KBIS 2014 Favorites

In the beginning of February 2014, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) was hosted in Las Vegas, NV.  It is the biggest event of the year for the Kitchen and Bath industry and hundreds of vendors are introducing their latest kitchen and bath products to designers and builders. The 3-day show yielded so many new inspirations and I can’t wait to incorporate some of them in my projects this year. The following is a small selection of some of my favorite products of the 2014 KBIS. If you have any questions about these products, please feel free to email or give me a call. I’ll be happy to help as much as possible.

Thank you very much for your interest in HAVEN STUDIOS‘ blog, as always!

Above: Ann Sacks booth during KBIS 2014. The field tile on the walls is the 8″ x 8″ Agidar field in white (and gold), which is part of the Mousharabia collection by Martyn Lawrence Bullard. It was inspired by Moroccan carved wood latticework screens that incorporate repeating architectural shapes into glorious proportionate works of art. I love the tile work in combination with Kallista’s aged bronze fixtures from the Vir Stil Collection. It’s eclectic, while elegant and glamorous at the same time.

 

Above: A hammered metal sink by Thompson Traders for a dream of a powder room. Today, you can be so much more creative with the choice of finishes because there’s a myriad of metal finishes available on the market. The use of metal is not only limited to fixtures and hardware, as they are now being used for sinks, tubs, and basins as well. Take a look at Thompson Traders for your inspiration as only one example of many brands and manufacturers out there.

 

Above: always love soapstone as a countertop. Here are some reasons why: soapstone is smooth and soft to touch; it has beautiful veining if you like some drama, but also comes in rather monochrome and color consistent slabs; soapstone is resilient to chemicals; even though not as hard as other countertop materials, it is tough against scratches, heat, impact and stains; it is acid and alkali resistant. You do need to apply a sealant or mineral oil for protection.

 

Above: A traditional bridge faucet by Rohl – a family owned company with manufacturing in Italy, Germany, and the USA. I very much appreciate their commitment to quality products and customer service; and even though a lot of their products are very traditional in their style, they do offer a lot of designs for the more contemporary taste.

 

Above: Porcelain tiles have come a long way. Many companies are now developing porcelain tile that even exhibits some surface textures/characteristics of wood and come up with different patterns such as the above. The pattern is beautiful and saves a lot in installation costs.

 

Above two: the kitchens at KBIS 2014 were really impressive this year. Beautiful finishes, great storage solutions, and the mixture of metals were amazing. Both pictures above were part of the Omega Cabinetry booth. Omega Cabinetry is a subsidiary of Master Brand Cabinets; their custom line also produces beautiful bath collections.

 

Above five: all Kohler products – a company I love for bathroom fixtures of all kinds. They have a beautiful array of finishes, and collections such as the Artifacts or the Margaux are simply timeless in their appearance. Every bathroom becomes a one of a kind design statement with these faucets and accessories.

 

Above two: Jeffrey Court Tiles. I have recently used more and more chevron patterns in designs such as the above marble example. It adds impact and elegance even with an otherwise rather simple and boring tile. Do you notice the metallic grout in the upper picture? It’s a grout by Bostik that allows you to perfectly match any of your sparkly tiles; and it already includes a sealant.

 

Above: Fairmont Designs vanity from the Rustic Chic Collection. Love it. It’s also available in a weathered white oak finish; single or double vanity; and other sink configurations.

 

Above: Door hardware by Ashley Norton. All hardware is solid brass with several different finishes applied. I bet these age beautifully! The company also offers a variety of cabinet hardware.

 

Above: What do you think of these new tiles from Arizona Tile? Please be aware that a lot of the materials presented at the show (including the above tiles), may not be available until April 2014 or later, depending on your location within the States.

 

Above: Zerobact by Antolini. Now, I have seen stones and slabs with fossils in my career,  but I have not seen anything like this before! Besides the great looks of this particular stone slab, the “A Zerobact” is really outstanding and unique for it’s bacteriostatic treatment that prevents the growth of bacteria and mould on surfaces.

KBIS 2014 Favorites

Modern Alpine Interior Design

Yes, I have a weakness for mountain chalets that remind me of home, especially when they’re unique in their modern alpine interior design. I just love architecture set in the mountains (and anything close to some kind of body of water), which is why I am showing you this example of a chalet in Montana. The architecture was done by Pearson Design Group, and Wick Design is to be credited for an amazing job on the interior design. I adore the whole concept of the chalet and how well the design is integrated in the surrounding landscape. One can enjoy the vistas from every room within the home. With that said, I will leave you to enjoy the pictures.

