enzy living: February 2012

February 28, 2012

Simple Human Products I Love

This is not an advertisement, nor is it sponsored by simple human. (Though if they were to contact me offering to give me free stuff, I wouldn't turn them away - hint, hint!)

I've had a thing for simple human products since I first used their wastebaskets several years ago. Yes, everything they offer is rather expensive compared to other items in the same category on the market. I can hear your thoughts now.... "What, 200 bucks for a trash can!?!?" While their products are not for everyone, I will say that in my experience, they make these mundane items like trash cans and laundry hampers the best they can be, and from my own experience plus reading their online reviews, they are worth the extra money.

I like the quality, and I like their ingenuity. They take items from other manufacturers that we typically hate (like shower caddies), and they make them better.

Some of my favorite items that they offer:

Fingerprint-proof stainless steel trash can, $199.99 - $249.99. Fingerprint proof. Comes with charcoal filters for odor. 10-year warranty. Smooth-operating parts. Basically, they've addressed everything you can think of that you'd typically hate about a trash can.

Tension Shower Caddy, $ 129.99. Rust-free, attractive, and strong. Read the reviews - almost everyone who bought one unsuccessfully tried cheaper models first and find this one worth every penny.

X-Frame Laundry Hamper, $ 79.99 - $99.00. I've used this in a project before, as I was doing a high-end condo renovation and needed a modern hamper to fit in a specific closet cabinet, so my options were limited. I must say, it's a great-looking quality piece! Removable (and washable) bags with handles. Keeps laundry well-ventilated. Folding frame. Sturdy construction. Modern style. Again, all reviewers rave about the product.

Compost Pail, $ 59.99. Looks good. Sealed bin. Easy-carry handle. Charcoal filter absorbs odors.

Toilet Plunger, $ 24.99. Not something you'd consider a home decor item, right? This reviewer says it perfectly: "For something that I generally despise (a toilet plunger), both for looks and, well, if I have to use it, this is the best looking, best designed toilet plunger ever. It is sleek and discreet, and I love that you can use the base with handle as a drip tray. Another distasteful part of plunging - what to do with the plunger when you are done. This way you can carry it drip free to the nearest faucet to rinse out without worrying about dripping on floor or carpet or the toilet itself. If you get anything from Simple Human, get this."

February 24, 2012

GIVEAWAY! - Custom Glass Art

I love that so many pieces of art in our home aren't generic pieces - almost everything has a special meaning or history. This is our newest piece - by William Germain. William works for Hallmark Cabinets and has helped me out with some incredible custom pieces and finishes for my projects, and on the side he does some amazing painting on glass. After my ooh-ing and aah-ing over some of his work, he was kind enough to give me a painting of my own. By painting on back of the glass, the painting has a lot more depth than a standard canvas. And this particular paint has an amazing metallic shimmer that I just couldn't capture with my camera.

Here's the best part - William has agreed to let me give away one of his pieces!

My giveaway is for a painting like mine, and the winner gets to choose a blue or yellow metallic background. Overall size, with frame, is ±25" x 21"

Here's what you need to do to enter:

Leave a comment here on this post, to include which color you'd choose if you won - the blue or the yellow metallic background.
I was going to require that you "like" enzy design on facebook, but started looking online for giveaway/sweepstakes rules and it appears I can't force you to do anything, so I'll just suggest that you like me, though I promise this will not in any way affect your chances of winning.

Rules:

Entry comment must include items indicated above.
Winner must be 18 or older.
Winner must have shipping address in continental U.S. (which I will contact the winner for later)
Winner will be selected using random number generator (such as Random.org).
Deadline to enter is Friday, March 9. Winner will be announced Monday, March 12.
Only 1 entry per person per household.

Here are other examples of William's work (taken from his facebook page):

February 22, 2012

Brizo Fashion Week - A Faucet is More than Just a Faucet

For my 2nd post following my recent Brizo Fashion Week trip (the first post being here), I want to dive into what I thought was one of the most intriguing parts of the whole trip - the design inspiration behind a faucet. Did you ever stop think about what must go into the design of something as simple as a faucet? It's mind-blowing! The whole process of design, engineering, marketing, etc. can take a couple years, so it's important for the design team to stay ahead of current interior design trends. (Isn't it brilliant that they've worked closely with fashion design, since fashion often dictates future decor trends?) While the process itself - conception, 3d mockups (they can print actual 3d faucet forms!), revisions, engineering, focus groups, etc.- is overwhelming, I was really blown away by how the designs originated. The Brizo team looks everywhere for inspiration, and once you hear the origin of each faucet concept, you look at it in a completely different way. I want to highlight a few of my favorites using various images I found online:

Vuelo - Spanish for "flight", the Vuelo is "Inspired by the elegance of a gliding swan"

(image source)

Virage - Virage is French for "twist". “The Virage collection was inspired by the beautiful iron work we found throughout Europe. It was everywhere – gates, balconies and door hardware – and it was stunning,” - Judd Lord, Director of industrial design for Brizo

photo via akhnatonsjournal

image source unknown

RSVP - "Drawing on the influences of Art Nouveau, RSVP features a sensual design that follows the curves of a woman’s silhouette."

images by Rene Gruau, an Art Nouveau style fashion illustrator. "Gruau’s women are glamour and high-society, femininity and sensuality" - swingfashionista

Belo - Portuguese for "beautiful", inspired by Nambe vases

(image source)

Talo (with SmartTouch) - Inspired by a bluebell flower

(image source)

Baliza - "means 'beacon' in Portuguese, and as its name suggests, the clean, simple lines of the collection were inspired by lighthouses and their iconic nautical beacons."

(image source)

And, how cool is this? The Baliza kitchen faucet has a coordinating towel hook accessory, so you can hang your wet dishcloths / towels over the sink without draping them over the neck of the faucet!

Floriano - I have to throw in the Floriano, even though we didn't discuss this one at Fashion Week, it is the first faucet I ever bought for myself, so it will always hold a special place in my heart.

(image source)

Floriano - a wilted tulip

After learning all of this, you'll never think of a faucet as just a faucet. It's a work of art.

(All faucet images courtesy of brizo)

February 20, 2012

Brizo Fashion Week - Location Location Location

As you all know, I recently attended Brizo Fashion Week, courtesy of Brizo Faucets. Over a week later, myself, as well as the other 18 bloggers that composed the "Blogger19" are still talking about how amazing this trip was.

I'll be spending some time this week (and next) highlighting various parts of the trip, starting with:

1. Location

The Eventi Hotel, just a couple blocks from the Empire State Building, was perfect!