KBIS 2011 - Kitchen Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas

Merrilat KitchenFresh from walking the show floor of KBIS (Kitchen Bath Industry Show) held in Las Vegas, following is an overview of my impressions of what's new, what's trending and why. 

THE SHOW FLOOR

The kitchen and bath show (KBIS) was smaller than last year, three years after the financial crisis, which was quite surprising to me and to other veteran industry attendees I spoke to. Those who attended their first, second, or even third KBIS, have no concept of how different a show KBIS has become since before 2009 (I've gone for about 20 years now.) To see the show even smaller this year, and the booths stretched out (wider aisles, etc.)  within the exhibit hall to achieve a perceived "fit", was obvious and a bit disconcerting, 3 years after 2008. 

Exhibit booths for major brands were drastically smaller, in probably all cases, often with little adornment (thank you Formica for a smallish but fabulously designed booth.) And, countless major national brands simply disappeared from the show floor this year. KBIS is a shadow of the show it used to be. The show program (a sort of soft cover book of conference schedules and exhibitor list) tells the story too -geez, was it small!!

That said, I would never not go. It (the basis of the show) is my world, the one I reside in every day. How can I not go? So, I go, and I'm still genuinely very excited to attend every year. Good for those companies who did display...I assume due to the show's size, they had quality visitors to their booths.

NEWS FROM THE KITCHEN AND BATH SHOW

Without further ado, here are the major trend messages observed from the show floor! Visual examples will be forthcoming in future posts.

It's all about BROWN undertones - the whole spectrum from light, mid tones to coffee - brown finishes and often gray browns (more brown than gray) dominate cabinetry, new countertop introductions, tile, more. Black, at least in cabinetry, and white (as always), are in the mix....black as the new (yet classic) neutral for cabinetry?

Transitional cabinet door styles, the shaker door in various forms, and the soft modern style or a more simple traditional theme, was a focus for the kitchen and bath

Technology focused on quiet, soft, easy access, ergonomic design solutions for cabinetry

Multimedia - products mixing disparate materials for a fresh design statement...the theory that interesting texture can be a small price to pay here and there in the context of the cost of a whole kitchen remodel

Sinks - seamless integrated sinks and countertop solutions and sinks designed to perform multiple functions including doubling as counter space

Budget - Many manufacturers introduced a lower priced line or moved/modified existing products into a lower price point to provide expanded choices to their customers. Even luxury brands such as Artistic Tile, Corian, Dacor and others have discovered and introduced new ways to make their products affordable. This is an across the board trend and seen in product design with a focus on style, durability and longevity.

Tile - Tile is getting smaller and longer lengths in many cases with newly introduced high def imaging to create a truly authentic look. Many/varied glass accents. Tile continues its style story in the kitchen with softer/simple, often mosaic, designs that encompass expanded areas in the kitchen beyond the backsplash for a look that flows (example, surrounding a window to the ceiling)

Lighting innovations continue to focus on led and substitutes were shown for the typical incandescent light bulb design but with energy efficiency built in. Task and accent lighting keeps getting smaller and more flexible in terms of installation and design (lighted tile in a backsplash anyone?) even color of lighting available.

Cabinet hardware is focusing on additional warm finishes and styles with more visual weight to make a statement (bang for the buck theory and a good one). More soft modern styles and styles which are very modern, projecting significantly off the cabinet for its own statement, are trending. I also observed this in Germany in January at IMM Cologne.

Green - An effort to "go green" but not as prominant an effort as I've seen previously

Color - I did see quite a few products of neutral shades which had a soft green undertone, sort of a gray green. Otherwise, color, in its bold form, was hard to find! I observed it in pockets, certainly not as a dominant theme at the show.

Innovation? Not so terribly much this year as compared to other years. More repositioning/tightening of existing product lines and thinking more creatively in terms of budget products...which of course, is good news to many, many Americans, making the kitchen design process fun again for lower budgets.

This is my preliminary (but well thought through) report. After looking more closely at my 800 images, I may add additional thoughts. More to come!!

KBCULTURE 2011 Awards - Bornholm Kitchen Wins Cabinet Category

We are so honored to have won KBCULTURE 2011 Award for the Cabinet category!  Thank you, Leslie & Mervyn!  We feel humbled to have been considered amongst such an esteemed group of products and companies and are very appreciative of this prestigious recognition.  

The award criteria evaluates commitment toward innovative thinking and design from the smallest aesthetic detail to the larger scope of the product's position in the overall market landscape.  Of course, all of the entrants have taken huge strides in these areas and we look forward to spec'ing many of these products in future jobs.  

  

KBIS 2011 - Kitchen and Bath Industry Show

KBIS 2011, the trade show for all products related to the world of kitchens and baths, begins next week from April 26-29 in Las Vegas. As always, and as for the past, approximately, past 20 years, I will be there again, enthusiastically, to:

• scour the show floor
• spot trends
• discover new products
• meet friends!
• attend fabulous events
• gather tons of information

 Already, pre show, I can share a few choice sneak peeks of products that will debut at KBIS. Here we go!

New Ravenna Mosaics promises to have stunning new collections of tile! 

Below - Seemingly, authenticity is redefined in this new collection by Giovanni Barbieri. It immediately reminds me of this post on antique floors from Spain I wrote for thekitchn. 

Below - A NEW product to the kitchen world, the introduction of a glass kitchen sink by JSG Oceana. I've got to take a look at this, especially to touch it, feel it, see it in action. It is said not to scratch or stain. Made in USA!

