One week ago I had the pleasure of attending the first South Florida Chapter NKBA meeting of 2013. I was fired up by motivational speaker Dawnna St. Louis and her presentation about how to give your clients what they really want. I’m looking forward to more great events this year and to working with the enthusiastic board on the communications committee.
Not only was it fun to get together once again with all my old kitchen friends but the beautiful venue was an added treat.We met at the amazing Walker Zanger showroom in Coconut Creek Florida. Walker Zanger is filled with designer eye candy! As soon as I walked in I felt an irresistible desire to explore every nook and cranny. Then I decided, if I were to do that, why not nab a tour guide? I found just that in Branch Manager, Drew Rust.
He explained that Walker Zanger has been around about 61 years beginning as a maker of marble tops evolving into a chain (15 ) of designer showrooms offering all types of tile and stone slabs from around the world. Their products can be seen at the Bellagio in Las Vegas as among many other notable locations. The showroom featured beautiful examples of glass, marble and all the usual materials we’re used to seeing tiles made out of. So I asked him, “what’s new”?
He promptly introduced me to the AnTeak Collection which is, you guessed it, tile made out of teak! It’s new, gorgeous and can be used in both flooring and wall applications. In addition to this they are working on a surface treatment that will allow it to be used on shower walls! 
The offerings at WZ are upscale to be sure but the nice thing is that often a little goes a long way. Consider a border or an accent tile and you could get a lot of bang for the buck. Sometimes less is more. Speaking of budgets, WZ does offer some more affordable options as little as 2.50 per square foot.
Hours are Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30. You are welcome to have a look around but bring your designer if you want to seal the deal. I'm sure Showroom Manager Deanna Dolfi would be happy to show you around!
FIVE NEW ALTERNATIVES TO STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES
As you know, I’m always on the prowl for the latest in the kitchen and bath industry. You may have noticed all the articles lately about the decline of stainless steel as the “go to” finish for kitchen appliances. Everyone from the Wall Street Journal to The Daily Beast is touting the hunt for THE new finish that will supposedly unseat stainless. Yes, stainless steel does have a reputation, and rightly so, for being fingerprint prone and hard to clean.Tip: Never clean your stainless with any product containing ammonia or chloride. For best results use mild soap and water and dry with a dry cloth. For tougher jobs you can also use find stainless steel wipes at your local grocers. Never use steel wool as it will scratch the finish.This said, there have been lots of improvements and attempts to address these issues with special coatings and claims of “finger print resistance”. True or not, we’re ready for a change and several major manufacturers are taking a stab at what will be the next big thing. Personally, I think stainless will continue to be a predominant option but I also believe we’re going to continue to see many new choices. Here is what 5 major players are doing:-G.E. Slate is one of my favorites. I like it because it’s fresh and different yet not SO different that it will clash with existing stainless steel. Brushed metal touch points can also tie a new appliance into the mix in case you’re not in the market for a complete suite. They also claim the Slate finish is fingerprint resistant and easy to clean.
SubZero Wolf- The Mercedes Benz of appliance brands introduced the “Black Glass E Series Ovens” a year ago. Clearly not the best choice for households with children! Built in ovens are available in 30” standard or flush inset application, the Black Glass model comes adorned with a black glass tubular handle and, wait for it, a COBALT BLUE interior!
In addition to the oven, Wolf also offers black glass trim kits for Warming Drawers and 30” Convection and Standard Microwaves. Glass may be print-prone but it’s also one of the easiest surfaces to clean. No word on if this finish has been popular enough for them to offer refrigerators in Black Glass.
Whirlpool White Ice is hot. It’s the new white. I think in general, people are taking another look at white which is also hugely popular as a cabinet finish. Just think how seamlessly it would integrate with white cabinetry. On the other hand a contrast highlights the best of both worlds. I must spill the beans, however, White Ice isn’t really glass, it’s just metal that looks like it. If you want real glass Jenn-Air makes the “Floating Glass” collection & does offer a choice of white or black glass fronts to them. They no longer offer the contrasting stainless tubular handles however. The handles are now a euro curved powder coated finish (that won’t discolor like plastic)
Last but not least, my fave appliance maker Bosch featured a line of UBER glass finished appliances just a few months ago at IFA, the world's leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances in Berlin. This is strictly a European offering so far and I don’t believe we’ll be seeing it here anytime soon. A kitchen designer can dream though. Bosch has applied their good old German practicality and efficiency to create a seemingly indestructible and beautiful product. Here’s video filmed on location at IFA Check out this line up, also as seen at IFA this year in Berlin. Can you imagine a purple refrigerator? I hear they also deduct calories, just kidding...
BETTER LIVING BY MIELE
This past week I was given the opportunity, by the nice folks at Miele (rhymes with tequila), to mix business with pleasure. I attended a Miele Table Artist Salon for an evening of culinary creativity. I was not disappointed.
Not only were we treated to an exceptional gourmet experience, courtesy of Chef David Whyko, but I also got to learn more about the two most promising and up and coming appliances in the industry. (Trivia: Chef David was chef for Lenny Kravitz for ten years!)
Greeted at the door with a glass of bubbly set the tone. This was followed by a sit down dinner for around 20 people. All food prepared by Chef David was cooked using a combination of induction, steam and speed cooking.
