Over the past couple of months I have been sharing some insights into #BlogTourNYC and the wonderful sponsors, events and products we were privy to.   The Architectural Digest Home Design Show was a highlight for me,  and while the design inspiration, launch of new product lines and parties were fantastic, I wanted to share one of my favorite finds with you from the show.

For those of you who really know me, I absolutely love coffee – I need my cup of jo to start my day…and sometimes a few more in between. I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent plenty of time preparing my coffee machine or in line at various coffee shops throughout the city for the cappuccino  I crave but don’t always have the time to make at home.  If only I could have coffee on tap…

Well, Scanomat has heard this wish and they have created an incredible revolution in coffee making technology.  The Scanomat Top Brewer looks like a simple tap, but it is so much more.  Designed to install easily in any countertop, this coffee maker has the smallest milk foamer in the world and it’s self-cleaning.  The foamer heats fresh milk on demand, and the tap can also provide cold water, cold milk, hot water, and even steam for blanching your vegetables.

As if that’s not enough, the Top Brewer can be connected to your iPhone or iPad to brew your favorite coffee drink from an extensive menu.  If you’re having a conversation with someone on your iPhone, don’t worry; there is a finger touch keyboard built into the tabletop so that you can still brew your favorite coffee – so cool!

I tried a cappucino made with the Top Brewer at the show, and it was absolutely delicious! It’s almost silent, too, so you never have to worry about disturbing the other members of your family while foaming your milk.  An ideal for that state of the art kitchen or your master bedroom suite.

I would love to help you design a luxury kitchen or master suite with the Scanomat Top Brewer.  Contact me at Interior Makeovers, Inc. for more information!

Stay Inspired!

Image via Scanomat

After returning from the exciting #BlogTourNYC event and The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show also known as KBIS, I was able to see some emerging trends and new products in the industry and enjoyed the opportunity to spend time and exchange ideas with the incredibly talented designers.  The National Kitchen and Bath Association, which was also a Sponsor of #BlogTourNYC, has outdone itself with KBIS 2013, and with good reason: this year marks the NKBA’s 50th anniversary - and they are celebrating in NOLA!

NKBA began as the American Institute of Kitchen Dealers in 1963, intended as an organization to help designers, builders, and other industry professionals communicate and learn from each other.  In the past 50 years, they have grown to an organization of nearly 60,000 members while still staying true to their original goal.

In fact, thanks to KBIS and the NKBA I was among eight designers invited to the show to design and present various spaces geared to a specific demographic using a new interactive and experiential platform called QueX Technology.  (More on that in my next post).

Consumer education is a major goal of the NKBA, and one of the points they have stressed through the BlogTour is that they want consumers to understand the true value of working with a design professional.  With the increasingly easy access to design resources like Houzz, HGTV, and even blogs like this one, the DIY trend has blossomed among homeowners who want to create a whole new look for the home.  If you have a strong grasp on color theory and psychology, small home upgrades like painting are pretty straightforward, but there are numerous small and subtle factors that affect what works and what doesn’t work within a space.

The trained design professional, especially one with extensive experience, has encountered these challenges and caveats and knows how to work within a space making it the best it can be.  A picture of your dream kitchen online or in a magazine is incredibly inspiring, but a trained designer will guide and execute all the elements of the project customizing that design – geared specifically for their client.  This ultimately creates a truly successful project -while saving you time-money-and stress!

Stay tuned for more information from the KBIS show and the Design Studio work I did there!

Photo Credits:

1.) KBIS

2.) NKBA

After the breakfast at the Poggenpohl showroom in the beginning of #BlogTourNYC we were able to make our way through the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, Jenn-Air, another sponsor of the tour had a huge presence at the show.

I spent some time in the Jenn-Air booth looking at the variety of top-of-the-line appliances on display, which included some beautiful wall ovens and a stunning, slightly arced stainless steel downdraft hood that retracted back into the countertop when not being used.

