Are you frustrated by the limited color options out there for kitchen appliances? Not into stainless steel, white or black? Join the club. Reader Denise wrote to me, asking for some advice:
To help tackle Denise's appliance quandary, I brought in the help of the very talented and knowledgeable kitchen designer, Susan Serra, author of the blog The Kitchen Designer.
Take it away Susan!

Colored Appliances, it's all the rage now. Color is in our lives as never before, and has entered our kitchens, often with gusto! And, why not? We are loving our strong, pro, appliances and often want to showcase them in an equally strong way, or, for that matter, in a whimsical way. The rules for blending and matching color have been continually redefined, and not by the "experts" but by you. Individual expression now trumps "safe!"
Appliance manufacturers have gone color-crazy! We have purples, we have bronzes, many colors of blue and on and on.
I consider Viking to be a leader of color appliances, going back quite a few years now. Viking has only expanded their colors for their appliances year after year.
Aga, always into color, brought in a soft purple, called heather.
note: AGA discontinued the yellow and royal blue and added pillar box red which does not appear on their site
And one sees lots of color in retro appliances, such as the very cool Big Chill line of appliances. I'm not a retro fan, but this line is awesome.

And, talk about color? What about Blue Star? Sit down for this one...190 colors!

It's all good. Or, is it?

Of course, the appliance manufacturers would just love for you to buy a whole suite of appliances in the color of your choice. And, so, one will see this concept in manufacturer's advertising. But, wait, what happens if, down the road, one appliance needs to be replaced and that color is no longer available? Something to think about, to plan for.

Or, another elegant way to incorporate color, short of an entire suite of color, is to choose one appliance, perhaps the range, which may be situated as a focal point, and select a color that will be picked up elsewhere in the kitchen. Thus, the color is isolated, yet, significant. Yet, another idea is to have an appliance painted locally, via a special process just for appliances.
As the color story for 2008 moves toward nature, such as greens and blues, even elegant shades such as our old friends, black and white, take care not to follow trends solely because the colors look fresh and new. Appliances are not pillows...they may last you decades!

Here's my advice...follow your heart, keeping one foot solidly on the ground.

Added thanks to Danielle from Canton Kitchens for additional picture links

Quick Question: Does anyone know the name of the L.A. “junkyard” where the contestants shopped on Top Design last night? The above shot of my TV is the only clue I have, and I tried to zoom in on the sign, but it was all a blur! I want to be able to share the information here - it looked like an amazing place full of architectural artifacts, vintage light fixtures, amazing iron gates, etc. In short, it looked like HEAVEN! What seemed like hell was only having an hour to spend there. I couldn’t believe people (well, at least the chick I’ve named “Vegas Baby” were complaining about shopping there! Bravotv.com is no help whatsoever; I’ve read every blog and every detail about the episode trying to figure it out for you all.

The oh so modern Chair One now comes in a swivel version. A great look for you modern home office or kitchen table.

Hey, we're having another Modern Economy sample sale this Saturday! New to the SF sales will be goods from designers like Virginia Johnson, Dermond Peterson, Fleurville, Petunia Pickle Bottom, J. Mendicino, Offi, Petit Collage, Ses Petites Mains, Xenia Taler, and Agnes and Hoss. Most everything will be marked down from 25%-75% (sometimes more) off retail. Come to get stuff to jazz up your house, get clothing and accessories for the summer, and get gorgeous goods for your baby! Here are the details:

Modern Economy Sample Sale
Saturday, April 12, 2008
10:30am to 3:00pm

Fort Mason Center
Bldg. A Conference Center
San Francisco, CA

Admission is free.
And credit card only, people!

For more info, visit: http://www.modeconomy.com

Vintage Indie is teaming up with Eco-Chic Weddings to declare March, Indie Weddings Month. Their goal is to create a resource for brides to turn to when looking to minimize waste and create their wedding with the idea of using indie designers. The guide launched March 1st at the URL indieweddingguide.com

Dessert. Midsummer was really great - a wonderful little mix of people of all ages and backgrounds collected at my favourite place in the world! We had time to enjoy ourselves and relax and eat and drink. I don't know what time the sun set, but it was after a very ...

This month?s Domino's issue is for me among their best. It's about great eco-conscious living ideas from start to finish, offering a vast source of incredible products and design inspiration. My favorite is this classic Kitchen with cabinetry crafted from eucalyptus, which grows more quickly than most hardwood. What an awesome idea. Love it.

Without this note my Rome visit wouldn't have turned out half as lovely as it did. It was full of Kristina's tips about which areas to visit, where to buy the best cheese, where to go for eating and drinking... Before handing some of them to you, I'd like to ...

bigger here I've been at the summer house for a few days and the tempo here is blissfully slow. I'm putting together my new collection price list and it needs time - much more time than I always imagine. The Barcelona report I promised the other day will have to wait ...