Miele, based in Germany, is a family owned business started over 100 years ago. Their guiding principle is to provide “Better Living” with products designed to make one’s life easier. All appliances are tested to last a minimum of 20 years.
We’ve been hearing the buzz about induction cooking and, as I have written before, it is a safer, faster and more efficient way to cook. You will certainly be seeing the induction cooktop become a major player very soon. The second star of the show was Miele’s steam oven. Steam cooking is gaining in popularity as more people become aware of the capabilities it offers. For example, you can do anything in a steam oven that you can do in a microwave. Not gonna lie, there are two exceptions to that rule which are popcorn and reheating your morning cup of joe. Here’s how it works. Fill the reservoir with water, set your temperature and in about ten minutes average you should be done. Steam cooking retains flavor and nutrients to a greater degree than with other modes.. A big thanks to the Miele Gallery in Boca Raton for an informative and delish event. The Gallery offers prospective customers a hands on experience so you can see how their products add a little "better living" to your life.
BALIZA, A NEW TWIST ON TRADITION
I grew up in South Florida, never more than minutes away from the beach. The lighthouse is not only a symbol of tradition, where in days gone by it was a way shower and lifesaver for those at sea, but for me it also stands for Dad. My dad taught me how to swim, snorkel and generally love the ocean when I was a wee girl. As a Navy veteran who spent many days at sea, you could say he became a connoisseur of lighthouses. Today he makes them with his hands and if you're lucky enough to be a friend or relative you will have one gracing your yard with its soft illumination.
Well apparently I'm not the only one thinking about lighthouses. On a trip to Portugal Judd Lord, Director of Industrial Design at Brizo, found the inspiration for the Baliza faucet. You guessed it, lighthouses! To him the lighthouse exemplifies all that is timeless and traditional. I love the idea of using a familiar object in a new and innovative way.
Check out this video to see what Baliza is all about. Now I'm going to the beach!
DAY 1 BOSCH/BLANCO BLOGGER RETREAT
Back to the real world!! Got home around 11:30 last night. Jet lag be damned. I owe you! Here are my notes from Thursday which was officially day one of our Blanco/Bosch Blogger Retreat. So without further ado:It's beautiful here! The sun is shining but no sweat! They tell me it's because it's dry. I could get used to this no humidity stuff. Last night the first arrivals gathered for dinner at Bayside, a beautiful restaurant in Newport Beach.
The food was delicious, the scenery beautiful and I was so excited to be in California with such an impressive group! This morning we went on a walking tour of the amazing Segerstrom Preforming Arts Center which is right around the corner from our hotel. It's a world class venue for concerts, theater and especially dance. In fact it's the largest privately funded performing arts center of its kind in the nation. The oldest part was built in 1986 and the newest twenty years later. The design is comprised of an interesting juxtaposition of triangles and undulating curves.
The 3000 seat theater is currently running the musical American Idiot featuring the rock group Green Day. We got a sneak peak back stage. I had no idea it was so complex behind the scenes!
After a delicious lunch at Seasons 52 it was time to descend on the brand new BSH Design Center located close by in Irvine. BSH will feature not only Bosch but also Thermador and Gaggenau appliances when completed. Blanco and Bosch are two German based companies who value fine German engineering so it makes sense that they are collaborating to offer consumers the whole package, sinks, faucets and appliances of unmatched quality and design.
After a champagne reception we got to participate in a panel discussion on kitchen design trends moderated by Dwell Magazine Contributing Editor Erika Heet.
Thursday's dinner was a real treat. The event was titled Designed to Devour. That was a pretty apt description. True Food Kitchen, Newport Beach is a new restaurant specializing in a very "California" type of cuisine, very whole, healthy and organic. I had the best panang curry ever (vegetable, of course). The acai-pomegranite mojito was not too shabby either!
Enough for day one? Day two we entered the "design lab" (lab coats and all, honest!). We got a first hand view at the design process, materials and more. Check back next post for round two where we really dig into the nitty gritty of what makes Bosch appliances so extraordinary.
ONE SEXY FAUCET
I know my last post was all about the plumbing but I'm not done yet. As I peruse my ever growing roster of press releases this little tidbit caught my eye. It's a sleek beautiful sexy faucet with one hell of a marketing strategy.
The new Salome faucet by Riobel is going to be unleashed upon an unsuspecting public on June 7th at Koko Bar and Restaurant in Montreal, should you be in the area. What makes it so special you ask? Check it out. Need I say more? I just love it when art history intersects with design. I think it just adds a whole other layer.
Yes it's all about the looks, you know a faucet can never be too thin or rich expensive, which I'm sure it is. The marketing brilliance is in the name and inspiration for this design. She's (yes this faucet is a girl) called Salome' after the work of Aubrey Beardsley, the 19th century bad boy famous for his erotic Art Noveau illustrations. Here's what Riobel has to say in their press release:
"In Harmony with this (Art Noveau) artistic concept, the faucets of Riobel’s SALOMÉ Collection are based on the aesthetics of curved lines. Due to their round profile and arched shape, Salomé products exude finesse, refinement and elegance.Turning on a SALOMÉ faucet is reminiscent of an exotic cascading waterfall, deep in the forest where all is pure, a significant aspect of these wall-mounted fixtures." So I lied when I said it's all about the looks. This water-as-in-nature concept seems like a great way to tame the stress and put a little Zen in your life.