GOLD NOTES

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 20:22:00 +0000

GOLD NOTES HAS MOVED!

PLEASE CATCH THE LATEST POST AT ITS NEW ADDRESS:

http://jgkitchens.com/gold-notes-blog/

Thank you!

Three Tips from New Kitchen Ideas That Work

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000

I'm excited to share that my first book, New Kitchen Ideas That Work, is ready to ship on Amazon.com! Here are three tips from its 224 tip-heavy, full-color pages.

TIP #1 INTEGRATE YOUR ELECTRONICS

Got a new iPhone 5 or Kindle Fire recently? Integrate it into your kitchen design. We all spend more and more time with our hot, new portable gadgets. Explore ways of integrating these new “appliances,” as well as your WiFi, television and desktop computer into your kitchen.

Hide your iPhone safely away when it's not in use
(Photo Courtesy: S-Box)

There's a whole spread in the Appliances chapter on integrating your electronics into the kitchen!

TIP #2 GO HANDS-FREE AT THE SINK

Reduce the spread of cold and flu germs with hands-free kitchen faucets. These public restroom staples have been redesigned for stylish, practical kitchen use. Not only do the new hands-free kitchen faucets reduce the spread of cold and flu germs, they also reduce the risk of food contamination and water bills. The newest models come in popular finishes with convenient features like pull-out functionality and multiple spray settings.

A hands-free faucet brings convenience, water savings and germ spread reduction to your kitchen
(Photo Courtesy: Moen)

There's a whole New Vision spread on the New Sensor Faucets in the Sinks & Faucets chapter!

TIP #3 CREATE A FAMILY LANDING ZONE

Create a family landing zone for reduced clutter in this busy indoor season. The dark days of winter are when families spend the most time inside, and are likeliest to get a bit stir crazy from the clutter of everyone’s needs. A family landing zone can ease the stress and keep your kitchen organized year round.

Even a small cabinet with drawers and bag space for each household member can become a family landing zone
(Photo Courtesy: Grandin Road)

There's a beautiful case study featuring a full-scale family landing zone in the Layouts chapter, and this very same Grandin Road Springfield cabinet in a Working with What You Have section in the Finishing Touches chapter.

Beyond the Kitchen - Post-Sandy Links

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Yes, the horse is out of the barn now and the barn might be buried in water or burned down, sad to say. That doesn't mean that the topic of disaster preparation shouldn't be addressed now -- if only because disasters strike everywhere. I live in California, which is earthquake-prone. I've lived in Florida, where hurricanes are a fact of life. I've also lived in Northwest Louisiana, where tornadoes strike with little warning and devastating impact. No area is immune to disaster, unfortunately, and help can take days to arrive.

I'm a volunteer for the American Red Cross. (I started with them in 1992 after the Los Angeles riots; being involved made me feel less vulnerable.)

Here are some useful links from the Red Cross web site:

Prepare your home and family for a disaster. This section includes how to plan and what to have on hand.

Emergency preparedness for your pet.

Helping a special needs and/or disabled person in an emergency.

Donate money to help disaster victims.

Donate blood! It's always needed, but especially after a disaster.

MOLTEN GOLD - Mock Croc Totally Rocks!

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I love a luxurious crocodile accessory as much as the next gal... Maybe more. Crafted into a fine handbag or sumptuous pair of shoes, this distinctive leather feels sensuous and exotic, (two of my favorite flavors).

So imagine my glee when I discovered mock croc in a bathroom line! This brand new series of bathroom furniture from Topex Hardware came into my in-box last week, and I just couldn’t resist sharing it with you!

Leather Collection in Dark Crocodile
(Photo: Topex Hardware and Armadi Art Aqua Collection)

The series is called the Armadi® Art Aqua Collection and comes in Dark and Light Crocodile. (Boy, would I love to see red, black and a few other shades!) Here’s another tasty tidbit: these sexy sets also come complete with hardware, countertops, sinks and mirror.

In addition to the vanities, there are also coordinating storage and medicine cabinets, (sold separately).

Leather Collection in Light Crocodile
(Photo: Topex Hardware and Armadi Art Aqua Collection)

Armadi® Art Aqua Collection

For the Leather collection, Topex uses a leatherette similar to the one you'll find in nicer cars. The entire collection is scratch-resistant, waterproof and humidity resistant, making it suitable for even busy bathrooms. In other words, you don’t need to limit it to powder room use, though it would look sensational in that setting. I can definitely see specifying a pair of these for a modern master suite.

Even the cabinet interiors are water-resistant and – cool factor, here – lined with faux leather, too. The glides on these one- and two-drawer vanities open and close with silent, soft-close technology, (which is a sweet, sleep-friendly feature for an en suite bath).

Delicious Dark Crocodile Vanity
(Photo: Topex Hardware and Armadi Art Aqua Collection)

About Topex Hardware

These fab furnishings are brought to market by a new, unlikely player. Topex Hardware is an international company providing high-end decorative hardware products, including Swarovski Crystal bath accessories. (Love those knobs!) I consider this debut series a great expansion of a quality brand and hope they continue to croc on, bringing even more colors to market.

Light Crocodile Vanity Close-up
(Photo: Topex Hardware and Armadi Art Aqua Collection)

The Facts

Specifications: Available sizes: 24-, 28-, 36-, and 42-inch sizes

Price: Range from $3,185 for a 24" vanity with one drawer to $4,025 for 36" two-drawer vanity.

Warranty: Five year limited warranty.

Web Sites: Armadiaqua.com and TopexHardware.com.

SENSIBLE STYLE – TIPS INSPIRED BY WRITING MY FIRST BOOK

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 08:00:00 +0000

My first book, New Kitchen Ideas That Work, (Taunton Press, 2012) is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.com and will hit store shelves the first week of December. (You know all of those kitchen books at the front of your neighborhood Home Depot and Lowe’s store? Mine will be among them!)

New Kitchen Ideas That Work - Look for it at a Home Depot or Lowe's near you
(Photo: Taunton Press)

Here are some Sensible Style tips that you can find handsomely illustrated and explained in this full-sized, full-color volume.

Layout enhancements

It’s much more affordable to improve an existing layout than it is to change it entirely. Moving vents, electrical and plumbing often require permits, demolition and skilled trades persons. You can increase your storage potential, improve your appliance performance and update your style, all while keeping everything in its current place.

Increase your storage potential with cabinet accessories and backsplash organizers.
Update your style with new hardware, refacing, paint and lights, all while keeping everything in its current place.

A backsplash organizer adds storage without remodeling
(Photo: IKEA)

Fixture enhancements

Do you have a builder grade kitchen sink and faucet? These are fairly easy to upgrade, unless your sink is under-mounted in stone tops. As so many older homes still have laminate counters, there’s a good chance you have those, too, and can easily upgrade your fixtures.

Improve your prep and clean-up efficiency with a modular, accessory-equipped sink.
Add convenience and reduce germ spread with a hands-free, sensor faucet. Multiple spray functions improve its usability, too.

Enhance your clean-up zone with a hands-free faucet
(Photo: Moen)

Appliance enhancements

Everyone wants performance appliances, but you probably don’t have the space for a 48 inch pro range. The good news is, you don’t need one to get better cooking capability.

