COLOR MARKETING GROUP PREDICTS HOT COLOR TRENDS FOR 2009

Durasupreme Cabinetry: Perimeter cabinets in Quarter-Sawn Red Oak in Mission Stain. Island Cabinets in Maple Tea Green Paint with Espresso Glaze and a rub-thru finish.

Would you believe that the state of the economy and ecology are key drivers of color trends for 2009? This fact will be reflected in the choices in colors available for cars, purses, fabrics, upholstery, including new color tones in paint and stain finishes for cabinetry.

According to the report released this December by the Color Marketing Group, the leading international non-profit association of color design professionals that forecasts color trends up to three years into the future for its members, states in its prediction for color choices in 2009 are driven by concern for economy and optimism for the future. The report can be read here in it's entirety.

How do cabinet companies stay current with fashionable colors and avoid being trendy?

Trend analysts at Dura Supreme located in Howard Lake, MN., keep a close eye on prominent color trends in the kitchen and bath. Cabinetry is a fashion industry and popular colors and color combinations are evolving constantly. Because cabinetry is a long term investment, Dura Supreme’s cabinetry color palette does not follow trendy “in today, out tomorrow” color fads, but looks to include more timeless renditions of popular color directions. That is why we are seeing gutsy oranges and purples in the fashion industry, but we won’t see them become classics in cabinetry. They work well for decorative treatments that can be easily updated (i.e. paint and sofa pillows) but not on the major investment items.

Durasupreme Cabinetry: Island shown with Silverton Door in Maple Mineral Paint Finish, and Perimeter in Craftsman Panel and Craftsman Beaded Panel in Maple Antique White.

"The wise investor is careful to select colors that are up-to-date and yet will be timeless classics in the years ahead... ” Karen Wistrom, Vice President of Marketing for Dura Supreme cabinetry and a member of the international Color Marketing Group (CMG).

Dura Supreme’s new finish colors include several different directions. Several rich, medium-tone colors were introduced for Cherry and Maple wood species. And a new hand-detailed collection of finishes, “Patina” finishes, are available for a variety of wood species. The most notable changes to the color palette include several gray tones added to the paint collection.

Top Left: Graphite (with Country Traditions detailing), Top Right: Cobblestone (with Charcoal Glaze), Bottom Left: Mineral paint finish, Bottom Right: Tea Green (with Espresso Glaze).

Wistrom states: "All of these new colors look great when paired with a stained finish, but they can stand on their own as well. The new paint colors are available as a basic paint - and also paired with glazes and Country Traditions. Graphite is a dark, charcoal gray that will give our Black paint a run for the money. Cobblestone is a medium tone gray that is used as a great neutral tone."
The new “Mineral” gray paint is one of those “chameleon” colors that has a subtle spa blue quality to it but could also be used in place of a white paint. A gray-green paint called “Tea Green” was also added and has become a popular selection.

“The global color palette has been drifting toward the gray hues for some time now,” explained Karen Wistrom, ASID, Vice President of Marketing for Dura Supreme cabinetry and a member of the international Color Marketing Group (CMG). “Blues and greens have become more subdued and instead of showcasing their vivid hues, they have become more of a subtle blue-gray or green-gray. The wise investor is careful to select colors that are up-to-date and yet will be timeless classics in the years ahead. Gray has become that timeless classic.”

Located in Howard Lake, Minnesota, Dura Supreme is a second-generation, family owned company that manufactures semi-custom, framed and frameless cabinetry for a nationwide network of dealers.

For more information: www.durasupreme.com.

For more information: www.colormarketing.org

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Updating a 60's kitchen

This year one of my projects was a kitchen remodel in a 1961 ranch style home.
Poorly planned, and then updated once in the '70's, this kitchen was stuck in a time warp.

Sink and cook top location in tight quarters.

A peninsula partition, anchored between a double oven and a desk cuts the kitchen in half.

An energy efficient refrigerator will replace this one.

Booth seating remodel from the 70's. Homeowner added seating in the kitchen in place of the washer and dryer. Everything about this kitchen was cramped.

The jog in the wall behind the bench seating is the water heater room.

View of the kitchen window, exterior door to side yard, and water heater room. Budget was cost prohibitive to expand the kitchen footprint out another 6 ft. Next best plan was to frame out the bay window.

