FASHION WEEK, BEHIND THE SCENES

I'll never forget attending fashion week in September 2010 courtesy of Brizo Faucets.  It was an honor, to say the least, to have been invited to become a member of the illustrious "Blogger 19".  Brizo goes way back with fashion's Golden Boy, Jason Wu.   Since 2006, the two have joined in a unique collaboration, showing the world that high style can be achieved both at home and on the red carpet. The partnership began with Brizo's sponsorship of Jason's Spring 2007 Collection during Fashion Week in New York City in September 2006. Jason designed a dress exclusively for Brizo that was auctioned off in 2007 with proceeds benefiting DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS).  Jason's involvement with Brizo now includes his own Jason Wu for Brizo Collection comprised of lavatory faucet and accessories for the well appointed Powder Room.

I attended the Jason Wu Spring 2011 show, got to learn a little about Brizo and met many fabulous bloggers who I am honored to have been included amongst.  As an alumnus,  I'm the lucky recipient of all the latest Brizo/Jason buzz.  So for your enjoyment today I present a little eye candy, photos from Fashion Week held last week in NYC.  All photos courtesy of  photographer Jayme Thornton.  If you'd like to view the rest of the photos click here

  

2012 DREAM

Last night I had a dream.  Before I share it, let me back up a bit and set the scene.  One of the nicest, no actually the BEST  thing that has come out of this blog for me is to have been chosen by Brizo Faucets to attend Fashion Week in September 2010 as one of the "illustrious" members of the Blogger 19.  This was followed by a trip to Toronto in January 2011,  as a member of the Blanco Design Council, to attend IDS (International Design Show).  I not only became acquainted with cutting edge state-of-the-art products but also with many talented folks in the blogging community.Now Modenus, a go-to site for design dreamers as well as professionals, is sponsoring  Blog Tour 2012.  Veronika Miller, who I had the pleasure of sitting next to at the Jason Wu fashion show is the mastermind behind this venture. They are currently selecting the blogger line up for some new design adventures.  All this must have been lurking in the outer recesses of my mind when I went to sleep.  To sleep perchance to dream!Hubs and I arrive at a hotel and check in.  We are down in the lobby where I discover that a great meeting is about to take place.  It's an advance gathering of potential candidates for the 2012 Blogger World Tour!  Lo and behold, in walks in the King of Kitchen Bloggers, Paul Anater along with Nick from Cupboards, who I've never actually met.  We all fall into a big group hug and I am swept into the event.  Wow.  All "potentials" are handed a "blog critique" and mine is pretty complimentary, actually.  Paul leads the group which now also includes Erin Lochner of Design for Mankind.  As the meeting unfolds I begin to see how unprepared I am.  Yikes!  I'm dropping pens, struggling to keep up when it occurs to me that I need to take pictures and blog about this!  I must go to the room and get my camera. (It never occurs to me to call Hubs and ask him to wait for me even though he's being really good and waiting for me on the sidelines.) I feel the big brass room key in my pocket.  I pull it out and it says 27. (I dream a lot in numbers.) I locate a very helpful bell hop who helps me figure out what floor that's on.  He consults a chart which tells us that 27 is actually 7151 which means I'm on the 7th floor. Now I can grab my camera and get back to the group.  The bell hop senses my sense of urgency and puts me on the closet elevator which is for freight.  Did I mention he's wearing a hairnet?Everyone knows dreams are meant to be exploited for shameless self-promotion. So there you have it, just a lil wish for the new year. If I don't get that I'll settle for health, prosperity and another great year for Kitchens for Living where my dream is to motivate, inspire or help you create your own DREAM KITCHEN. Happy new year!   

JASON WU FOR BRIZO

I'm back in the saddle so to speak and one of the first things on my agenda was a teleconference with my friends at Brizo.  They're at it again, being brilliant and innovative.  As you may know from my previous posts, Brizo has a unique relationship with fashion designer Jason Wu. In fact they have been collaborating for five years.  Jason, who designed Michele Obama’s inauguration gown, has designed dresses for their ad campaigns and promotional accessories over the years.  Today they are unveiling a new faucet and accessory collection designed by Jason.  The collaboration has come full circle and as a proud alumnus of the famed ;) Blogger 19 I’ve got the low down.

 

The new collection is targeting the Powder Room.  The faucet, dubbed Odin for the Norse god of wisdom and magic, is sleek and sexy.  It comes in matte black only.  The curve of the spout is a signature detail for Jason Wu as is the tiny owl motif you can find on the tip of the handle.  There are a couple other things that make this fabulous faucet unique.  It has an LED light at the base which indicates hot and cold and is the first Brizo product to feature Smart Touch Plus with a proximity sensor.  That means you don’t even have to touch it.  Just like magic! Another first is the impressive line of accessories that go with the faucet and were inspired by Jason’s recent Fall 2011 collection which was in turn inspired by ornate detailing he viewed on a trip to Versailles Palace in France.  I love that you can see the line of the Baroque flower yet it’s still simple and striking paired with either polished chrome or brushed nickel.The line is available for pre-order through February 20,2012 for delivery in April.  Pre orders receive a signed, numbered Jason Wu lithograph and limited edition key chain within ten days (just to hold you over till April).  The faucet retails for $799.  Hey, I don’t think know you can even buy a Jason Wu dress for that much!    