Add another oven to your kitchen with a microwave that does more than reheat and defrost; it brings convection, warming and speed cook features to your home.
Replace an inefficient radiant cooktop with an induction model. It will give you professional class performance with amazingly easy clean up and improved safety.

Improve cooking performance with an induction cooktop
(Photo: Bosch)

More enhancements

New Kitchen Ideas That Work covers the entire kitchen, from ceiling light fixtures to flooring options. Here are some additional Sensible Style tips to consider for your home.

Replace outdated incandescent track lights with LED-equipped versions for better style and energy savings.
Replace a worn, stained rug with an outdoor-rated version that will freshen the kitchen’s style and be a breeze to clean.

Add style and low maintenance with an outdoor-friendly rug
(Photo: Ballard Designs)

I'm proud to share that my first book has 224 pages of Sensible Style-inspired tips, 370 photos and 14 case studies of real kitchen projects around the country to educate and inspire you.

Molten Gold - Mad for Plaid

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I love patterns in decor: Animal prints, florals, stripes, paisleys, checks and, of course, plaids. My own home is full of patterned elements, but it’s rare that I get to design them into client projects.

This is not because my clientele is resistant, but because you seldom find patterns in the kind of built-in elements I typically specify.

Well, that just changed. Big time. Thank you, Sara Baldwin and New Ravenna Mosaics. (New Ravenna happens to be one of my favorite tile companies, too, so their latest release was a double-header for me!)

McIntyre by New Ravenna

About the Collection

Sara’s new Plaid and Gingham Collection is comprised of five classic designs -- Rory, Hamish, Bonnie, Conner, and McIntyre -- all inspired by her Scottish ancestors and rendered in jewel glass and natural stone mosaics.

Each of the five designs was created by hand-cutting and assembling the individual pieces into mosaics. They are then customized for every installation.

Rory by New Ravenna

Hamish by New Ravenna

About the Tile

After being assembled, the tessarae, (individual pieces), are held together with clear tape. The mosaic is cut like a jigsaw puzzle with each section numbered. When it arrives at the destination, the tile setter applies it to the surface and then grouts it in place. This creates a seamless design, one of the hallmarks of a mosaic. In glass, the mosaics can be used for any interior vertical surface application. In stone, the mosaics can be applied to floors and walls, indoors or out.

Bonnie by New Ravenna

About Sara Baldwin and New Ravenna Mosaics

The mosaics are hand-crafted in Virginia, where Sara grew up, established her company and trained a team of more than 100 artisans in the ancient art of mosaic. In the process, she has provided job training, economic development and employment in her local community.

More than 200 Sara Baldwin designs can be found in tile showrooms throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Dubai. More than likely, one or more of those designs will find their way into my next “forever” home, too.

Named for the epicenter of Italian-Byzantine tile work, New Ravenna Mosaics are sold through exclusive designer showrooms across the country and internationally. The company also provides design services and on-site installation supervision.

Hamish by New Ravenna

The Facts

Specifications: On website

Web site: www.newravenna.com

Price:

Starts at...
Connor Glass: $58/SF
Hamish Glass $ 104/SF
McIntyre Stone: $86 SF
Rory Glass: $ 91 SF
Bonnie Glass: $48 SF
Bonnie stone: $55 SF

Dishwasher Discord

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I thought this slightly edited (by me) info from Bosch's PR pro was rather amusing, so I thought I'd share it with my Gold Notes readers, especially the married and co-habitating ones! (Thanks, Heather!) I'm also going to share it with my relatives who insist on wasting water pre-rinsing.

***

Bosch recently launched a survey that found that while infidelity and financials are frequently cited causes, a new culprit is creating tumultuous relationships in homes across the country—the dishwasher.

In fact, the study found that more than 40% of Americans fight about loading the dishwasher. Is loading utensils into a dishwasher becoming a knife through the heart of your marriage? Is the bond between you and your mate disintegrating faster than a plastic container on the bottom of a dishwasher? The top five reasons men and women fight about loading the dishwasher are listed below.

No fights on this front... This Bosch 800 Series ultra-quiet dishwasher is the one I want next!

61% fight over whether dishes should be pre-rinsed or not

Nearly two thirds of all men and women cited this issue as their leading cause for argument, proving the pre-rinse, rinse debate to be a universal annoyance. The truth is that you should not pre-rinse as the detergent needs to cling to food to avoid scratching your dishes.

41% clash about separating dishes or cramming as much as possible to tackle a larger load

Perhaps a case of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, Women (48%) are more likely to fight about doubling together dishes than men (33%).

39% argue over placing sharp knives point down or point up

Out of the group of women who were concerned with this issue, 43% argue about whether knives should be placed point up or down, compared to 34% of males. Using safety as your guide, the final say is to load knives point down for safety, while forks and spoons can be placed either handle up or down. [JG: I vote for forks down for the same safety reasons.] A third rack can separate utensils to make it safer and easier to clean, load and unload.

34% insist on placing cups on the top rack and plates on the bottom rack while their mate believe it’s every dish for themselves

The biggest division in the dishwasher deliberation comes in the form of organization: nearly one third (32%) of all females who fight about loading the dishwasher insist that cups and plates not mix. Like any good relationship where each person needs their space, each dish should be separated by a dishwasher’s tines. Often, couples can keep the peace by splitting up large loads of dishes into smaller loads. A half load option tackles smaller loads so dirty dishes don’t sit in the dishwasher.

30% debate about placing plastic containers on the top rack to prevent a major plastic meltdown, or placing containers wherever space is available

You may think that loading the dishwasher could smooth over a fight, but your efforts could have the opposite effect if your dishes are ruined in the process. If destroying an entire collection of plastic storage containers has plagued your marriage, Bosch dishwashers feature a concealed flow-through water heating element to prevent plastic containers from dissolving, no matter where they are placed. [JG: I left this specific "commercial" in because I thought it was worth noting.]

The survey also revealed that almost four out of ten men (38%) admit to finding excuses for getting out of loading the dishwasher altogether.

Perhaps a tactic for avoiding the dreaded dishwasher dispute, the most common excuses included deferring the cleanup because they cooked the meal and demand chore equality (16%), blatantly admitting to being too lazy to clean the dishes (12%), and feeling as though their time is too important to be spent loading the dishwasher (10%).

***

FYI, I've specified more Bosch dishwashers than I can count... And they've won scads of awards, so I'd consider them a legitimate authority on this topic. Wouldn't you?

Furthermore, I'd like to dedicate this post to my lovely stepdaughter, Megan, whose dishwasher loading and unloading skills were beyond reproach and are greatly missed now that she's at college and I'm 2500 miles away, doing that chore myself.

Gold for Guys

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I'm writing this on a Friday evening. I talk to my favorite guy -- my 83-year-old father -- every Friday afternoon after the stock market closes. (He still day trades daily!) We talk about what he's up to, what the market is doing and what I've got going on. I look forward to these conversations every week. Today, we talked about his house, which he has on the market in San Francisco. (Anyone want to buy a lovingly-restored Painted Lady?)

This got me thinking about the spaces (and gear) men enjoy that you or your guy might, too.

My architectural advisor (and BFF) Dean Larkin, AIA, tipped me off years ago to the sex appeal of a great garage. I don't recall the exact wording he used but a penthouse for your Porsche was the impression I came away from that conversation with.

