Happy weekend! It's always so interesting to see the results of popular opinion. At times, it seems like there's no rhyme or reason. Sometimes I'm in sync and sometimes something I think is beautiful or compelling goes unnoticed! In this case I concur 100% with this weeks most popular pins on Pinterest ! No surprise that they are all about NOLA. Click here to see all my Pinterest treasures.
Poggenpohl, Ultimate Form and Function
Whether your in the market for a new kitchen or you're in the business of selling kitchens one of the first questions that comes up is, “what’s your style?” Are you traditional, transitional or contemporary? If the answer is contemporary, the elements to look for include seamless integration, totally efficient function and clean sleek lines. These happen to be the standards at Poggenpohl, founded over 120 years ago as the first German kitchen brand and now the best known kitchen brand in the world – present in more than 70 countries around the globe. Poggenpohl can show you what true European contemporary design is all about.Today they continue to think outside the box (pun intended) to offer some of the most cutting edge cabinetry in the industry.
Behind the scenes storage is also a Poggenpohl hallmark. A wide range of available drawer inserts can be customized to your needs. These kitchens are not designed, they’re engineered! This includes not only cabinets but thin counter tops, offered in glass or stone, and even integrated glass front cooking appliances! One can be sure that their kitchens are as pleasurable to look at as they are to work in. I also love that although the elements are integrated they seem to also stand alone as individual sculptural statements. (Spoken like a true kitchen designer channeling her inner artist.)A modern European kitchen utilizes the easy to reach back splash area under the upper cabinets. Other elements to notice include horizontal graining, mid-height cabinetry and a mix of texture and materials. I enjoyed learning about Poggenpohl and their design philosophy as a part of the Modenus Blog Tour New Orleans.Next up: We’re gonna get steamy at KFL! Adding luxury and health benefits to your bathing experience with Mr. Steam
Trend Spotting at KBIS 2013
The last two days of my exciting visit to New Orleans with the Modenus Blog Tour centered around the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). This annual trade show is produced by the National Kitchen & Bath Association which is celebrating 50 years as the industry leader (more on that later). I love to attend the show as it allows me to see the trends emerging in the American market and keeps me up to date with products and technology. This year I had an additional behind-the-scenes perspective as a member of the Tour. We were there for opening day, Friday April 19th and enjoyed a whirlwind tour of products followed by time for solo exploration and networking on Saturday. Every year has a theme and this year I thought it was particularly appropriate. The show as all about the concept of "evolution". This is really a common theme across the board as it applies to everything from design and products and how we are evolving the way we do business in 2013. Here are some of my discoveries:Let there be lightLighting always plays a crucial role in kitchen and bath design but this year it was all about the light within. Why didn't we think of this before? LED lights inside cabinetry, particularly closets is a great idea! The look of leatherLeathery textures made a big appearance. Silestone by Cosentino debuted their new Suede line of quartz counter tops. Gator Mills ( a very local Louisiana company) showed leather (and leather look ) vanities and Richelieu is offering recycled, reconstituted leather veneer. Sliding doorsCabinet doors no longer have to swing out due to new hinging technologies that allow doors to slide. Hafele calls theirs FrontinoGlaminates take the stageIt's not your grandma's laminate anymore! Taking a cue from our friends across the pond, American laminate manufacturer Wilsonart has upped their game introducing two new seamless edge details and increased durability and sustainability. Blingy to sculptural When it comes to handles you can go for the bling or the sculptural. Cabinet hardware manufacturer Duverre is all about very artful sculptural shapes and while I saw a lot of matte finishes, very shiny made an appearance too. Look, no hands!Hands free faucet technology has quickly become the norm across the industry and was shown by not only the original, Brizo but also Rohl, Kohler and Moen and Delta Faucets.This year's best in show award went to Toto for their awesome Neorest 550H toilet. Believe me when I tell you it can just about do anything but drive you to work! Stay tuned for an entire post about Toto and the Neorest 550In a nutshell KBIS2013 was largely about technology and texture. Cabinet manufacturers are touting what's inside more than ever as they maximize the ease of living in the kitchen. White cabinets, cleaner lines and pops of natural and engineered wood veneers are strong trends.Next up: Poggenpohl, the cutting edge in kitchen cabinet design, inside and out
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!