MY KITCHEN & BATH FAVORITES

As a kitchen and bath designer I am constantly assaulted with images of products that are truly "drool-worthy", if I may coin that expression.  I am seduced by originality, great function and sometimes simply an undefinable- irrational- attraction (kinda like how I found my husband).  Anyway here's what I'm lovin today.Siderna Faucet by BrizoEveryone knows I've been a big Brizo fan ever since becoming a member of the exclusive Blogger 19 (2.0) last year.  Their Siderna bathroom faucet is simply sublime.  I love the glass handles and I love the shiny chrome.  I know that the popular taste, at the moment, is for brushed nickel but I have to stray from the pack for chrome.  The nice thing is, frequently, shiny chrome costs less than the more popular brushed finishes.Sharp Microwave DrawerI think the best microwave I ever owned was an over-the-range model by Sharp.  Now they offer a microwave drawer which I love for many reasons.   Although infinitely useful, who wants to look at a microwave?  The microwave drawer is unobtrusively located below the counter.  It's safer and accessible for the junior chefs in your family.  They come in 24" or 30" models which are installed into a base cabinet. Mosaics by Hot KnobsHot Knobs is a product of Portland Oregon based Aquila Art Glass.    Producing Art Glass Knobs and Pulls was a natural extension for this company known for the production of a variety of hand crafted art glass plates, bowls candle holders,  etc.   What a great piece of bling this would be for any cabinet.  Knobs as well as pulls (handles) are available.     The Green River Stone Company

Despite the serial killerish name, this is an awesome product.  I just love fossils.  There's something about all that antiquity in something you can actually see and feel. This is the ultimate in unique.  The Green River Stone Company offers the finest in natural art fossil fish and stone products. The material actually is fossil-rich calcium carbonate shale from their private quarry in Southwestern Wyoming. From this stone, deposited 50 million years ago as sediment in a large freshwater lake, they produce individual fossil specimens, artistic fossil murals, and other stone products for museums, private collectors, interior designers and architects.Aqua & Lime Anyone?

 Check this out!  Brendan was doing a little modification on these antique doors which I believe belong to an armoire.  Since they were done and awaiting delivery,  he propped them up in our very cool new greenish design studio and voila'!  It's like the chocolate and the peanut butter.  They just go together. Wish we could keep them.  Now we're looking to steal some doors off of another armoire.  I think we may be on to something.  Hmmmm 

LATEST PRODUCTS TAKE THE STAGE

I’m finally feeling better, thank you, after being laid low by a vicious virus last week. You know the one, right? I won’t bore you with the details. Suffice to say, while I was out going viral (and not in the way I would wish) here’s what’s been happening far and wide. Delta Faucet Company unveiled its flagship DREAM2O(SM) showroom, located in Chicago's Merchandise Mart, during a private grand opening event on Thursday, May 5.   (You’ll remember my amazing experience with them last year in New York.  If not, click here for a flashback.)  The new 3,097 square-foot design center is a hands-on, interactive environment where architects, designers, and homeowners can experience more than 90 fully-functioning faucets and fixtures from the Delta® and Brizo® brands.  What makes this showroom unique is not only the fact that it is the first and only showroom of its kind, but also the innovative displays which are just a perfect way to showcase their cutting-edge products. Read more about it here.

If you’re in  NYC this weekend you can visit the International Contemporary Furniture Fair or ICFF held at  New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center  through May 17^th.  Sink manufacturer extraordinaire, Blanco (another flashback here) is officially launching two new collections including the Silgranit II Truffle Sink and the Culina faucet.

Italian kitchen cabinet manufacturer Scavolini is introducing the new quartz surface Santa Margherita on May 16th from 6-9pm in their Soho gallery.  If you'd like to attend contact Daniele Busca  212-209-0910 as this is an invitation only event.

KITCHEN FUN IN NEW YORK (AGAIN)!

 That's right. Today I'm back in the BA (big apple but you should know that). If you recall, I was here only 6 months ago during fashion week courtesy of  Brizo Faucets. Click here for a journey 6 months back in time. Wouldn't you know it, the amazing exhibit Counter Space: Design and the Modern Kitchen at MOMA opened within days of my departure necessitating a return trip before it closes on March 11th.  Some savvy bloggers wrote about it on the front end so I'm going to wrap it up for you and send it out with a bang.   I'll be there on Sunday. Tomorrow I'll be visiting the new super slick Scavolini showroom in Soho.  I hear it's not to be missed so I will also be bringing you the latest in Italian kitchen design from this progressive cabinet manufacturer.  Now if you know me, you'll know I have to fit in a little art and guess what's happening this weekend? Yes that's right, the Armory Art Show. NEWSFLASH!!! You can now subscribe to Kitchens for Living on your Kindle!  Check it out here.If you're paying attention you'll notice yet another badge on my sidebar.   I am now officially an "expert" at EzineArticles.com with one published article and loads more to come,  as soon as I have time.    More from New York tomorrow.PS.   If there's anything you think I should check out while I'm there drop me a comment and I'll try to squeeze it in. Cheers!