DIESEL POWER IN THE KITCHEN!

That's not diesel as in engine but Diesel as in the sexy jeans and apparel manufacturer.  Yes, they have teamed up with that Italian maker of cabinet beauty, Scavolini.  You'll remember I wrote about them on my last NYC adventure here.The global denim brand, ambassador of the “successful living” lifestyle, and the Italian leader of furnished kitchens, with an export network in more than 50 countries worldwide, are collaborating on a new perspective in kitchen design.Check out this video introducing the Successful Living Kitchen sent to me by my pal Daniele at Scavolini NYC.The purpose of this project is to appeal to the needs of younger (I like to think young in age AND young at heart) consumers throughout their global markets.  Scavolini fits the bill because of their ability to incorporate function, safety, durability and style.  The Diesel style is represented in this "Successful Living Kitchen" with industrial appeal and retro elements through use of materials such as wood, steel, glass and concrete distressed and treated to lend a vintage feel.  What an interesting combo!  Pieces are both modular and free-standing.  If you'd like to check it out in person you'll have to visit the EuroCucina Show in Milan Italy April 17-22.   I'll be back in NYC at the end of the month for Architectural Digest 2012 Show. Ciao! 

ALL THAT GLITTERS COULD BE GLASS!

You've heard me talk about glass before and it's place as a progressive material used in all sorts of innovative ways in the 21st century kitchen.  The following is a press release I recently received for a company called Think Glass."One of the coolest products just unveiled at the National Kitchen Bath Show in Las Vegas was a stunning 4-inch glass countertop that looked like the luminescent ocean and actually glowed from within. The powerful LED lights embedded inside gave the glass countertop a radiance. ThinkGlass offers a variety of light colors and even the ability to create a “light show” via remote control with special effects such as flashing and fading lights to create an ambiance.ThinkGlass has quickly become a leader in the thermoforming industry by pioneering a versatile technique that allows the creation of new or repetitive textures at a very low molding cost. This process allows the creation of glass slabs without thickness constraints opening the door to all kinds of design possibilities that far exceed anything that can be accomplished with stone, granite or marble."This truly is a revolutionary break through.  Previously the thickest counter top any sane glass expert would offer is 3/4".   When glass reaches a thickness of 1.4" it becomes hard as stone and it is naturally antibacterial because of its totally nonporous nature. ThinkGlass has been around for about 11 years and here's how they do it.  The process begins with 8' by 11' sheets of 1/2" glass which is cut to size according to project specs.  The glass is stacked and placed on a bed of sand in an oven.  Any desired texture or design is drawn into the sand before the glass is placed on it.  The glass is then baked for one day for every 1/2" of thickness.  The finished product is then polished by hand.  Pretty cool, huh?  The sand is even reused so there is no waste.The addition of LED lighting for illumination really takes glass to the next level and is sure to deliver lots of  "wows".  Glass is easy to clean and the addition of a texture is a crafty way to hide finger prints.If you'd like just a little wow that's good too and can be enough.  How about a raised glass top on your island?  If you go this route make sure to employ a qualified professional who will know the best way to install and secure your top.  Last but not least, don't forget that if you are a follower of  Feng Shui, glass is a great way to add the water element to your kitchen.  The element of water is said to attract wealth and health!

THE BEST OF KBIS

Our annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show known as KBIS  was held last month in Las Vegas.  I’m hearing that attendance was much improved over the anemic showing of the last couple years.  This show is traditionally where new products and design trends for the kitchen and bath are introduced to the world at large.  Here are some of my new faves from the show!

One of the most exciting debuts this year is  Bornholm Cabinets,  conceived of and created by fellow blogger Susan Serra and her daughter.     They are a couple of smart cookies who know what’s both hot now as well as basic and unique enough to be timeless.  The line is Scandanavian inspired but American made.  Simple yet elegant and designed to blend into and enhance any environment.  I think we’ll be seeing more of this.  You can see more here.I also love this beautiful bit of black.

Yes it’s a toilet!  When it comes to commodes the Japanese have definitely got it going on and this example is no exception.   We all know what a "smart" phone is, well meet the "smart" toilet!  The REGIO by Inax  features a sound system, heated seat, double power deodorizing, automatic seat and flushing, and dual nozzle bidet. Geez, what more could you want?  Oh, yeah it’s also environmentally responsible. Check it out here Here’s a new fun way to add a little glow to that backsplash area between your cabinets and counter top.The °eluma RGB DecoSplash illuminated backsplash is the first fully customizeable color changing LED backsplash.  You can change your color as you change your mood from fuschia to lime green!  This LED light is dimmable and you even have your choice of decorative inserts.  Find out more here.Dark rich wood finishes continue to be a popular choice.  I just love the Asian vibe (of course!) of this kitchen by Wellborn Cabinets.Click here to see the rest of The Best of KBIS!

