Yesterday I took a break from the show to indulge Diva Daughter Sabrina in her favorite activity, shopping. My sister Pam, Sabrina and I hit the road running beginning our day on famous 34th Street where we visited Lush, Desigual and Uni Qlo. Lush is the smell good spa experience gone wild, I fell in love with the signature looks at Spanish retailer Desigual and was impressed with the merchandising, quality and value for money at Japan based Uni Qlo. Click on the links and check them out.
It was a long fun day and we ended it in the East Village at the Yaffa Cafe'. The Village has to be my favorite part of New York. If I ever lived here in a past life, this was the spot.
The food was good and the company made it even better. Today we returned to the AD Show and visited ArtExpo. Stay tuned for today's recap in the next post.
DAY ONE AT ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST SHOW
Day one began with a little networking at the Marys and Mimosas event sponsored by Modenus. This is where I was hoping to meet some of the other bloggers. I did run into Veronika of Modenus and Linda Merrill of Surroundings as well as meeting Saxon Henry for the first time. Of course, Mimosas and Bloody Marys were on the menu but the temperature was hot, hot, hot and I just couldn’t at 11AM! Tasty treats were also on hand for those who were so inclined. Everyone was very friendly but I couldn’t weight to tuck into all the enticing displays.
First off I roamed the area featuring kitchen related products and there were some really awesome offerings. Reclaimed wood is THE thing in flooring. I loved the finishes at Tennessee Wood Flooring. Wouldn’t this be awesome in a kid’s room? This company’s products are stained through and through, well at least a couple millimeters so that sanding and repairs won’t compromise the finish color.
I also fell in love with a company called Manhattan Forest Products whose tagline is “reclaiming New York City”. That’s exactly what they’re doing. Their flooring and wood paneling is made from wood reclaimed from the old Coney Island boardwalks, the old wood water towers that used to top many old buildings among other places. If it’s old wood in New York City, they can make magic with it. Just think, your floor could be “green” AND have its very own story.
Of course I’m always on the hunt for interesting cabinet designs and these cabinets by Rutt certainly fit that criteria. These are made of Sapele Mahogany and Rutt wants you to know that they will provide you with “chain of custody certification” when you purchase cabinets from them. No, it’s not a warrant for your arrest, rather it’s a trail of proof that green practices were employed in the manufacture of your cabinetry from start to finish.
Now you remember Think Glass. I wrote about them here. The painted glass is beautiful in person. The paint is not on the surface but is, in fact, embedded between layers of glass! Stunning.
Many appliances were on show including Sub Zero Wolf, ULine, Best and Liebherr who has a kicking 48” refrigerator freezer that is half fridge and half freezer. I love the symmetry of it and the fact that their products are a TRUE 24” deep with no muss, no fuss. I enjoyed chatting with ventilation hood specialists at ModernAire and at Faber regarding a tricky design dilemma I’m working with at the moment. 
Compass Ironworks are iron forgers in with old world attention to details and I got to see a demo on the spot. Yes it was hot.
I also enjoyed one of the featured events of the day which was a talk entitled: Globe Trotting: Inspiration Through Travel. Yes, I agree that incorporating artifacts and mementos from our travels, wherever they may be, certainly make for unique and personal interiors. It was a special treat to hear Juan Montoya speak as a part of the panel.All this crazy fun to be continued tomorrow but tonight my sis and I will see the Merce Cunningham dance company. The production is called “4 Walls Doubletoss Interludes” and if you know anything about modern dance this is a very big deal indeed.
NEW YORK BOUND FOR AD SHOW & ARTEXPO
Happy Monday peeps! Looking forward to a great week visiting New York City’s home of fashion, art and design events, Piers 92/94. I’ll be arriving Wednesday evening in time to attend opening Trade Day at the Architectural Design Show. I’m really looking forward to seeing many fellow bloggers and designers I met through the Blogger 19 Fashion Week event sponsored by Brizo and also meeting others who I follow and admire for the first time. Look for updates and coverage of my unique take on all the action.
