There is a fresh new concept on the scene when it comes to kitchen appliances. For years the challenge has been to make them go away, visually, that is. Integrating your refrigerator and dishwasher using matching cabinet panels can be the perfect solution in some situations but let's take another look, shall we?
What if you crave something different, you have yen for retro design and you LOVE color? If this is you, Big Chill has you covered. This Colorado based appliance maker was founded in 2001 by Orion Creamer and Thom Vernon, two guys looking for vintage style with modern functionality.
In the early days of the company Thom and Orion studied vintage styling from the 50s, particularly automotive detailing as well as the materials that were used. Their wish was to replicate the quality of products from this bygone era and blend it with the latest technology. I am impressed with the wide variety of appliances offered by Big Chill! Think the 48" pro range, induction cooking, large capacities as well as compact counter top microwaves.
Also, if you're not a fifties fan they have two other lines, Classic with 1920s detailing and Pro offering the same bold color selection in twenty first century design. Speaking of color, if none of their many options is just right for you, custom colors are available too. You can find dealers throughout the US but if they're not in your neck of the woods you can purchase on line with free shipping in the month of August. For much more info check out their website and blog.PS. I have no affiliation with Big Chill. This just came across my radar and I had to share!
Artisan Shares Creative Vision with Mosaics
"Mosaic is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials." -Wikipedia
At the intersection of "skilled artisan" and mosaic art" you will find Ariel Shoemaker. Actually this talented artist found me. She makes original art in a traditional or contemporary style utilizing the ancient technique of mosaic. This tile style art, which dates back 4,000 years, is accessible today through her beautiful work. She recreates the mosaic craft with a fresh new spin to make unique works that perfectly reflect her clients. Ariel has a thriving business which she runs out of her home studio outside of Boston, MA. It is my pleasure to introduce her to you so, without further ado, here is my interview with Ariel and some very artful kitchens featuring lovely examples of her work.
Artful Kitchens: What is your background? How did you get into creating with mosaic art?
Ariel: I earned my BFA in Writing Literature & Publishing from Emerson College in 2000, and my M.Ed in Arts in Education from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education in 2004. From the moment I began tinkering with bits of glass in March of 2002, I was hooked. It was satisfying to create and also a nice relaxing diversion from the monotony of the everyday. Constructing art pieces from tiny pieces of broken glass and “found” objects 14 years ago, as a hobby, was also a way to distract me from the haunting memories of 9/11 and the seriousness of the world. I never in a million years thought that it would become a career, then friends, family and a small co-op gallery in Cambridge began to notice my work--and after years of marketing, developing a “brand”, a “signature style”, making connections and making work that truly comes from my heart, I can say I have a career as a Mosaic Artist.
Artful Kitchens: What has been your favorite project and why?Ariel: I actually don’t have a favorite, but I think that might be fairly typical for someone who LOVES what they do. Each project is unique, and I love that about my work.
Artful Kitchens: What do you do when you're not beautifying homes with your work?Ariel: I work nearly full time during the week while my children are in school and daycare (our boys, Simon & Max are 9 and 7 years old, respectively, and our daughter, Josie, is nearly 2 years old). And then there are many nights and weekends that I work to make deadlines, meet with prospective and current clients amd complete administrative tasks. Fortunately, my husband is an incredible dad, and his working hours as an eighth grade math teacher gives him flexibility after school to be with the kids when I need to work. We’ve developed a balanced partnership parenting our kids--and over the years, we’ve managed to work out most of the kinks. Having three kids and a career is truly a balancing act. I meditate every day and do yoga often. Both keep me a saner, calmer, and more focused mommy/artist/creative entrepreneur.Artful Kitchens: How do you come up with your ideas? What is the source of your inspiration?
Ariel: I am inspired by nature, music and other artist's work. I root myself In the colors I choose before setting out to design a piece, or to develop organically formed patterns that become the mosaic work. The results are unique, complex works that endlessly change with the light and one’s vantage point. Some evoke images of Gustav Klimt’s and Georgia O'keefe's more luminous works of art.
Artful Kitchens: Please include anything else you would like peeps to know about you and all the info we need to get in touch.
Ariel: In a nutshell, I create the highest quality customized mosaic art pieces and backsplashes for the residential, hospitality or corporate environment. I love working with interior designers, architects and home owners. We collaborate to devise a piece that will bring them the most joy. Please check out my testimonials on Houzz
To find out more about the process and the price to commission a custom mosaic piece of your own contact me via cell: 617-905-6629 or email: ariel@mosaicsbyariel.com
Concealed Kitchen Elements Reavealed
Earlier this year in Milan at the EruoCucina tradeshow a lot of manufacturers were featuring kitchens with retracting and telescoping counter tops.