One of the goals of the project was to make this kitchen pet friendly. The design changed slightly from the original concept to include a doggy door direct to the side yard for the family dog, Angel. Another feature added to the project was the inclusion of a desk and a doggy diner. The water heater was jettisoned to the garage to gain a desk.

Selection of the new cabinet color is discussed. None of these colors were selected. Cherry wood in Nutmeg stain by Dynasty by Omega in the Brookside door was ultimately selected.

The slabs are selected and the deposit is paid.

View into the kitchen. This door will be closed off in order to get a better floor plan. The doggy door access was included again in a new door.

Demolition begins. The water heater accessed from the outside will be relocated to the garage.

Water heater gone. The footprint for the water heater closet now part of kitchen. Sheer wall framed. Electrical wiring underway.

The bay window wall framing begins. Gas meter relocated. Framing for side door in place.

Door to garage is framed.

Red flag up on mail box. Message from Lead Carpenter to Homeowner.

Bay window in framing.

Renewal by Anderson Windows are in.

The kitchen was very small, apartment sized, due to the peninsula wall holding the double oven and awkward counter space.

Arched opening enhanced with double wall framing.

Peninsula gone, drywall in, kitchen beginning to take shape. Temporary sink left on site for homeowner's convenience.

Cabinets are being installed.

The cabinets are measured for granite and the fabrication of the counters begins by All Natural Stone Design.

The completed kitchen. Cabinets from Dynasty by Omega in Brookside Raised, Cherry Nutmeg. GE Appliances from Warehouse Discount Center.


Furniture selection, upholstery and window coverings by Interior Designer Holly Higbee Jansen, of Higbee Jansen Design.


The exterior door to side yard and to the garage is in place. Notice the clever repetition shown in the detail of the window curtain duplicating the arch of the adjacent door. Your eye is distracted from the rectangular shape of the glass insert. A creative way of handling obstacles.

Client's wishes accomplished: Desk, Banquette, Dog Diner, Dog door, Island, Double ovens, 36" cook top.

Project complete.

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Christmas Cookie White Lie Told by a 3 Year Old Child

Cute holiday story. Click on Title to link to the video.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

For the adults, this joke below may be an oldy but a goody,
but I just got this in an email,
so it's new to me and and I began to read it earnestly
until I realized the humor ensuing.
It's good to let loose and laugh when we can.
Happy Christmas!

Christmas Cookie Recipe

In case you need to make Christmas Cookies:

• 1 cup of water
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup of brown sugar lemon juice
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup nuts
• 2 cups of dried fruit
• 1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Turn on the electric mixer...Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar...Beat again.

At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still OK, try another cup. Just in case. Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. Pick the frigging fruit off floor... Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Who giveshz a sheet. Check the Jose Cuervo. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.

CHERRY MISTMAS

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Stain Resistant Granite Countertops

Love natural stone but not the maintenance? With anti-stain technology, worrisome maintenance for granite, marble, quartzite and soapstone is a thing of the past. Innovative Stone® , just debuted it's premium anti-stain natural stone counter top collection, called Everlife™. This new environmentally conscious collection does not require sealing-typical for most counter top surfaces- and is protected by Innovative Stone's breakthrough PermaShield™ technology.

Madura Gold

Everlife Stone is stain resistant, easy to care for and requires no sealing. With the added assurance of a 15 year warranty, consumers can enjoy worry-free enjoyment. Currently there are 45 natural stones to choose from, including marble and slate! View the samples on the Everlife web site to get a better view. Be sure to click on the slabs to view the full slab.

How do they do this?
It's all in the science of molecular technology. PermaShield ® is a penetrating technology that has been scientifically engineered to provide the best protection for granite surfaces. Every Everlife™ granite slab is engineered with Innovative Stone™'s proprietary PermaShield® technology. This anti-staining technology, combined with decades of experience, allows Everlife™ by Innovative Stone™ to provide a free 15-year limited warranty for stain resistance and material integrity. To learn more about Permashield, go to www.permashield.com.

PermaShield™ does not affect or alter the surface of granite, leaving no added color or coating.

Aristocrat Black

Environmentally Safe Technology.

