This month is the ten year anniversary of hurricane Katrina. All my memories of New Orleans come to the forefront and today I pay homage to the grand adventure that was Blog Tour NOLA.I still think about this visit to New Orleans and what a full rich experience it was, encompassing so much more than design.
In 2013 I had the exciting opportunity to meet this special city in a most comprehensive and in depth way thanks to the innovative design resource Modenus. I also had the pleasure of meeting and touring with some super talented design pros who remain my friends.
KBIS was held in NOLA that year and was a key part of the agenda however, thanks to our sponsors, we also saw, tasted (culinary heaven), touched and felt the culture of New Orleans. As I read and hear about the Katrina aftermath today, I am reminded of our visit to the Lower Ninth Ward and the realization that in the bleakest of times there is hope.
Art documents culture and artists have found beauty and expression in the midst of destruction. This morning I was touched by this story of creativity that has blossomed in the Crescent City. You can listen to it on NPR. It mentions the Ogden Museum of Southern Art which we also visited!
One of my favorite NOLA moments was on Frenchmen Street where we popped into The Spotted Cat and roamed neighboring Frenchmen Street Art Market.
The day we visited the Lower Ninth, St. Paul's Homecoming Center, World Vision and KBIS united to tell the world through this press event that recovery was still in process and despite the fact that so much more needed to be done there was hope and progress. 
Today I proudly display the photo (below) by New Orleans photographer Andy Levine in my home. It was taken by him in the aftermath of Katrina. Thank you Modenus for the lasting gift of this special blog tour I was honored to be a part of. If you'd like to go back and see what I wrote of my experiences, including the culinary treats, in 2013 it starts here. 
Also, I must say , if you like Houzz you will love the new Modenus. It's a straight up honest design resource that facilitates connections between designers and homeowners as well as being a beautiful source of inspiration. Check it out! PS I got through this whole post without mentioning BEIGNETS once! Oooops.
Kitchen Work Centers, the New "Triangle"
Whether you are a design professional or an educated homeowner you’ve probably heard the term “kitchen work triangle”. In fact it’s probably one of the first things you learn when endeavoring to create a new kitchen. Who thought this up? It is actually the result of a study made at the University of Illinois in the 1950s! If you’re wondering if it could be outdated, just think of how much kitchens have changed since then in terms of products, appliances and how we use them.The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) defines the kitchen “work triangle” an imaginary straight line drawn from the center of the sink, to the center of the cook top, to the center of the refrigerator and finally back to the sink.
The NKBA suggests the following guidelines for determining a work triangle:- The sum of the work triangle's three sides should not exceed 26 ft. and each leg should measure between 4 ft. and 9 ft.
- The work triangle should not cut through an island or peninsula by more than 12 inches.- If the kitchen has only one sink, it should be placed between or across from the cooking surface, preparation area or refrigerator.Yes, this makes kitchen design sound a bit like solving a puzzle and, actually, it really is. I know my design is “right” when the layout works from every angle in terms of safety, ease of function and, of course, aesthetics.
Some of the design solution is just good sound common sense but much of it should be directed by the individual needs of the client. I don’t “do” the triangle as a rule. Today we have multiple cook kitchens and no end of possible appliances. Modern kitchens are so unlike those of 60 years ago, so I use the more updated concept of “work centers”. The basic ones are food prep, cooking, clean up and storage. 
So while efficiency is still at the forefront, the thinking is a bit more evolved to address twenty first century needs.In a perfect world, work centers should be situated to allow someone to work in one area without getting in the way of someone using another. However, let’s face it, in a very small kitchen that is just not going to happen! The focus then is twofold: enough storage and enough counter space.
The types of work centers you can have is only limited by your imagination. Here are some good ones:-Beverage center- It can be coffee/tea, smoothies, wine or cocktails-Media center-It can be sit down area for menu planning, computer, charging station or TV-Baking center- You can trick this area out with customized storage for bake ware, bowls, utensils and a marble top for rolling dough.
Remember that an “artful kitchen” employs what I call “practical creativity”. Function is the infrastructure, beauty comes next, the art is getting both just right.
An Artful New Adventure!
Let’s face it, things change. As we navigate those twists and turns of fate we can only hope to move forward, seeing new things with a fresh eye. Like it or not, change is a constant. You can dread it (understandable) or you can choose to embrace it. That said, it has been more than five years since I began my adventure as Kitchens for Living.
I believe I have been true to my promise to share the latest design trends and product info for the heart of your home. We have frequently ventured out of the kitchen and even around the globe! I am so grateful for all the wonderful and talented kindred souls I have met along the way, fellow bloggers, designers and great organizations such as Modenus, Blanco, Brizo, Tile of Spain and many more. This blog has afforded me the opportunity to travel and bear witness to marvelous destinations and inspiring trade shows. Before this starts sounding too sad, let me tell you I have never felt so excited about the future and eager to explore new opportunities. 
This will be the last post for Kitchens for Living. From now on I will be able to merge two of the things I love, kitchen design and art with my new site, Artful Kitchens. A big THANK YOU to Leslie Carothers of The Kaleidoscope Partnership for her guidance and insight which lead me to discover a new path full of promise and possibilities. 
Artful Kitchens will focus on all the ways you can use creativity to personalize your kitchen. Artful spaces reflect who you are and the way you live.
The stunning tile above, by Walker Zanger, was featured at KBIS 2015 which I had the pleasure of attending with The Modenus Blog Tour Vegas. 
New products like this perfectly white quartz by Wilsonart enhance the kitchen with a feeling of crisp clean freshness!