The Jenn-Air Accolade downdraft vent combines exquisite style and innovation.  It is constructed of glass and stainless steel, and when operational, the glass panel washes LED lighting over the cooking surface.  The hidden controls help contribute to its sleek and modern design.

Seeing all these luxury Jenn-Air appliances took me back to my childhood for a moment, remembering when my parents remodeled the kitchen of our home back in the mid-70′s.  As a part of the renovation, they installed the Jenn-Air  indoor barbecue.  Not the most popular appliance to add into a kitchen then, but growing up in Winnipeg Canada where the sub zero temperatures  would plummet to 40 degrees below zero on any winter day, I guess you could say that barbecuing indoors was a way for us to extend our very short summer season – or so we believed.

Well Jenn-Air has come a long way since then.

They displayed several luxury specialty appliances at the show, including a wine cooler and their new built-in coffee maker.  Incorporating a few of these innovative appliances into your kitchen renovation will set your kitchen apart from the rest…just like the barbecue my parents installed into our family kitchen just a few years ago.  .

Jenn-Air is a highly respected company for luxury appliances and their products have been featured in many prominent kitchen designs, including the House Beautiful kitchen I mentioned in my last post.  At the show, they not only had their booth, they also showcased their appliances Jenn-Air Master Class Culinary stage, where they sponsored a series of Master Class Studio seminars.  All told, it was an incredible experience to see the new products and innovations coming from Jenn-Air!

Thank you Modenus and the #BlogTourNYC Sponsors Poggenpohl, Blanco, Silestone, Miele, Mr. Steam, Du Verre, Barber Wilsons, Jenn Air, Victoria + Albert Baths, NKBA

Stay Inspired!

Fourth Photo via House Beautiful

In my last two posts, I discussed two of the three sponsors present at the media breakfast I enjoyed on my first day on the #BlogtourNYC, which took place in the showroom of our third sponsor: Poggenpohl.  Poggenpohl is a German kitchen design company that has been truly revolutionary in the past 120 years – they’re even responsible for introducing the concept of the kitchen island, proving they are driven by innovation.

Poggenpohl now offers the largest range of color and material choices with an emphasis on natural walnut and ash heartwood  cabinet fronts. Blending these wooden fronts with their new neutrals in colors of white, sand and grey creates a new modern aesthetic proving that modern design can be interesting, warm and inviting.

Recently, Poggenpohl partnered with Hearst Publishing’s Designer Visions Showhouse to create unique kitchens that were designed to reflect the styles of three well-known design magazines: Elle Decor, Veranda, and House Beautiful.  With the help of two other #BlogTourNYC sponsors, Jenn-Air and Silestone, and designers Matthew Patrick Smyth, Antony Todd and David Rockwell, they were able to create three truly dreamy kitchens.  My favorite tile source Ann Sacks were also a partnered in this Showhouse.

In the Elle Decor kitchen, light sand-colored Poggenpohl cabinetry with contemporary pulls contrasts against a large, stormy Ann Sacks tile backsplash and rich gray Silestone countertops.  The effect is modern, sleek, and delicate mixture of masculine and feminine aesthetics.

In the Veranda kitchen, the presence of two large windows flooded the kitchen with light, allowing the designer to choose Poggenpohl cabinets in a moody gray with beautiful violet undertones.  Mirrored tile (one of my favorites) from Ann Sacks reflect the light from the windows, helping to create a brighter, larger-looking kitchen.

The House Beautiful kitchen has a lot of energy in its design, largely a result of the distinct horizontal grain in the Poggenpohl cabinetry chosen.  A mid-tone gray tile covers the back wall, while a light neutral Silestone countertop works with the light tones of the cabinets to create an airy and cheerful kitchen space.

Last year, Poggenpohl celebrated its 120th anniversary, making it the oldest kitchen innovator in the world.  They continue their legacy with cutting-edge design and an eye to the future, an approach that is bound to lead them through another successful 120 years!  I want to thank them for their sponsorship at this wonderful event, and I look forward to seeing more innovative design from them!

