A New Place to Land

Okay, this is my new apartment, for all those of you who want to see! I'm loving it here, and enjoying having my own place. Work is fantastic, and I'm learning a lot!

GE Monogram Experience

Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend an educational event sponsored by GE's Monogram appliance line. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I did not imagine anything close to what actually happened! I don't want to spoil it for anyone who has a chance to attend, so I'll only give some general information... and some pictures!
I flew out to Louisville, Kentucky on Monday. My flights were good and I had a chance to catch up on some writing I hadn't had time for in awhile. Upon arriving at the Louisville airport, I was whisked away in a lovely sedan by an oober-friendly Louisvillite, Bob. He was one of the nicest men I have ever met, and told me about the city and different landmarks as we passed them. There were so many stadiums!

The hotel, 21C, was stunning. Again, beyond my expectations. I had seen some photos but they did not begin to do it justice!! My absolute favorite part (aside from a kazillion channels for evening relaxing!) is shown below!!

A rubber duckie of my very own!!

This hotel is stunning, and anyone staying in Louisville should stay there!

Our first evening we had a cocktail party in the penthouse of 21C. It was a lovely way to meet everyone and the weather was perfect for such a gathering. Tuesday morning dawned bright and early, and we were shuttled to the GE Monogram Experience Center for breakfast and a day of learning. Although it was a long day, it was very fun. Aside from breakfast we were responsible for cooking all of our own meals, and it was so fun to be able to use the appliances and really get a feel for how they work.

SIDE NOTE: If you ever have to choose between a normal oven and Advantium technology, GO ADVANTIUM!!! We had lovely bistro sandwiches fully toasted in six minutes!

Above is some of the gourmet food we made in the GE Test Kitchens!

This event was very educational and we had an opportunity to really get up close and personal with the appliances, and to ask all of our questions. Basically, the GE Monogram line is superb, and I'd like nothing better than to fill my own kitchen with it!

I'm a Winner!!!

I am the third place winner of GE and NKBA's annual student kitchen design competition for the 2009-2010 year!!!! The competition lasts three hours (on a Saturday) and we are required to complete a hand-drafted dimensioned floor plan (first picture), a concept (not pictured), and a rendered perspective or dimensioned elevation (perspective - second picture).

This is an amazing opportunity. We have had so much press coverage it almost interfered with school work! At least once a week we spoke with someone about the competition. We were featured on channel six in Idaho Falls and in several newspapers around this area.

I was contacted several weeks ago by a representative from GE (the major sponsor) and invited on an all-expense-paid trip to the GE Monogram Experience in Louisville, Kentucky at the end of this month. I am so excited!!! I received an itinerary last week, and there are planes, limos, and cooking classes involved! This will be such a cool experience and I'm sure I will learn a lot.

This is my entry for the competition.

!!

American Institute of Architects Home Show

This beautiful home is featured in the AIA San Francisco Home Show this year. The stunningly warm modern space is the first Platinum-certified LEED residence in Marin County, California. A picture is worth a thousand words, and there are almost thirty here! The materials vary throughout the home, which divides the spaces, but keeps the continuity going.

Visit www.houzz.com to see more!

Underground Garage

I found another great product today, although somewhat high-end. This underground garage features a lift which appears by remote. One car is parked on this industrial lift while another can be positioned above. So, instead of having one parking space, there is now two! Perhaps it would be possible to have an underground garage which could store other cars/sports vehicles/equipment with this lift as the primary source of access (beside access from the house). A great product as far as I can tell!

Check it out at http://www.undergroundgaragesystems.co.uk

ZoomRoom's answer to the Murphy Bed!

I found this great new product as I was looking around on houzz.com and was astonished at this ingenious idea! Apparently this bed works because the European system of using bowed wooden slats to support mattresses. The foam mattress is retracted up behind 24"

deep cabinetry on a track which looks similar to a garage door assembly. Check out the website! This Florida-based company is really onto something!

http://www.zoom-room.com/

HOUZZ - an online visual resource

I found a really great website recently which has not only inspired me for several projects I am working on, but also connected me with several other design bloggers with even more resources. This website is www.houzz.com and is a FREE resource! "Design Books", or collections of images and comments, make up this site. It is searchable and the photos are of excellent quality and design. Enjoy!