Headed to #KBIS2014 ~ Kitchen and Bath Industry Show

BlogTour Vegas | KBIS | IBS | Design and Construction Week | 2014 


I am headed to LAS VEGAS for the inaugural Design & Construction week!


For the first time both KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show) and IBS (International Buidlers Show) have joined together to create one show in one place at the same time ~ Design & Construction week!  This is sure to be an epic event combining all aspects of the construction and design in home building, construction and the kitchen and bath industry.  You've heard the saying "Everything and the Kitchen Sink"? Well this is it!  



The exciting part of this trip is that I will be experiencing the show as a member of BlogTourVegas.  I am one of 15 designers and design bloggers from the U.S. and Canada selected to be a member of BlogTourVegas.  We will spend four days at the inaugural Design and Construction Week in Las Vegas spotting the latest trends, seeing the newest products, networking with industry peers and reporting back to our blogs and social media audiences.   

The BlogTourVegas Bloggers...


Carmen Christensen, Time2Design  | Ken & Grace Kelly, Kitchen Designs blog | Vanessa Francis, Décor Happy | Meredith Heron, Sashay | Lisa Mende, Lisa Mende Design | Rita Catinella OrrellDesignythings  | Christine Da Costa, The Glam Blog | Sarah Sarna, Live The Life You Dream About , | Marilyn Russell, Design Magnifique | Cristin Bisbee Priest, Simplified Bee Blog | Rhonda Knoche, Rhonda Knoche blog | JB Bartkowiak, BuildingMoxie.com | Tina RamchandaniLife in Sketch | Stacy Naquin, Stacy Naquin blog




In addition to the BlogTour meetings, greetings, networking and tours the Blogtour team has been asked by KBIS management to judge not only the newly revamped Best of KBIS Awards but the first ever Booth Innovation Award as well. This is sure to be four days filled with inspiration, information and fun times and I look forward to sharing my experience with you along the way and when I return.  


You can follow BlogTour Vegas on Twitter using hastag #BlogTourVegas, and view my live updates by following my Twitterfeed or you can also keep up with me on my Instagram or Facebook

BlogTour Las Vegas is sponsored by: KBIS, Blanco, Poggenpohl, Sub-Zero, Cosentino, Mr Steam, Top Knobs, Wood-Mode, Formica Group, Walker Zanger and TOTO USA.

Small Change, Big Result - Bathroom Renovation

Are you thinking about remodeling your kitchen or maybe your bathroom.  You don't always have to knock down a wall, you can make a change by simple changing the cabinetry color.  Like this example we resurfaced the cabinetry and finished them in white.  This simple change created a whole new look and feel to this space. 


Heirloom Quality built with Pride ~ Thos. Moser


#MaineEvent ~ Inaugural Apprentice Event

What an honor it was to be one of 8 designers selected to participate in the Inaugural Thos. Moser Maine Event.  We were flown to Maine to learn first hand how to build a piece of furniture and become immersed into Thos. Moser. 


First off a bit about Thos. Moser and the history ~ 



So now let me tell you a bit about my time and my experience at Thos. Moser.  Shortly upon arrival to their factory in the small town of Auburn Maine, it was abundantly obvious that the people that work at and for Thos. Moser are dedicated and proud members of the Thos. Moser Family.  I say family and not company because the people who work at Thos. Moser are like a family.  In fact there are numerous employees who have other family members working along side them at Thos. Moser, and many have worked there for ten years or more. 


After a few introductions and a quick tour of the factory we got right to business, there were eight of us so we were divided up into groups of two to build four different pieces of furniture.  We would each be building our own individual piece in teams of two with a Thos. Moser master cabinet maker. 
Here are the four pieces selected for us to build.


I was paired with my new friend Lira Luis and we had the pleasure of joining Teke Gronros, Master Cabinetmaker, at his workbench.

