Nico Yektai’s newest bench design, made from oxidized Sapele wood and concrete, assumes, as he calls it, a gestural stance. We see a fencer in a deep lunge – can you see it? As with all of Nico’s work we love the carefully balanced composition and the contrast between polished wood and concrete.

Moving away from smaller objects and furniture, Nico will also feature a larger piece entitled “Doors to my past” – a tribute to his travels in Europe as a child and interesting doors he saw along the way. This piece was first shown at the Guild Hall Museum in East Hampton.

You can find Nico at booth #2436

Cool design is only the beginning with Graypants‘ collection of lighting and furniture – after that things get very environmentally conscious without ever compromising style or fun. Scraplights (above) are made from recycled, corrugated cardboard with a life cycle that includes Graypants’ delivery cartons being returned to the factory.

What impressed us is that even the family in 1887 knew to appreciate a great light fixture.

You can find Graypants at booth #818 at ICFF.

His classic overall style tends towards an unpretentious European aesthetic.  He achieves this by striking a balance with the right amount of premium old world decorative art to make a statement, but to not overwhelm a space.  He then infuses his rooms with modern fine art, whether an oil on canvas or a photograph, to zap it into the 21^st century. The results are marvelous … just ask former U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, whose home in London was designed by Brian.

Like his colleagues at the very, very top, Brian is a maestro at utilizing artisans to create furnishing for his spaces.  But one thing that amazes me is that he also uses artisans to work on all the surfaces in a room.  One can observe that the plaster and woodwork in the featured rooms is simply magnificent.  The pattern, texture and colors of the floors, walls and ceilings are truly First Class.

This blog post is, lets be honest, about everything including the kitchen sink. The kitchen sink, in this case, is the brand new Cerana sink from BLANCO. It is notable for many reasons, not least its cunning design which gives you a choice of a rounded or straight front edge making it suitable for contemporary and more traditional settings. Contemporary as shown above, traditional below. Then there is its fireclay construction which won’t fade, stain or chip. Little wonder that Modenus founder, and ex Kitchen Designer Veronika Miller waxes lyrical about it whenever given the chance. “This is my dream sink” she says, “with it BLANCO have solved a problem they would only have known about by really listening to working designers. And you’ve got to love them for that”.

But there is more. The reason we are featuring the Cerana Sink from BLANCO now is that it is going to be the focal point at the BLANCO /Modenus Tweetup at the ICFF at 2pm on Monday 21 May. And as anyone who has been to one of our Tweetups knows, that means good things to eat and drink. On this occasion Champagne and Cupcakes have been  promised.

But wait, there’s more. At the Tweet Up there will be a drawing amongst attending bloggers and the winner will be able to garner a spot on BlogTour London, the latest in the renowned, if not world famous, Modenus BlogTour series.

The event is by invitation only so please RSVP here.

I often find today that my clients are totally unaware of the marvelous wallpaper options available to them.  I’m not talking about your grandmother’s wallpaper, or even your mother’s for that matter.  I’m referring to the outrageously creative alternative wall coverings being produced by small artisan companies, but slated for the broad spectrum design market.

One company that has been filling this design slot is a company called TROVE. Their wallpapers are highly sophisticated designs executed in unconventional scale and patterns that really have a WOW effect on the walls.

THINK BIG  when you think of TROVE. Think pink winged pigeons floating in the sky.  Think oversized blooms and branches gracefully traversing down a wall. Think soft abstract images of the sky and the ocean covering your walls. Think whimsical photographs printed floor to ceiling.   These are but some of the patterns beautifully executed by TROVE.

I love the soft colorations, the juxtaposition of an antique hurricane lamp against a field of butterflies.  Actually you might remember I featured a TROVE paper in a post I wrote last December for DEZIGNLICIOUS.COM about the Holiday House (see  HOLIDAY HOUSE, NYC 2011 .)

TROVE is not just another pretty face on the wall.  You have lots of options with the line, including total color and design customization, as well as printing the sublime patterns on a natural wood veneer. TROVE  also has a line called Marquee, where they emboss glass beads into their patterns, just to add a little more “zsazs” to your walls.  Then there is the Eco-friendly Redux line , which is composed of  recycled material , PVC free and has the durability of vinyl wall covering.