Below -  Hafele, an incredible company with some of the most innovative products for kitchen and bath, introduces the LOOX LED System. Think "plug and play", think "easy" solutions where multiple products work together for lighting design flexibility. I KNOW lighting information often begets a groan...in this case, all you have to do is to look for color coded products which all work together.

I am so ready for Vegas!!!! So much more to come!

Introducing Kelly to "The Kitchen Designer" Friends

Kelly and Susan, standing on the grand stairs in Central Park near Bethesda Fountain! Hello! For my first official post, I wanted to take a minute to introduce myself to you lovely readers.  I'm Kelly Donovan and excited to be joining my mother, Susan, around the proverbial kitchen table to dish about all things related to our favorite room in the home.  A bit about me personally...

 

Having a mother who is a long time accomplished kitchen designer, and a father in the construction trade, I've grown up surrounded by all types of home renovation, specifically of the kitchen kind.  I've worked with (ok, for) my mom on and off since I was a teenager - looking to supplement my babysitting income with a little extra to buy that awesome jean jacket that all my friends had - and now as an adult, feeling privileged to join the family business in a bigger way and follow a true innate passion.  

Living in Manhattan for the past 8 years, it's been admittedly difficult to fulfill my passion for beautiful and functional kitchens while having my own space to cook in that was barely bigger than a shoe box.  I've made do, however, and never let the lack of a four-burner stove or dishwasher stop me from hosting huge dinner parties or cooking up elaborate, special meals for my family.  I've become an expert in space efficiency, and while I have graduated to full size appliances and granite countertops, I'm still storing my pots and pans in the oven.  I look forward to the day when everything has its place and I can have all the single-use small appliances of my dreams!

Perhaps you're wondering what took me so long to follow my passion and join my mother in her business.  It's long been a thought in the back of my mind, and something I knew I'd pursue eventually.  However, as children do, I fought hard forging a path of my own and after college (Fordham University) fell first into publishing and then online advertising, working for great companies such as Harper Collins, CNET and Yahoo! and enjoying the many perks of a sales & marketing executive to Fortune 100 clients.  As nature took its course, I got married, had a baby, and decided the full time corporate life just wasn't for me anymore.  I felt it was time to come home, in more ways then one. So here I am...thrilled to be joining my mom in this adventure - from the blog, to our launch of Bornholm Kitchen, and all things in between!  

Now, what should you expect from me?  In terms of blog content, I'll be focusing on style, products, accessories, and appliances and trying to add a little personality to this once-utilitarian room. You've probably noticed the new sections we've added above.  Moodboard Mondays is simply a coalescence of products, surfaces, rooms, and images meant to delight and inspire.  Kelly's Finds will profile unique and useful products I'll be seeking out in my travels throughout the city and across the web that can add some character and efficiencies to your kitchen.  We've come a long way from working kitchens of yesteryear designed purely for function, and I look forward to livening up this space with you! Here I am...in full production below!

 A couple of words from Susan/aka mom: I have been anxious (to say the least) for Kelly to join me in the family business. I could not be more thrilled - Kelly is smart, uber stylish, on trend to the MOMENT but with a global foresight and interest in the word "why." I'm VERY lucky to have her and I think you'll enjoy Kelly's insight too. Most of all, we LUV to laugh out loud and often! Oh, look at this brunch to see the fabulous finished dishes from the image above.

Autokitchen 10 - Amazing Graphics, Smart Design

As gushed noted previously in this blog, I have been, and remain, captivated by the visual poetry of, yes, the graphics of Autokitchen! (Going to KBIS? Autokitchen will be at booth C4990.)

Some time ago, my eye and my brain got married to Autokitchen. The brain put it this way: “This program is relatively easy to learn, is fast, and has every part and piece I need to create as simple or as custom a kitchen as I need without skipping a beat.” The eye felt this way: “The graphics are simply to DIE for!” A happy marriage (cue the white picket fence).

Enter the next generation, Autokitchen 10 (do you love this analogy so far?) The next generation often has it better than the previous generation and this is no exception. Here are some of the attributes of Autokitchen 10:

A new mosaic collection from New Ravenna (stunning tile)

Several new collections of wood carvings including Art for Every Day, Classic Designs by Matthew Burak and Adams Wood Products

New architectural tools to create even more professional architectural drawings, including new, impressive, dimension styles

Many new appliances, door styles and countertop materials

This week Autokitchen is releasing the catalogs for Wood Mode /Brookhaven and allmilmo – that’s big!

These are strong new additions to Autokitchen, already the leader in high quality kitchen design software. The color graphics of the program are outstanding. Floorplans, elevations, and perspective drawings are detailed, with a crisp, architectural look.

On a personal note, I tell my children more than they want to hear that a secret to life is to think flexibly. Autokitchen thinks so too - it allows a designer to go with the flow with enormous flexibility to modify cabinetry on the fly and/or to draw and extrude shapes into 3d objects FAST. It's reliable and the technical support, from my own personal experience, is a notch above top notch, maybe two; you will receive superb and friendly service.

Two versions of the Autokitchen Studio version begin at $995 and software prices are on the website; affordable and price transparent. 

What I am REALLY excited about is my forthcoming affiliation with Autokitchen and my new collection, Bornholm Kitchen. Our partnership will allow Bornholm Kitchen designs to be brought to life as only Autokitchen can do. Soon, I will give you a few sneak peeks of our exclusive new designs for our web retailers 2Modern and Avolli.com. For now, take a look at these images by Autokitchen... (Going to KBIS? Autokitchen will be at booth C4990.)

