PFK-Spring-2018

7 donsappliances.com Smarter, faster, better, more e cient— these words infiltrate our minds through advertising and media. We expect more from what we buy, and our appliances are no exception. From refrigerators with LCD touch screens to customizable columns and robotic vacuums, manufacturers are inundating the market with newly engineered, smart appliances to make our lives easier. We would be hard-pressed to find a city more apt to adopt these changes than Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh’s bourgeoning tech scene has changed the city’s landscape and created opportunity for many. Since Google and Uber’s expansion into the city, CMU’s progressing robotics department and the possibility of hosting Amazon’s new corporate headquarters, Pittsburgh is accustom to change. These changes have encouraged the revitalization of old communities. New housing, businesses and restaurants provide opportunity in the real estate and lifestyle sectors— builders, remodelers, architects, designers and of course, appliance retailers. On a national scale, channels like HGTV have brought about a new awareness of kitchen design trends and available technologies for easy living. When we embarked on the journey of bringing Pittsburgh’s Finest Kitchens to life, we sought after stories that convey what makes Pittsburgh so unique—how we’re on the forefront of new trends in kitchen design. Articles like “Rich History, Innovative Design” show how the iconic Heinz Ketchup factory has been converted into the luxurious Heinz Lofts (page 55), “Bosch above the Allegheny” tells the story of how a kitchen remodel in the trendy Gateway Towers uses kitchen design to aid in the “quintessential Pittsburgh moment” (page 60). In interviewing our customers and partners, those who contributed to the first edition of Pittsburgh’s Finest Kitchens , the common thread in conversation was how integral kitchens and appliances are in the lives of many. Kitchens are where you entertain, share food, laughs, and stories, where kids do their homework and the room where people spend most of their time while at home. We spoke to homeowners who remodeled their kitchens so they could finally host family holidays (page 66) and to a design team who is renovating a 113-year-old mansion that will eventually become a community event space (page 10). All of the featured stories share how new advancements in appliances benefit their lives. If you’re wondering what’s next in appliances, check out the newest trends on page 21. Unsure of what colors to pair with your Sunset Bronze or Cobalt Blue refrigerator? Read about color trends in PPG Paints “Cocktail-Chic Color Palette” on page 37. We created Pittsburgh’s Finest Kitchens as a platform to highlight our community, the beautiful homes that our appliances are in and the artisanship of the talented partners we work with. It takes the vision and collaboration of many to perfectly construct the finest kitchens in Pittsburgh. Steph Churchel editor’s note