Cambria Celebrates Launch of Two New Additions

Have I ever mentioned how much I love quartz countertops?  If not, I have been remiss.  Quartz tops, composed of 93% quartz and 7% resins, are the ultimate in durability, come in a variety of looks and are so easy to care for.  What could be better?  My favorite brand when it comes to quartz counter tops is Cambria.  I love their selection of patterns and colors plus they make it so easy, all the colors are the same price!  I was thrilled to be invited, earlier this month,  to the local launch of two new additions to their luxurious Marble Collection, Ella and Brittanicca.The event was held at the Pavillion Grille in Boca Raton.  The stage was set with style, elegance and a chance to view the two new offerings up close and personal.  It's easy to see that these latest marble looks were inspired by the seashore.  Crazy beautiful veining brings to mind patterns created on the sand.  Here is a quote from Cambria describing one of the new colors.  "Vast and expansive, Brittanicca™ offers a velvety marbled background of neutral white that provides a stage on which gray streams meander among intertwining ashen veins dotted with veiled charcoal sparkles." It's perfectly poetic, yes?  The second star of the evening, Ella, has a finer pattern but is also reminiscent of marble.  The background is rich and creamy.  Both of these options are a great way to get the opulent look of marble with easy to care for durability. Both new finishes are a part of Cambria's Oceanic Collection.

A Quest for Efficiency Fuels Passion at TecnogasSUPERIORE

What is hot, sexy, Italian and soon to be gracing kitchens across America? No, it's not my husband ;) , it's TecnogasSUPERIORE.  I had the pleasure of meeting the new SUPERIORE line during my recent daytrip to Miami. The South Florida introduction of this new line of Italian dream appliances took place at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables Florida. Built by developer George Merrick in 1924, the Biltmore resembles the finest in classic Mediterranean architecture.  It remains the centerpiece of  Merrick’s vision of Coral Gables as an elegant, stately suburb, which he called “The City Beautiful.” Did I mention I was born there?Back to TecnogasSUPERIORE!  Manufactured strictly for the North American market, this line features optional panoramic windows, American sizing as well as a variety of cooking options including gas, induction and convection.  Founded in 1952, Tecnogas is the premiere manufacturer of ranges and matching hoods in Italy.Check out this early version (left ) of a gas range devised by the two young and inquisitive Contini brothers.  It's called a Mobilfornello, an unconventional device that brought together a cook top and a propane tank compartment.  We've come a long way since then but that very same enthusiasm can still be found today in CEO Antonio Di Tommaso who was on hand to introduce the product.  He speaks of his product with a twinkle of enthusiasm and his passion for what he does is very apparent.Gas has always been a preferred cooking method with chefs.  For some of us, there is no substitute for the regal flame, however you can't beat the efficiency of induction cooking.  It's the future.  TechnogasSUPERIORE knows that and they know that Americans love options!  Meet NEXT.  This contemporary series offers gas AND induction cooking surfaces for perfect versatility.  In addition to that, there is an option for  large viewing window so you don't have to open the oven to see what's going on with your turkey.  If you do open the oven you will also love the soft-close door feature.  This is a detail we have been including on cabinet doors and drawers for years and what a good idea it is for your oven too!TecnogasSUPERIORE ranges and hoods are made in Gualtieri, located in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, which also happens to be the heart of the Italian automotive industry.  Think Lamborghini, Ferrari, you get the picture, fine Italian detail and design.   For them, it was only natural for these elements to be incorporated into their products.  Cuisine and an enthusiasm for cooking are celebrated in this region of Italy. Since size counts when it comes to our ovens, you can find 6.7 cubic feet in their 36" ovens.  They call them "big gas ovens"! (say that quickly three times and you've got the right idea). A perfect blend of function with a distinctive Italian flair customized for American taste is what defines TecnogasSUPERIORE. The DECO series is for you if you want a punch of color in your kitchen.  Matte finishes include brown, red, cream and black with a variety of finishes available on the Deco-inspired knobs. All smart chefs know that when you have a range, adequate ventilation is a must.  TecnogasSUPERIORE has got you covered there too.Hoods to pair with all range styles  offer a 600 CFM capacity.  It isn't just about the looks, you see.TecnogasSUPERIORE is distributed throughout the US by Almo.  They have also established  a nationwide service network of partners trained as experts in their appliances.  Feel free to contact me for pricing and availability.  I say every kitchen has a "star".  If you love to cook in style, this could be yours!Update 11/13/15-  Tecnogas Superiore Ranges start at $3200 for 30” sizes, under $4500 for 36” and up to $10,000 for the Tri Fuel.  The line is available at fine appliance retailers on the east coast and will be available in early 2016 in the Central US and West Coast.

