Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 95

S A L U T E
A

S A THIRD-GENERATION, FAM-

ILY-RUN BUSINESS, the impressive Abt Electronics showroom
in Glenview, Ill., encompasses
100,000 square feet, but company
CEO Bob Abt had a vision to create a new space that would offer a truly inspirational
experience to visitors.He called upon renowned designer Mick de Giulio of de Giulio Kitchen Design
to bring to life his idea for a destination to showcase
Abt's premier kitchen appliance brands.The resulting Inspiration Studio resides in 11,000 square feet of
renovated space in the loft of Abt's landmark atrium.
"He envisioned a studio that was forward in
terms of design and unlike any other appliance
retailer," said de Giulio of Abt's idea. "He wanted
it to be groundbreaking."
Sadly,having worked at the company his parents
founded since 1953, Abt passed away before completion of the Inspiration Studio 18 months later.

INTRODUCING THE INSPIRATION STUDIO

Showroom Salute
Kitchen appliance studio design pays
homage to an inspiring leader
By Carrie Whitney

Connected to Abt's massive showroom, the
mall-style atrium features a central fountain and
houses a variety of boutique stores like Apple and
TUMI.The Inspiration Studio sits above this area
on the second floor. Before the studio, some of the
kitchen displays that were part of the atrium were
older, and it was time to create something new,
according to de Giulio.
"The idea was to create something that had
never been done before - a studio where people
would return again and again to be inspired by the
best in appliances and design," he added.
The new space stands apart from the rest of the
showroom, but Abt never intended the store and
the Inspiration Studio to meld in physical space
or in style. To access the Studio, visitors enter the
atrium and take an escalator to the next level.
"He invited this kind of disruption and innovation," said de Giulio. "Honestly, we all wanted
visitors to walk out with their heads spinning with
ideas and inspiration."
According to Abt sales representative and narrator of the company's radio and television commercials, Shirley Hood, the idea behind the design
was for everything to flow. Instead of blocking
vignettes into sections, the space was intended to
be open, airy and comfortable.
"Since 1936,our goal has been simple - complete
customer satisfaction," said Hood. "The Inspiration Studio takes our simple goal a step further.The
name perfectly matches the overall feeling our customers have when walking through the showroom."

95



Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017

Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017
Contents
Editor ’s Note
Show Director’s Note
Happenings
Dealer Dish
Trends
Industry Viewpoint
Learning Corner
Better Business
Solutions
2017 Industry Outlook
KBIS 2017
Design With
Universal Design
Tech Savvy
Small Spaces
Balanced Budget
Sustainable Design
Before & After
What’s Hot
What’s Cool
Kitchen Redesign Highlights Views and Takes Advantage of Tall Ceilings
Kitchen Appliance Studio Design Plays Homage to an Inspiring Leader
Awkward Master Bath Receives Spa-Like Update With Functional Layout
Last Word
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Cover2
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 1
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 2
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 3
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Contents
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 5
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 6
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 7
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Editor ’s Note
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 9
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Show Director’s Note
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 11
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 12
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 13
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Happenings
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 15
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 16
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 17
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 18
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 19
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Dealer Dish
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 21
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Trends
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 23
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 24
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 25
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Industry Viewpoint
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 27
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Learning Corner
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 29
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Better Business
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 31
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Solutions
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 33
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 34
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 35
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 2017 Industry Outlook
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 37
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 38
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 39
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 40
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 41
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 42
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - KBIS 2017
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 44
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 45
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 46
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 47
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 48
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 49
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 50
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 51
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 52
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 53
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 54
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 55
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 56
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 57
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 58
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 59
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 60
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 61
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 62
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 63
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 64
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 65
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Design With
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 67
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Universal Design
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 69
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 70
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 71
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Tech Savvy
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 73
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Small Spaces
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 75
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Balanced Budget
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 77
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Sustainable Design
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 79
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Before & After
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 81
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - What’s Hot
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 83
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 84
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 85
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - What’s Cool
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 87
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Kitchen Redesign Highlights Views and Takes Advantage of Tall Ceilings
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 89
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 90
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 91
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 92
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 93
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Kitchen Appliance Studio Design Plays Homage to an Inspiring Leader
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 95
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 96
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 97
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Awkward Master Bath Receives Spa-Like Update With Functional Layout
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 99
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 100
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 101
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 102
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - 103
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Last Word
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Cover3
Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2017 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/janfeb_2024_KBISDirectory
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/janfeb_2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/novdec_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/septoct_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/julyaugust_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/mayjune_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/kitchen-bath-business-march-april-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202301v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202201_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202110
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202102_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20200708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20200506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20200203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20191112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20190708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20190506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20190203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20180910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20180708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20180506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20180203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20170708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20170506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20170203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20161112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20160708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20160506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20160203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20151112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20150708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20150506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20150203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20141112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20140506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20131112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20130506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20130102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20121112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20120506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20120102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20110506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20110102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20100102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20091112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20090607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200808
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com