If you look in the dictionary for the definition of trove it will say “a collection of things.” TROVE wall coverings are indeed a treasure trove  of the finest wallpapers available in today’s contemporary marketplace.

CIAO, CIAO ‘TIL NEXT TIME!

The Brimfield Cocktail is the perfect drink for this uber-expansive event located up in the area of Massachusetts known as Brimfield.
It is not a weak cocktail by any form of the word.
This drink is meant to make you spend money.
But why would you want to spend money at Brimfield?
That’s a pretty interesting question. Brimfield is the largest outdoor antique and flea market in the United States.

This bucolic section of the state is just filled with dealers of every thing collectable.
From the mundane to the vividly imaginative- if it says craft or garden design or perhaps fine arts, or even fabulous bed linens, you can find it at Brimfield.

But why would I want to go to Brimfield?

I was invited by The Daily Basics to be their Mixologist for the event in the VIP Tent.
My friend Graham from Tenneyson Absinthe generously donated his explosively delicious Absinthe, Royal Rose Syrups donated their “Rose” Syrup and Bitter End was kind enough to send me some Curry and also their Thai Bitters.

Polar Beverages sent dozens and dozens of flavored seltzer waters from their Bartenders Series making for a boozy afternoon of socializing, cocktail enjoyment and cocktail whispering!
The Brimfield Cocktail takes your mind far off the beaten path of shop, shop, shop. Sometimes you have to sit down, recharge your tired legs and enjoy a couple of “wickedly” powerful cocktails like the Brimfield Cocktail.

Cynthia Bogart and Gretchen Aubucheon did everything they could to make the event absolutely perfect.

The Brimfield Cocktail
(Will absolutely trash at least two of your friends, Danger Level 5 out of 5!!!)

Ingredients:
3 Shots Tenneyson Absinthe
1 Shot Bulldog Gin
3 Tablespoons Royal Rose Simple Syrup (Rose)
8 Drops Bitter End Thai Bitters
Polar Seltzer Mint Mojito Seltzer Water
Fresh Mint
Preparation:
In a Cocktail Shaker, fill 1/3 with ice
Add the liquors
Add the Bitters
Add the Syrup
Shake well until frosted on the outside of the shaker
Pour into short rocks glasses
Top with Polar Seltzer Mint Mojito Seltzer
Garnish with fresh mint and a slice of citrus fruit, lemon, lime, orange
Cheers! wb
That said, the Brimfield Cocktail, without further delay

April’s most viewed: Royce Wood Studio – Salsa Glaze

Enjoy the nine more choices for April below:

2. Modwall’s “Lush” subway tile in “Cloud

3. Craft Fabricators – Spring Chair

4. David Harber’s Dark Planet Garden Sphere

5. Skinflint Design’s Turbinator

6. Roast Design’s Origin Chandelier7. Christopher Guy’s Confidante

8. Crown Point Cabinetry’s Bayberry Green Milk Painted Hutch

9. Franke’s Centennial Sink

10. Paloform’s Bento Firebox

One of today’s newer tendencies in art and design is incorporating ceramics as an integral part of the décor of a space.  Gone are the days when ceramics were considered tchotchkes for tabletop décor or for their utilitarian use.  Representing this current mindset and pushing the envelope on ceramics is the very skillful, Brazilian-born, London-based artist Valéria Nascimento. 

As you can appreciate from the images, Valéria gets her inspiration from nature (and very likely from the natural richness – both inside an outside the ocean – found in Brazil). The fine edges of her vessels and flowers are simple, paper thin and exquisitely delicate, just like you would find in a garden or a coral reef.  They’re quite REMARKABLE!

Almond water ice is the frozen form of a slick new (old) product that speaks of a time in France- near and dear to our palates.  Have you ever enjoyed an almond croissant?  Fresh from the oven, oozing with the intoxicating aroma of freshly sliced almonds and sweet brown butter?

You know that aroma.  Once you smell it- the aromatics will never leave your memory.

Victoria’s Kitchen in Los Angeles is making Almond Water from a recipe belonging to the grand-mere of one of the owners of the company.

Upon opening the top of the glass container the aroma of sweet almonds, drenched in butter and the crisp flavor of the filtered spring water envelops you.

It is most intoxicating!

I’ve taken this salubrious and intriguing almond water and frozen it into ice cubes.

