May 16, 2007
When the mid-life crisis strikes, I reckon I'll retreat to the woods and build myself a log cabin. Good enough for Honest Abe, good enough for me, right? If I bring Lumberjack Tools' Tenon Cutter, I might actually even cut a few logs before I give up and return to society.
You chuck the cutter in a drill, insert a log between 1 and 3 inches in diameter, pull the trigger and whittle it to a perfect 60-degree tip. A corresponding mortise bit drills out the hole for the tenon to fit. For a funnel with a pair of blades in the side, the tenon cutter is quite complex—CNC milling, a self-centering design, and a window that lets you watch the tenon as it's being formed.
Maybe in the meantime I should start with a small project, like the log headboard I found instructions for on Lumberjack's site. It would be much more convenient to work through the crisis in the comfort of my own home.
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May 15, 2007
Our July/August issue will feature a story on "kitchen regrets"—our sources' disappointments with their recent kitchen remodels, and expert advice on what they shoulda, woulda, and coulda done differently. I didn't redesign my kitchen myself, but I'd sure like a word with whoever did. Hanging above the stove is a field of flesh-colored tile that feels like plastic yet manages to soak up stains at the same time. Truly regrettable.
If only the responsible party had gone with one of Broan's new Ready-to-Hang decorative backsplashes. These pre-assembled fields of tile hang with all the permanence of a picture frame. They're easy to install (find stud, drive screw), and they can also be removed in seconds.
The fact that they're removable makes them perfect for the fickle and committed alike. If you change your mind or if backsplash style suddenly shifts, you're ready at a moment's notice to cast the offending tile aside. But if you truly fall in love with your tumbled marble inlaid with cartoon cooking utensils, you can pack the backsplash and take it with you when you move.
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May 14, 2007
What's not to love about King Arthur's Tools?
Not only do they make this grinder wheel wrapped in a chain saw blade, but I recently met the company's CEO (Arthur, of course) and was impressed to find that he's really taken the whole Camelot thing to its once and future limit. The wood-slaying grinder wheels shown here (sans hand guard, for clarity) are called Lancelot and Squire, the company makes a Galahad abrasive disc, a mini-chain saw called a Merlin, and they recently debuted a flexible sanding system called the Guinevere. (The rejected ad slogan, according to Arthur: put your wood in Guinevere's hands and let her finish you off.)
They even get dressed up in armor every now and then, break out a sword that Arthur calls Excalibur, and hold a knighting ceremony to indoctrinate fellow woodworkers into the Realm. Next time shoulders are scheduled to get tapped, I'd like to nominate a fellow woodworker who used a doubled-up Lancelot and Squire (right) to do the rough carving on the sign of his cafe (below).
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May 11, 2007
The 2007 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show has come to an end, leaving me with great product intros to share and, of course, sore feet. Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about the $75,000 sink from Decolav. Here it is on display for potential buyers, and roped off from potential thieves (apparently the guard was “out sick”). The stone was actually found in Afghanistan, and once molded into the vessel bowl, it was flown on the red eye to make the opening of the show. Hmmm, I guess it might be worth $75,000, maybe for Brad Pitt. Rumor has it that Gwyneth Paltrow’s designer put a request in for the new solid surface bathtub from MTI Whirlpools (shown).
I guess these extreme products are indeed attention grabbers, as are the brightly colored appliances that I saw scattered about the show floor. The classic 50s refrigerators by Gravity Studios (shown below) had airbrushed designs that had attendees stopping for a peek.
Oceania showed a bathtub with an elaborate floral design, promoting their ability to custom match the tub base to any interior design. Though the vast majority of us fall into the play-it-safe category, I envy the few that just play.
Stay tuned for more coverage on the show with upcoming product galleries and stories. Till then…
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May 11, 2007
Everybody remembered to properly put the mower to bed last fall, right? Because this weekend might be time to wake it up.
