I'm back

The days just go! I'm not quite sure where they go, but I know they pass by so fast. I've been wall-to-wall busy, first and foremost with my clients.

I may have said it before...it's the perfect storm, something I could not have predicted. Projects, highly detailed, large, all needing to be ordered at once, all having come on board at different times, nearly all which should have been finished a long time ago, at different times from one another, except for architectural or construction delays. Or both. I swear, every project gets a life of its own! Will my clients be patient with me as I have been with them? I think they will.

I'm in the middle of all the detail right now. But, here's my philosophy. The day before Thanksgiving, I sometimes don't go food shopping till 3 pm or so (now THAT'S professional procrastination, although procrastination is not the issue), AND, I make everything from scratch, and I'm not kidding. When I come home and start preparing the food, I think, I'm not sure HOW a fabulous dinner will be on the table the next day, sometimes for 20+ people...but I know it will be. And, so, these projects will all turn out as they always do - correct.

In between, our garden of somewhere close to 200 roses is just beginning to bloom with a few blooms here and there. The garden has been a source of real excitement in recent weeks..real anticipation. I planned my kitchen mostly around the garden some years back, adding 20' of windows to have a panoramic view of all that happens beyond the house, which changes by the hour. The view from the kitchen window is always, always, an important consideration in the planning stages.

More stuff soon...green topics, Scandinavian kitchens, new products, and just the random things that come up. Good to be back with you!

Beautiful Kitchen - Remodel Magazine

I received a copy of Remodel magazine in the mail today, a Better Homes & Gardens Special Interest Publication. I'm definitely psychic, that's a fact, but I never know why I'm getting these thoughts! It's been forever since this project of mine was shot by BH&G. A long time has passed. The funny thing is, they were in such a rush to shoot it. Maybe they shot it a year and a half ago? Anyway, what do you know, just yesterday I wondered, where is this feature?? It was already in the mail to me, and it had been months and months since I last thought of it. This was a crazy project. The problems just kept coming, one after another. It's a very old house and the house just did what it wanted to do, end of story. So, I was left to figure out the ceiling due to various beams not willing to move, but they had to relate to the different kitchen sections. It worked out very well, I think, although you can't appreciate it very much in the shots. I think it's simple, yet elegant. Gena was so much fun to work with. I don't think she says more than a few words without laughing or smiling. That made everything very enjoyable. We had a few tense times, as can happen, but it all came together beautifully in the end. Take a look...

KBIS Kitchen Trends 2008

Oh, it occurred to me that I took images of all these kitchens at KBIS to show you! I think you will see a good deal of modern design as well as dark, rich, browns. You'll also see a common thread of lights, such as creams, and browns, combined. I thought that was interesting. I did not see the same amount of black cabinetry that I did last year, although it is still seen.

I was able to get some very good shots without people in them, and, short of a few shots that are, well, cockeyed, my new camera did an excellent job! The Idea Center kitchens by Meredith, will be up soon. Enjoy it! And, Happy Mother's Day!

KBIS Kitchen Slideshow

Kitchen Miscellanea

You know, it's funny. All of a sudden, I discovered a pattern in my thinking. Day after day, in the midst of a very busy period for me, I'm thinking, hmmmmm, maybe I should just show you some gorgeous Scandinavian kitchens from my recent magazines. No, not that, I'll blog about this problem I'm having on a job. No, I'll blog about new products, or this or that, or whatever, and each time, it causes me to delay a little longer. I seem to be experiencing a "no, not that" sort of feeling. I think I have so much I want to say and not enough time to say it all!

So, let me refocus!

One thing I know I've really wanted to do is to take you to some favorite blogs.

Design Hole: Take a look at Jennifer's recent trip to Milan, to Salone del Mobile, where she took a very active interest in all things kitchen related. Talk about innovation...

Dwell's Kitchen Blog: I like Dwell's Kitchen Blog. It's quirky, definitely quirky, and broad in its pick of things, trends, and other good stuff (that's being pretty specific) to talk about. Always something new to learn.

Pardon Our Dust: I really, really want you to check out this blog, written by Kathy Price-Robinson. Kathy has written about remodeling for, I don't know how many years, but I know it's a long time. Kathy is smart and provocative and very green minded. Lots of kitchen related posts. I think Kathy loves kitchens.

