Tela Kirei- Beautiful Cloth

Recently, we had the pleasure of meeting Elizabeth Betts. Elizabeth travels extensively in Peru and Japan importing beautiful cloths from those countries.

To learn more about Tela Kirei or to purchase pillows, throws, and other unique items , please visit the Tela Kirei website at http://www.telakirei.com/.

Audrey's Highlights of KBIS

KBIS (Kitchen/Bath Industry Show) is the leading industry event to showcase the products that change the kitchen and bath through their innovation and ability to meet the needs of the marketplace. Recently I attended the KBIS 2009 in Atlanta where I had the opportunity to visit with the top manufacturers and attend conference sessions on today’s design trends. In our next several Blog posts, I will share the highlights of KBIS 2009.

Kohler's Cast Iron Sink and Countertop Island

Kohler’s Iron/Occasions Island Sink is a solid surface cast iron top made from recycled product. It has a sleek design and offers outstanding clean-ability. There is an open rack below for extra storage bins, and the plumbing is concealed to the floor. You can learn more about this product, and see available colors at http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/newproducts_detail.jsp?section=1&prod=Iron%20Occasions%20Island%20Sink-KBIS%202009 .

Kohler’s Bendable Kitchen Faucet

Kohler’s Karbon kitchen faucet is the ultimate in function with 5 bendable joints allowing total range of motion. This faucet can be mounted on the counter or on the wall, and comes in 7 different finishes/colors. Follow this link to learn more about this product http://www.us.kohler.com/faucets/karbon/index.jsp .

Birds of a Feather - The Nest Collection from Schumacher

Humanley gathered feathers are all hand-arranged to command an air of luxury and whimsy. 24 designs use nature as inspiration for rich colors and textures. For more information on this and other Schumacher products, go to http://www.schumacher.com/.

Catch the Drift

If you are into "green" products and love the look of natural ingredients, then Bleu Nature has something for you. Founded in northern France in 1995 by Frank Lefebvre, Bleu Nature makes the best of Mother Nature's gifts. The principal material is driftwood combined with hemp, pebbles, stones and flat rocks, raw linen, boiled wool, leather, skins, teak, slate and petrified wood.

A Warm Welcome to our Newest Intern

Breanna Ashlock, a native of Henderson County, received her Associate of Arts degree from Blue Ridge Community College in 2003. After taking some time off to work and travel, she decided to go back to school for Interior Design. She moved to Asheville, NC where she commuted to Western Carolina University for a B.S. Degree in Interior Design. With only an internship left to fulfill the degree requirements, she moved back to Hendersonville, where she found Cheryl Smith Associates. She is looking forward to working with Cheryl Smith Associates and learning first-hand about the design world.

Bisazza

Founded in 1956, Bisazza is the leading producer of innovative glass mosaics for interior and outdoor decoration. Although they are known for their amazing mosaic tiles, mostly seen in the application of walls and flooring, they now have a beautiful collection of unique furniture and accessories. The company has also worked with leading figures in architecture, design, art and fashion, such as Michael Graves, Alessandro Mendini, Aldo Cibic and many others. Bisazza has also worked with MINI/BMW to create the “MINI wears Bisazza”. Five personalized cars were custom dressed and showcased at the Milan Design Week in 2005.

Welcome To Cheryl Smith Associates

Open Shelves for the Kitchen

If the latest Meg kitchen design from Cesar is to set some Kitchen Design Trends for 2009 then it'll be the open shelves that are naturally built into the layout. These design elements allow you to display your treasured kitchen accessories and cookbooks, making it easy to reach them quickly without hunting in cupboards. Another interesting design element is the flower-pattern painted wall... larger-than-life yet subdued in neutral tones, this is a great contemporary trend. A first-class choice for those who love the warmth of natural wood, the Meg kitchen is available in Walnut or Larch. Paired with white laminate and lacquer detailing, the overall look is smart and accessible – for those who want to cook, entertain and enjoy real life in their kitchen (not just look at it!). Stainless steel is used for the appliances and for practical additions such as the large, trendy cooker ventilation hood. Opening you up to new lifestyle possibilities – that’s the Meg kitchen from Cesar.

