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Joss and Main – Scandinavian Rug Sale

The Kitchen Designer — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:34:24 +0000

We are excited to announce the sale of our rugs fir the first time on Joss and Main – a special sale for the next 72 hours. The rugs that we have curated in our web shop, Scandinavian Made, have these characteristics in common:

They are hand woven by an individual artisan

All the rugs, whether vintage or new, are made in Sweden

They are made with wooden looms

They are exclusively runners of different lengths and widths

They reflect the unique artistic aesthetic of the weaver and are an original piece of art

They have been carefully curated by me (Susan) and Kelly Donovan with our eyes focused on interesting design, use of color, pattern, texture and overall beauty

It’s not always easy to visualize just how a rug may look in your home, especially when you are looking quickly through an assortment of patterns and colors. Here are some tips to find the right Swedish rug from our collection:

1. In an otherwise neutral space, a shot of color, any color, will bring the space to life!

2. Think of these Swedish rugs as works of art and add them to [...]

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Dacor electric cooktops

The Kitchen Designer — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:34:01 +0000

The new electric cooktops from Dacor, the Distinctive Series 36″ and 30″ electric cooktops bring essential performance and style to many aspiring home chefs. The affordably priced black frameless cooktops with scratch-resistant glass ceramic surfaces offer the design and distinctive features typically found on higher-priced electric cooktops.

The 36″ DECT365 and 30″ DECT304 Dacor electric cooktops come with dual ring elements contemporary brushed metallic knobs, multi-directional controls for immediate high heat or gentle simmer, radiant ceramic elements with infinite heat level settings and dedicated hot surface indicators.

The 5-element DECT365 has two 1.20kW 6″ single circuit elements, one 5″/9″ dual circuit element with 1.10kW/2.50kW outputs, one 8″/11″ dual circuit element with 1.80kW/2.70kW outputs and one 1.80kW 7″ single circuit element.

The 4-element DECT304 has one 1.20kW 6″ single circuit element, one 5″/9″ dual circuit element with 1.10kW/2.50kW outputs, one 1.20kW 6″ single circuit element and one 1.80kW 7″ single circuit element.

Electrolux Ergorapido 2-in-1 sweeper with new brush-cleaning function

The Kitchen Designer — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:18:42 +0000

The new Ergorapido 2-in-1 with BrushRollClean Technology allows you to easily remove fibers and hairs that get tangled on the brush roll. Yes, those quite annoying, performance-reducing hair and fibers that always get stuck in the brush roll and are very unpleasant to deal with, now can be removed in a matter of seconds. With the new Electrolux Ergorapido vacuum 2-in-1 with BrushRollClean Technology, you simply press the pedal on top of the nozzle so that a blade can remove all entwined hairs and fibers, cutting them into small pieces and sucking them into the dust cup. It’s easy, hygienic and keeps vacuum performance high.

Ergorapido 2-in-1 sweeper is a product within the Cordless Freedom family. Cordless equals quick and easy cleaning, perfect for the battle against everyday dirt. Cordless freedom means never being more than seconds away from a cleaner home. The slim Ergorapido stick vacuum cleaner is easily stored as its nice design and charging stand allows it to be placed anywhere in the home, easily carried since it is light and cord-free. Ergorapido 2-in-1 uses a bagless, cyclonic system for optimum results and [...]

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GE French Door refrigerators for 2012

The Kitchen Designer — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 06:16:36 +0000

GE is about to offer new 29 cubic foot American-made French Door refrigerators. Featuring the most advanced ice and water technology on the market today, the new GE French Door refrigerators offer intelligent home technology that makes your world work better. Breaking new ground, the GE Profile model Hands-Free Autofill system eliminates the need to stand and wait, automatically filling any container with filtered water. In addition, the GE Cafe refrigerator is the first refrigerator to feature a hot water dispenser, capable of serving up tea and oatmeal in minutes. And in yet another industry breakthrough, the model easy-to-access advanced filtration system is the first to remove harmful pharmaceuticals from water and ice.

An industry-first, the 29 cubic foot GE Profile refrigerator features a Hands-free Autofill system that fully fills a glass, water bottle, coffee pot or pitcher. The dispenser pull-out tray holds a container so you can press the button and walk away while it fills up automatically. The technology behind the feature uses sound waves from ultrasonic sensors and proximity detectors similar to those used to fill up fuel tanks in locomotives. The French Door [...]

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Slushie Maker for Mixed Drinks

The Kitchen Designer — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 05:56:44 +0000

This classic-looking Slushie Maker will let you churn out fruity slushies, iced coffees, or chilled cocktails to your heart’s content. All you need to do is…

Add table salt… some ice… and your sugary tipple!

This kitchen contraption allows you to make slushies in the comfort of your own home. And if you’re a slushie fan it’ll pay for itself in no time. Simply load the drum with ice, ordinary table salt (don’t worry, you can’t taste it) and your juice of choice, and watch in wonder as it churns out a seriously cool slushie.

Product Features:

Use crushed ice or small ice cubes from your freezer to make delicious slushie drinks Add ice cubes and salt to the sealed centre chamber Add a sugary based liquid to the outside camber Turn the machine on and within 25 minutes the drink will turn to slush! Includes recipe suggestions Handy drinks holder and drip tray Makes up to 2 litres of slushie

At Slushie Maker

InSinkErator Instant Tap for New Moms

The Kitchen Designer — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:51:01 +0000

We’ve posted before about our affinity for the InSinkErator instant tap. However, the lovely folks at InSinkErator were kind enough to send over another unit and this devotion was taken to new heights immediately upon installation. To clarify, this is the home of a second time new mom, with a newborn and a toddler under the same roof. For the uninitiated, that means the need for lots and lots of purified water, both cold and hot, meals on the table before you can say “I don’t want pasta tonight, mom!” and most importantly, an abundance of coffee. STAT.