 

Nautical Bornholm Kitchen

Without fail, as the mercury begins to rise and I can see Spring on the horizon, I feel a gravitational pull towards all things nautical.  So it's no surprise that while perusing the AD Show a few weeks ago I was stopped in my tracks by these stunning ship lights and thought they'd make a fabulous addition to a Bornholm Kitchen. 

If you're at all familiar with the geography of Bornholm, you'll know it's a small island off the coast of Denmark, and being surrounded by water, fishing has been both an industry and pastime near and dear to the heart of Danish culture for centuries, from their diet rich in Herring to the sea-bound Vikings of Scandinavian ancestral legends.

We thought of no better way to pay homage to our line's namesake than to style it accordingly, of course!  Here are a few selections to heighten the authenticity of your Bornholm Kitchen and bring this wonderful legacy into your home.

We love the industrial feel of this Blanco faucet.  I can just imagine the vikings using this in their ship galleys...that is, if gorgeous, semi-professional high end faucets were around centuries ago and vikings had a hankering for luxury.

Throw down this authentic Swedish rag rug and feel the waves lapping underfoot. 

Place a few of these shiny red varnished stools, designed in 1934, alongside the bar overhang of your island and add a fun splash of color in keeping with our nautical theme.

Add in the simple, clean lines and professional feel of this punchy red espresso maker and enjoy a homemade Danish caffe latte.

Finally, soften up the look and tie our colors together with this gorgeous painting of the most famous (and historically notorious) fishing port called Nyhavn, in Copenhagen.

Careful planning on the part of those 17th century Swedish builders to incorporate all of the shades mingling in our Scandinavian sea heritage inspired kitchen. 

Appliance Spotting At IMM Cologne - The Living Kitchen

As anyone who has even remotely followed European kitchen design knows, appliances are virtually engineered into the most seamless fit within cabinetry to create as seamless a look as humanly possible.

To me, built in appliances are a special type of beauty to behold. It's sculptural, often a look of architectural permanance in the home and the design just flows. But, it's certainly not all about appliances being built in...some of the coolest appliances were freestanding or top mounted.  Let's take a look at some appliance awesomeness.

Below, Liebherr's experiment with texture-I was told it was a concept

Below, a sleek built-in Gaggenau oven...just fits in there so snugly!

Below, a very cool downdraft fan that glows - I did not get the name of this appliance, but I'll attempt to find out and report back!

Below, I just loved the knobs of this Siemen's cooktop...enjoy!

Below, love the stacked, super built in Miele ovens, don't you?

Below, an elegant drop in gas cooktop by Foster

Below, how about this curved range by Lofra

Below, uber built in cooktop in stainless steel by Bora - note the flush installation

Below, sexy built in Miele ovens once again!

Below, I really love this cooktop by Foster that is a long span of one cooktop wide, front to back

This is pure eye candy (at least for me!) I like many of the details. I have more appliances to show, which I will, soon! Much more to come from the IMM Cologne Living Kitchen show in Germany, especially the fantastic design of kitchens and furnishings...not to mention the displays within the exhibits!

IMM Cologne - Living Kitchen Overview

The Living Kitchen show at IMM Cologne, held in Germany less than less than 2 weeks ago was kitchen heaven, purely and absolutely. The exhibits “told” many visual stories – whole stories, as the displays were large, some, enormous. I was a guest of Blanco (a bigger player in the global sink and faucet scene in terms of design and product presence than I realized) and was invited as a member of the Blanco Design Council. Here are some of the most compelling chapters in the book of today’s kitchen!

Chapter I Overview – The Living Kitchen was a very appropriate name for this show. Lowered “platforms” and varying levels for alternative living in the kitchen, a more “living room-like” aesthetic, the warmth of wood or faux wood, are a few of the specific features  which define this movement. Sinks and faucets are going along for the “living kitchen” ride and fabulous examples will follow. It is clear that style and function have met, fallen in love, and are planning for the future. Simply, it’s about living in the kitchen…see how:

Chapter 2 – Cabinetry designed as sculpture is a traditional strong point of European kitchen design but seems to take another step into integration with surrounding rooms, which is VERY exciting visually yet may also make that connection in a quiet and elegant way, the result of which can be a space which appears more expansive.

Chapter 3 – Appliance Integration and Technology – European kitchen design has always been the leader in integrating appliances (seamlessly.) Appliances, any type, are now fully concealed into cabinetry which replicates truly invisible cabinetry, and I would not even say they are integrated into pantry cabinetry; I would call it the built in closet look! In addition, exposed appliances are showing super seamless integration into countertop design.

One appliance which is not so much about integration is the hood – the hoods total transformation into a design element is complete. Whether your style is pretty, modern, super stylized or elegantly low profile, the hood is a wonderful opportunity to express oneself and I think that’s one of the feel good stories here!

Appliance technology is about energy efficiency, a variety of neutral color choices (very exciting to see) healthy cooking, and the ultimate: personal cooking flexibility-where would you like the burner positioned on the cooktop? And there’s more! A food preparation appliance that allows food to last in a refrigerator for 2-3 weeks – surely, a game changer! Examples to be shown soon!

Chapter 4 – Natural real or natural faux materials – What this means is that natural wood grain rules…sometimes, the more textured the better, which adds visual interest, sometimes a little whimsy too. But, the story here is about an appreciation of nature in many forms.

Chapter 5 – Color - Well, the fun news is that the accent colors were clearly lime green. There were accents of magenta as well. The biggest color story was the greige, beige, mushroom neutral, which I have mentioned before. It seems that quiet and serene has spoken more loudly than color at this show, at this time. But, that is not to say that color was not present in bold, fun, ways. I'd say that its presence felt more focused than broad. I'd call it: "color optional." 

