Thursday, April 30, 2009

Kitchen and Bath Show 2009 KBIS in Atlanta

If you go ga-ga for Kitchen and Bath anything, this is the place! KBIS, the largest Kitchen Bath Industry Trade Show is underway in Atlanta and I'm here to share all the scoop with you!
Here's the buzz I'm hearing so far and it's good news for our economy, or so says one group that completed a national poll which says we as homeowners who like to improve our home are feeling more confident and going from the "stay-cation" to "feathering the nest," and perhaps launching into bigger projects! We'll see. More on that in my upcoming blogs from KBIS.

For the next several days I'll take you "shopping" with me, since this really gives you a great overview of all the neat new things you can get and do for your home-- mainly the Kitchen and Bath. And here's just a taste of some of the hot stuff I've discovered so far. We're talking 900 leading manufacturers all here unveiling their latest toys and technologies for the home!

How about an Outdoor Kitchen and Cabinetry made of Bamboo, Teak or Cyprus? Atlantis makes it so your fun in the sun can withstand any kind of weather, rain or shine, snow or sleet too! And it's available in a bunch of colors. It is the "ironman" of outdoor kitchens because of its weatherproof Perma-Panel engineering and beautiful custom wood designs.


Check out: www.atlantiscabinetry.com
I love this Tiki bar above, made of Teak.

Talk about Bling for your Kitchen--this is not a chandelier or disco-ball but a range hood full of pizazz! An Italian based manufacturer called Elica makes these gorgeous varieties of range hoods. This one is appropriately called "Star" that goes for $ 3750. They use the patented All-in One Evolution system-- so, it decorates, illuminates and ventilates!





Don't have space for a washer AND a dryer or just want to create more room in your laundry room? Consider Fagor's latest creation. It's two in one and measures aboaut 2 feet by 2 feet- a washer and dryer in one machine! Great for condos, boats, spare washer/dryer in the garage.




You eliminate the need of removing your clothes from the washer to another unit to dry them, save space and energy too! www.fagoramerica.com

Looking for a splash of zen in your bathroom? You may like this bathtub made by Viaggi and is the MAAX collection. It's an egg shaped tub that sits on top of a bamboo wooden frame and is a work of art on its own.













Here is a cool way to introduce the look of metallic to your home without breaking the bank. ACP has the look of it in metal wall paneling for your home or garage. It's called The Fascade Wall Panels.


They are made of composite thermoplastic and are water and corrosion resistant!!! 19 different finishes from chrome to aluminum...and they also have embossed stampings and patterns. They also make metal tile that looks like a metal back splash but is a 3 x 6 inch tile that you peel and stick! Plus they are made from 60 percent recycled material. Talk about an easy weekend DIY project!


What's your favorite? And would you like me to hunt for? Email me at: cindy@homewizards.tv

More to come!!

(You can hear me talk about it live on my show online at www.homewizards.tv Saturday 8-9AM PST/11-Noon EST)

Monday, April 27, 2009

Outdoor TV ROCKS!




We are all in the mood to spend more time outdoors right? And since we can't live without the TV (Picture watching the SuperBowl outside) here is a great find. It's a TV made by Sunbrite www.sunbritetv.com. You could hose it down and it wouldn't hurt this thing! Imagine this on your patio! And the great thing is, the pricepoint isn't bad--roughly $2500. Check it out! I especially love how it's not only weatherproof, and resists dirt and scratches, it is a great monitor in terms of outdoor quality picture and resisting glare! In my view the MUST for any outdoor living room!





Friday, April 24, 2009

Fabric For The Ceiling And Beyond


Don’t forget “the fifth wall”- the ceiling and instead of paint, why not try fabric! Amy Devault, a designer at the 2009 Pasadena Showcase House (Pasadena, CA) did in the Library she made over and it looks great! The fabric has a metallic sheen to it and you can find it inexpensively in the downtown Los Angeles Fabric/ Fashion District. Here it was stapled with a staple gun to the ceiling! The designer trick here is by making the ceiling the focal point, it will open up a small space, by diverting the eye! Very clever!



Here Larry Rizkowsky Designer at the Showcase House used outdoor fabric for a tent effect on his Grand Terrace. Notice how he created a palette of black and white which started from the grand piano also on the patio/terrace.


Think Outdoor Sunbrella Fabric for the Indoors as well as outdoors! It’s what top designers are doing at the Pasadena Showcase House. For example, these curtains from Designer David Dalton’s Adult Male/Guest Room space are outdoor fabric. It’s more durable, fade proof and an awesome trendy choice!



Prada Fabric Chair and Great Room Scent

This citron yellow leather chair is featured at the Pasadena Showcase House in the Young Adult Male/Guest room, done by Designer David Dalton. When I saw it, and touched it I said, this reminds me of a Prada bag. Turns out the fabric IS genuine Prada, made from a raincoat and it is so soft! Really a fun use of yellow pop up a room.


Not only do I love this chair but the entire room/space! It’s an excellent example of how and why we need not be afraid of using bold color in our homes. Here David used yellow, with black, white, and some chocolate brown. It has a mod but also optimistic and refreshing feel!

LOVE this candle, a special fragrance of fresh lemon and herb. It smells great before you even light it! It’s a product sold by one of the Showcase Designers and a recent guest, Larry Rizkowsky.

Go to www.lrizdesign.com


Trends at The 2009 Pasadena Showcase House Revealed



The 2009 Pasadena Showcase House (Pasadena, CA) is FABULOUS this year! I got a preview recently and had to share some of my pictures.

This year’s house was built in 1917, by the same architect who created the famous Wrigley Mansion, also known as the headquarters for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, world renown, G. Lawrence Stimson.

One of the trends you will see is the use of subdued colors, taupes, creams, light blues, blended with the bold purples, yellows and metallic accents. This all works with the original floors that are black and white marble in the entryway.


I especially love this breakfast nook designed by Scott Barr and Suzi Reader of SUZISCOT Design. Look at the detail in the table!