Tord Boontje 2009 Collection for Bizassa

I’m a huge Tord Boontje fan and was very excited to find pictures of furniture pieces he designed for Bizassa Home.

The Digital Memories Collection contains three new pieces inspired by the shapes and colors of nature.  The tile patterns are named Summer Trees, Dark Waters and Night Vision.

The mosaic pattern on the Night Vision commode (right) echoes an amplified image of a pixelated black and white photograph. “We use digital images from cameras and video to capture moments of life, these become our memories. The collection…is based on the idea [that] images…trigger memories when you look at them” says Boontje.

 

The Next Kitchen Trend

With consumers favoring more stream-lined Kitchen Designs,
look for manufacturers to start offering more appliances and
electronics in modular sizes.

This picture from the Electrolux Pan-European Design family 
shows how the manufacturer has unified it’s brand by sizing it’s
LCD television to integrate with built-in appliances.  The
television housing matches not only in size but also in finish.

While it is unlikely that a designer will ever be able to combine
different manufacturers and be able to get the finishes to match;
I do look forward to seeing the various combinations larger
manufacturers will start to offer.

 

Viking Recalls 45,000 Refrigerators

Viking Range Corporation, of Greenwood, Miss., is recalling45,000 Built-in Refrigerators because the door can detach and hurt consumers. Broken toes and fingers have been reported according to the CPSC.

The 48″ and 36″ Stainless Steel Refrigerators were sold from July 1999 through April 2006.

Check your refrigerator for the following model codes.
To avoid injury from the door sheering off, consumers are urged not to use the product if the door is loose, sagging or not sealed properly and contact Viking for a free in-home repair. If your door appears stable you may continue to use cautiously.

Call Viking toll-free at (888) 345-2650 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

Mirrors with Modern Glamour

A mirror is one of the most important accessory pieces for a bathroom.  Mirrors can serve to bounce light and make a windowless bath brighter.    Mirrors are a Home Stager’s favorite trick for making small bathrooms appear larger.  Mirrors can also add instant color, whimsy or grandeur to what would otherwise be a vanilla space.

I recently found a company that believes mirrors should take center stage. Made Goods creates unique mirror designs with innovative materials such as coral, shells and hammered brass.  Whether you want something that is bold, feminine or globally influenced, they have it all.

Coral is still a very hot trend right now and I love that the Giselle Mirror offers the look of natural coral without the harvesting of the earth’s natural coral reefs.

Syntheitc Gypsum is called “Green” by some, Toxic by others

Synthetic gypsum has been praised for having the same or better physical properties than natural gypsum and can be  easier to install.

Natural gypsum is mined; synthetic gypsum (also known as “recaptured” gypsum) is a by-product recaptured during the pollution-reduction incentives (stack scrubbing) of coal-fired electricity generation plants.

Gypsum by-products would be sent to the landfill if wallboard manufacturers did not purchase them. Manufacturers are branding these wallboards as ”Green“ due to combining the synthetic gypsum with recycled paper facings, and the ability to locate manufacturing facilities near major markets away from mines.

A recent class action lawsuit  filed against Georgia-Pacific Gypsum and 84 Lumber Company on behalf of Florida homeowners Mike and Jill Swindler will soon bring American wallboard into the spotlight with Chinese drywall.

The lawsuit asserts that the “ToughRock” was made with synthetic gypsum rather than natural gypsum which is what drywall has been made from for decades.

“When synthetic gypsum is used to manufacture drywall, the end product contains excessive amounts of sulfur-based pollutants,” the suit maintains. “When the exterior of Florida homes containing synthetic gypsum drywall become heated due to normal Florida temperatures, the air temperature inside the wall cavity between the outer shell of the home and the inner drywall becomes significantly elevated. These elevated temperatures combined with Florida’s humidity cause sulfur dioxide gas to be released … [causing] significant oxidation of various metals that lie in close proximity to the drywall.”

GP and 84 “had a duty to exercise reasonable care in inspecting, marketing, and/or selling drywall placed into the stream of commerce, including a duty to assure that the product would perform as intended and would not cause and/or did not cause damage as described herein,” the suit asserts. “Defendants breached their duty by failing to exercise ordinary care.”

The suit alleges GP and 84 broke Florida’s statute regarding the drywall’s “implied warranty of merchantability,” as well as a statute dealing with “breach of implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose.”

The Swindlers, since completeing their home in 2006, have replaced six coils in two air handlers due to copper corrosion and have had problems with their microwave, dishwasher, television and fire alarm.

Georgia Pacific released this statement: “We are disappointed that they elected to pursue a lawsuit without first informing us of their concerns, ..We stand behind the quality of our products and take customer complaints seriously.”

Is this the same problem caused by Chinese drywall?
The process of “scrubbing” the smokestack emissions creates calcium sulfate, or gypsum, which can then be used to make drywall. In the U.S., according to the U.S. Gypsum Association, American manufacturers gather the gypsum from the smokestack process after the scrubbing, which produces a cleaner product, and is believed to be safe. But in China, the suspicion is fly ash may have been obtained earlier in the process, thus creating a product with additional chemical components.

Integrated Sinks add Luxury to Laminate Tops

In recent years laminates have begun to look rich and luxurious with textures and the appearance of depth.

Now, with an HD® Sink from Wilsonart, you can complete your top with an undermount sink and have the look and performance of an integrated sink previously only available with expensive solid surface and stone countertops.

