Merry Christmas

Around our house, the Holidays revolve around breakfast. My husband is adimate that we have the right groceries to make 'big breakfast' for every day that we are off during our Christmas break. We tried a few new things this year, including our very own Spinage, Egg and Bacon Sandwich and some old favorites like Crepes, B&G and Buttermilk Waffels. Merry Christmas!

December Favorite

Edison Bulb turned LED. Stylish and functional. I love it!

White Appliances?

White appliances are still prevalent in the Midwest, mostly because we are stuck in our ways and they are practical. But every kitchen designer would advise you to go with Stainless Steel. So, will white appliances ever make a come-back? Whirlpool introduced their White Ice Collection and I haven't quite made up my mind yet. The straight lines and sleek handles might just have me persuaded that I could use these white appliances in my kitchen designs. In fact, I think it's refreshing. Only time will tell if this 'old' new trend will catch on.

November Favorite

Came across GREY FURNITURE recently and love the eclectic feel of their furniture. The style is very geometric with a soft masculine structure that doesn't suffocate or feel too heavy. I also like the use of metal. I'd love to see it in person someday...

Wine and Food Expo, DSM 2012

Since I moved to Royal Flooring in Altoona, I've been swamped trying to get them caught up and myself up to speed. It's been a whirlwind and to top it off we (and by that I mean I) got put in charge of designing two displays for the Wine and Food Expo. What a great oppertunity - I was thrilled! No style restrictions - just a few guidelines to follow and a few appliances to accomodate. Laura helped with colors and doorstyles and the rest was pretty much up to me. The most stressful part was pulling the whole installation off in only TWO days....and it went beautifully!  Here are a few pictures of my favorite display.

October Favorite

MUR, removable wall decals...brilliant in every sense!

August Favorite

Being a mother puts a different perspective on fine dinning, including the tableware. That's why I fell in love with Wud Plates. These plates and trays are unbreakable, sustainable and long-lasting. They are made from wood and inspired by modern danish design. The formal, masculine wood, contrasts perfectly with the bright colored rims that make these dinner plate look both grown up and childish at the same time. David Rasmussen is a Colorado based furniture designer and makes all sorts a wonderful goodies for your home. To order, contact David Rasmussen.

Faux Wood Ceramic Tile

Ok, so I have to discuss this. I love wood floors, but the application is not always suitable. Simply said: Wood is not as durable and water resistance as ceramic tile. That's why I have fallen in love with the faux wood ceramic tile. It has made lots of improvement over the last few years and can (without hesitation) that I'd put this product in my house any day!!

July Favorite

Laufen's 'CITY LIVING' collection embraces an urban setting, but brings in an organic or 'living' feel with it's floral motifs. I love the asymmetrical sink application and simple design. Even though the floral motif is very specific it adds a nice balance. What great inspiration for similar applications! Decals are so popular these days that it would be very easy to get a similar look without paying the price and committing to something permanent.

JUNE FAVORITE

Toto has been leader in bath products for years, so I wasn't surprised when I stumbled across this amazing shower booth.

Here are the things I love about it:

-It doesn't look like a 'unit'
-It has a touch button control panel that can be access from inside AND outside the shower
-It's made with high end materials, like Italian glass
-It only uses 2.5 gallons per minute - that's AMAZING!

...and so luxurious!

Solid Surface Countertops

Description: A synthetic product made of  polymeric materials.

Popular Brands: Corian, Hi-Mac, Avonite, Livingstone, …

Features:

-Lots of color choices

-Repairable

-Moldable

-Seamless (Sinks and backsplash can be one piece)

-Sanitary for Kitchen/Bath application

-Easy to no maintenance

-Endless edge profile options

Things to consider:

-Not heat resistant

-Not scratch resistant – in fact it’s very easy to scratch

-Medium to high price point

-Matte finish only

What's new? Well, I haven't seen any thing earth-shattering in the Solid Surface World lately. But I do like unusual or unpredictiable applications, such as with Corian's Illumination Series. It allows light to pass through the surface and creates a soft glow. Check it out:

May Favorite

Vegetal Chair by The Bouroullec Brothers
Settle into Vegetal, a plastic chair whose seat is modeled after trees in 19th-century gardens that were pruned into functional furniture. It works both indoors and out, providing the ideal repose to sit and watch the clouds roll by.

Price:$555

More Info:vitra.com

Read more: http://www.dwell.com/products/vegetal-chair.html#ixzz1uZZfbcHo

Laminate Countertops

Description: High pressure laminate sheet mounted on partical board

Popular Brands: Formica, Wilsonart, Pionite, Nevamar

Features:

100's of colors, patterns and textures, including faux woods, gloss and designer patterns

Great pricepoint

Sanitary for Kitchen/Bath application

Easy to no maintenance

Things to consider:

Visual seams

Not heat resistant

Not scratch resistant

What's new in laminate:

High Def finishes that resemble granite or stone. It's a nice new way of getting the granite look without paying the granite price! Also, the IDEAL edge is going to change how we view laminate. It can be applied to any edge to get that bull-nose look.

April Favorite

Scirocco's Heated Towel Snake. Everybody needs one of these!

Rock... Paper...Countertops?

With so many options for countertops these days choosing the right surface often feels like a game, doesn't it? You can use anything from natural stone to recycled paper. But which surface is right for you? Well, I'm going to take the next few weeks to discuss a few options available in today's market.

March Favorite

I love these primative islands from Bornholm. "The beauty of the Bornholm Kitchen design concept is its ability to authentically speak the language of the environment it resides in. Bornholm doesn’t dictate the style of the room, it’s sophisticated aesthetic seamlessly integrates with your style, your accessories, your life." And of course I like the design - it's Scandinavia inspired!

I heart GREY

Grey has been one of my favorite colors for a long time now, both in apparel and interiors. I think it's finally hitting us here in the mid-west. There is a common misconception that grey is cold and sad, but the right shade and the right application prove that wrong. Grey can be a warm neutral that works with almost any accent color. It's softens lines and creatives a more casual atmosphere. Here's some grey inspiration to brighten your day!

Happy Valentine's Day

Brownie and a glass of Milk = my idea of a good Valentine's Day

2012 - Tangerine Tango.

Pantone's 2012 color of the year is Tangerine Tango. Yes, very bright and bold! You'll see it mostly as an accent rather than the back drop. It's very energetic and dramatic - great with bright whites and hues of grey.

In a kitchen it could look something like this:

photos via: homindecor and washingtorian

February Favorite

Bodum's BISTRO: Electic Pour over Coffee Machine. Genius.

...and pretty!

New Year's Resolution

This part year has been a roller coaster both in my personal life (first year as a mom) and in my career. I'm now working for a smaller, family owned lumber yard in Pella, Iowa and am thrilled to be a part of this company. As part of my New Year's Resolution, I've decided to break my silence on this blog and make it what I've always wanted it to be: A Resource for Interior Design in the Des Moines Area, specializing in Kitchen and Bath Design.

Your comments are welcome, in fact encouraged. Thank you for reading and watching!
-Sarah