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Everywhere I look, I see small rectangular tile used on backsplashes and upper walls in the kitchen. It’s getting a little bit worrisome to me. It’s worrisome because, having been a kitchen designer since the very late 80s, I have perspective. Perspective helps my clients, and I hope it helps you too.
It started (my professional association with tile) with 4×4 ceramic glazed tiles and pretty fruit and vegetable or flower designs, often seen with corner motifs, sort of that Country Floors look. Definitely gorgeous. Funny, I’m seeing it more and more frequently again and it’s still every bit as beautiful. Like Terracotta flooring, it was very popular, then went away. Now it is returning, at least on the periphery, to fashion again.
Then came 4×4 tumbled marble tile or matte, earthy, or light shades with fancy border tile. Tile was laid on the diagonal as a lower border against the countertop with a thin border tile above with square 4x4s above that (not on the diagonal), all over the backsplash on the diagonal with a square border at the countertop level, or maybe just in the cooktop area.
Later, probably near [...]
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 Small tile mosaic stone backsplash from Mozaico
The art of the Mosaic goes way back, some 3,000 years BC and is considered one of the oldest art forms that is still here. Stone mosaics used to enhanced decors of the rich and powerful. From ancient palaces of Roman, Greek, and Mesopotamian cultures, the incredibly beautiful mosaic stone backsplash tile finds the way to the modern kitchens of today consumers. You can have stone backsplash done in polished, tumbled or antique tile. Mosaic can be made in shapes, colors and finishes that truly meet your taste and satisfy imagination – whether you draw ideas from the French and Italian Renaissance, want your stone backsplash to resemble mosaic walls from Roma villa, or want to enjoy your favorite modern art with every morning cup of coffee.
 4″ hexagon red onyx mosaic stone backsplash from Maestro Mosaics
 Stone mosaic backsplash in tiles of various shapes and sizes by Francois & Co
 Rectangular tile stone mosaic backsplash by Ravenna Mosaics
Previously, Mosaic [...]
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It does not take much time, once one delves into the black hole of even thinking about a kitchen renovation, that the thoughts become disorganized, to say the least, given all the parts, pieces, concepts, ideas, not to mention products that are part of a whole kitchen renovation.
There is absolutely NO excuse in 2011 not to be organized when embarking on a kitchen renovation. There are many online management tools to keep track of every single detail. You can be organized in several ways:
in a super simple task focused way where tasks are simpl written down and checked off tasks are attached to projects tasks are attached to tags and/or projects tasks are attached to tags, projects, and a calendar tasks are shared by others in the same program
and those are just a few ways to think of the detail/task/organizing process for a kitchen renovation.
If I told you how many free trials I’ve taken of task and project management programs, based online, I’d be embarrassed to tell you. The program I have kept coming back to over a couple of years, even though I needed to stray to find the greener grass, of which I never found…is [...]
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New Ravenna Mosaics will be introducing several new tile collections at KBIS 2011, which can be used for your mosaic backsplash, countertop, floor or bathroom walls. Along with the new Ikat and Studio Line collections designed by Sara Baldwin, New Ravenna Mosaics will be announcing their collaboration with Italian designer Giovanni Barbieri. Barbieri, of the Barbieri Brothers Family, is known for his patented surface treatment of marble.
The new Ikat Collection, designed by Sara Baldwin, is inspired by Uzbekistani textile leaf patterns. The two designs, Loom and Weft are created in jewel glass, each in a distinct colorway. The tile, which is hand crafted in Virginia, is suitable for vertical applications indoors and out. Will make a stunning mosaic backsplash for your kitchen.
The Studio Line was created in order to have a selection of New Ravenna Mosaics in stock and available within 48 hours. The Studio Line consists of classic patterns for floors and walls as well as chair rails, pencil liners and base mouldings. All of the [...]
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The new Neato XV-11 robotic vacuum cleaner comes with a centrifugal compression-impeller that creates sustained high-power suction. The vacuum plans out its cleaning path with the help of a laser mapping system and avoids bumping into walls, furniture, or stairs. This high performance, efficient robot vacuum creates a map of your entire environment and does not bounce off the walls. Using a straight-line pattern, the Neato all-floor vacuum cleaner completes its task and then automatically returns to the charging base. It removes all kinds of dirt and debris on all surfaces, including carpet, rugs, hardwood, laminate, tile and stone.
