The Jetson's Floorplan...

Just when you thought you'd seen it all in Manhattan, something comes along that blows your mind. At first glance, you could mistake the floorplans to the left for a birds-eye view of a pinball machine. The duplex apartment conversion at 123 W 15th Street has been described as "Wonka-riffic" on the popular blog, Curbed.com. I couldn't think of a better word to describe this floorplan. The duplex boasts 2,054 square feet and is asking $2,995,000. Own a piece of history today, before flying cars and robot maids take the world over.

Black Label suits, Occhiali specs, Aqua di Gio scents...furniture?

"You buy furniture. You tell yourself, this is the last sofa I will ever need in my life. Buy the sofa, then for a couple years you're satisfied that no matter what goes wrong, at least you've got your sofa issue handled. Then the right set of dishes. Then the perfect bed. The drapes. The rug. Then you're trapped in your lovely nest, and the things you used to own, now they own you." (~Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club)

Well, if you're going to be owned by your possessions, they may as well be Armani Casa. With pieces for every room—from open-edged vases for the library to mother-of-pearl chopstick rests for the dining room—the collection furthers the designer’s streamlined aesthetic far beyond the cramped confines of your walk-in closet. Furnishings like an irregularly woven dressing screen or a sculptural bed nod to Near- and Far-Eastern traditions (especially the Japanese) as readily as tableware or textiles. If you’re not looking to refurnish the whole penthouse or Hampton villa, less dramatic touches can be made via small luxury items like leather key wallets or an array of fine candles.

For the modern-minimalist in all of us. To view their entire line of home decor, visit http://www.armanicasa.com.

"Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore..."

In the age of designer floors, moldings, paints, counters, sinks and appliances, toilets were bound to flush their traditional yet functional role in the home, and redefine themselves as tastefully created masterpieces with astronomical price tags. Toto, one of the leaders in high-end residential construction, offers a full line of power-gravity, low-water consumption units, which are not only asthetically pleasing but have features such as automatic lids, seat warmers and self-cleaning. Watch out George Jetson, Toto's in town!

For more information, check out http://www.totoneorest.com.

Authored by Matthew Knee (Guest Author)

Versace debuts its long-awaited Home Collection...

The first model private residences at The Plaza, and the first model private residences anywhere with furnishings and accessories designed by Versace Home, are making their debut at the iconic castle on the park. The designs contrast with the restored glory of the great landmark public rooms, like The Palm Court and the Oak Room, defining a standard of sophisticated elegance. Fans of Philip Starck and Ian Schrager's design will have a field day furnishing their modern home with Versace's elegant contemporary twist.

To see the entire line of the Versace Home Collection, visit the Web site at http://www.versacehomecollection.com. FYI, Versace can also be commissioned to design custom interiors for private jets (starting at $25,000).

The Stone-Cold Truth...

Marble and granite are both popular, but which is the best all-around and why? There are two issues here, hardness and durability. Harder than a knife, more powerful than a locomotive, able to…well, harder than a knife and able to resist chipping due to bumps, is one key element. Granite, which is composed of silicate minerals, silica and oxygen, is pretty tough stuff, while marble made of calcium carbonate is much softer than, say, a steel blade. Round one to granite.

The second determining factor is chemical resistance. As we said before, marble is made of calcium carbonate, the same stuff that limestone caves are made of, and will dissolve in water after a relatively short span of time. Granite on the other hand, composed of silicate minerals stands up to the test. The winner and champion, rocking the competition by a landslide, is granite! No pun intended of course.

Authored by Matthew Knee (Guest Author)

Poggen-who?

Nevermind. All you need to know is that these folks are in the business of creating kitchens. Not just any kitchens; these are a mish-mash of modern purism and classicism for the style-conscious individual who "knows what counts." If you like to cook, and you can't stand your white formica kitchen any longer, Poggenpohl's for you.

For more information, visit http://www.poggenpohl-usa.com. That's a rap...a nice sundried tomato wrap, with roasted turkey, sprouts, avocado and honey mustard. Time to get cooking.

