BlueStar® Returns to KBIS 2026 with Bold Design & New Innovations
BlueStar® was excited to return to the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Orlando, Florida, from February 17–19, 2026. This year, visitors to booth S24039 were among the first to experience a refreshed legacy product, the brand’s newest innovations, and an immersive booth design that spotlighted BlueStar’s 2026 Color of the Year: Purple Violet—all brought to life by Shumaker Design Associates.
A Booth Built Around Storytelling and Warmth
Suzanne and Garry Shumaker, the creative duo behind the architect‑led firm Shumaker Design Associates, crafted the BlueStar booth as a journey through spaces that invite gathering, connection, and memory-making. Inspired by warm family vacations and environments that feel both lived‑in and elevated, the Shumakers’ design weaves together rich materials, layered patterns, and expressive color.
Their goal was to create kitchen environments that are beautiful yet approachable—spaces that function the way real homes do.
“We wanted to design a booth that didn’t feel precious or untouchable,” says Garry Shumaker, Architect and co‑founder of the firm. “BlueStar’s products have an aesthetic honesty to them. They’re durable, professional, commercial-grade pieces that blend seamlessly into a kitchen while performing the way real home cooks need.”
Spotlight on Innovation: The Reimagined Platinum Series
The 2026 relaunch of BlueStar’s premium Platinum Series gas ranges took center stage. Updated with a newly engineered gas oven and the brand’s proprietary X‑8™ burners, the line represented the next evolution of BlueStar precision and power. BlueStar’s innovative X‑8™ burner featured an expansive 8‑point sealed star shape with a 20‑inch circumference—designed for the most consistent heat distribution on the market. Each burner included 152 precision‑control heat ports, enabling even heating, a high‑heat sear at 25,000 BTUs, and the flexibility of an ultra‑low 500 BTU simmer. The Platinum Series also featured a redesigned oven with faster preheat times, improved convection performance, enhanced lighting, refined aesthetics, and modernized controls.
Expanding the X‑8™ Family
Visitors also saw BlueStar’s new X‑8™ Drop‑In Cooktops, available in 30” and 36” models. The 36” cooktop offered a powerful 95,000 BTUs across six burners, while the 30” model delivered 67,000 BTUs across four.
“With all our new innovation, we wanted to bring the brand back to its roots,” said Ann Muth, Vice President of Marketing at BlueStar. “Innovation is part of our dedication to home cooks, experienced chefs, and everyone in between. Returning to KBIS was a chance to showcase that evolution—and to inspire.”
Three Vignettes, One Immersive Experience
The Shumakers designed the booth around three connected kitchen vignettes that flow seamlessly from one to the next through shared materials, intuitive circulation, and a thoughtful progression of color and texture.
A Social Hub at the Center
Two central islands act as the heart of the booth—spaces intentionally designed for conversation and interaction, much like standing tables in a bustling hospitality setting. They introduce the richness of Purple Violet, paired with dark-stained wood and red-toned details. One island features a matte‑black 36” Platinum Series Induction Range with copper trim; the other showcases the classic 36” Nova Series Rangetop.
East Vignette: A Warm, Mountain-Inspired Retreat
The East vignette is one of the most utilitarian and approachable spaces in the booth. Inspired by mountain homes and alpine retreats, it draws on Swiss vernacular architecture, seamlessly blending centuries-old materials with modern living. The result is a kitchen that feels grounded, warm, and genuinely livable. This vignette showcases one of BlueStar’s latest innovations, the X-8™ Cooktop, and Manhattan Hood paired with a stainless steel French Door Double Wall Oven. Countertops by Onur Marble & Granite reflect light across a green tile backsplash inspired by traditional ceramic-tiled Swiss stoves. Cabinetry by Village Handcrafted features high-gloss white uppers to reflect light and complement the stone surfaces, which are paired with White Ash base cabinets that reference old-world Alpine construction and exposed ceiling beams.
The West Vignette: Layered, Expressive, Full of Color
The West vignette offers a more expressive, layered interpretation of warmth and color. Inspired by the designer’s time spent in Zurich, where koi imagery frequently appears in retail and hospitality spaces, the design draws on the symbolism of movement and vitality. A bold blue koi mural anchors the vignette, creating a visual midpoint between the rustic Swiss-inspired space and the dramatic Color of the Year destination towards the back of the booth. While still approachable, this vignette introduces a more elevated design language through color, finish, and composition. BlueStar’s 48” Dual Fuel Range is featured here in Brilliant Blue, accented with antique brass and matte black knobs, with a Normandy Hood above. A BlueStar Pro French Door Built-In Refrigerator in deep Cobalt Blue complements the mural’s layered blue tones.
The Color of the Year: A Bold Destination
Anchoring the booth at the back wall, the Color of the Year vignette serves as the emotional and visual crescendo of the space. Designed as the ultimate destination, it envelops visitors in depth, warmth, and material richness. Purple Violet is a bold yet inviting hue, chosen by the Shumakers for its richness without feeling exclusive. At the center of the vignette is a 60” Platinum Series Range in Purple Violet, framed by cabinetry stained in the Color of the Year to create a dramatic focal point that elevates the range as the heart of the kitchen. Village Handcrafted aniline dye cabinetry surrounds the space, with stained Rift White Oak base cabinets grounding the composition. A custom 143” Atlas Hood in a statuary bronze finish with brushed brass strapping centers the vignette. Its extended length mirrors the cabinetry, reinforcing symmetry and drawing the eye to the range. Together, the layered materials and finishes create a bold yet welcoming environment that unifies the booth and brings the Shumakers’ vision to life.