Cosentino helps "Make It Right"
Can you even believe we're still on day three of the NOLA blog tour adventure? There's just so much to write about! After our visit to Gentilly we enjoyed yummy lunch at Mondo with the folks from Cosentino followed by an excursion to the Lower Ninth Ward.I remember hearing a lot about the area during and after Hurricane Katrina. It's where the levees over flowed and wreaked the most havoc. It's also a community already struggling to make ends meet before the devastation. Today the Lower Ninth Ward is one of the areas being assisted by Make It Right, a non-profit organization founded by Brad Pitt. This foundation builds healthy, green homes for communities in need and is aiming to bring 150 families back into affordable, green and storm-resistant houses. So far 90 homes are complete with work continuing. Homes are designed by high profile local and international architects including world famous Frank Gehry! What I like is that they really do collaborate with the home owners who have a voice in the final designs and all the color selections.Countertop maker Cosentino, famous for their amazing Silestone quartz tops, supplies their ECO line of counter tops to the project. Not only is it beautiful and durable but it's composed of 75% recycled raw material, including glass and mirror. You can find out more about it here. More about Cosentino to come. They introduced all kinds of new products, colors and textures at KBIS. I have heard it said, no good deed goes unpunished and I'm afraid this project is no exception. Many feel slighted by the ultra contemporary designs that do not reflect the typical New Orleans style and architecture. Architects were simply instructed to "use the city’s existing narrow lots...elevate houses out of the way of future flooding and include rooftop access to simplify rescue; feature prominent porches or front stoops for socializing; and use materials that are tough enough to survive hurricanes but that also approach “cradle to cradle” re-usability " The foundation states that homes being replaced were substandard post war tract homes. There's some interesting commentary over at Curbed that addresses the controversy here. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Next up: KBIS2013 new products and trends for your kitchen and bath
World Vision Teams with KBIS and St. Paul's in Continuing Katrina Recovery Efforts
I always like to discover the "backstory", what lies beneath the surface. When I discovered that a visit to neighborhoods ravaged by Hurricane Katrina was on the Modenus Blog Tour agenda, I was curious to see what it's like now and to meet a few of those who have survived both the tragedy of loss and it's aftermath. For many residents the loss has not ended. There were stories of theft and fraudulent contractors that just add insult to injury. Our first stop was to the Bono Family Residence on Pasteur Blvd in the neighborhood of Gentilly, a tree lined working class neighborhood where once there were no empty lots. The Bono home was victim to 13 feet of water. They are receiving a new kitchen and bath courtesy of a collaboration between World Vision Storehouse, KBIS2013 and St. Paul's Homecoming Center. It's nice to see the kitchen and bath industry I belong to being a part of this project. It was here that we learned about a wonderful organization by the name of World Vision. It's a Christian humanitarian organization working with communities to fight poverty. The Storehouse of World Vision is a network of six warehouses that supply donated goods including building materials, personal care items, clothes and even school supplies. They partner with local organizations, in this case St. Paul's Homecoming Center, to distribute the goods and get the work done with the help of volunteers. Connie Uddo (an ex-tennis pro!) is the director and she is passionate about what she does. She cuts to the chase and at the same time cuts through the red tape to get the job done. "Tell us your story and we will help", she says. 30,000 homes were destroyed in Gentilly, a one hundred year old neighborhood of middle class and elderly residents. To date they are about 62% recovered with the help of 60,000 volunteers. FEMA has done much and continues to work in the area but more is needed. If you'd like to make a donation, click here for more info.Next up: What's going on at Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation and how Cosentino is helping.