I can't find that color tile! Help!

Here's an email I just received:

"Hi, I need help sourcing the tile found in the green and blue Scandinavian kitchen from your blog post of Feb 3.

I can't seem to find the green glass tile anywhere on the web or showrooms. Wondering what your rate would be if you are available for this little job.

Thanks for any consideration, K" 

Kathleen, you don't need to pay me to do this for you. Here's what you do. And, I know this because I've done it myself. The prices have been reasonable and the result has been great. And, it just sort of feels good to do it! Take a look at the link below, which is a google search under "handmade tile" and what you will find is a vast array of artisans and very small companies, look at those. Make inquiries. Show them the image. Now, understand that the image will show up differently on their monitors than on yours. That's #1. So having samples made up is a must. 

That said, enjoy the search, ask questions as to tile maintenance, thickness, strength, lead times, what ifs, and so on. I know you will find a wonderful artisan who will help this look come to life for you. And, after you do and the tile is in, would you email me a picture?

Handmade Tile Google Search

You can also do a search under hand made in two words or artisan tile or other such terms. 

One more idea...if you can make some water color shades of the colors you like, that could help. And, I could be wrong (I've been wrong once before) but I don't think those tiles are glass. 

All the best!

American - Scandinavian Kitchens?

It struck me with this latest collection of Scandinavian kitchens from the fantastic Scandinavian magazine, Vakrehjem & Interior, that elements of some of these images looked very American to my eye.

I'd like to offer some comments on these images. Here we go...

These first two images are castle-like kitchens, sort of down in the musty kitchen we go! I do not see those images as typically American necessarily. It's a bit of a mishmosh to me, this kitchen. I am not a fan of the modern chairs mixed with the traditional chairs, maybe it's just that style of modern or traditional. There are areas of this kitchen that are very charming, but I think its charm lies in the collection of pieces rather than the design of the space per se. That said, anytime one can have authentic beams like those beams in one's home, it's a gift. 

Some of these lower images look very close to American kitchens, and what I am seeing here is the shaker door style that is so popular in the U.S. Add in the beadboard, and I think we are in New England. 

Certain differences illustrate Scandinavian design. The wide use of white in the lower images is very typical. White, white, white. Note that the white continues on the door/window casings and some furniture pieces as well. Or, conversely, sometimes we see the abundant use of natural wood elements, such as ceilings and walls clad in distressed wood.

Platters on open shelves or other fine pieces are often seen on open shelves in Scandinavian country kitchens. Modern touches are too, and in the case of the white kitchen, it doesn't matter that the kitchen is 90% country in its theme, somehow, a modern touch seems never to be out of place and is freely included. I do not have a historical reference on the "X" design seen in the doors, but that motif is generally seen as a Swedish design element.

Splashes of color in the white Scandinavian kitchen are widely enjoyed, which we see in the collection of accessories on the tall shelf over the windows. 

I love sharing my Scandinavian kitchen finds with you. I hope you enjoy them too.

KBIS Sneak Peeks

It's that time of year and it's coming on so fast. I'm going to KBIS, as I do every year, and I can't wait! With thousands of products exhibited, and new technology, new trends and updated classics on display, it's a must see for me.

Shortly before the show, there are often some sneak peaks of new products, so here are a few.

WAC Lighting - I've used WAC lighting for years and years. They just make life simple, clean, easy, elegant, and so on. I don't get complaints from the electricians on the job, and the clients love the light. NOW WAC has LED light bars (love their light bars) and button lights (otherwise known as hockey puck lights). They also have invisiled tape lights for accent lighting. It's all just what you need. A real endorsement.

Eldorado Stone Gemstone Walls - Stunning transformations with stone. New walls are the VinoWall, ArtWall & CandleWall. Read their Sustainable Solutions for Leed Requirements brochure. Documented LEED categories where a project can earn LEED points.

Next is Baarz Decorative Hardware - This is a company that, from my view, offers hardware that looks different, fun, casual, earthy, or formal, for that matter. I've always said that hardware is the jewelry of the kitchen. It's funny...it's the choice that my clients put off as long as they can because you just have to wrap your head around all the choices available...like wallpaper or paint, tons of choices. I did not see a green statement on their website...would like to see that.

