DESIGN AND THE MODERN KITCHEN

I made it! Here at last.

Granted I'm biased, but I have to say that Counter Space:   Design and the Modern Kitchen is the most engaging exhibit I have had the pleasure of attending.  It opened at the Museum of Modern Art September 15th and closes on March 11th.  The thing about this show is that we can all identify and connect with the topic of kitchens.  They are an integral part of how we live but we seldom give thought to exactly how they came about.  You can find just about all there is to know right here.

NOTES ON A SATURDAY IN NEW YORK

Edward Hopper, Charles Demuth 1883-1935, My Egypt, 1927. Oil and graphite pencil on fiberboard, 35 3/4 × 30 in.

Yesterday we were supposed to go to the Armory Art Show but due to a late start we ended up at the Whitney instead.  The late start was worth it, however as my brother-in-law made us salmon eggs benedict which I highly recommend! We found the recipe here at my fave recipe source allrecipes.com.  Right now the Whitney is featuring a special exhibition on Edward Hopper.  The Whitney Museum

The Whitney Museum, New York City

is only a fraction of the size of the Met, admission is $18 and the staff is grumpy and surly at best.  I digress, back to Edward.  Here's what Wiki has to say about him:  Edward Hopper was a prominent American realist painter and printmaker. While most popularly known for his oil paintings, he was equally proficient as a watercolorist and printmaker in etching. In both his urban and rural scenes, his spare and finely calculated renderings reflected his personal vision of modern American life.  I guess when I think of him I think of the rural American scene and was not so familiar with his urban themes.  I enjoyed seeing these and the works of other artists who, as his contemporaries and peers, were influenced and inspired by him.   I'd show you some pix but they were verboten so here's an example of one I Googled.  After that we wandered over to the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle which is basically a huge mall.  The thing about NYC is that you will find something intriguing at every turn, whether it is a character on the street or something like this totally unexpected Salvador Dali sculpture at Time Warner!

Woman Aflame by Salvador Dali at Time Warner Center

This woman, almost entirely composed of flames, combines two of Dali's favourite obsessions: fire, and a female figure interspersed with drawers. Dali found flames fascinating because they seem to have a life of their own, exerting an almost hypnotic influence on the observer.  Read more about her here.

AKCafe' at Columbus Circle (GREAT potato salad)

Right across from the Time Warner Center we stopped at a cool Scandanavian cafe' called AKCafe.  Our snacks were yummy and I enjoyed soaking in the hip decor.  I especially love the linen colored paneling, so Scandi!

Donna Karan window on Madison Avenue

More Lovliness!

So today will be the big adventure, the reason I came to NY.  Next post, Counter Space: Design and the Modern Kitchen.

DREAM KITCHENS MADE IN ITALY

Flux by Scavolini designed by automotive designer Giugiaro who designs for Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini

Daniele Busca lives for Scavolini.  After spending an hour chatting with him and touring the showroom and US headquarters in Soho I can understand why.  Daniele is the Manager and Creative Director who makes it all work on this side of the pond.  The new location which has been open since last October is enjoying a brisk business and I think it's largely due to Daniele's knack for tweaking this Italian product for an American market.  "American kitchens are generally bigger", he says, "and where you would have an island in America we might have a kitchen table instead in Italy."  Another major difference is the appliances.  American refrigerators are almost always bigger."  White still reigns.

Showroom Manager and Creative Director Daniele Busca

I thought it was interesting to hear that home owners are requesting glossy finishes and architects prefer the matte look.  A artful mixing of textures, both tactile and visual,  is also important.  I asked Daniele to define a trend.  He says, "in the end a trend is what sells." The showroom spans two floors.  Displays were designed in Italy and re-designed by Daniele for an exact fit both in size and taste for the US market.  "Americans also tend to prefer symmetry in kitchen design," he added.  Scavolini is a family business based in Pesaro, Italy and has been the largest cabinet manufacturer in Italy since 1984 with 40 dealers  in the US.  This year marks the company's 50th anniversary.  Clientele for the New York location is largely an international group who keep an apartment in New York City as well as elsewhere.  This year Scavolini will roll out seven new models.  Four new displays are already in the works for this new showroom.  The Tetrix line, as seen at IDS,  designed by internationally-famous British designer Michael Young, is also being featured.  Tetrix is not yet on display here but Daniele's sending me some pix to share with you.  Designers may be interested to know that Scavolini has developed their own design and pricing program.  Scavolini is very involved in the Green movement.  I was surprised to hear that the manufacturing facility in Italy is 85% powered by solar panels and they are planning to make it 100% by the end of the year.  All cabinet boxes and door panels are made from 100% recycled fire retardant and water resistant wood.  All lacquers used are water-based.  Scavolini is involved in the local community offering the showroom for fund raising events  organized by trade associations and design schools.  Generally speaking, a Scavolini kitchen can be yours for from about 10K to upwards of 90K.

Cool corner storage

Love the sculptural upper cabinets (if you have the room)

Ultimate trash/recyling pull out

.

The magic of efficient pantry storage!

A place for everything

check out that hood!

Follow the red glass steps to a whole other world of displays downstairs

The traditional display is down there just in case someone wants it. Daniele wants you to know that the exact same cabinets in black are HOT!