The Kate Moss of Cooktops? - Thin is in!

Viking Professional all-induction cooktop is just 3 1/4 inches deep. Thin is in! This Kate Moss of cooktops is so thin, you'll have plenty of room for an oven or storage underneath. Induction cooking boils water in half the time of traditonal cooktops- heating things up fast, but remaining cool to the touch.

For more information on Viking products visit http://www.vikingrange.com/.

Open the Door to Fun

If you are looking for a creative finishing touch, look no further than these beautifully crafted decorative glass door knobs from Out of the Blue Design Studio. Whimsical designs of the night sky, swirling patterns and colorful stars are just some of the art glass doorknobs available. You can use them for doors around the house, for kitchen or bathroom cabinets, or even for shower doors. Working with fine glass artists from around the world, Out of the Blue Design Studio is constantly seeking new ideas for their function glass door knobs. Or, if you have your own idea, let the Florida-based company know for a customized project. Simply stunning and totally original, let Out of the Blue Design Studio bring a dash of fun to your doors.

Red, White, Blue and You - Patriotic Porches

Show your patriotism with a welcoming porch decked out in red, white, and blue.

Transformers---

Transform your steam shower into a professional Turkish Bath with the latest shower column from Hafro - the Rigenera 200. Whether you choose to build a separate steam shower cabin (above) or just have a free standing shower enclosures, installing the Rigenera column will allow you to establish your own Turkish Bath. Transforming even a small space into an oasis of comfort and wellbeing, the column comes with the features you've been dreaming of: a thermostatic mixer, rain shower, handshower, 6 hydro-massage jets with 3 functions (nebulizing, pulsed, raining), folding seat, convenient storage niche, and, the most important one, a steam generating unit with aromatherapy. With the re-generating Rigenera you'll be rejuvenated, refined and purified thanks to the benefits of steam bathing. From Hafro.





The Aquavolo is a stylish Bossini shower for those who like a little flexibility. It’s handy to have the choice between a waterfall shower and a rain shower with the flip of a lever – especially when it looks so good! The stainless steel Aquavolo shower fixture can flip back and forth between its two functions using an innovative technique. The horizontal position of the large, flat spout will let forth a refreshing rain shower. But if you flip the spout down, the water falls as a generous waterfall. This exciting new development brings Bossini back to the center of attention. Find out more about the Aquavolo by contacting the Italian company, Bossini.

Fire It Up! Outdoor Fireplaces

Adding an outdoor fireplace can provide many months of cozy warmth and outdoor living, while greatly enhancing the beauty and charm of the home in the process.

Modern Shower Head

Combining a cool urban look with luxury features and an innovative design, the new Lounge digital shower head from Newform will be your new favorite gadget. This contemporary shower head truly is the new tech toy, complete with therapeutic colored lighting, a radio, acoustics case and a digital keyboard – this baby puts everything right at your fingertips and you almost forget that it’s a shower head, first and foremost. This indulgent fixture features luxury rain-shower jets that wash over you and make you forget the cares of the day. Measuring 58cm, the stainless steel Lounge comes in a sleek rectangular shape, and is available in both ceiling- and wall-mounted designs, for your comfort and convenience. Learn more about the new bathroom shower essential by visiting Newform.

Etched In Stone - Choosing Stone for your Outdoor Spaces

Hardscapes are the non-living features in a garden. This includes items such as gazebos, stones, boulders, and rocks. Landscaping stones are ideal to use as pathways or retaining walls. They add natural beauty when bordering a mini waterfall or a pond. Stones and rock will naturally make any landscape plan more interesting and visually pleasing and there is a wide variety of landscaping stones or rocks from which to select.

