Blanco Makes a Splash!

For the last few years I have been honored to be a member of the Blanco Design Council.  This means I’m on the main line when it comes to inside information about their products. BLANCO, of course, is the German manufacturer of finely crafted sinks and faucets.  Their SILGRANIT II sinks are a particular favorite of mine and you should definitely know about them if you’re considering a kitchen remodel.  If you don’t know about SILGRANIT II, see my previous post here.   As a kick off to KBIS2013,  I got to see the newest BLANCO happenings  in New Orleans with a Cajun-styled experience called The Kitchen Unmasked.  This joint venture featuring Blanco, Poggenpohl and Silestone was held at the beautiful Nordic Kitchens showroom and was one of our stops on the Modenus Blog Tour.

The latest SILGRANIT II color, Cinder, is all the rage.  It’s a stormy striking combo of dark gray with some black and rich brown thrown into the mix.  I think it’s the perfect color to go with all the new luscious shades of gray we’re seeing.  It’s on trend yet neutral at the same time. The new SILGRANIT II series of sinks also includes HYGIENIC+PLUS^™ a patented formula that acts as a shield against dirt and bacteria. Independent laboratory tests confirm that the unique built-in hygiene protection reduces bacterial growth by an average of 98%.My favorite addition to the SILGRANIT II collection is the Modex sink (at top).  The next kitchen I design for myself (hoping) will have this sink.  I love it.  It adds a bit of architecture to the kitchen!  Modex features a unique 3” profile that sits on the counter and includes a large integrated cutting board.  It’s not just a sink, but a workstation.Speaking of work, did you know your faucet is the most abused item in your kitchen?  BLANCO's well known German engineering ensures that you have a product that will stand up to the test.  BLANCO also launched a new line of water saving faucets including Grace II, Alta, Highland and Napa. “Our latest collection of faucets offer livable style,” stated Tim Maicher, Director of Marketing for BLANCO. “When we say livable style, we are referencing style that leads trends while integrating into any kitchen design. At the same time, we are talking about the faucets’ functionality. We engineer BLANCO faucets to last, to use less water, to provide unmatched cleaning and to be as easy to use as they are to maintain.” I’ve had a blast telling you about all the products I learned about on the Modenus Blog Tour.  A big thank you to Veronika Miller and her team at Modenus as well as all the fabulous sponsors including Blanco, Poggenpohl, Cosentino, National Kitchen & Bath Association, Kitchen & Bath Industry Show 2013, Mr. Steam, TOTO and Du Verre Hardware.   It truly was a most memorable and enjoyable experience to see New Orleans in this way.  To me, the best part of all was the people, both meeting the sweet good- natured, perservering locals as well as enjoying the community of those who I’m honored to call my peers.  I hope you’ve enjoyed following along and have learned a thing or two in the process that will help you know what to look for when shopping for kitchen and bath products. Click here to see ALL my photos and commentary from Blog Tour NOLA!     

Cosentino: Leading Innovator of Quartz Surfacing

 As a kitchen designer, quartz has been my long time favorite choice for kitchen counter tops.  The reasons include durability, ease of maintenance and all the available choices for color and visual texture.  Cosentino, maker of Silestone as well as other new counter top products, is the world’s largest manufacturer of natural quartz.  I love the fact that Silestone is nonporous- so it doesn’t require sealers.  It’s also incredibly hard and stronger than granite.  This makes it naturally scratch, stain and scorch resistant.  One thing that really sets Silestone apart from their competitors is their use of Microban.   Since 2005, Silestone® has incorporated Microban® antibacterial technology to give extra hygiene protection and they are the first quartz kitchen worktop in the world to use it.Silestone also boasts the largest color selection (70+) in natural quartz.  My term “visual texture” refers to the different looks you can get varying from large particles, reminiscent of granite, to totally solid blocks of color which are perfect for more contemporary applications.   Thickness varies from 1.2cm to 3cm with 15 edge detail choices.  "Suede"  is a new matte finish that is smooth to the touch, giving the surface a softer, velvety appearance with little reflection, like honed marble without the upkeep.Silestone comes with a 15 year transferable warranty so if you buy a house with Silestone tops already installed, you’re covered.  One interesting bit of trivia I learned is that Silestone is used in such places at The Tower of London and the Bellagio in Las Vegas!