Italian walnut

You can probably afford this laminate kitchen but it still looks like a million bucks!

This is "niche storage", very specific (love the Italiano shoes and skinny trousers)

Thank you to Daniele for hosting my visit.  I really enjoyed chatting with him.  I asked a million questions and he was up to the task, warm and most gracious.  If you're ever in Soho stop in and see for yourself.  Tomorrow I will be back with more from New York.

I'M HERE! DAY 1

Pretty Private!

10:45AM

What a great beginning! Actually saw a rainbow on the way to the airport.  Made it just in time, without cutting it too close.  Even had enough time to buy a Vanity Fair (old September issue).  Will send pix upon arrival.  Can't wait to see what Brizo has in store for us today and to meet other attendees. 

1:40 pm

Riding STYLE

Stretching out, cause I can.

Great flight (crazy landing though).  I even got to stretch my legs out on two vacant seats in my row.  How often does that happen?  Limo arrived to pick me up, yes only me, and shuttled me to the ritzy 70 Park Avenue Hotel.  I could just imagine people wondering who that was in the stretch limo with the obligatory blacked out windows.  Inside I simply stretched out and enjoyed the view and reggaeton music (96.3FM) on the radio.  Just one glitch so far.  Upon landing, I discovered that my cell phone payment had not gone through, so no cell phone.  No cell phone for me, hubby, daughter or step-son.  Tackled that little BIG issue and phone is back up, running and paid two for months! Now let the games begin!!  More later.

I'M HERE! DAY 1

Pretty Private!

10:45AM

What a great beginning! Actually saw a rainbow on the way to the airport.  Made it just in time, without cutting it too close.  Even had enough time to buy a Vanity Fair (old September issue).  Will send pix upon arrival.  Can't wait to see what Brizo has in store for us today and to meet other attendees. 

1:40 pm

Riding STYLE

Stretching out, cause I can.

Great flight (crazy landing though).  I even got to stretch my legs out on two vacant seats in my row.  How often does that happen?  Limo arrived to pick me up, yes only me, and shuttled me to the ritzy 70 Park Avenue Hotel.  I could just imagine people wondering who that was in the stretch limo with the obligatory blacked out windows.  Inside I simply stretched out and enjoyed the view and reggaeton music (96.3FM) on the radio.  Just one glitch so far.  Upon landing, I discovered that my cell phone payment had not gone through, so no cell phone.  No cell phone for me, hubby, daughter or step-son.  Tackled that little BIG issue and phone is back up, running and paid two for months! Now let the games begin!!  More later.

LET'S HEAR IT FOR NEW YORK!

Ok so I promised a run down on the first modern kitchen, which is exciting but I have something MUCH BETTER to share with you this beautiful Friday!  I am going to New York for fashion week courtesy of Brizo!  (You remember Brizo from my August 26th post, don't you?) Turns out a group of us bloggers are invited on an all expense paid trip of a lifetime to the BIG APPLE during, wait for it, FASHION WEEK!  We will be attending, not only Jason Wu's fashion show, but also the following cocktail party and viewing of The Showtime House.  Spanning three exclusive condos, this second annual multimedia showhouse creates modern living spaces- featuring Brizo products- designed by notable designers and inspired by these award-winning , original Showtime series: Nurse Jackie, Dexter, Weeds, Californication, The Borgias and The Big C.  I invite you to come on the journey with me starting NOW.  The countdown starts today.  

 Between now and when my plane takes off on September 9th I will introduce you to the other fantastic bloggers and report all the juicy details of the big event as they unfold.  Since I just can't seem to get JZ and Alicia out of my head I'm going to share it with you too.  So click here, hit that "full screen" button, turn up the sound and celebrate this little bit of luck and sing along with me!

"...these streets will make you feel brand new.  Their lights will inspire you.  Let's hear it for New York!"

LET'S HEAR IT FOR NEW YORK!

Ok so I promised a run down on the first modern kitchen, which is exciting but I have something MUCH BETTER to share with you this beautiful Friday!  I am going to New York for fashion week courtesy of Brizo!  (You remember Brizo from my August 26th post, don't you?) Turns out a group of us bloggers are invited on an all expense paid trip of a lifetime to the BIG APPLE during, wait for it, FASHION WEEK!  We will be attending, not only Jason Wu's fashion show, but also the following cocktail party and viewing of The Showtime House.  Spanning three exclusive condos, this second annual multimedia showhouse creates modern living spaces- featuring Brizo products- designed by notable designers and inspired by these award-winning , original Showtime series: Nurse Jackie, Dexter, Weeds, Californication, The Borgias and The Big C.  I invite you to come on the journey with me starting NOW.  The countdown starts today.  

 Between now and when my plane takes off on September 9th I will introduce you to the other fantastic bloggers and report all the juicy details of the big event as they unfold.  Since I just can't seem to get JZ and Alicia out of my head I'm going to share it with you too.  So click here, hit that "full screen" button, turn up the sound and celebrate this little bit of luck and sing along with me!

"...these streets will make you feel brand new.  Their lights will inspire you.  Let's hear it for New York!"