About Me

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I have 20+ years experience in Home Furnishings and Interior Design, specializing in Kitchen and Bath Design since '01. I work for Bilotta Kitchens in the A&D Building on East 58th Street in the Mid-town Manhattan. I have a passion for learning and love the opportunity to collaberate on projects of all sizes. My strengths in the field begin with my design background, use of color and texture to bring interest to a room, spatial relationships, organizational skills, innovation, decisiveness, and planning. I have had the thrilling experience of helping hundreds...?maybe thousands of people with their projects, and what I love is it never gets boring, and no two are ever the same. Thanks for reading.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Grothouse Walnut Island in the House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year

I just wanted to share a stunning kitchen island, designed by Tyler Florence, and made by Grothouse Lumber, for the House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year. It's made of solid planked walnut with a 4" thick end grain walnut top. The island is on heavy duty casters to allow the chef to remove meats and casseroles out of the oven, then wheel them directly out of the work area where the food can be carved and prepped for serving. This one has deep drawers, and versatile open storage. It's a great idea for any kitchen!

Open to the public all week in Rockefeller Center, the House Beautiful Kitchen is a great source for decorating ideas, and worth adding to your tour, so if you are near the city, don't miss it! Check out the innovative, new product offerings, and design ideas that are second to none. Cabinetry is by KraftMaid, Counters by CaesarStone, designed by Tyler Florence,  and supported by Sunbrella, Kohler, Chobani, and Kitchen Aid.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Chef Tyler Florence Takes New York By Storm

Yesterday  in Rockefeller Center House Beautiful unveiled the 2011 Kitchen of the Year, Designed by Chef, restaurateur, and TV personality Tyler Florence. Editor in Chief Newell Turner was on hand to unveil the kitchen at a special press luncheon. He was joined by Kate Kelly Smith and a host of Representatives of the Companies supplying the products to make up the gorgeous kitchen. Notable contributors again are KraftMaid for the cabinetry, Kravet for the Fabrics, Sunbrella, Ann Sacks tile, Kohler, and many others.

 
Chobani, known for it's Greek Style yogurt joins Truvia, the natural sweetener as a food sponsor.

Tyler Florence brings a California flair to this year's
kitchen, and has added a large outdoor cooking and
dining space which includes a fabulous pizza oven.

While I got a quick sneak peak yesterday, I am returning tonight, as KraftMaid will be hosting it's own ev
ent in the kitchen.  I'll be following up after having a closer look at all treats this kitchen has to offer.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

The BIG Questions When Hiring a Contractor

Can I meet a client and see a project that was completed 5-10 years ago?

We all like to browse cutting edge technology and the latest and coolest design offerings, but that is what showrooms are for! Truthfully if you can see one or two prior completed jobs when you are considering hiring a contractor, see something that was designed and built a few years ago. This will give you a window into a few important things
  • Brand and Durability of products offered
  • Integrity and quality of the installation
  • Ease of the process'
  • Long term Client satisfaction
  • How long the Contractor has really been in business*
*a few contractors, certainly not all contractors, exaggerate the longevity of their business, beware of this practice.

When you meet that client, it’s important to ask the right questions

  • Was your Project completed on time and in budget?
  • Were there many changes after the project began-surprises and extra work
  • Were you permitted as the homeowner to supply any of your own material, tile flooring etc? Or did everything need to be purchased through the contractor?
  • Did the contractor charge a premium?
  • Was the job well supervised?
  • Was the work continuous within reason (stopping for inspections)?
  • Were there any issues after the job was completed, how were they handled
  • Does the client feel like they got good value, and what they expected?
  • Was the name of the Business hired 5 years ago the same as the contractor is using today?*

*again, changing a business name is a tactic used by a few contractors out there to hide from bad reviews, lawsuits, and dissatisfied customers. Do your homework and don’t fall for this.

None of this is to say that you shouldn’t hire a new business or a young contractor. Quite the contrary, it just does pay to do your homework to find out where they got their start, and if they are young, have they worked for someone in the past? Ask to speak to that contractor.

Some contracts have 50 clauses on the back, if they do, take the time to read each one. If you think you need a lawyer to review the contract, then get one or move on to another contractor. It's possible the contractor you're dealing with has been on the receiving end of a lawsuit. This may or may not have been warranted or unwarranted. Your contract should be in easy to read language. Make sure that you are protected and negotiate changes you want up front.
I grew up in the construction business, third generation after both of my grandfathers’ and my own dad. Many of the people who worked for my father went on to have their own businesses. They stayed in touch with us as a family, and when the work was getting beyond my father he took pride in handing the jobs down to his past employees, with confidence they would do a great job.

If someone hasn’t come up the ranks working on the job-sites, as an apprentice, then journeyman, then master craftsman they are more of a “marketing expert/business person”, their perspective on the business may be very different than someone who learned the business from the foundation up.

Finally always check the name of the business with the Better Business Bureau. Accreditation with this organization shows a willingness by the contractor to be openly scrutinized. This practice protects the consumer and the Contractor, and if the business you are looking into has nothing to hide, they will want to share their excellent rating.



Author’s note: Working for one of the top kitchen design showrooms in the country is an honor and a pleasure. I have shared with my employers at MCK+B what I have learned through my personal experiences in this business, and they know that while they chose me as the right person for the showroom, I chose them based on their impeccable reputation. I am never too busy to offer advice, or give the name of independent referrals within the industry. Follow me on Twitter for industry updates!