Design | Wellness | Cabinetry
The Obamas have named Michael S. Smith as their Interior Designer for the White House interiors.
Smith is known for his inventive style of mixing Old World classicism with very contemporary settings.
His style can be called a blend of European tradition and American modernism. The result is a comfortable elegance, a non-theatrical look that is ultimately very understated in its presentation. Congratulations Michael!
Via Domino
Electrolux named Marcello Zuffo as the Grand Prize Winner with his futuristic kitchen entry. The conceptual kitchen has movable components that can be reconfigured to adapt to the task at hand and is a sculptural component to a typically rectangular space.
“As a city dweller myself, I congratulate Marcello for addressing lack of space with a completely unique concept,” said Cindy Allen, judge and editor-in-chief of Interior Design Magazine. “The jury especially loved the ‘knuckle,’ which swivels, and allows the kitchen to serve utilitarian and sculptural purposes simultaneously.”
In its second year, the design competition, challenged members of the architect and design community to present innovative, thoughtful concepts for a kitchen that meets the changing needs of today’s modern family.
Marcello is a Senior Designer at Motorola’s Consumer Experience Design Group (CXD)
Congrats Marcello!
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced that some LG and Kenmore refrigerators are no longer part of the federal government’s Energy Star program because of concerns over the energy use by these models.
In September LG’s French Door fridges were tested and showed an energy usage 100% higher than the energy use promised on the fridge’s DOE Yellow Card.
It was reported that LG had programmed its refrigerator controllers to be able to identify DOE test conditions so that certain electrical functions are shut down when those conditions are met. When the 90F ambient test condition was met the auto-defrost shuts down, saving lots of power, and lowering their Energy Star test result.
The official report states that LG rated the refrigerators on the basis of a standard test procedure that has been widely used for nearly 30 years. LG said it didn’t take into account different applications of the testing rules for newer technologies used in the latest energy-efficient products. Specifically, DOE said LG didn’t set the refrigerators’ temperature-controllable compartments to their coldest levels, a requirement for energy-usage measurements.
The LG LFX25950, LFX25960, LFX25971, LFX23961, LFX21960, LFX21971, LFX21980, LFX25980, LMX21981, and LMX25981 models, as well as Kenmore Trio refrigerators designed and made by LG with model numbers starting with 795 and through-the-door ice and water dispensers, are affected by LG’s agreement with the DOE.
The DOE and LG reached an agreement outlining how LG will compensate consumer who purchased one of these models before November 14, 2008.
LG is providing a three-part offer for consumers who have purchased these models. This will involve both modifying your refrigerator and providing cash payments for the additional energy usage for the useful life of the refrigerator – up to 14 years.
In cooperation with its retailers, LG will attempt to contact all previous purchasers of the affected units to arrange the in-home modification and the payments. Consumers who purchased the affected models can also register to participate in the program and get more information by mail or by calling a special hotline (1-888-848-1266) or on-line at http://www.LGrefrigeratoroffer.com.
ENERGY STAR® is a joint DOE-EPA program, formed in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership that seeks to reduce air pollution through increased energy efficiency. DOE and EPA work to offer businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy and money, while also helping to protect our environment. More than 12,000 organizations have joined ENERGY STAR® as partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. The ENERGY STAR® label appears on more than 40 kinds of consumer products.
Samsung announced the launch of Moms Like Us, an on-line social network for their Washers and Dryers that celebrates “Life, Laundry and the Pursuit of Cleanliness.”
In addition to finding product information, participants can post and respond to messages, start their own groups within Moms Like Us, and take part in building the Laundry-Pedia, an encyclopedia of laundry tips.
If you register before the end of the year with Moms Like Us you will be entered to win a brand new Samsung Washer and Dryer pair.
Laundry-Pedia Example:
Washing tips: Antique linens
Soak spots in a solution of 1 part lemon juice and 1 part water with a pinch of salt. For stubborn stains, try immersing in a bath of non-chlorine bleach set in direct sunlight. Soak if needed, changing the water and bleach daily. To iron, blot linens dry, and wrap in a terry towel. Put in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days so the moisture will be drawn out evenly. Spread on a fresh terry towel and iron.