CUE design agents represent Melogranoblu in the UK, as well as number of other European furniture, lighting, kitchen and wallpaper brands. The brand list includes Crassevig, Baltus Collection, Expormim, Wall & Deco,
Showing posts with label Karen LeBlanc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karen LeBlanc. Show all posts
Saturday, October 5, 2013
The Unexpected, OffBeat and Over-the-Top Design Finds
CUE design agents represent Melogranoblu in the UK, as well as number of other European furniture, lighting, kitchen and wallpaper brands. The brand list includes Crassevig, Baltus Collection, Expormim, Wall & Deco,
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
The Main Ingredients of Modern-Mediterranean Interiors
It's a hybrid style with many monikers and incarnations. Some designers dub it "Warm-Modern" others call it "Transitional" especially as it pertains to kitchens but in some parts the country where Mediterranean architecture dominates the landscape, this interior style is known as "Modern-Mediterranean." Recently, I toured a newly finished custom home built in the Mod-Mediterranean style for a client in his mid-30s who wanted something timeless yet with an edge that reflected current trends. As I was walking through the home, I noticed six main ingredients that successfully create this fusion of Old World and Modern Day decor known as the Modern-Mediterranean style.
Notice the ceiling beams in this grand room are smooth and clean-lined without any distressing and texture. The beams, in a dark espresso color, compliment the contemporary hanging light fixtures. The wood beam in all its variations is the first ingredient of a Modern-Mediterranean interior. The use rustic materials (such as wood) in contemporary applications (as seen in these sleek beams) is a basic guide to creating this hybrid look.
Here is a variation on the sleek wood beam in this formal dining room. Instead of beams, smaller wood slats create an ultra-chic grid design in a contemporary wave form shape, another example of seamlessly integrating rustic materials in modern forms.
In the kitchen, the Modern-Mediterranean look draws inspiration from Scandinavian style with geometric design elements, a contrasting color palette of earth tones and a noticeable lack of embellishments, fussy finishes and the busy patterns of granite and other stone countertops. The look is seamless. Notice the contrasting double islands, each with a solid color quartz countertop.
The island in the middle of the kitchen has a countertop in dark espresso quartz with a white cabinet base. The island that faces the grand room has a white quartz countertop with an espresso colored cabinet base that pulls from the Modern-Mediterranean 22-foot high fireplace that it faces. Again, notice the beams in the kitchen are very simple, smooth, and sleek.
Monolithic design is a close companion to the Modern-Mediterranean style. You'll find elements of this throughout the home such as this custom-made desk of white quartz that seamlessly wraps around from the floor to the wall, providing a sculptural element to the space.
The kitchen backsplash made of glass mosaics in earth-tone colors frames a stainless steel sculptural range hood for an industrial luxe vibe. Notice the cabinets have flat-panels in contrasting colors, some lighted with LEDs from within and above and below.
In the photo below, the main hallway has a barrel ceiling made of glass tiles that frame rustic travertine stone. The barrel design is very Old World yet the materials mix rustic with modern for a seamless blend of both styles. Notice how the LED lighting hidden in dark wood cove provides a wash of indirect light so that the ceiling literally glows at night as a functional lighted pathway and artistic feature.
Contemporary light fixtures are a great way to stay on trend in the home without permanently dating the style. Light fixtures are a quick, affordable and easy way to update the look of any living space to reflect current trends. The light fixtures in this home are the popular drum style with linen circular or drum enclosures encasing modern hardware.
The glass-beaded chandelier in the tower entrance took over seven hours to install but provides a classic element to the space and is not out of sync with its Modern-Mediterranean interiors.
Stone is a main ingredient of the Modern-Mediterranean interior often used as the rustic canvas. When creating this fusion of styles, first decide on whether you want your large surfaces areas (the canvas) to be rustic or modern. If you go with a rustic foundation, then stone floors such as travertine create the perfect palette to add in more modern details such as floor medallions.
