Bloggers and Beignets in THE BIG EASY!

New Orleans bound, looking forward to crawfish gumbo, beneits and lots of yummy design!If you’re an avid reader of KFL you’ll remember my visit, last March, to the Architectural Digest Home Design Show in New York.  An edgy website by the name of  Modenus*  had a little contest in which you could win a spot on one of their world famous blog tours.  Naturally I had to go all out, no holds barred!  The challenge was to take a creative photo of one of the designated sponsors.IMG223Whoever garnered the most votes won the spot.  Sadly, it was not I but I did have fun trying and I’m pleased to say I finally have my chance to participate in a Modenus adventure!  I will be traveling to the Big Easy with a very select group of design and lifestyle bloggers.   We will get an insider’s view of  Nola Style, visiting design showrooms, shops and KBIS.The theme for this year's show is evolution and how our kitchens and baths are transforming with the advent of new products and design philosophies. These are beneits and I think they have my name on them, maybe underneath that powdered sugar?Yes, this year the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show is being held in New Orleans so I will be there to cover it all.  All the magic will be happening from April 16-20, four very busy days.  And because I believe in paying it forward (at least a little) I will be offering you, my precious reader peeps an opportunity to win a little something-something.   Details to follow...*Modenus is a networking platform and resource catalog for the interior design community.  Design professionals and anyone else passionate about interior design can connect in our forums, find inspiration in our daily blogs, Before & After submissions and live event coverage.  Modenus is free to users and very easy to use.

Show House Features Tropical Island Living

This year's show house features a bird’s eye view of the intracoastal waterwayI hope all you peeps up north survived the blizzard without too much hardship.  As a public service to you I thought I'd serve up so toasty tropical visions to thaw you out.  Read on!  Here in South Florida we’re currently experiencing a phenomenon called “The Season”.  November through April can be referred to as the season.  Our population swells with snowbirds, the weather is usually beautiful and it’s when all the big events seem to happen.  One annual tradition is our very own Red Cross Designer's Show House.  Both local and national design talent converge to show us their creative skill.  This year’s house is located in the historical West Palm Beach neighborhood known as SoSo (South of Southern Blvd) The theme this year is Tropical Island Living.  Each designer, or design firm, is given a room.  They can do whatever they want as long as it fits the theme.  Brendan Donovan Furniture & Cabinet Co. was asked to build some custom cabinetry for the Master Bedroom Suite by Gary McBournie Inc.  We were thrilled with what we were able to contribute and to be a part of this high profile and worthwhile event.  I recently had the pleasure of exploring the completed house and I’m so excited to share my favorites!  Without further ado, Kitchens for Living does the 2013 American Red Cross  Designer’s Show House.This is the master bedroom by Gary McBournie, Inc. The cute corner dressing table is by Brendan Donovan Furniture & Cabinet Co.This custom built vanity, also by Brendan Donovan Master bath suite by Gary McBournie, Inc. Furniture & Cabinet Co. conceals a steam shower unit!  This living room had a definite global vibe which is a hallmark of Jennifer Garrigues Interior DesignKitchen cabinets were a stylish taupe gray color. I really liked the horizontal bead board on the island. I think this detail makes the bead board look "island" rather than "country". The kitchen was by NXG StudioBeverage center in the kitchen with perfectly coordinated glass tile ALL THE WAY UP! Close up of those backsplash tiles I love in the kitchen!I spy the dining room! This is the view from the kitchen. The dining room was an under-the-sea dream. Check out those bubbles! This room was by Mary Masri, MMDesigns, LLCIn island living the outside is just as important as what's indoors. This outdoor pool area is by Daryl McCann, Gregory Lombardi Design, Inc.Back to the master bedroom because I just had to show you this highly original fireplace surround. Reminds me of Gilligan's Island, no?  I love this chest of drawers located in the Artist/Writer's Studio by Joseph Pubillones Interiors, Inc. It's actually made from recycled wood flooring samples. How clever!Here's how those drawers fit into the landscape of the room. This fun art was located in my favorite of all the rooms, the guest suite. Alas I do not know who the artist is but the room was beautifully executed by Kevin Marnell and Joseph Cortes of Homelife Interiors here in West Palm Beach.I love the earthy tones accented by peachy corals. Another view ( I told you I love it) I want the rug too, by the way.This cute corner is a closet transformed to a martini bar! It's located in the study by Lisa Erdmann & AssociatesThis is a nifty area called the Cocktail Cabana by Melody Smith Interiors. It's a cozy room in which to relax and it opens out to a deck with intracoastal water views. Melody Smith, in situ. I'd say she goes with her room. This stunning mirror is a focal point in the Cocktail Cabana.On the deck we were surrounded by lush tropical foliage and a backdrop of the intracoastal.The Designer Show House is open to the public through Saturday February 23rd, so there's still time to catch it.  General admission tickets are $30 (for a good cause) and you can get them on line here.

