Julia Child was a pioneer in the world of haute cuisine at a time when celebrity "chefdom" was a decidedly manly occupation. She didn’t care. The kitchen was her natural habitat and she had her own ways of making it work for her whether she was whipping up a soufflé or flaming a creme brûlée. 
Child is credited with bringing French cuisine to America in the 1960s and was host of The French Chef on PBS which aired from 1963-1973. Interestingly, she did not learn to cook until she met her husband Paul Child, an American diplomat with a refined palate. Julia also worked for the government during WWII as a research assistant in the Secret Intelligence division of the OSS (Office of Strategic Services). It was in this capacity that she created her first recipe which was for shark repellent! It worked and is still in use today. After the war the couple settled in Paris where Paul worked for the US Foreign Service and Julia attended the renowned Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. She had fallen in love with French cuisine. Julia stood 6’2”, never had any children and left this world in 2004, two days shy of her 92nd birthday. She was quoted as saying, “with enough butter, anything is good”. Apparently her health was none the worse for it. 
Julia’s real life kitchen was donated, moved and reassembled in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in 2001. The layout was devised by Julia and her husband and customized to her cooking needs, including higher counter tops to accommodate her height. Pots and cooking utensils are all placed exactly as they were in her home. Today Julia would be utterly amazed at the advancements in appliances, materials and new storage options. Although her kitchen goes back 50 years she had ideas and practices that are very relevant today. Here is what I think today’s kitchen would look like through the eyes of The French Chef. 
Organization and Easy AccessJulia was known for her handy and efficient peg board system. Companies like Rev-A-Shelf have taken this concept and expanded it so that it doesn’t have to be on the wall. Moving pegs allow these inserts to be customized. This is especially handy for dish storage in new kitchens that feature fewer upper cabinets. A "Julia kitchen" includes a place for everything and everything in it’s place. 
To Make the Cut You Must Have Great KnivesA self-proclaimed knife freak, Julia collected them all her life and never met one that was sharp enough for her! Check out this delightful anecdote from the New England Historical Society and you'll see what I mean. I agree that there is nothing more frustrating in the kitchen than dull knife. The winner in my book is J.A. Henckels International 8" Classic Chef's Knife in terms of quality and value for the money.
Having a great knife is half of the equation, now we have to store them. Julia preferred to house them on a magnet attached to the wall. Today she would love this railing system by Clever Storage that allows you to take advantage of the space between upper and lower cabinets. It's safe, attractive and accessible. Win! 
The Mother Ship of RangesJulia used a 1950s six burner used commercial gas range by Garland. This company is still in business so you can get a modern version today but I’m betting Julia would fall for the TriFuel range by Tecnogas Superiore for its state of the art versatility. In fact, it was just announced Product Innovator Award winner for 2016 by Kitchen & Bath Business Magazine. It features dual gas burners plus four induction zones and an electric griddle. Below are dual gas ovens equipped with two convection fans and a broiler.
The Beauty of Butcher BlockThe French Chef was fond of her extra high maple counter tops for food preparation. You may not want an entire kitchen with wood tops but, if you can, it's great to have a section of it for food prep. Wood butcher block counters are a natural eco-friendly choice, absorb noise, are gentle on dishes and can be refinished. In addition to this, wood has inherent antibacterial qualities and can add a beautiful warmth to your kitchen. If you're going to use your counter for food prep it should have an oiled finish which does need to be maintained. 
Last but not least never enter the kitchen without a sense of humor and adventure Child was never without it! She said, “in cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude!”-If you'd like to experience cooking like a French chef you can stay at what was once Julia and Paul's part-time residence in Provence, France courtesy of Airbnb.
Bowled Over by Bolon
When did I visit Milan again? Oh yeah, April 2014. Time flies. You see the thing is, when you go to these sensory overloading mind boggling trade shows you bring it all home with you in the form of dvds, thumb drives, brochures, samples etc.
The problem is when you get home it’s so busy all these bits end up sitting in a "some day" drawer. Well guess what? Today’s the day.
Back to Milan. I was there as a member of the Blanco Design Council (a fact that I am most proud of and grateful for) to attend the Salone di Mobile, the premiere European interior design and furniture trade show. Fast forward to today when I decided to fire up a thumb drive called Bolon. Let me tell you about it.
Bolon is a Swedish flooring manufacturer but there is so much more to it! The concept of fashion has a way of elevating even the most mundane of objects. That’s what’s so intriguing about Bolon, started in Stockholm in 1949 by Nils-Erik Eklund. He became a pioneer of the “green” movement when he decided he would make woven rag rug flooring from the waste product of other flooring manufacturers. The business succeeded, was passed on and has been run by his granddaughters Annica and Marie Eklund since 2003. That’s when fashion entered the picture. The term “floored by fashion” was coined and fashion icon Giorgio Armani decided he loved the product enough to use it in his shops, his home and on his yacht. Savvy marketing by this latest generation of Eklands seals the deal. You must admit this video, introducing their Silence line, is intriguing enough to make you want to know what this product is all about!It’s an original type of flooring that I would describe as woven vinyl with a backing. It can look natural or not, doesn’t seem particularly comfy on the bare foot but does appear to be bullet-proof, a definite plus for commercial spaces which is the main application.Today the focus is on global expansion and achieving a totally green product. Bolon’s list of clients includes not only Armani but also Google, Mercedes, Adidas, Reebok and Sheraton as well as leading architects and designers. All design and production happens in Ulricehamn, Sweden. 