Many thanks to the  #BlogTourNYC Sponsors Poggenpohl, Silestone and Jenn Air.

Stay Inspired!

Photo credits:

1.) Quintessence

2.) Elle Decor

3.) Veranda

4.) House Beautiful

5.) Lori Gilder

Silestone by Cosentino was another of the generous #BlogTourNYC sponsors who was present at our welcome breakfast on the first day of the tour.  In addition to being a sponsor on the Modenus Blog Tour, Silestone is the manufacturer of a brilliant original compound of the same name, made with natural quartz featuring bacteriostatic protection.  For this reason, Silestone is an ideal material for kitchen countertops and bathrooms thanks to its completely unique antibacterial compound.

At the breakfast we had the chance to enjoy a presentation by the company’s Vice President of Marketing, Lorenzo Marquez.  He was proudly introducing a new line of neutral colors available for the Silestone collection.  Called the “Nebula Series,” this group of six new neutrals is inspired by nebulae, the cosmic clouds of gas from which stars are born.  These colors are beautifully subtle, with quiet veining that creates a sense of depth similar to looking into the night sky, especially the Doradus color.  Each color includes the standard features of Silestone products, including a non-porous, antibacterial surface with a high level of durability.  Take a look at this design featuring the Altair color:

What I was most excited about, however, was the introduction of the new White Zeus Extreme surface.  White countertops have always been a favorite of mine, and I’m not alone- so many of my clients have pined after them too!  White Zeus Extreme takes white countertops to a whole new level, offering the whitest white available on the market.  This surface is ideal for modern, transitional and traditional kitchens and bath designs and compliments stainless appliances beautifully.  Sleek and simple or  or distinctively detailed, just vary the edge style to suit your design aesthetic and you’ll have the perfect surface for your countertops.

When contrasted with black appliances and details, your kitchen takes on instant drama and sophistication: absolutely beautiful!

Some homeowners tend to shy away from white counters fearing they may be more difficult to maintain and keep clean, especially those as bright as White Zeus Extreme.  The joy of Silestone, however, is that its non-porous surface requires very little maintenance to keep its beauty.  In addition to its natural durability and antibacterial properties, Silestone doesn’t require sealant like natural stone countertops.

Between their low-maintenance features and wide variety of colors (in addition to the new neutrals they’ve just released!) the possibilities are endless!  This material is so versatile, I can’t think of a design where I couldn’t use it!

Be sure to stay tuned for more updates from the Blog Tour!

Stay Inspired!

Image 1: Lori Gilder

Images 2,3,4,5 : Silestone

Blog Tour was one of the most incredible and inspiring design experiences I’ve had the privilege to enjoy.

Day 1 began with a welcome breakfast at the Poggenpohl Showroom hosted by #BlogTourNYC sponsors Poggenpohl, Blanco and Silestone.

Blanco, the German manufacturer and leading innovator in luxury sink and faucet design, is known for its elegant and cutting-edge fixtures….which is exactly what we witnessed first hand!  The ALTA^™ Compact faucets were proudly showcased front and center – displaying each new color and finish for all to see.

Color finishes include: Anthracite, Biscotti, Cafe Brown, Cinder, Truffle, White, Chrome and Satin Nickel.

This modern and sleekly geometric fixture is ideal for any classic,contemporary or transitional style kitchen.  Its compact design will also work perfectly within a butler’s pantry or for a wet bar, secondary sink or laundry room. This latest collection of faucets is designed with “real living” in mind.  They use less water, are highly durable and easily maintained which has universal appeal,  covering all demographics and lifestyles.

Did I mention that the Alta Faucet swivels 120 degrees and pulls out to provide its dual spray feature?  How’s that for flexibility?

The Alta Faucet isn’t just for compact sinks or spaces however.  Take a look at the image below.  It also compliments the generously sized architectural MODEX kitchen sink workstation – illustrating just how versatile this faucet really is.

