Living with Sculpture

Gone are the days of just the same ole same ole bathroom fixtures.  We spend a good portion of time in our bathroom and more and more the bathroom is becoming a space that represents and reflects the essence and style of a homeowner.  Less utilitarian, a more sophisticated and stylish environment that welcomes you as you begin your day and greets you as you walk thru life in your home.  So what if your bathroom fixtures were more like works of art? Sculptures even?  Well Hansgrohe has done exactly that and their Axor Starck Organic Collection truly is like living with sculpture!

A new, sensual water experience combined with a powerful, sculptural design: Axor Starck Organic is stripped of anything unnecessary and completely harmonious in its design concept. The intelligent operating concept revolutionises the use of water and is also economical to use. The organic minimalist collection integrates quite naturally into a variety of bathroom environments.


As an official BlogTour Cologne Sponsor I will have an opportunity to see and learn first hand, during my visit to IMM Cologne Furniture Fair, how this collection was created.
Photo credit ~ Hansgrohe US

Steam Cooking the "IT" Appliance!


An appliance that is becoming a standard "IT" appliance when making appliance selections in kitchen design is quickly becoming the Steam Oven - taking on as much importance as a standard oven.  Over a decade ago Miele lead the way in designing and manufacturing a built-in steam oven for residential use, giving consumers a smarter, healthier way to prepare, cook or reheat food.   Pairing the Miele steam oven with Miele's wall oven is the prefect solution for a "double oven" configuration in any new kitchen design.  The triple crown combination for me would consist of Miele's Steam Oven, Wall Oven and Coffee System ~ it doesn't get much better than that...and the Steam Oven really is the "IT" appliance!
Miele is one of the #BlogTourCGN sponsors and I will have the pleasure of meeting with Miele executives during my trip to IMM Cologne International Furniture Fair as a member of the #BlogTourCGN Team.  I look forward to learning as much as I can about the Miele Steam Oven and all of their other amazing products that I have grown to love over the last 20 plus years I have spent in the Kitchen and Bath industry as a Kitchen Specialist.

I digress, lets get back to Miele's crowning glory ~ 
The Miele Steam Oven!

Unlike conventional ovens, which use hot air to cook, the Miele Steam Oven uses "fresh steam" to cook, displacing the oxygen responsible for chemical reactions which dissipates nutrients in food.  In the Miele Steam Oven, steam is generated in water outside the oven.   Steaming with an external steam generator not only provides gentle cooking, but will not dehydrate the outer layers of food. Steam ovens which generate steam inside the oven can cause overheating within the oven atmosphere. Additionally a dry, aggressive heat often emerges during the preheating phase. The Miele Steam Oven features a powerful steam generator which delivers a superior balance of heat and
moisture. This combination delivers evenness and consistent results on all shelf levels.
 
The Miele exact temperature control system measures and controls the temperature in the oven assuring the right combination of time and temperature, regardless of the amount of food being prepared. For instance the required steam setting for peas is 212°F for five minutes – whether fresh, frozen or a mix of both, in 2 or 10 ounces. This electronically controlled steaming process virtually eliminates the possibility of overcooking.
The Miele Steam Oven is ideal for cooking more than just vegetables. “Steaming is a fabulous way to retain vital nutrients,” explained Christine Avanti, nutritionist and author.  “The benefit of steaming is the ability to gently cook food at a low heat thus retaining nutrients and palatability, whether cooking meats, poultry, fish – even desserts.”

Featuring four shelves that fit a variety of stainless steel trays, the Miele Steam Oven allows users to easily prepare an entire meal – from appetizers to desserts in one oven.  Flavor transfer is eliminated as pressurized convection steam creates a protective layer around the food, ensuring your salmon tastes like salmon and desserts stay sweet and delicious, all while cooking simultaneously.
No matter what your cooking style, if you are cooking for a crowd or cooking for yourself the Miele Steam Oven is a wonderful way to cook and also has amazing nutritional benefits.  If you have to select one appliance that will be your "IT" appliance it is worth learning more about how the Miele Steam Oven and how it can fit into your Kitchen.
~photo credit Miele