Just A Swingin'

The Swing outdoor rocking bed from Stern-Mobel has it all, great looks and fabulous functionality. Swing is sure to complete your garden or patio. Built with a sturdy aluminum frame, the mocha wicker finish gives a smart, natural-looking appeal. The sensible sun-top and comfortable mattress come complete with the outdoor rocking bed. The cover is made from Sunbrella, a hard-wearing fabric perfect to keep off the sun or a light shower. The Swing bed is so convenient – it’s on wheels so you can move it around. What could be better than gently rocking on a cozy outdoor bed as you watch the sun go down? Contact the German company Stern to find out more.

Upcoming Events for May

It's Spring in the mountains. Time for outdoor activites and festivals. Here are just a few upcoming events in May that you might enjoy.


Spring Tour of Homes- 5/30/2009 Tour homes in Brevard & Transylvania County, 9:30AM- 5:00PM, $30, Brevard, NC 828- 884-2787

Sandburg Folk Music Festival- 5/25/2009 Live entertainment will include instrumentals, folk ballads & spiritual songs, 10:00AM-3:00PM, free, Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock, NC 828-693-4178

16th Annual Garden Jubilee Festival- 5/24/2009 Over 100 vendors from Sixth Avenue-Caswell Street, hundreds of plants for sale, arts & crafts, lawn/garden accessories, garden talks & experts, children's hands-on clinic & food, 10:00AM-6:00PM, Historic Downtown Hendersonville, NC

Olde Tyme Music Festival- 5/16/2009 Musicians play hammered dulcimers, banjos, mandolins, fiddles, guitars & auto harps, Downtown Hendersonville, NC

Tour de Falls, DuPont State Forest- 5/10/2009 Buses will be available at the Buck Forest Access Area on DuPont/Staton Rd. to take visitors to High Falls, Triple Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Lake Julia, 9:00AM-4:00PM, donation of $10 per person, sponsored by Friends of DuPont Forest, Hendersonville, NC 828-692-2929 or 828-884-2006

Carolina Concert Choir 30th Anniversary Concert - 5/5/2009 Porter Center at Brevard College, 7:30PM, Adults $20, Students $10, Brevard, NC 828-697-9330

Flat Rock Music Festival- 5/2/2009 6 bands, camping, boating, swimming, open jams, song circles & food vendors, rain or shine - indoor event, 1:00PM-Until, Camp Ton-A- Wandah, Tickets $35, Kids (11-17) $17.50, under age 10 free, Flat Rock, NC 828-692-2005

Table Rosis

The Table Rosis is a clever outdoor table from Escho… with a difference! It’s multifunctional – you can cook food, cool drinks or cultivate small plants and flowers right in the middle of the table. Built of Burmese teak with a top made of Corian, the modular system allows for tables of different sizes and shapes: square, rectangular or circular. You can choose from Corian White or Corian which is decorated with white floral motifs that are inspired by traditional ceramics. The decorations are made with a liquid inlay technique which is embedded in the surface leaving a surface perfectly smooth to the touch. Each piece is totally unique and it’s up to you to further individualise it – using it for your gardening hobby or for whatever else you have in mind. From Escho, Table Rosis is an Italian design to enjoy on the patio or deck for many years to come!

Quick Tip

Adding shutters to the window over the tub is a great way to control light while adding privacy.

A Touch of Glass

Bongio has brought an intriguing and fresh twist to their gorgeous Murano Glass faucet collection with the new Soffi Gold Fever Edition. A dash of subtle color and a glimmer of gold make the unusual Murano glass faucets even more covetable. Timeless elegance is embodied with the painstakingly manufactured glass faucets. A material so unusual for bathroom fittings, its flexible nature makes it an ideal medium for creative expression. We love Bongio’s stunning faucet designs – including their surprising waterfall faucets and unique, angular bathroom faucet designs. Noticeable yet always understated, the refined elegance of Bongio Soffi Gold Fever Edition will reflect your personality perfectly.