Money Saving Green Design - From Kohler

In a recent online newsletter Kohler gave great tips on saving money and being kind to the environment.

•Learn about green building, and how you can incorporate it into your kitchen.

•Get tips on how to cut costs by being earth-friendly.

Green building is not only great for the environment, it can be easy on your wallet as well. What used to be considered an expensive building option reserved for homeowners willing to sacrifice comfort and aesthetic appeal is now becoming a logical and economical choice for any lifestyle.
"Green building doesn't have to be more expensive than standard building, especially if we're discussing renovations" says Hannah Purdy, architect and designer with Walsh & Purdy Architects. "There are more and more products coming on the market all the time - from pressed paper countertops to denim insulation."
A green-built kitchen can save a lot of money, cutting water, energy and product replacement costs. Here are some tips on how to make your kitchen friendly to the environment, as well as to your bank account.

Water saving fixtures: Install low-flow faucets and faucet aerators. Touchless faucets help prevent waste by dispensing only what's needed, and hot-water faucets eliminate the need to run the water as it heats.

For the full article go to:

http://www.us.kohler.com/planning/detail.jsp?section=3&nsection=3&nsubsection=4&subsection=4&nitem=2&aid=1194379360185&id=PA0109&ep_mid=40906905&ep_rid=3062427376

Gaggenau Appliances No Longer Available Online

The following press release was issued by Gaggenau Home Appliances and published online by "Qualified Remodeler" one of the leading building industry magazines.

Gaggenau Home Appliances Ceases Online Sales
Product line will be exclusively sold at in-store locations of authorized dealers
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Huntington Beach, CA -- March 9, 2009 -- In keeping with its commitment to providing consumers with premium restaurant-grade appliances and the ultimate care in customer service, Gaggenau Home Appliances will no longer permit dealers to sell the Gaggenau product line on the Internet.

"Gaggenau recognizes the important role our trade partners play in maintaining the integrity of the Gaggenau brand and staying true to our core values," says Zach Elkin, director, Builders, Contractors, Designers Group, BSH Home Appliances. "At in-store locations, consumers benefit from individualized attention and the wealth of knowledge each trade partner has about Gaggenau products."

Gaggenau’s dedication to the highest level of personal service cannot be provided via a computer interface. At the brick and mortar locations of authorized Gaggenau dealers, consumers are encouraged and empowered to open doors, twist knobs and envision their lives in a Gaggenau kitchen. There, they can truly experience the difference that is Gaggenau, a company press release states.

To read more industry articles from "Qualified Remodeler" http://www.qualifiedremodeler.com/web/online/Business/Gaggenau-Home-Appliances-Ceases-Online-Sales/21$1281

"Paper Counters" What next?

Very informative article on Richlite, a paper fiber- and resin-based material that uses pulp from certified managed forests in North America, is emerging as the new bamboo.

This article appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle on Sunday March 8, 2009 and was written by: Zahid Sardar, Chronicle Staff Writer

Link to full article is below:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/06/HOK91651SG.DTL

JD Powers Appliance Survey

From Kitchen and Bath Design News - Online Industry Update

"Price has now become less important and ease of use more important in driving customer
satisfaction with kitchen appliances, when in previous years price was one of the more important factors contributing to satisfaction. This indicates that appliance brands that have controls and displays that are easy to use are increasingly distinguishing themselves from competitors, according to J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008

Kitchen Appliances Study released last week. “As kitchen appliance features, controls and displays become more sophisticated, it’s particularly important for manufacturers to ensure that the appliances remain intuitive and simple to use, lest owners become frustrated and dissatisfied with their machines," said Dale Haines, J.D. Power’s senior director, real estate and construction
industries. “The fact that price is becoming less important to consumers may reflect owners’ willingness to purchase a more expensive appliance to obtain greater function and value over the life of their machines, which can span 10 to 15 years.”

For the complete article click the link below:
http://www.kitchenbathdesign.com/web/online/Top-Headlines/Ease-of-Use-Most-Satisfying-Factor-for-Customers-Buying-Kitchen-Appliances--Study/53$4962

Comment form "My Kitchen Lady"

The study was fielded between June and July 2008. I wonder if the results would change if it were redone today!!!!

Color Therapy

Optimistic Hues Will Beat Recession Blues!

A recent Kitchen & Bath Business Magazine article by,Matthew Marin, discussed the use of color during the "Great Depression" with how color could be used to "liven up" moods in today's economic turmoil.

For the full article click the link below:

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200901/index.php?startid=20

Design Solutions That Keep Your Kitchen Organized

Learn how to sort and store your kitchen clutter.

• Longing for a tidy, organized kitchen where everything is right where you need it? Read on for eight great kitchen organizing tips.
  Sort and toss. Chances are much of your clutter is composed of stuff that isn’t really essential to the day-to-day functioning of your kitchen. Start the cleaning process by purging your cabinets and drawers of gadgets you hardly ever use. Donate the things you don't need, and place rarely-used items in storage.
  