The new HD® Sinks, available in two colors and five styles, provide more options for homeowners who are looking for affordable luxury in a tight economy.

 

ioDIGITAL

The ioDIGITAL electronic thermostatic valve from Moen may be convenient with four presets for the Shower and Vertical Spa (body sprays) and three presets for the Roman tub; an LED temperature change indicator and a remote control that will operate the shower from 30 feet away…unless the power is out.

I don’t care how intuitive or simple the controls are; if you have a power failure and the shower won’t start you are not going to have the extraordinary experience that Moen promises. 

Installing the digital valve will require an electrician in addition to a plumber making installation costs higher than average.

  (look, new button for twitter)

Rockin’ Kitchen

The island in this luxurious house made me pause it is so spectacular.

 A massive chunk of Carrara Marble was flat polished on top; a natural sink was carved out with an access door for the plumbing.  The flush butcher block makes this piece of art a practical work space. 

Often, thinking outside the box produces spectacular results.

Located in Kuala Lampur, this 32,000-square-foot residence and reception suites for three generations of a prominent Chinese-Malaysian family was created by Parisian interior and product designer Patrick Jouin and partner Sanjit Manku, a Kenyan-born Canadian architect.

This residence is the ultimate expression of the style, influence and industrial-scale capabilities of the prominent Chinese-Malaysian family whose entrepreneurial activities have shaped Kuala Lumpur’s skyline.

 

Via The Cool Hunter

 

Note: Jouin recently split his firm into two entities: Agence Jouin Manku, overseeing interiors and architecture commissions, and Patrick Jouin ID, focused on industrial design.

 

 

 

 

     

   

2009 KBIS Product Showcase

Guest post from Jamie Goldberg

These are some of the products I spotted at the 2009 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show that I thought fellow KitchAnn Style readers would enjoy. As I always check this blog for the latest and greatest, it was an honor and a challenge looking for new things that would interest KAS readers.

TOTO-LY EXCELLENT

Toto can always be counted on for great product introductions, and this year was no exception. My favorite releases were the Luminist series of resin lavs that could be lit from below with LEDs or even fluorescents. Your lav could be illuminated with colored – even changing lights – for a dramatic powder room or master bath. (Night lights never looked this good!)Another Toto favorite of mine was the Waza Noir. Not only is it sculpturally beautiful, its finish is as smooth and touchable as velvet.

KOHLER ME WHITE AND GOLD

Kohler has redefined the white fixture. And the results are soft, matte and elegant. Its new Honed White lavs and toilets feature a gentler-toned finish that lends itself beautifully to spa style baths. Rather than the traditional, glossy paper look, Honed White looks like Haagen Dazs vanilla bean ice cream. KitchAnn Style readers may particularly enjoy the new Reve contemporary bath suites in this luscious new finish.

Kohler also reintroduced gold to the designer’s palette with its Vibrant Moderne Brushed Gold. It’s got a polished companion, too, but I think the softer brushed works best in these hard-edged times.

I was also taken by Kohler’s new Parity bath, which features a richly-stained transfer seat. While this wooden perch makes it easier for someone to get in and out of the tub, it also makes it easier to keep bath goodies at hand, or even add candlelight to your bath.

TECH NOTES

Many of the top appliance manufacturers stayed home this year. Two, however, brought their A Game. LG introduced a new double drawer French door fridge with automation. If you’ve ever wished for a third hand, this may be the appliance for you. A control panel on the front of the fridge makes it easy to open the freezer drawers without bending or tugging.

Bosch is also making it easier to work in the kitchen. Its new AutoChef Induction Cooktop includes pre-sets for frequently-made foods. I’ve been a big proponent of induction, and I know Ann is a fan of this energy-saving technology, too. One hesitation clients have had is that they’re very comfortable cooking with electric or gas and aren’t sure how to adjust their recipes for induction. This is a good solution, and a pretty sleek cooktop, too.

Robern has brought a touch of technology to the medicine cabinet. Its new Uplift series can hold a flat-screen TV, along with your standard bath fare. Its sleek design incorporates a door that slides upwards, creating a range of new design options.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Design enthusiasts know that great hardware can update your home in a heartbeat. If they’re fans of the world-renowned Clodagh, they might be interested to know that Du Verre has released two new lines of cabinet hardware the famed interior designer created just for them. One is called Primitive. The other is Stacked. Both are fun, quirky and unique, and will definitely update any room they show up in.

Northland 60″ Refrigerator

Sometimes extra large kitchens need extra large refrigerators.

Nothland offers a 60” refrigerator freezer in 12 model variations. The 39.3 cubic feet of total storage capacity is divided between 15.1 cubic feet of freezer storage with ice maker, and 24.2 cubic feet of refrigerator storage.

Finish choices include stainless steel, panel ready and glass front.  Interiors are stainless or white aluminum. Unlike plastic interiors, these finishes are resistant to odors and are more durable. Dual cooling systems for the refrigerator and freezer sections ensure optimal food preservation.

If 60″ is not the right size for you, Northland manufactures their refrigerators in 6″ increments up to 72″ wide.

For years Northland was known as the industry energy-hog due to a loophole in the law.  Now that these appliances will be manufactured in a new plant in Greenville, Michigan, I am sure their energy consumption will be closer to similar models from competitors.

Northland-Marvel, part of the Aga Rangemaster Group, is a leading manufacturer of luxury refrigeration products.