Thermador Pro Grand Steam Range

In June I attended a press event at the fabulous Thermador facility in Scottsdale, Arizona to be among the first to view their new, stunningly bold pro range, the new Pro Grand Steam Range. Manufacturers of the first pro range ever in 1950, not to mention in stainless steel at that time, Thermador's latest pro range has features in this new version one would not have dreamed of back then.

Did I say this range is bold? I like bold. I mean, if you're going to do something, be bold! Be awesome and be innovative too, for goodness sakes. Push the envelope, think out of the box and all that. Here's what we have in terms of features:

Steam Oven - If you want to cook in one of the most fabulous ways to achieve superb quality for your cooking efforts, steam oven technology provides the best of all worlds ... namely, a healthy cooking method, moist, flavorful foods with a crisp crust as required. Plumbing? None - just fill the handy reservoir.

Star Burners - Quite simply, the star burner gives you more real estate within the flame. Add 22,000 BTUs for the power star burner, and the impatient will be impatient no more. For me, that would mean a killer sear on my filet mignon and salmon. I like power! Extra low simmer technology too.

Spacious Oven - A 5.1 cubic foot convection oven offers ample cooking space with nine cooking modes.

Universal Design Features - Soft close hinges, full access racks, easy grip handles and a wonderful electronic oven display and light feature to illuminate words and numbers on the knobs just below. It's also just a little bit sexy - that blue light.

Warming Drawer - I almost forgot! If that's not all, coddle your freshly cooked food in the warming drawer - PERFECT for all those holiday sides and just about anytime something needs to sit ... without losing its wonderfulness.

Grill/Griddle Option - Sweet. Why should I have to decide between grilling the perfect burger and the great features of a griddle? Sauteeing vegetables, making pancakes, home fries and so on.

The fit and finish is of very high quality. I am especially in favor of the universal design features. Yes, it's a bloody fortune at nearly $14,000 MSRP, but this is clearly an investment product. Some things, in my philosophy, are just worth the lifestyle enhancement not to mention longevity, that is purchased along with the basic functions of the product. I've spent a bundle on a few products that were, let's say, seemingly above my financial demographic. I never regretted it, ever. So, a lesson in budgetary restraint? Not from me. If you feel it, it just may enhance your life - that is, if you can swing it financially. If you can, go for it, it's a ridiculously beautiful cooking center.

Modern Dining At Las Vegas World Market 2011

I saw some great pieces, continuing my dining theme from Las Vegas World Market that I need to share with you. Some dining tables and chairs were simple and clean, some super innovative yet elegant, with very exciting decorative details.

Many of these sets are quite affordable. In some cases, it might be advisable to add on a glass top to protect the surface of the table. In some cases a frosted or other patterned glass top could look great and add protection. Oversized glass is also an option, which adds area for dining as well as a nice aesthetic statement.

Take a look!

Bermex Bermex Bermex Diamond Sofa Diamond Sofa Tip Top Furniture Aspen Home Temahome

Las Vegas Market - Dining Inspiration

Earlier this week I walked through the Las Vegas World Market Center, the enormous gravitational center for residential furnishings that struts its stuff twice a year. Vegas is a place that makes me smile, so I'm happy upon arrival. 

Rossetti

I came with a "kitchen context" unlike most interior designers, architects and buyers; a context in which I think about the transition, stylistically, of the kitchen to surrounding spaces. The dining area is a critical element of kitchen design and what a great place to dream of the ideal dining experience. Following are dining tables seen at the Las Vegas Market.

Rossetti

I always put a strong emphasis on the dining area in the earliest stages of designing a kitchen. Unfortunately, I often see it, if already designed within preliminary floorplans presented to me by my clients, as almost an after thought. I find nearly always, the dining area needs more space devoted to it.

Bramble

Making space available for friends and family to travel easily around the dining area and designing adequate space so that lingering at the table is an enjoyable and not a confining experience, are two important elements of a well planned dining space. 

Urbana Home

Durability of a table's surface and of the chairs as well is the measure of longevity and beauty. Ask questions and observe product construction and durability. Ask if materials and surfaces can be refinished or easily cleaned down the road. Be practical and realistic to determine if your lifestyle can withstand a white painted tabletop.

Rossetti

Venturing away from the kitchen, I'm a strong advocate for multiple dining areas in the home. I especially love a dining table, perhaps a 54" round table, depending on the size of the room, situated in a family room.

Lexington

This secondary or tertiary table within the home will serve as an alternative place to dine - maybe on weekend evenings or weekend mornings or the occasional weekday change of scenery. It's definitely about a change of scenery - why eat at the same table every single evening if another table can be accommodated in another space? A little far to bring in food from the kitchen? That's what trays were made for and I promise the effort is SO worthwhile. I've lived it, thus, my endorsement.

What does your ideal casual dining space look like?

Las Vegas Market Summer 2011 - Kitchen Design Interpretation

I'm here in a fabulous hotel suite in Vegas at the invitation of the Las Vegas Market as part of a small group of bloggers. Our mission is simply to walk/work/discover the Market in our own unique way. No requirements, no expectations. Ideal!

Transitions by Sigla My perspective is different than most interior designers who attend Las Vegas Market. In fact, it greatly benefits the home furnishings industry to invite kitchen designers to see the Market. As the kitchen and surrounding rooms become ever more integrated, I, for one, feel a need to understand the current state of home furnishings and design to tap into what designers are thinking and what manufacturers are creating. Of course, also perhaps to specify furniture as opposed to cabinetry in some kitchen areas, to create the look of seamless integration among surrounding spaces as well.

My eye is unique from all others, my perspective toward public rooms surrounding the kitchen is different, and following is a collection of "dots" that I connected while at Market. It was fun!

Antigua FurnitureHappiness is ... the word "happy" came to mind over and over. Living in a pleasant, easy way seemed to be a continuing theme in the furnishings I discovered. Pleasant/simple lines, fabrics, materials and PATTERNS were mostly very easy to live with, often "pretty" and had this wonderful back to basics/simple creativity that I found lovely.

The Rug Market

Lots of linen - I did not see as much gray as I did at High Point Market in the spring, although there was a good amount across all furnishings and accessories, but there were beautiful muddied beiges and lots of beige linen fabrics, that whole Belgian country vibe. A resurgence of French Country was talked about at Market as well.

Christopher Guy

Mixed Media - Experimentation with different materials in unexpected ways was interesting to see - in rugs, case goods and upholstered pieces. The effect was usually very well done in my opinion.

Saddleman's of Sante Fe

Small Scale - Definitely seen throughout Market were smaller scale furnishings across the board, in every category of furniture. Smaller scale furniture seemed to then shed excess ornamentation, allowing for simplicity and elegance in smaller sizes.

Linon

I'll share more of my impressions and inspiration from the Las Vegas Market soon! And more images. I'm very glad I went - it's great to be immersed in the design world!