I recently received a bottle of the USDA Certified Organic Sao Cachaça from my friend Fabiola Conrado.

This lightning strong cachaça is un-aged and takes to the softer, “Grand-Mere” elements of the almond water ice in a most agreeable fashion.

I’ve also included a healthy dosage of SNAP.  SNAP is USDA Certified organic ginger snap liqueur.

Then there is the splash of Four Roses Bourbon.

The combination of the un-aged sugar cane spirits and the Ginger SNAP with a splash of Kentucky Bourbon is brilliant.

I also used the Mexican Mole’ Bitters from the Bitter End in New Mexico.  Topping this drink off I used an Absinthe Wash from Tenneyson (literally washed the glass out with Tenneyson Absinthe) and to complete a float of Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth.

This cocktail sounds complicated, but let me assure you, once tasted you may not want to get up from your perch.

And isn’t that where you want to be the most?

Happy Weekend all.  I’m at the Kentucky Derby and will see y’all next week.

Kentucky Rambler Cocktail

Ingredients for four rather strong drinks:

Victoria’s Kitchen Almond Water (frozen into Williams-Sonoma silicone ice cube trays

2 Shots of Sao USDA Certified Organic Cachaça

2 Shots SNAP, USDA Certified Organic Ginger Snap Liqueur

1 shot of Tenneyson Absinthe mixed with water and washed through the glass

2 Shots Four Roses Bourbon Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey

3 Shots Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth

Bitter End Mexican Mole Bitters

Preparation:

Add a couple of shots of the Absinthe to water and ice then pour into cocktail glasses

Let the Absinthe water sit in the glasses for a bit to chill the glasses down, pour out

In a large cocktail shaker add all liquors and 1/4 filled with regular ice (reserve Carpano for finish)

Shake and strain into short rocks glasses with Almond Water ice

Pour the Carpano Antica Formula over the top of the cocktail glasses

Add a couple of drops of the Bitter End Mexican Mole Bitters over the top

Stir with a cocktail straw

Cheers!  wb

As you already know, KBIS (Kitchen & Bath Industry Show) was held this year in Chicago and Design Magnifique was in attendance on the hunt for the latest innovative designs in kitchen and bath tools. Brands, of all levels, unveiled their best fashion-forward products for the kitchen and bathroom that, really, serves to make your life a little easier and fun. Here are my found treasures.

Copper

As if luxury + professional couldn’t get any better. ROHL‘s new stainless copper sink is constructed of high-grade stainless steel for extreme durability. It’s profound craftsmanship radiates an abundance of contemporary features including an easy to clean corner edge and clean side walls. What is also spectacular about this sink is its insulation that reduces the splash-back sound.

Chromatherapy

Brands are catching on to the fact that color does affect one’s mood. As a color lover, I was thrilled to see Chromatherapy Lighting incorporated into products as in the shower head by ROHL (above) and the Underscore bathtub by KOHLER (below).

For an added bonus, KOHLER took it a step further by adding music; YES, music for a multi-sensory environment. Two messaging beat experiences add physical vibration that can be adjusted to the desired level of intensity to personalize the bathing experience. On a side note, I sat in this tub and let me just say, WOW what an experience.

Laminate

FORMICA has done wonders to ensure that Laminate is not left in the dust. From solid colors to woodgrains and patterns, your options are bountiful. Further, Formica’s idealEDGE is leading the pack in innovation. No more are there brown lines but rather a smooth finish all around. The Bullnose and Ogee edge are Formica’s latest additions.

ORGANIZATION

No one will ever argue that organization is a must in the kitchen (we all have one of those catch-all drawers that seems to never stay tidy). While there were several brands featuring kitchen organization this year, my heart remains with Poggenpohl because its flawless, contemporary and first-class. Not only do these drawers glide easy on thin runners but also includes adjustable organization and/or LED lighting.

MOTIONSENSE

MotionSense was another word buzzing about KBIS this year. And with so many brands offering their own interpretation of motionsense, it was hard to select my favorite. But here it is, from Brizo‘s new collection, Odin. The Odin collection is an imaginative new series of faucets, showers and accessories for the bathroom that features a modern, architectural approach in a sleek design and SmarttouchPlus application.

Cheers,

Marilyn