good navy is hard to find…or…making things

eloquent 2965c by Carolyn Rebuffel DesignsAs an interior designer, the best parts of my job are the parts that include making something.  Designing the perfect room and figuring out all the pieces of the puzzle always gets me energized.  Along the way, while designing a custom piece or putting together a set of pillows or fashioning the perfect window treatment design, it is always a challenge to find the piece that satisfies the image in my head. 

This time around, the search was for the perfect set of navy fabrics for a family room.  The room needed a big sectional sofa for a family of six with lots of pillows that coordinated well with the navy velvet upholstery.  Durability was a key factor in choosing great fabrics.   And apparently, the perfect  grouping of navy patterns was becoming my personal Odyssey.  I could not find the pre-existing patterns that matched the idea in my head. 

And then my daughter got sick and I had a lot of time on my hands keeping her home from school.  My assistant was handling all the project details and the office was running smoothly; all of the sudden I had time and space to create something unique.  My own line of fabrics.  The following are the ingredients necessary to make this project fly.

Ingredients:

1 cup amazing assistant designer

3 cups time

2 cups frustration at finding exactly what I wanted

2 cups fabric printer

1 cup amazing technology available on the internet

1 cup pantone color guide

1 cup graphic designer friend to coach me on the tricky bits

wavy 2965c by Carolyn Rebuffel DesignsI am at the beginning of this endeavor; preliminary designs have been created and now I am working on perfect coloring. Each fabric takes the printing ink differently and the colors on my screen never exactly match the end result.  (If you have ever taken a paint swatch home and then painted the room that swatch color and been surprised by the result, you have an inkling of how this might be tricky.)  So it is a work in progress.  The most exciting part of this is the ability to design exactly what I want, in exactly the colors I want and give projects that added boost of creativity, making the end result truly unique. 

Stay tuned!

ultimate kitchen

From time to time, I will post a blog written by a "guest blogger."  Here is my first guest post, by Kristen Desmond, author of the getyouryummyback cooking blog.  As a professional chef, Kristen offers great perspective on kitchen design and is currently doing her own kitchen remodel.

So with no further ado, here is Kristen's recipe for her dream kitchen:

My Ultimate Kitchen by Kristen Desmond of getyouryummyback.com

 Last year, my husband and I purchased a classic California Craftsman house built in 1919. Given our decision to renovate, I count myself among the lucky for getting to design my ultimate kitchen from scratch. As a professional chef, I have logged many hours in kitchens that are, shall we say, less than perfect. Experience (and lots of day dreaming) has primed me for this opportunity to work my wish list into one lovely design for our home project.

In no particular order, my ultimate kitchen will include:

Space for friends and family to gather. Because, really, why do I love to cook? I love to cook because I take great pleasure in feeding and nourishing my husband, family, neighbors, and friends. Our kitchen will have lots of space for gathering, sharing, and eating in a built-in breakfast nook, at an island with seating, and at a high bar with stools.

Built-in work station. Simply put, the kitchen is my office. One corner of the kitchen will house a work-station, allowing me to work in my most inspired space.  Why put my desk, files, cookbooks, recipes, and computer in any other room? Built-in cabinets, shelves, and drawers will help keep desk clutter at bay. 

No grout. Cooking and cleaning go hand in hand. I’m a nut when it comes to maintaining kitchen cleanliness. My ultimate kitchen will include smooth surfaces – absent grout. Natural stone counters, hardwood floors, and a stainless steel backsplash behind the  range top will help keep clean-up a snap.

Galley-style layout. I am most productive in a galley-style kitchen space. Appliances, counter tops, sinks, and cooking equipment are all conveniently within reach. By strategically placing an island to create a galley-like cooking space, I am getting the best of both worlds – a spacious kitchen and an efficient cooking area.

Butcher block. Our kitchen island will be covered with butcher block, fabricated using a hard wood such as maple. Incredibly convenient when it comes time for slicing, dicing, rolling dough, and making bread, a permanent butcher block surface is easy to maintain and naturally attractive.

Prep sink. Our kitchen island will also include a prep sink. This feature offers the ultimate in convenience, allowing extra space for draining pastas and grains, washing fruits and vegetables, and making an ice bath while dirty dishes accumulate in the main sink.

Open shelving for frequently used pots, pans, and bowls. On the cook’s side of the kitchen island, there will be tall, open shelves. This feature will allow me to stow my go-to pots, pans, skillets, and bowls within easy reach of my prep and cooking areas. No cabinets to open, no drawers to pull, just easy, hidden access to my most-used tools.