The third season of Design Star 3 on HGTV premieres Sunday June 8th at 9pm.

I just took a look at the competitors and only a few are designer "want-a bees", meaning they don't have any formal training.

Here's a rundown of contestants:

Trish Beaudet - Owner and Designer of Finishing Touches Interiors by Design, Inc.

D. Paul DeRouen - Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Profession: Architectural Designer

Matt Locke - Bachelor's degree in history from Princeton. Current Job: Designer

Michael Stribling - Interior design major from Wade College. Current Job: Interior Designer/Business Owner

Jennifer Bertrand - Bachelor of Arts in education with an emphasis in ceramics; master's degree in teaching and leadership from University of Kansas. Current Job: Interior Decorator/Owner of Bertrand Designs

Tracee Dore - Bachelor of Arts in interior design from the University of Kentucky. Current Job: Residential and Commercial Interior Designer and Builder/Renovator, Tracee Dore and Company

Jerome Scottie Miller - Master of Science in civil engineering from North Carolina A&T State University. Current Job: Regional Property Manager at Charlotte/Mecklenburg County Schools.

Mikey Verdugo - High school diploma from Hialeah High School. Current Job: Police Officer

The winner will host their own show on HGTV. In addition, starting June 6th, viewers can begin entering for a chance to win a $5,000 shopping spree to Sears or a $5,000 gift card from Lumber Liquidators.



If you want to root for someone local, I'm afraid Matt Locke's home is the closest: Los Angeles, CA. Go Matt!

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery

i think all of my blogging colleagues received this email today so i’m assuming we all jumped at this story about new works from allan the gallant, formerly known as itte studio. based in barcelona, allan the gallant is a pattern studio that is now producing some fantastic textiles, patterns and wallpaper. all of the images jumped right off the screen for me and just begged to be posted so i’m going to let the images to do the talking. all i know is i want my house covered head to toe in that wallpaper above. how fantastic is that? click here for more information on allan the gallant.

I recieved an email the other day bearing some of the best news I've heard in weeks.

One of my favorite culinary TV series, "Two Fat Ladies," is finally coming to DVD!

For anyone who doesn't remember this fantastic British show (which aired back when Giada's decollete was just a glimmer in some TV executive's eye), there's still reason to check it out.

Don't expect healthy twists or 30-minute meals here. Instead, prepare to ride off with Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Dickson Wright (by motorcycle and sidecar, naturalement) around Britain (and beyond) to prepare seriously hearty meals.

How about joining a hunting party in Scotland for a menu that includes roast grouse and venison with blackberries (episode 5)? Or perhaps you'd enjoy making lobster for a sisterhood of Benedictine nuns in Ireland (episode 14). Soused herrings, Welsh rarebit souffle, onion soup with Stilton, fruit tartlets...the list goes on.

These aren't all recipes that you'd likely rush out and make, but that's not really the point. The settings are verdant and the ladies are undeniably charming, entertaining, and passionate about food.

Even though the show itself is dated, it's novel and refreshing to see them, polar opposites of the squeaky-clean, book-deal-sniffing personae of today's food TV stars, preparing honest food without pretension.

Welsh Rarebit Souffle
Ingredients:
    2 large slices of good-quality white bread
    1/2 pound of high-quality, aged cheddar cheese
    3 egg yolks
    4 egg whites
    1 level teaspoon dry English mustard
    1 vigorous shake of Worcestershire sauce
    1 vigorous shake of Tabasco sauce
    Salt and Pepper

Grate the cheese and place in a bowl. Beat in the egg yolks, a level teaspoon of mustard, a good shake each of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco sauce, and salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Toast the bread; whip the egg whites until they stand in stiff peaks. Add a spoonful or so of the beaten egg whites into tothe cheese mixture then gently fold the rest of the egg whites into the bowl. Put the toasts into an ovenproof dish and pour the mixture over them. Bake in a preheated oven at 450 degrees for 10 minutes until browned and risen. Serve at once with a salad or spinach on the side.

Recipe reprinted from the Two Fat Ladies DVD box set, Acorn Media, 2008.

I know summer is going to be here soon and I want to get the deck outside looking good.

Heather at The Inside Store-y has some tips on cleaning the furniture that you will lie on to get that suntan and sit on to chat or eat that BBQ:


5 piece teak set in Bali design by Faraway Furniture.

Cleaning Methods

It's as simple as soap and water. It's all you need for most outdoor furniture. You may want to ...pick up a power washer.