Even though I did let the gas drain, changed the spark plug, and replaced the blade, I forgot to deliberately avoided the slippery business of changing out the old oil. Fortunately, I found a tool to make this chore a little easier. Instead of tipping the mower to drain the oil or scraping off caked-on crud from the deck to locate the drain plug, I used Liquivac, a hand-pump powered vacuum that sucks the oil straight from the dipstick tube. Fifteen pumps created enough negative pressure in the plastic tank to extract a quart of oil in less than a minute. Liquivac sells a larger 8-quart vac for $50, but I’ve found that the $35, 3-quart container is large enough to drain and temporarily store the used oil.
PS: Don’t even think about pouring that black crud down the drain. Should you discover that your local gas station does not accept used oil, this recycling center locator will help you find a willing recipient in your area.
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May 10, 2007
Water is our most valuable resource and pretty soon we’ll be fighting over who gets it, with an imminent national water shortage. The topic has become so important that the government has recently created a label called WaterSense (similar to Energy Star) that will be applied to fixtures following the reduced water usage requirements. And though this label was created just about a minute ago, companies here at KBIS are already showing their qualifying toilet and faucet models. Toto, Kohler, Sterling, and Delta are all complying.
I would be as bold as to say the 90% of the exhibiting bath companies are showing some type of water-saving product in their lines. Caroma, an Australian company, knows what I’m talking about—all they manufacturer is these types of toilets. They were one of the first to offer dual flush technology (Brisbane model shown), which allows for two different flushing options: .8 and 1.6 gallons per flush. And now almost all of the large toilet manufacturers offer one in their product line.
In addition to water-saving products, recycled and sustainable options abound, and they are more innovative than ever. Bristol and Bath has a whole line of recycled sinks called Second Chance. It gives otherwise unusable waste, like old tires and wine barrels (shown), a second life.
Teragren offers a beautiful bamboo surface that is sustainably harvested and manufactured. Green is here to stay, and really, there’s no other option anyway.
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May 9, 2007
Eating locally is certainly great for personal health and that of the environment, but shouldn't that effort really start even closer to home, like in your own kitchen. Keeping food fresh is important to me since I love my veggies crisp and flavorful (and with all their vitamins and minerals in tact), so I’m definitely interested in Sub-Zero’s revamped built-in refrigerator line, due out in May of 2008 (no photos yet).
The line’s freshness preservation system will not only include a dual-compressor to separately control the temperature and humidity of the fridge and freezer compartments, but it will incorporate an air purification process, similar to that used at Whole Foods. The air will be “scrubbed” via the new system once every 20 minutes to eliminate odors, viruses, bacteria, and ethylene gases that hasten ripening and eventual food spoilage. On top of all of that, the refrigeration will include a microbiological water filter, as opposed to the simply chlorine and sediment reduction, it will reduce viruses and bacteria that could be present in water and ice.
Kohler also brings water filtration to new heights with its Carafe kitchen faucet with a built-in filter (shown above), keeping it all together in a stylish single fixture.
In my mind, a healthy kitchen also includes easy ways to add healthy habits into your daily routine. Franke’s new built-in counter scale (shown left) is great for cooking and watching portion size.
So the point is: eat fresh locally, very locally.
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May 9, 2007
What happened to the days when a bath was just a bath? Today I learned that a bath could be a total experience for the senses, made possible by the wonders of technology. My most coveted techie product is Kohler’s DTV shower (shown left) It was introduced last year, but the second version is fully loaded. It features a control system for the shower with functions like water pressure and temperature, but also chromatherapy (from above), steam, and a built in stereo system, all controlled from a LCD screen that can be mounted on the wall. It allows for a truly customized shower experience.
MTI also brings music to the ears of its buyer with its built-in stereo system, controlled from a remote amplifier that can be placed inside a cabinet and connected to CD or MP3 players. The sound is actually broadcast through the tub walls, with no visual speakers. You can also opt for the company’s radiant heating pads to be built-in, so what looks like a typical tub actually provides a true spa-like experience.