Stainless Living - Stainless Steel makes a statement, or any metal for that matter. There is something strong about it, to me. Stainless Living manufacturers deeply textured metals for many applications. They also manufacture stainless steel countertops as well. 

Haier America- Haier introduces their eco-friendly small refrigerator line with the 2.8 cf NuCool model. A brand new technology achieves temperatures as low as 37 degrees, not previously possible with refrigerant models. It is ultra quiet and available at Target. 

Just a few sneak peaks. More product news to come!

Do You Serve Dinner?

A funny thing happened last night at our house around dinner time. My husband called me for dinner (of course I was in my office staring at my monitor).

I go upstairs to the kitchen and what do I see but my husband making a plate for himself of the foods we are having for dinner. What was different about that scene was that he was doing it sort of buffet style, and the dishes that held the main food items were on the kitchen countertop.

I stopped and cried "I can't believe you're doing that! Why have we not done this before now?!" He didn't have an answer. So, we filled our plates and walked over to sit in the family room area and had our dinner. I went on and on about it for another few minutes (was he listening?) I was thrilled!

Have you yawned at this piece yet? In our case, our kids are grown and up until last night (mostly) we've walked all the dishes, serving dishes, beverages, condiments, yadayada to the table and then walked all of these things back to the kitchen after dinner.

Is it a chore to do that? Well, not really, but doing a buffet style dinner seems SO much easier, convenient, time saving, and just less laborious "feeling." When the kids were growing up, we always ate dinner at the table with all the accompanying stuff. But, now with the two of us (our son still living with us doesn't often eat with us) why not make it easier??

I was so excited at this new way of streamlining the process, I called my daughter and told her about this light bulb moment enthusiastically, to which she replied, "We do that all the time for dinner" (she and her husband.)

A bigger issue might be...it is important to anticipate this dinner time behavior and consider designing a kitchen around it. A good question to ask...

What about you? Dinner on the table or buffet style? My vote at this point in my life is buffet, baby!

Around the Kitchen Interwebs

Let's see what's happening with kitchen topics around the web.

A partner in crime, Kelly, is talking about product finishes, always something guaranteed to drive homeowners nutty. Do you blend? Match? How far afield do you/can you go? Kelly gives her usual sage advice!

Met Home's Kitchen and Bath Sourcebook shows quite a few inspirational products for nearly anyone's dream kitchen or bath. I especially like their sharp-eyed pick of the Fisher Paykel dishwasher in the taller version for the big plates that so many of us have.

There's a pretty sexy sink in their slideshow too. Worth a look.

This site has really blossomed in recent months. It sure stimulates the senses!

Another partner in the kitchen design business, Laurie, from Kitchen Design Notes, is informing her readers about Dacor's new energy saving refrigerator. It's a huge 36" refrigerator and is even Energy Star rated, so no guilt there!

And in The Appliancist, all you need to do is scroll in wonder at all their fantastic finds...

Armstrong Flooring Ad

I hate to be negative, but that's part of life too, of course. My general goal is to try to be negative for as short a period of time as possible and then move on, leaving negativity in the dust. So, allow me this negative-centric post please.

I picked up my copy of House Beautiful, turned back the cover and what shouts out at me in a double page ad but a picture of Gilda Radner with a big smile on her face (on the right side of the ad.) Quite honestly, I wasn't sure if it was an old image of her or a look-alike.  I haven't given Gilda Radner a thought in I don't know how long, although she was one of my favorites.

Basically, Armstrong Flooring used Gilda Radner (look alike or real) to compare real wood floors to laminate (fake) wood flooring. I think comparing a beloved (by many) well known deceased person to a fake wood flooring material is misguided at best.

Here are some of the things I object to in this campaign:

• This woman died at a young age
• She truly suffered (intense physical and emotional pain) in her fight to live
• It's not all that long ago that she died, an important factor
• It's a huge corporate ad campaign
• No mention, having used her celebrity persona as the center of this campaign, of donating money to ovarian cancer causes for the privilege of using her perpetual celebrity influence
• Gilda Radner touched countless millions of people in her professional life and private struggle, earning immense good will, and this "capital" is being used for purposes of commerce
• Does Armstrong understand, as this campaign is widely viewed, how hurt a large number of people will be, as they suffer through ovarian cancer or remember the suffering their loved ones endured?