The fireplace in the grand room showcases a stainless steel niche framed by glass mosaics and a stainless steel hearth.
Sleek Wood Beams
Notice the ceiling beams in this grand room are smooth and clean-lined without any distressing and texture. The beams, in a dark espresso color, compliment the contemporary hanging light fixtures. The wood beam in all its variations is the first ingredient of a Modern-Mediterranean interior. The use rustic materials (such as wood) in contemporary applications (as seen in these sleek beams) is a basic guide to creating this hybrid look.
Here is a variation on the sleek wood beam in this formal dining room. Instead of beams, smaller wood slats create an ultra-chic grid design in a contemporary wave form shape, another example of seamlessly integrating rustic materials in modern forms.
Single Color, Solid Surfaces
In the kitchen, the Modern-Mediterranean look draws inspiration from Scandinavian style with geometric design elements, a contrasting color palette of earth tones and a noticeable lack of embellishments, fussy finishes and the busy patterns of granite and other stone countertops. The look is seamless. Notice the contrasting double islands, each with a solid color quartz countertop.
The island in the middle of the kitchen has a countertop in dark espresso quartz with a white cabinet base. The island that faces the grand room has a white quartz countertop with an espresso colored cabinet base that pulls from the Modern-Mediterranean 22-foot high fireplace that it faces. Again, notice the beams in the kitchen are very simple, smooth, and sleek.
Monolithic design is a close companion to the Modern-Mediterranean style. You'll find elements of this throughout the home such as this custom-made desk of white quartz that seamlessly wraps around from the floor to the wall, providing a sculptural element to the space.
Glass Tile
Glass tile brings any space into modern-day especially glass mosaics, another main ingredient of the Mod-Mediterranean style. Throughout this home, the builder used glass mosaics in key focal points. Notice in the master bathroom, glass mosaics set in a backdrop of stone frame the window and tub and tie together the vanity and shower. Mixing stone and glass as two contrasting materials, natural and manmade, cue the Modern-Mediterranean look.The kitchen backsplash made of glass mosaics in earth-tone colors frames a stainless steel sculptural range hood for an industrial luxe vibe. Notice the cabinets have flat-panels in contrasting colors, some lighted with LEDs from within and above and below.
In the photo below, the main hallway has a barrel ceiling made of glass tiles that frame rustic travertine stone. The barrel design is very Old World yet the materials mix rustic with modern for a seamless blend of both styles. Notice how the LED lighting hidden in dark wood cove provides a wash of indirect light so that the ceiling literally glows at night as a functional lighted pathway and artistic feature.
Contemporary Light Fixtures
Contemporary light fixtures are a great way to stay on trend in the home without permanently dating the style. Light fixtures are a quick, affordable and easy way to update the look of any living space to reflect current trends. The light fixtures in this home are the popular drum style with linen circular or drum enclosures encasing modern hardware.
The glass-beaded chandelier in the tower entrance took over seven hours to install but provides a classic element to the space and is not out of sync with its Modern-Mediterranean interiors.
Stone
Stone is a main ingredient of the Modern-Mediterranean interior often used as the rustic canvas. When creating this fusion of styles, first decide on whether you want your large surfaces areas (the canvas) to be rustic or modern. If you go with a rustic foundation, then stone floors such as travertine create the perfect palette to add in more modern details such as floor medallions.
Metal
Stainless steel and iron details give both a modern and timeless take on metal as the final ingredient of Modern-Mediterranean interiors. In the tower entrance of this home, the spiral staircase has iron railings minus the scroll work typically associated with decorative iron in Mediterranean architecture.The fireplace in the grand room showcases a stainless steel niche framed by glass mosaics and a stainless steel hearth.
For a closer look at this home, I invite you to check out a recent video that I co-hosted that takes you on a walking tour of the Modern-Mediterranean home.