But talk about a fully-loaded shower bathing experience, the ProSun Sunshower lets you tan while showering. Hidden behind a panel that is 8 inches deep, a UV light delivers measured amounts of sunlight.
Toto’s Washlet toilets are chock full of technology as well, with a remote controlled system that includes a seat heater, deodorizer, and bidet function. And if that weren’t enough, when it senses you approaching, the seat cover automatically lifts!
And it’s not only about luxury or flat-screen television in your bathroom, it’s about convenience, and Robern (shown right) really gets that with its latest medicine cabinet intro. A portion of it actually includes refrigeration—time to take the nail polish out of the kitchen! It’s also perfect for keeping (my favorite) organic skin products (with no preservatives) longer, or cold waters bottles. Honestly, convenience is so much at the forefront that I wouldn’t be surprised if my sink could actually do my laundry. Oh right, it already can (MTI)! I think it's time to upgrade my bath.
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May 9, 2007
I’m picturing a breezy summer night hanging out in my backyard with friends, cooking up some shrimp skewers and sipping on a cold glass of beer (too bad my fire escape can’t fit a grill). This year it seems like that same image is on the minds of a lot of folks, with all of the cool new product intros for backyard bliss.
Fuego, a fairly new company, is especially impressive with their modular grills (shown left). Similar to the concept of kitchen islands, the pieces are created to accommodate social interaction with the master griller and his or her guests. Its includes interchangeable drawers—infrared, gas, or charcoal—that slide beneath the grilling surface for whichever cooking method you prefer. Other features are natural wood and slate prep areas, a retractable lid, electronic and weatherproof controls, hidden storage, and my personal favorite—modular accessories that can be hooked onto the base through small pre-cut holes. Accessory options include a paper towel holder and a spice rack, among other things. And if that isn’t cool enough, they also introduced a fully modular island, which includes the previously mentioned features, plus optional under-counter refrigeration, warming drawers, a sink, a protective cover, and a bar for eating and drinking.
Other companies are getting on board as well. Kalamazoo is introducing Edo, a sculptural grill inspired by Japanese cuisine and design. With the look of a table, stainless steel panels slide open to reveal an 18-inch by 24-inch grilling surface and controls, while creating ample counter space on each side. The company is also showing an outdoor countertop pizza oven. And since beer goes great with pizza, what would fit perfectly? Perlick’s new 15-inch beer dispenser. Now that just might fit on my fire escape.
DCS, known for their grilling, also has a modular grilling option on display. But more notably, the company has partnered with Outdoor Polymer Systems, Inc. to introduce an exterior surface material called UniShell (shown above), constructed from high-tech, virtually indestructible polymer materials, that can be customized to look like the surface of your choice, from stucco to stone to brick. Now that’s cool!
Check back later for that photo of the $75,000 sink that I promised…
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May 8, 2007
Getting older can be glamorous, according to bath manufacturers. As I toured the show floor this morning getting acquainted with the lay of the land and all the exhibiting companies, I noticed a theme in the bathroom category: Spa-style bath fixtures can be universally designed and beautiful.
With Safety Tubs' latest introduction (shown), grandma and grandpa can have a second honeymoon. A two-person version, the walk-in tub with large watertight doors features a foot-massage system, aromatherapy, head rests, grab bars, and a handheld shower. A quick-drain system ensures that the bath will empty in less than seven minutes, so you can exit faster.
Oceania similarly has walk-in tubs. Their versions have an air bath system, with varying air-massage settings, great for getting the circulation going for those users with diabetes or other circulatory problems. It is really all about comfort and luxury without leaving the home.
Stay tuned later for what’s hot in outdoor kitchens, including tricked out grills and a Styrofoam-type surface that looks like real stone!
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Maybe in the meantime I should start with a small project, like the log headboard I found instructions for on Lumberjack's site. It would be much more convenient to work through the crisis in the comfort of my own home.
