Looking for a range hood to cap off the fantastic design of your new kitchen? Elicia Collection range hoods are unlike any others I have seen.  Strikingly beautiful and not anywhere near typical, you must peruse their product line to see just how unique Elicia really is.

Stainless steel and glass comprise the elements of the Star, a delicious art piece that works with a carbon filter to accompany you on your epicurial journeys.  This is my favorite, but is not yet available to the western world. How fortunate you are my European friends!

Grace is a familiar shape in an unfamiliar place. The pendant range hood is touch sensitive, and can be wall or ceiling mounted. It gives off an ambient light, and would be perfect in an unassuming kitchen with modern flair.

A solid piece of Lavagna Stone forms the Stone Gallery, a wall mounted carbon filtered range hood with natural appeal. Available in black or beige, it is a far cry from a box of metal protruding from the base of you cabinets! The movable light featuring the rippled texture of this gorgeous stone. 

The Mini Om comes in a variety of colours and sizes; like this shade of apple green. If adding a punch of colour is not your thing, the mini is also available in black or white- (reminded me a bit of my I-pod actually).  I hoped you have enjoyed this installment of kitchen design, I hope to help you be inspired to live beautiful.

Posted: September 5th, 2008 under Appliances, Kitchen.
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New on my radar is a fantastic company; Preverco. Preverco has one of the most versatile product lines available allowing you to choose plank size, harwood to engineered, and stains to suit all levels in your home. And this hardwood has made me super excited, check out the Zebra 5 3/16″ plank hardwood, it is outstanding! It is no wonder this product is winning the praise of fellow designers; this floor is HAUTE! The red oak flooring is striking with rich black graining, and a white all over stain.  Not for the faint of heart, this floor hits a high note with contemporary and fun-traditional design. Picture lots of black paired up with this! I am seeing a trend leaning toward getting back to grains, and why not with domestic, local wood. Well done Preverco.

Posted: August 24th, 2008 under Flooring.
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Looking for the perfect spot to start the day? I can imagine champagne flutes brimming with orange juice served at this delightful dining set with a banquette seat for three. The banquette can be set against a large garden facing window for fabulous lighting, or against a wall with sconces for a more subdued and relaxing feel.  The ebony-hued frame and glass table top make this set a stunner. Available at Horchow.

Ashton Dining Table $929.00

Ashton Side Chair $799.00

Ashton Dining Table $929.00

Posted: August 11th, 2008 under Dining Room.
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The glamorous contrast of black, silver leaf and crystal is fantastic. Horchow never disappoints when it comes to lighting up your world.  I have seen this type of fixture with black sheer fabric which offers a more opaque view, but the black string lamp shade is a little more mysterious.  This fixture would be absolutely perfect in a master suite, or perhaps as a crown jewel in your private library?

Posted: July 28th, 2008 under Lighting.
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Summer is here and I am ordering my coffee iced and thinking of shimmery metallics.  It seems our celebretants are on the same vibe, be it the scandal over Sara Jessica Parker’s silver Nina Ricci gown, or a dazzling Dolce and Gabbana couture worn by Naomi Campbell (LOVE that belt!).  Perhaps that is why this silvery stunner caught my eye.  This Silk Recamier from Neiman Marcus is tufted in all the right places and is poised on coffee bean finished legs. As a metallic, this lounger can go a long way if your interior decor colours are in the cool tones and you need something neutral but punchy enough to spice things up.  Mmm, like an iced cappuccino? I’ll be right back……

Posted: July 5th, 2008 under Furniture, Seating.
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Off the coast of beautiful Mumbai, Antilla, the world’s first billion dollar home is under works for petrochemicals leader Mukesh Ambani and his wife and three children. This 27 storey tower of finery houses a plethora of practical features such as: nine elevators, an incredible ballroom, a professional home theatre, an indoor/ outdoor health level complete with juice bar and yoga/ dance studios,  6 stories of garage space, an upper level for entertaining with floor to ceiling windows for fabulous views of the Arabian sea and Mumbai, and much much more.

The elegant ballroom caught my eye.  I am always up for fun lighting and design, and I love the fact that almost 80% of the ceiling is just dripping with crystal chandeliers.  You can just feel the ambiance already.  Click on this link to view some of the other rooms Antilla has to offer.

*Now a question to you; if money was absolutely not an object and you could build a lofty estate, what would it feature? Would it be one sprawling level with English gardens and an art gallery for your Renoir’s? Would it have an ultra mod and sleek minimalist approach packed with technology for easy living? I would be interested to know.

Posted: July 2nd, 2008 under Architecture.
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Here is a fantastic way to keep your counter-tops streamlined and appliance free, it will however, require a cabinet as this is a built-in model.  Miele is a well known manufacturer of quality appliances, and the CVA 4080/4085 Coffee System is no exception.  Features abound like ten personalized memory capabilities and a steam spout and milk frother.  The clean lines of this unit would be very appealing in a urban sleek kitchen, or in the coffee nook in your boudoir- now THAT would be fabulous.

Posted: June 23rd, 2008 under Appliances.
Comments: 1

Adam and I love to tour around model homes and see new products and design ideas, two years ago we happened upon a 4-storey Bloomberg home in St. Jacobs.  The top level had dramatically sloping ceilings and to utilize the horizontal space was this absolutely lovely feature.  The Cabrio Balcony Roof Window by Velux allowed much more light to enter the room, and looked like a large skylight. When opened however, the top portion hinged up and the bottom portion folded out handsomely to allow a person or two to walk out to the new outdoor space.  It felt very spacious and added a whole new dimension! I could see this Balcony Roof Window working well in a loft bedroom, or office, or cottage.  It really allows for an amazing view.

Posted: June 22nd, 2008 under Architecture.
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With so many great gadgets available to the modern home, one to consider when renovating would be a dumbwaiter.  A dumbwaiter is a fantastic help in the home whether you would use it for transporting morning breakfast, transferring freshly folded laundry, or firewood to a wood burning fireplace.  Dumbwaiters in older colonial homes were operated by pulley systems to bring cumbersome items from one floor level to another directly above or below.  New dumbwaiters have sophisticated engines, locks and lighting systems making the job even more convenient.  If you are considering installing one during a renovation, you must consider electrical hookup, and most importantly the space required for the shaft and mechanics. 

Posted: June 21st, 2008 under Appliances.
Comments: 1

Surrounding yourself with relaxation can definitely be achieved in this new bath tub from Kohler.  This new addition to the Kohler line is a fabulous overachiever in many ways, not only does the extreme streamline shape look gloriously liquid, but the things it can do! -Built with two sounds systems, the VibrAcoustic bath resonates below the water and the other system heard out of the water.  A special dip in the neck of the tub allows you to lie down with your ears just below the water line.  Your home spa is getting top grades.

Posted: May 31st, 2008 under Bath.
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