Alright folks, here are a handful of tips to show you how to best use the many features on Modenus, now’s a good time to learn them because we’re adding even more cool stuff in just a couple of months.
Our basic concept:
- Interior Designers, Decorators, Architects, Builders: All of our services, including the project management tool and listing in designer directory are free to approved trade pros.
- Artisans, Fabricators, Workrooms and other design trade services: Listing in our search-able artisan & trade services directory is free through Dec, 2011, after that there’s a small annual fee.
- Manufacturers, art/antiques dealers and vendors: That’s anyone who makes and sells products. To list in our catalog is based on an annual subscription which varies depending on number of products. Call us for more information. 321-280-6868
For more information about joining Modenus click here
Need more details about what to do? Read on!
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Do you have a great blog, style, and personality? Do you love design, travel, food and wine? In fact, do you love all the great things life has to offer and want to share them with your captive audience? Yes? Well how about this – would you like to join Modenus and select teams of bloggers as they scour the world for great design and report back live from the world’s greatest cities and the most recognized design trade shows? Continue Reading…
Madonna totally rocked the Super Bowl half time show with some great collaborators, Cee Lo on ‘Like a Prayer’, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. on ‘Gimme All Your Luvin’. And some incredible dancers who deserve credit. We want to draw attention to another of the stars of her show, the spectacular throne she was carried in on. London design duo Jimmie Martin were responsible for the black polished walkway and gilded poles raised above two sphinx dripping in black Swarovski crystals, a one of a kind Egyptian inspired work of art. And there, behind the seat of the throne were the tall and unmistakable initials M.D.N.A, the title of Madonna’s next album scrawled in Jimmie’s signature graffiti script. Now you know – no need to sing ‘Who’s That Chair?’.
We’re thrilled to be able to bring you our first ever trends report via guest contributor Theresa Strickland from Brandwave.org . For more information please click through to Brand Wave or scroll to the bottom of Theresa’s Global Trend Forecast 2012 to learn more about her work.
About Theresa:
Theresa is a key-industry merchandising strategist with a 25 year track record of strategizing for companies like Macy’s, where she was vice-president of table top and housewares and as Senior Vice President at Pottery Barn. Theresa lives in both, San Francisco and Chicago, with her husband and two dogs, Norman and Maci. Once again, for the full, and rather impressive, extent of Theresa’s global branding , marketing and merchandising experience, please hop over to Brand Wave to learn more about this incredible woman.
Martin Miller - Bon viveur and maker of Martin Miller's London Dry Gin via www.luxist.com
I’m sitting in front of the fireplace right now. Also in front of me are over 15 bottles of Artisanal Gin. My new favorite is the London Dry Gin from Martin Miller’s Gin. This is truly exotic stuff. The London Dry is in a low, squat bottle. Upon opening the handsome bottle I detect immediately the scent of cucumbers. Not just any cucumber but an especially aromatic variety. This Gin doesn’t need to be mixed- it’s got all the stuff right inside. I’m absolutely blown away by the softness of the nose- coupled with that unmistakable aroma of the cucumber. I got to thinking- when was the first time that I smelled this quality of Gin? Hendrick’s does a cucumber scented Gin that I like, very much. This Gin from Martin Miller is a very sophisticated and dare I say sensual slurp of liquid pleasure. The cucumber is right there in the foreground. You cannot miss it. I’m almost shocked by the depth of the vegetable aroma and flavor. White flowers follow up immediately- those little Tobacco flowers. Then the attack of herbs and spices come quickly into view. The initial distillation happens in England. The blending occurs in Iceland with pristine glacial water as the adjunct. I’m just blown away by the finish- it goes on and on and… on .
I thought I introduce a new cocktail to Modenus this week. Gin and Citrus come to mind. Charred grapefruit juice, Maraschino Cherry liquor and a chiffonade of Thai Basil. What? Fresh herbs in a drink? Why not?
To make this cocktail you must be ready to take your palate to another place. In this case, the drink is Martini-like but not a Martini. Sure it has Vermouth, but Carpano Antica is the Sweet Vermouth (instead of dry) and there is the slightly charred grapefruit bringing up the rear.
I love working with great ingredients and you should too!
The Gin Twist
Makes two invigorating cocktails for whatever you desire at the end of the day.
Ingredients:
Martin Miller’s London Dry Gin
Carpano Antica
Cucumber chunks
Bitter End Thai Bitters
Lime hunks
Grapefruit chunks
Fresh mint
Seltzer water like Perrier Pink Grapefruit
Chiffonade of Thai Basil
Preparation:
To a cocktail shaker filled ¼ with ice add some charred grapefruit. (sear grapefruit segments in a sauté pan until nice and colored on all sides, then muddle with fresh mint and the cucumber, lime and grapefruit chunks until they release their essence about 3 minutes or so. Add to the shaker the Carpano Antica Vermouth (about a shot) Roll the Thai Basil into a cigar shape, and then slice on the bias to release the aromatic oils. Add to the shaker.
