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!

SHOW SOME SKIN IN YOUR KITCHEN

Wenge wood, as shown in this Holiday Kitchen, is a popular veneer choice. Photo by Divine Kitchens LLC MA

Don't get excited. Skins are what we sometimes call  wood veneers, or super thin sheets of material used to cover cabinet doors or panels instead of using solid wood.  As clean lines and contemporary styling continues to increase in popularity, surfaces themselves become the ornamentation and focal interest in a kitchen.  The use of interesting wood grain veneers  which are both beautiful and unique, is an excellent  way to make a simple slab door stand out.

A wide assortment of available options. Photo credit apartmenttherapy.com

Olive Ash Burl Veneer in its natural state. A little goes a long way.

Many of my clients are surprised to learn that this is can actually be a more expensive option compared to a solid wood door.  There are a couple of reasons for this.  One is that these veneers, or skins, are often made from exotic wood and secondly this can be a labor intensive process, thus the increased cost.  The advantage being you can "control" the wood grain, so to speak, creating patterns that match up with each other.  So if the unexpected randomness of natural wood grain makes your pits sweat this could be a good alternative for you.

Another option if exotic wood veneers are too rich for your blood is something called "engineered wood veneers".  These are man made skins that replicate the exotics using not-so-exotic woods. The material cost is a lot less and in many cases it's hard to tell the difference.

Brendan Donovan's Sapele Mahogany door with Rosewood veneer panel

If you still love more traditional styling, veneers can still be useful for you.  A traditional 5 piece door benenfits greatly from a center panel that is veneer rather than solid wood.  The reason is that the veneer is applied to a dense MDF substrate that will not expand and contract the way solid wood does, thus the center panel will not ever swell cracking open the seams or shrink resulting in a lose rattling center panel.

One of my favorite traditional doors made here at Brendan Donovan Furniture & Cabinet Co. is this Sapele Mahogany door with a Rosewood veneer center panel.

Another way to get the look without blowing your budget is to mix it up.  Just use the veneer on, for example, your upper cabinet doors.  The more intricate the graining the stronger the statement.  In other words, a little goes a long way.  Too much and it becomes busy and you lose the concept of focal point.

Vanity featuring same door by Brendan Donovan Furniture & Cabinet Co.

If your kitchen design involves round radius shapes it's going to involve wood veneer which can be bent and moulded to conform as needed.  Another beautiful effect can be achieved through the use of marketry, or inlay.  In researching this post I came across the amazing work of Juli Morsella.  Talk about adding a little art to your kitchen!  In addition, Juli is committed to using reclaimed woods, eco-friendly materials and she donates 10% of her earnings to environmental causes.

African art inspired these marquetry doors by Juli Morsella.

More marquetry lovliness from Juli Morsella

If you're interested in using wood veneers (or not) for your kitchen I would love to hear from you!  Congrats to Amy Parrag of Eye See Pretty.  She is the winner of the Orgaline drawer organizer giveaway!

TIPS TO AVOID KITCHEN REMODEL RIPPOFFS

Do your homework. (for my friends up north)

Seems like the consumer is a little leery lately.  Everyone's radar is on high alert looking to avoid the big RIPOFF.   I can only speak for myself but I'm confident that I am in the majority.  All we kitchen and bath industry professionals want is to make you happy.  Do we have to eat?  Yes, and so do all the hard working people that make your life possible.  That said, I do understand where you're coming from.  After all, I am a consumer too.  With that in mind I have come up with a cheat sheet for you.  Run through these 5 tips as a prelude to your decision making and you should be able to trust once again.  Oh and remember there is a difference between cheap and value for the money.  I know cheap is tempting but it isn't cheap anymore if you have to replace a product that doesn't make the cut.


1.  KNOWLEDGE IS POWER-  Today there is no excuse not to educate yourself before you go shopping.  There is a wide array of media at your disposal.   Use the internet and talk to people!  Yes, people, in person (ok can be online too).  Talk to the experts.   Read blogs.  Ask questions and talk to other consumers.  One of the best ways to feel good about your choices is to know other people who have made them before you and been happy.  No, you can never know for sure but the more knowledge you have the more equipped you are to make the right selection for yourself.