Everlife is certified by GREENGUARD® Environmental Institute and NSF International*, The Public Health and Safety Company™ as a safe and sanitary material. *NSF-51.

Both of these independent, non-profit organizations have classified Everlife natural stone counter tops to be safe and sanitary for use in the home due to the materials ease of cleaning and preservation of indoor air quality.

Bianco Carrara

Hassle Free Beauty of Natural Stone.
Every Everlife™ granite slab is treated by Innovative Stone™'s proprietary anti-staining PermaShield® technology, which protects granite from staining for 15 years subject to the terms and conditions of the limited warranty.

Available through your local fabricators and Everlife Dealers.

The availability of Everlife marks the first time that consumers will be able to purchase PermaShield-protected natural stone counter tops outside of The Home Depot and Expo Design Center. To find a dealer near you, click here.

Shiva Kashi

What you should know about selecting your slabs
Can I view my Everlife™ granite slab prior to fabrication? Due to the variation found in natural stones, in-person slab views are encouraged and may be coordinated by your local Everlife™ dealer, through their corresponding slabyard. This not only assures that you are pleased with the color you have chosen, but may give you the ability to select the precise slab you desire prior to countertop fabrication and installation.

For more facts visit EVERLIFE

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My Top Ten List: No 9

Lets take a quick trip to Kitchen and Residential Design where Paul Anater puts a spotlight on a "trey chic" outlet, sans cover made by Bocci. View the pics and video link too. File this under eye candy!

Bocci has produced a sleek new outlet that challenges the traditional outlet. It is UL approved and available for drywall or millwork applications. Check with your local jurisdiction to be sure the building department will approve.

Limitations: it will not work with a tile backsplash.

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Lead Paint Regulation- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new legislation aimed at protecting children from lead-based paint hazards. There are several components of this rule that contractors will be required to follow. While some requirements will not take effect until April, 2010, the first phase of this rule takes effect December 22, 2008 and requires contractors to distribute EPA's new Renovate Right brochure to owners of homes built before 1978. View the attached PDF version of the brochure by clicking the link for more information.

Summary:

• The rule requires that contractors and construction professionals that perform work in pre-1978 housing distribute certain information before performing the work and follow lead-safe work practice standards during the work.
  

• This brochure must be provided no more than 60 days before beginning work.
  

• This brochure also must be provided before doing work on a “child-occupied facility” (as defined in the regulations to include things like day care centers and other buildings frequently visited by children under 6) built before 1978.

For more information visit: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/hip-lead.html

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What does a LEED certified House look like?

Living Green - Top-rated green home opens for tours

Click on this link. 

Here is a short video link to Codding Cottage, a Sarasota home on tour this month. It is one of the greenest homes in the nation and has received rave reviews from the public.  

It also has the honor of having the highest rating a home can receive, LEED platinum certification. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, the national standard in green building. 

For more information, please visit, http://www.joshwynneconstruction.com/current.php

Congratulations to the whole team at Josh Wynn Construction. 

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How green is your message?

As I was preparing handouts for a workshop my company is presenting tomorrow, I subconsciously thought, how much of this printed material will wind up in the garbage can? Wasteful isn't it. There has obviously got to be a better way.

It was kismet that the next email in my in box was from Remodeling.net. Michael Anschel wrote a clever commentary about the marketing materials exhibitors handed out at GreenBuild, U.S. Green Building Council's annual International Conference and Expo. The irony of printed materials handed out to market the "green" stance of the company is actually not green at all. As companies are becoming greener so should the marketing material. Take a look at the creative ideas manufacturers are coming up with over at Remodeling.net by clicking on the link.

I have attended many KBIS Expos and local trade shows in the past and each time I vow to only let the vendor swipe my card. Nonetheless, I still come back to the office with some literature that becomes useless in six months time. Really, all I want to take away at an Expo is the business card of the vendor so I can write a note about the product I saw and then visit the website for more information. And that leads me to the next problem. I don't even want to get scanned if it means I will be bombarded with 3" ring binders or thick envelopes of literature. I can get everything I need on line. My favorite idea that takes the place of literature is the USB Business card, as shown below. Bam! Give me one of those! I got your name, email, phone, fax and your packet of info of your new products I won't see on your website right now.