Today the focus is on global expansion and achieving a totally green product. Bolon’s list of clients includes not only Armani but also Google, Mercedes, Adidas, Reebok and Sheraton as well as leading architects and designers. All design and production happens in Ulricehamn, Sweden.
Bolon is available in rolls or tiles. You can vacuum it or for deep cleaning it can be scrubbed with a brush and an all purpose cleaner (there are machines that can do this too). Lastly vacuum again with a wet vac. If you want to delve into the specifics you can do that here. Interesting diversion, yes? Who knows what I'll unearth next! Stay tuned...
The New American Home, Inspired by the Possibilities
In some ways, although it was all fantastic, the Modenus Blog Tour saved the best for last. On our final day we made a trip to Henderson, Nevada to visit The New American Home.
This project was to showcase the latest technology in home building and featured flooring by Mohawk Flooring and Karastan, a division of Mohawk. 
Believe it or not this is not a custom home but a production model in the Sky Terrace community. The purpose is to showcase what can be done with different finishes and technologies for varying budgets so that it feels custom to the homeowner. In my opinion, that's where creative design comes into play. I love to be inspired by the finest and be able to translate that for a specific lifestyle and budget. I know it can be done.
Notice how the neutral color palette reflects the desert landscape.
It wasn't all eye candy and hors d'oeuvres, we also learned about Mowhawk and Karastan's SmartStrand made from 37% corn product. This bio-based material is eco-friendly and stands up to stains! The protection is there for life because it's built into the fibers. SmartStrand can be found in both Mohawk and Karastan carpets. They have a fun and interactive website here.
Thanks for following along on my adventures with Modenus Blog Tour Vegas. For more coverage check out what all the bloggers had to say. You can find them here. Stay tuned for recaps of my trip with Tile Of Spain to Cevisama. It's all about tile, with maybe a little sangria in the mix ;). I'll be on the road from Friday February 6-13. Follow along on FaceBook, Instagram and Twitter!
Honor Mother Nature with Style at TOTO
"People First Innovation" is the guiding principle behind Toto, the world’s largest manufacturer of bathroom fixtures and fittings. TOTO is an un paralleled luxury brand creating beautiful and functional fixtures for the bath. What really impresses me is that at the same time the are heavily focused on water conservation, a leading global concern that needs more attention here in the US.
In 1989, in response to the state’s dramatic drought conditions and the growing need for water conservation, TOTO USA was established in California. Today they operate three manufacturing facilities in the US. I was amazed to know that 80% of all toilets on the Las Vegas strip are, you guessed it, TOTO! The brand first started nearly one hundred years ago in Japan. Today there is still a zen aesthetic to both the design and experience of the product. 
The Washlet is a must have in my opinion. There are lots of choices to make when creating a new bathroom. A few judiciously selected "special items" can make your bathroom awesome and this is one I'd pick. TOTO reinvented the toilet seat by creating the Washlet, which gives people a new way to be cleaner and more comfortable every day. Washlet seats can be installed on virtually any toilet and use pure, clean water –along with several TOTO technologies – to make their users cleaner and more refreshed. Ok we're taking personalization to a new level here but you must admit... In case you're wondering, there are many public restrooms you can visit and see for yourself. Here's where they are. If you do, get back to me. It would make a great blogpost ;) Speaking of blog posts, I also found this great post by engadget.com A Westerner's Guide to Japanese Toilets .In addition to this, TOTO uses a lot of technology designed to preserve both the environment as well as your water and energy bill. This even includes something called SanaGloss. TOTO’s patented, super smooth glaze that repels visible and invisible waste, making it difficult to adhere to porcelain. I'm all for less toilet cleaning!
Accessible design and real showers were a part of TOTO's interactive booth at KBIS2015! 
Up next: The other item not to be missed for your bath, Mr. Steam! You can easily plan it into your bathroom renovation.
Locker Up! Storage, Style and Savings
The more we crowd our environments with "stuff" the more we need to find a place to put all of it! Pair that with a very real need to recycle and reuse (to keep the new "stuff" to a minimum) and you can see that the concept of "used lockers" can be very relevant.
Aside from being cost effective, they can be a very creative storage option. Buyusedlockers.com is the place to go if you want to know more, so that's just what I did. I had the pleasure of interviewing Chance Cook who had some reavealing and insightful things to say about the business of using used lockers. All photos are from their Pinterest page and there are more pics here.
AK: BuyUsedLockers inhabits a very unique niche in the market. How did it come about?