Add the Martin Miller’s Dry London Gin and the Maraschino Liqueur. ( 1 shot)
Shake and strain into a coupe’ glass and garnish with a flamed peel of orange peel. Top with a home cured cherry. Add a splash of seltzer water to finish.
Slurp away to a freezing cold and wet spring in old England.
http://www.cocktailwhisperer.com
Welcome to part two of Carmen Natschke’s 25 top finds from Maison et Objet in Paris. And if you missed the first five finds from The Decorating Diva you had best get hunting for part one!
Interesting use of materials was another trend on show at Maison. This Now’s Home coffee table sports a tiled look of leather strips combined with diamond shaped metal inlays. Continue Reading…
The very wonderful Carmen Natschke, founder and editor of The Decorating Diva generously offered to share her 25 top finds from Maison et Objet 2012. While we tend to agree with Mae West that too much of a good thing is wonderful, we are opting to prolong the pleasure. So here are Carmen’s top Parisian picks – part one of five. And part one starts with shades of saturated pinks which had a strong showing at Maison et Objet. Paolo Murani Design highlights this color trend in multiple hues of fuchsia.
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Twice a year, Maison & Objet, the vast interior design and furniture show, held in the vast purpose built centre on the outskirts of Paris, attracts design professionals, journalists and enthusiasts from Europe and beyond. It is, make no mistake, an essential destination. It would be easier to list the European manufacturers who don’t participate than to even list the old friends and favorites we bumped into. And, of course, there is no place like Paris. But be warned, bumping into old favorites probably isn’t the best strategy for this show. Just as in Milan, you need to focus. The show is organized into eight halls – seasoned and returning visitors all counseled those visiting for one or two days to restrict their adventures to two or three halls. So let me declare myself now, if you were somewhere other than halls 5, 7 and 8 – sorry, maybe some other time. Continue Reading…
This month we’re all about romance and we love the romance Linda Merrill, captured in this tiny space. Confronted with a kitchen from the early 80′s with knotty pine cabinets, out of date appliances and too many disconnected elements, Linda set to work.
We want to note that no cabinet was harmed in the making of this remodel, and salute Linda for avoiding the temptation of choosing light colors to make the space appear bigger. On the contrary, Linda refinished, painted and distressed the cabinets – herself – in two shades of blue which contrasts beautifully with the copper accents on the pot rack and roman shade. New, stainless appliance offer a bit more reflective surface and updated appeal and we’ve spotted the addition of much needed recessed lights. We also love the accent of white bead-board that covers the walls in what is now a classically romantic french provincial style gem of a kitchen. New countertops and plumbing fixtures complete the design and a skirted sideboard hides kitchen gadgets with charm and style. 
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Rebbecca Ward is one of Sacramento’s foremost interior designers and when one of her clients bought a home and wasn’t sure what to do with the formal living room, well, who else would they turn to?
Rebecca’s solution was to turn the room into a study complete with built in shelving and file cabinets, wood flooring a writing desk and plenty of places to lounge.
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This really is very beautiful. The year long refurbishment of a farmhouse in Vaison-la-Romaine by the talented Meilin Bristiel has created a building that is distinctly French, and of its time, yet also modern, comfortable and fully functioning. It may be easier to talk about what she left alone. And, in case you are wondering, that would be the peripheral walls except for the window and door openings. Just about everything else is new.
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Our thanks to Linda Merrill for sending us details of her work on this lovely 19th Century Boston townhouse formal living room. That beautiful walnut parquet flooring you can see on the right is also there on the left, it is just hidden under several layers of stain and varnishes. All credit to Linda for conserving this beautiful material rather than replacing it. The red walls and stark white blinds did nothing to enhance the existing space so Linda replaced both with warm neutrals and soft but classic draperies, making the room stylish and welcoming.
The furnishings are formal but comfortable with highly durable fabrics, ideal for the delighted clients, a busy professional couple with a toddler. There is a pair of sideboards flanking the fireplace by Theodore Alexander, Mitchell Gold arm chairs with toddler friendly washable velvet by Robert Allen; the sofa is Baker “Dapha” with Stroheim & Roman chenille, the small round table by Milling Road for Baker and those beautiful tufted back arm chairs, just perfect for the room, are “Martine” chairs by Restoration Hardware. The rug is by Landry & Arcari and Linda made all the accent pillows herself. The only things which are not new are the chandelier and the sconce which is late 19 Century French gilded bronze with crystals.
And we think that’s a bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin on the sideboard so we hope you’ll excuse Modenus Tim if he raises a glass of his favourite tipple in loyal salute to the British monarch and in thanks to Linda Merrill for sending these pictures and her excellent notes to beforeandafter@modenus.com. You, of course, are welcome to do the same.
