Last week I was invited to attend “The Dinner Table” with Sub-Zero Wolf at the Cove Showroom in Costa Mesa. Our evening began with cocktails and tastings, a brief showroom tour, followed by an exceptional dinner prepared by the showroom’s own personal chef, Molly Kruger.

I was in the company of several of my friends and fellow design colleagues - it felt like quite an intimate dinner party!

The table setting was decorated so pretty and each of our dishes which were coursed, were amazing. Chef Molly’s cooking is exceptional!

The first course from our tasting menu. The dish is watermelon paired with duck breast (but as I don’t eat meat, mine was paired with halloumi). Even so, a beautiful presentation and tasty.

The desert.

Detail of a Wolf cooktop.

The Cove Showroom in Costa Mesa is stunning. Beautifully designed, state of the art, abundant natural lighting, and an outdoor BBQ set up complete with a retractable roof that opens up to feel that true outdoor vibe.

Close up of that beautiful BBQ and signature red knobs from Wolf.

Even the details on the stem of our wine glasses...

The next morning we were treated to a breakfast demo.

Chef Molly prepared shashuka for us (all of the cooking was done on Wolf appliances as part of the demonstration).

Last week while in Florence, Italy I attended the 83rd Florence International Artisan Fair. The event takes place at the Fortezza da Basso, a fort inside the walls of fourteenth century Florence. The fair consists of various pavilions including art, decor, furnishings, clothing, accessories, food and wine. The event also includes a courtyard set up of Italian street food and food trucks.

Outside the walls of Fortezza da Basso.

My first time attending the show on behalf of Camera di Commercio Firenze and PromoFirenze.

Innovative furnishings inside the first pavilion we toured.

A sculptural marble piece.

Details of a wood table.

A woven, roped like chair.

Love these marble vases.

The next exhibit we toured was inside this adorable landscaped cottage within the fortress walls.

It was called, “The Seven Wonders of Tuscany” exhibit.

Another favorite was this alabaster art piece.

I loved the vibrant color and color combination of these ceramic vases.

I actually tested out these marble loungers - and they are both comfortable and cool (cold) feeling, but in a way that felt relaxing from running around the show and feeling warm.

Green glass dishware.

A bronze sculpture.

The exhibit featured many live demonstrations, like this man painting.

A ceramic vase.

A marble lamp.

One of the other exhibits featured a mix of jewelry and handbags.

There was also artsy clothing, like this Pantone color chip skirt.

Italian street food vendors were in the outdoor pebbled courtyard.

Classic Cacio e Pepe was available at one of the food trucks.

And beers on tap!

I love how this food truck was selling “old Sicily & new food”!

Cosentino, the quartz surfaces company from Spain, has opened its first flagship in Los Angeles with the new Cosentino City showroom located on Beverly Boulevard in the heart of the West Hollywood Design District. This past week I attended the opening night party with colleagues and friends.

Cosentino’s Brand Ambassador, supermodel Cindy Crawford, hosted the opening night party. I also had the opportunity to attend her brand collaboration event with Cosentino two years ago at Milk Studios in Hollywood.

Celebratory drinks in the house!

Cheese, meat, and fruit spread with samples of Cosentino products in the presentation.

Decadent desserts.

Cindy Crawford makes her way through the gallery after signing one of the slabs.

Photo booth fun with friends Megan Reilly, Kevin Davis, Ron Farber, & Kam Kamran.

I am looking forward to attending the 83rd MIDA event in Florence, Italy next month. I will be attending on behalf of Promo Firenze, Florence Chamber of Commerce, and the Italian Trade Agency.

The artisan fair features 600 exhibitors and represents fifty countries. As part of our visit we will be given a hosted tour of the fair.

During our two day tour we will be introduced to the local handi-craft through the “Meet the Artisans” program.

Now in it’s 83rd edition, the Florence International Artisan Fair has been completely renovated, reverting to its original purpose: a platform for featuring the finest Italian and international crafts.

During the fair, two major exhibitions will be focusing on Florentine and Tuscan crafts.

Next weekend the Latin Food Fest comes to Los Angeles! It will be held March 29-30 at the Los Angeles State Historic Park and tickets include food, beer, wine, spirits, & entertainment. I am looking forward to tasting Spanish wines and having seen a photo of the biggest paella I think I’ve ever seen (which will be featured on the chef’s night), I am going to be in search of! Looking forward to attending next weekend with friends on behalf of a very special invite! Will be posting about the event on Instagram and a future blog post to come. If interested in attending, tickets are available here.

This past week I had the opportunity to participate in a designer training program on behalf of Monogram Appliances at their design center located on the first floor of the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.

As part of the two day event, we learned in depth about the Monogram line of products as well as got to experience them via cooking demos and our own hands-on cooking experiences. Pictured here with my cooking partner in crime, Anna Gibson.

A close-up of Monogram Appliance cooktops and a range, in the background.

A bar vignette showcases a minibar dishwasher to the left and refrigerator with ice maker to the right.

A full kitchen display featuring the built in oven Advantium with speed cook technology and a column refrigerator to the far right.

Just outside of the Merchandise Mart on a beautiful spring day is the Chicago River ...still a little green from St. Patrick’s Day.

Fun with friends and fellow designers Anna, Florence, me, and Gustavo - checking out The Bean in Millennium Park.

