Master Bath fit for a Hotel

This lovely master bath was such a pleasure to design!

Located in one of Royal Oak's beautiful historic homes of the Hendrie nieghborhood

Believe it or not, every part of this cabinetry design was from my afforable production line, "Quality Cabinets."  Designing outside the box and using materials in non conventional ways is how I achieved this look for my clients.

Behind the mirrors, cabinetry and lighting is actually an old chimney that we had to work around. 

Having the lighting above lends to the perfect bath for prepping in.

Dual function is one of my personal favorite design elements when creating a space.

Below, the cabinetry offers storage inside for makeup, medicine, toothpaste, etc., while on the outside boasts a beautiful beveled mirror.

The center which is in front of the hidden chimney offers the perfect large mirror, framed in by cabinetry

An ideal Master Bath, has a "HIS" and "HER" station.....wouldn't you agree? 

By keeping with the tone of the home's age, we wanted this design to be a modern convience but still speak of the 1920's.  The existing tile was kept so I worked the design around that.  I love how the black borders the vanity space below

Double panels on the exposed sides hid the fact that an unsightly chimney is behind

The marble top is the perfect light companion to the dark Dulce stain of the cabinetry

One of my favorite baths to date!

Does your bath make you smile?

Small but mighty!

Isn't cooking more fun when you actually have the space to properly prep and give food and family recipes, the attention it deserves?

Below is an island designed with "Medallion's" cabinetry and fitted with a John Boos wood chopping block. The best part of this design, is that this island could literally fit in 90% of all kitchens. It's not large, but what it lacks in size it quickly makes up in function. Can't you see this little beauty in your home? Think about it next time you are grunting about how little counter top space you have....and get this island in your home, in any color and any design!

Below is an insanely delicious sounding recipe from my new friends at "Beyond the Shaker" a local Michigan gourmet salt company. I can't wait to try this out, and thought you may enjoy it too! Many thanks to the guys at "Beyond the Shaker" for sharing this! I am a huge fan of their Truffle wet salt!

www.beyondtheshaker.com

Melange of Truffled Asparagus

For this recipe you really need to trust us as the result is absolutely phenomenal. Better yet, this is very easy to prepare and the presentation adds playful fun to any meal. This flavor combination is proof that experimentation in the kitchen by even the hobby-chef can yield unbelievable results. Eggs, truffle and salt are a gorgeous trio, but add asparagus and you have a side dish that will knock the socks off anyone that tries it.

COOKWARE YOU WILL NEED

• One large pot
• A non-stick skillet
• A heat resistant spatula
• A large bowl of ice water

INGREDIENTS

• 1 heaping tablespoon of Truffle Wet Salt
• 1/2 pound of green asparagus
• 2 extra large eggs
• A dollop of butter (you know what we mean)
• Cracked pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Wash your asparagus and trim off the thickest part of the stalk so that each piece of asparagus is of relatively uniform length.
2. Boil unsalted water (I know, insane, but you will understand why in a moment) in the large pot making sure your large bowl of ice water is closely standing-by. Add the asparagus stalks to the boiling water and watch until they become deep green (about 1-2 minutes at the most).
3. Promptly transfer the asparagus to the awaiting ice bath to stop the cooking and seal in the color and crunchy texture of the blanched stalks.
4. Remove the stalks from the ice bath and individually dry them with paper towel. Place them lengthwise on two small white plates and smear on top a generous amount of the Truffle Wet Salt.
5. Add butter to your skillet and place on medium heat. The goal here is to make two perfect sunny-side eggs that have very runny centers. If you can cook two eggs at once in the skillet, go for it. The key is to give each egg plenty of room, so the larger the skillet, the better. Crack open the eggs and let them cook until the whites turn solid but take care to keep the yolks uncooked and runny.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Presentation is part of the fun with this dish that serves two, so gently place each egg on top of the asparagus and add a little cracked pepper over it. When serving, instruct your guests to break the yolk over the asparagus and truffle salt to let the flavors combine right before eating. You will be amazed at the glorious melding of flavor components. For a fun and spicy twist, add some of our Hot Habanero Blend to the outside edge of the plates, or use Tabasco as an alternative.

Copyright 2009 Beyond the Shaker, LLC
www.beyondtheshaker.com

The new laminate is here..first in Michigan on display!

From my last posting, I was raving about the new laminate products from Formica.

We put this new product on our showroom island, come see it for yourself in person.

It is knock-out beautiful and guess what...it is also a green product!