That's really all I need to know. For me, it was an immediate, strong, negative reaction upon seeing the ad. There WAS only one Gilda Radner, as Armstrong notes.  

End of negativity for today! All comments, no matter what they are, are welcome.

One more note. Armstrong, I would ask that you put out a  press release with your intention to donate money to Ovarian Cancer causes in recognition of Gilda Radner being the center of this campaign. I'll report on that with pleasure.

UPDATE OCTOBER 13, 2009:

Here is what I received  on October 12 from Armstrong's PR agency: 

"Armstrong Flooring is partnering with retailers Abbey Carpet & Floor and Floors To Go for a national consumer sales event Sept. 15 to Nov. 15, 2009 to benefit Gilda’s Club Worldwide, a non-profit cancer support organization founded in memory of beloved comedian Gilda Radner. Armstrong will contribute $.10 to Gilda’s Club for every square foot of material a consumer purchases through Abbey or Floors To Go Sept. 15 through Nov. 15. So, if a consumer purchases 1,000 square feet of Armstrong's laminate flooring, Armstrong will donate $100 to Gilda’s Club. Armstrong has guaranteed Gilda’s Club a minimum $30,000 donation."

I'm very pleased to see this development. Thank you Armstrong for stepping up! 

Beautiful Kitchens

Yesterday's post was a first course. Today is the entree!

It is always a pleasure of mine to show you Scandinavian kitchens, as you may know. The reason is that I think the Scandinavians have a very, very special gift for combining their modern design point of view, which seems to be in the collective DNA, (always with some exceptions) with historic surroundings or smaller traditional elements. They do it well, very well. 

If you can, go through this slide show slowly. Examine the parts and pieces of each kitchen design. Think about what you like and what you do not like. 

Some of these kitchens speak to me in a strong way, others do not speak to me at all. I do know one thing....I need about 6 houses to express myself in all my kitchen design "moods".

If you click on "notes" you will see my comments. What speaks to you and why?

The Kitchn Cure Is Coming

I'm a huge fan of the kitchn, Apartment Therapy's sister site on all things cooking and many things kitchen related. Apartment Therapy does their 8 Step Home Cure every spring, but the kitchn focuses just on, well, the kitchen, a space certainly worthy of singular introspection and periodic hair pulling sessions!

With the kitchen being ground zero for the need to physically nourish one several times a day in some cases (except for those who use the kitchen counter to place the take out food or pick up keys on their way to eat out) issues such as organization, storage, work habits and so on are worth taking a fresh look at now and then. 

In their effort to go back to basics, as the kitchn often does in a satisfying way, I wanted to give the kitchn cure a special shout out. Ok, the truth is, too, that I adore reading all the colorful comments on kitchen angst!

Sleek Scandinavian Kitchens!

OK, it's Friday, I'm feeling good, and I want to show you some modern kitchens from my latest Scandinavian magazine collection! I've now accumulated maybe 4 or 5 subscriptions of my fave Scandinavian magazines (and don't ask me the cost of a subscription, I don't want to remember, and don't tell my husband!)

I absolutely think there are things to learn by looking outside our normal kitchen bubble, to see what else is happening in kitchen design. Let's see what we can learn, dissect, and have fun with today, and also admire. These images are from the very chic magazine Rum Interior Design.

Below: Love the simplicity, the boldness, the white foundation. I also LOVE the artwork, as many of you may know.

Below: You know, I'm noticing more doors and windows with black trim for some reason, and I like it. Liking the skinny windows here.

Below: Interesting! Sure breaks up the mundane gray everywhere and creates more importance and weight to the upper section of the kitchen. And it's fun, and fun is always good in my book.

Below: I really like this one because there is a great juxtaposition of the profuse green landscape and the modern interior. Not to mention the artfully displayed accessories. Look at that!

Below: Now, this is not normally my style, but I could move into this space! I love white, I love texture, and I love windows. I'm good. 

Below: And, who can't smile at this one?? I sure am! We have white, we have major whimsy going on, and a modern point of view...mostly. Love. 

And you? What do you like/not like??