Monday, March 25, 2013
The Hands-Free Home
Ever thought to yourself, "What could I accomplish with an extra pair of hands?" Well, wish no more because that wish can be your command with today’s hands-free technology. From voice-activated controls to touchless faucets, you can handle many of your daily tasks hands off. The latest products on the market aim to create a Hands-Free Home. Here’s look at some of the tools for touchless household tasks.
[caption id="attachment_550" align="aligncenter" width="560"]
The Ubi, a voice recognition device that you can boss around for daily tasks hands-free[/caption]
The Ubi is short for ubiquitous computer, according to its manufacturer which calls it “the always on” computer. The Ubi plugs into a wall outlet, connects directly to Internet through Wi-Fi and obeys your commands as a voice enabled home automation control. You can boss around the Ubi asking it to perform a variety of tasks. “You can ask Ubi to make a phone call, send an email, look up a fact on the Internet,” says Leor Grebler, one of three engineers who created the device. “Siri and Star Trek were the inspirations for Ubi,” explains Grebler. Ubi communicates back to you through speech or by using lights. It has sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, air pressure and ambient light so you can check on your home remotely. The Ubi works with smart phones and Bluetooth technology to send alerts to your mobile device or email. The Ubi retails for $219 and is available at www.theubi.com
[caption id="attachment_549" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Sensate by Kohler, the touchless faucet[/caption]
Imagine not having to interrupt food prepping to wipe off your hands and turn on the faucet. Kohler recently introduced Sensate, a touchless kitchen faucet that works with the wave of a hand or kitchen utensil. A motion sensor activates the faucet in 20 milliseconds, according to Kohler. The idea behind touchless faucet technology is to keep the kitchen workspace sanitary and free up your hands for other tasks. That means no messy hands transferring germs or bacteria from uncooked food onto the faucet.
[caption id="attachment_559" align="aligncenter" width="628"]
Leviton has a new line of motion sensors to turn lighting on and off. The sensors have the capability to dim lights as well.[/caption]
Here’s another one of life’s aggravations potentially nullified thanks to motion-detected lighting sensors. No more worries about leaving the lights on. Leviton has a new line of energy-saving sensors that turn the lights off when you exit the room and on when you enter. The sensors are made to control current LED, CFL, fluorescent, incandescent, and halogen light bulbs. Leviton also has a dimming sensor that lets you adjust the lighting levels of compatible dimmable LED, CFL and incandescent bulbs for energy-efficiency and ambiance.
[caption id="attachment_558" align="aligncenter" width="672"]
Leviton's motion sensors for lighting control works with all three types of lightbulbs: LED, CFL and Halogen.[/caption]
Expect to see more technology that lends a hand by becoming your hands for ordinary tasks. I’ll be on the lookout for the latest developments for the Hands-Free Home as I attend the 2013 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show next month in New Orleans. Keep checking back for more ideas and inspiration for your home and lifestyle.
The UBI:
Your Wish is Its Command
[caption id="attachment_550" align="aligncenter" width="560"]
The Ubi, a voice recognition device that you can boss around for daily tasks hands-free[/caption]The Ubi is short for ubiquitous computer, according to its manufacturer which calls it “the always on” computer. The Ubi plugs into a wall outlet, connects directly to Internet through Wi-Fi and obeys your commands as a voice enabled home automation control. You can boss around the Ubi asking it to perform a variety of tasks. “You can ask Ubi to make a phone call, send an email, look up a fact on the Internet,” says Leor Grebler, one of three engineers who created the device. “Siri and Star Trek were the inspirations for Ubi,” explains Grebler. Ubi communicates back to you through speech or by using lights. It has sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, air pressure and ambient light so you can check on your home remotely. The Ubi works with smart phones and Bluetooth technology to send alerts to your mobile device or email. The Ubi retails for $219 and is available at www.theubi.com
Sensate:
The Touchless Kitchen Faucet
[caption id="attachment_549" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Sensate by Kohler, the touchless faucet[/caption]Imagine not having to interrupt food prepping to wipe off your hands and turn on the faucet. Kohler recently introduced Sensate, a touchless kitchen faucet that works with the wave of a hand or kitchen utensil. A motion sensor activates the faucet in 20 milliseconds, according to Kohler. The idea behind touchless faucet technology is to keep the kitchen workspace sanitary and free up your hands for other tasks. That means no messy hands transferring germs or bacteria from uncooked food onto the faucet.