K+B Insider Young Huh says, “It was the epitome of seamless integration and smart use of space". Shown here is the Atelier collection as seen in the Minotti Cucine showroom. This counter top pulls back to reveal a cook top underneath. It also conceals a kitchen sink and pop up faucet.
This is absolutely cutting edge, allowing the function of the kitchen to be hidden from view so that we are left with the beauty of cabinetry that doubles as sculpture. Is this something you could live with? Maybe not but we do love to use the concept of concealment. Think appliance panels, appliance garages and even the "larder" concept that has become so popular. Just remember that concealment comes with a price. It's a case by case decision and don't feel bad if you want to let it all hang out. I think that today's appliance designs are created with aesthetics in mind, yes, they can have their own type of beauty. It is fun, though, to explore all the options!
Summer, the Season for Outside Cabinets
Summer is in full swing! I must confess I'm one of the few who loves a hot steamy Florida summer. Recently I got a call from a potential client with some extra space to fill outside by the pool (lucky them right?) Adjacent to the dining room and tucked into an alcove a new idea sprang to mind! How about an outside wine bar? Perfect for entertaining and here in Florida we can enjoy this scenario most of the year. There are a few things to remember if you're thinking of investing in outsider cabinetry.
The Right Stuff- Cabinets for the outside should be exterior grade, ready to stand up to humidity and temperature changes. Some good options include Mahogany, Cypress and Teak. These can be pricey, especially the latter two but there are other options. Why not consider a painted finish? As long as you're using an exterior grade paint over and exterior quality MDF you're set! Your friendly local custom cabinet maker can help you with any of these options. 
There are also cabinet lines that are manufactured for the outdoors. Danver Stainless Outdoor Kitchens makes powder coated stainless steel cabinetry for barbecues, outside kitchens and, yes, outdoor wine bars!! They tout their all powder coat finishes for low maintenance, protection from harsh weather conditions and a safeguard form chlorine (salt air) and muriatic acid which is used to clean pavers. 
We say "outside" but I recommend your bar area have at least an overhead cover. You gotta protect the goods, right? Protected or not, perhaps the most durable way to go is with a product called King StarBoard® ST. It is a special, high-density polyethylene sheet that provides a super tough surface for many applications. I like that it comes in colors and that color goes all the way through, no chipping ever!
I also love Dekton by Cosentino, a highly durable scientifically complicated package of counter top loveliness. Just have a look at these new colors!
Back to my client, here's what I envision for this space (at top). The stone wall lends a wine cellar feel while being totally suitable for this outside application. Here I'm showing the stone also on the adjoining wall but it would work equally well only over the bar. Last but not least, favorite art makes it your own with a personal touch. Just make sure your work is framed professionally so moisture doesn't enter into the picture, so to speak. If you'd like to explore creating your own little slice of heaven outside I'd love to help you. You know where to find me ;) Cheers and happy summer!
Gold and Bold for Your Powder Room
The powder room is one place where you never have to be shy and it should decked out to impress! Normally I shy away from the pedestal style sink for everyday usage but as an artful, sculptural element it can be the perfect focal point for your Powder Room. Anything metallic is particularly bold and timeless at the same time. 
Meet Bronze Chalice, designed by Santa Fe artist David Hoptman and manufactured by Stone Forest, a company who's focus is on bringing the organic beauty of nature to the home. I'm sure they succeeded here! I love the contrast between this sand cast bronze sink and the very simple wall mounted faucet, designed to have a quiet presence that enhances rather than competes with the loveliness of Bronze Chalice. A word of advice if you are considering a vessel sink of any type, especially if you are using a wall mounted faucet. This design looks deceptively simple but it is crucial to apply the correct dimensions. There really is no room for error in both the centering and the heights of both the sink and the faucet. Get it wrong and you'll be taking a shower in your powder room! Bronze Chalice is available in three finishes, Weathered Bronze, White Bronze and Gold Bronze. It retails from $1,720-$1,870, depending on finish, and can be obtained through luxury distributor Hastings Tile & Bath.
Big Tile is the New Style
I had the pleasure of meeting so many talented professionals last year on my great adventure with Tile of Spain, but that's another story. 
One of the dynamic contacts that I made was Heather Fiore of Contemporary Stone & Tile Design and Stone World Magazines. In their Summer 2016 issue Heather interviews me and fellow designer/adventurer Michele Alfano, interior architect and founder of MODmadeNY Studio about the big movement towards large tile. What do you think? Is bigger always better when it comes to tile? Trends in Large-Format Tile