A LOOK AT LOOX BY HAFELE

Hafele is one of my favorite resources for kitchen hardware and functional, fun accessories.  Known for quality and efficient German engineering it seems they are always coming out with something "wow-worthy".  Our ever faithful local rep, Pat Flatley, keeps me in the loop on their latest products.  I just found out about this one which I'm dying to share with you.  It's call Loox.  Does it sound like a Dr. Seus character?  Sure.  Is it a seriously kick-ass lighting option for your home?  Definitely.   Whether it's task lighting or just an ambient after glow you're looking for, Loox has the answer.  Loox is a low-voltage LED lighting system.  You can read about the technical details here.What I love is the great functionality of having a light inside a drawer or in the nooks and crannies of the closet.  Check out this handy Loox Room Configurator.  Simply click on the type of room you want to view and you can turn on and off all the various light fixtures that illuminate the room.  Hours of fun!  (Ok maybe not hours)  When you're a kitchen designer it's the little things that come together to make a fantastic whole!

DESIGN YOUR OWN WALLPAPER

ROLLOUT, the wallpaper!

As you may have heard, wallpaper is in vogue once again.  I confess I am not naturally "wallpaper inclined" but what I saw recently in the intriguing Studio North & Prototype section at IDS11 in Toronto made me think again.   After all, I am slavishly devoted to art and what better way to " art"  than by utilizing the biggest canvas of all, your wall!
The innovative custom wallpaper manufacturer,  ROLLOUT , featured eight designs, including new work by founder/designers Anita Modha and Jonathan Nodrick.

Not only was I impressed by their edgy designs but, get this, you can design your own wallpaper.    It's pricey but that's so you keep  your taste in check.  Keep it to a focal wall such as in a powder room or dining room and you won't break the bank or run the risk of  "too much of a good thing".  This digitally printed eco-conscious wallpaper runs about $10 a square foot.  Get your own art printed for about $8 per square foot plus set up charges.    These premium, latex-based inkjet wallcoverings come in 36’’ wide rolls.  Custom design projects are quoted upon request.

ROLLOUT was recently featured on Canadian lifestyle and design talk show Steven & Chris.  Click here to see the show.  The ROLLOUT section is at 12:30.

In addition to their presence at IDS 11, ROLLOUT was also asked to re-design a Vitra Panton chair that was auctioned off with the proceeds going to Casey House, the first free-standing HIV/AIDs hospice in Canada which offers support and care to those that are affected in their communities.  20 one-off chairs by some of Canada's leading designers and architects were auctioned off during the opening night of the event.

IDS11 is Canada's largest contemporary design fair that has served to inform and support the growing Canadian design industry for the past fourteen years.  Thank you to Blanco for sending me to IDS 11!

ONE WEEK TO GO BEFORE THE DRAWING

Don’t forget to enter your chance to win a free Orgaline drawer organizer by leaving a comment on any post between now and February 15th! Click here to read January 14th post for details

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS CHROME AT IDS11

Now that I'm back and basking in the sun once again, I'm busy creating a whole new Flickr site with all those photos I took to share with you.  Here are just a few to get you warmed up.

Look for the link right here at Kitchens for Living where you can view all the photos and commentary.  As soon as I post you'll be the first to know.   Just to get us started I thought I'd show you some of the faucet fashion at IDS11.   Incidentally this is the 13th IDS show and it's Canada's largest contemporary design show.  This year's event featured 300 exhibitors.  As an American designer, it was interesting to see the differences not only in taste but in product offerings just over the border.  Products and styling appear more progressive.  When I question why so many of these products are not available to us here in the USA I am told that it is not our market.  I hope they are wrong.  If we can't get it we can't buy it.  Right?

Plumbing faucet manufacturers from Moen to Riobel to Brizo showed a dazzling array of faucets of all types with one thing in common, a polished chrome finish. Fellow bloggers who had the opportunity to visit Cologne, Germany last week for the "Living Kitchen" event tell me that polished chrome is the choice in Europe as well.

Next post: The Sink of the future is here today!

Don’t forget to enter your chance to win a free Orgaline drawer organizer by leaving a comment on any post between now and February 15th! Click here to read January 14th post for details