Mad For Mid Century

A small mid century collage by yours truly. I call it "Embracing Routine". 6"by 6" by 2" canvasIf you're a Mid Century product of Florida, like me, you probably grew up in what's fondly known as a "ranch style house".  Our friends over at Wikipedia define the ranch abode as " a domestic architectural style  originating in the United States. The ranch house is noted for its long, close-to-the-ground profile, and minimal use of exterior and interior decoration. The houses fuse modernist ideas and styles with notions of the American Western period working ranches to create a very informal and casual living style."   In addition to the above, the Florida ranch house  usually came in pastel colors with what we call a "Florida room".  This is kind of like a family room with lots of windows. 

 Although not as grand as the house above, my childhood home shared several elements.  Our Florida Room ceiling had a similar wood treatment and it also had a stone feature wall.  We had lots of green and brown and that EXACT furniture.  The authentic flooring would have been terrazzo, like ours.  I never knew it was cool then but now it's all the rage.  Think about it, there are lots of these houses still around!  Mid-Century has firmly established its niche in design history and has left its mark on our culture.  We've got MadMen, Modernism Magazine, the website Atomic Ranch and numerous blogs. MOD_CVRIf you're looking for that 50s vibe in the kitchen, keep it simple.  Door styles were just flat and were either a warm wood finish or painted.  Guess what? Wall ovens with a separate cook top were much more common in the typical Mid Century kitchen.  Today most homes have ranges.1950s ad for Caloric ovens (bad name, huh?) atomicpattern2Throw in a little atomic patterning and you're there.  If you are really embracing this you can get the vintage look for your refrigerator.elmira_lg(2)Elmira Stove Works has introduced the latest addition to its retro Northstar collection, the French-door refrigerator.  By combining iconic 1950s-style with the modern amenities of contemporary appliances, this new model is larger capacity than previously available in the line.  It comes in a full-depth model as well as counter-depth.  You don't have to get red.  It comes in nine standard colors OR you can even get it custom-colored (for a price, I'm sure). 

Art Palm Beach

One of my favorite exhibits was the work of Abstract Artist Painter Marcos Irusta. His studio is in Miami and fire is actually a part of his painting process. The highlight of the “season” for me in South Florida is not all the crowds, traffic and long lines, although I am grateful for the prosperity it brings to our parts.  The high point is Art Palm Beach.  My pal Vicki and I make a practice of attending the opening reception every year.  This year was double the fun as I went back a second time with my sis and bro-in-law visiting from NY and my son.  The event is always held in January and the venue is the beautiful Palm Beach Convention Center.  This year it was held January 25-28th with a preview evening on the 24th.  This is a rendering of a sculpture which is to grace the median on Okeechobee Blvd. It is by the celebrated local artist Ann Norton 1905-1982. I kind of like it.The focus of the show is contemporary art (my fave).  Sixteen years ago the first show focused on art of the 60s and 70s. Today the focus has expanded to include all forms and periods of contemporary art.  In addition to an international assortment of  exhibitors there were an impressive array of lectures available to attendees.  I’m already planning to focus on these next year.  It is said that the venues such as the Palm Beach County Convention Center create more jobs nationally than the auto industry! It is estimated that Art Palm Beach adds about $800,000 to the local economy in just four days!  In addition it takes 300 people to make it happen.  Enough about logistics, let’s talk about art! I took these pix just to share with my peeps here at Kitchens for Living.  These were some of my favorites.Who knew Ann Norton, famous for her sculptures was also drawing? Well she was and you can now purchase Limited Edition Archival Prints such as this.Another local artist by the name of Katie Deits created this luminous sculpture. Katie is the Director at The Lighthouse Art Center in Jupiter, FL2013-01-24 19.07.33This was just a perfect corner with the work of mixed media, Asian influenced Kate McCavitt's work flanking "Expansion" The third sculpture I fell in love with is this one by called. Sublime.

