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...
Tile Tuesday: The Inspiration of Antiquity
Welcome Tile Tuesday! This is the first installment of a series inspired by my discoveries exploring Seville and Valencia, Spain with Tile of Spain. Not only did we attend Cevisama, the renowned trade fair showcasing the best of the Spanish tile industry, we also explored two cities, their history, culture and architecture with two very passionate local architects.
Along the way I learned a lot about ceramic tile in general and that was one of my goals for this trip. Each Tuesday I will be sharing something interesting about tile and the cities we visited. Ceramic tile is the product of the culture in which it is made. Whether you’re talking 1300s or today, tile really is an artefact of the time in which it was produced.
Even the examples we saw of cutting edge 21st century Spanish tile manufacturers such as Peronda, Inalco, Aparici and more have their roots in a much older tradition. What better place to begin than at the beginning. Our adventure started in Seville with a visit to Centro Ceramica Triana, a ceramic museum which was once a tile factory.
Several years ago the city of Sevilla wisely decided to preserve and showcase the old Santa Ana Ceramic Factory, which itself was built upon centuries old prior factories.Last year it was opened to the public. What intrigued me the most is that this museum is a structure consisting of layers. You can find antiquity dating back to the 16th century on the bottom followed my those of the following centuries above it. Architecture is honored. What has come before is respected and preserved. The new lives together with the old throughout Spain and this museum is a perfect example of that.
Run by Enrique Rodgriguez Garcia, Santa Ana was still a productive factory up until the seventies. They survived up until that point selling all genres of ceramics including murals, shop signs, pottery, lettering, and religious items. Garcia passed away in 2005 but has left his artisan legacy to his descendants.
The barrio of Triana sits on the banks of the River Guadalquivir. The ceramic industry, which dates back to Roman times, grew here, in this neighborhood, due to the proximity of natural clay resources. In addition, it is interesting to note that most ceramic glazes come from Spain. This film, by Direccion TVArq, gives you a real feel for the space, outlining the blend between the modern museum and the antiquity revealed below. Note the original 16th century kilns and if you are fortunate enough to speak Spanish you will hear about the history of the site and the process of creating the current museum.
There are many ways to form and decorate clay to create ceramic tile. Niculoso Francisco Pisano, born and trained in Italy, lived and worked in Triana in the early 1500s. He devised a way of mass producing tiles. This is piece circa 1529 is one of the examples from his workshop.
Ceramic tile is a creation of clay, earth, water, air and fire, a perfect balance of elements. I felt a soulfulness about this place, a passion for artisanship that lingers.Next Tile Tuesday: A look at Metropol Parasol, feat of engineering or folly?https://www.facebook.com/kitchensforliving
Spanish Style 2015
As you are reading this I'm probably winging my way across the Atlantic, heading to the Passport to Creativity 2015 event courtesy of Tile of Spain. We will be exploring Seville and then on to Valencia to attend Cevisama, Spain's international tile trade fair showcasing the latest in tile products and design trends. Follow me on FaceBook, Instagram and Twitter for live reports and I'll be recapping all right here upon my return. For now, here's a sneak preview of some of what we'll be seeing (just to get you in the mood).
Color palettes include monochromatic color schemes where one hue is carried throughout with subtle changes in texture and pattern. This is a great way to tie a room together creating a harmonious whole. Looks like "greige" strikes again here!
But if you're not so subtle there are lots of bright color choices too! I'm loving the originality, not to mention the forgiving nature of this new porcelain tile! Organically inspired tile is taking a cue from nature for a very authentic wood look. In addition, there are lots of choices for mosaics. The point is all the elements are there for you to make a unique and very personal statement with tile.
Click here for more info about Tile of Spain and where you can get the latest tile.
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!
Seduced by Mr.Steam
Have you ever stopped to think about how design impacts your health and well-being? Design is just not working if it doesn't make you feel good and that is what Mr. Steam is all about. One of my experiences on the Modenus Blog Tour Vegas was to attend Modenus Talks. This was a day long, interactive meeting of design minds and it is where I heard Martha Orellana, AKA Mrs. Steam, seduce us with the physical and mental benefits of steam.
Perhaps you already know too much about me. You know that my dream bath is going to include the TOTO Washlet but the other big must have is, of course, steam. I will find a way and, according to Mr. Steam, it's not so hard to do. But first, a word (ok a few) about what's in it for you. Steam is great for your skin but also for your whole respiratory system and is recommended for the relief of symptoms from colds, flu, sinusitis, bronchitis, allergies, asthma, throat irritation, arthritis and more. Sore, tired muscles? Rigid joints? Steam eases the pain. It also acts as a natural detox (which we all need now and then). 
Steam therapy is nothing new. The Greeks and Roman indulged and so did the Japanese and even Native Americans. Check here for more about this interesting tradition. 
We got to bathe in the steam at the Aria Spa courtesy of Mr. Steam. A lovely experience made even better with Tala. Tala Bath & Body is a new discovery for me and is a line of essential oils, clays, scrubs and soaps. Mrs. Steam traveled to Morocco to research and develop these products. The Arabic word for "bath" is "hammam" and there is a beautiful ritual associated with it that you can follow with Tala.
So now you're probably curious about what it would take to get steamy. Basically you need an enclosed shower area around 8' high with a slightly sloped ceiling (because of condensation). You'll need a water line, drain line and electric for the generator. A seat is a good idea and then you're ready for ten minutes of bliss. That's all it takes. 
Steam showers do not require special ventilation. With the shower door closed, very little steam escapes. At the end of a steam shower session, simply turn on the shower to condense the remaining steam in the enclosure before opening the door. Voila'! Next Up: Taking personalization to the kitchen with Wood-Mode and TopKnobs!