She covers cleaning

• Acrylic Cushions
• Resin Furniture - Resin furniture is easy to clean. Spray off dirt and grime and let dry. If there are scuff marks, use a gentle abrasive to remove. To remove mildew, follow the instructions above.
• Wicker -You can use a hose or pressure washer.
• Wrought Iron, Steel Frames & Aluminum -Use mild soap and water to clean.
• Fabric
• Umbrellas
• Wooden Furniture

Faraway in About Teak has a lot on its website regarding teak care including this bit of advice:

The only maintenance we recommend for your teak furniture is occasional cleaning. This should be done with a mild soap (such as gentle hand cleaning soap) and warm water to preserve its natural elements.

There are some new ideas in outdoor furniture from The Modesto Bee, for example:

Chat tables are new this year, says Jan Booth of Patioworld in Fresno. These tabletops are higher than coffee tables but lower than dining tables. "It's high enough that you can put a cup there, but it's not like sitting at a dining table," she says.

Mesh on metal or wood pieces: Patio pieces that have mesh-type material over metal or wood frames also are popular.

"You can lay a towel on it or go without a towel, and you can lie on it. You don't stick to (the mesh), and it's very comfortable. You don't lie there and get sweat on your back and tush."

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery

Vesper Jewelry offers these bird themed pendants that have a very vintage modern feel to them. I adore both designs.

Regular readers will know that Kim and I cannot resist the hunt for secondhand bargains. We love thrift stores and junk shops, secondhand dealers and antique stores. I visited my new favourite secondhand haunt in Brisbane on the weekend and even though I want to keep it secret I just have to share. The 2 Peters run a treasure trove of a store. Stuffed to the ceilings with everything you never thought you had to have, it's an ever changing source of those finishing touches for your home. It's the sort of place that stylists and decorators love. Here are just some of the things that caught my eye.


OK so I bought the chinese garden stools, some fabulous oriental brass trays and a West German bowl but was seriously tempted by the cast iron dress rack from early last century. Wouldn't it look great in a shop window or a sewing room? I have a thing for rusty and industrial and an old hand trolley also caught my eye. I was imaging it stacked haphazardly with a couple of the old timber crates I saw filled with overflowing pots of spring flowers. Alas no room in my courtyard though. No online site yet but coming soon (and we'll let you know when). If something has caught your eye and you want to be let into the secret contact Peter here.

Mike has written an important post, Bombay Co. Plans Repayment Of Up To 31.5 Percent To Creditors, that includes information about gift card claimants of bankrupt retailers like Bombay Co. that may apply to other retailers in Chapter 11 that offered gift cards and certificates.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery

In the meanwhile, thanks so much to those of you who have expressed an interest in writing some guest posts for July. There are still some open slots for more articles, so please don't be shy-let me know if you'd like to write a little something about color!

Bright ideas we gathered from your comments.

1) Microfiber is a good choice for people with cats. Pencils let us know that while her Sleepytime Rocker is a big hit with the cat, cleaning it isn’t a big issue: “Can?t wait to rock a baby in it, but so far the cat really is enjoying it — and her abundant Maine Coon fur doesn?t stick to the microfiber upholstery.” See where else we clicked last week.

2) You can find toothbrushes that not only are colorful and recycled, they look like they’ll fit in most holders! Inez weighed in on the toothbrush storage post with a link to these toothbrushes by Alan Stuart. Too cool.

3) We’re not the only ones who can’t leave Target with just one thing. Okay — we pretty much knew that already, but we did recognize ourselves in Becky’s comment: “I?m off to Target with the intention of spending $10, but I know I won?t leave until my cart is full. I?ll wind up with an array of unrelated items, like milk, a Jovavitch-Hawk skirt that makes me look really fat, a ‘fiendish’ platinum soduku book, some slutty looking shoes I?ll never end up wearing, some men?s pajama pants, a funny garden gnome, cat litter, a Victoria Hagan mirror, a Converse shirt I am way too old to get away with, a DVD, toilet paper, and a pink garden hose!” Thank you, readers, for always making us laugh. And check out that $10 hot pink garden hose here.

4) There are a lot of earth-friendly cat litters out there. (That sometimes dogs love a little too much, too). Susan Y says, “I used World?s Best, Swheat Scoop, Feline Pine, and right now I?m testing the litter called ‘Space’ which they sell at Trader Joe?s. World?s Best and Swheat Scoop were good, but I have a dog that LOVED to eat the litter. I?m still unsure about Space because they are made of full silica pellets, so they don?t have dust, but I?m not sure how biodegradable they are. Anyone have info?” See the Feline Fresh post here.

5) Some husbands have really interesting hobbies. Quite a few readers were excited by Angela’s family foray into beekeeping, and some of you have wanted to try it out yourselves. But only mod*mom had this to say: “I would freak out with all those bees. My husband is a falconer + it took a long time for me to like having a bird on my glove. I’m not as relaxed as he is.” Click to learn more about Angela and Chad’s new beekeeping venture.