• Get closer. Once you've pared your inventory down to essentials, put them in places that make the most sense. Keep glassware and cups near the refrigerator or sink; utensils, spices and plates near the cooking area; mugs near the coffeemaker.
  
• Divide and conquer. Adding vertical dividers in cabinetry makes it easy to stack cookie sheets and cake pans. For lower cabinets, a simple spin of a lazy susan puts everything within reach so you'll never have to empty them to see what's on hand. Small, inexpensive shelves can double your storage, allowing you to neatly organize the pantry. An under-the-sink caddy stores all your cleaning sprays and wipes.
  
• Use “hidden” space. Free up valuable cabinet and drawer space by installing hooks for coffee mugs and utensils under cabinets. Hang pots from an attractive rack on the ceiling. Make use of blank wall space or a backsplash by adding a utensil rack. Nest and stack pots, bowls and pans to maximize your storage space.
  Abolish the junk drawer. There's no need for a "junk drawer" if every item has a designated place. Use small dividers to stop pencils, coupons and gadgets from jumbling together. Keep plastic grocery bags tidy by stuffing them into a dispenser.
  
• Paper trail. If you can’t seem to eliminate the piles of takeout menus, recipes torn out of magazines and other such paper clutter from your kitchen, at least contain them. Sort them into categories, put them into colorful file folders and stow them in magazine binders near your cookbooks.
• Play favorites. Group items by how frequently you use them. Put your favorite cookware, dishes and glassware in the front of cabinets for easy access. Store specialty cookware and less-frequently used appliances and utensils like blenders, quesadilla makers, and food processors tucked away but easy to find when you need them.
  
• Smart appliances. If you're considering larger changes to your kitchen, such as buying new appliances or remodeling, a little foresight could save countless hours of clutter-busting down the line. Look for refrigerators that maximize interior space through strategically placed compartments; they'll make it easy to organize leftovers, large soda bottles and produce.
  
• Incorporate accessories. A few key sink accessories can help reduce the need for extra "stuff " in the kitchen by incorporating functionality into the sink itself.

Here are some items to consider: http://www.us.kohler.com/planning/detail.jsp?section=3&nsection=3&nsubsection=4&subsection=4&nitem=1&aid=1150819790621&id=PA1008&ep_mid=40558115&ep_rid=3062427376

Article reprinted courtesy http://www.kohler.com/

Designer's Roundtable Part 8

Designer Roundtable: Most-Used Kitchen and Bath Products
Find out what products and materials designers love to use in their kitchen and bath designs
By Ellen Sturm Niz January 12, 2009 Reprinted from http://www.kbbonline.com/

"We at KBDC love to use Warmly Yours radiant heated floors and Zehnder towel radiators in all of our bath projects. In addition to the little bit of luxury they impart, both products are truly ‘green.’ When you get up in the morning you can enjoy a heated bathroom (and towels) by using the programmable thermostats. These two products, used individually or together, allow for a heated bathroom without the expense of heating the entire home with attendant wear and tear on the heating system, fuel costs, etc. Luxury and practicality—it doesn't get any better than this!"—Lorey A.Cavanaugh, CKD, CBD, owner Kitchen + Bath I Design + Construction, West Hartford, CT.

Joan Eisenberg, CMKBD, ASID
Joan is an Independent Kitchen and Bathroom Design and Training Consultant. She is both a Certified Master Kitchen and Bathroom Designer and a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers.

http://www.mykitchenlady.com/
http://www.jmeconsultinginc.com/
http://www.kosherkitchensbydesign.com/
http://www.jme-consult.com/
http://www.mynutritionlady.com/
http://www.mymentorlady.com/

http://mykitchenlady.blogspot.com/

Silestone Introduces New Colors

Colors in the Life countertop series are the brightest on the market, the
maker says. The five new colors expand the maker's palette to 65 colors and two texture options across their complete catalog. Colors include green fun(lime),red vital (cherry red), orange cool (pastel orange), yellow dream(butterscotch),and blue enjoy (indigo), and are also available in Silestone Integrated Sinks, allowing for a seamless look from countertop to sink. Silestone materials are protected by Microban and carry a 15-year warranty.
866.268.6837. http://www.silestoneusa.com
©Copyright 2009, Hanley Wood, LLC. All Rights Reserved

The new colors from Silestone are not for the faint of heart for a full kitchen. However, they would certainly be great as an accent on an island, desk or coffee bar.

Joan Eisenberg, CMKBD, ASID

Joan is an Independent Kitchen and Bathroom Design and Training Consultant. She is both a Certified Master Kitchen and Bathroom Designer and a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers.

www.mykitchenlady.com
www.jmeconsultinginc.com
www.kosherkitchensbydesign.com
www.jme-consult.com
www.mynutritionlady.com
www.mymentorlady.com
http://mykitchenlady.blogspot.com