How to Future Proof Your Home | Part 1: THE KITCHEN

48" Dual Fuel PRO Range Cooker

TRUE TO FOOD: "Through precision, performance and versatility", leading American brand, Signature Kitchens, launched an incredible KBIS 2018 show in Orlando, Florida. I can honestly say that I've never seen anything like it. From designing the first built-in sous vide range cooker, to intergrated Smart tech using Amazon Alexa technology, it was a riviting introduction to the show. In fact, as we walked through the show it became clear that nearly all the leading brands had integrated Smart Tech into their new appliances - more of that later. What struck me about Signature was that they had developed a range of home appliances that were able to talk to each other. I know. It's insane. Let's unpack that... 

INTRODUCING: LG InstaView™ ThinQ Refridgerator

LG LG InstaView ThinQ Refrigerator

THE FUTURE IS HERE: Smart Insta View Refrigeration, by LG. This fridge has Amazon Alexa technology embedded into it. 1. You’re able to check the contents of your fridge via your phone, whilst shopping for groceries. 2. You can download a recipe and instruct the oven to turn on at the ideal temp, via the fridge without having to wash hands to check your phone, or turn a page in a recipe book etc. 3. You’re able to run a diagnostic test to check for any vaults. And that’s just the start. Using the Amazon Alexa Tech. this fridge can be programed to communicate with your Smart Tech. Range Cooker, which can activate your hoover, whilst you're at work. I know. And it's happening quickly and they're already here, in the UK, available for sale at John Lewis. 

Hands down, this is the most impressive technological advancements in kitchen equipment, since Meile designed the first washing machine. Life enhancing, game changing: I love it.

In fact, if you want a really good visual intro to this piece of wonder, you can watch the short video I posted on Instagram, or you can watch this interview with the delightful Carey from RC Willey and Norman from LG- or both! Either way, definitely have a look. (UK prices start at around £3000.)

THERMADOR INTRODUCING: Home Connect

So this is where things get interesting: Leading US brand Thermador (who certainly know how to throw a party - one of the best parties I've been to in maybe a decade....) introduced a very interesting open platform call Home Connect. This is the first solution in the world, to allow home appliances from different brands to be controlled with a single app. The system is designed as an open platform that will keep evolving to cover a growing range of services. Although launched as a Global Solution, it is currently offered in the US and Canada through BSH Home Appliance Corp. (Although home appliances fitted with the Home Connect Function and the accompanying app have been available in the US since October 2016.)

THERMADOR INTRODUCES: Freedom® Induction

 INDUCTION HOBS have not received the attention they deserve, until now. In fact, I've had an ongoing conversation with one of my clients, about the benefits of installing an induction hob - space saving, child friendly etc. but two sticking points that kept coming up: my client couldn't see how you could stirfry on an induction hob and, as a busy, working mother of two small children, she was concerned with the length of time it would take to heat up and prepare food. Until now. Thermador have put their thinking caps on and solved this issue, once and for all. The new smart, intuitive features allow for greater control and ease of use. How? By fitting the hob with 48 induction elements, this intuitive product automatically recognises the size, shape and position of cookware on the surface. Meaning: you can pick your pan up and put it down anywhere on the hob and the indction elements will recognise it, transporting the heat immediately.

And that's just one feature. There are other well considered features such as the Freedom Teppanyaki Pro, Freedom Sapphire Glow and Cooktop Hood Sync. If that isn't enough, this product is fitted with the Thermador Connected Experience by Home Connect  and so you're able to exchange information and control the hob via the app on your phone. What a time to be alive... 

Do you have an Amazon Alexa - do you use it, regularly? If not, familiarise yourself with the technology because it's going to become as integral to our daily lives as the mobile phone.

Next up... 

How to Future Proof Your Home | Part 2: BATHROOMS

#smarthometechnology #newtechnology #kbis2018 #blogtour #blogtourkbis #blogtourkbis2018 #thermador #thermadorhome #thermadorappliances #inductionhob #dishwashers #customisablefridges #designhounds

KBIS BLOGTOUR 2018 | GOING GLOBAL

We’ve just got back from a whirlwind trip to Orlando, Florida, to visit the largest kitchen and bathroom trade show, in the U.S.: KBIS. Aside from having the opportunity to meet the people behind some of the world's biggest and most successful brands - Liehberr, Thermador, Wilson Art, Mr Steam, Metrie, DXV (LIXIL), American Standard, GROHE, spending the best part of a week with a carefully selected international group of talented designers and writers, is a personal highlight. You can meet the effervescent team, here.

I'll be writing more about this exceptional trip, over the next few days and weeks, but I wanted to share with you a brief overview of what stood out to me, this time:


1. Panel Discussion | Let's Talk Global

I was thrilled - thrilled, to be invited to take part in the most timely panel discussion about working internationally. Although we have worked on smaller consultancies, over in New York City and Washington, our curent project just outside Moscow, Russia, has opened up a whole new market for us, and a discussion with other desiners and international suppliers, alike. Stay tunes, there is so much more I want to share with you, about this fascinating talk.