Sooooooo much more to talk about, all coming soon!!! Do you want to see more??

IMM Cologne - Kitchen Thoughts

I am writing this on the plane on my way back from IMM Cologne, the Living Kitchen trade fair in Cologne, Germany. I was a guest of Blanco, as were four other bloggers (Paul_Anater, Jamie Goldberg, Cheryl Clenendon and Leslie Clagett) who are also part of the Blanco Design Council. It was an AMAZING trip. Germany is rich, culturally, and visually beautiful, not to mention on top of its game, showcasing innovative kitchen design and that includes Blanco's line of products which were exactly on the mark for today's (interestingly, US) consumer.

So, I think the best approach might be to present my discoveries, impressions, and information in an organized way. I have just spent the last five hours of this flight sorting into categories, one by one, just around 2,360 images, taken over several partial days. THAT is a record for me!

My singular goal at any show is to size up products and displays quickly (for the most part) and be ready to shoot fast, really fast, even as I see people walking into the image I want to shoot. In a nano second, I know that a section of an image can easily be cropped, so there is no dilly dallying, camera in hand. As a result, speed and quick right brain visualizing gets me lots (and lots) of good information in my images. It's an obstacle course, and I love it!!

That said, I'm trying to do several things at once at the show...understand the products, the details, and the design, ask questions of those working at the booth...and move on! A veteran of 20 years of trade shows has made my particular process into a science!

Now that the images are categorized, I think (unless I change something later) I will do an in depth series on the following topics.

Here are the categories that we will be covering over the next few weeks:

• Kitchen Living Show Overview-talk about trends
• Appliances
• Countertops
• Cool and Uber Cool Kitchen Design Details
• Dining Tables
• Kitchen Stools (so fun to look at, I think!)
• Drawer Inserts (wait till you see THESE)
• Hardware
• Overview of Kitchen Design Trends
• The "Living Kitchen" Special Exhibit 
• Sinks and Faucets
• Color and Texture
• Possibly flooring

Oh yes, and I really want to include a post on kitchens on a budget, as I have been inspired by some of the displays I've seen - let's just say, high design/low budget is SO doable and you've got to see how easy it is to achieve a fantastic modern kitchen.

If anything else comes to mind, I will adjust the agenda. What about you - what information are you interested in knowing??

I'm soooooooooo excited - it's great to feel that spark of excitement..many sparks in this case! (I took this image below while on the train from Dusseldorf to the Blanco factory in southern Germany - what views!)

IMM Cologne Living Kitchen - Germany, January 2011

A simple post with images to share of the Living Kitchen show in Germany. I am not able to elaborate more at this moment as time does not permit, but surely you can ooh and ahh at the images, no? I am here courtesy of Blanco America. I visited the factory and headquarters today. How do you say "7 patents" in German? I was beyond impressed AND inspired. Look at Blanco. SO-Just for you...

Lechner Countertops - Made of Glass - Trend Alert: sinks in rectilinear "boxes" sit atop countertops Another example of concealed ovens and I will be showing you others Love this cooktop and its grates - by Smeg Gaggenau's awesome booth - a factory type grunge look going on simple, elegant, and note the thin countertopos Clever storage, simple, clean lines, restorative neutrals And last, but possibly my "Best of Show for 2011": Last but not least, the cooktop that I BELIEVE will change cooking forever: Gaggenau's cooktop - put your pot WHERE YOU WANT...anywhere on the cooktop and the cooktop will respond. Image shows the pots at each side of the cooktop to illustrate the burner-less glass

Images From IMM_Cologne - Living Kitchen Trade Fair in Germany

Here are some random images I would like to share with you. Truth be told, I uploaded 1054 images yesterday evening...one day's obsession with kitchen design (what else would you call it?)

Fresh Update On White - Blanco Beautiful Sink - Indestructible Silgranite II Blanco Concealed Ovens Pop Up Backsplash Organizer Hafele Incredibly cool matching glass and cabinetry - Bosch and Alno Position your cooktop to where you need it! Hettich Very cool oven "framing? Lots more to come, LOTS!

Visualize Your Kitchen Design!

I picked up a new pair of eyeglasses yesterday. They are bold (for me), funky, and remove "good looks" as a (normally) important factor when I wear glasses, instead, replacing that concept with "a" look. Going down this road definitely messes with my head because I've always thought of glasses to be something to enhance my looks (if they had to be worn). So, this is a little getting used to for me. It's out of my comfort zone, too, as I've never purchased glasses with a dark frame as I've always had light colored hair.

Which then made me think about the design of these glasses as compared to design in our homes. Does beauty in our homes (as one's quest is for facial beauty) need to be the singular goal we aspire to? Do you let beauty guide your decisions because it's easy and safe? More importantly, do you define beauty in only one way?

Another piece to this quest for beauty is this - with interesting glasses, as with design, there is sometimes a fine line between cool and, well, odd or ridiculous, don't you think? I observed my thoughts as I tried on the glasses...over and over. Did I look ridiculous? Were they cool? Where they awesome? Which one of these adjectives?

The voice of reason came to me and said, what else...beauty (or an interesting look) is in the eye of the beholder (as is coolness, ridiculousness and awesomeness!) That was my answer. The glasses gave me enough of a "fun" boost to persuade me to buy them.

Two recent glasses purchases-one blue, one tortoise shell, dark, and rounded!

