Got our first glimpse of the show last night at the opening party. I was excited to see so many kitchen and bath exhibits. It reminded me of KBIS only much hipper. The opening festivities included dancers, a DJ, hors d’oeuvres stations and a really cool drinks bar featuring Skyy Vodka where I enjoyed a “kitchen sink”. In case your inquiring minds want to know, this consists of crushed wild berries, fresh lemon, X-Rated liqueur (don’t ask) and of course, Skyy Vodka.Let me tell you I have been going on about WHITE but the color of the evening was BLACK. It was the unspoken uniform and I was sure glad I wasn’t wearing another hue.Today, Friday, was Professional Trade Day and as a member of the Press I was able to take photos of everything. So far no camera cord has surfaced but my Nikon Coolpix hasn’t run out of steam yet and I can tell you that you have a big treat in store once I’m reunited with “the cord”.Some of the products shown here are only available in Canada but are a precursor of things to come. Canada, incidentally, has not suffered the same degree of economic hardship that we have in the US. There is actually a condo building boom in Toronto with no end of building cranes in sight! Taste seems to also run a bit more progressive up here.
Big trends include use of reclaimed wood, walnut (seen both in contemporary and traditional designs), creative use of glass and almost always polished chrome as opposed to brushed nickel. In the days to come I will share the pix and lots more about IDS11.Tonight we will have dinner together and say farewell for now. Thank you to all the great people of Blanco. See you back in Florida!Don’t forget to enter your chance to win a free Orgaline drawer organizer by leaving a comment between now and February 15th! Click here to read January 14th post for details.
Toronto Day 2
The white is growing on me. I can’t stop staring at the snow drifts. I know by now this is getting tedious for my northern readers so I will refrain from any more comments about “the white”. For some reason 30F in Toronto feels like 50F in Florida. Today the group met up and we were taken by limo to Via Allegro Ristorante, world famous for their amazing wine cellar known as “the womb”. The priciest bottle in this room, kept at a constant 57F, goes for $65,000!
Our gracious host, Blanco Canada President Flavio Bergamin, presided over a four course lunch in the true Italian custom including a not-to-be-missed Napa cabernet/shiraz blend by the name of Duel. Kudos to restaurant manager Joseph for his great service and enthusiasm. After lunch it was on to the Blanco Silgranit Plant.
Silgranit is a composite sink made of 80% granite and 20% acrylic resins. Believe me when I tell you it is indestructible. We witnessed two-day-old stains of tea, wine, mustard, ketchup and juice wipe right off a light colored sink with just a sponge and water. After trying diligently none of us were able to scratch or dent the surface either. Blanco is currently the only company manufacturing granite composite sinks in the US and they own 6 of 7 patents on the product. If you are tired of stainless, which can scratch, this is a great option. The most popular color is Anthracite Black followed by my favorite Café Brown. The seven colors offered coordinate with quartz countertops as well as granite.
One of the perks of an adventure like this is you get to cross paths with all kinds of interesting people in the world of kitchen design. Today I had the pleasure of meeting a group of people ranging from design bloggers and writers to radio and TV personalities. Here’s the line up:
Joseph Freenor writes about cabinet & furniture trends and information CFT411.com
Paul Anater is someone you probably already know. He writes about design and anything else along the way. Kitchenandresidentialdesign.com
Cindy Dole is host of KFWB radio talk show Home Wizards
Vicki Payne CEO of Cutters Productions CuttersTV.com
Susan Palmer is the Decorating Diva SusanPalmerDesigns.com
Last but not least our hosts Flavio and Marc Presidents of Blanco Canada and Blanco America.
Tonight is the opening reception for the Interior Design Show! More pix to come. The concierge is digging in the basement through thousands of left-behind cords to find one that will fit my camera. Did I mention how nice Canadians are?
Toronto Day 1
So for starters, I overslept. Woke up at 5:38 for flight leaving at 6:50 and I live half an hour from the airport. By the good graces of God, Continental employees and kind passengers, who let me cut the security line, my butt was in my seat a fraction of a second before they closed the door behind me.
After two hours and a cup of coffee we were in Newark. I felt as if I have landed on a blank canvas. Everything is white. Now you know I love white kitchens and they are hot but this white is cold and there is just so much! Flight is delayed and the white is multiplying.