It's getting hot in here...

Everybody's heard of a wood-burning fireplace...but have you heard of a glass-burning biofireplace? Didn't think so. These fireplaces burn on FANOLA fuel, a special eco-friendly biofuel. While burning, biofuel is more energy-efficient than wood by about 40%. While burning, no smoke or smell is given out, but merely steam and CO2 in proportions similar to those contained in air exhaled by humans.

These decorative pieces are sure to astound guests and add value to your home. There's nothing better than a nice, "Holy $@#!" when your guests first lay eyes on your magnificent eco-flame. For more information, check out http://www.ecoflames.com.

This Just In: President Elects New World Cabinet...

Founded in Italy in the early 1980’s, Valcucine cabinets immediately distinguished themselves by refining the design and quality of their product and thereby revolutionizing the standard for residential kitchens. With over sixty styles available you’re sure to find something that is not only fine-looking but functional. Their trademark Lift-up Door wall cabinets are a great space saver as they can be attached to walls or hang freely over center islands. Or, for something more traditional, their “Ricicla” cabinet doors are made of all recycled materials and use only 1/10 of the resources needed in other types of doors.

Valcucine is dedicated to ensuring that their products don’t endanger the health of anyone, from those who make them to those who use them, they don’t’ use formaldehyde or synthetic varnishes. Valcucine is also a supporter of Bioforest, an association dedicated to biodiversity and the regeneration of natural environments.

One of the most notable purchases, perhaps of Valcucine kitchens, and a testament to their fine quality was by the Extell Development company for use in one of their flagship buildings, The Orion Condominium. Soaring sixty stories above Manhattan’s west side and appropriately nicknamed “Hell’s Kitchen,” is one of the finest examples of craftsmanship and design I have seen in a long long time, and oh yeah some of the nicest kitchens I have seen yet.

For more about Valcucine, visit http://www.valcucine.it.

Authored by Matthew Knee (Guest Author)

The next level in hygienic chambers...

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...I thought to myself, "Why can't my bathroom at home mimic those of the 5-star hotels I've stayed in?" I miss that feel good, bubbly, butterflies-in-my-stomach feeling that I get everytime I set foot in those lavish chambers. Is it the lighting? Is it the pressure of the water? Is it the fixtures? Is it the luxury furnishings?

Enter...Waterworks. Tell the Mandarin Oriental they can keep their bathrooms, you don't want 'em. Waterworks affords its customers a hygienic experience unlike that of any other - most importantly, in the comfort of their own home. For more information about the Waterworks line of products/fixtures, visit their Web site at http://www.waterworks.com.

"Water is their muse."

Feng-Schrager...

A poor attempt at a play on words ("Feng-Shui")? Yes. A brilliant interior designer? Yes. For all those who aren't familiar with Ian Schrager - shame on you. Some of his projects include the Gramercy Park Hotel (pictured left), 50 Gramercy Park North and 40 Bond. In an age where selling is increasingly difficult and differentiation is the key to success, an Ian Schrager-designed residence will do the trick.

Check out more about Mr. Schrager at http://www.ianschragercompany.com.

PS...If you're reading this Ian, how about a pro bono re-design of my living room? If you don't ask, you dont get...

Renovating your kitchen?

Not without an RFID refrigerator. Well, at some point in the near future, at least.

This techno-monument to food preservation can purportedly send a shopping list to your cell phone or directly to the supermarket when it detects your milk, juice, eggnog, or assortment of critical condiments are reaching dangerously low levels. It is also designed to track each item's expiry date and display information about its nutritional value. Moreover, it can provide recipes for dishes that can be prepared with the ingredients in the fridge. Antennas will transmit signals to products with embedded RFID transponders and retrieve important information about the product. The only thing this uber-fridge can't do is cook for you - but I'll bet that's not too far off. Move over Sub-Zero.

More to come as the RFID fridge hits the market...