Friday I’ll be heading over to the other pier for ArtExpo NYC so that I can indulge in my other passion, art! As an added bonus you’ll get a “teenager’s take” as I roam the city that never sleeps with my 16 year old "diva daughter" in toe (spring break). It should be fun. Don’t forget to check back!
DIESEL POWER IN THE KITCHEN!
That's not diesel as in engine but Diesel as in the sexy jeans and apparel manufacturer. Yes, they have teamed up with that Italian maker of cabinet beauty, Scavolini. You'll remember I wrote about them on my last NYC adventure here.The global denim brand, ambassador of the “successful living” lifestyle, and the Italian leader of furnished kitchens, with an export network in more than 50 countries worldwide, are collaborating on a new perspective in kitchen design.Check out this video introducing the Successful Living Kitchen sent to me by my pal Daniele at Scavolini NYC.The purpose of this project is to appeal to the needs of younger (I like to think young in age AND young at heart) consumers throughout their global markets. Scavolini fits the bill because of their ability to incorporate function, safety, durability and style. The Diesel style is represented in this "Successful Living Kitchen" with industrial appeal and retro elements through use of materials such as wood, steel, glass and concrete distressed and treated to lend a vintage feel. What an interesting combo! Pieces are both modular and free-standing. If you'd like to check it out in person you'll have to visit the EuroCucina Show in Milan Italy April 17-22. I'll be back in NYC at the end of the month for Architectural Digest 2012 Show. Ciao!
HIGH END FOR LESS, SCAM OR REALITY?
There is a topic entitled "High End for Less" floating around on one of my Linked In groups on line. As a result of the changing economy, many consumers seem to be under the impression that we in the kitchen and bath industry, are so desperate we will cut them some wild unrealistic deal. Some of this is in fact due to misleading advertising. You know the ads, COMPLETE KITCHEN WITH GRANITE COUNTER TOPS FOR $1,500! Perhaps they think we love our business so so much that the love is enough for us to pay our bills. Please don't spend a penny without doing your homework. You can start your exploration using the internet and magazines but the next step is to share your thoughts and research with a qualified professional who you can collaborate with to achieve an end product that will stand the test of time. This professional is a critical part of your kitchen investment.We don't expect to hire an architect, interior designer, doctor, therapist, life coach, tutor etc. for nothing. However as a kitchen designer, it is so common to encounter potential clients who expect us to give up all our ideas, for nothing. It is realistic to expect that for a well thought out professional design that fits your needs you will have to pay for it. It's only right. You get what you pay for still rules, even now. I've often heard a theory that goes something like this: Three considerations on any project are good quality, quick service and low price. Realistically you get to pick two of those. You won't get three. Think about it. On a lighter note, check out this YouTube video that PERFECTLY illustrates my point. (I can feel you kitchen designers out there smirking;) http://youtu.be/R2a8TRSgzZY
FASHION WEEK, BEHIND THE SCENES
I'll never forget attending fashion week in September 2010 courtesy of Brizo Faucets. It was an honor, to say the least, to have been invited to become a member of the illustrious "Blogger 19". Brizo goes way back with fashion's Golden Boy, Jason Wu. Since 2006, the two have joined in a unique collaboration, showing the world that high style can be achieved both at home and on the red carpet. The partnership began with Brizo's sponsorship of Jason's Spring 2007 Collection during Fashion Week in New York City in September 2006. Jason designed a dress exclusively for Brizo that was auctioned off in 2007 with proceeds benefiting DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS). Jason's involvement with Brizo now includes his own Jason Wu for Brizo Collection comprised of lavatory faucet and accessories for the well appointed Powder Room.
I attended the Jason Wu Spring 2011 show, got to learn a little about Brizo and met many fabulous bloggers who I am honored to have been included amongst. As an alumnus, I'm the lucky recipient of all the latest Brizo/Jason buzz. So for your enjoyment today I present a little eye candy, photos from Fashion Week held last week in NYC. All photos courtesy of photographer Jayme Thornton. If you'd like to view the rest of the photos click here