Ogee edge treatment

Up close ...can you believe this is laminate?!

Looks amazing doesn't it, just like stone!

And below, was the "Before" shot of the older Formica laminate that was to look like granite. I have to say, they have come a long way and I'm very impressed! Good job Formica!

If you like the way this new top looks, we make custom tops in this new finish at our facility. Call for more information to see how we can help you in your design.

BIG news in laminate

I have to admit...laminate counter tops are not my first choice for top materials. I love the look of natural stone and I never thought laminate companies quite got that 'look.'

Until now...

Check out this INSANELY beautiful new laminate exclusively from Formica and I'm happy to say, that we will be the first showroom (and only so far) in Michigan to be featuring this product. We are exchanging out the old laminate top on our selection room Island, for the new Formica 108fx in "Blue Storm" shown below.

Come check it out for yourselves at my showroom, in a couple of weeks....I'm anxious to have it, it is a show stopper and is bringing laminate out of the 1980's for good!

Not to mention how budget friendly laminate is and is winning over Eco-friendly fans nationwide!

Design your dream kitchen with our Silverline-Budget friendly

Crisp, clean, timeless and classic.

A few choice words that come to mind with this design below done in "Medallion Cabinetry's" budget line of "Silverline." Yes, I said budget. It is possible to create a gorgeous kitchen without breaking the bank. Take a look at this one below, done in North Carolina by one of their local designers, using our line of "Medallion Cabinetry"

Very popular with my local clients, is the darker island used in combination of a white or lighter perimeter. It makes your island look more like a found piece of furniture; this island is done in our "Carriage Black" painted maple cabinetry. The white cabinetry is Maple wood painted in the "Divinity" color. Just lovely.

I love how the homeowners used contrasting granite/marble for their counter top choices. The white farmer's sink becomes a focal point set in the dark granite. The island's marble done in a soft white with grey veining looks like the perfect area to try new recipes at.

***

Below are three custom bookcases to match in kitchen cabinetry. It ties in seamlessly and offers storage below and great display above for family photos, or travel treasures.

To view more stain color choices and paint colors are available in this beautiful door, please click on this: "Lancaster"

and set up a time in our showroom to view more in person.

Getting "Boos" is great!

How lovely and warm is wood grain with its ancient curves and cathedrals running smoothly like telling a tale of it's time.

Using wood for cabinetry is beautiful, yes, but also unique and functional as a countertop!

This island below begs to be sat at with a steaming cup of coffee and the latest great read..."Twilight" anyone?

In the past many people worried about bacteria on wood surfaces such as cutting boards but did you know, bacteria actually dies quicker on wood than on most surfaces?!

Occasionally layer your wood top with an inch of coarse kosher salt overnight to remove any lingering smells of garlic, onion, etc.

How perfect is this multi-height countertop on this island...love the bench for seating!

A 'Glass' Act

When considering counter top materials to use for your kitchen or bathroom..have you ever thought of glass?
Yes, glass.
It is available thru many speciality glass companies, and we have designed with it with amazing results.
Glass counter tops can come in the same thickness as granite, either in 1-1/4" or as thick as 3"
It creates a tranquility that stone can not capture, and offers many more benefits..see below!

-Wow factor that makes it the focal point of your kitchen
-High-end appearance that looks very sexy
-Easy to clean
-Non-porous
-Most hygienic counter top on the market
-No Cross-contamination
-Can endure high heat without cracking or scorching
-Impossible to stain
-Texture finish underneath that masks fingerprints, common wear and allows scratches to go unnoticed
-Can be lit up from beneath to create ambiance and make it look like ice.

Concrete Evidence

Looking for something different & unique for a counter top material?? Ever thought of using concrete? YES...I said, concrete!

A local Detroit based company, by the name of "Origins Concrete Design" will custom make a concrete top for your kitchen, bar, bath or whatever area you desire...in any color, any thickness and yes, you can integrate sinks, cutting boards, etc!

There is a lot that goes into the creation of a custom top and it is a material you should educate yourself on before deciding. Derek, from "Origins Concrete Designs" will help you better understand the care and maintenance and what to expect from these beautifully unique counter tops.

These pictures are from Derek's portfolio..enjoy, and be creative in your next project by trying new materials created by local artists & designers! Love the edge detailing here with the dot imprints!

How cool is this trough sink for your next bath project? OR used in between custom cabinetry in your kitchen..remember, this concrete can be made into any color!