Portland Cement Paperless Press Material.
The back of an over sized business card.

Are you wondering what to do with all your techno trash?

1. There are companies like, Green Disk, that will take all that old technotrash piling up in your office, store room, attic, or garage and safely and securely destroy your old data, recover reusable components, and recycle all of the rest of your accumulated technotrash - all at your convenience, at home or at work.
2. www.discsfordogs.org - collect CDs for SPCA. Donate and Recycle your old CDs. Save Cats and Dogs.
   
3. Some people suspend old CD's from fruit trees on a bit of fishing line. They spin and are claimed to scare away birds. Perhaps you could hand them near the fridge to scare away hungry ten year old boys. From PC User.com where 30 readers responded with their own tips.
4. Here are a more ideas from 101 Things to to with CD's and DVD's.
   

Green Notes:

• What means are you taking to go paperless?
• Provide your clients ReWritable media.
• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
  

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My X-mas wish list. PROFESSIONAL COOKWARE FOR THE HOME CHEF

So I noticed that the set of Teflon frying pans my sister gave me, oh lets say, less than six months ago is showing much wear. You've seen it before. Little trails of missing Teflon in the pan. I am very good with my cookware, never use metal utensils, so there is no excuse for a pan to disintegrate so quick. Wear does the Teflon go? I hate to think about it.

My sister loves sales. I on the other hand do not get excited about sales if it is a cheap product to start with. When you buy on price, be prepared to buy twice. It's not a deal if you have to buy it again. Sorry sis. The frying pans are 86'd from my kitchen. It's time to place this cheap cookware in my recycling can rather than serving my meals with a sprinkling of Teflon. My mother kept, correction, keeps her cookware for years and years because it is quality. Lord, she still has her Le Creuset frying pan that has been around before I was born. Quality is priceless.

With Christmas around the corner, what a perfect time to give your loved one the gift of quality cookware.

Blue Star, the makers of high performance ranges available in 190 lovely shades, has announced a brand new professional-quality cookware line that is sure to delight any chef or would be chef.

I do believe a cook was behind this line because of some of these important features.
They thought of everything!

Here is what I like about the line:

• Magnetic stainless steel exterior ideal for any cooking surface.
• Easy-grip, ergonomic, stainless steel handles stay cool during stove top cooking.
  
• Extra-large handles provide increased finger clearance.
  
• The stock pot and sauce pans feature helper handles, making it easier to transport when full.
  
• Limited lifetime warranty.
• Made in the USA.
• Dishwasher safe.
• Professional grade 304 stainless steel for optimal durability.
  
• Oven safe up to 500 Fahrenheit.
  

While on the www.bluestarcooking.com/store site, be sure to look for exclusive recipes – great for holiday get-together from long-time enthusiast of BlueStar cooking products, Chef Marcus Samuelsson. A cookbook author and television host, Chef Samuelsson is the Chef and Proprietor of Aquavit, Riingo, and AQ Café, as well as Co-Founder & Chief Creative Director - Townhouse Restaurant Group.

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Ava Living

Exciting news for Kitchen Design Notes!


Ava Living, the world's online interior design marketplace, will begin featuring articles from Kitchen Design Notes. Kitchen Design Notes, began in April 2007 as a creative outlet for this blog author's day job as a Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Specialist for a construction company. Known as the "reference desk person" in my former company, I always had the information, or knew where to get it and was happy to do so. The idea of starting a blog was a natural progression for me to get my tear sheets and catalogs out of the file cabinet and into the blogosphere.

Blogging is a great way to obtain and share up to the minute information with clients, concepts and ideas behind the latest projects, linking into industry news. Blogging does not take the place of personal interaction, but the blog is a rewarding way to interact with others designers and design enthusiasts I would otherwise never have the chance to meet. Ava Living understands this. Don't miss the forum features and articles from talented designers that contrbute to Ava Living.

If you have not had the chance to visit Ava Living, click on the link here, Ava Living.com.
Ava Living is bringing together a diverse and passionate social network of individuals and professional designers. Ava offers an online platform enabling affordable daily design creation on a local, national, and international basis. Be inspired. View designers portfolio. Start a discussion. Share news. Get noticed. Kitchen Design Notes is happy to participate.

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