Here's one for your consideration:

Contemporary Garage And Shed design by San Francisco General Contractor Dijeau Poage Construction

Most of the guys I know love watching movies and sports on big TVs. And sprawling comfortably while they do it. Here's a space they might enjoy if (a) the sofa fabric was stain resistant so they didn't have to worry about spilling beer or food on it, (b) there were some trays around to set glasses, bottles and snacks on, (c) there was a fridge nearby to keep the drinks chilled and (d) a bathroom next door.

Contemporary Media Room design by Photographer Elad Gonen & Zeev Beech

Wanna play? Whether it's billiards or poker, guys enjoy having a place to play at home. Here's one with Bond-worthy style, don't you think?

Media Room design by Las Vegas Interior Designer Knudson Interiors

Don't want a chubby hubby? Give him (and yourself) a wonderfully-equipped home gym!

Contemporary Home Gym design by Orange County Architect Brandon Architects, Inc.

What "Guy Gold" would you like to see next time?

A Post Inspired by Yom Kippur

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, begins at sundown today, Tuesday, 26 September 2012, and ends at sundown tomorrow. It is one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar.

I decided to share some Jewish-themed design elements, not specifically tied to Yom Kippur, but inspired by its arrival this evening.

Here is an organically-inspired candelabra that would make a beautiful Chanukah menorah, updating the traditional festival of lights for modern living.

(Photo Courtesy: West Elm)

The Jewish Sabbath is called Shabbat, and runs from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. It is observed with several rituals, including the weekly lighting and blessing of the Shabbat candles. Crystal candlesticks make that lovely ritual even more beautiful, in my opinion. This pair from Tiffany was a wedding gift that I still cherish.

(Photo Courtesy: Tiffany)

I love this Kiddush cup, used for blessing and drinking ritual wine at synagogue or family dinners on Shabbat and holidays.

(Photo Courtesy: Amazon.com)

Another significant Jewish holiday is Passover, the celebration of Exodus. Ritual foods are placed on a Passover plate. While most of them are elaborately and colorfully painted, I really like the unique beauty of this hand-crafted silver plate from Melanie Dankowicz, an award-winning artist on Etsy.com.

(Photo Courtesy: Etsy.com )

May everyone observing Yom Kippur have an easy fast and be inscribed in the Book of Life for the New Year.

Smart Appliance Technology -Guest Post by Alan Gregory of Appliances Online

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 08:00:00 +0000

One of the benefits of having an ongoing blog presence is getting guest post queries. Regular Gold Notes readers know that I find global trends fascinating, so when Alan Gregory of British-based Appliances Online asked me if I was interested in his sharing some insights from across the pond, I replied with a hearty American 'heck, yeah!'

You may not find everything he writes about available on this side of the pond yet, but the trends and technological advances are worth noting. Ask your local appliance guru about specifics that interest you. (I do need to note that I'm personally not in favor -- or favour, if you prefer -- of leaving appliances on when not at home. That's my paranoia, though, and it might be seriously dated... Just saying!)

***

Fifty years ago, kitchen appliances were about as technologically advanced as a pencil. If you were lucky, they did one thing and if they had feet, you’d be showing them off to your neighbour with a giant smile on your face. Wind the clock ahead to 2012 and kitchen appliances are like something you’d expect to find in a NASA Laboratory.

Laundry Technology

With washing technology turning to smartphones, users will be able to control their machine from a mobile app. You’ll set the wash so that it finishes as you arrive home from work and not have to stick a peg (JG: clothespin) on your nose because of the mouldy, damp smell from clothes sitting in water for a full day.

Siemens' machine has the I-DOS feature, which uses sensors to detect dirt levels and wash load. This allows it to manage the dosage of powder and softener needed for the best performance. It stores enough to run 20 wash cycles, which also saves time and effort.

Hotpoint’s Colour Care technology keeps the colour locked in, enhancing the life of your clothes. There’s nothing worse than buying a nice new shirt and having the colour fade in a couple of washes.

LG has been quiet of late but, this isn’t a bad thing. The Direct Drive technology on their F1480RD Washer Dryer means that there is no need for the drum to be belt driven, which reduces noise, wear and tear and allows the washing machine to have more control over the spin of the drum. This is great for hand-wash programmes.

Samsung’s Eco-Bubble technology means that stains can be cleaned better without the need for extra energy consumption. The suds gently soak into the fabrics first, which Samsung believes treats stains more effectively. The diamond drum, along with the protection from the bubbles, means that fabrics are treated with extra care.

Photo Courtesy: Siemens

Cooling Technology

Many fridge-freezers are becoming flashy centre pieces for the kitchen. Some have touch screen computers on the front, which can manage shopping lists, food expiry dates and help you know which day it is with a helpful calendar.

LG has a Smart Eco Door, which is a mini fridge built into the refrigerator door. It’s designed to hold drinks and other foods that are used regularly so that you don’t have to open the main door each time. This helps keep the temperature cool inside and doesn’t need as much energy to run the appliance. It also looks great!

Beko (JG: This brand is not generally available in the US yet) has created a great technology called Active Fresh Blue Light. This special light uses less energy, which will save on the bills and help reduce your carbon footprint. It’s also designed to keep the food inside the fridge fresher for longer.

Samsung’s Multiflow technology, which is similar to Multi-Air Flow technology from other manufacturers, cools the fridge freezer on all levels evenly so maximum freshness is supplied all over. Older methods would cool from one air vent which may not be able to get all the way down to the bottom of the fridge, which meant some foods would not be as fresh after a few days.

Maytag has gone one step further with their Intellisense technology. Having tiny sensors throughout the fridge freezer keeping the temperature constant, helps keep the food inside looking, tasting and smelling as fresh as the day you bought it (within reason).

Photo Courtesy: LG

Cooking Technology

Ovens have certainly become easier to use and more efficient, too. In the future, we’ll see ovens that can be controlled from your iPhone but, for now we have technology that can separate one oven into two compartments for different meats or foods that may need cooking on two separate temperatures.

Neff (JG: This brand is not generally available in the US yet) and a few other manufacturers have implemented the best technology, in my opinion, with Pyrolytic cleaning. This great feature means that you don’t have to clean the oven again. This feature burns the grease and grime off and all you have to do is sweep the ash pile away at the bottom. Not something for everyone but, the Sabbath Setting is designed for Jewish people (JG: who keep Kosher and) aren’t allowed to cook anything during Sabbath. It keeps the oven on a constant heat that allows for heating pre-cooked food, so that hot meals can still be enjoyed on that day.

Dual Convection can be found on Samsung’s new compact ovens. It allows for evenly-heated cooking throughout, meaning no burnt edges or unevenly-cooked foods. With Programmable Timers found on most ovens these days, you can set the oven to cook food for when you’re coming home from work so that you’re not wasting too much of your valuable spare time cooking when you get home. As you can see, there’s a lot to choose from when picking your kitchen appliances but, choose your appliances sensibly and it will pay off.

Photo Courtesy: Neff

Final Thoughts

Choosing an appliance these days requires a lot more time and thought than it used to. Some of these features may never get used by some families, whereas some families can’t live without them. Picking the best features and technology for your needs will make life in the kitchen easier, cheaper and more enjoyable.

***

This article was written by Alan Gregory. He writes for Appliances Online by day and hunts down new kitchen technologies by night. He likes cooking but hates cleaning and you can follow him on Twitter @AlanJGregory.

