"People have become 'kitchen centric' about their homes," Mick says. "They're using their kitchens for more than just cooking and eating meals. They're living in their kitchens. No matter where else you try to direct people, that's where everyone's party ends up!"
People are recognizing this and devoting more resources -- space, thought, budget-- to have their kitchens be "more," Mick explains. The kitchens is now a room to hang out in -- to entertain, study, watch TV, relax with a book, even take a nap, he adds.
According to the designer, today's kitchen is all about warmth and comfort. "The most important 'theme' is not whether it's modern or traditional, but whether it is a reflection of them-their own personal style-and this can mean a mix of things," Mick says.
In Kitchen Centric, the designer explains the seven tenets or rules he follows in designing kitchens to be the center of the home:
1. Space and Light
2. Fresh and Clean
3. Function and Durability
4. Mixing: Visual Texture and Counterpoints
5. Proportion and Scale
6. Composition Versus Continuum
7. Essence
"There are ideas in the book for everyone—not just super high end kitchens, but very practical uses of space that can apply anywhere—it's part fantasy, part field guide," Mick says. "And there is a part of the book for people to 'know' what they are looking at—all of the materials and origin are identified. So it's not just a pretty picture book—it has use for design students, seasoned design and architecture professionals, to people just wanting great ideas for their kitchens in their homes, whether building or remodeling. It is 'democratic'—it's for everyone!"
You can pick up some tips from Mick on Saturday, October 2 in his showroom at the Merchandise Mart's LuxeHome. Mick will be signing copies of Kitchen Centric between 11:30 am and 2 pm. Chef Craig Bell, corporate chef for Sub-Zero/Wolf will also be doing a culinary demonstration from 11 am to1 pm. There is no charge for the event that is part of LuxeHome's Annual Open House to celebrate National Kitchen and Bath Month. For more information, call 312. 494-9200 or email info@degiulio.org.
You can find Kitchen Centric through local book retailers including the Book Stall in Winnetka, Barnes & Noble and Borders. It is also available through amazon.com and in the de Guilio Showrooms in Wilmette and the Merchandise Mart. For more information, visit www.degiulio.org or call 312 494 9200.
MEET MICK de GIULIO
11:30 am to 2 pm
Saturday
Suite 121 LuxeHome
Merchandise Mart, Chicago
312.494-9200
www.degiulio.org
or www.luxehome.com/openhouse
More about Mick de Guilio In 2003, he was named a Kitchen and Bath Design Leader by Interior Design, and in 2005 was recognized by Kitchen and Bath Business as one of the 50 most influential people in the kitchen and bath industry over the last 50 years. He has designed best-selling product lines for German manufacturer SieMatic, including the Hudson Valley Collection which was chosen for a renovation of the Blair House in Washington, D.C, and the BeauxArts collection, which quickly emerged as one of SieMatic's best-selling products worldwide. More recently, he was commissioned by Kallista, a Kohler company, to design a line of sinks that will be introduced later this year. His work has been extensively featured both nationally and internationally in such magazines as House Beautiful, Interior Design, Town and Country, Bon Appétit, Traditional Home, Architektur&Wohnen, Gods & Gärdar and Domizil, as well as on HGTV and CNN. De Giulio believes that kitchens can be more than workrooms. He believes they can be artful compositions that feed the soul.
NEWS RELEASE: 4 Days of Fabulous Finds at the Merchandise Mart
Chicago's Merchandise Mart will host 4 days of Fabulous Finds, a variety of special events from Friday, October 1 through Monday, October 4. The Mart will open its doors to everyone for the Fall International Antiques Fair, LuxeHome Open House, DreamHome, complimentary design consultations and other events.
Shop the International Antiques Fair to check out the new Emporium, an urban market showcasing moderately priced vintage furniture, posters, jewelry and more. This hip, affordable and un-intimidating offering will be the must-see area of The Antiques Fair. All items will be priced from $50 to $5000. More than 100 top dealers of antiques and fine art will exhibit at the fair Friday through Sunday on the 8th floor of the Mart. Admission is $15 available at www.merchandisemartantiques.com or during The Antiques Fair on the first floor of The Merchandise Mart.
Meet keynote speaker, Carter Oosterhouse of HGTV fame, at the LuxeHome Open House for his presentation on The Ultimate Reward: Investing in Your Renovation; you'll learn 10 Ways to Renew Your Home with Style. Enjoy cooking demonstrations, new product collections and a book signing with Mick de Giulio in 30 premier kitchen and bath boutiques. The LuxeHome Open House on Saturday, October 2 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is free. Register online at www.luxehome.com/openhouse . For more information, call 312.527.7939. Be inspired by DreamHome, 10 rooms designed by notable Chicago-area designers and take advantage of complimentary design consultations available on the Antiques floor. All of the events are open to the public and will help kick-start any design project. The 2010 DreamHome design team includes:
DreamHome is open through December 10 in the North Lobby, Suite 130, The Merchandise Mart, Chicago. A $5 donation to the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation (UCCRF) Women's Board is suggested. For more information, visit www.merchandisemartdesigncenter.com/dreamhome