Task and natural lighting. Located in the Northeast corner of the house, our kitchen does not get a ton of natural day light. We are extending a wall to the West and adding a window. We are also adding a sky light. Close attention to placement of recessed and pendant lights will ensure quality task lighting over food preparation and cooking areas. 

Space for compost, garbage, and recycling bins. I’ve always had inadequate space for stowing recycling under the sink, garbage cans in cabinets, and compost in small containers by the recycling. In our new design, we will have cabinet-like drawers to house recycling, garbage, and compost bins. How civilized.

Two ovens. Yes – having two ovens is totally indulgent. You should know, I bake like a fiend. We also have big plans for entertaining and hosting family affairs. Two ovens will be wonderful for those times when I am working two or more dishes at once (um, usually) or need space for warming serving dishes or plates when entertaining.   

Taller and deeper countertops. We are relatively tall people. By adding 2” to the standard height for counters, I will no longer have to “hunch over” as I work, or maintain my posture at work by doing (my version of) the splits to lower my height profile to meet the countertop. Deeper countertops set over standard-depth cabinets will offer me plenty of room for storing essential small appliances (like my standing mixer) without compromising space for food preparation or paying for custom cabinetry.

Bonus: chalkboard-painted and corkboard-covered pantry doors. I plan on using chalkboard paint to cover the inside of one pantry door and corkboard to line the other. Voila! – instant space for keeping shopping lists, capturing menu ideas, posting inspirational items, and leaving love notes. Much of what often becomes wall clutter will be hidden from public view.

Thanks, Kristen!  My personal favorites are the chalkboard paint and the extra-deep counters! Happy remodeling!!

image from getyouryummyback.com

News from Carolyn Rebuffel Designs

muse #6: all things food

"Once you stop learning, you start dying." ~ Albert Einstein 

"One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating."~ Luciano Pavarotti  

I am moving my "newsletter" to a blog format, if anyone is paying attention. The theme this time around is "all things food." Lately, I have been doing some deeper exploring into the world of food, cooking and kitchens and honing my kitchen design skills, which has been interesting and exciting.  This has included some designing, some eating, some food research, some installing, and some cooking.   

I recently completed a kitchen where the owner wanted all elements to be as green as possible.  I was quickly reminded that, as with everything around us, each decision has different ramifications for the environment and putting all the pieces of the puzzle together becomes quite complicated. (A recent article about different milk containers and which is the best for the planet comes to the following conclusion: there are advantages and disadvantages to every option. Like everything in life.) Some options are clearly better choices than others but often the case gets pretty muddled, and the final decision becomes subjective.  And so it went with the kitchen design.

The 100% recycled glass tile came from another state and so had to be shipped by truck and the 70% recycled glass tile came from a local producer and so would be shipped less of a distance.  We opted for the 100% recycled glass tile for the subjective reason of supporting a small company doing what they were doing. The different cooktop options had different energy ratings and different construction components. We chose the induction cooktop (the most efficient energy-using of the options) that was made of all recyclable parts but it was manufactured in Europe.  Again with the long-distance shipping quandry!  We decided that the longterm energy savings of the induction cooking would offset the long distance shipping.  To be green, or at least greener, requires a whole new set of considerations when working on the design of any room, but especially when considering the large energy uses possible in the kitchen.  This was an amazing educational experience, weighing all the options, and has led me to look at kitchen design and all my interiors projects in a whole new way.

I am also currently in the first stages of planning a summer garden, which has led me into the world of edible landscaping, CSAs, farmer's marketing and seasonal eating. The topics all these endeavors raise are fascinating and enriching, and can easily become lifelong pursuits in their own right.  All of these experience are lending different flavors to my designing, which keeps it all intriguing, inspiring and fun.

Here, I share some ways for you to take a foray on your own into the world of creativity that can be found in your kitchen. I would also love to hear from you about your favorite food/kitchen/restaurant-related website/shop/item, so please post a comment.  Enjoy!

Creative Way Out: Picardie Glasses by Duralex

Made in France since 1939, these glasses, made of tempered glass, are very durable, stack without breaking and have, on many an occasion, bounced, rather than broken, on the floor. (An extensive history of the glassware can be found at this site.) There is a number on the bottom of each glass in between 1-48 which refers to the number of the mold OR if you grew up with these glasses, they indicate your age --a fun game that children play at the table, checking who is oldest while drinking their juice at "goûter."  The older version has a flared top; the modern version does not and purists will complain but if you never knew the old version, you will still love these. To get some new ones, shop at Williams-Sonoma.

