ALL THAT GLITTERS COULD BE GLASS!

You've heard me talk about glass before and it's place as a progressive material used in all sorts of innovative ways in the 21st century kitchen.  The following is a press release I recently received for a company called Think Glass.



"One of the coolest products just unveiled at the National Kitchen Bath Show in Las Vegas was a stunning 4-inch glass countertop that looked like the luminescent ocean and actually glowed from within. The powerful LED lights embedded inside gave the glass countertop a radiance. ThinkGlass offers a variety of light colors and even the ability to create a “light show” via remote control with special effects such as flashing and fading lights to create an ambiance.

ThinkGlass has quickly become a leader in the thermoforming industry by pioneering a versatile technique that allows the creation of new or repetitive textures at a very low molding cost. This process allows the creation of glass slabs without thickness constraints opening the door to all kinds of design possibilities that far exceed anything that can be accomplished with stone, granite or marble."

This truly is a revolutionary break through.  Previously the thickest counter top any sane glass expert would offer is 3/4".   When glass reaches a thickness of 1.4" it becomes hard as stone and it is naturally antibacterial because of its totally nonporous nature.

Original artwork or decoration as well as texture can be added to make a glass counter top a unique expression.

ThinkGlass has been around for about 11 years and here's how they do it.  The process begins with 8' by 11' sheets of 1/2" glass which is cut to size according to project specs.  The glass is stacked and placed on a bed of sand in an oven.  Any desired texture or design is drawn into the sand before the glass is placed on it.  The glass is then baked for one day for every 1/2" of thickness.  The finished product is then polished by hand.  Pretty cool, huh?  The sand is even reused so there is no waste.

The addition of LED lighting for illumination really takes glass to the next level and is sure to deliver lots of  "wows".  Glass is easy to clean and the addition of a texture is a crafty way to hide finger prints.

If you'd like just a little wow that's good too and can be enough.  How about a raised glass top on your island?  If you go this route make sure to employ a qualified professional who will know the best way to install and secure your top.  Last but not least, don't forget that if you are a follower of  Feng Shui, glass is a great way to add the water element to your kitchen.  The element of water is said to attract wealth and health!

THE BEST OF KBIS

Our annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show known as KBIS  was held last month in Las Vegas.  I’m hearing that attendance was much improved over the anemic showing of the last couple years.  This show is traditionally where new products and design trends for the kitchen and bath are introduced to the world at large.  Here are some of my new faves from the show!

The signature look of Borholm Kitchens was a timely refreshing addition to KBIS

Simple Scandanavian inspired detailing sets this line apart.

One of the most exciting debuts this year is  Bornholm Cabinets,  conceived of and created by fellow blogger Susan Serra and her daughter.     They are a couple of smart cookies who know what’s both hot now as well as basic and unique enough to be timeless.  The line is Scandanavian inspired but American made.  Simple yet elegant and designed to blend into and enhance any environment.  I think we’ll be seeing more of this.  You can see more here.

I also love this beautiful bit of black.

Yes it’s a toilet!  When it comes to commodes the Japanese have definitely got it going on and this example is no exception.   We all know what a "smart" phone is, well meet the "smart" toilet!  The REGIO by Inax  features a sound system, heated seat, double power deodorizing, automatic seat and flushing, and dual nozzle bidet. Geez, what more could you want?  Oh, yeah it’s also environmentally responsible. Check it out here

Here’s a new fun way to add a little glow to that backsplash area between your cabinets and counter top.



The °eluma RGB DecoSplash illuminated backsplash is the first fully customizeable color changing LED backsplash.  You can change your color as you change your mood from fuschia to lime green!  This LED light is dimmable and you even have your choice of decorative inserts.  Find out more here.

Dark rich wood finishes continue to be a popular choice.  I just love the Asian vibe (of course!) of this kitchen by Wellborn Cabinets.

Click here to see the rest of The Best of KBIS!

LATEST PRODUCTS TAKE THE STAGE

I’m finally feeling better, thank you, after being laid low by a vicious virus last week. You know the one, right? I won’t bore you with the details. Suffice to say, while I was out going viral (and not in the way I would wish) here’s what’s been happening far and wide.

DREAM20 Features interactive displays showcasing the latest technology from Delta Faucet Company

Delta Faucet Company unveiled its flagship DREAM2O(SM) showroom, located in Chicago's Merchandise Mart, during a private grand opening event on Thursday, May 5.   (You’ll remember my amazing experience with them last year in New York.  If not, click here for a flashback.)  The new 3,097 square-foot design center is a hands-on, interactive environment where architects, designers, and homeowners can experience more than 90 fully-functioning faucets and fixtures from the Delta® and Brizo® brands.  What makes this showroom unique is not only the fact that it is the first and only showroom of its kind, but also the innovative displays which are just a perfect way to showcase their cutting-edge products. Read more about it here.

Silgranit Truffle sink paired with new Culina faucet

 

If you’re in  NYC this weekend you can visit the International Contemporary Furniture Fair or ICFF held at  New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center  through May 17^th.  Sink manufacturer extraordinaire, Blanco (another flashback here) is officially launching two new collections including the Silgranit II Truffle Sink and the Culina faucet.

Italian style, courtesy of Scavolini May 16th

 

Italian kitchen cabinet manufacturer Scavolini is introducing the new quartz surface Santa Margherita on May 16th from 6-9pm in their Soho gallery.  If you'd like to attend contact Daniele Busca  212-209-0910 as this is an invitation only event.

MEXICAN MAGIC

Frida and Diego, nicknamed "The Elephant and the Dove". She was 98lbs to his 300lbs!

