Other Rooms Join Kitchen Designs in New York Showroom

MT. KISCO, NY- There's more to Bilotta Kitchens than just kitchen design, and the company's new showroom, based here, proves just that. The 3,300-sq.-ft. showroom boasts not only kitchen vignettes, but an array of "other room" designs, including bathrooms, entertainment centers, a wine cellar, library, family room, butler's pantry, dressing room and laundry room, among others.

The showroom is a resource for the design of any residential room - from kitchens to baths to entertainment centers, wet bars and wine cellars, according to the company. "The design was based on the idea of showcasing all rooms in the home, in addition to the kitchen," says Jim Bilotta, partner, Bilotta Kitchens.

Started by Jim Bilotta Sr. and currently operated by Jim Bilotta along with siblings Regina and Maria Bilotta, Bilotta Kitchens now has five locations in the New York area, including showrooms in Mamaroneck, Manhattan and Briarcliff, NY and Greenwich, CT. Celebrating 20 years in the kitchen and bath industry, the company provides complete design services and focuses on custom cabinetry.

"We are a full design service showroom - everything from the design, planning and installation all the way through to maintenance and repairs of our own cabinetry," reports Paulette Gambacorta, a designer with Bilotta Kitchens who was a key player in the design of the Mt. Kisco showroom.

A Grand Celebration

The showroom's grand opening celebration, which was sponsored by Westchester magazine, Wood-Mode and a number of local restaurants, was attended by over 500 designers, interior designers, architects, builders, vendors and consumers, all of whom are part of Bilotta's target market.

The showroom's three live kitchens, which feature ranges from La Cornue, Viking and Wolf, were occupied by area chefs whipping up their signature dishes for guests. Other area restaurants brought in pre-prepared treats for the masses, including pastries and sangria. Participating restaurants included Crabtree's Kittle House, Le Chateau, Peter Pratt's Inn, Purdys Homestead and Sonora.

"We had things going on all around the showroom," comments Gambacorta, "so people would just circle around and have food and wine. It was a very popular event. People were calling us for weeks afterward saying what a great party it was."

Two Levels

The showroom, which was designed by designers on the Bilotta Kitchens staff, is spread over two levels connected by a dramatic black metal staircase. Cabinets from Wood-Mode and Wood-Mode's Brookhaven line are featured on the first floor, with cabinetry from Signature Custom Cabinetry and Artcraft Kitchens, as well as the company's private label line, The Bilotta Collection, on the second floor.

"The showroom is unique in that it showcases a variety of non-kitchen rooms," reiterates Gambacorta. "Within those rooms, we show a lot of different materials for countertops, flooring and backsplashes. So, people can see quite a bit of variety for all of the surfaces, not just the cabinets."

Countertop materials highlighted include copper, wood, glass and concrete in addition to more traditional surfaces such as granite or marble. Bilotta carries products from Caesarstone, Zodiaq and Corian. Ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tiles are also featured. Sinks and faucets from Franke, Julien, Whitehaus Collection, JADO, Waterhouse and Kohler are also offered, as well as hardware from Cliffside, LB Brass and Top Knobs.

Main Attractions

These products mingle with a variety of high-end appliances in the 15 vignettes, including cooking, refrigeration, ventilation and cleaning products from Viking, Wolf, Sub-Zero, Kuppersbusch and La Cornue. In fact, a Ritz Blue La Cornue range, designed by Regina Bilotta, sits front and center in the showroom's window on Main Street to lure passersby.

Of the three live kitchens in the Mt. Kisco showroom, two are designed specifically for cooking events, one of the many ways Bilotta Kitchens will draw new customers into the showroom. "The larger kitchen features a cooktop in the island so the chef can face outward," comments Gambacorta.