Summer Sale 2012

EVERYTHING is on sale.  If you want to just revive or completely renovate your kitchen or bath this is the time to do it!  Want to re-decorate your living room or bedroom?  Come in to the showroom and we will set you up!

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50% off In-Stock Plumbing, Tapestries, Lamps, Fabric

Up to 25% off of Cabinetry & Plumbing

30% off In-Stock Home Accessories

Up to 20% off Hardware, Soft Goods, Fabrics, Wall Coverings, & Tile

20% off Interior Design Services

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 Call to schedule an appointment or just stop in.

860-927-4855

6 Kent Green Boulevard

Kent, CT 06757

See you soon!

- A.

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Pet-Friendly Homes

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The latest issue of House of Fifty’s online magazine has an article that grabbed my attention.  It’s about the way we adapt our homes and decor to make pet-friendly homes that cater to and work with – not against – our four-legged family members.

The article was written by Kim Myles – remember her?  She won HGTV’s Design Star and has her own show on the network called Myles of Style.

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Keeping your Grandmother’s stemware displayed high and away from happy wagging tails is a pretty obvious adjustment, but one thing that I find challenging to deal with is all of the hair.  I know I’m not alone here and it really is a losing battle, but Kim had a wonderfully simple idea.  She upholstered (but you could slipcover) the sofa in a low nap linen which makes vacuuming up hair a two minute job.  Linen can stand up to the abuse – thank goodness – because I need to do this every day.

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Hardwood or tile floors are a low-maintenance option and Kim says her Roomba was a great investment.  I have carpet and am forever grateful for my Pet-Approved Hoover upright.

Drapes are another thing.  Somewhere I saw a suggestion for making them in two parts.  The top portion remains unchanged, but the bottom portion could be removed with hidden snaps or buttons to be thrown into the wash (or dry cleaner bag) at a moments notice.  And how easy they would be to colorblock…

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Once I read House of Fifty’s article, I realized that I had already started collecting ideas for people with four-legged children.  Neighbors of mine were seriously considering incorporating a doggy bed into their island just like this one…

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And disappearing dog bowls are a an amazing idea for pups with a definite dinner hour.  All of the dogs I’ve ever had could nibble at will, which means their buffet must be kept presentable at all times – kind of a pain.  Stylish though since they have a framed black and white silhouette of a Scottie to admire between bites.

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I never thought I’d use the words “cat box” on this blog, but cabinetry built to hide one is so brilliant I can’t stand it.   A litter box hidey-hole!  If ever you need one of these, come on over to Kent Kitchen Works – I’ll set you up.  Deep turquoise paint optional.

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Space for dog beds and crates with storage nearby is genius for a mud-room, don’t you think?

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And, wait!!  There’s one more.  I WILL have this in a home/garage of mine someday…

… probably just in time for my Great Dane.  Brilliant!!

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Do you have any brilliant ideas for a pet-friendly home?  I’d really like to hear them!

Really.  I really would!!

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Farmhouse Kitchen Photo Shoot

Hello, and welcome to my own little photo shoot of the OH’s kitchen in Sharon, Connecticut.

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There was a professional photographer there with all of the proper photographer paraphernalia like lights and a tripod.  It wasn’t just me with my hand-held Canon (SX100IS, which I love).  Randy O’Rourke is the photographer that Kent Kitchen Works has loved working with since before we officially became Kent Kitchen Works.  He does amazing work!  See his website here.

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Two weekends ago the OH’s opened their home for a kitchen tour and took advantage of having a fully styled space to host a Barbecue Chicken Pizza dinner.  All of the people involved in renovating their century old home were invited.  They sipped wine and made pizza and a good time was had by all.

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This farmhouse is not only home to the OH’s and their two boys, but a few sheep, a donkey, and a few thousand bees, as well.  Mr. OH is an artist and did the three bee-themed pieces you see in the photo above, as well as others throughout the home.  Seeing his work was an unexpected perk that morning – I really enjoy it!

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Mrs. OH sheers, cleans, cards, spins, and dyes her own yarn.  She’s also a world traveler, educator, and makes a mean marinara, from what I understand.

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The one thing Trish came back to work raving about was the range. It’s a 36″ 6-burner gas BlueStar.  Simmering marinara and baking pizzas gave her a nice little introduction and it was love at first sight with the BlueStar brand of professional style ranges.

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Usually plumbing is what gets her engines running hot, but not anymore!  She even likes the 21″ high shelf along the back (!!).