 

2. Smart Home Technology

While in it's infancy, smart home devices integrated with Amazon Alexa have taken over the appliance market. Every leading brand, from LG to Bosch to Thermador, to Leihberr had something to show us - whole ecosystems inbedded into sophisticated products (already connected so that they're able to relate to each other) helping you control your home via a single iOS or Android app. I found this absolutely mind blowing.

LG

3. Design Trends for 2018

Ahhhh, TRENDS... I've taken trends with a pint of salt, believing that they're everything to do with marketing - shifting product, and very little to do with Design. Well, my opinion has recently changed on this. Call it Brexit, environmental concerns or just sheer creative thinking at the hands of some of the worlds most impresive brands (Thermador and Wilson Art, I'm looking at you...), I've had reason to revise my opinion. (When I'm wrong, I say I'm wrong... ) I'll be writing a whole post on this how muted black and brushed brass has changed the modern home.

Arianne Bellizaire's Perlick Kitchen stand at KBIS

Wilson Art

Wilson Art

In the meantime, why don't you join us on twitter? Follow the hashtag #kbtribechat for some seriously interesting chat about all of the above, and more.... See you there!

Milan Design Week 2016 | Gessi Equilibrio + My Wish List

            
 MY WISH LIST

1. Freestanding Gessi Bath + interior Garden

 One of the benefits of joining a Designhounds trip is that it's both well organised, and carefully curated. This means that the week is packed full of events, all over the city, and held by some of the world's leading design brands. Having access to the teams, behind these brands, is what it's all about and Gessi did not disappoint, with the mesmerising performance by artist and philosopher, Marsel Lesko, at the launch of the new Equilibrio range. This was held at their flagship showroom, in Milan, during Salone del Milano      

 

2. These Gessi Architectural Washbasin Fittings

 

 3. Laser Cut Stone Wall Tiles 

To be frank, this barely covers the beautifully crafted and extensive range of bathroom fixtures, and so, when in Milan, you will have to visit the Gessi showroom. The building itself, was once a cinema, and it's mostly below ground. What the design team have managed to achieve, in this rather unique space, is nothing short of extraordinary.  Well worth a visit. 

Have you ever ordered from Gessi? Are you familiar with this Italian brand?

CITY OF LIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS | BLOGTOUR LAS VEGAS KBIS 2016

Who needs the Bellaggio fountains, when you have such a pretty display of colour and light?

From my previous post, you will know that I was fortunate enough to invited by Veronika Miller CEO of Modenus and Designhounds, to join 24 interior designers from around the world, on a design tour. This years event, held in Las Vegas was sponsored by KBIS, Thermador, TOTO, BLANCO, Top Knobs, WoodMode, Mohawk, Mr Steam and Wilsonart. We were invited to celebrate their latest products and share the experience with those we engage with online, every day.

Las Vegas, the City of Lights... 

 Following an extraordinary week in Las Vegas, attending the KBIS2016 show with the team from Modenus & Design Hounds, I have to say that it hasn't been easy, knowing were to start. It was such a big trip, with so many memorable experiences, and so I will be breaking it down over four posts, starting with an overview of the trip, and some of my personal highlights...

1. MEETING THE DREAM TEAM

Look at these beautiful faces!

Writing about the 24 interior designers, invited to attend BlogTour, would be a blog post on it's own right. Meeting these women, was a personal highlight, for me. Veronika Miller has a gift for spotting good eggs and inspiring intense productivity and love. (I could go on about this woman, but let's save the good stuff, for last...). I've been on two BlogTours and have attended three, in total (one of them was on my doorstep/London) and I have to say that there was something special, about this group of women. I feel very lucky to have been part of this year's BlogTour #KBIS16 event.

It was an absolute pleasure spending time with these, women... 

If you work in the design industry, and you care about what you do and who you do it for, you will love this post by designer, Sarah Walker:  'Why Peer Mentorship Is Essential For Entrepreneurs | Modenus BlogTourKBIS.  Landscape designer, Susan Cohen wrote another wonderful piece: My Hashtag Sisterhood. A wonderful read. 

I see Blanco packed everything, including the kitchen sink, for the KBIS event... | Photo Credit: Tori Aston 

 2. THE BLOCK PARTY | RESPONSIVE HOMES


Talk about making an entrance... Twinkling lights against the vast Nevada skies...  I LOVED IT. We were given free access to the show homes designed by Responsive Homes  - Design Director, Bobby Berk, and it was a delight to see two modern homes, designed so well. We need this in the UK.  (More on this, soon...)

Yeaaah, I'd say this house was built for good times...

If you have a minute, listen to Designer Bobby Berk talk about the process of creating the modern home, for millennials. It's fascinating. He is certainly one to watch...