Style Pairing Winner | CompanyC

In October I attended #HPMkt, High Point Market, and I visited CompanyC's showroom to hear guest speaker Gretchen Aubuchon speak to customers and design bloggers about fashion’s influence on home décor.  It was during this visit to CompanyC 's showroom that I heard about their StylePairing contest.   (About my entry in the CompanyC Style Pairing Contest click here to read)

I am thrilled to say that I was the winner!!
And this week I received my prize~
my prize - CompanyC Gretchen Bedding

I won CompanyC's Gretchen bedding and Madeline sheet set - all in my favorite color, Capri Blue.   Thank you ComapanyC for my amazing prize!  I am looking forward to putting a room together with this beautiful new bedding!
photo credit companyc

My Winning Entry
photo credit fashion decor website & companyc



Christmas Traditions ~ Christmas Eve Fondue


One of many of my childhood memories and family Christmas Tradtions , that I will always cherish, was our Christmas Eve fondue Dinner.  It was this fun interactive meal that allowed us to share a meal and enjoy the festiveness of the fondue experience.  Thinking back I think it was a really clever diversion my parents created to take our attention off of the presents under the tree.


I have been wanting to bring this tradition into my own home for many years and this year I had the pleasure of creating a holiday fondue meal with my mom, my Aunt Trudy and Uncle Jerry and my dear friends and self-adopted parents Burt and Nanette.


Here is our menu and a pictorial glimpse of our evening....


FIRST COURSE
Classic Swiss Cheese
Fondue Neuchatel Oise
blend of Gruyere and Emmentaler
served with baguette bites


SECOND COURSE
Salad - cranberry, onion, mushroom,
carrot, almond and goat cheese over a
bed of mixed greens served
w/ raspberry walnut vinaigrette



MAIN COURSE
New York Strip w/ sour cream dill sauce
Key West Shrimp w/ tomato cocktail sauce
Chicken Breast w/ chile-peanut sauce


DESSERT
Classic Chocolate Fondue
w/ strawberries, bananas,
pineapple and pound cake


What Christmas or Holiday traditions do you have?

The Kitchen Sink - Blanco, Style and Function

Often overlooked as a design element, the kitchen sink is truly an integral part of the Kitchen, it serves a monumental role in the every day function of the Kitchen.  And lets just say the kitchen sink has come a long way.
photo credit Prang's aids for object teaching--The kitchen -  Library of Congress

One company who gives great thought to the function but also the style and design of the kitchen sink is Blanco. 

Family-owned since 1925, BLANCO’s humble beginnings included making copper galvanized parts for cookers and hot water bottles with a team of 30 loyal employees. Today, their company has produced more than 40 million sinks, and is recognized as a world leader in quality, innovation and unsurpassed service.
Long gone are the times when a sink was merely used for function. These days, it can be the muse for a kitchen – or perhaps an entire home. Because of their dedication to quality, they ensure that every sink is inspected multiple times before earning the BLANCO name. It’s just a part of their commitment to their craft and their customers.  (excerpt taken from Blanco.com website)

CERANA is BLANCO’s first Fireclay sink in the U.S. market, and offers a unique reversible design that goes from traditional to contemporary offering exceptional style and versatility.The reversible BLANCO CERANA Apron Front sinkis BLANCO’s first Fireclay sink in the U.S. made of natural material that is highly resistant to shock, heat, acid, discoloration and chips. The unique, reversible design with two different corner radius measurements adds versatility as the ultra slim sink installs to feature either a traditional rounded or contemporary contoured apron front.

Engineered for smaller spaces, CRYSTALLINE'S compact hideway design offers up clean lines, contemporary details, innovative features and premium quality.

A unique chamfered rim edge delivers an intriguing appearance making BLANCO VISION the focal point in any kitchen“BLANCO VISION’s compact design and eye-catching style is perfect for smaller kitchens with limited space,” states Tim Maicher, Director of Marketing for BLANCO. “The high-functioning VISION single bowl comes with a unique chamfered rim edge providing the ideal balance of form and functionality with plenty of space for large pots and dishes.”
As part of the #BlogTourCGN Team, I will be getting a VIP tour of IMM Cologne/Living Kitchen where I will see the latest trends and introductions in kitchen design today from some of the top innovative leaders in the world - including Blanco. BLANCO HAS A PASSION FOR PERFECTION!

Christmas Tree Time2Design 2012

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Time2Design is decking its halls with Christmas Decorations....