The Kitchen Design Link

I think in the design of our kitchens, there is more to strive for than simple, safe, beauty. We should (and I rarely use the word "should") challenge our traditional view of beauty from time to time, and all across the board in our lives, from eyeglasses to kitchens. And, then, question if we really care about "beauty" as a concept in favor of a different feeling. We can then be open to new ideas, new design solutions, opportunities to explore and thus, expand our personal aesthetic.

Tell me your thoughts about what the word "beauty" means to you and its importance in your life and your home! I want to know. I like enlightening experiences, especially small, everyday, ones.

The Batterie de Cuisine–Sean’s Kitchen

This is the second of three posts on Sean Sullivan's East Hampton kitchen, author of the spectacular blog, Spectacularly Delicious and Associate Publisher of House Beautiful Magazine. Sean's blog is filled with beautiful images and fresh adaptations of his favorite recipes. The imagery is as delicious as the recipes. Enthusiasm? You’ll find gallons, lbs, and any other measurement you can think of!

I wanted to find out from Sean about his cooking equipment, after I poked into his cabinets and doors. I’m glad I asked! Following is a comprehensive list of essential equipment for Sean, probably one of the most complete lists, with sources and tips attached, that one can find anywhere, I’ll bet. In Sean’s words…

 So of course I have all the basics (pots, pans, Le Creuset, All-Clad, non-stick saute pans, cast iron skillet, good knife set, Kitchen Aid stand mixer, an exceptional food processor from Braun that has three bowls: standard processor bowl/functions, another bowl with mixing wisks and bread hook and a blender jar with ice crusher, plus a regular blender, hand mixer, salad spinner, basket with handle for cutting herbs).

The next “level” of tools I like and use include:

- cherry pitter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P77--qi2flg
-- vertical roaster:  http://spectacularlydelicious.com/2009/10/04/a-word-about-roast-chicken/
-- plenty of mis en place bowls
-- plenty of spatulas, all sizes
-- foley food mill
-- trays (baking and for carrying stuff around)
-- immersion blender
-- Large rolling pin (normal ones are too small)
-- a good serrated bread knife
-- lots of Large mixing bowls
-- electric ice cream maker
-- heavy shallow pans for roasting vegetables (I have Dansk, shallow cast enamel works well too. Needs to be shallow so steam doesn't accumulate)
-- ceramic ginger grater
-- microwave cooking vessels (usually glass w/plastic lids). I use the micro to cook all the time - melt butter, chocolate, boil a cup of water. Also PERFECT poached salmon -- just 3-5 minutes in a covered micro cooking dish.
-- mouli grater
-- microplane grater
-- electric juicer (mine is Braun) plus hand w/sieves. Don't go in for reamers since don't like seeds. If I squeeze a lemon directly into a dish I use a sieve
-- large copper confiture pan (a luxury but so beautiful!)
-- paella pans in various sizes -- to serve 4, 8 and even have a Nambe giant that can feed a crowd
-- complete canning set (jelly bag and stand, tongs, magnetic lid lifter, funnels in appropriate sizes for different jars, a ladle that holds a whole cup)
-- food processors
-- pressure cookers (regular and for pressure canning too)
-- sushi set (wood bowl for tossing rice, rice paddle, bamboo rolling mat, then all the serving pieces too)
-- mandolin
-- in the larder: specialty salts (Black Hawaiian, Pink Himalayan, sel de mer) and flavored salts (saffron, smoked), candied violets and rose petals
-- complete cake decorating set (thank you Martha!)
-- 8 cup measuring cup
-- single serve espresso pot (this one takes 3 mins. A pop of pep in a snap)
-- shrimp deveiner (long red and pointy plastic)
-- mini madeleine tins (savory appetizers and sweet meal enders)
-- tartelette pans
-- a few pairs of scissors. I use them all the time. snip chives and scallions. attack a bowl of salad greens. There are so many things that are easier done using scissors rather than a knife
-- mango slicer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp1KdnUZLr8
-- corn cutter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q50JhRiw26Q
-- cornichon slicer (works for strawberry fans too) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md70vyN8QXU
-- spaetzle sieve/grater: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D7IsJrvD0k&feature=related
-- provoletta pan: http://spectacularlydelicious.com/2010/09/30/provoleta-the-melted-cheese-of-argentina/
-- instant read thermometer
-- clip on candy/frying thermometer
-- cookie dough scoop
-- twine
-- lots of cutting boards
-- ceramic pop over cups
-- copper souffle pan
-- Pyrex portables (carrying cases that have heating or cooling pads inside for taking foods to parties or the beach)
-- you can never have too many dish towels and aprons and hot mitts (I do not like the silicone ones)
-- jumbo colander
-- Nambe: beautiful from oven to table and a frequent yard sale find since so few know their value
-- stands to create centerpieces: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAVJB03CjHI
-- perfectly flat cake plate (cannot have sloped sides)
-- Tip: never pour out left-over wine.  Freeze in 1 c. containers for future cooking use.
-- wok
-- butter boat that sits in a water liner so butter is always room temp/spreadable
-- non-stick baking mats
-- dough scraper (the thing you use to scoop wet dough off the counter or cutting board
-- pastry blender
-- assorted small cookie cutters in unusual shapes to make clever croutons and tiny cookies

And attaching pics of other things that are totally necessary for their tasks: 
-- copper caramelizing pan
-- truffle slicer (maybe only once a year but nothing else will do)
-- aebelskiver pan (a specailty for weekend guests:  http://spectacularlydelicious.com/2009/10/11/aebleskiver/
-- good electronic scale
-- a GOOD pepper mill. This one is by Unicorn. Holds a ton of pepper corns, have had it for years, durable, and was rated #1 years back by Good Housekeeping
-- strawberry huller (Stem Gem), good citrus zester with the canel channel cutter on the side, clam knife, oyster knife (NOT interchangeable), poultry shears,
-- grease splatter shield for frying