Scheduled arrival time in Toronto was around noon. Actual arrival 9pm. I was on the same flight with Mark Nover, President of Blanco. We arrived at the Intercontinental Toronto Center around 10pm. My camera cord was apparently left behind in the morning rush so pix will be light or non-existent till I can get them from my camera to my computer. Don't worry I will keep them safe and sound for you in my camera.
Toronto Tomorrow
As the song says, my bags are packed and I'm ready to go. I've been stalking the weather report for Toronto with horror noting temperatures of -4 degrees F over the weekend! I'm relieved to report that, as of today, it's up to a balmy 28 degrees F. I can handle that. Anyway I'm excited to meet a whole new group of interesting people including kitchen blog guru, Paul Anater of the wildly popular Kitchen and Residential Design blog. Hopefully some of his mojo will rub off on yours truly. Thursday we will be learning about Blanco and touring the plant. Thursday evening is the opening reception for IDS11 and Friday we get to take in the show. I've got my press pass so I'll have lots of great pix direct from the show floor.
Spread the word, bookmark me, add me to your Google Reader or subscribe by email (see options on right in side bar) for daily updates as I share with you the latest from Blanco and what's hot at the IDS11 (Interior Design Show) in Toronto. Oh, and keep your fingers crossed for me about that weather.
Don’t forget to enter your chance to win a free Orgaline drawer organizer by leaving a comment between now and February 15th! Click here to read January 14th post for details.
TORONTO HERE I COME!
Yes, it's true. I'm off again on another great adventure this time courtesy of Blanco. As you'll remember, last September I had the pleasure of attending design week as a guest of the uber edgy Brizo Faucets. Click here. Now I will be able to give you the low down the on Blanco sinks you can pair with the amazing products at Brizo.
This Blanco press release says it best.
"Morning, noon, and night, the sink is the most frequently used area in the kitchen. From early morning, through a hectic day, an evening meal, and the solitude of late night, the sink serves as both hard working companion and fashionable focal point.
For more than 80 years, BLANCO has been a world leader in quality, innovative design and unsurpassed attention to detail. The company pioneered the use of stainless steel for kitchen sinks and was the first company to introduce hard composite materials such as Silgranit®.
Today, BLANCO has the most extensive line of premium quality kitchen sinks offered in North America, continuing to lead the evolution of the kitchen sink area with functional concepts, striking good looks, and innovative solutions, sure to personalize the most frequently used area of the kitchen."
...And that's not all. I will also have the pleasure of touring IDS11, Canada's largest contemporary design fair. My press release will take me who knows where and you can join me here at Kitchens for Living. The fun starts January 26th. The countdown begins now!
Don't forget to enter your chance to win a free Orgaline drawer organizer by leaving a comment between now and February 15th! Click here to read January 14th post for details.
WIN A FREE DRAWER ORGANIZER, CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Ok, I exaggerate but I can cause it's my blog. Read on to find out how you can win.
Today there are more choices for storing your silverware, cutlery and everyday eating utensils than ever before. Cabinet manufacturers usually offer cutlery dividers as an accessory. Most of these are fixed in the designated drawer which allows for little flexibility.
I find that lately most of my clients opt to source their own. There are so many materials ranging from metal, to bamboo to plastic. The best part is they are also removable to allow for easy cleaning.
Keep in mind that you can use these drawer organizers for more than just cutlery. They're great in a bathroom for make up or a desk for pens and other office supplies. In addition there are multiple configurations. Take stock of what you have to help you decide how to arrange the compartments in your drawer. I like the Orgaline system from Blum.
Blum is a leading manufacturer of functional hardware for kitchen cabinets. They specialize in concealed hinges, lift systems, drawer runner systems, and organization solutions for drawers. Components are metal and plastic and totally dishwasher safe! It just so happens that I have one of these nifty set ups to give away to one of my treasured readers. To win this Orgaline Drawer Organizer, simply leave a comment on this or any other post by February 15th. One lucky winner will be chosen at random. Shipping in the continental US is included.
Individual compartments fit into a frame that in turn fits into your drawer. You can also remove the compartments without the frame if that works better in your particular situation.