The Kitchn: I've been meaning to bring this to you for ages. I actually signed up for the Kitchen Cure. The goal of the Cure was to get one's kitchen in shape via organization, new ideas, enabling the kitchen to be used more enjoyable and more efficiently. Unfortunately, I just did not find the time to commit to doing it, but, I really wanted to. See how the Cure progressed.

Kitchen Design Notes: I like my colleague Laurie's take on blue being the new black, and all those gorgeous images included. Laurie knows her stuff!

Surroundings: What Inspires You? Let it all out and enter the contest at the same time!

Enjoy!

Electrolux is Cooking Up Some Philanthropy

Have you seen those new commercials with the young and beautiful Kelly Ripa buzzing around her kitchen, appeasing wee ones and preparing for adult guests while cooking on a new state-of-the-art-stove? Ripa is the mother of three small children, the Star of Regis and Kelly and a Soap Opera diva. The commercials showcase a glam kitchen with a glam star. However, despite the fact that most women don’t whiz around the kitchen in pumps and full make-up, the commercials resonate with most multi-tasking moms (OK that’s a major oxymoron).

The kitchen is central to all homes and good appliances make the job easier and more enjoyable. Electrolux is showcasing the popular star for the launch of their new North American premium kitchen appliance line showcasing appliances with European flair.

Ripa is shown cooking on a chic cook top that boils water in 90 seconds! Electrolux offers an energy efficient Induction Hybrid cook top in both 30 and 36 inch models. Induction heating is new and faster, more energy efficient and promises easier clean-up.

In addition to their new high-tech line, Electrolux is joining Ripa in supporting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. “Thousands of women and their families are affected each year. That’s why I am so grateful to Electrolux for stepping up and helping me to raise money and awareness to help support this important cause,” said Ripa. Together, America’s sweetheart and Electrolux are cooking up some philanthropy and that’s always delicious!.......Maureentheassistant

Another Kitchen Weekend For Me

And, so this is another weekend of total kitchen immersion for me...lots of work to do!!! And, here I sit, with the music cranked WAY up. For a moment, there, we almost got crazy and booked a flight to the jazzfest, but can you imagine, coming back on Monday, leaving at 11 am (the only flight) and arriving at jfk (an hour from home) after 6 pm for a typical 3 hour flight, if that? Not even I am that crazy!

But, turn it on and crank it up, that's what I recommend...

JAZZFEST LIVE THIS WEEKEND ON WWOZ

Oh, and if the music cuts in and out...that's sort of how it goes down there, stuff happens, you get what you get (hmmm, sort of like kitchens!) No, I'm kidding, really, no one get nervous now!  I'm loving this music, enjoy your weekend!

The song now is something about needing eyes behind your head. :)

Quartz Made in USA Gets A+

Quartz Produced in the USA Gets A+

Cambria produces the only quartz countertop made in the USA and lives up to their mantra: Live Green, Live Life, Live Cambria. American made quartz equals less of a carbon footprint with regard to transporting the product. “At Cambria, we are committed to environmental responsibility in both our product offerings and businesses practices,” says a Cambria spokesman.

They’re not kidding.

Their quartz is nonporous which means harsh chemicals are not necessary to seal or polish the surface. Cambria is certified GREENGUARD for children and Schools certified. GREENGUARD is a nonprofit organication that oversees acceptable indoor air standards for indoor products. In addition to their product being green, they run a very green office and plant. One hundred percent of the water used in the production process is recycled! Their fleet of vehicles is hybrid, their shipping crates are recycled and scrap material is collected and used as road base for local construction projects. I'm impressed!

In addition there is an on-site drainer pond that they use to water and beautify the plant grounds. All office waste is recycled including computers and batteries. Quartz is a popular choice for kitchen countertops because it is maintenance free and stain resistant - that means no wine stains or grape juice stains.  It's even impervious to coffee and nail polish!   In addition, as the strongest natural stone found on the Earth's surface, it is durable. Cambria gets an A+ for being kitchen friendly and for it's impressive green efforts!

Best, Maureen (Susan's assistant)