9/11 Observance

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:00:00 +0000

This post will publish on the eleventh anniversary of 9/11. It is the first time since I started writing Gold Notes four years ago that my regular publishing schedule falls on that fateful day.

Rather than share design content on this sad occasion, I'm dedicating this weekly post to the thousands of victims, survivors, first responders and caregivers who were in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, Shanksville, Pa. and the hijacked planes that day. Nothing else feels as right or important to me today.

My connections to 9/11 run wide, deep, long and strong. My brother worked for Cantor Fitzgerald for almost 20 years in the firm's Los Angeles office. He lost more than 600 colleagues in One World Trade Center that morning. (He often worked from the New York office when traveling; that day, he happened to be at his Chicago office instead.)

I was working for Gannett's Shreveport, La. daily newspaper as its Online Director on September 11, 2001. I walked into our building and my assistant said, 'a plane just hit the World Trade Center.' I pictured a misguided Cessna, not a hijacked jetliner filled with passengers.

Like millions of others around the country and world, we watched the ensuing TV coverage in horror. We were also working feverishly to cover it from our own corner of the crisis. (That was also the day the Extra Edition died, in my journalistic opinion. All of our coverage went online as fast as we could update it.)

You may recall that President Bush landed at Barksdale Air Force Base after leaving Florida. That was the base where my then-husband was stationed in the Shreveport-Bossier area, and the reason why I traded one LA for another. Because he landed in our backyard, we had the President's whereabouts on our site before any of the majors did, and news footage of that day will show friends of ours in his local security detail.

A month or so later, we would watch other friends fly their bombers to Afghanistan to crush the Taliban and Al Quaeda. Those massive planes carrying their massive bombs into the Southern night were a surrealistic sight, one that haunts me still.

This is a photograph I took last Spring on my most recent trip to New York, the city where I was born and lived until my late 20s. The building under construction is the Freedom Tower rising at Ground Zero.

I've been to that site on almost every New York trip since 9/11. The first time was December 2001 and the air was still filled with the stench of death and destruction. We debated on cancelling or postponing the trip, due to the events just a few short months before, but decided to go. We wanted to support New York... And I needed closure.

I watched the original buildings on that site, the Twin Towers, being built as a child, had my first grown-up date in Windows on the World, (their famous restaurant), worked in their offices as a college temp, traveled regularly through their subway stops, and visited the Observation Deck on various occasions, including the day of the New York City blackout in July 1977.

It was good to see a new building rise from the memory of those ashes last year. We are a resilient nation. My next trip will take me to the 9/11 Memorial which, I believe, is still under construction. In the meantime, let me share these final words:

May those who lost their lives that terrible day rest in peace. May those who mourn them take some small measure of comfort in knowing that their memories are not forgotten. May those who gave so much of themselves that day accept my thanks and those of a grateful nation.

Autumn Inspirations

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I grew up in New York City, where Labor Day meant school was about to start again and Fall was in the air. It didn’t matter that the thermometer and official calendar still read Summer. As far as we were concerned, Autumn was officially here.

Now I live in San Diego, where it’s pretty much summer all year round. (Not complaining.) As the days grow shorter, though, I know the fall season has begun.

In that spirit, I thought I’d share a few Autumn inspirations today.

Lustrous wood cabinetry and furniture
(Photo: Bornholm Kitchen)

Jewel-toned paisleys
(Photo: Kravet)

Warm brick-toned walls
(Photo: Sherwin-Williams)

Cozy, whiskey-warmed leathers
(Photo: Pottery Barn)

Lustrous bronze and crackling fireplaces!
(Photo: Pleasanthearthfireplacedoors.com)

Cuddly, chunky wool throws
(Photo: Pottery Barn)

Home candy

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I'm in a random mood today. All of my focus these past few weeks has been dedicated to a big project I'm working on, so I thought I'd escape into some of my favorite interior delights, the objects I crave for how they look and feel. Home candy.

Pewter and peonies

I love the soft blend of silver pewter and pink peony petals. Peonies and tulips are my favorite flowers. The vase is from Match, an Italian-based company that crafts their beautiful pieces by hand. I want one! (Or one for each room!)

Match pewter vase with pink peonies
(Photo Courtesy: Match )

Wool and silk rugs

One of the best gifts I've received in recent years was a handmade wool and silk Persian rug hand-carried back for me from Iran. (Thank you again, Dean and Paul, and Dean's friend who acquired and brought it back from her family visit!) It sits at the end of my bed and caresses my feet whenever I step on it.

Incidentally my love for wool extends to Karastan carpets and flokati rugs. My tootsies (and eyes) love 'em all.

Modern Living Room design by San Francisco Architect CCS ARCHITECTURE

Animal prints everywhere

Animal prints show up everywhere Chez J, especially cheetah. They're on pillows and a matching ottoman slip cover, sheets and a vase sitting on my wine cabinet. Chances are, they'll show up somewhere else some time soon. (Or in my next place on a carpet, like the one shown here... Yes, I definitely would!) Animal prints are just sexy. Always have been. Always will be.

Eclectic Family Room design by Philadelphia Interior Designer Meadowbank Designs

PS: I love patterns, in general. Animal prints, florals, stripes, plaid, checks, paisley, you name it! Mixing them together is even more fun.

Leather

I love its rustic warmth and practicality. Leather is livable and very Sensible Style. My next couch will be leather. And my office will get a leather recliner in the not-too-distant future, too.

Lancaster couch offers sink-deep comfort
(Photo Courtesy: Restoration Hardware)

Velvet

Rich and touchable. Soft but strong. Elegant and durable. The ultimate Sensible Style fabric. I own a velvet couch that's seen more naps than I'm willing to admit to. And I've been shopping for a velvet duvet cover for my bed for a while, thus far unsuccessfully. I also love velvet drapery panels and my next home will probably have some.

Velvet panels add luxe privacy
(Photo Courtesy: Pottery Barn)

Seagrass, rattan and wicker

I love strong woven textures like these. I have them in storage baskets throughout my home, in a living room area rug and a hamper. They all say 'coastal' to me, and I love living on the coast. No reason not to bring that feeling indoors.

Contemporary Kitchen design by Other Metros Interior Designer In Detail Interiors

Last, but definitely not least... Art

No home is complete without art -- certainly no home of mine would be! I'm not talking about posters chosen because their colors match your couch either. I'm talking about pieces that speak to your heart and soul, whatever medium and price tag they happen to fit.

Art doesn't have to be expensive. It doesn't even have to be an original one-of-a-kind piece. It can be a vintage McCoy vase you picked up at a garage sale that makes you happy. Or a beautifully-composed photograph of a favorite pet, person or vacation. Art should make you smile when you look at it. That's its job.

I have three framed Clyde Butcher photographs in my office. I see them whenever I walk into my townhouse. They're hauntingly beautiful pictures by an artist considered to be the Ansel Adams of the Everglades.

I love remembering breakfasts on my screened lanai in Florida watching the herons, egrets, ducks, cranes and wood storks land on the pond behind our house. Art inspires memories. That's its job, too.

This original photograph of Amelia Island reminds me of a wonderful vacation there
(Photo Courtesy: Clyde Butcher)

Thanks for sharing my visual escape with me today.