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A quintessentially New England landscape stretches on to the horizon from the back door.  Mrs. OH loves that view and had the breakfast nook set into two walls of windows.  What a fabulously open, airy space to work in everyday, isn’t it?

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French doors open into the nook from a screened in porch.  A trestle table recently replaced their existing one, and custom cushions along the banquette make this one inviting place to sit and visit for hours.

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The light fixture was handmade by a company in Brooklyn with glass shades from Merano, Italy.

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And because I’m nosy, and I LOVE old homes, I had to show you their main staircase.  Paneling like this is unbelievably beautiful to me.  The architectural detail, chiaroscuro, and feeling of refinement take my breath away.  One day I’ll have my own wall of wainscot paneling just like this, and I’ll paint it white and be the happiest little girl.

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Details of the kitchen:

• Cabinetry by Quality Custom Cabinetry in Lancaster, PA
• Someone guessed right – the faucet is a Franke in the Old World Bronze finish.  I agree with them, too, it’s a gorgeous finish!
• Kitchenaide Refrigerator
• Bosch Dishwasher
• Sharp Undercounter Microwave
• Trestle Table is from Hunt Country Furniture
• Pendants are from Rejuvination
• Countertop on sink wall and island is Caesarstone, Baking Cabinet is honed Danby Imperial
• Patrick Mulberry is the Architect; Cornwall Bridge, CT
• Trish Namm is the Kitchen Designer; Kent, CT
• Denis Langlois is the Builder; Kent, CT

If I missed something you want to know about, email me & I’ll do my best to find out where it came from.

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All photos were taken by me for your inspiration.  Please don’t steal them for your own use.

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Thanks for stopping by & have a great weekend!

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Wine Storage in your Home

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I love wine.  I know few that don’t.  There are an infinite number of quotes I could use to open this post that mention wine, is about wine, or attempt to explain the importance of this fermented liquid loveliness.  Some are insightful, some are silly, many are literary, but most are just the plain old, no-doubt-about-it truth.  Since you’ve read probably 90% of them, and they are already used in nearly every application where wine is present, I decided I would skip this rather over-applied bit of copy.  Hope you don’t mind.

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Instead I think I’ll just inundate you with photos of cellars, kitchen storage, and really genius ideas for keeping vino happy and handy in your home.  Then you can stock that new storage with all the  ”inspiration” necessary to quip a clever quote of your own!

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There is so much to love about this kitchen, don’t you think?  I can’t pick out just one favorite thing.

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A lot more photos after the jump…

                                                       

                                                       

                                                        

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My Pilgrimage to Viking Range

Recently I had the opportunity to travel to the Mecca of all things Viking, The Viking Training Center in Greenwood, Mississippi (Population 15,205).  Viking Range Company is the largest private employer in the State of Mississippi with factories to produce refrigeration, cooking, ventilation and dishwashers located in Greenwood.

While at the training center, I took a quick class on Viking Professional Refrigeration and the unique features that sets it apart from other appliance manufacturers.  Viking stands behind all of their Professional branded appliances with a full 3 year warrantee.

• ProChill™ Temperature Management

ProChill™ Temperature Management System with variable speed DC Overdrive™ compressor. Single compressor system includes the quietest, most technologically advanced compressor available.

• Plasmacluster™ Ion Air Purifier

The Plasmacluster™ Ion Air Purifier uses ions to eliminate bacteria and mold spores, remove odors and enhance food preservation. Plasmacluster™ is a trademark of Sharp Corporation.

• Adjustable Cold Zone™ Drawer

Keep mouth-watering filets and vegetables fresh with separate moisture-controlled Adjustable Cold Zone™ Drawer. Separate temperature control allows storage of foods 3-5 degrees colder than refrigerator.

• Adjustable Humidity Zone™ Drawers

Produce the freshest leafy vegetables and fruits with moisture-adjustable drawer(s).

• Electronic Temperature Control

Electronic controls maintain temperature to within one degree F.

• Multi-Channel Airflow

Enjoy less humidity and less odor with our Mutli-Channel Airflow and Odor Eliminator™ Evaporator.

In addition, there is a clog resistant no maintenance condenser coil.  This feature relieves you of the necessity to vacuum dust off your coils twice a year!  Viking Professional Refrigeration is made in America!

You can learn more about Viking Professional here:  http://www.vikingrange.com/consumer/global/content.jsp?id=cat14340043

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