Lighting Sensors:
Lights On...Lights Off, Without the Flip of a Switch
[caption id="attachment_559" align="aligncenter" width="628"]
Leviton has a new line of motion sensors to turn lighting on and off. The sensors have the capability to dim lights as well.[/caption]Here’s another one of life’s aggravations potentially nullified thanks to motion-detected lighting sensors. No more worries about leaving the lights on. Leviton has a new line of energy-saving sensors that turn the lights off when you exit the room and on when you enter. The sensors are made to control current LED, CFL, fluorescent, incandescent, and halogen light bulbs. Leviton also has a dimming sensor that lets you adjust the lighting levels of compatible dimmable LED, CFL and incandescent bulbs for energy-efficiency and ambiance.
[caption id="attachment_558" align="aligncenter" width="672"]
Leviton's motion sensors for lighting control works with all three types of lightbulbs: LED, CFL and Halogen.[/caption]Expect to see more technology that lends a hand by becoming your hands for ordinary tasks. I’ll be on the lookout for the latest developments for the Hands-Free Home as I attend the 2013 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show next month in New Orleans. Keep checking back for more ideas and inspiration for your home and lifestyle.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Bathrooms That Rock!
The Latest Line of Products Equip Bathrooms to Entertainment While Performing the Essentials.
Showers that sing, toilets that play original music, and bathtubs that vibrate with light shows are all aimed at keeping you entertained while engaging in the essentials. With the latest line of products, the bathroom is becoming the most entertaining room in the home. Do we dare say that the bathroom is the modern media room?
Over the years, we’ve witness the evolution of the bathroom from a practical, utilitarian space into a spa retreat. This latest trend takes the loo to another level… Want a bathroom that you can boogie in?
Here’s a look at bathroom three fixtures built to entertain:
The MoxieTM Showerhead:
The Moxie showerhead by KOHLER® takes singing in the shower to a new level. Remember those shower radios that stick to the shower wall? Well, imagine a whole dance club experience with a showerhead that is both DJ and Disco Ball. The Moxie showerhead has a wireless speaker with Bluetooth® technology that streams music from your smart device. Not only can you dance and sing your heart out in the shower, you are the DJ streaming your own playlist or songs from IHart Radio, Pandora, or any MP3 player. Now, if you want shower time to be an intellectual pursuit, you can even stream audio books through the Moxie.
Last month, I met with the Kohler folks at the 2013 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas and experienced the Moxie showerhead firsthand. Leslie Bronson, Kohler Product Manger, says the Moxie showerhead integrates technology and the need for music in all areas of someone’s life….and I do mean ALL areas.
It’s a concept Kohler takes literally with a rollout of other products that keep that music flowing seamlessly in all areas of the bathroom. Priced at $199, the Moxie showerhead is selling well, Kohler reports.
VibrAcoustic® Bathtub:
If you prefer a bath to the shower, no problem, the bathtub can transform into your personal boombox complete with massaging sound vibrations. The VibrAcoustic bathtub by Kohler plays music in sync with vibrations while you relax in tub. “Because your body is primarily water, you feel those vibrations moving through you to give you a deep sense of relaxation, massaging you inside from the inside, out,” explains Jen Bryan, Senior Market Analyst in charge of Kohler Bathing Products.
The VibrAcoustic tub has six preprogrammed music experiences or you can stream your own music wirelessly or with an AUX cable.