A striking collection of abstract acrylic paintings by Rita Shapiro. She says, "painting is my link to the larger world...a world with no boundaries.Mixed media painting "Light/Dark" by Carolyn Cole is available through Mark Gallery, Englewood, New Jersey. These delightful paintings are wax (encaustic) on wood and are available for $300 each.people watching is also fun at these events, especially on opening night. So in my next life can I have these legs??If you want to add brightness and vitality to your environment these paintings by British born Martyn Brewster should do the trick! This is Lisa from New York (of course). She works for one of the galleries and was really sweet. She let me take lots of photos of her cool haircut. I actually found a piece by Louise Nevelson! She was an extraordinary sculptor who's worth Googling.I found the work of Stephen Knapp to be extremely interesting and innovative. Just think how you could change the work by adjusting the lamp. Cool, huh? Oh, and it's $18,000   

A Kitchen With A Happy Ending!

This was my client's vision.Today we wrapped up some final details in this new kitchen.  The client was going for a Mediterranean vibe, elegant but at the same time warm and inviting.  She loves to entertain so the kitchen had to be a focal point for her guests and it had to tell the story of her vision.  All these bells and whistles can really run up the price of your cabinets but we were able strike a good deal with Kith Cabinets.  Here's what she had. We knew we could improve the function, incorporating her appliance wish list in the style she was dreaming of.  An added challenge was that we had to incorporate the existing floor because it had to stay.  She selected white painted cabinets with a warm brown glaze which really worked well.Here's the planWe were able to include a range by Viking, a Dacor microwave drawer, a beautiful Silgranit sink by Blanco, and some really nifty accessories including a mixer lift which she uses to store her juicer.  We devoted one roll out in the pantry to be used as a charging station and a place to throw the mail so the lovely counter can remain clutter free.  Notice that we also incorporated some gentle curvy shapes with the counter top and the wood hood.This pantry has the charging station as well as racks on the doors for can storage.2013-01-23 09.42.18

IMG_7653That FAB box on the counter is a nifty gift for our client, gourmet salts that magnetically attach to pull out next to range.  They are something like this.IMG_5935This client had a clear direction from day one which really helped keep the project on track.  This very traditional design comes with a maximum of detail and I'm happy to say we have left a very happy couple to enjoy years of romantic dinners in their new kitchen.Design was a collaboration between the client and myself.  Cabinets by Kith Kitchens, counter tops by Stone Palace, appliances by House of Appliances and installation by Brendan Donovan Furniture & Cabinet Co.  See local resources for more info and contact details.

WALKER ZANGER WOWS NKBA MEETING!

Walker Zanger Showroom in Cypress Creek, FloridaOne 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.Kind of like an art gallery for tile...2013-01-16 19.41.09Not 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.Branch Manager, Drew Rust gives the grand tourHe 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”?This is what's new, reclaimed Balinese teak tiles. This is the "penny tile" version.Some more of the AnTeak Collection at Walker Zanger 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! Gorgeous, I can see a border out of this. The white field tile makes it pop!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.These interesting three dimensional tiles are designed by Michael Bergman, known for his "old Hollywood moderne" style.The price is right for this interesting tile that can be used on floors or walls if you want that 1000 year old look. I happen to think it's very interesting and Bohemian, no? 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!