Thank you very much for your interest in HAVEN STUDIOS‘ blog, as always!

 

 

 

 picture source: Pearson Design Group

 

Modern Alpine Interior Design

Modern Mountain Home

Searching through Pinterest, I found this quote  by Jim Rohn the other day: ”Whatever good things we build end up building us.” A great quote full of truth by itself actually lead me to something even more inspiring  - a modern Pearson Design Group, an amazing architectural group based in Montana. When it comes to architecture and design, I very much believe in the craft itself, but also in the ideals and responsibilities one has a designer or architect. It’s clear that everyone of us has a different past, a different believe system, and simply a different way of how we function in our everyday routines; nevertheless, there’s a collective memory that we all share. It’s what I see when I look down into the crowded San Francisco Bay, it’s what I see when I gaze into the serenity of the ocean or the mountains. It’s always there, the history of the land and the memories that we share as people. I believe that good design and architecture can evoke these feelings in all of us if it successfully reflects the sensibilities of the property’s surroundings (among other things). The estate below does exactly that! Yes it’s very modern but it sure pays respect to its surrounding landscape. This modern mountain home has become my new favorite, and it embodies many elements any designer or architect strives for.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read HAVEN STUDIOS‘s blog!

 

picture source: Pearson Design Group 

 

Modern Mountain Home

Smart Home Improvements

Are you looking to remodel your home? The following chart shows you some of the most cost-effective home improvements according to the latest national market analysis by the National Association of REALTORS®. If you’re interested in more detailed regional results that offer a wider range of projects, you may want to take a look at the results of the Remodeling 2013 Cost vs. Value Report. Please keep in mind that even the projects that offer the greatest return, may not yield more than 85% of the remodeling costs. Make sure that whatever improvements you make for yourself and your family are fit to your individual needs and not merely geared to add value to your home.

If you’re thinking about selling your house or if you just like to give it a little makeover, here are a few general tips for you:

• Think about CURB APPEAL;


• Remove trees or shrubs that restrict the view of the front door but don’t invest in extensive landscaping just for selling your house as it may be a deterrent for some buyers (think of the time required for maintenance);


• Remove weeds and re-sod;


• Add simple graveled or mulched walkways to give your house a neat look;


• Paint the front door with a contrasting color or replace it if necessary;


• Replace any dated house numbers, light fixtures, and handle sets;


• Stain or paint your entryway to make it stand out and appear more polished;


• Think about UPDATES on the inside of your home;


• Get rid off popcorn ceilings and old wallpaper;


• Update outdated light fixtures (without the need for a professional electrician); and


• Replace dated flooring, especially wall-to-wall carpeting.

I hope this information helps you. If you would like to know more about preparing your house for the market or if you have questions about your upcoming remodel, please contact me and I’ll be happy to assist you with your plans.

Thanks for visiting HAVEN STUDIOS‘ blog !

 

Smart Home Improvements

Serene Vacation Home

First of all, this project was bound to impress me – it’s by John Saladino, one of my favorite architectural and interior designers. He’s a designer that can successfully place ancient fragments and design components into minimalistic modern spaces. He creates homes that will have historical value.

In this project, the goal was to design a dream vacation house on a family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine. The homeowners wanted a retreat that conjured the African Safari Lodges they’ve visited in countries such as Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique, and South Africa. John, the designer, recalls that his challenge was to take the homeowners’ romantic fantasies of Africa, the vernacular Maine architecture that is on the family compound, and his own style, and organize it all into a serene and timeless vignette. And he sure accomplished it.

If you like serene homes that are neutral in color but rich in texture, like me, you will love this home. The interior design will inspire you. Simple, elegant, and utterly relaxing! One of my favorite quotes is very fitting to this design in particular: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” (Leonardo da Vinci) It’s also one of my most important design principles.

Thank you very much for visiting HAVEN STUDIOS’ blog.

 

I love this kitchen with its wood textures and neutral colors. The window placement saves usable space and allows for plenty of light to penetrate into the kitchen and dining area. It also features a La Cornue range/stove. The sink and fittings are by Waterworks; the stools by Artiors, and the pendants by Steng Licht. I really like how the cluster of delicate pendant lights floats above the kitchen island.