Essential Ingredient: Color

For the kitchen, white on white is wonderful and timeless. And then you can change up the accent color as you feel and the style of your kitchen can always remain of the moment and truly reflect your style.  Pairing white cabinets and white subway tile keeps the room current and timeless. White on white elements create a neutral background and when combined with stainless steel appliances, the kitchen can look like a black and white photograph, just waiting to be infused with the color of food and family.

Site that Excites: Get Your Yummy Back

Kristen Desmond left her sales job and following her passion, went to cooking school.  She is currently

developing recipes, cooking, and doing free-lance food writing in Santa Barbara, CA. Visit her site for great food musings and a wonderful, healthy AND yummy perspective. Here are some of her favorite yummy recipes that she shared with me, one for each meal of the day.

• Breakfast Granola
• Butternut Apple Bisque 
• Farro with White Beans and Chard

Another Site that Excites: Catalog Living 

This has nothing to do with food (mostly) but I have to include this site because it makes me laugh so hard. So I share it with you.  Because we should all laugh a little every day! 

Object of Desire: Day of Shopping at E. Dellerhin

So that I can collect all the esoteric, fabulous cookware I can carry back to my hotel. A must on your next trip to Paris.  Worth planning a trip to Paris. Okay, who wants to go to Paris with me?

Amities (Friendships): Just Cook Foods

Scott Lucas and Cathy Storfer are launching a new company next month that makes my mouth water in anticipation.  These two are both die-hard foodies and over the years, have made me some of my most memorable dinners. Their new product line will give you that secret ingredient: the extra note of flavor that makes the meal more memorable in the form of rubs and spice blends.  We had pulled pork tacos the other night made with one of their new rubs and they were fabulously delicious.  Check out the website and keep track of these two!

Center of Attention: Omnivore Books

There are tons of original retail shops in the Bay Area; here is one that catches my attention: Omnivore Books. This little jewel of a shop on Ceasar Chavez at Church Street in San Francisco will definitely have a cooking tome that will be sure to inspire you to be creative in your kitchen.  It is also a great resource for gifting unusual cookbooks to that foodie in your life.

happy holiday giving --a few of my favorite things

I don't know about the rest of you all, but I need nothing this holiday season.  I have everything I need and everything I could possibly want.  Peace and love in my home and my heart are all that I really need.  (Hear that, Children???)  

But I keep getting these lists of gifts in my inbox and my mailbox. So I thought I would compile one of my own, in case you are stuck and even though your loved ones probably do not NEED any of these things, they are pretty, would probably be well received and are, at the very least, fun to peruse.  Happy gifting and may peace and love surround you this season and throughout the New Year. xoxo

 1. LushBomb: Friend to cool teens everywhere and an easy way to entice someone into the bath.  Perfect way to end the day.

2. Anthology Magazine:  Domino is gone, r.i.p.  House and Garden, r.i.p.  Lonny on the computer.  But there is something about turning the pages of a magazine and taking it to the beach (bad place for an ipad!) or to the bath (also bad place for an ipad!) that makes us happy. This is a good one and worth paying for, to turn the pages and get some more creative spin on the world.

3. Macarons from Laduree:  The macarons are amazing, they come in every color (big hit with designer girl here), your best friend forever (because you gave these to them, they now have to be your best friend forever) can choose almost any flavor they like, and the atmosphere of the shop is pure French marketing genius.  Crazy prices but the experience is incroyable! You may have to go to Paris or one of these other locations to get them...tant pis pour toi (so much the worse for you)!

 

4. Wall-stick Dry Erase Calendar:  This is for those families who need a calendar on the wall in the kitchen so that nobody can say that they did not know  their dentist appointment was scheduled, their mother-in-law was coming, the soccer game was at 8am, their anniversary was yesterday, etc.  Very useful organizational tool, this.

 

 5.  Flip:  My uncle Paul showed me this.  (Uncle Paul, who knew you were so hip and cutting-edge??)  Fits in the palm of their hand.  They can record anything with the teeny push of a button and then upload it just like that to youtube or their facebook page. (disclaimer-They do have to connect it to a computer with the handy little usb connector first.)  Okay, maybe not great for teens (we have to be careful of all that internet craziness taking over their lives) but for the moms who need to capture every cute moment in their cute kids' lives, well, this is the bomb.