Happy Cinco de Mayo. Today, the 5th of May, is the day to celebrate  Mexican culture and heritage.  It marks the date of a Mexican victory in a regional battle with the French in 1862.  However when I think of Mexico I think of Frida, bright splashes of color and real Mexican food, not the goop of melted cheese you find so often in "Mexican" restaurants.  Frida, of course, is surrealist Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, one of the most well known artists of the twentieth century.  She was  married to the famous muralist Diego Rivera.

An ethereal painting by Frida Kahlo

This Diego Rivera mural was created in 1931. I had the pleasure of seeing it at the San Fransisco Art Institute on my honeymoon in 2009. The colors are still amazingly vibrant!

The movie Frida, starring Salma Hayek and Alfred Molina relates their tumultuous relationship as well as the revolutionary political climate and personal experiences that colored both their careers as artists. I love this movie because it is art. I doubt there is a single solitary frame in this film that cannot stand on its own as a work of art. The colors are amazing as are the scenes that morph from reality into artwork.

One of my favorite scenes is Frida's tango portraying a seductive dance between Frida Kahlo and Tina Midotti (Italian photographer and fellow revolutionary) played in the movie by Salma and Ashley Judd. Watch the steamy scene here.

The sultry tango scene starring Salma Hayek and Ashley Judd as Frida and Tina Midotti

Frida's kitchen was no less colorful than her life. Her house, La Casa Azul in Coyoacan Mexico, is open to the public. A visit is something I definitely need to add to the old bucket list.

Imagine making guacamole here!

If you find yourself craving some Mexican culinary magic check out this cookbook filled with authentic Mexican recipes.

A source for "the real deal" in Mexican cooking

I'm hoping you have Netflix so you can blend up some frozen margaritas, whip up some fresh guacamole,  sit back and enjoy Frida on this Cinco de Mayo. You're in for a treat!

CREATING AN INSPIRING WHITE KITCHEN

Art by Heidi Crockett Photo from Cloth Paper Scissors March/April 2011

Today's Let's Blog Off topic queries the source of our ideas.  Where does creativity reside?  Is it within or is it outside and all around awaiting discovery?  For me the answer is both.  Yes, it's all around us, for sure, but it also requires the eye of the beholder to breathe life into it.  Here is a recent example in my life of something I saw which inspired a blog post.

You may have the panache to pull off a monochrome white room that invites and stimulates the senses but for most of us going all the way with white runs the risk of BORING.  Since white is so "white hot"  at the moment, especially in the kitchen, I’m going to share with you the secret of how to make white pop.
One thing to remember is white is a team player, it’s all about the colors around it. As you know, I love art (a big source of inspiration). I recently came across this image in Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine which is a perfect example of how white can glow when surrounded by the right color.  I see it work time and again. White cabinets plus color equals stunning.  If your taste runs more to the conservative think camels, taupes or warm beige walls to create the contrast.

This example, by Holiday Kitchens, uses the same palette as the artwork!

If you’re more daring go for Apple Martini Green or Sky Blue.  The nice thing is if you want to go for the gusto paint is a safe bet.  It’s one thing you can change fairly easily and reasonably.

We used a tropical blue to pop the white in this kitchen. Cabinets by Holiday Kitchens, Inc.

Another thing to remember about white is that it’s just not white. There are probably hundreds of whites and they all read differently depending on your lighting and location.  The lesson here is to test your whites on site.  Consider the color for a full 24 hours so you can see how it looks as lighting changes throughout the day.

Rick Schultz Photo from Design Sponge

Many times wherever you find white you will also find black.  You can tastefully mix black and white cabinets or if you have guts and great lighting the walls could be black, as in this example.  This photo also serves as a great inspiration for many of the newer homes we have in my area with cathedral ceilings but short stumpy cabinets (thank you Mr. Builder).  If you can't afford to change the cabinets take advantage of the great space above for art.  Here, it carries the eye upwards taking attention away from shorty cabinets.

White wainscote panels are extra crisp against contrasting walls. Photo from tadacreations.blogspot.com

The same concept makes a contemporary statement from bitehome.com

This stunning Apple Green back splash looks like glass but it's actually a colored plastic by Opticolor!  So there you have it, inspiration of the day all inspired by a whimsical little piece of art!

DEBUT OF THE FOUR DOOR REFRIGERATOR

Samsung four door refrigerator

It seems like the refrigerator is one kitchen appliance that is always changing and evolving.  After all, it has risen from being a literal "ice box" to an electronic device that can be temperature controlled by area for your unique needs.  The latest innovation is the four door model.  Sounds like a car but it's a fridge.  They look like the popular French door models but with an extra drawer.  Consumer Reports recently reviewed three models, by Samsung, Kenmore and LG.  The highest rated model was the Samsung which is also the priciest of the three retailing at $2,600.  They liked the functionality of the extra drawer which has something called a FlexZone.  It can be temperature adjusted for meat, drinks, kids' snacks etc. The Kenmore model rated highly too with its most appealing feature being an outside water/ice  dispenser and a built-in filtration system.  The Kenmore model retails for $2,400.  The LG model did not fare as well as it has the least usable space and is the least energy efficient.  It is however, the least expensive starting at $2,200.00.  Incidentally Consumer Reports does reccommend several French (3 door) models at $1,000 or less.

INSTITUTIONAL STYLE

If Craftsman and Mid-Century Modern had offspring perhaps?

Park Vista Community High School, who knew?

So this morning I had to pick my daughter up (generic unspecified stomach ache) from Park Vista Community High School in Boynton Beach.  These are the chairs residing in Student Services.  Is it just me or are they kick ass?  Frankly I did a double take.  I was amazed at such tasteful style in a most unexpected venue!  Do you like? Where have you found unexpected style.  Maybe we should start a series.  Hmmmm.  Send me pix and I will make you famous (ok so probably not).