NKBA offers a wealth of information

2. RESEARCH-This goes hand in hand with #1 but it is really the next step.  Once you have defined the scope of  your project  you will be ready to select specific products such as appliances, counter tops, cabinets etc. that fit into the big picture.   Research the choices.  What are other people saying?  How long has a company been in business?  The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) Consumer Reports and the Better Business Bureau are good national and local resources and can indicate if you're headed in the right direction.


3. TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE- Take a little time to find out what your style is.  Who wants to spend a butt-load of money on something they're going to hate looking at?  The best way to find what floats your boat is to do something I call "kitchen scrap booking".  Time to have fun.  Collect images from magazines, catalogs and the internet.   These don't even have to be photos of kitchens.  They should be anything that appeals to you, a style, product or just a general ambiance.  In this way you will begin to see the patterns and perhaps even discover some things you never consciously knew!  For example you may find that 7 of 10 photos contain white cabinetry but maybe you never considered that.  Getting what you love is good value.  It just takes a little vision.

Okay this is a bit much but you get the idea.

4. LET THE PROFESSIONALS DO THEIR JOB- A WORD OF CAUTION: Don't get carried away here.  You've all heard "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing".   It's true.  Never succumb to thinking you know it ALL.  That's why there are people who have studied and spend a large part of their waking lives becoming certified experts so they can get paid to help you.  Use them.


5. COMMUNICATE FOR GOD SAKES! Once you've got some semblance of  a plan in your head it's time to take it (along with your scrapbook) to the magician professional who can make it happen for you.  This is not about money.  You have to buy your products somewhere and that place should have a professional on hand to take your vision and translate it into your dream.  That's all we do folks.  It is my experience that the best projects are really good collaborations between client and designer.   Getting what you want equates to good value for money invested.  The NKBA is a good source for qualified professionals in your area.  Many of us are also willing to work on a consultation basis, so ask!

If this is your idea of sublime you can recreate the feeling in your kitchen

Voila! Cabinets and photo by Holiday Kitchens

Holiday Kitchens

ART LIVES WITH DESIGN AT IDS 11

Check it out!  You will notice a new addition to my side bar.  That's right.  The folks over at Kitchen Improved (thank you)  decided I deserved a Best of the Web Award!

Quietly Being  by Open Studio artist Emma Nashimira is etching and aquatint on Japanese paper 



We came close in the last post about ROLLOUT Custom Wallpaper but you didn't think  I would finish my commentary on IDS 11 with out talking about ART, did you?  Well the decidedly nice thing about this design show was the mix and variety of products both utilitarian and beautiful.  Gorgeous paintings mingled with state of the art kitchens and avant garde fireplaces.


Can art and home decor live together without succumbing to the need to match the painting to the sofa?  I really hope so and I believe if you embrace the art you love and show it proudly, no matter what, the answer is YES! Art is also one of the best, and easiest, ways to personalize your kitchen.  If you have an open wall take advantage and hang some art.  Just remember to keep away from the grease, flames and wet areas. (Believe me, I have to say that. You know who you are.)


One exhibitor that I fell in love with at the show was  OPEN STUDIO.

Floating Village by Loree Ovens, another Open Studio artist.

Open Studio, located in the heart of downtown Toronto, is Canada’s leading artist-run
printmaking centre featuring works by over 150 artists.   It is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to producing, promoting and preserving contemporary original fine art prints.  The center rents studio space and equipment to printmaking artists as well as offering guided tours of the facility.   Original works produced and sold at Open Studio include etchings, lithographs, relief prints, screenprints and monoprints—and styles; from landscapes to abstracts.

An assortment of loveliness from Open Studio

Is this a deck of cards or what?! Swag from Open Studio.

Sales of these playing cards featuring the work of Open Studio artists are  for sale ($20 or 2 for $35)
Proceeds go towards supporting the studio.


Open Studio was just one of many galleries and artists exhibiting at the show.  Here are some of my other favorite bits of eye candy.

Furniture & Art by Jocelyne Sylvain

Oneo Gallery

Just a small part of an acrylic painting from Oeno Gallery

Oeno Gallery (Ok wipe that drool off your key board)

"Look Away", a collage by Angela Grossmann from Galerie D'Este

Galerie D'Este

Look of Love by Mark Jeremy Gleberzon is an acrylic painting

Mark Jeremy Gleberzon

Another by Mark Jeremy Gleberzon from his Chair collection

Less than one week to go!


