We have a new blog that deals with universal design and aging in place options. We’ll be transitioning our blog “Universal Design for You” to this new blog eventually. Here’s the link: http://aginginplaceoptions.com/ Curious? Check it out!

And here’s our new video for why we believe that aging in place is so important!

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This wet & cold summer has me dreaming of my trip that I took to Paris back in 2008! So … since I can’t be there physically, I’ll be there in my memories. Here’s my post from that trip in case you missed it! ~

I had the chance to visit Paris for three days this last year. Now you may say, “Three days! That’s hardly worth it!” You may be right but at least I had the chance to BE there. That’s the main thing. I found Paris to have an indefinable air that I tried to explain later to my friends. It was a feeling of finding a place that you didn’t want to leave. Even my All-American husband who prefers steak and hamburgers to quiche any day was mesmerized too. I can’t tell you if it was the chic stores, the amazing food, the friendly people (yes, they were!), but it was hard for all of us to say goodbye. We had such an amazing time.

We took the Eurostar train through the “Chunnel” under the English Channel and arrived in Paris in a few hours. It was like entering a different world with the Art Deco signs for the Metropolitain city train,

the beautiful architecture that was everywhere! I swear, all the buildings look like this, not just some of them!

The lovely French food that was so delicious and flavorful. I enjoyed just savoring it and I felt lighter, not heavier after eating. This was our favorite outdoor cafe by our hotel

near Montmarte.

This was the courtyard outside our hotel window with a cute railing.

We climbed to Sacre Coeur our first day. I didn’t go all the way to the top but stayed and did a quick sketch of the beautiful church.

Here are the beautiful stairs on the side of the church.

Then we took a walk down the hill and discovered Le Opera where the Phantom of the Opera was to have taken place. We got lost going home and wound up walking by the Moulin Rouge.

The next day we went to Notre Dame and went inside the beautiful church.

Next we went to the Louvre but it was closed so we walked through the Jardin des Tuileries instead and out through this gate to see the fountains.

From there we walked up the Champs Elysees to the Arch de Triomphe.

When we saw the Eiffel Tower in the distance we couldn’t wait any longer and walked to see it, crossing the Seine River.

I always thought it was black but it’s actually painted a pinkish color. We took the elevator up to the very top and then afterwards stayed until the lights came on, sparkling like a diamond and the searchlight scanning the heavens. How incredible!

The next day we went back to the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa, the artwork and all the gorgeous statuary inside.

There was just so much to see before we caught our plane late that afternoon, even this street call the United States Place.

We packed so much in those three days and now that we’ve just gotten that first taste of Paris, I yearn to go back and visit again. This time for much longer!

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She was the designer of the year in 2008, Maison et Objets. As an artist, textile designer and decorator she works from her several studios in France, London & Belgium. What I love her work for is her incredible textile patterns.

You can download a pdf from her site here that showcases her newest work. I love the light airy look of her latest designs.

You know by now how much I love the colors pink and blue! These are stunning, aren’t they?

What is my favorite though are her script patterns. She uses 17th century French calligraphy to make some beautiful pieces. See some of them here -

Here’s a video of Carolyn explaining her methods and philosophy:

Make sure you go to her website to see more of her fantastic collections and work.

Let us know if you enjoyed this designer spotlight and if you’d like to see more of them! We always love your comments.

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In our last post we featured Eldorado Stone for your interior and exterior spaces. In this post, we feature new surface materials that are wonderful in the bath and kitchen.

Bathroom Products – Surfaces

Hakatai

“Hakatai’s Bohemia series of glass mosaic tile offers an array of blended colors. Adding visual interest to any kitchen or bath, the 1 3/16-in. x 9/16-in. mini-brick style, semi-transparent tiles are arranged in a traditional offset pattern. Focused on neutral hues, warm golden browns and cool blues, the collections’ color palette includes mirage, mallard, chanterelle, nutmeg, loam, sargasso sea and azul. The pieces are approximately 1/4 in.-thick and are film-faced for easy installation. The tile can be used on interior walls, countertops, backsplashes and light residential floors.”

CaesarStone

CaesarStone has a new quartz product out called Motivo™ which I just love! It is a textured stone with a new look and feel.