Stairs and Stares

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 08:00:00 +0000

My life is filled with stairs. Always has been. The house I grew up in had three floors, including our after-school basement playroom. The staircase leading from the main floor to the second had bookcases that my dad built in. They held our World Book Encyclopedia set.

The first condo and homes I owned each had two. My current townhouse, affectionately known as Chez J, has three. And if running up and down those to work, eat, relax and sleep isn't enough, my regular exercise path takes me up and down a triple flight of stairs 10 times. Love 'em!

My ongoing relationship with stairs inspired today's post on some fabulous staircase ideas. I hope you like them. They're all from Houzz.com, one of the sites I've contributed to this year.

I've always adored decorative tile and traditional Spanish architecture. Here, those two elements come together in a stunning tiled staircase. Fantastico!

Mediterranean Staircase design by San Diego Photographer Ambience Photography

I love how the space below this traditional staircase is optimized with both display shelves and a coat closet.

Traditional Staircase design by Chicago Kitchen And Bath Stonebreaker Builders & Remodelers

This home also takes advantage of under-staircase space to create a family landing zone. Despite how clearly well-used it is, the clean lines of this built-in make it feel uncluttered.

Traditional Staircase design by Dc Metro Architect Brennan + Company Architects

I lean toward traditional and transitional in my personal design taste, but I thought this modern staircase was really sharp.

Modern Staircase design by San Francisco Architect WA design

I love pattern. Be it florals, animal prints, plaids, stripes, whatever. Just absolutely love it! Here's a fun black and white runner kicking up the fun on this classic staircase.

Traditional Staircase design by Dc Metro Kitchen And Bath Erin Hoopes

Create a Ma'am Cave

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Last week in this space, I shared some tips for creating a football lover’s man cave. This week, I’d like to offer some insights on creating a getaway for the woman of the house – especially if you (or she) needs an escape from all the rowdy testosterone surrounding her.

This is a space that should nurture and embrace its occupant with comfortable furnishings and lighting that enhances the room’s activities. It should be private, if possible, and closed off from the noise and hubbub of the house. It should be filled with artwork that inspires its resident to pursue her passions. Its color scheme will relax or stimulate, depending on the room’s primary purpose.

As an example, my writing/design studio is painted red, a color that stimulates creativity. If I were using it as a yoga studio, I’d probably have chosen a soft sage instead. While every retreat is different, here are some general multi-purpose ideas to hopefully inspire you.

Appropriate lighting

Layered lighting is probably your best bet, especially if your retreat does double duty as a work and play space. Consider dimmable ceiling lighting and a table or floor lamp next to a chair or on a desk.

This Atrium Glass Table Lamp from Pottery Barn illuminates your space while displaying sentimental collectibles

Comfortable furnishings

Even if your retreat is mainly dedicated to paperwork or exercise, it’s wonderful to have a comfortable chaise or chair with ottoman for relaxation.

You might also want a writing surface, depending on how you’ll use your space. This could be a desk or a table, depending on your needs. Attractive storage solutions are available for files, if necessary, that could be hidden under a skirted table.

I love this Baldwin Chaise from Ballard Designs for its style and comfort

Sound system

You don’t need the kind of big-speakered system your boyfriend had in college. A compact player with good sound quality that lets you enjoy your work or play music is a great retreat enhancer.

A Bose SoundDock or comparable system can serenade your retreat

Sensible Style flooring

How you primarily use your space will determine the type of flooring you choose for it. If you regularly work with paints or clay, consider low-maintenance materials that can be easily wiped clean, like rubber or vinyl. If you do yoga, ballet or Pilates, consider flooring that will be soft and comfortable underfoot, like linoleum or cork. If you just want a quiet place to read, meditate, relax or write in a journal, consider something cozy underfoot like a wool or flokati rug that you’ll enjoy digging your toes into.

Nothing feels cozier underfoot than a flokati rug
(Photo: Flokati-Rugs.com )

Inspiring and engaging visuals

Whatever your private passion, surround yourself with mementos or artwork that inspires it, or just delights you, and display your pieces handsomely. Consider a framer with archival experience for professionally preserving your valuables.

This signed, numbered photo is one of three Clyde Butcher images archivally framed on my writing/design studio wall

Football Fan's Man Cave Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Football season is fast approaching, so I thought I’d share some updated man cave insights for Gold Notes fans and/or their favorite guys.

Granted, design isn’t usually the top consideration for these spaces. Each man has his own cave priorities. These may include comfort, socializing, relaxation, escape, fitness, nostalgia or a specific set of activities that engage him. There’s no such thing as a generic man cave, the way you could say there’s a generic kitchen or bath.

That being the case, I’m going to gear these thoughts toward the sports fan’s man cave. He’s going to want…

Comfortable worry-free seating

Leather is a great, comfortable option. A deep sofa and/or recliners make perfect sense for a man cave, depending on your room size.

Deep leather Lancaster couch from Restoration Hardware creates a comfy football watching environment

Buster Leather Recliner is another football fan favorite from Restoration Hardware

Big Screen Television

I'm not making recommendations here as it's not my area of expertise, but there are plenty of experts who do. Find the one(s) you trust and bring your room dimensions with you for optimal size for your space.

Something to put it on and hold related components

Your TV size, room size and the number of components will dictate the storage you choose, as well as what else you might want to hold. A custom built-in is always an option but may not fit your budget or long-term needs. There are some very nice freestanding models on the market.

Choose a TV stand -- possibly this Vetrina 60" Media Console from Ballard Designs -- that fits the size and number of components and the room's decor

Refreshment storage

Beverage fridges come in multiple sizes and configurations, including stainless or panel-ready. Capacity, space and budget will dictate what you go for. They also fit great into built-in storage for the best effect.

3000 Series Beverage Fridge from U-Line holds beer, soda and more

Mementos featuring his team

Everyone has their own preference, of course, but a grown-up man cave won't have posters tacked to the wall. Framed collectibles and artwork make for the best visual effect. Be sure that whoever frames a valuable item has experience with preservation techniques.

Collectibles, like this framed Tampa Bay Buccaneers Superbowl photo from the NFL Shop, add personalized style to a man cave

More man cave tips

Lighting will be important for this space. I suggest energy-friendly, dimmable LED ceiling lights and table lamps close to outlets so no one tips over a cord when his team makes a touchdown.

Window coverings are key if TV watching is the focus. There are two ways to go here. One would be drapes with black-out liners. If this is the approach, a stain-resistant, easy-care fabric that will stand up to greasy fingers opening and closing them is one option. The other would be faux wood shutters or blinds, but they will typically allow in slivers of light.

Flooring should be easy care, too. It could be easily-replaceable carpet tiles or low maintenance engineered, distressed-look wood.

Four Gold Notes Wishes for the Coming Year

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I'm so grateful to my readers and guest bloggers for their continued support of Gold Notes. It's been a wonderful adventure! As I wrap up this month-long Fourth Anniversary celebration, I want to do two things beyond thank everyone over and over again:

Look Back

These were my three wishes from my Third Anniversary wrap up:

My first wish for Gold Notes’ next year is including even more guest posts. Done! We had posts this past year on a wide range of subjects -- from home security to radiant floor heat to steam showers -- from a wide range of experts. I hope you enjoyed reading them as much as I did.

My second wish for Gold Notes’ next year is to increase my readership. My traffic nearly doubled this past year. Thank you for being a part of that! Hopefully, this growth trend will continue into 2013!

