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Like Dacor and JennAir, Monogram has now raised the stakes in the luxury home appliance space. With their new slogan, “Elevate Everything,” the industry giant is bringing to the market a lineup of high-end branded products for the kitchen. By utilizing the creative skills of world renowned fashion designer and cookbook author Zac Posen, Monogram has announced its collaboration with Posen to have his brand reflected in their premium products. Posen has dressed more than a few leading ladies in his time, including Michelle Obama, Rhianna, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Uma Thurman. Now, Monogram will have his signature style in their kitchen line. Partnerships to Impress and Excel Monogram has brought in the fashion icon to design a column refrigerator panel that will serve as inspiration for how a product can be distinctively personalized. This is the first of several projects planned with Posen in 2018. With his sense of style and his more recent interest in the culinary world, it’s no wonder that he’s been made “the perfect ambassador for Monogram,” according to Ed Mammorella, Monogram’s marketing manager. This is not the first time they’ve partnered with someone outside of the appliance universe for their line, either. As seen in their latest campaign video, Monogram is also working with William Campbell of Anvil Goods in order to create uniquely hand sculpted pieces that show off the precision of the Monogram product, and in doing so, create luxury designs that are as authentic as they are detailed and functional. Monogram’s goal

GE to Market Haier AppliancesUAKC offers more appliance choices with HaierIt's only been a couple of short years since GE Appliances became part of the Worldwide Haier Group of appliances. At this year's Builder/Kitchen and Bath Show, GE announced the addition of Haier Appliances to its lineup.This is good news to many in the LA basin. There are an amazing number of homes and apartments in the LA area which have 24" wall and base cabinets. Replacing appliances in these cabinets can be a real problem since most US appliances are designed to fit in 30" cabinets.We've been able to get by all these years by replacing appliances with some 24" wide low end brands which have limited appeal, and more recently with some European brands which commonly are built at 60 centimeters, a width that fits nicely in a 24" space. Also, both Viking and Sub Zero Wolf have added some products in this dimension.Therefore, it's really good news that GE is now launching an updated line of Haier appliances that (for the most part) are designed to fit that 24" space. Here's what GE's vice president of sales, Robert Posthauer had to say at this years IBS/KBIS in Orlando:“Haier offers a full product suite of both built-in and freestanding appliances that fit the needs for smaller footprints and offers our customers new opportunities." The line includes some needed products for this space such as a 24" over the range microwave as well as this stunning 4 door refrigerator

Latest Appliances at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterBlack Stainless SteelA quick look around the major appliance displays at the January 2017 *IBS/KBIS confirmed that the new color/finish Black Stainless is THE big trend in appliance colors. Of course, stainless steel is not going anywhere. In a recent survey, 72% of respondents opted for stainless steel. Truth is, there are tons of appliance colors out there. The custom high end range company BlueStar offers several hundred colors, many of them quite stunning. Luxury appliance brands such as Viking, Bertazzoni, La Cornue, and others also offer their appliances in a variety of colors. But for many of us these brands might not be realistic options, and the bright colors aren't for everyone.Voilà! Black Stainless is here to save they day. It's new and it's different. It really looks classy, but I wouldn't call it bold or risky. After all, it's a combination of the two most popular appliance colors. As near as I can determine KitchenAid was the first major appliance brand to offer Black Stainless steel. Recently, Samsung jumped on the Black Stainless bandwagon, followed now by Whirlpool, Frigidaire, GE, Electrolux, and LG. I do know that some supplementary brands are on board with this new finish such as Sharp (microwaves) and at least one of the vent hood manufacturers, Zephyr.I think Black Stainless looks good in the photos, but even better when you see it and touch it. Believe it

New Decorative Plumbing Fixtures and Appliances in 2017January of each year brings the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) where some appliance manufacturers choose to debut their new "smart" appliances. Soon after CES, IBS (International Builder Show), and KBIS (Kitchen and Bath International Show) host a joint show for their respective industries. It's a busy month for the major appliances and decorative plumbing fixtures that are featured at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center. Here are just a few of the products featured at CES, IBS, and KBIS 2017.UAKC Kitchen and Bath Faucets, Vanities, and More in 2017BrizoBrizo is a trendy, hip line of faucets that have benefitted from the skills of famed designer Jason Wu. It's a great upscale line with great prices too!GroheHere's a display of colorful faucets from GROHE. High quality combined with high design. Which of these colors will provide just the right accent for your kitchen?RobernWhen it comes to completing your bath with vanities, cabinets, mirrors, and more the Robern lineup is sure to have what you need. It's one of the most extensive lines of products for your bath that you''ll find anywhere. Visit our showrooms in Studio City or Calabasas.UAKC New Appliances in 2017VikingEvery year, you can count on a crowd at the Viking booth. This year will be no exception. Here's a new Viking Range in Matt Black with Bronze trim.True ResidentialA commercial refrigeration company, True has recently been making their mark in residential refrigeration. This year they're launching column refrigerators.AGALike the retro look? This