From the showroom floor we had the privilege of hearing from Christy Emens, the Social Media Manager of Blanco America. She had plenty of insights to share into the award winning MODEX workstation sink and the new neutrals, specifically – the  SILGRANIT II – color Cinder. With a blend of gray, black and brown this new color integrates seemlessly into any countertop style.  Best of all it is resistant to fading, scratching and staining and will maintain its timeless beauty for years to come. A Modern Classic!

Now, if you want to go bold with a faucet for this sink, the Blanco Culina Semi-Professional clearly makes a statement!  Its tall and elegantly curving design features a flexible coiled steel spring spout, held in place by a magnetic holder.  It also has a dual spray feature and a water saving model available, which is perfect for the professional kitchens and the serious household chef.

Check back for more updates and information about the exciting home design products featured at #BlogtourNYC

To be continued…

Many thanks to the Modenus BlogtourNYC sponsors Poggenpohl, Blanco, Silestone by Cosentino, Miele, Mr. Steam, Du Verre, Victoria + Albert, Barber Wilsons, Jenn Air and NKBA!

Images 1 + 4: Lori Gilder

Images 2+3: Blanco

Stay Inspired!

One of my favorite things about starting a new year is the influx of new design ideas and trends that come with it.  It’s refreshing to have a wave of fresh inspiration at the beginning of the year, especially when designing a room as popular and important as the kitchen. Luckily, 2013 promises to be another exciting year for kitchen design trends.

There’s been a shift in cultural priorities toward materials and design elements that stand the test of time, so more neutral colors and tones maintain their popularity in kitchen design – particularly on the big ticket items like cabinetry and countertops.  The blending of these neutral tones with varied woods, laminates, glass, metals, stones, even leather and crystal – gives the homeowner an opportunity to showcase their personal design style.   The kitchen is your family’s core……so when you re-design it – think of it as your canvas in which you build the base, then add these layers one by one.

The practical aspects 2013 kitchen design continue with clean lines and modern styling, but with some added warmth from touches of classic country style design.  Kitchens continue to be a part of the popular open floor plan design of homes – where clean lines and warm neutrals help to emphasize the open feeling.

A touch of luxury returns to the trending kitchen features in the high performance appliance choices among homeowners.  It could be due to the continued surge of interest in healthy living and eating or those Food Network cooking shows that we can’t get enough of.

When it comes to appliances, gourmet cooking features are still topping the list with a focus on technological innovation, speed and efficiency.  From the induction cooktop, steam ovens and refrigerator drawers integrating these appliances seamlessly into the cabinetry is a European trend that has finally made its way here.

This is THE year to give yourself the gourmet kitchen you’ve always dreamed of.  I would love to help you design your new kitchen; just contact me at Interior Makeovers Inc. by calling 310-788-0990.

Stay Inspired!

Photo Credits:

1.) HGTV

2.) Houzz

3.) Houzz

What is it about crisp white kitchen countertops that captivates our hearts?  Is it the cleanliness and purity that speaks volumes or the reflective qualities that brighten the overall space? This kitchen design trend has been popular for years, and works beautifully with any kitchen cabinet finish and style.  Its versatility is endless and has an overwhelming appeal to many design savvy homeowners.

White kitchen countertops create a crisp punch to small spaces and offers a modern, upscale appeal.

Using Glassos….Photo image: Julian Wass Designer: Louse Brooks

If you are designing a new kitchen, white is a fantastic starting point. When your kitchen features white surfaces, any accent colors you add can really pop!

Caesarstone countertop organic white

• White gives a kitchen a very clean and open appearance and enhances the brightness of both natural and artificial lighting in the room.
• Plastic laminate counters are history. Instead, choose from several luxurious white materials for your countertops and islands.
• White granites have the luxurious feel of marble at a lower cost. They also have a subtle infusion of color that only serves to bring out the white beauty of the stone.
• Quartz is the highest-rated and most affordable countertop surfaces. There are several white choices and all of them are wonderful!