Don’t forget to enter your chance to win a free Orgaline drawer organizer by leaving a comment on any post between now and February 15th! Click here to read January 14th post for details

DESIGN YOUR OWN WALLPAPER

ROLLOUT founders industrial artist Anita Modha and graphic artist Jonathan Nodrick

ROLLOUT, the wallpaper!


As you may have heard, wallpaper is in vogue once again.  I confess I am not naturally "wallpaper inclined" but what I saw recently in the intriguing Studio North & Prototype section at IDS11 in Toronto made me think again.   After all, I am slavishly devoted to art and what better way to " art"  than by utilizing the biggest canvas of all, your wall!
The innovative custom wallpaper manufacturer,  ROLLOUT , featured eight designs, including new work by founder/designers Anita Modha and Jonathan Nodrick.

This funky design is called LeCorbusier

Not only was I impressed by their edgy designs but, get this, you can design your own wallpaper.    It's pricey but that's so you keep  your taste in check.  Keep it to a focal wall such as in a powder room or dining room and you won't break the bank or run the risk of  "too much of a good thing".  This digitally printed eco-conscious wallpaper runs about $10 a square foot.  Get your own art printed for about $8 per square foot plus set up charges.    These premium, latex-based inkjet wallcoverings come in 36’’ wide rolls.  Custom design projects are quoted upon request.





ROLLOUT was recently featured on Canadian lifestyle and design talk show Steven & Chris.  Click here to see the show.  The ROLLOUT section is at 12:30.

Vitra Panton chair by Rollout was auctioned on IDS 11 Opening Night

In addition to their presence at IDS 11, ROLLOUT was also asked to re-design a Vitra Panton chair that was auctioned off with the proceeds going to Casey House, the first free-standing HIV/AIDs hospice in Canada which offers support and care to those that are affected in their communities.  20 one-off chairs by some of Canada's leading designers and architects were auctioned off during the opening night of the event.





IDS11 is Canada's largest contemporary design fair that has served to inform and support the growing Canadian design industry for the past fourteen years.  Thank you to Blanco for sending me to IDS 11!


ONE WEEK TO GO BEFORE THE DRAWING


Don’t forget to enter your chance to win a free Orgaline drawer organizer by leaving a comment on any post between now and February 15th! Click here to read January 14th post for details

G.E. HELPS YOU FIND YOUR DREAM KITCHEN

This modern kitchen features G.E. Profile appliances.

As a kitchen designer and writer,  my inbox is always filled with news of all the latest products, websites and all manner of things to do with our favorite room, the kitchen.  G.E. has always been known as the bread- and- butter of the appliance world.  Not only have they been around forever but they have evolved with the times.  Today they still offer the basic affordable options as well as higher end appliance packages under the names G.E. Profile,  Monogram and the new Cafe' Series. These offer a wider variety of functions and integrated modern styling.

Early days (Note dangerous placement of stove! Sliding in between cabinets would have been better!)

 

Another thing that really makes them a 21st century contender is their state of the art website.  There is a wealth of information here whether you aim to use their products or not.  Of course they hope you'll be seduced once you have entered their "web", so to speak.

Play with this design on the G.E. site. They left room for art. I love it!

One of my favorite features on the site is the kitchen design function.  Simply choose a kitchen which is similar to your own space.  Then simply click on the various color choices.  It's a lot of fun and a great way to start to narrow your choices and make the big decisions like dark vs. white cabinets, black vs. stainless appliances.  You get the picture (literally).  You'll also find lighting ideas, safety tips and even recipes.  Oh, and the "must have' G.E. product in my book is the Advantium Microwave Oven. My clients love it.  You can use it as a regular oven or as a microwave, so it's like two ovens in one!

This bachelor client opted for TWO Advantiums, one built-in to the pantry and one over the range!

FLORIDA KITCHEN CHARM

Thank you  for the out pouring of love and concern for our family.  No matter what happens the sun always rises again and we begin another day.