“Using a brilliant, patented new technology to apply an embossed effect to a range of our surfaces, Motivo makes a stylish statement with its pattern-designed finishes including Lace and Crocodile. Motivo opens up a world of inspiration and imagination by delivering endless creative options for stunning spaces.

Magnificently Versatile
As with all CaesarStone quartz surfaces, Motivo is nonporous, easy to care for and appropriate for numerous applications, including wall paneling, custom-made furniture, kitchen countertops, vanity tops and more.” Here’s some shots of how Motivo would look on your walls or countertops.

Here is the Crocodile pattern – so sophisticated. Amazing!

I also love the Lace pattern – especially for feminine spaces. Beautiful!

So these are just two of the new surfaces that are out there that I think are the most exciting. With spring here, wouldn’t the lace pattern be especially wonderful in your new spa bathroom? Let’s make that a reality in your home! Contact us here.

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1. Kitchen and Bath Design Trends for 2010
2. Surfaces Series – Eldorado Stone Surfaces for Your Home
3. Video showcase of products from K/BIS 2009 (kitchen & bath products)

In Long Island, a Home for All Generations

Maxine Hicks for The New York Times

“UNDER ONE ROOF Mike Delfino, far right, designed his house in Port Jefferson Station to accommodate three generations of his family.

By MARCELLE S. FISCHLER

Published: February 24, 2010

EARLY this month, three generations of the Delfino family moved into the 3,400-square-foot stone and stucco home they designed for themselves in Port Jefferson Station.

Mike Delfino Jr., 52, and his wife, Maria, 49, took the master suite on the right side of the first floor. Their sons, ages 16 and 20, have bedrooms upstairs and a large game room that could be a living room if they decided to boomerang back home as adults.

“If they get married,” their father said, “there is room for them to have their wives there and get a start.”

On the left side of the first floor is another master suite, with sitting room and bath, for Mrs. Delfino’s mother, Anne Calaci, 84, who is making the transition to the Delfinos’ new spread from her home in Mineola.

After Mrs. Calaci’s husband died four years ago, the Delfinos wanted her to move into the 2,200-square-foot center-hall colonial they then owned, also in Port Jefferson Station. She balked.

“The other home was so small she thought she was going to be in our way,” said Mr. Delfino, the owner of an insulation company.

In response, the family decided to design a place that would accommodate their multigenerational needs.” 

A version of this article appeared in print on February 28, 2010, on page RE5 of the New York edition.

Read the rest of this article here. 

Do you live in a multigenerational house? Perhaps you anticipate the need for one soon? Would you like to discuss the options available? Contact us here and be sure to leave comments below! We’d love to dialogue with you.

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The National Kitchen & Bath Association Unveils Kitchen and Bath Trends for 2010

 

This week, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) revealed its key kitchen and bath design trends for the new year. Culled from a survey of designers that was conducted by the association, they indicate a continuation of a number of existing trends in the marketplace, but also suggest shifts in the direction that kitchen and bath design will take this year. Following are the NKBA’s seven kitchen trends and four bath trends for 2010.
 

KITCHENS

1. Traditional Is the New Contemporary
According to the survey results, traditional will continue as the most popular kitchen design style in 2010, with contemporary following closely behind. Where transitional kitchens fall in this survey is unclear, but that the Shaker style is mentioned as experiencing a strong resurgence suggests growing demand. As to color palette, last year saw an increased interest in neutral tones (perhaps because of the challenging economy). The same should also hold true in 2010. Expect shades of white, as well as off-whites, to be the most common kitchen colors, while brown, beige and bone hues will also enjoy wide usage.

2. Cherry on Top
Not surprisingly, cherry will remain the most popular wood for kitchen cabinetry, followed closely by maple; alder cabinets will also gain ground. As for cabinet finishes, medium natural, dark natural, glazed and white painted will all be common. Other colors of painted cabinetry and light natural finishes are in decline, however, as are distressed finishes.

3. Floored by Tile
Ceramic and porcelain tiles, as well as those in natural stone, remain popular kitchen flooring options (probably for their durability and relative budget-friendliness), but nothing beats the warmth of hardwood, which will dominate the kitchen landscape more than ever in 2010. As to countertops, granite will maintain its lead, edging out quartz, which will nearly (but not quite) catch up in popularity. For backsplashes, ceramic or porcelain tile and glass will serve as the materials of choice.