3. THE NEW AMERICAN HOME

Photo Credit: Wall Street Journal

 This was such a staggering piece of collaboration between American heavyweights Thermador, and The New American Home, that I'll posting more about this, separately - the interior were Right Up My Street.  In the meantime, have a look around and join me in dreaming of life lived well, very well...

Photo Credit: Wall Street Journal

Love the use of metals, and other natural, light enhancing, materials... 

4. AN EVENING WITH TOTO & Cortney Novogratz | SW Steakhouse at the Wynn  

The Team from TOTO USA, notably COO Katsuhito Nojima, & HGTV Interior Designer, Cortney Novogratz | Photo Credit: Tori Aston

Having spent time with the people behind the brand, TOTO, it made perfect sense that they invited Interior Designer Cortney Novogratz to speak about her work, and how and why she specifies TOTO products. Aside from being extraordinarily talented at creating spaces that both excite and make complete sense, she was a delight to listen to: Utterly grounded and so passionate about her work. This evening was another personal highlight for me. 

The dinner we had was so good, it was an emotional experience...  | Photo Credit: Tori Aston

Ann Porter and Veronika Miller, CEO of Modenus Media | Photo Credit: Tori Aston

TOTO NeoRest 750H

NeoRest 750H | Groundbreaking technology

TOTO | The future is here, right here... There is so much I want to share with you, about this brand. TOTO is one of the most extraordinary companies, thriving, today. Yes, they hire the best teams, sure, their products are elegant, beautiful and cool, but it's the technology behind their products which leaves their competitors in the dust.

We've specified TOTO loos, in one of London projects and I'm going to write a special post about this because, aside from the emotional experience my client had, when the first TOTO loo was installed, onsite (more of that, later!), it's an extraordinary product. Revolutionary.

Photo Credit: Tori Aston 

Do you see what I mean? IT WAS EPIC! And we're only half way there...

Coming up, tomorrow, more highlights from the KBIS2016

• Thermador
• BLANCO
• WoodMode
• WilsonArt
• TopKnobs 
• Mr Steam

Ready, Set, Design | BlogTour Las Vegas 2016

    Image thanks to Anne Porter of Kitchen Studio of Naples 

All 24 interior designers, carefully selected for this exciting event, have arrived at The Cosmopolitan, here in Las Vegas. This means that, at last!, BlogTour 2016 is about to begin. BlogTour is in its 5th year and the build up to this year's event, the largest to-date, has been monumental.   

       Images form BlogTour NYC 2013

Aside from the known fact that Veronika Miller, CEO of Modenus, is gifted, when it comes to bringing people together, she also has a good nose for what makes a successful business, how best to brand and market it. That she does this in such a way that builds genuine friendships that extend beyond spreadsheets and expectations, should tell you something about this charismatic woman. I'll sum it up with one word: Tone. She sets a good tone - the right tone, with everything she does. I admire her, enormously. 

         Image thanks to Flo von Pelet

It's worth pointing out that the interior designers who have been invited to attend and engage in this event, here in Las Vegas, are also business owners. We understand the value of engaging with leading brands, via social media. However technological our worlds become, 'face to face' meetings will always trump a 140 character drive by. 

Although a sponsored tour - and it must be said, the sponsors (Blanco, Thermador, TOTO, Mr Steam, Wilson Art, Top Knobs, KBIS., Mohawk and WoodMode) along with Modenus, have organised fantastic events, over the next few days, we have not been paid to be here.  I'm personally delighted to be here, to meet other designers, see great design and meet the people who work hard, behind the key brands that supply the UK market (and those aspiring to do so). But most of all, I'm here because Veronika is. If she's excited about something, I want to know about it. 

I don't know what the next few days will bring, but I know it will be great. Please feel free to follow us all, on Instagram and Twitter, via the following hashtags: #BlogTourKBIS #BlogTourLasVegas #designhounds. We'll be sharing the experience with you, as we go - do pop in to say 'hello'...  

Let's Talk | Suzi Hoodless

       

Suzy Hoodless

I was reading through Interior Stylist Sophie Robertson's blog post Decorating on the dark side when I came upon a particularly arresting image from one of Interior Designer, Suzy Hoodless's projects -  her home, in fact. Hers is a design dialogue that I understand on a cellular level, and so, although I rarely post these days, I felt I had to share this with you.

There's something about the way she plays with colour and proportion that reminds me of all the great things in life: art, dialogue, music, food, love, sex etc. Her design work plugs into a particular rhythm that is replicated through these experiences: a dance between intensity and relief. A kind of golden ratio twinned with the vibrations we respond to when we experience all that it is to be human. And, in this way, I feel that Suzy Hoodless is more than a designer; she is a composer of experiences.

How do these images make you feel? Are they a little intense for your taste, or is the pitch perfect?