Best of KBIS 2016 for RobernWho is Robern?Here is Robern's story in their own words:Our mission to craft an array of vanities, cabinets, mirrors and lighting options that are beyond the expected. Beyond the day-to-day. By fusing unparalleled beauty with innovative functionality, our products transform a bathroom into a statement of breathtaking style and sophistication.At Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center Robern is a customer go-to choice for remodels and new builds of baths and lavs. High quality, great looks, and the most desirable features to finish your new bath are trademarks of the Robern brand. Below are a few examples from the Robern collection:Best of KBIS 2016 Silver WinnerThe Balletto vanity captures the legs and pointe work of a ballerina and translates that grace and precision into the legs of the vanity. This translation creates balance, symmetry and sophistication. With side storage on both sides of the vanity, little odds and ends such as makeup, razors, hairbrushes, hand towels and tissue boxes can reduce the amount of clutter in a bathroom. With thirteen colors and three leg finishes to choose from, this everyday classic embraces statement-making design.Here is just one Robern customer comment from a selection of positive online reviews:We installed a Robern Uplift into our new bathroom. It has the defogger, nightlight, and six outlets. Love the defogger because I like getting ready(moisturizer, makeup, etc...) the moment I get out of the shower.See what a difference a great mirror can make:Candre MirrorsOffering striking

K&BB 2016 Award WinnerComing Soon to Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center Electrolux Front Load Washer Model EFLS617(NEW) SmartBoost™ introduces an exclusive technology that infuses water with detergent in a special chamber before the cycle begins, for a deep clean that removes tough stains in all cycles.LuxCare™ Wash system features improved wash actions, perfect cycle timing, temperature control, and smart load sensing.Perfect Steam™ option vents steam from the bottom to effectively remove stains. This new Electrolux washer won best in class from Kitchen and Bath Business at this year's KBIS in Las Vegas. The new Electrolux SmartBoost™ wash system premixes the water and detergent before the wash begins for a deeper cleaning which promises to get at those hard to remove stains regardless of the cyle. It's also loaded with the additional features below:Features Front-load design 4.4-cubic-foot capacity SmartBoost™ LuxCare™ wash system 15-minute Fast Wash cycle Sanitize option StainSoak option Perfect Steam™ option Extended Refresh option Fresh water rinseFor the best selection in Electrolux or other major appliances and plumbing fixtures cal or visit the pros at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center. The new Electrolux EFLS617 model featured above will be available in April 2016. To view the current Electrolux models at UAKC, click on the link below:Electrolux Washers and DryersBookmark this blog and return often for the latest news in major appliances and plumbing fixtures. 

IBS/KBIS 2016 more new products...and one more thingLiebherr Under Counter Slide-Out RefrigeratorComing Soon to Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterIt's no secret that there is considerable growth in the undercounter appliance category. At the January 2016 Kitchen and Bath Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas Liebherr showed a unique "pull-out" undercounter refrigerator. Here's what they said about the UPR 503:"The new UPR 503 undercounter pull-out refrigerator ensures that fresh food is always within reach. Combining high energy efficiency with optimal storage space, the UPR 503 can be adjusted in height to match that of the countertop for perfect alignment with your kitchen design. The UPR 503 offers maximum ease-of-use thanks to its SoftTelescopic system of self-retracting and fully-extendable tiered storage compartments. This is the perfect space-saving addition for any kitchen or living area."The growth in the undercounter appliance category is a reflection of the practicality and the increasing need for accessibility for everyone. This includes our largest demographic group, baby-boomers, as well as all those in our population who for any number of reasons don't have easy reach for food stored higher than counter height. While at one time, most under counter refrigerator products were inexpensive fridges for college dorm rooms, major luxury and specialty brands such as Sub Zero and U-line, and now Liebherr are recognizing that accessible is not age or price point driven, but need driven. Regardless of your interest in undercounter refrigerators or other major appliances and plumbing fixtures, you're sure to find what you need at Universal