My third wish, and this may be beyond 2012, given other commitments on my calendar -- including a kitchen idea book I'm writing for Taunton -- I’d like to see my Sensible Style series, launched in partnership with Kitchens.com in 2009, collected into a book. This hasn't happened yet, but I'm hoping it will in the next year or two.

Look Forward

My first wish is to have Gold Notes integrate more closely with my design site in the second half of this year. I'll be starting that process next month. My feed won't change and my content won't either. I just want it to be easier to find and cross reference for everyone.

My second wish is already being fulfilled. Gold Notes excerpts will start appearing in the San Diego Union-Tribune's Home & Garden section twice a month. I'm very excited about finding new readers for my blog this way.

My third wish is to add video. This is a medium with which I'm not entirely comfortable yet. Getting good at bringing you tips and trends in that format is on my 2012-2013 to do list. I'll keep you posted.

My fourth wish is to have more readers engage me to redesign their kitchens and baths. I have experience with distance design and enjoy working that way. If you have a project that would benefit from my Sensible Style philosophy and skill set, please let me know by calling or emailing.

***

Thank you, contributors and readers alike, for helping make Gold Notes a regular read for design enthusiasts. Next week, we'll return to my regular weekly publishing schedule. See you next Tuesday!

Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS
JAMIE GOLDBERG KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGN
San Diego, CA

Four Favorite Design Books

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 08:00:00 +0000

My bookcase is loaded with books about design, remodeling and architecture. The first one I ever picked up -- before I was even a designer -- is still tops on that list. In no particular order, these are my recommendations for starting your design library. I hope you'll add my first book, New Kitchen Ideas That Work, (Taunton Press), when it publishes in December.

FYI, you can click on any of the book photos and buy them on Amazon.com today. Each purchase helps support this blog.

Not So Big House
Sarah Susanka
Taunton Press

This book was published in the heyday of the McMansion. I love, and share, the author's philosophy on building smarter, not larger. It's even more relevant today than it was when it first came out about 14 years ago. Build what you need and build it as well as possible. Amen!

PreFabulous
Sheri Koones
Taunton Press

I came across this wonderful book when I was researching a piece for the Tampa Tribune about five years ago. I had seen some fabulous prefab homes at the International Builder Show and was impressed with the huge strides in quality and style. This book shows why prefabs are worth considering and what's possible.

Kelly's Kitchen Sync
Kelly Morisseau
Springline Media

Yes, Kelly is a friend of mine and a fellow Blogger 19 member. She's also a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer and a really sharp writer. This is a must read before embarking on a kitchen remodel.

Pottery Barn Bathrooms
Judith Nasatir
Oxmoor House

I'm a long-time devotee of PB style and this book is just pure eye candy for me. I have to confess, I don't spend much time reading it; I pick it up for the pictures. Quite frankly, it's my Playboy design porn!

My Four Favorite New Bathroom Products

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 08:00:00 +0000

One of the perks of my job is being able to attend design shows and see the latest trends and products, often before they find their way to your local showroom. Here are my four favorite new (and upcoming) products for Bath Week, part of my month-long Fourth Anniversary Celebration.

Smart and sexy faucet

I spotted Brizo's Charlotte electronic faucet at Dwell on Design and it is a true charmer. You’d expect style from this fashion faucet brand and the cocoa bronze cladding with metallic accents delivers that big time. But smart is sexy, too, and Charlotte’s hands-free control is super-smart (and water-saving). There are matching accessories but this faucet is the real star.

Charlotte by Brizo

Elegant meets practical

Regular Gold Notes readers know I love ceramic and porcelain slab! Until recently, however, all I saw was solid colors with a slight texture. In the last few months, at a San Diego showroom, I spotted a stone look that knocked my socks off! (I'd love this in my master bath!) This stunning porcelain slab from Italian manufacturer, Iris, has all of the beauty of the marble it honors but none of its staining or chipping shortfalls. Iris can clad your vanity or your shower walls. It can go on your floors or surround your tub. Like other ceramic and porcelain slab surfaces, Iris is heat, scratch and stain resistant.

Iris Porcelain Slab

Playful sinks

I really liked the new sinks Jonathan Adler designed for Kohler. They were on my must-see list at the recent Dwell on Design show and they didn't disappoint. The shapes show off the fun lines for which Adler is known and the colors are absolutely delicious! This is my favorite.

Jonathan Adler Lav for Kohler

Sexy hexy

I love when retro traditional meets modern innovation and the new hexagonal tile I saw at Cevisama in Spain knocked me out. There were the traditional black-white combos and newer combos. The form is familiar and comforting. The size and color tweaks freshen the look. New manufacturing technologies make it low maintenance.

Genesis by Plaza

Four Favorite Bath Products - Fixtures Living

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Can a plumbing showroom be cool? You bet! Fixtures Living is one of my favorite design spots in San Diego. They've got gorgeous displays, knowledgeable reps, great events and a free, fabulous chef-prepared lunch every Friday. (They also have Rancho Mirage and Costa Mesa locations for my farther-flung friends.) Maria Swanson, (@MariaSwanson on Twitter), Fixture's Marketing Director, responded to my call for Four Favorite Bath Products. Here is her must-have list. (It coincides with my own must-have list, too!)

***

Let me start by saying, Happy Fourth Anniversary, Gold Notes! When Jamie asked if I’d write a guest post about my four favorite bath fixtures, I wasn’t sure how I was going to choose! So I went shopping! And as I did, I considered a variety of things - price, space, moxie, and of course, sheer indulgence!

Aimes Ceiling-Mount Showerhead with LED lighting by Toto

Beautiful and sustainable. This hydro-powered shower head by Toto has an 11” spray face, rubber nozzles to prevent lime scale build-up and LED lighting that is powered by the sheer force of the water running through it!

Eco-friendly Aimes shower head brings the rain forest home
(Photo Courtesy: Toto)

Uplift Cabinet by Robern

This is not your grandma’s medicine cabinet! This unique vertically-opening no-swing door from Robern allows for use in spaces that… well, might not have a lot of clearance. The sliding door stays in position so it can be opened just a little or a lot. And it comes with all kinds of options including a TV mount that accommodates up to a 19” flat screen or LCD!

Uplift brings innovation to your medicine cabinet
(Photo Courtesy: Robern)

Washlet by Toto

Not sure how ready you are to step into the world of personal cleansing? Is the price tag one of the reasons? Then you should definitely consider the Toto Washlet. A lot of the same fun functions as the expensive toilets (auto and remote control flushing, aerated warm water, front and rear washing, massage feature, warm air dryer , auto air purifier, heated seat and more) at a fraction of the cost.

The Washlet brings high-end hygiene to your home
(Photo Courtesy: Toto)

Vedana by BainUltra

This is indulgence with benefits! Vedana combines five proven therapies: aromatherapy, light therapy, sound therapy, chromatherapy and thermo therapy into one integrated therapeutic care system. And not only does BainUltra strive to recreate harmony in your body, it makes every effort to progressively integrate eco-design principles in production to minimize their ecological footprint.

Vedana brings smart and luxurious showering
(Photo Courtesy: BainUltra)

***

Fixtures Living has luxury plumbing, indoor and outdoor appliance showrooms in San Diego, Rancho Mirage and Costa Mesa.