 

 6. Organized: Well, that is quite a gift.  Who cannot use more organization in their lives?  In these mad rush, über-techy times, sometimes paper is the way to go.  And pretty paper? Well, that is even better.

 

 7. 500 pencils:  I have spoken of this amazing fabulosity before.  This is WAY better than those fruit-of-the-month clubs! They can draw and draw and draw and there is no end to the creativity possible.  Giving the gift of creativity? You are a genius, and sooo thoughtful. How can they ever repay you?  Get ready for the deluge of art.

 

 8. Mac trackpad:  Goodbye mouse, hello "what is that amazing thing?" on their desk now that they can click to their heart's content with no crazy carpelly tunnely stuff!

9. Nespresso Essenza:  I am not a coffee connoisseur. I do not roast my own beans, nor do I grind my own beans daily.  I use a Nespresso machine to make me a long-pour espresso with some steamed milk and it makes me very happy every morning. So I firmly believe that everyone should be able to have a cloud of coffee heaven every morning.  And this puts it right in their reach.

10. Black and Decker Project Kit: Now I know it is not the 18V and for those in your life who desire true power, this may not be it.  But it will get the job done.  Heck, my contractor, Jean Rathle, recommends it! And he is amazing.  Drill it up, people.  Go hang something. Use the level, please. 

 

 11.  BookBook: Secret cover for the totally desirable ipad but puts it under wraps, posing as an antique BOOK. Oh, the irony.  I can't stand it.  Really, these people are very clever.  If you use this, be careful not to lose your ipad in your antique book collection.  Oh, really, just too fabulous.

 

12. Cashmere-covered Water Bottle:  This is just decadent and homey and comfy. Imagine your loved one is very sick at home and you cannot be with them because you have a VERY IMPORTANT meeting but you leave them with this filled up and they can snuggle back to sleep. They feel better and you are off the hook. 

 

 13. Gorgeous Casamidy lantern:  To light in the house during winter and to help imagine when it will accompany them outside and keep dinner bright during a delightfully balmy summer evening.

 

 14.  MarieBelle Cocoa: It is rare to find someone who does not like chocolate.  Or a cup of hot chocolate. (Maybe with some homemade marshmellows on top?)  And this is Very Good Chocolate.  Only for Very Good People, this stuff.  You want them to be appropriately grateful and share.

 

 15. Lollia Calm Bubble Bath: Start in the bath, end in the bath.  (That is probably a good new year's resolution.) Light her a candle and set her up with some Calm and she will be

very,

very thankful.

Very thankful.

Have an amazing finish to the year, everyone. And Happy 2011!

spiders and fire

Steve from Blaze Fireplaces is awesome!  Recently, the Heatilator gas fireplace at our house stopped working. Just stopped.  No good reason that we could tell.  None of the children had recently kicked a ball into it that we knew of, no contractor had been near it, nobody had left it on for an unreasonable amount of time, none of the usual culprits.  I decided to blame it on age, since I think it is ugly and it being broken worked into my secret plan to redo the fireplace and actually the whole wall for that matter. My lovely husband tried to fix it himself, but that did not work.  ;-)

So we decided to call in the experts.  Blaze, seemingly, in the Bay Area, is the only repair story in town.  Uh oh. I had used them on the sales end for clients but had never used them for service.

Eventually, we coordinated a date with Steve Dollar from Blaze.  He immediately suspected the problem, took it apart, and showed us what was wrong. Nature, that's what.  A spider had built a nest in the pilot assembly. So, "man vs. nature" had reared its ugly head in suburbia.

Spider pheremones are super-close in scent to an additive in the gas for the fireplace.  So the spider builds a nest in the pilot assembly and then of course, that nest is killed by the gas, but the damn thing can't light until the nest is removed. (Who knew!?!)

I had no idea the sex lives of spiders would foil my demo/reconstruction/new fireplace plan.  But once again, Steve to the rescue.  He removed the ugly brass trim and took off the also ugly glass doors that don't actually work but add an extra layer of child-proofing.  I decided we don't need the child-proofing any longer since all the kids are tweens and teenagers and if they don't understand cause and effect of fire by now, they never will.  The whole thing looks so much better.  So I am thankful to the spider who sacrificed her young and to Steve who fixed so many problems all at once.

In a job where I am constantly fighting fires due to someone else's incompetence, or because the chain of command is so long and the ball is often dropped somewhere along the line, it is rare to be completely over-the-moon because of a service call and so I thought the moment definitely needed to be celebrated.

p.s. Spiders also love pool heaters.  So, DIY-ers, check the spider factor!