Other main features and benefits of all-surface Neato robotic vacuum cleaner include, – rectangular front end which allows closeness to walls and into corners – low profile which allows under-furniture cleaning, without getting stuck – ability to schedule daily cleaning times
You can buy Neato XV-11 for $400 USD from Sharper Image.
Previously, Samsung NaviBot vacuum robot iRobot Roomba Pet iRobot ConnectR iRobot Roomba Scheduler
 I met Sean Sullivan, author of the (insert wildly positive adjective here) food blog Spectacularly Delicious and Associate Publisher of House Beautiful, this summer at House Beautiful’s Kitchen of the Year press event. After maybe, a 20 minute conversation, probably less, enthusiastically talking about kitchens, including his, I asked Sean if I could go to his home and see his kitchen. I don’t know if that says more about me or more about Sean, but his joy for his kitchen was contagious. Sean immediately said “yes, come!” and I did. This is a three-post story, so herewith Part I.
I knew this: I knew I would find a happy kitchen. See for yourself!
Ten years ago, the kitchen was designed by Sean and his architect. The backsplash tile, with its watery coloring, has an authentic, crafted, look and texture. It has a lovely iridescent glow, a real East Hampton beachy feel. The cabinetry, simple and modern, is a great complementary color/finish to the backsplash tile. The soft (sandy/beachy) beige counter and floor tile adds to the beachy factor! White walls add lightness for that year round summer feel, doesn’t it?
[...]
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 It’s a question which is being asked with more and more frequency as we want our kitchens to have as much design longevity as possible: What elements make up a kitchen design that translates into a timeless look?
The question comes to mind now as I think about my trip to Spain, from which I have just returned. I was invited to travel to Spain to speak about American kitchen design trends as a guest of Autokitchen, an exhibitor and partner of the SICI fair, at which I and my colleague, Roberta Kravette, conducted our presentations.
Spain is amazing. Amazing IS the word! I have visited Spain once before, many years ago. Roberta and I took the opportunity to travel to Malaga, Ronda, and Granada, leading up to the SICI fair in Madrid. So, the word “timeless”, as we traveled through these ancient cities, is the first concept to grasp in my consciousness as I write this first post on my experience in Spain.
 The culture of Spain….the food, its landscape, the architecture and interiors spoke to me in a way that I did not expect. On the second day of photographing [...]
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To complement its latest contemporary range cooker or high performance Gastron, Caple offers stylish printed glass splashbacks in two designs. Whether it’s the seductive curves of Amazon, or the bold floral pattern of Magnolia, the new monochrome glass splashbacks will add a new dimension to your kitchen. Across the range, the adhesive backing ensures the glass is shatterproof and meets stringent British safety standards. Quick and easy to install, the glass remains untoughened, allowing it to be conveniently cut to any size using a standard tile cutter. Designed to fit on a wall behind hobs and beneath extractor fans, the printed glass splashbacks are hygienic, easy to clean and take the spits and spats of cooking in their stride. The highly reflective surface won’t mark with fingerprint smudges and features a lifetime colour guarantee, giving the product an impressive longevity. Available in two widths, 60cm or 90cm, both measure 75cm high and 7mm thick and retail from around £115. Caple.
Previously, Coloured glass splashbacks from toughened glass Glass splashback designs from Funky [...]
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This post may sound self serving, and, well, it IS, and it is rare that I am quite this direct, but what I want to do is illustrate, specifically, why a client must continue to ask questions of his/her kitchen designer throughout the entire design process, even if you, the client, think it’s a question not worth asking, or worse, assume that you instinctively know the answer!
Here is the crux of this post: a client, now immersed in the world of kitchens, sometimes, mostly, or nearly always, believes that he/she knows the (sole, and “right”) solutions to the issues in his/her kitchen project, depending on the client, of course. You, the client, do the research and talk to lots of knowledgeable people. As a result, you may feel that it is not necessary to ask your kitchen designer some of your questions. It’s only one question…you don’t want to take the time to call, it’s a minor issue, you feel you can figure it out yourself, your friend/mother/contractor/husband/wife knows as much or more than the kitchen designer, among other reasons.