Color is a primary element of the Artful Kitchen. We'll be talking a lot about that in an upcoming interview with Amy Wax of Color 911
We will continue to incorporate new products and technologies as they emerge and we will explore all the artful ways of creating a kitchen that reflects who you really are. I’m so excited, I hope you’ll join me and spread the word. Last but certainly not least, whether you are a brand or a consumer, I want to collaborate with you! 
Continue the conversation on Face Book or email me at ArtfulKitchensbyGlo@gmail.com
Mid Century Magic Off the Strip
I certainly had a great time experiencing the luxury and glitz of the Las Vegas strip with my recent Blog Tour Modenus adventure, but there is another Las Vegas where regular people live, love, work and play. I was fortunate enough to get a couple days of Vegas from a different perspective. Big “thank you” shout out to Karen and Barry!
You can find great food off “the strip”. For example brunch at Makers & Finders was tasty, fresh and very creative.
Another fun place to visit is the Downtown Container Park. Comprised entirely of old shipping containers, you will find some fun bars, restaurants and a generally happy place to hang out and people watch. I can attest to the barbecue scrumptiousness at Big Ern's! The park is located in "old" Vegas on Fremont Street which dates back to 1905 and was the first paved street in Las Vegas in 1925. 
Main Street, Las Vegas is a treasure trove of mid century magic! This is no surprise as Vegas was ground zero for the “Rat Pack” of the 1950s, nearby Palm Springs was a mid century mecca and let’s not forget Liberace! Prices are reasonable to boot. If you have a yen for this style I suggest you hook up a UHaul and head west! Here are some of the shops I discovered.
First stop after lunch was the fabulous fifties Stevotomic Store. Stevo is a mid century inspired metal artist creating wall art, clocks, bar decor, home accessories and aerial sculptures. He also takes custom work on request. His work is very inventive and reasonably priced.
Down the street from Stevotomic's you will find Retro Vegas, a treasure trove of fifties fab! Talking to owner, Bill Johnson, I learned that due to tax purposes many movies are filmed in Nevada and when producers are looking for mid century sets guess where they go? That's right, Retro Vegas. This pink kitchen has been in a few films.
Before we leave Main Street I must tell you about Kate. Kate Aldrich is the proprietress of Patina Decor, a wonderland specializing in vintage home, lighting, accessories and even apparel.
Little known fact, my degree is in Merchandising and I can tell you this shop takes that concept to a new level. At Patina I meandered through a series of perfectly appointed vignettes. Products are combined to enhance each other which perfectly sets the mood. All I needed was a smoldering cigarette and a martini to complete the experience!
If you take the time to explore Vegas off the strip you can find many mid century gems. Some are well loved and taken care of and some are diamonds in the rough, yet to be recognized. This lovely example is where I had the pleasure of staying off the strip. 
Fifties icon Tony Curtis once said, “If you know how to live in Vegas you can have the best time.” I think he's right. Just remember to be intrepid in your travels. Follow the paths not already trampled by the masses and you will find so much more!Continue the conversation on FaceBook...
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!
Wood-Mode and Top Knobs, Makings of a Dream Kitchen
If you've spent any time researching cabinets for your new kitchen or bath you've probably come across then name Wood-Mode. It's the nation’s largest manufacturer of custom cabinetry for kitchens, baths and other rooms throughout the home and they've been around for 42 years. I learned that Wood-Mode has great name recognition in the industry for good reason. Their booth at KBIS was impressive and fun! Four yellow Lab pups were on hand to demonstrate one of their lifestyle concepts, The Pet Parlor.There's a place for everything from food storage, food bowls, bathing and more. Great idea, yes? To highlight it Wood-Mode had the most interesting gig going at the show. For all selfies posted with the dogs they donated $5 to the Susquehanna Service Dogs. This will be an ongoing partnership. They call it a PAWSitive partnership. You can read more about it here.
Wood-Mode's newest lifestyle concept, Oceanside, is right after my own heart. This coastal style is a modern fresh mix of contemporary and transitional. The subtle aqua and sandy shades of beige are on point. The Oceanside approach includes a very open plan with efficient hidden storage. I see this as a reflection of the trends I saw in Italy last year, fewer or no upper cabinets but high function tall cabinets instead. The combination of materials and finishes add lots of visual interest.
With over 200 doors to choose from as well as furniture finishing techniques and options for built-in storage, Wood-Mode can create the perfect solution for your lifestyle, whether is be Coastal, pet-perfect or both!
If you're going to be needing cabinets, you're also going to need to get into them. That's where Top Knobs comes in. Another brand with great name recognition, TopKnobs specializes in fine decorative hardware for the kitchen and bath. You can tell the quality of a cabinet knob or handle by the weighty feel of it and I have always noticed that about TopKnobs products. The other important thing the finish which they guarantee for life!
They introduced the Transcend Collection at KBIS. This includes the Podium, Ascendra and Contour Series which come in Brushed Satin Nickel, Polished Chrome, Polished Nickel, Sable and Umbrio.
Also new at the show was Aspen II in three finishes, Polished Chrome, Polished Nickel and Brushed Satin Nickel. “The Aspen II collection combines old-world shape and style with contemporary finishes,” states Christine Zimmer, product manager for Top Knobs. “They bring to the market a unique look that designers can use in transitional spaces. Made with solid castings of artisan grade bronze, you can feel the quality of Aspen II in the palm of your hand.”With Wood-Mode and Top Knobs your dream kitchen can come to life!