Chance Cook: "BuyUsedLockers is part of a larger, family-owned business named Jorgenson Industrial Companies. Jorgenson Industrial Companies has many divisions specializing in machine tools and material handling—one of which is a very successful division named SchoolLockers.com. Several years ago after doing a very large install of brand new lockers here in Salt Lake City, Utah, the owner purchased the used lockers he was removing that were heading out to be sold as scrap metal. Instead he bought them. After looking on the Internet late one evening, he found there was a huge need out there across the country by people looking to buy used lockers over brand new lockers. He quickly assembled a business model, began buying used lockers from just about everywhere, and built a website that specialized that focused on buying and selling just used lockers."
AK: Who is your customer and are you noticing any clear trends?
Chance Cook: BuyUsedLockers.com finds our customer base ranges from someone looking for a DIY project in their home (such as a mudroom or laundry application for locker storage) to any other client that would need new lockers for their business facility. Savings over new lockers can be upwards of 40%.
There are in fact trends with many of the home applications as well. Currently we find that for home applications, people are looking for the really cool aged, vintage lockers for their studio apartments, mud rooms and just about every other corner of a home. Most of these are being done as a Do It Yourself (DIY) décor project. Look around on eclectic boutique shops and especially Pinterest and you’ll see that all things vintage are commanding high prices as people are enjoying that retro, vintage and rustic look for their homes.
AK: What is the best way for homeowners to incorporate your product into a residential design?
Chance Cook: Of course color is the best way to incorporate our product into a home. A vintage locker that you paint and age works as a great way to add accent colors along with storage into your home. If you go onto our Pinterest page you can see the many, wonderful ways that normal, everyday people have done this in their own homes. By using a vintage locker, you can add that awesome hint of color you are looking for to further accentuate an accent wall, or even add the sole accent color a home’s otherwise neutral color scheme.
The ideas and ways to incorporate a used locker into a residence are as endless as the imagination desires. People have turned lockers into tables, rolling storage units, laundry hamper storage cabinets, mud rooms, dressers and so forth. Plus the additional storage capacity makes them perfect for any room of the house where any other piece of furniture can be set up. We even see people who have added chalkboards to the locker’s exterior doors to make ‘quote boards’ and ‘dream walls’ for the home, and I have even seen resourceful people take the doors off sections of the lockers and turn them into chic bookcases for living rooms and dens. It's anything you can dream up.
AK: What do we need to know about sizes to work lockers into a design plan?
Chance Cook: That is the great part about using used lockers in your home. Most people think lockers only come in the tall, single tier style they used in high school. But little do they know there are MANY styles and designs to choose from! Box lockers for instance are essentially small cubbies that can stand upright or even come as a bridge; with two locker columns as bases and then a horizontal locker across the top. This currently popular style further adds to maximize a garage or mud room’s limited storage and design. There are 2-tier, 3-tier and many other styles and all have shelves which you can easily adjust, remove or add all depending on your needs.
AK: How about color, can they be painted as needed?
Chance Cook: Any locker can be stripped, sanded and painted any new color you would like. It is surprisingly easy and since lockers are built from quality, cold rolled steel, you don’t have to worry about breaking or harming the locker! Our BuyUsedLockers.com blog has many detailed and helpful tutorials on how to paint a used locker and a list of supplies you will need, but suffice it to state that painting a locker is just like painting something like a metal vase or rustic home décor items that are made from metal and need a new paint job, aging or just refinishing.
AK: How much can one expect to invest per lineal foot?
Chance Cook: There are many many variables. The closest I can get, depending on the style, it could be anywhere between $45.00 to $200.00 per linear foot.
Thank you so much to Chance and the folks at buyusedlockers.com for taking the time to visit with me at Artful Kitchens. If you are rocking the "used locker look" I'd love to see it!
My New Favorite Flooring Find
Flooring is the basis for every room in your house, ground zero if you will. We want it to be a flattering backdrop for our decor, cabinetry and rugs BUT it's also got to be durable and easy to take care of. Wood flooring is all the rage and, to be sure, nothing equals the warmth and richness of a real wood floor.
If you love the look of real wood but don't want to worry about finish, maintenance or potential water damage (leaks happen), this may be the product for you. Meet Crossville, Inc. Not only is it possible to get that "real wood" look in porcelain tile, but now you can even get that "weathered barn" look with SpeakEasy, their latest porcelain tile collection. 
Sometimes my clients are afraid to use real wood in the kitchen or bath so this is a great alternative. I also like the fact that the weathered finish is not slippery like polished marble. I love pairing the distressed look with super modern design as in the photo above. Then again this look always blends with traditional or rustic design.
The collection features five colors that mimic stained wood. There's even a color called Sweet Georgia Brown! Planks are 36" long and you can choose from 6", 8" or 12" widths.SpeakEasy is Green Squared certified and contains a minimum of 4% recycled pre-consumer content. For more info about this collection and all the other offerings over at Crossville visit crossvilleinc.com.