The Docking Drawer

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a contractor scratch his head and look at me with glazed eyes as I try to describe what I need from his electrician to provide a drawer for my clients to charge their devices out of sight.

The Docking Drawer™ from JTech Solutions removes the hassle with a convenient and safe way to integrate a grounded outlet into a cabinet drawer.

The outlet comes with two grounded 3-pronged outlets and two USB outlets with integrated on/off safety switch. The Docking Drawer™ is UL 962 approval pending and max rated for 3A/375w. The circuit is protected by 5A pop out breaker accessible from inside the cabinet.

The Docking drawer is best installed during new construction but can be retrofitted if you can run an electrical line to the rear of the cabinet. The drawer may need to be modified since the device has a limited reach. The device alone costs $139.00.

I think I might need to test one and see how it works with my standard cabinet specs.

January 26, 2014

Cava 36 Bottle Wine Credenza

The Vinotemp Cava credenza is the perfect solution for serving and storing your wine collection when you don’t like the look of a stainless steel and glass box.

The Cava Credenza has the ability to hold up to 36 bottles in two independently controlled refrigerated units, up to 18 wine glasses in the central hanging stemware racks, and all of your favorite wine accessories in its 3 storage drawers.

The Cava Credenza has dual thermoelectric cooling systems with 53° to 64°F temperature range and soft interior lighting to beautifully display your favorite wines without adding heat. It is available in two finishes: Espresso and Rich Maple.

The Credenza is 54″ wide, 22″ deep, 40″ high and weighs close to 250 pounds. Pricing is set at $1,780 plus $415 freight. It does not meet CA prop. 65 regulations.

While this credenza does not hold a lot of bottles, I think the use of furniture feet give it a lighter appearance than other models on the market. I’d prefer if one cooler could handle large or oddly shaped bottles. If you place a champagne bottle in this credenza you will most likely reduce the overall bottle capacity that can be stored.

September 28, 2013

55 Downing Street

Lamps Plus is one of America’s largest lighting retailers and a sponsor of the BlogTour London Trip I recently went on. For more than 30 years they have been building their business to offer nationwide customers the largest collection of function and decorative lighting fixtures, accessories, furniture and home decor. The Lamps Plus collection of websites includes Lighting Luxury Style, Builders Discount Lighting, Lamps Plus Open Box and 55 Downing Street.

If you are unfamiliar with 55 Downing Street, it launched in May 2012 in the flash sales arena.

“Over the last year, we’ve discovered what designs truly excite our customers most. So we
now scour all corners of the globe to source the latest styles,” says Manja Swanson, Chief
Creative Officer for 55 Downing Street and Lamps Plus. “From handmade Indian rugs
and pillows to furniture produced right here in California, each design on 55 Downing
Street has been hand selected on the basis of quality, value and, of course, style.”

Starting early next year, 55 Downing Street will launch the first of three exclusive house brands. The brands – Dahlia Studios, Chateau Lux and Cinnabar Road – will feature artisan soft lines, continental inspired furniture, and globally-inspired imported furnishings, respectively.

The new brand offering will coincide with a re-launch of 55DowningStreet.com. The new site will feature a new blog team and contributors to offer readers a fresh voice and insights into the latest design trends.

I’ve paired items from the Lamps Plus website and 55 Downing Street with images from the London Design Festival to demonstrate how trendy their product selection actually is.

Cox London at Decorex | Irondale Helena Reclaimed Bookcase

Brokis Pendants at Design Junction | Possini Euro Engels

Paris Wakefield Additions at Tent London | Annabelle Modern Flame Chair and Flame Zig Zag lamp

Foldability at DesignJunction | Possini Euro White Cloud Pendant

Tony Miles Designs at DesignJunction | Telestar Lamp

(Lamps Plus is a sponsor for BlogTour London 2013, but the views and opinions expressed on this blog are mine, and I will be honest in what I share.)

September 7, 2013

Spitalfields Saturday Style Market

I have to say I was pretty pleased when I spotted Spitalfields Saturday Style Market as a possible stop for BlogTour London.

Spitalfields Market is a great London institution – in a huge old Victorian building with a metal and glass roof, surrounded by cool shops and restaurants – the center of the building is filled with traditional market stalls and 100′s of eclectic independent traders selling their finest wares.

Aside from the market stalls, there are some great independent retailers too like OneDeko; a contemporary furniture store and Elemental; a vintage/retro lighting and furniture store.

Just outside Spitalfields is The Lollipop Shoppe , offering international furniture classics, lighting and home decor. Major Brands such as Vitra, Knoll, Artek, Cassina, and Fritz Hansen are featured with an eclectic collection of accessories.

With such a tight schedule I hardly know where to start. Leave comments on your favorite places at Spitalfields.

Spitalfields takes its name from the hospital and priory, St. Mary’s Spittel that was founded in 1197. Lying in the heart of the East End, it is an area known for its spirit and strong sense of community. It was in a field next to the priory where the now famous market first started in the thirteenth century.

From its small beginnings in the 17th Century, Spitalfields Market blossomed. Traders working from a collection of sheds and stalls did their best to meet the needs of London’s rapidly growing population and their appetite for fresh fruit and vegetables. Their success made Spitalfields Market a major center for the sale of fresh produce, trading six days a week.

In 1920 the City of London acquired direct control of the market, extending the original buildings eight years later. For the next 60 years, Spitalfields’ nationwide reputation grew, as did the traffic congestion in the narrow streets around it. With no room for the expansion it so badly needed, the market was forced to move and in May 1991 it opened its doors at its new location in Leyton, east London.

At the end of 2005, the Spitalfields completed an 18-year regeneration program. This resulted in the creation of two new public spaces, Bishops Square and Crispin Place, a public art program, an events program, the restoration of several historic streets in E1 and a selection of carefully selected independent retailers and restaurants.