The InSinkErator Indulge Instant Water Dispenser has found so many uses in my home and I’d wholeheartedly consider it a must for new parents. Here are just a few uses I’ve found for it just two months in: First and foremost, instant hot water for my beloved Starbucks Via instant coffee any and every time of day. Easy and fast filtered water to drink endlessly and quench my nursing-induced thirst, and a quick filler-up of sippy cups. Readily available boiling water to warm milk for bottles. Instant boiling water for frequent bowls of oatmeal, and pots of aforementioned pasta water. Fast opening of stuck-on [...]

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KitchenAid undercounter oven

The Kitchen Designer — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:15:02 +0000

The wide and short KitchenAid KOMS 6910 undercounter oven measures 90W x 48H cm and offers 79 litre cooking space. The multifunction oven is designed for aspiring home chefs who like to enjoy gourmet meals at home with family and friends. It comes with a turn spit for rotisserie cooking and 8 cooking modes including Static, Forced Air, Pastry, Grill, Turbo Grill, Top Heat, Bottom Heat and Defrost.

The KOMS 6910 undercounter oven is styled to match other appliances including KitchenAid steam oven. It sits discreetly under the kitchen worktop, finished in the fingerprint-resistant, nanotechnology treated EasyClean stainless steel. High quality telescopic shelves allow you to easily move large dishes while cooking. And the blue touch-control LCD text-assisted display gives you every bit of information ever needed, including preheating and shelf positioning.

In addition, this ‘A’ energy rated KitchenAid undercounter oven features cool touch double glazed door to ensure that the heat stays inside and the exterior remains cool, and optional catalytic panels for easy maintenance. KitchenAid.

Introducing Scandinavian Made – Unique Ceramics & Hand Woven Rugs

The Kitchen Designer — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:14:03 +0000

As you’ve no doubt noticed, we’ve recently added the newest member to our family of brands under the Susan Serra Associates umbrella, Scandinavian Made. You’ve heard us talk at length about Scandinavian design and style, as it’s the foundation of not only our heritage but our professional aesthetic as well. Leveraging this passion, we are now bringing the best of authentic Scandinavian handcraft to your home with a carefully curated selection of one-of-a-kind vintage & newly woven rugs, and handcrafted ceramics direct from a select group of Scandinavian artisans. Each of these artisans has never before presented their work in the US, and we are honored and privileged to be the vehicle for their debut on American soil.

Take a peek inside our shop and you’ll be greeted with intricately textured and colored hand woven rugs, rich with a long history of an ancient Scandinavian craft and storied beginnings.

Vintage Vara Rug

You’ll find delicate, ethereal ceramic work from Bornholm Artisan, Charlotte Thorup, and bold statement pieces Simon Koefoed.

Charlotte Thorup’s Wall Hanging Tile with Folds

Simon Koefoed’s Puzzle Bowl

Dynamic texture, complex relief, [...]

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Decorating For Christmas In The Kitchen!

The Kitchen Designer — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:46:22 +0000

I’ve been thinking quite a bit about decorating the kitchen for Christmas, and that does not mean that it has to be this big, ambitious, undertaking. Chances are you already have nearly all the “ornaments” that you need on hand to do the job.

Prior to decorating my own kitchen for Christmas (disclaimer, we moved to this home 3 years ago and have not yet renovated the kitchen so it’s definitely not “me”) I was a guest on Martha Stewart radio on Monday, December 2nd to talk about this very topic. So, let’s get on with the ideas!

Around the same time, I had a lovely offer from Balsam Hill, retailer of artificial Christmas trees to use some of their products in my home. Of course, since the kitchen is usually the poor step sister in terms of Christmas decorating, I thought it was a great topic to share. Here we go!

1. Frame a kitchen window with greens and twinkling lights – or a huge, oversized wreath!

2. Change out dining chair seat cushions, placements and other easily changeable [...]

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Thermador Pro Grand steam range cooker

The Kitchen Designer — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:43:34 +0000

Designed to meet the needs of the most passionate and discerning of home cooks, the modern 48-inch Thermador Pro Grand Steam range offers the ultimate cooking experience, bringing the 7 distinct cooking options – steaming, convection baking, burner cooking, simmering, grilling, griddle cooking and warming for restaurant-caliber meals into home kitchens. This impressive Thermador range combines steam & convection oven, a large-capacity convection oven, a 6-burner gas cooktop featuring the exclusive Star Burners, and a fully integrated warming drawer for the all-in-one package. You will also find a few Thermador cooking exclusives, such as the ExtraLow simmering technology, and a power burner with 22,000 BTU.

The Pro Grand Steam Range delivers performance and craftsmanship for the home cooks, allowing them to achieve their best and experience the absolute finest in cooking, whether it’s healthy steam cooking, baking in the large-capacity convection oven, precise simmering on the Star Burners, or just keeping the family meal warm.

Key features of this 48-inchThermador range include, - 1.4 cu. ft combination steam & convection oven with 30 easy cook programs - 5.1 cu. ft [...]

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