Cosentino isn’t just about Silestone, they are also the makers of ECO. We spent a great day with the folks from Cosentino as a part of the Modenus Blog Tour.  We traveled to the, Katrina devastated,  Lower Ninth Ward and saw ECO, on site, as a part of the "Make It Right" project.   Cosentino has partnered with the "Make It Right" foundation which is dedicated to building 150 affordable green, storm resistant homes to enable families to return to the area.  Click here to read my post about the "Make It Right" project.ECO is a green counter top choice made of recycled and natural materials including glass, mirror, porcelain, industrial furnace residuals, quartz, stone scrap and corn oil- quite the recipe!  It has much the same properties as Silestone, as far as non-porousness and durability, and is available in 14 colors. (Photo at the top of this post is ECO in a color called Grey Moss)Cosentino also had a lot to offer at KBIS2013 where we were able to preview new colors, featuring the movement and graining of natural stone, coming out later this yearThey also presented the highly anticipated new ultra-compact surface Dekton for the first time in North America.  This is an entirely new product which can be used for interior as well as exterior applications.  It's UV resistant and will come in extra large and extra thin slabs.  Cosentino products are produced in Almeria, Spain and distributed globally.Next up:  We're heading back to the bath for a peek at what's new at Toto!

Feel Good with Mr. Steam

 

Comfortably seated, eyes closed, the music washes over you as you feel your every cell opening, releasing toxins and cleansing away all signs of stress and tension. The fragrant scent of lavender envelopes you and you are truly relaxed…Sound good?  This is what Mr. Steam is all about.  A little history...Steam bathing has been around for centuries, as far back as ancient Rome and Greece. The history of the Roman bath actually began during the height of the Roman Empire.  Ancient Roman baths served many community and social functions. Everyone used Roman public baths, regardless of status. Eventually the home spa system was introduced transforming the experience from one of community into an intimate restorative experience customized to your needs.And then came Arthur...Arthur Sussman  founded Automatic Steam Corporation in 1917.  In the early days, steam technology was used for ironing garments and even for creating steam boilers used in US Navy frigates. This company evolved into Mr. Steam, maker of the world's most luxurious steam showers and steam baths for the home and for the spa. The Mr. Steam experience encompasses the therapeutic benefits of Chromasteam (colored lights), Aromasteam (aroma therapy) and Audiosteam (music).  It’s all digitally controlled.  If you’re in the kitchen and just starting to think about having a steam you can make that thought a reality with the touch of a button on the iGenie remote control!The guiding principle in all things Mr. Steam is “Feel Good” and you have to love a company with a sense of humor to boot! Check out this brilliant commercial! Not only does it feel good but I was amazed to learn how much “steaming” can benefit your health!  We know that steam is great for muscles, sinuses, asthma and skin hydration but did you know that, on average you can burn up to 150 calories in a 15 minute session at 114 degrees Fahrenheit?We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Steam Vice President Martha Orellana on the Modenus Blog Tour  and I think you can say she is a testament to the benefits of steaming. She steams everyday and  just look at that complexion! Can you believe she’s 87? (just kidding, I don’t know how old she is but she looks great)I know you’re thinking, “how can I have this magic in my bathroom?”  You can integrate a steam generator in an existing shower stall.  Smaller units that fit inside your bathroom vanity are available.  You can pick and choose the sensory features you want as well as a wall mounted folding teak seat and a variety of towel warmers.  Mr. Steam's products are American made and they continue to operate from their original factory in Queens New York.  If you'd like to know more click here to find a distributor in your area. 

Snapshots of New Orleans

Ok,  I know I'm supposed to be telling you about all the great kitchen and bath trends I saw at KBIS2013 but since it's Sunday,  I thought I'd show you my favorite shots as captured over the five fantastic, delicious and enlightening days spent on the Modenus Blog Tour.  Tomorrow it's back to business, deal?(front left)          Back  to business tomorrow!

Bloggers and Beignets in THE BIG EASY!

If you’re an avid reader of KFL you’ll remember my visit, last March, to the Architectural Digest Home Design Show in New York.  An edgy website by the name of  Modenus*  had a little contest in which you could win a spot on one of their world famous blog tours.  Naturally I had to go all out, no holds barred!  The challenge was to take a creative photo of one of the designated sponsors.Whoever garnered the most votes won the spot.  Sadly, it was not I but I did have fun trying and I’m pleased to say I finally have my chance to participate in a Modenus adventure!  I will be traveling to the Big Easy with a very select group of design and lifestyle bloggers.   We will get an insider’s view of  Nola Style, visiting design showrooms, shops and KBIS. Yes, this year the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show is being held in New Orleans so I will be there to cover it all.  All the magic will be happening from April 16-20, four very busy days.  And because I believe in paying it forward (at least a little) I will be offering you, my precious reader peeps an opportunity to win a little something-something.   Details to follow...*Modenus is a networking platform and resource catalog for the interior design community.  Design professionals and anyone else passionate about interior design can connect in our forums, find inspiration in our daily blogs, Before & After submissions and live event coverage.  Modenus is free to users and very easy to use.