Kohler had a sound therapist design the six preprogrammed music experiences to help the user relax and lower the heart rate for a Zen-like, spa experience. In addition to the music and massage, the VibrAcoustic throws in a little mood lighting to complete the sensory experience.
Kohler calls it chromatherapy lighting and the VibrAcoustic has eight color options that are choreographed to work with the sound and vibration experience. The user can cycle through all 8 colors or pick a color for mood lighting and ambiance.
NuMi® Touchless Toilet:
You can take the music to your toilet too with NuMi, a smart toilet with every technological bell and whistle you could image. The NuMi plays your favorite tunes from two speakers in the back. You can connect your MP3 player to the remote to play your own songs, listen to the radio or the NuMi’s own original composition designed to evoke a relaxing, spa-like ambiance.
Nick Grant, Senior Market Analyst for Toilets and Bidets at the Kohler, calls it the “touchless toilet.” Upon entering the room, the NuMi seat sensor lifts the lid. A blue light on the right side of the toilet allows males to tap their foot over the light to lift the seat up. NuMi also flushes itself after it senses 90 seconds of no motion. For the complete experience, the NuMi features a front and rear bidet wand, remote-controlled by the touchscreen and a dryer for what Kohler calls a “gracious user experience.”
For additional comfort, the NuMi has a heated seat, a foot heater and even deodorizes itself. The NuMi has its own night lite that makes the toilet bowl glow in the dark. Did I mention that the NuMi speaks 12 different languages? The NuMi retails for $6,390 and despite it’s luxurious price tag, Kohler says it’s doing very well in the marketplace.
Kohler says these new products “embrace the demand for constant connectivity.” So it seems the “bathroom break” has become more like a multimedia continuum of our daily lives.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
The Electric Fireplace, A Hot Property in Home Design for 2013
[caption id="attachment_344" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Electric Fireplace by Modern Flameswww.modernflames.com[/caption]
One of the latest trends to light up a room is the electric fireplace. Recently, I attended the International Builders’ Show in Vegas where electric fireplaces were the hot property in home design. There are several reasons why:
Electric Fireplaces are Affordable:
[caption id="attachment_334" align="aligncenter" width="4188"]
Electric Fireplace by Hearth and Homewww.hearthnhome.com[/caption]
A gas or wood burning fireplace can cost you approximately $3,000 to purchase and install plus the cost of the gas lines, which can run as much as $400. An electric fireplace costs approximately $1,000.
Electric Fireplaces Can be Installed in Any Room:
[caption id="attachment_342" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Electric Fireplace by Hearth and Home Technologies[/caption]Because electric fireplaces don’t require ventilation, they can go in any room with a 120 Volt electrical outlet to plug into. The electric fireplace simply hangs from the wall so the possibilities are endless.
[caption id="attachment_337" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Electric Fireplace in masterbath by Modern Flames[/caption]Imagine an electric fireplace flickering nearby while soaking in your tub, reading fireside in your family room or enjoying an al fresco evening by the flickering light of your outdoor living room hearth.
Electric Fireplaces Go with Any Décor:
[caption id="attachment_341" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Electric Fireplace by Modern Flameswww.modernflames.com[/caption]
Manufacturers are capitalizing on this trend in the hearth industry launching new electric fireplace product lines in many styles. These electric fireplaces have cool capabilities that traditional fireplaces just can’t pull off. Some have colored LED backlighting that can be programmed to rotate up to nine different colors or remain constant. The base of the firebox can feature stones or a glass rocks.
[caption id="attachment_333" align="aligncenter" width="1080"]
Electric Fireplace with LED backlighting by Hearth and Home Technologies.www.hearthnhome.com[/caption]
In order to appreciate the beauty of these affordable faux fireplaces, I put together a Vlog with some video clips so you can really appreciate how an electric fireplace can light up a room.
http://youtu.be/2R_FGTT2ZCI
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