FYI, Here's how I'd rank these tools in order of importance:
Cherry pitter -- a game changer
Spaetzle maker - no other way to get such perfect results
Corn cutter -- even if you're not canning, why each fresh summer corn off the cob like a sow in a sty? Cut the kernels off the cob first, saute in butter and live like a king!
Mango cutter -- not gonna use it so often (unless you have a mango tree in your yard, or have friends (as I do) who have and send you boxes at a time
Strawberry fan thing -- a bit precious but fun

I think at this time of year it’s a whole lot of fun to become acquainted with new tools that make life easier, and more fun, in the kitchen. It’s not a bad holiday gift list either! SO…inspired?? Ready to make those holiday treats and have fun at the same time? You’ll need a centerpiece too! Here’s a great video from Sean:

You need to follow Sean at Spectacularly Delicious for all things yummy, informative, and elegant! Last of three parts….the details of Sean’s kitchen - coming soon. What are your favorite kitchen tools or equipment? I’m tossed between a grill pan and a good, powerful, blender.

The Secret To Life - The Pot Rack

I couldn't resist the title and the philosophical tone of this post. Here's an email from Rosemarie:

"I haven't been able to find this information on your blog, but I am new to it - any suggestions or taboos for hanging a pot rack in a semi open concept Kit, DR, LR area? I love the idea, and had a wrought iron rack custom made for my copper pots, but now I think maybe it will look cluttered."

I get to be the advisor on "the secret to life" so here goes:

BellacorSure, there may be some pros and cons as well as ideas and suggestions about the best way to display a pot rack in your situation, or if it even should be displayed. 

Better yet is to do this: Be flexible. In this case, we are not talking about a permanent fixture or design element that truly is a decision which you may have to live with for many years to come. I highly recommend that, especially since it is custom made, you hang it where you originally felt it should be. There is no right or wrong answer...the answer is do you perceive "clutter" as a negative or do you perceive it as visually interesting, a positive?

Live with it. If you find you don't like it, I would chalk it up to a minor error in judgment. The point is, don't think of this as a decision one way or the other forevermore. If it works out, great...if it doesn't, go to plan B.

So often decisions like these are looked at as permanent. Give yourself room to try it. 

Of course, if you were planning on having pendants or other lighting fixtures in place of the pot rack, then here's what I would do. I would have the wires run into the ceiling in the general area with enough slack so that they are in place if you decide you do not want the pot rack. A licensed electrician will advise you as to the proper code involved, I cannot do that, but most likely, you should be able to have wiring in place. Not the most inexpensive solution, but if you are indecisive on this issue, this may help.

Hubbardton ForgeThat said, some time could be spent on considering what types of items, decorative or functional, might look interesting visually. Maybe the pot rack serves a purpose to hold decorative items only. Take time...lots and lots of time to explore a wide variety of items which will result in some very different looks. 

I like to change decorative arrangements in my home on a fairly frequent basis, at least a few times a year. It takes time to create an arrangement that really "speaks" to me. Once it speaks to me, you know it...and then, take a photo of it and if you want to keep changing around the pieces, you'll have a record of an option that worked. This will take time, but be open creatively and the possibilities will reveal themselves to you. 

One more thing...if You are unsure, it's quite possible that part of you likes it up and another part does not. Keep it up for part of the year, then take it down. That is living flexibly and living flexibly is FREEDOM!

A Thanksgiving Story

Oh, just a short little story, but it sure does warm my heart and I want to share it with you!

Just earlier today, I went to visit a friend in the hospital. Much to my surprise, right next door, was a store called Zorn's. 

I had not thought about Zorn's in, well, decades. Before my mother died in 1988, she cooked a big Thanksgiving dinner every year. It had all the trimmings, and my mother was a fantastic cook who could make the most gourmet meal out of common ingredients on any given weeknight. 

My mother's stuffing for Thanksgiving was GREAT. It had a wonderful blending of fresh flavors that was so savory, so absolutely delicious, everyone looked forward to it year after year. Between Thanksgiving dinner and subsequent turkey sandwiches with stuffing, the memories I conjure up right now are pretty intense.

But....my mother (and father) were immigrants from Denmark. My mother, um, didn't know squat about making stuffing. Looking back, I don't think she ever really "got it." How did I find out? Smart, very smart, woman - when my husband and I were dating, I guess she figured that she could certainly ask him to do her a favor and my guess is she probably told him to keep a secret...OR ELSE, knowing he would!

What she told my husband to do was to go to Zorn's, now, about 45 minutes away from where she lived, pick up the stuffing, bring it to her and KEEP QUIET about it! A guy dating the mother's daughter is not going to do that? She's no fool! Obviously, she had been going there for YEARS.

I don't remember how or when we all found out her secret, but we were completely shocked when we did, given her great cooking skills.

What great memories I had seeing Zorn's today...and my husband (the same guy) and I bought lots of Thanksgiving trimmings there today...including their stuffing. I'll have two types of stuffing at our table this year - mine and Zorn's. It will be REALLY interesting to see who likes which stuffing best!

Thanksgiving in my home

An East Hampton Kitchen

I met Sean Sullivan, author of the (insert wildly positive adjective here) food blog Spectacularly Delicious and Associate Publisher of House Beautiful, this summer at House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year press event. After maybe, a 20 minute conversation, probably less, enthusiastically talking about kitchens, including his, I asked Sean if I could go to his home and see his kitchen. I don't know if that says more about me or more about Sean, but his joy for his kitchen was contagious. Sean immediately said "yes, come!" and I did. This is a three-post story, so herewith Part I.