GE Monogram Shows Pizza Oven at IBS/KBIS 2016Amidst all the traffic at the 2016 International Builder Show/Kitchen and Bath Show in Las Vegas, GE Appliances and Monogram seemed to be quite busy. In addition to all the questions about the acquisition of GE by Haier, GE and Monogram showed a steady stream of new products including GE rolling out some additional refrigerators with the unique Keurig® coffee feature, and Monogram's new Pizza Oven for the home.Over the years, various systems and techniques, from pizza stones on up, have been marketed for cooking restaurant quality pizzas in the home. Now, a unique new home pizza oven has been developed by Monogram.Restaurant-style pizza has long been an aspiration for home chefs everywhere, but lacking has been a reliable way to achieve the perfect slice. Residential pizza oven options have run the gamut from cumbersome and complicated to convenient yet disappointing, spurring the development of the new Monogram® Pizza Oven.Perfectly crisp crust. Browned, bubbling mozzarella. GE’s Monogram Pizza Oven brings restaurant-quality cooking capabilities to the home kitchen, enabling home chefs, entertainers, families and pizza enthusiasts to recreate their favorite pies—from the perfect Neapolitan to New York style and everything in between—quickly and with ease. Key Features Include:Simple installation. Takes no more space than a standard wall oven, yet fits a pizza peel and large pies. The oven requires no exterior venting, and no special installation.Precision and power. Using standard household electric power, the Monogram Pizza Oven delivers precise zone-controlled heating, enabling exact temperatures

What's New in Appliances at CESOddly, CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) has become THE place for several appliance manufacturers to show their latest innovations. It's odd, since the rest of the appliance industry seems to have settled on the joint IBS (International Builders Show) /KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show) to display their wares. The IBS/KBIS show is to be held near the end of January also in Las Vegas. This year's CES hosted appliance manufacturers showing refrigerators with touch screens, fridges that revealed their contents with a knock on the door, and a refrigerator that claims to have re-invented ways to organize your refrigerator. Not to mention an interesting update on a washing machine within a washing machine that was launched at last year's CES.Knock on the door of this refrigeratorThe "smart" refrigerator from LG is loaded with high tech features, but the most interesting feature requires a manual knock on the door which activates a lighting system that reveals the contents inside the fridge.Washer Washer DryerIn 2015, LG first launched this washer within a washer, eg. a full-sized washer with a mini washer in a bottom compartment. This year, it appears that the full-sized washer has been converted to a combo full-sized washer/dryer still with mini washer at the bottom.Easy to Organize French Door RefrigeratorFrench Door refrigerators have become so popular partly because of the ease of seeing and arranging the contents. In this new CES award winning refrigerator from Whirlpool, redesigned lighting, shelves and compartments as well

Frigidaire Professional Appliances at Affordable Prices We've been to this year's KBIS and IBS (Kitchen and Bath and International Builder Show), and more recently the PCBC (Pacific Coast Builder Conference). So, we've seen a LOT of new appliances. One of the most impressive and practical is the new Frigidaire Professional Collection. It may be true that everybody has Pro-Look appliances these days. But outfitting your entire kitchen with this "look" can easily begin with a budget breaking $50,000. Frigidaire had a different idea with it's Professional Collection by offering professional styled kitchens starting at $4,999. Of course, you can easily double that with some of their more deluxe models, but I think you get what I mean here. When describing the Frigidarie Professional Range the reviewer below called it:"A great looking range for the rest of us."-James Atchison, Reviewed.comFrigidaire All Refigerator and All RefrigeratorThe all refrigerator and all freezer combination that Frigidaire offers is unique among the mass brands, and offers some real possibilities for a refrigerator and freezer wall or even a completely separate location for refrigerator and freezer. Here are the details:Frigidaire Professional® All RefrigeratorFPRU19F8RFClick on model number above to go to the UAKC link with additonal features and pricing. PureAir® Filtration System removes up to 7 times more odor than baking soda by eliminating odor particles with fast-acting, highly absorbent carbon technology2. The SpacePro™ Shelving System offers quick access to fresh ingredients with organizational solutions designed for space optimization