Asked about what attracted True Residential to the location of its new showroom, Kay Trulaske, assistant brand manager, said, “The A&D Building is the epicenter for design inspiration in the trade community – especially for those redoing their kitchen. Being in the thick of the action in midtown Manhattan, joining most of our contemporaries in the building, it was a no-brainer.”
“Designing the showroom was all about bold, daring colors – and something that terrifies us all – showcasing the inside of your refrigerator,” said showroom manager Wes Lind.
The 1,600-square-foot showroom, which offers product training and demonstrations as well as educational opportunities and wellness-inspired events for the design community, has five distinct spaces, each with its own character, design focus and designated function.
The reception gallery is bright and vibrant with color, meant to energize and inspire clients as they walk into the showroom. Glass-front and solid-door refrigerators line the walls in a veritable walk-through product catalog, demonstrating the brand’s custom color capabilities and hardware details.
The entrance gallery leads to the central space in the showroom, a working demonstration kitchen. Replicating the at-home entertaining environment, it welcomes guests with a waterfall island. Fitted with live units, it allows customers to experience the performance capabilities and features of several appliances, including True ultra matte black + pewter 36-inch refrigerator and freezer columns, under-counter units, overlay panel refrigerator and freezer drawers, and a low-profile ADA ice machine. The induction range, dishwasher and warming drawers are Fisher & Paykel designs. A living wall planted with greenery adds a biophilic element to the space.
Adjacent to the kitchen, a moody ‘library bar’ draws visitors into the world of an at-home bar. Elegant and ambient, it houses three design concepts which are anchored by different appliances: wine and beverage columns, the five-foot-wide ‘ultimate bar’, and the low-profile collection with hidden bar shelving.
The outdoor appliances area and conference room in the True Residential showroom are tailored toward a South Florida feel – radiant yet chic – and provide an escape from the bustle of the city streets below. The outdoor vignette highlights the undercounter models that are dual-rated for use both indoors and out. Illuminated by lighting from luxury Italian brand Lodes, the conference room is fitted with ADA-compliant units, to not only promote inclusivity but also demonstrate their ease of use. It’s a private space for meetings, or for designers to sit down and review plans or create mood boards.
“We always say that stainless steel can be easily envisioned. Witnessing first-hand our Bluestone, Emerald and Juniper finishes – to name only a few – on a fully painted, 7-foot-tall refrigerator is a unique, in-person-only experience,” said Lind.
—By Leslie Clagett, KBB managing editor