I knew this: I knew I would find a happy kitchen. See for yourself!

Ten years ago, the kitchen was designed by Sean and his architect. The backsplash tile, with its watery coloring, has an authentic, crafted, look and texture. It has a lovely iridescent glow, a real East Hampton beachy feel. The cabinetry, simple and modern, is a great complementary color/finish to the backsplash tile. The soft (sandy/beachy) beige counter and floor tile adds to the beachy factor! White walls add lightness for that year round summer feel, doesn't it?

Sean's kitchen is somewhat unconventional. The microwave is ... above the refrigerator (Sean and his partner, Stephen, are TALL-not an issue for them).

The wall cabinetry runs straight across the rear wall and does not change height or depth over the range. Ventilation for the range is served by a common in-wall fan at the back of the range. Upon my "kitchen designer police" close inspection of the woodwork above the range, I have to admit that there was just a very, very small amount of discoloration on the wood, which would not be noticed unless one was looking for it (like me) and, the kitchen is 10 years old! I was surprised. Sean said that next time he would have a proper ventilation system. I then nodded my head in approval, unfurrowing my brow.

Softly frosted sliding see through doors with large finger holes are, to my eye, fantastic! Note how the top of the wall cabinets line up with the top of the window...it makes sense visually-see 2nd photo at top. It's warm, homey, and useful. I'm crazy about it. 

 

I LOVE awning windows. they are actually one of my favorite window types. Add a spot to sit near the window and life is good!

Sean COOKS, and Stephen, Sean's partner, is a terrific assistant chef. What a team effort! Here are Sean's tips for prep and entertaining on the big day.

Are you an assistant chef? Follow Sean's rules: Accept the task you are given, find a spot out of the main traffic area to do it, CLEAN UP AFTER, and ask "what's next?"

How Sean entertains: Don't drag out the dinner over hours! Have hors d'oeuvres ready when guests arrive and when EVERYONE has arrived, sit right down to the meal! Eliminating long anticipation of the meal or various courses allows guests to relax, dine (they're hungry!) and get to the next, satisfying, level of uber-relaxation after the meal, and that's when the real fun begins.

We have two more interesting parts to this kitchen - Sean's Batterie de Cuisine, and Details, coming soon! See Sean's Thanksgiving recipes, which he has adapted from various sources, and keep in touch with the main page of Spectacularly Delicious! If you experience a little slow loading on the site, hang in there, it's WELL worth it!

TPB Top Porzelanik Barcelona - A New Kitchen Countertop

It's my real pleasure to announce a brand new product for American kitchens! I've searched and searched and I cannot see where this product has been talked about in the US anywhere online up to now. 

It's a kitchen countertop that creates an entirely new category of countertop materials, starting now! It's beautiful, it's extremely durable and it will coordinate perfectly with any kitchen decor. I saw it at the kitchen show, SICI in Spain, and it's called TPB | Top Porzelanik Barcelona. It is a newly introduced product for this company. I attended the SICI show in Madrid as a speaker on American kitchen design, along with my colleague Roberta Kravette, courtesy of the top kitchen design software program, autokitchen which is based in Spain, but has software users around the globe.

NOTE: I have no ties of any kind to this company. I discovered it at the SICI show, love it and wish to share my find.

The TPB top is, essentially, a ceramic tile countertop, in slab form.  The top is light weight and possible to have 100 different finishes and textures. There are six different "bases" available, each of which will give a different look to this thinner-than-normal countertop. It's easy cleaning and highly durable. It is a natural product and completely recyclable. Take a look at the spec sheet. And here is a list of features and benefits of the countertop material. 

I have two samples that I was able to take back with me, and while some of my images below are very close up and the surface looks to have a textured relief, it is completely smooth with just a tiny textural feel. I encourage you to take a good look at the website to see all of the information about this very interesting and exciting countertop material!

Following are images that I took at the SICI show in Madrid a few weeks back. I predict that this material will receive a very enthusiastic greeting in the U.S. It is stunning.

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

 

The Social Kitchen

Come to today's chat on The Social Kitchen on Sears' Facebook page! We'll be talking about how your kitchen can be a social gathering spot for the holidays and still be efficient. Whether you make the chat on time today, which will start soon, or you see this later on, please add your comments to our chat on Sears' page. See you there shortly!

Kitchen Lighting - The Lighting Guy

Here's your lighting guy...it's Matthew T. Gregg, president of Synergy Lighting. Matt is a Certified Lighting specialist by the American Lighting Association, Member of the Illumination Engineering Society, Member of the National Association of Independent Lighting Distributors and Energy Star Partner. I'm happy to have made Matt's acquaintance and I had a few basic questions for him. Yes, every now and then we have to review certain basics of lighting, so here we go! Do you have questions for Matt? Ask in the comments section!

What's the latest in general overhead lighting for kitchens? What 3 products do you like and why?

As trends in style, décor and technology evolve, so do the myriad of products available in today’s marketplace.   This can often lead to confusion for homeowners and designers in choosing the appropriate type of lighting.  When choosing overhead lighting, it’s easy enough to be persuaded emotionally to a particular fixture or design, however the foremost thoughts should be on task, design, function and longevity. 

Recessed cans are often regarded today as being old and bulky, and ready for something new.  This might hold true if you currently have 6” or 8” recessed cans with standard white or black baffles trims.  Most manufacturers today make an assortment of trims and baffles that are easily interchangeable between fixtures, thus allowing over 40 possible appearances for any kitchen design.  Revitalizing a ceiling with either a trim change, or smaller more sophisticated recessed lighting is always a winner. 