We set out to build our piece of furniture.  I am sure Teke had no idea what he had gotten himself into, nor do I suppose he was used to such lively workbench mates.  He was a total professional, a fabulous mentor and superb teacher.  By the end of the first day our new mentor and shopmate Teke aka “Teak” was sharing his space with Lira aka “Cherry” and myself (Carmen) aka “Walnut”, our newly self appointed shop names.  We had some good laughs, learned so much and immersed ourselves into the Thos. Moser way of life. 

The dedication and pride were evident and expressed all around us.  I started to notice these signs and then I realized it wasn’t just a saying but a way of life in the Thos. Moser factory, these people were living this truth.
 

And so the building began, we started out learning that each piece of furniture that is built at Thos. Moser has its own unique set of drawings and specifications on exactly how each individual piece of furniture is to be built.  Thru the guidance and skill of Teke’s and with his immense patience we immersed ourselves into the building our piece of furniture. 
 

First up was selected the raw wood slabs that would become the top of our tables.  They then had to be glued together, left to cure for an hour or so and then we took those slabs and passed them through a series of planers and sanders.  With our tops made we had brought them to the CNC machine where they were cut to size and the edge detail was cut. 

After this we were back to the bench for more sanding, sanding and more sanding of all the individual pieces.  There is nothing like the smell of freshly cut or sanded wood.  I have to share with you what a truly personal experience this was for me from selecting of the specific pieces of wood and then the hands on sanding, it truly generates a tactile connection to you (me) the builder and the piece that was being build.



The amount of sanding was both time consuming and intense.  In those moments a deep connection is formed between the wood, as it transforms into a piece of furniture, and the builder.  When the actual assembly and building of the table began, putting the pieces together, it was amazing how each piece fit together perfectly and the table began to take shape.


Through those three days we learned the techniques and craft necessary to build and create these amazing pieces of heirloom quality furniture.  The attention to detail and the quality of each piece that is created is amazing to see and experience.  We leaned that what was taking us three days to build, Teke explained he builds in a day.  It was in that moment we truly realized the true talent that surrounded us in each and every Thos. Moser team member.  The amazing craftsmen, their talent and the true love and dedication that goes into every piece of furniture they build.  No matter how big or small.



Once we had completed our piece we were told there would be a “Signing Ceremony”  where we and our instructor would have an opportunity to sign and date our piece the same way each and every piece of furniture that is built at Thos. Moser is signed and dated by the cabinetmaker who built it. 
 
We, along with all of the Thos. Moser employees, gathered at a special area for the “Signing Ceremony”.   This would be and was the culmination of the whole experience where we would stand proudly by the piece we made and be recognized as we signed our own Thos. Moser piece of furniture. 

As we were getting organized we were told we would be introduced and have an opportunity to say a few words about our experience.  Yikes!  What? What? My mind went blank and I immediately went into a sort of panic, and I wasn’t sure how I would be able to stand before this now large group of people whom I had come to know, spent a few days with and whom I truly admired and explain to them what an amazing experience this was, and I wondered how I would ever be able to accomplish that without being overcome with emotions.  

And so it began, there we all stood next to the piece of furniture we had built and the introductions began, my mind raced as I listened to each one before me give a very eloquent and thoughtfully spoken words of gratitude about their individual experience, the whole time my mind was scrambling to put something together…and as my turn arrived and I was introduced, I stepped forward and all I could hear coming out of my mouth was blah, blah blah blah...I was babbling on, and I am sure I made absolutely no sense because I found myself overwhelmed with this unexpected emotion and I knew I had to wrap it up or I would be a crying mess and not be able to say anything.



I was quick to say thank you, I think I mention what a great time I had and who knows what else came out of my mouth, I just kept it short and sweet and got done as quickly as I could as the tears welled up in my eyes and before I lost complete control I said thank you and quickly stepped back.  In retrospect I realize I didn’t adequately express or explain how my time had effected me.  I was truly touched by the whole encounter and found it to be such a rewarding experience.