Image via: Houzz.com Designer: Timothy Corrigan Countertop white thassos

White Caesarstone® is an engineered 95% quartz, very adaptable to most kitchens. Its stains can usually be eliminated with baking soda.  GLASSOS® is a crystallized glass with an intense white surface. It claims to be harder than most granites and offers greater stain proofing, scratch-resistance and never needs to be sealed!. Let’s investigate this one!

I would love to help you design your kitchen with beautiful white surfaces!  Contact me at Interior Makeovers Inc. by calling 310-788-0990 and let’s turn your vision into a reality!

Last week I told you a bit about the kitchen renovation project on which I’ve been working, particularly integrating a custom range hood into the design to use as a focal point.  This week, we face another design decision: sourcing the perfect pendant lights to complement the cabinetry, countertop surfaces, backsplash and of course the metal range hood.  We will be looking for fixtures to suspend over the island, the peninsula and banquette.

Pendant lights come in a wide variety of styles, sizes, shapes and finishes and like the pendant on a necklace, they can be an ornamental and beautiful addition to a room – and in this case highly functional!

Because pendant lights come in so many varieties, it can sometimes pose a challenge to narrow down the options when deciding on a particular style of light for your home.  My client would love to introduce vintage influences into this kitchen design so we were able to narrow our focus to finding lighting options with vintage qualities.  I love these vendors and wanted to share these sources with you.

Here are just a few that have caught my eye for various reasons:

Circa Lighting

Founded in the historic city of Savannah, Georgia, Circa Lighting is a fantastic source for classic pendant light designs with a touch of vintage flair.  I love these : the Large Country Industrial Pendant, the Yoke Pendant, and the Grosvenor Single Pendant.

Hudson Valley Lighting

Vintage style lighting is one of Hudson Valley Lighting’s specialties, and their light fixtures have a lot of subtle details that distinguish them from competitors.  The Pelham pendant light is available in a multitude of finishes.

Zia-Priven

Zia-Priven was created by a husband and wife team of designers, Marcia Zia and Paul Priven. This transitional style is distinctive, full of  warmth blended with understated elegance (no vintage qualities here).  I just love this line.

Which pendant light do you think is the best choice?  Share your opinion in the comments; I would love to hear from you!

A backsplash is an important part of kitchen design for both function and style. Kitchens are messy places, and backsplashes not only protect your wall surfaces from the splatter of oils and sauces, they can also create an incredible visual impact in your kitchen.

Materials

Choosing the material for your backsplash is the first step to creating a beautiful design. There are several options, from traditional tile to modern metal.  Ceramic tile comes in a variety of shapes and colors, as does glass tile.  Back-painted sheets of glass are another option for a more modern and minimalist kitchen, and much easier to clean than smaller tiles.  For a more traditional look in your kitchen painted beadboard with a durable high-gloss paint is a great choice, while stainless steel and metal tiles are excellent for an unexpected and modern design.

Colors

Most backsplash materials lend themselves to a variety of color choices.  When you choose your colors, it’s important to always keep the conceptual design of the kitchen in mind.  A backsplash can create contrast in your kitchen; for example, if your cabinets and countertops are a dark material, choosing a lighter color for your backsplash will help create that balance in the overall kitchen design.  Alternatively, you can extend the color of your countertop into your backsplash or create an interesting visual impact with multiple colors of tile.

Pattern

You can add simple pattern to your backsplash in several ways.  Choose a ceramic tile with an embossed design and use it as an accent, or  a metal backsplash with an etched pattern.  Even if you choose a solid color of tile, you can create pattern with the shape of the tile or just by layout alone. Installing tile on the horizontal is much more traditional and conservative than laying on the vertical.  Take it a step further and stack the tile as apposed to a brick layout.

What would you choose for the backsplash in your kitchen? Share your opinions with us in the comments; we’d love to hear your input!

Photo Credits:

1.) HGTV

2.) Houzz

3.) Better Homes and Gardens