Modern Kitchen with Fabric Doors

Demode is offering material doors in their Meccanica Kitchen line for a modern “dematerialized” aesthetic. Created by Gabriele Centazzo and engineered by Valcucine, the Meccanica Kitchen uses less materials in its construction thus creating a revolutionary eco-friendly kitchen system.

The Meccanica Kitchen is characterized by tubular iron (anodized aluminium) frames that create different modular elements which can easily be assembled and dismantled as needed, customizable to any space in the home or office. The tubular pieces are joined with mechanical fasteners so there is no gluing or worry about formaldehyde.

Shelving, drawers and panels can be added into the metal framework in a variety of different finishes. Doors are available in various colors of plywood, sheet metal or even fabric which is stain-resistant (Teflon-coated), removable and washable.

Meccanica has been designed to be 90% reused and 100% recycled. It comes with the Valcucine Life-long Responsibility Guarantee, which ensures that they will take the kitchen back at the end of its life cycle.

The units are shipped flat-packed allowing for more items to be shipped at one time, reducing transportation and fuel costs.

DEMODE by Valcucine redefines a new parameter of the real living culture with real beauty that is simple, intellectual, engaging and unique design purpose.

Demode stands for Democratic Modern Design. A name that can also be read as Démodé, i.e. out of fashion. Why? Because fashion is ephemeral while Demode is designed to last. Meccanica is the 5th Kitchen Series for Demode, joining Digma, Planca, Integra and Forma. Traditionally associated to the idea of reducing consumption (degrowth philosophy), Demode kitchens embrace minimum consumption of raw materials and energy, long durability, recyclability and non-toxic finishes. Each product is 100% recyclable, designed for reuse, optimization of raw materials and application of non-toxic processing and materials. Demode does not advertise in magazines or on television so they can price their products at a proportional value for the consumer.

(The new Valcucine London showroom will be open during the
London Design Festival 14-22 September.)

August 25, 2013

New Blanco Faucets

I’ve been wanting to write about the new faucets from Blanco for a while and now seems like the perfect time. If you have not already heard, I will be going to London as part of the BlogTour London 2013 founded by Modenus CEO Veronika Miller. Blanco is one of the fine sponsors for this trip.

The new faucet collection from Blanco is making a Splash. Beauty and Performance go hand-in-hand with water-saving options.

The new series includes the Victorian GRACE II, the sleek ALTA COMPACT, the elegant HILAND and the graceful NAPA. Blanco’s tradition of high quality materials and innovative design is carried forward in this collection. With all the possible design and color combinations, most homeowners are sure to find a faucet that fits their style and needs.

Grace II

Traditional Design for today’s world.
Pull-down and Pull-out Faucet Design with dual spray
2.2 GPM flow rate
Chrome or Stainless Steel finish

Alta Compact

Clean contemporary design
120° degree spout swivel
2.2 GPM flow rate
Café Brown, Chrome, Satin Nickel or Anthracite, Biscotti, Cinder, Truffle, White combo finishes

Hiland

Transitional Design for any decor
Pull-out faucet with dual spray
2.2 or 1.8 GPM flow rate
Chrome or Stainless Steel finish

Napa

Elegant high arc design with gentle curves
Pull-down and Pull-out Faucet Design with dual spray
2.2 or 1.8 GPM flow rate
Chrome or Stainless Steel finish

This series of solid brass faucets retail from $375 – $525 and include a Limited lifetime warranty.

About Blanco

For three generations, BLANCO, the German innovator of finely crafted sinks and faucets, has passionately elevated the standards for luxury sinks, faucets and decorative accessories.

BLANCO offers a large variety of award-winning kitchen sink designs at all price points, with bowl configurations, bowl depths and installation styles available in both stainless steel and granite.

BLANCO has a long tradition of environmental stewardship and their production facilities operate to strict DIN EN ISO 14001 environmental performance standards.

Showing their commitment to provide their customers with unsurpassed service, Blanco has produced educational how-to videos on www.blancoamerica.com. The videos offer step-by-step tutorials designed to answer the most frequently asked questions about sinks and faucets including: How-to change a ceramic faucet disk cartridge.

August 18, 2013

Top Brewer

The Scanomat Top Brewer is the ultimate coffee machine for the homeowner that likes an uncluttered countertop. You can control the grinding and brewing hidden below the countertop with a touch pad controller or by using your iPhone or iPad.

The Top Brewer has dual grinders and a height-adjustable goose neck spout that can brew a cup of coffee from a cold start in 45 seconds. Once warmed up the Top Brewer can deliver a hot cup of coffee in 15 seconds or a shot of espresso in 25 seconds. The refrigerated compartment keeps milk fresh for on demand foaming at the correct texture for Lattes, Cappuccinos, Macchiatos or what ever it is you desire.

Another great feature is that the Top Brewer cleans itself automatically. The cleaning system cleans all hoses with water after each cup.

Two models are available; the Pro and the Compact. The Pro requires a drain so some extra planning is required for installation.

If coffee isn’t your thing, the Top Brewer can be configured to dispense hot and cold water, milk, fruit juices or even just steam for blanching vegetables. Pricing is available upon request.

Be your own Barista

The Top Brewer app is easy and intuitive. Adjusting your coffee strength or amount of milk is as simple as moving the slider to your personal preference. You can also save the customized settings in your app. Scanomat built the app with real-time status so you can oversee the whole brewing process.

Those who own more than one Top Brewer can control multiple machines simultaneously via the app’s favorites screen. It gives you control all of your machines in one view, so you can be churning out a variety of drinks with a few taps, turning you into the ultimate barista.

This appliance has benefits outside the home. Imagine your local coffee shop with a team of Top Brewers that lets you order your coffee drink just the way you like it from your iPhone or iPad while you stand in line to pay for the beverage.

July 9, 2013

Traditional Pulldown faucet

One of the difficulties in designing a theme kitchen or bath is finding plumbing fixtures that meet both the theme and the modern functionality homeowners want.

I was pretty pleased to discover this new traditional pull-down faucet from Waterstone Faucets. It’s designed and made in the USA from solid brass.

The PLP Pulldown is extremely gorgeous and would you believe it, available in 31 finishes. It also comes with 3 decorative handle caps and is reverse osmosis compatible.

The PLP spray head has a unique “PLP” positive lock that keeps the head in place. The counter balanced spray head extends 18″ from the spout and features two spay types.

Other convenient features are a control handle that adjusts up to 45 degrees (right or left) for clearance from backsplashes and the 360 degree swivel spout.

Coordinating accessories such as an air switch and soap\lotion dispenser are also available.