4. Flexible Faucets
Standard kitchen faucets will become less standard in 2010, ceding ground to more convenient models. Pullout faucets continue to increase their market dominance, while pot fillers will also become more prevalent. To complement those white kitchens, the NKBA predicts that most faucets will be specified in brushed nickel, followed by stainless steel, satin nickel and—surprisingly—polished chrome.

5. Undercounter Refrigeration
Surveyed designers cited French door and freezer-bottom as the two most popular styles of refrigerators, while side-by-side units will retain their share of the market. Also noted was the increased use of undercounter refrigerator drawers, which are ideal for point-of-use convenience and for keeping a kitchen design open. In addition, the NKBA found that undercounter wine refrigerators were recently specified by half of kitchen designers.

6. A Range of Cooking Options
The tried-and-true range continues to serve as the workhorse for cooking, although the combination of a cooktop and wall oven is beginning to overtake it. Gas will maintain its position as the most popular type of cooktop over electric, although induction cooking is coming on strong due to its energy efficiency.

7. Dishwasher-in-a-Drawer
Standard dishwashers, which feature a traditional door that pulls from the top down, will still be the most common type in 2010, but an increasing number of drawer-style units will be installed in kitchens this year for their convenience and their ability to wash small loads of dishes when needed, thereby saving water and electricity.

BATHROOMS

1. In with the Old, Out with the New
Although some may disagree, the NKBA predicts that traditional will be the most popular design style in bathrooms in 2010, with contemporary designs a distant second. As with kitchens, neutrals are in. Beige and bone will be the most common colors used in bathrooms, followed by white, off-white and brown, indicating a somewhat subdued color palette this year.

2. Ceramic and Granite
Ceramic and porcelain tile will be the dominant flooring materials in bathrooms this year, while natural stone will continue to prove popular as well. Though increasingly popular in kitchens, hardwood flooring won’t become common in bathrooms in 2010. For vanity tops, granite will remain king, with quartz and marble also proving popular options.

3. Simple Fixtures
Maintaining the more subdued palette, the most common color for fixtures will be white, with bisque and off-white the only other options at all common in new or remodeled bathrooms. For sinks, simple undermounts will be most popular, followed by integrated sink tops, drop-ins, vessel bowls and pedestal designs.

4. A Nickel for Every Finish
Faucet finishes in the bathroom are similar to those used in current kitchen designs, with brushed nickel continuing to lead the way in 2010. Polished chrome and satin nickel will also be incorporated into many bathrooms, just as they had been throughout 2009. These faucet finishes will be followed by bronze and stainless steel.

Kitchen and Bath Design Trends From Kitchen and Bath Business Magazine – kbb

How many of these elements are already in your own kitchen? How many would you like to incorporate in a new kitchen? Are you ready to start a kitchen project? Let us know what your favorite elements would be in your new kitchen and we can make it happen for you this year!

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2010 Color of the Year Unveiled

Feel swept away in 2010. Pantone announced its 15-5519 Turquoise as the color of the upcoming year. The hue was chosen for its combination of serene blue and invigorating green, as well as its ability to evoke thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and an escape from the everyday troubles of the world.
“In many cultures, turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that turquoise represents an escape to many–taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”
Turquoise appeals to both men and women and translates to fashion, as well as interiors. With both warm and cool undertones, turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up other greens and is trendy when paired with yellow-greens.
The hue is available in Pantone’s line of eco-friendly paint. Ideal for a powder room or kitchen, turquoise offers a spa-like feel or when used as an accent, creates lively visual interest.

Kitchen and Bath Design Trends From Kitchen and Bath Business Magazine – kbb

Tell us what you think of this color! How would you use it? What feelings come to you when you think of this color? Make sure to comment below.

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Join us this Tuesday at 5:30 PM (8:30 EST) for the start

of  our new (& first) tele-series! Kristina Brown of Eating

Skinny will be my guest as we discuss what it takes to Age

Well. She’s sharing delicious recipes & wonderful cooking

tips to make food incredible. Did you know that as we get

older, our nutritional needs change? Kristina makes it so

easy to make these changes and still keep our food tasting

great.

Our first call is free on Tuesday & you’ll receive a free

recipe just for signing up. Click here to sign up and learn

about the rest of the series!

http://bit.ly/5M7NLC

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Based on the movie Girl with a Pearl Earring, design legend John Saladino transforms this Soho apartment.

