Brabantia has added its successful Soft Touch opening technology to its new storage bin, designed for keeping items like bread fresh. A Roll Top Bread Bin has also gained a range of finishes, including almond, brilliant steel, fingerprint-proof matte steel, and white.
E-Z DO Inc.
E-Z DO has launched a new system called Febreze Closet Renewables, branded closet organization and freshening products that not only keep clothes organized, but also smelling like they just came out of the laundry. The system comes via a licensing agreement with The Proctor & Gamble Co. for the Febreze brand name. The system consists of 12 Closet Renewables Organizers and three versions of disposable Freshness Inserts. The Freshness Inserts will be included with each organizer and also sold separately and are designed to last a full season.
Flip & Tumble
Flip & Tumble introduces its first product, the 24-7 Bag, designed in response to the need the company’s founders perceived for a bag that could travel everywhere with you. The reusable green product was created with a simple yet stylish design that will work in settings as varied as the market, the yoga studio and a nice restaurant. A big plus here is the bag’s compacting system, which reduces its size to a ball about the size of a peach, making it able to fit into a purse, messenger bag or glove compartment so its ready for you when you need it—24/7.
Foot Flush International
Foot Flush organizes the shower with two new products. The Twist N Lock Large Shelf is sized for storing all of your shampoo bottles and shower gels. The large metal basket uses the company’s suction technology to ensure the shelf is securely fastened to shower tiles. Also using the power of suction is the Twist N Lock Three-Tier Basket that includes two large storage shelves, a smaller soap shelf and two hooks for face cloths and sponges.
Iris USA
Iris has developed a Large Media Storage Box designed to hold 100 CDs, 50 DVDs and 30 VHS tapes. The storage box features a split lid for easy accessibility and three movable dividers for adjusting to your changing media needs. The box seals with secure side buckles.
iTouchless Housewares & Products
Just because it’s trash, doesn’t mean it can’t be organized. ITouchless introduces the Touchless 2-Compartment Recycle Center, a product that allows for trash and recycling materials to be organized in one unit. It also features an automatic sensor lid that opens and closes on demand. Also new here is the Next Generation Touchless Trashcans—two models of automatic sensor trashcans that do all the opening and closing for you without you touching or stepping on anything.
Jokari U.S.
Jokari introduces Shelf-Pods, designed to eliminate clutter and keep belongings clean and protected from mildew, dust, moisture and even insects. The rip-proof storage units provide filtered ventilation and work by simply placing a storage rack on the shelf, then bringing the back panel over the shelving and zipping closed. A clear door provides easy viewing of contents.
Mark Feldstein & Associates
Mark Feldstein debuts a stylish way to store all the personal communication devices needing to be charged today. The Charging Valet devotes space for recharging cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players and more with a built-in power strip with surge protector hidden in back to simultaneously plug in three electronic devices. In addition, the flip open tray in front features discreet recessed notches for easy access to power cords.
Narita Trading Co.
Narita Trading introduces the Canvas-Cart, a product designed for laundry and grocery convenience. The cart features an adjustable handle with three height settings and ball bearing, swivel front wheels. An inner liner bag is detachable and water-repellent with heavy-duty handles.
Neat-Oh! International
Neat-Oh! helps consumers help their kids to clean up after play time. The ZipBin Camo Storage/Totes are stackable, collapsible, transportable and feature wipe-clean surfaces. Available in pink or green, the bags were designed to provide kids with their own cool accessory, so they won’t mind filling and storing it.
Polder
Polder is adding to its line of upscale trash cans with the 10.5-Gallon Square Can, created to combine function with style. Constructed of stainless steel and plastic, the can’s features include a lid that covers the liner bag and holds it in place while the weighted inner lid lifts and retracts into itself to remain open for use. A coated reservoir in the base of the can eliminates leaks.
Prime Way Corp.
New space-saving storage options under the Sunbeam brand name come from Prime Way. The Under Sink Sliding Shelf Unit stores and organizes under-the-sink supplies, eliminating clutter and opening up extra storage space. Baskets slide out for easy access and can be removed to double as a handy cleaning carry-all. Also geared toward maximizing storage space, the EasyGlide Storage Drawers offer deep baskets and tight wire mesh to provide greater flexibility in what can actually be stored: from small food storage containers and lids to large countertop appliances, cookware, pet foods or other bulk items.
Reisenthel Accessories
Reisenthel addresses the on-the-go consumer with new products including the Carry Cruiser, a spacious carrybag, in an art deco fabric, that can hold up to 21 pounds and flatten to 1.5 inches. Also new here is a laptop bag and the Carrybag XL, for bigger hauling jobs.
simplehuman
Simplehuman introduces a Steel Frame Dishrack of fingerprint-proof stainless steel, with flip-out cup holders, adjustable tines for multiple storage options and a natural bamboo knife block. In addition, the company debuts new product for waste management. The rectangular Steel Bar Step Can has a solid steel bar pedal and fingerprint-proof finish and also incorporates a carbon filter. Lid Shox air-suspension shocks control the motion of the lid for a slow, quiet close. Also new are 40-liter plastic step cans that are available in four colors. The plastic cans also include the Lid Shox suspension and a stainless steel stabilization bar.
Snapware Corp.
Snapware is launching Smart Store, a heavy-duty modular storage container system that has been designed to work with standard shelf depths. The containers use an additive to enhance the durability of their polypropylene construction. Popular sizes come with carrying handles for easy portability.
Sterilite
Sterilite is changing up its color scheme, in addition to adding new products. The company will introduce Gray Silk, a line with a deep, pearlized color said to provide the smoky, grounding neutral in this year’s back-to-school color palette. Tomato and lime are other shades making a big play here. On the product front, the company’s ShelfTotes were designed to maximize vertical storage space in both garages and basements. The modular storage containers are designed to fit most industry-standard ventilated shelving units. Also new here are Sorting Hampers to provide organization for the laundry room and Clip Boxes, the newest addition to Sterilite’s Small Storage line. The clear base and lid were designed so users can quickly identify on-the-go items.
Umbra
Umbra takes a turn toward nature with eco-friendly designs for multiple products. The company’s iconic Garbino can in both black and green is now made of recycled materials and the majority of the cans are degradable. The entire Garbini line has also been revamped into corn plastic, a compostable and renewable resource. The company also moved to keep notes and agendas orderly with the Pulp bulletin board, a twist on the traditional idea, Pulp is made from stacked, reprocessed paper with a recyclable paper board frame.
Vipac
Vipac celebrates the fifth year of Closet Complete by Vipac with the introduction of Go Green by Closet Complete, an eco-friendly line of home storage and organization products. Among the new products is a 24-Pocket Organizer made of chloride-free material. The hanging organizer features oversized pockets and uses a breathable fabric construction that stands up to heels and lets shoes air out.