Four Favorite Eco-Friendly Plumbing Innovations - 3 Mountains Plumbing

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 08:00:00 +0000

One of the benefits of being a blogger is hearing from insightful industry folks around the world. Today's Bath Week Four Favorites guest post comes from 3 Mountains Plumbing, a fully-licensed and bonded plumbing contractor in Oregon. I love their suggested products for greening your bathroom. I know I'll be looking at these for my next home.

***

When you talk about plumbing, words like “groundbreaking” and “cutting edge” probably don’t leap to mind. Yet modern plumbing is indeed innovative – manufacturers are constantly working to develop products that make home plumbing more efficient and earth friendly.

Toilet/Sink Combos

Your average toilet flushes pure water – i.e., drinking water – which 11 percent of the world’s population can’t access. Toilet/sink combos conserve by using the same water twice; first, the fresh water is sent through the faucet, and then it is stored to flush the toilet later. Unfortunately, the “ick factor,” as one Nashville manufacturer put it, has limited demand and hampered elegant design for this plumbing innovation. Caroma’s Profile Smart 305 Round Front Plus is the exception, saving both space and water in style.

Perfect for a smaller powder room and smaller water bill
(Photo Courtesy: Caroma )

Hybrid Hot Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters are already a buzz item among green-minded designers, builders and consumers. But the next best thing – the hybrid water heater – is already here. Hybrid heaters are even more energy efficient, so they save the average family $320 per year, as opposed to $100 per year savings with a tankless water heater. Plus, you can get a $480 federal tax credit for a hybrid heater, such as GE’s new hybrid model.

Another hybrid for your garage!
(Photo Courtesy: GE )

Programmable Showers

A 10-minute shower sends, on average, 25 gallons of water down the drain. One way for homeowners to reduce their water usage is to install a programmable shower faucet. These devices allow precise control over temperature as well as the amount of water used, offering a luxury spa-like experience without the wastefulness. If this sounds too good to be true, keep in mind that the StyleTherm from California Faucets has been found to comply with the California Green Building Standards Code, the nation’s first statewide green building code.

Programmable shower delivers eco-luxury
(Photo Courtesy: California Faucets)

Flow-Optimized Faucet Aerators

The key to an eco-friendly bathroom faucet is to decrease water waste without sacrificing pressure. The solution: a flow-optimized aerator, which injects air into the water stream. This helps maintain water pressure while cutting down the flow rate from 2.2 gallons per minute to 1.5. Moen bathroom faucets with flow-optimized aerators, for example, can cut the water that comes from your bathroom tap by 32 percent.

Save water stylishly with a flow-optimized faucet
(Photo Courtesy: Moen )

***

3 Mountains Plumbing specializes in plumbing services and remodeling for both homes and businesses in Portland, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Wilsonville, Dundee and surrounding communities.

Four Favorite Bathroom Tile Inspirations - Cheryl Kees Clendenon of Details and Design

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I met Cheryl Kees Clendenon about four years ago at an NKBA Leadership Conference. We clicked immediately. Since then, we've both become Blogger 19 members, traveled to Germany as Blanco Design Council members and shared time, insights and laughs at numerous industry functions. Cheryl's got two gorgeous kitchens in my upcoming book and I'm thrilled to have her share her brilliant wit and talent during Bath Week, part of Gold Notes' Fourth Anniversary celebration.

In this particular post, she offers four inspired ways to add style with tile -- and some gorgeous project shots -- to spark your bathroom remodel.

***

For most of my bath design projects, my inspiration begins with tile selections. It may be the floor, it may just be an accent, but in some way or another tile is almost always the jumping-off point for inspiration.

It amazes me so many people, ( including some designers!), overlook the design wow that tile, properly executed and installed, can give to a space. So can we step away from some of the tired and overused tile design concepts and style of decades -- no, years -- past?

Think Big! Think Bold! Think Brilliant! Think Breathtaking!

Thinking big

Tile does not come in just the standard sizes that may come to mind. Try and say no to 12x12 tile or stone anywhere! Go big and bold when the space will accommodate it. Often, when you think it cannot....it really can. Try some of the newer 12x35 porcelain tiles. LOVE them and there is no better way to get some serious bang for your buck.

This gorgeous rectified porcelain tile is a clean and simple look for a teenage boy's bath. I like how the larger format tile "reads" as a solid wall.
(In Detail Interiors design and Porcelanosa tile)

Thinking bold

No surface is safe from me! I would guess that very few of our bath projects have only floors and shower or tub walls covered in tile. I am a big fan of tile walls. I do not often favor smaller mosaics but these penny rounds in black, white and gray spoke to me one day at a seminar. In fact, they spoke so loudly that I got up in the middle of the lecture and had to touch them. (Some witnesses say I caressed them!) Luckily, the speaker was the rep for Walker Zanger and this is their tile. I was forgiven! But this bathroom for a teenage girl was built around the day I was inspired by these penny rounds.

I eschew tiling behind a bath vanity with a short backsplash. Wimpy. If you are going to do it then do it boldly and take over the wall!
(In Detail Interiors design and Walker Zanger tile)

Thinking brilliant

Inevitably, I seek to design a layout in such a way that I can find a place for my tile inspirations.I feel strongly that even pricier tile selections can be used in some small ways to add personality. In the master bath below, we constructed a half wall to “frame” the freestanding tub. This Calcutta stone was cut into a diamond shape and small round mirrors were inserted in between the stone. The overall effect is a sophisticated wow with a bit of bling. You would have to see it to believe it!

Calcutta stone cut into diamonds creates a stunning half wall behind a tub
(In Detail Interiors design)

Tiny mirrors at each corner add major bling to this tiled bath wall
(In Detail Interiors design)

Thinking breathtaking

This powder bath was a challenge. The 12 ft ceilings in such a small footprint caused the scale of almost everything to come up short. Literally. We needed a radical idea to offset the ceiling height and still pull off a modern design. Once again, a tile inspiration from Mixed up Mosaics proved to be the nudge we needed to get going in the right direction. The small strips of mirror you see in the photo is actually tile mounted for the specific size we needed. The rest of the mirrors are odd-sized mirror “tiles” we had made and adhered to the walls in a random pattern. This reflective, textured wall provided the visual we were looking for, and it worked with, not against, the tall ceiling height.

Mirror, mirrored tile on the wall... Who's the cleverest designer of all?
(Designed by In Detail Interiors using Porcelanosa accent tile and mirror )

***

Cheryl Kees Clendenon is one of the leading kitchen and bath designers in the industry today. Her boutique showroom and brilliant blog, Details and Design, are based in Pensacola, FL, but her projects and publications span the country.

Four Favorite Bath Fashions - Carmen Natschke of The Decorating Diva

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I met the delightful and talented Carmen Natschke of The Decorating Diva about three years ago at a trade show. She's also a fellow Blogger 19 member. Carmen and I have been writing guest posts for each other for almost as long as we've known each other. I'm thrilled to have her apply her expert design eye to Bath Week, part of Gold Notes' month-long Fourth Anniversary celebration. Here's her take on what's next in bathroom design.

***

One consistent bath design theme seemed to dominate the European and North American design shows I’ve attended over the last 12 months. This design direction is strongly embracing the bathroom as a place of fashion, beauty and artful design. Function is still paramount, but the days of boring and tired fixtures, furniture and plumbing are quickly coming to an end.