 “As one of the great Dutch painters of the seventeenth century, Johannes Vermeer transformed scenes of everyday life into masterpieces revered for their silent intensity, purity of light and form. Drawing parallels to his own work, renowned designer John Saladino chose the Vermeer — based film ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ as his inspiration for the VERANDA show house at SoHo Mews, a modern condominium building located in Manhattan’s trendy Soho neighborhood.”

Saladino used a gorgeous palette of colors inspired from the girl’s headdress of luminescent blues, rich taupes and dreamy whites.

The textures of this living room are so appealing to me with the scratch-coat plaster on the walls (which at first glance I thought was a velvet upholstered wall) and the soft cashmere throw on the table.

As well he used the wall treatment in the breakfast nook and dining room  for that rough-luxe look I love.

“Curtains draped throughout the house not only introduce an element of mystery but also help absorb noise in keeping with the meditative silence Vermeer’s artwork projects.”

This little vignette from the bedroom console is just lovely!

“I followed Vermeer’s philosophy, which was to take vernacular objects and imbue them with transcendence,” the designer explains. “I tried to give these rooms an almost ethereal light.”

This is my favorite room of the apartment. I love the colors, the soft muted light and the painting by Victoria Adams.

See more beautiful images from Veranda.

INTERIOR DESIGN BY JOHN SALADINO

ARCHITECTURE BY GWATHMEY SIEGEL ASSOCIATES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTOINE BOOTZ

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I decided to try something new this year. I’ve had this cookbook for awhile now and have wanted to make my own bread. I made bread for my family when my girls were little and even made several loaves at a time for several months. Letting it rise, kneading the dough and all the baking was something I didn’t want to do again!

So when I saw this cookbook, I was intrigued.  It sounded so easy but I was dubious. Could it really take 5 minutes to make the delicious-looking loaf on the cover?  For more details on the book – click on the picture below.

I tried it over the holiday and it worked so beautifully! Today I’m mixing my second batch as I just can’t wait to have some more bread with a chewy crust and soft inner texture.

It really only takes 5 minutes to mix it together and then you have enough dough to make 4 to 5 loaves. It lasts in the fridge for 2 weeks so when you’re ready for some delectable smells to come from your oven and put fresh, homemade bread on your table, you just take some out. Absolutely no kneading and minimal handling. Let it rise for 40 minutes, bake it for 30 and it’s done!

The dough is really simple to mix up and only takes flour, water, yeast & salt. It’s the technique that makes the magic and is so easy to do. If you read carefully the instructions for the first time you can’t go wrong.  I’ve included my own pictures so you can see how yummy the bread looks.

Here’s my two loaves just before I put them in the oven to bake.

Now take a look at the bread loaves out of the oven.

Don’t you think that this round loaf looks just like the picture on the book!

If you’d like to order the book from my store, click here or on the picture above.

Here’s a reader’s review that I thought really said it best:

Excellent!
I have many bread baking books and was skeptical that this one would be any better or different. I expected either a catch in the “5 minutes”, poor quality bread, or both. I made my first batch last week and was very impressed with both the ease and taste. You can really make the dough in just a few minutes and keep it in your fridge for use over the next 2 weeks. It was wonderful to be able to pull a chunk of the dough out of the container and have delicious bread (the last was more like a big roll) in just over an hour. I could make a loaf when I got home from work and serve it for dinner. There are many recipes included, but it also gave me a much more relaxed attitude toward the bread and I found myself making up my own additions by the time I was forming my second batch. I showed the book to a friend and rather than copy a few of the recipes, she decided to order the book herself because she said that everything looked good and it looked like stuff she would really make. Not many cookbooks earn that comment.
The book frequently calls for a pizza peel and baking stone. A set of the peel (or a suitable cutting board), stone (or an unglazed ceramic tile from Home Depot) and this book would make a great gift. In fact, I thought that I could cross several people off of my shopping list by buying the set or just the books for all. Unfortunately, it is already out of stock. (Joyce – Not anymore!) Looks like I am not the only one who is impressed by it. I can’t even give my book away and wait for a new copy because I spilled olive oil on it while making the sun dried tomato and Parmesan bread. By the way, it was delicious!
This is a great book for all cooking experience levels. The recipes are easy and the results impressive.

If you have tried this book’s recipes – leave a comment below to tell us how you liked them!

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