Those few days at Thos. Moser, spending time in their factory, touring the facility, having this hands on experience, seeing and learning how much care and dedication goes into each piece of furniture, and most especially meeting and learning about the people who work there, hearing their stories, what brought them to Thos. Moser and what keeps them there was truly a gift.  It is this type of quality and dedication that will give anyone who owns a piece of Thos. Moser furniture a real sense of pride and honor in their home.  A true heirloom built with pride!

 Thank you so much and a special shout out to The VanClan!!!


Kitchen Remodel ~ Change is Good


This kitchen remodel took place over the course of 4 weeks, from start to finish.  The update and change began by removing the old kitchen cabinetry, countertops, backsplash tile and those awful kitchen soffits.  


The layout remained basically the same with the following exceptions ~ the upper cabinets went from 30" high to 42" high, the new pantry cabinet is larger and has interior roll-outs, the island is now one large surface instead of the raised high bar and a pull out trash bin was added.  In addition the new granite countertops look great with the new undermount sink and the new smart touch faucet. 

By removing the soffits, this kitchen feels much more spacious and it gives great height to the space.  And removing the high-bar countertop and making the island one large countertop makes for a fabulous work space and opens the kitchen up to the adjoining rooms.

I cried in Memphis…. St. Jude | Brizo | Blogger19



This summer I had the honor and pleasure of traveling to Memphis Tennessee as part of the Brizo, Blogger19 Reunion.  Rooted in the fashion and design communities, the Brizo brand is the primary sponsor of fashion Designer Jason Wu’s fashion shows, and is the first national sponsor of the St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway.  Named for a Greek goddess who appeared in the dreams of mariners, Brizo products are available exclusively at Brizo Impressions Showrooms. 

WHAT IS BRIZO BLOGGER19?

Blogger19 represents an elite group of designers, architects and influencers.  Established in 2010, this self-named group has since grown to include nearly 130 leaders in their fields from all over the globe. While diverse in their aesthetic, the Blogger19 ‘s are all united by a shared experience at New York Fashion Week, hosted by the premium faucet brand Brizo. A primary sponsor of fashion designer Jason Wu, Brizo believes high-style applies not just to the clothes we wear but is a lifestyle that extends to our aesthetic at home.  

I am proud to be a part of this amazing new family of friends and call myself a Brizo Blogger19 Alumni…. you can read more about my trip here...






Ok so blah blah blah blah….I could go on and on about the wonderful amazingness of being part of Blogger19 and you can read more about my trip to Fashion week in the links above,  but I would first like to share with you the importance of why Brizo brought us all to Memphis of all places.  

WHY MEMPHIS? 

I have to admit that when I think of luxury plumbing fixtures Memphis isn’t the first city that comes to mind.  But in fact Memphis is where the magic of the Brizo Brand comes to life and wait until you hear about the amazing connection to St. Jude Hospital because that really is where the story is.  

Having created Blogger19, Brizo decided to invite this elite group of Blogger19 Alumni, from across the globe to be their guest in Memphis Tennessee for a Blogger19 Reunion.  Brizo wanted to bring all of us together in one place to connect in person, give us a tour of one of their factories and to share with us their involvement with St. Jude and the Dream Home Giveaway. 

During the reunion trip we were able to reconnect with our fellow alumni and meet in person those from the other groups; it was reminiscent of a big family reunion.  And let me just point out that it was a family reunion like no other which included luxury accommodations at The Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis.  Brizo really is first class all the way.  Our itinerary included some really fabulous social time events where we were able to just truly spend time together, we also attended several hands on presentations about Brizo’s latest and greatest product development, we were thrilled to get a factory tour of the Jackson Plant where we got to see where and how the Brizo product is made.   Though for me, hands down the highlight of the trip was seeing Brizo’s connection to St. Jude hospital and our amazing tour of St. Jude.


ST. JUDE HOSPITAL   {...this was where I laughed, where I cried….}


So what does St. Jude have to do with Brizo?  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is one of the world's leading pediatric cancer research organizations and relies heavily on charities, donations and philanthropic campaigns, such as the Dream Home Giveaway, to help raise money and awareness for its mission.   Formed in 1991, the program allows for newly built homes to be raffled off with all proceeds directly benefitting St. Jude. It has raised more than $224 million for the hospital and awarded 280 homes over the past 20 years.  In 2010, the Brizo brand became the foundation's first national sponsor and has since contributed over $1.5 million in products and donations to St. Jude. 