 

Photography Source: Veranda

 

Serene Vacation Home

Remodeled Modern Hacienda

According to public records, Darrell Becker and Kirsten Kemp Becker, purchased this 1960s ranch home in Santa Barbara, CA, through a limited-liability company for about $1.7 million in January. In July, the home was listed for $4.975 million was reduced to a price of $4.695 million, and has since been sold through Riskin Associates of Village Properties Realtors. The home measures about 3,650 square feet and includes four bedrooms and 4½ bathrooms. The master bedroom opens up to a newly renovated yard and pool area. An outdoor area features a repurposed trellis above a herringbone brick patio and stone fireplace. The property also includes a 18-by-40-foot pool and a separate spa.

The couple co-own Becker Studios, a real-estate design and construction company that works on both residential and commercial projects. They purchased this home as an investment property. When they did their first walk through of the home, they knew exactly how they wanted to redesign it. “We both walked out, looked at each other and said ‘contemporary hacienda’,” said Mrs. Kemp Becker. Much of the property was ‘just weeds’ when the couple began their extensive renovation. They added landscaping across the property, including 15 mature olive trees, which “immediately gave it a sense of time, said Mr. Becker.

“The most compelling component of the house is the siting on the parcel,” Mr. Becker said, noting that it creates a “very bright and inviting home.” The living room, like the rest of the house, was renovated “down to the studs,” Ms. Kemp Becker said, including new heating, plumbing, electrical systems and finishes. They estimate spending $2 million on the renovation, not including architectural and design fees. The couple added aged wood beams on the ceilings of some rooms that were inspired by their travels to the Yucatán in Mexico. “We really wanted to infuse a lot of that Old World, Mexican-Spanish feeling,” Ms. Kemp Becker said. The fireplace was existing, but they installed a corbel detail above it that creates more visual interest, they said. In the dining area, they painted the wooden ceiling beams white and used rough fabrics to create a look with more ‘pop,’ Ms. Kemp Becker said.

As always, thank you so much for visiting HAVEN STUDIOS’ blog.

The above photo shows what the kitchen looked like before the couple began their renovations.

The kitchen as it appears now. They added wide-plank oak flooring throughout the home and used imported Spanish stone countertops in the kitchen and some bathrooms. Rolling barn doors, which aren’t pictured, can be closed to separate the kitchen from the great room, or left opened for a flowing space. Antique light fixtures were also brought in and installed throughout the home.

Photography Source: Wall Street Journal – Real Estate Section

Remodeled Modern Hacienda

Interesting Displays

The recent completion of a massive bookshelf gave me the opportunity to look into all kinds of display options. I thought it’s time to write a blog about some of my favorite display items. The following pictures show only a small selection of products out there. The ones I picked for this post are the kinds which I like to use in some combination or another. Glass displays such as the boxes and cloches are beautiful because they are light in their appearance and the display can be changed at any time. They also function very well as bookends. I love antiques, so you will see a lot of those below. I am especially in love with the art deco sculpture. One item that was a recent find and I had never seen before is the SOMA light sculpture by Ayala Serfaty, which is just one of the many light sculptures included in the SOMA collections of the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Arts and Design in New York. Each light sculpture from the collection is hand-made out of thin glass rods that are blown in Italy and completed in Ayala Serfaty’s workshop in Tel Aviv to form an ethereal structure. After the form of the sculpture is finished, the piece is sprayed with a unique clear polymer to generate a skin-like membrane. These are truly unique pieces of art.

I’d like to thank you very much for visiting HAVEN STUDIOS’ blog.

above: Plano Glass Zinc Boxes from Jayson Home

 

 

 

above: Athena Plaster Bust (copy from the original at the Paris Louvre) as seen on 1st Dibs

 

 

above: Geo Terrarium from Jayson Home

 

 

above: Geometric Form in Cloche from Restoration Hardware

 

 

above: Steer Horn Bookends as seen on 1st Dibs

 

 

above: French Art Deco Nude Sculpture as seen on 1st Dibs

 

 

above: Steel and Glass Sculptures as seen on 1st Dibs

 

 

above: Crystal Empire Decanter by Baccarat

 

 

above: ’Soma The Rest at Sunset, 2013′ Hand-Made Light Sculpture by Ayala Serfaty as seen on 1st Dibs

 

 

above: Black Enduardo Garza Agate Inlay Box from West Elm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting Displays