Famed designers like Spain’s Jaime Hayon and Patricia Urquiola, France’s Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, and others are energetically and vigorously reshaping bath product design as we know it.

I’ve selected four bath design products that I believe are leading the way in the bathroom design revolution.

Passion for fashion

Passion for fashion patterns on display on Olivier Lapidus’ bathtub designs for Aquamass at Maison et Objet 2012.

Chanel style

Porcelanosa Bath channels the quilted finish of the iconic Chanel handbag on their bath cabinetry at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair 2011.

Making a splash

Patricia Urquiola livens bath design with unexpected color splashes as seen here in her bath sink, (part of her collection for Axor), at a design showroom in London- spotted during London Design Festival 2011.

Mystical magic

A mystical and mythical bath design that I think would have intrigued the great fashion designer Alexander McQueen - spotted during London Design Festival 2011.

***

Carmen Natschke is the Editor and Creative Director at The Decorating Diva.com, a digital publication about living an inspired life surrounded by all things beautiful. You can connect with Carmen on Twitter: @decoratingdiva, Pinterest, and Facebook.

Four Favorite Sensible Style Kitchen Solutions

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Thanks for stopping by during my month-long Gold Notes' Fourth Anniversary celebration. This is Kitchen Week.

I believe that kitchens should be practical as well as pretty. They should make sense for how you and your household functions, not how someone on television or in a magazine does. They should fit into your home like they were “born” there if, in fact, you’re remodeling the one that was. I also believe they should fit the value of your home and neighborhood standards, so you don’t put a $100,000 kitchen into a $200,000 condo. These are my Sensible Style design principles and the solutions I recommend to my clients and readers generally come from that philosophy.

As a professional kitchen and bath designer these past eight years – and a blogger for four – I’ve come across a myriad solutions I think are great for a wide range of kitchens. Here are my four favorite Sensible Style solutions:

Engineered Stone Countertops

This is my favorite widely-available material for kitchen countertops. (Porcelain slab is my latest, but it's not yet widely available in the US yet. Look for that to change in the next couple of years.) Engineered stone, aka quartz and sold under brand names like Zodiaq, Cambria, Silestone, et al, is durable, low maintenance, warrantied, versatile and attractive. You can go contemporary with solid styles that look like concrete, or traditional with recently-improved styles that look like marble and granite. Its main limitation is that it can’t go outside if you’re also creating an outdoor kitchen. Not a big deal, but worth mentioning.

Engineered stone goes contemporary
(Photo: Silestone)

Rectified Porcelain Tile

Like engineered stone counters, porcelain tile is durable, versatile and low maintenance. The rectified versions have minimal grout lines, reducing maintenance even further. This makes them practical for both flooring and backsplashes. They can also go traditional or contemporary, depending on the style you choose. The only disadvantage is their hardness underfoot, which can create foot, back, hip and leg strain, as well as fatigue. A cushioned task mat can alleviate that issue.

Porcelain tile looks and wears wonderfully in hard-working kitchens
(Photo: Ceramics of Italy)

Hands-free Faucets

Kitchen faucets work harder than any other in your home, and are likeliest to spread the most germs. Having a model that’s hands-free means fewer winter colds and less chicken grease to clean up. They’re available in traditional, transitional and contemporary styles. Choose the one that works best for your home and budget.

A hands-free faucet adds style and convenience
(Photo: Moen)

Induction

I love induction cooking. Not only is it faster than even pro gas, it’s safer to use and more energy efficient. Chefs across Europe have been using induction for years. I’m very glad it’s catching on here. My very first blog post [], way back in July 2008, was on induction. Since then, there has been an increasing array of offerings in this category, from economical freestanding ranges to the new state-of-the art Thermador Freedom Induction Cooktop.

Induction is the smartest cooking technology on the market today
(Photo: Thermador)

Food Blogger's Four Favorite Kitchen Wish List Items - Jean of Delightful Repast

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I enjoy Jean's Delightful Repast blog tremendously and came to meet its creator/author Jean online. (I suspect that one of these days, we'll meet each other offline, too.) It occurred to me that a kitchen wish list post would be a great Fourth Anniversary/Kitchen Week contribution and Jean graciously agreed to write it for us. These are her four favorites... If you cook, maybe they'll become yours, too!

***

I began following Gold Notes shortly after I started my food blog, Delightful Repast, in February 2010. Can't recall how I first came upon it, but I remember being instantly drawn in by Jamie's trademark "sensible style solutions." Though it was three years since my own kitchen remodel, I was (and still am) fascinated with the subject. When I received Jamie's invitation to do a guest post about my Four Kitchen Wishes, I had just that morning been thinking about how much I love my kitchen, how wonderfully well-equipped it is and how there are just four things I need!

Refrigerator

The one appliance I did not replace at the time of the remodel is now 28 years old; it could die any time. I'm doing the research now so when that sad day comes I won't be completely refrigerator-less for weeks while I come to a decision! My requirements are:

* Energy-efficient
* Quiet
* White
* Must fit in my refrigerator cabinet space, which is 33 inches wide and 72 inches high
* Have always had top freezer, but will consider other styles.

KitchenAid Architect Series II Model KBFS22EWWH

[JG Note: You should also look for energy efficiency and quiet operation, no matter what configuration you choose... And, like Jean, be sure to double check all of your dimensions, including depth, before you buy a new refrigerator.]

Heavy-Duty Stand Mixer

I'm an avid baker and have always made everything, including all kinds of bread, by hand. Over the years, as I've gotten lazier, I have warmed up to the idea of getting a heavy-duty stand mixer. My requirements are:

* Less than 16.5 inches high so it will fit under special molding that conceals under-cabinet lighting
* White
*Possibilities include KitchenAid Artisan 5-quart, Cuisinart 5.5-quart, Breville 5-quart

KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer

[JG Note: As Jean shares here, be sure that what you choose will fit in the space you have planned!]

Dish Towels

I use as few paper towels as possible for the sake of the environment, so I blow through a lot of dish towels! I'd like to get three dozen as soon as "my" color makes a comeback. My requirements are:

* High quality cotton terry
* Yellow and white (and it has to be a certain shade of yellow--butter yellow, golden, but yellow not gold)

Yellow Ripple Terry Dishtowel from KitchenWorks

[JG Note: The towels Jean is considering can be machine washed and dried. Choose textiles for your kitchen that work with how you live, too!]

Outdoor Grill (for just outside the kitchen)

After all, summer's here! My requirements are:

* Gas
* With an enclosed cart, not just a front panel
* Easy to roll

Weber Spirit E-320 Classic

[JG Note: Jean is looking for a grill that's easy to roll. This is especially important if you're going to move it regularly, as I would myself. Sturdiness counts in this regard, too, as you don't want a wheel coming off while you're transporting it to your garage for safe keeping.]

***

As a freelance writer specializing in food, weddings, etiquette and entertaining, Jean has written for many magazines and newspapers as well as the Web. She started the popular blog DelightfulRepast.com in 2010 to share her favorite comfort foods. Though Jean is an omnivore, recipes developed in the Delightful Repast “test kitchen” include gluten-free, nondairy, vegan and vegetarian as well as dishes that reflect her heritage (English and Southern) and eclectic tastes. Needless to say, her kitchen is the heart of her home.