Bravo Brizo!!

I remember a time when cancer was not so common place, and now I don’t know too many people who haven’t been touched by cancer in one way or another.  I, like many, have seen cancer up close and personal through my dad’s cancer battle. 
Me and my Dad ~ Albert Alton Christensen  Jan.1941 - Sept.2004
Knowing in advance that my trip to Memphis would include a visit to St. Jude hospital, I was worried about how I would handle this emotional subject when faced with children who were having the same fight.  Having experienced cancer first hand through my dad’s cancer journey…I was unsure about how I would react being in a “Cancer” place again.  In retrospect I can say as worried as I was to bring up the memories of my father and his struggle with cancer I now know what a wonderful amazing place St. Jude is. 


I really don’t know where to begin.  Besides the fact that St. Jude provides free (yes free) care for all patients and accommodates the patient families in their onsite residential living facilities, the one thing that really just awed me was the fact that they treat patients and do research to find a cure.  Here is a quick video and a glance into St. Jude....
 


The doctors that work at St. Jude are not given limitations to their research.  They are not governed by the restrictions of a patient’s health insurance coverage.  They are free to treat their patients without the burden of what someone can afford or what type of insurance they have.  They treat patients to save lives, research and fine cures.... 
 

More importantly, the cancer research that is done at St. Jude is open to be shared with other researchers across the globe. They are not holding onto their discoveries to win fame or fortune, they are sharing and collaborating with the sole purpose to save lives and find cures.      

Other amazing things that St. Jude is doing that stand out in my mind are:

        -  The whole hospital is run and maintained completely on donations

        -  The whole St. Jude campus is designed with thoughtfulness to the children
            and  families that spend months, sometimes years there going thru treatment.

        -  They have amazing survival rates, that means cure for short! Here are a few 
            of their statistics 

chart image credit ~ stJude.org




We spent a day touring St. Jude, learning about what they do, how they do it and seeing and meeting some of the children.   I had moments of joy, sadness, laughter and crying.  It was an emotional day filled with excitement for the children who were getting this amazing care and sadness thinking about the many people including my father who lost the their battle with cancer.   St. Jude is helping people because that is their goal; they reach out and have made it their mission to find cures purely for the sake of saving lives.  They are amazing!!   Imagine a world with no cancer….St. Jude is working towards exactly that and are willing to share what they know, imagine if everyone felt that way!


If there is ever a time that you are looking for a place to donate or make a contribution this is the place!  
CLICK HERE

HANDS ON PRESENTATIONS

What would a trip to visit with Brizo be without an opportunity to learn about what makes their product so wonderful?  We got to see up close and personal some new and upcoming technology (no photos allowed on the top secret stuff) and learn about some of the latest and greatest Brizo products.  Complete with a water technology show and tell....


FACTORY TOUR

I think taking a factory tour and seeing exactly how something is manufactured is the single best way to understand the quality of a product.  We arrived at the Jackson Plant, were given a pair of stylish safety glasses and we got the VIP factory tour.  We got to see the nuts and bolts of how Brizo produces and assembles their products from start to finish.   With over 600,000 square feet and nearly 800 dedicated employees this factory and distribution center was pretty impressive.  It was a very clean, organized and efficient facility and the employees we met were so friendly, knowledgeable and it was evident they are dedicated and proud of where they work. 


CONNECTING AND SOCIAL TIME  {...this was where I laughed, where I cried again….}


Brizo knows how to throw a party!  I think the photos speak for themselves!  They are first class all the way!  Right down to the champagne and cookie that was left with departing wishes in each of our rooms the last night of our stay at the Peabody.


Thank you Brizo for another amazing experience!
 
Visit www.brizo.com or call 877-345-BRIZO (2749) for more information and to locate a Brizo
Impressions Showroom.