The Many Facets of Custom Cupboards

Who says the art of printing is dead? You may be devouring novels on your Kindle but printing is very much alive at Custom Cupboards.  Their Facets program allows you to bring a new level of personalization to your kitchen, bath or anywhere you have cabinets through digital printing. With Facets you can  have a truly artful kitchen enhanced with your own original artwork or photography.  If you can dream it they can do it.  Just remember you can't reproduce work that is copyrighted.  That is a no no, but you knew that, yes?Mael Hernandez, President of this Wichita Kansas based company, was quoted in the Wichita Business Journal as saying,“It’s all about the trend in personalization. We think this is going to change the cabinet industry. It’s very exciting for us.”Custom Cupboards uses patent pending digital printing technology to stylize cabinet fronts with textures, patterns, art, photography and even typography.What do you think? Remember it's just an accent, doesn't have to be on every cabinet. In fact, less is definitely more in this case.  You're creating a focal point which gets diluted when over done.  In case you're wondering, Facets would add about 15% to the cost of an average 13 cabinet, L-shaped kitchen if you did it on say three doors.  If you'd like to explore adding a new "facet" to your kitchen, I'd love to help you do it!

Open Shelves Add Function and Style

Open shelves, especially floating shelves happen to be all the rage at the moment, should you or shouldn’t you?  I often hear concerns about neatness.  Do we really want to see it all? Maybe we do.  Open shelves can greatly increase efficiency in the kitchen. Having our most used dishes, utensils and ingredients displayed and at our finger tips is very tempting!  This is how the chefs do it and there is even a term for it in French. Mise en place is a French culinary phrase which means "putting in place", as in set up. It is used in professional kitchens to refer to organizing and arranging the ingredients and items that a cook will require for preparing the menu items of the day. We can also apply this concept in our own kitchens. Here's an interesting story I came across on NPR about Mise en place. Listen and you will discover the perfect French pronunciation!Usually storage space in the kitchen is too dear to squander on an area strictly for show so I urge you to incorporate an open shelf  or open cabinet only if it will be useful as well as visually interesting.  When you get right down to it, kitchens are comprised of boxes and row after row of doors can get pretty boring.  I like to add some variety with open shelves and glass doors.That said, if you do have a collection that you love to gaze upon and showcase , open shelves are perfect is hard to reach areas such as high up or on the far side of a peninsulaThis client is a talented potter.  What better way to show off her work?  Easy to get to for dusting when you’re on the other side of the peninsula but this area is not really accessible when you’re on the working side of the kitchen.http://www.shelterness.com/pictures/open-shelves-on-a-kitchen-30.jpeg

Eva Hesse: The Artist and The Kitchen

THE ARTISTThe biggest trend in design today is "personalization", the late painter and sculptor Eva Hesse spoke of personalization before many of us were even born! She was speaking in terms of her art when she said,"It just seems to me that "personal" in art, if really pushed, is the most valued quality & what I want so much to find in & for myself."Eva Hesse,  succumbed to a brain tumor in 1970 at the age of 34.  Although she only produced art for 10 years, from 1960 to 1970, she is known for her pioneering work in latex, fiberglass and plastic.  She was part of an art movement in the 1960s known as postminimalism. Hesse was among the first artists of the 1960s to experiment with the fluidity of the organic shapes of nature.  She used modern materials to portray organic forms including grid patterns and repetition. These themes were often found in minimalism, but Hesse typically made her works by hand while her contemporaries were using machines. This practice introduced a human element into her art.A new documentary about her life was released earlier this year and premiered at The Whitney Museum in New York City back in May.  I can't wait to see it! Below is a clip."Eva Hesse" feature doc Intro from Tracing the Rope on Vimeo.THE KITCHENI wonder what Eva's kitchen would look like.  I could find no photo to give me clues but when I think of Eva I think of organic elements, natural finishes, bold shapes and even a touch of the absurd, which she loved!  Here are some kitchens evocative of Eva. 

Asian Kitchen- This style frequently features natural elements.  Kitchen by Seattle General Contractors Gaspar's Construction

  On my morning walks, whenever I pass this spot I always look up and think of Eva.