That way of thinking is a very big mistake!
Here are examples of some very casual questions that my [...]
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Just a few little things…
PLEASE take this survey: Kitchen Floorplan: Open Or Closed? It’s seemingly a simple question, but the results are fascinating as the votes are coming in. I’ll share them with you shortly. Please cast your vote. It takes 10 seconds or less, and I’d love to know what you all want, or dream of, for your own kitchen design concept.
Please also go to my blogging buddy Renovation Therapy’s blog…that is, if you’d like to win an Itouch Ipod! Again, it’s fast, easy, and it could be yours! While you’re at it, read a few posts…she’s wickedly smart, insightful, funny, cool…not in that order, although the smart part is probably at the front of the line. I better quit while I’m ahead.
 Take a look at Natalie Blake’s wall art…in the form of handmade tiles. These are not just any tiles. They are sculptural in their form, sensuous, with curves everywhere. Unulun tile gets its name from the undulating form of the tile. Rich, strong, colors. Grouped together as wall art, its three dimensional perspective delights and attracts the eye. In other words, they are, to me, amazing. I [...]
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The new Tassimo combines superior quality and intelligent technology in a compact design. This versatile Bosch coffee maker projects a modern stylistic sense with its elegant lines and offers 6 different types of drinks such as freshly brewed coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, hot chocolate or tea at the touch of a button. Tassimo also requires only a very short heat-up period. Bosch designed this unique coffee maker to use a system of self-contained disposable T-discs instead of typical loose ingredients, with each disc having an integrated filter and a tiny brewing system. Tassimo also uses an intelligent drink identification bar code reader to set the drink size, brewing time, and precise temperature to make the perfect beverage. Other key features of this Bosch coffee maker include space saving design, fully automatic one-button operation, variable drink strength, innovative flow heater system, water level indicator, descaling indicator, descaling program, removable Mavea Maxtra filter cartridge and low energy consumption due to automatic transition to stand-by mode after every brewing cycle. Priced at around $170. Bosch.
Bosch coffee machine [...]
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The stunning De Dietrich DKP837B looks impressive and is cleverly designed. This 60cm wide black refrigerator with bottom freezer offers 315 litre capacity and weighs just 74kg, so you can move it around your kitchen with ease while considering where exactly its sleek black mirror finish gives the best light and shadow play. Or put it in your living room. We seriously think that the only problem you ever have with this ‘A+’ rated bottom freezer refrigerator is how to fit it in your existing decor. You may be forced to get the whole new appliance set, in black that is. The freestanding refrigerator has anti-bacterial interior and brings No Frost technology to avoid the build up of ice inside. Its refrigerator section offers 249 litre net volume, open-door alarm, multilevel neon lighting system, 4 glass shelves, 4 door bins, a door shelf and auto defrost. The 66 litre, 4-star freezer bottom freezer maintains freezing temperature for up to 13 hours in case of power failure. It comes with temperature alarm, SuperFreeze function, 3 drawers and ice tray. And this black refrigerator also has LCD touch control screen, reversible door and is [...]
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Maytag offers two dual fuel ranges, the 90cm wide single SOV90GRC and 100cm wide SOV100GRC double oven range, both featuring ergonomically designed and easy to use control knobs, timer with delay start function and stainless steel single sheet hob surface for easy cleaning. The versatile six-burner dual fuel ranges have two 3.5 kW triple ring wok burners, two 1.7 kW burners, a 3.0 kW and a 1.0 kW burner. The 90cm range has 75 litre oven with 8 functions including defrost, grill, fan grill, fan assisted, conventional, top heat, bottom heat and turnspit. Interior light, grill pan and trivet, two five-position shelves and bottom storage drawer. The 100cm dual fuel range has the main, 61 litre oven with 8 functions that include defrost, grill, fan grill, fan assisted, conventional, top heat, bottom heat and turnspit as well as the secondary 35 litre oven with 4 functions including top heat, bottom heat, grill and conventional oven. Both ovens come with light, grill pan and trivet. The main oven offers two five-position shelves while the secondary has one. A bottom drawer offers convenient storage place. Both Maytag dual fuel ranges come with [...]
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Because cabinet doors are the face of the kitchen, it will be very important that you choose a finish you want to look at for quite a number of years.