Thank you to Monogram Appliances and Chef Jon for hosting us!

It was great to be a among one of of the biggest group of influencers I’ve ever taken part in, being included in this year’s Designhounds group attending the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas. We had such an amazing group of twenty-four girls along with Sara, Florence, and Veronika from Modenus. I had so much fun getting to know these girls and making new friends!

Thought I would share a round up of Instagram posts by my fellow Designhounds. After a whirlwind few days together it was fun to go back and look at what everyone posted, through their insights and finds from, what is, the biggest kitchen and bath trade show. So much to see and cover, that whatever it was I may have missed, was bound to catch the eye of someone else!

@tamarastephenson captured the cool sculpture at the lobby entry to our hotel, SLS Las Vegas.

@casavilora took this stunning picture of the ‘living models” that were body painted to reflect CaesarStone finishes featured in the The New American Home.

@detailsfullserviceinteriors got a close up of this beautiful black CaesarStone countertop in the master bathroom of The New American Home.

@sandiego_toprated_designer captured this “@thermadorhome brings the BOLD” - and they sure do, with their newest range!

@bridgetbeari took this picture of a most sophisticated vignette featuring tile from @annsaks and plumbing by @kallistaplumbing with the look of no hardware cabinetry and I just love it all - the green and gold, mix of white and natural stone!

@michelealfanodesign got this beautiful detailed close up of our sponsor @thompsontraders gorgeous handcrafted hammered copper sinks.

@pamela_copeman_design with her design crush @martynbullard - I had heard the rumor of her huge crush then I saw the proof in this picture! I hope Pamela isn’t too jealous, but I’ve a few myself with your love. Wink, wink.

@studiohoyna shows the latest appliances from @ThermadorHome mixed with white cabinets and gold detail.

@schusterdesign got an inside look @boschhomeusa new refrigerator with an inside middle cooling drawer from our sponsor @thermadorhome.

@sgardnerstyle captured the bold stunning, sophisticated display that is @kohler featuring @annsaks tile.

@moreaudesigns caught some reflection from @lampsplus.

@Laurelberninteriors quite the composition and too funny, a living model and a gentleman side by side on a @Caesarstoneus surface.

@ssquaredinteriors took notice of this fabulous idea for pet owners customizing their cabinets - toe kick pet bowls by @wellborncabinet.

@michellecgage featured this pretty kitchen photo and included our sponsor @wellborncabinet

@ariannebellizaireinteriors showcases our sponsor Mr. Steam @steamtherapy with the exquisite details of these shower fittings from @Brizo.

@akgdesignqueen oh I missed this detail and love it - a better way to display your wine bottles in the wine cooler, from @sksappliances.

@angelatoddstudios discovered these beautiful colors range of sinks from @catalonausa

@mitzi.beach included this practical idea that so many of us loved - a doggie spa for your laundry room area, featured in the @wellborncabinet booth.

@maureen_luxurytransitions included this dreamy steam shower from our sponsor Mr.Steam @steamtherapy.

@chandaseymour took a picture of this gorgeous light fixture from @hammertonlighting.

@jsinteriordesign ...and for my “finds”? Meeting new friends and having a fun filled week with them! Thank you to Modenus for bringing us all together!

During our visit to KBIS last month, our Designhounds group got an exclusive booth tour with one of our sponsors, Lamps Plus. I have long sourced from this local, Southern California based company for many of my design projects. I’ve found that you can find almost anything you are looking for on the website and most items are well priced, with almost always something to fit a specific budget. Over the years Lamps Plus has been a go to source for me for anything from sconces for bathroom renovations, pendants or chandeliers for dining areas, table lamps for bedrooms and living rooms, and so much more. Within the selections, you can also find some designer styles, two of my favorites: George Kovacs and Jonathan Adler. Plus they have more than just lighting, furnishings ranging from home accents, art, & decor and furniture are available too.

Looking back to some of the project concept boards I’ve done, you can find some great Lamps Plus finds. For this bedroom furnishings concept board I selected a hammered bronze table lamp for bedside table lamps.

Brighton Hammered Pot Bronze Table Lamp from Lamps Plus

For a bright and cheerful kid’s bathroom remodel, I choose these glass wall sconces.

Kichler Braelyn Chrome High Seedy Wall Sconce from Lamps Plus

For this breakfast room concept board, I chose plug in sconces as a practical lighting solution since the client currently does not want to hardwire for any electrical. These cool vibe sconces are by Jonathan Adler and available on the Lamps Plus site.

Jonathan Adler Havana Nickel Plug-In Sconce from Lamps Plus

In this kitchen remodel finish selections concept board, I choose these pendants for over the island - the black finish ties in great with the hardware too.

Possini Euro Calico 7” Wide Black Glass Mini Pendant from Lamps Plus

It was so great being a part of the Designhounds group attending the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas last month. I’ve much to share and a recap / roundup coming shortly! If you’ve never attended KBIS, it just so happens to be the biggest kitchen and bath convention ever! There is so much to see and experience, including the latest and greatest in the industry! More highlights coming soon!

Happy to share the sponsors for our Designhounds group attending KBIS in Las Vegas, February 2019. Modenus has announced the sponsors on their blog here. More to come, highlighting all the companies that are an integral part of our trip!