| 02.22.12 |
The Creative Process Begins.
via google images
As the “Executive Director of Facilities Design” at Walker Zanger, I am charged with the space planning, design and construction of all Walker Zanger showrooms and offices. I am challenged on a daily basis to creatively mix and combine our tile and stone to visually engage and entice our clientele into buying our product. So- I should be able to select all of the materials for my own home with equal ease- right? WRONG! Choosing the materials for your own home is anything but easy. As designers, we are able to take a step beck and be objective when we are making these decisions for a client. But when it’s our own homes, the tables are turned and we get a taste of what it is to be “the client”. We not only get emotionally involved in the decision, but because our work allows us access to so many options it just makes the process all the more difficult. As I began work on my new kitchen in “Happy Hollow”, memories of my old kitchen haunted me… I knew I had “The Island” to work with, but how was the rest of the space going to take shape… where was my inspiration? Well, come to find out, I didn’t have to look very far. For right in front of me was a living reminder of one of my most favorite color pallets…
…Miss Jolie, my Lynx Point Siamese. It proves that sometimes inspiration is right before your very blue eyes!
Materials L to R: Muse Interlude,Tuileries Fedora,Prado Travertine,Vintage Brown Limestone slab
| Tags: create, design, glass mosaic, kitchen island, limestone, Tuileries
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| 02.17.12 |
Tools of the trade.
Walker Zanger Marble Fan Deck 1954
In our world of design today we have so many tools available us to help our clients experience the final outcome of our vision. We can use our phones to send images of product back and forth; create “Pin Boards” filled with rich images of well designed spaces and product; submit detailed CAD drawings of each room with elevations and perspective of every corner, and use computer programs to drop in actual product images for bathroom and kitchen tile designs. Yet even with all that technology, it can sometimes be difficult to convey the finished product.
Flash back to the early 1950′s when Leon Zanger was getting Walker Zanger off the ground. All he had up his sleeve was his business card and this simple fan deck of stone. Measuring a mere 2″ x 3″, clients would be presented the color, veining, and characteristics of all the exotic stones available for their project. I wonder if as he called on perspective clients with this simple tool of his trade, he ever imagined the vision that would become the Walker Zanger of today.
| Tags: anniversary, create, design, marble, retro, sixty years, stone tiles, walker zanger
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| 02.14.12 |
Island not included.
Beauvigny French Limestone Island
| Tags: design, french limestone, kitchen island, stone, walker zanger
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| 02.13.12 |
Monday Mosaic… Happy Valentines.
L to R: Tuileries Chocolat Brique,Grammercy Park Espresso Brick,Tuileries Vendome Deco Fedora,Weave Truffle.
| Tags: ceramic, glass mosaic, monday mosaics, Valentines Day, walker zanger
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| 02.10.12 |
Friday Fare… Be Mine.
What better way to say “Be Mine” than with homemade cookies? These are much easier than they look, taste great, and come straight from the heart!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 cup pecan halves, toasted
- 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar, plus more for sprinkling
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup cherry jam, strained
Directions
- Sift flour and baking powder into a bowl; set aside. Pulse pecans, confectioners’ sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a food processor until finely ground (but not wet); transfer to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
- Add butter and granulated sugar; mix on medium speed until fluffy. Mix in vanilla and egg. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture; mix until combined. Halve dough; shape into disks. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Working with 1 disk at a time, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch thick. Refrigerate 20 minutes. Cut out squares with a 2-inch fluted cutter. Cut out centers of half the squares with a 1/2-inch heart cutter; re-roll scraps. Space 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake squares and hearts until pale golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to racks to cool.
- Meanwhile, heat jam in a small saucepan over medium heat until reduced and thickened, about 7 minutes; let cool.
- Sprinkle cutout cookies with confectioners’ sugar. Spread jam onto uncut squares; top with cutout ones. Store in an airtight container up to 2 days.
| Tags: cookies, create, Friday Fare, Valentines Day, walker zanger
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