[caption id="attachment_282" align="aligncenter" width="460" caption="White cabinets and a shiny blue glass tile backsplash lend a coastal feel. Photo by Southern Accents"][/caption]

As you guys up in the northern regions are beginning to crank up the heat,  I thought I'd share a little warmth from down here in sunny Florida.  If you love warm tropical beaches, even when there's snow (instead of sand) on the ground, here's how you can bring this ambiance to your "anywhere" kitchen.

Blue & White will give you an instant feel of sun and surf.  White cabinets are hot!  Blue calls  to mind the ocean and may be added to your backsplash, walls or even used as  accent color for an island or hutch cabinet.

[caption id="attachment_285" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="A modern version with Balthaup cabinets. Photo by Elle Decor"][/caption]

A sea view is a must and you can have one even if you don't live by the sea.  Think art!  That way you can choose the sea view of your choice.  It can be a painting, a photograph or even something more abstract like a mixed media work of art.

[caption id="attachment_286" align="aligncenter" width="570" caption="I wish I was at the beach by ABSTRACTINC from Etsy.com"][/caption]

Gifts from the Sea are fun ways to add a beachy feel.  Shells, starfish or even bits of beach glass are great accents.  Try using a shiny glass tile backsplash for a watery feel or tiles with more of a honed finish look like glass that has been eroded by the sand over time.

[caption id="attachment_292" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="seashells, starfish and beach glass tell the story of the sea"][/caption]

Burled Beach Corian countertop by Dupont

Throw some sand into the mix with solid surface counter tops in colors like Dijon from the Elements collection by Denova or Burled Beach by Dupont's Corian.

[caption id="attachment_288" align="aligncenter" width="261" caption="Dijon from the Elements collection Denova Solid Surface Counters"][/caption]

The nice thing is you can add a little or you can pull out all the stops.  If you have "Floridified" your kitchen sent me pix.  I would love to show and tell.  Oh, and by the way, it's nice to be back!

TILE STYLE

Today I thought I'd continue with the eye candy theme.  You see I'm actually helping you.  I parade all types of enticement across my blog so you can formulate your own kitchen creation strategy. So take note!  Today's yumminess comes in the form of Ann Sacks Tile, one of  the most cutting edge and innovative suppliers of tile, stone and plumbing fixtures today.  It all began in 1980 when Ann Sacks discovered a box of Mexican Talavera tiles being sold as trivets.  These inspired her to start her own company and open her first showroom in the living room of her home!  The rest is history.

The Kiss by Gustav Klimt

Fritza by Ann Sacks

Inspired by the art of Gustav Klimt, Ann Sacks has recently introduced Fritza, a colorful mosaic run between strips of tetra slate and black granite. This is a great way to add a little art to your kitchen.  What a great backsplash this would make!

Another one of my favorites is this tile from the Forms collection by Angela Adams (left).  This is perfect if you're going for a mid-century modern appeal. 
 
Erin Adam's Facet Mosaic features a circle design in tones that blend beautifully with just about any wood grain

The stainless steel look is another interesting backsplash treatment for your kitchen.

 

TILE STYLE

Today I thought I'd continue with the eye candy theme.  You see I'm actually helping you.  I parade all types of enticement across my blog so you can formulate your own kitchen creation strategy. So take note!  Today's yumminess comes in the form of Ann Sacks Tile, one of  the most cutting edge and innovative suppliers of tile, stone and plumbing fixtures today.  It all began in 1980 when Ann Sacks discovered a box of Mexican Talavera tiles being sold as trivets.  These inspired her to start her own company and open her first showroom in the living room of her home!  The rest is history.

The Kiss by Gustav Klimt

Fritza by Ann Sacks

Inspired by the art of Gustav Klimt, Ann Sacks has recently introduced Fritza, a colorful mosaic run between strips of tetra slate and black granite. This is a great way to add a little art to your kitchen.  What a great backsplash this would make!

Another one of my favorites is this tile from the Forms collection by Angela Adams (left).  This is perfect if you're going for a mid-century modern appeal. 
 
Erin Adam's Facet Mosaic features a circle design in tones that blend beautifully with just about any wood grain

The stainless steel look is another interesting backsplash treatment for your kitchen.