Synergy Lighting Starlites are the smallest recessed light fixtures available.  These small fixtures come in white or silver or custom color and add unique functionality.   Weather you choose to install them in rows or patterns, or simply place them randomly throughout the ceiling, the Starlites simulate a romantic, starlit sky when dimmed, and provide full task lighting when on full bright.

Contrast Lighting is another top pick for recessed lighting offering over 200 distinct options from simple to extravagant.  These dimmable fixtures provide ease of installation and affordability with the flexibility of adding the finishing touches to accentuate any design style.  Contrast offers from 2” modern to 5” contemporary and traditional styles and can be installed with ProLED light bulbs for the ultimate in energy savings.

Contrast LightingFor kitchens with existing 5” or 6” recessed cans, Juno Lighting offers the ultimate in LED Solid State lighting with is fully dimmable LED remodel can that has 20 different trim options.  This fixture comes with a built in LED light engine that lasts for 60,000 hours of use.  For most kitchens, this means 30 years of never changing a light bulb.   At only 14 total watts, these LED fixtures provide crisp, brilliant illumination which is excellent for enhancing granite and simulated stone countertops, wood finishes and tile.

What are your recommendations for quantity of (general) light to specify for a kitchen? What part does beam spread play (I'm always concerned with that issue)? Do you have a quick and easy way to specify adequate lighting? 

When designing lighting for any kitchen, you must consider layering three light levels for different occurrences that the kitchen will be used for.   These types of layers are referred to as event lighting.  Each event that will occur in the kitchen will require a separate form of adjustable (dimmable) lighting.  These are Task Lighting, Accent Lighting, and Mood Lighting and can be created by the following design tips.

CablLED LightingTask Lighting:  Highest levels of light are required for activities such as Cooking, Cleaning, and Bill Paying, or homework.  Lighting should consist of adequate overhead lighting, and under cabinet lighting around counter tops and, islands and bars.

An excellent under cabinet lighting product is the CabLED from OptiLED.com, These IP68 Rate LED Strips are flexible and easy to install.  CabLED^TMcomes with a complete interconnection and mounting system for both indoor and outdoor under cabinet designs which enables it to be mounted on wallboard, concrete, brick, tile, metal, wood, glass or any surface which can support an anchor or adhesive base easily and without installation errors.  Available in both cool and warm LED, and completely waterproof against inadvertent splashing, the CabLED is an excellent, discrete under cabinet solution.

Accent Lighting: Moderate levels of light should be created in multiple layers such as Under and Over-cabinet lighting, or to position adjustable overhead lighting to illuminate architectural features such as range tops, open glass cabinets and décor. Typically, accent lighting is used in general home illumination when the kitchen is not in use.

Mood Lighting:  Lower levels of light are required, utilizing dimmers.  Popular forms of mood lighting are a combination of task and accent lighting, and optional lighting created from toe-kick lighting, or candle lights.  These help set a stage for parties, or romantic quiet evening with good food and fine wines.

What else should consumers and designers be aware of when thinking about kitchen lighting? 

By utilizing lighting in layers, homeowners can adjust these setting and create different landscapes throughout a kitchen to make the kitchen much more than the room where meals are prepared.  Remember a kitchen is the only room in the home that serves multiple uses, and can be illuminated for multiple dramatic effects.  Kitchen lighting is the most crucial lighting project for any home. 

When utilizing three types of lighting in a kitchen, the rule of thumb is 40 foot candles for cleaning and cooking, 20 foot candles for dining, and 2 foot candles for mood lighting.  

The bulk of foot candle illumination (task lighting) will come from the overhead lighting.  Remember that track lighting is a form of accent lighting, not task.  When determining the appropriate number of recessed cans or lighting fixtures for a ceiling, there is no such thing as too much when combined with dimmers, only too little.  A general rule of thumb is a minimum of 65 watts of incandescent or 11 watts of LED for every 20 square feet of kitchen space.  Beam spread is only a concern with extremely high ceilings in narrow kitchens that require longer distances of down light, all other main lighting should be of flood type lighting. 

Spot Lights and narrow beams are used in accent lighting at lower wattages only.  Under Cabinet lighting requires a minimum of 30 Watts Incandescent or 3 Watts LED per foot.   As for accent and mood lighting, these are added to task lighting, and require no other considerations past their existence in the kitchen.  Fluorescent lighting should always be avoided in a kitchen as the light source is dulling to countertops, wood grains and finishes.  

QUESTIONS FOR MATT? ASK IN THE COMMENTS SECTION!

Show Me Your Kitchen!

So, I took a look at my google analytics and I saw that I had visitors last month from 175 countries. How incredible and amazing is that??

I want to see your kitchens please and the more different or humble or personal or charming or over the top or WHATEVER, the better! I'm looking for one particular type....YOURS! :)

It would be best if you send me an email with a link to your photos that are on a photo site, say, something like flickr.com, which is free and easy to access. Images from any photo website will do. Just send me a link. Tell me why you love your kitchen and please give me permission to use an image if I choose to include it in a future post (or posts.)

I love my country, the USA, but this time around, I'd like to see kitchens from the other 174 countries, other than the US! Let's make the world of kitchens a little bit smaller! 

Come on world, show me your kitchens and tell me your kitchen love story! I can't wait!!

OK, it's a little long, but please send the link to: SUSANSERRACKD @ THEKITCHENDESIGNER.ORG