Blanco

The tiniest of nuances are what truly make any given product great. It's always the exceptional care and attention to detail that set one brand apart from the next, and this notion was especially evident to us as we toured EuroCucina at Salone del Mobile with BlogTour Milan. Notably, in a category where it can be challenging to differentiate and create new and exciting changes, Blanco - a luxury European kitchen sink manufacturer since 1925 - is clearly leading the pack from an innovation standpoint. It was quite remarkable, their sinks were in what seemed to be virtually every high end showroom as we walked the vast EuroCucina floor. Just take a close look and you'll see why.

For three generations, Blanco has quietly and passionately elevated the standards for luxury sinks, faucets and decorative accessories. Proud of its European heritage and award-winning German engineering, this company is steadfastly committed to their tradition of high quality and innovative design.

Blanco is the brand of choice in the luxury sink and faucet category for its unparalleled quality and an inspirational breadth of design possibilities and has proven that the sink is far more than a mere functional element in the kitchen. To them, it's all about the details, and we couldn't agree more.

BlogTour Milan Sponsors | Modenus, BLANCO America, Gessi, Clever Storage by Kesseboehmer, Dekton by Cosentino, National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).

Image Credits | Blanco, Krista Nye Schwartz & Tami Ramsay of CLOTH & KIND, Holly Phillips of The English Room

Steve McKenzie

Hi. My name is… Steve McKenzie

My company is... steve mckenzie’s

I’m the… Principal Designer

I make/design/create… First and foremost, I am an artist. Before I start on large paintings, I do studies in walnut ink to help me zero in on what it is I’m trying to achieve. The brushstrokes of these walnut ink studies are also the basis of my fabric collection. My textiles have also given me an opportunity to design an upholstery collection and a bag collection. In addition to these collections, steve mckenzie’s is also a full service interior design firm operating out of our Atlanta showroom.

Something you need to know about me is… I love to cook especially for a large group. I will attempt about any dish. One of my specialties is homemade wings. When our son was playing high school lacrosse, he would regularly show up late night with about a dozen friends looking for their fourth meal. I was happy to jump into action and make a batch of spicy wings.

Here’s how this company came to be… In January 2012, after working corporate jobs for 30 years, my wife, Jill, and I made the leap to exit that arena and begin making plans for steve mckenzie’s. I always wanted to design a fabric collection and it was time. First came the fabric, which naturally became ingrained with our love of interiors and entertaining, and next thing you know, there we are with a showroom! Everything that’s followed has been born from the creative freedom you enjoy (most of the time!) when running your own business.

My absolute favorite thing we sell right now is… My Walnut Loop on Flax Linen Fabric is a current favorite. As I shared earlier, I paint using walnut ink, and this particular pattern/colorway comes closest to the original brush strokes of those studies. I’ve been painting for years and could always picture what this fabric would look like - this pattern is just like realizing a dream. I smile every time I see it used.

Here’s a sneak peek of something we’re working on now… We are in the midst of finalizing patterns and colors for an outdoor fabric collection, which we’re very excited about. It should be available mid-summer this year. Pictured is one of the patterns based on the stripes of French linens but in my own, unique brushstrokes.

I’m most proud of… We relish in the priceless reactions people have when stepping into our showroom for the first time - they usually get a big smile on their face and say “I love it.” Typically, a conversation ensues about how much they appreciate our use of color and how refreshing it is to see so much of it in one place. As an artist, designer, and retailer, this is when I know we’re doing something right; when someone responds and reacts to the work put out there.

I really detest… The accounting and paperwork can be a real grind for me. I understand how imperative it is, but for me, all I can think about is how I’m not creating something at that time, which is what I love to do most!

I could never have done it without this person… I couldn’t have made this professional – and often times, personal - leap without Jill, my wife of 30 years. She is not only my partner for life she is also my partner in business. Every product I design, every painting I create, she is there to give critical input. I know she always has our best interests at heart and will be honest, even if it can be painful at times. Plus, I would not have time to create if she were not helping run the business and sell our products; she’s amazing!

I consistently read these for inspiration… I get inspiration from so many sources.  I am a visual learner, so any great photography inspires me. My favorite Magazines for inspiration are: Côté Sud, Vogue Living Australia & Wallpaper. I also need my monthly fix of Garden & Gun - I love the way they celebrate the new, modern, southern lifestyle from all dimensions. A favorite blog is Freund von Freunden out of Berlin, their interviews and interiors of creatives from all over the world are fantastic! And, I so appreciate the hour-long mixtapes they have guest DJ’s do - they are always inspiring, especially in the studio. Pinterest and Instagram can also act as fuel for my creative side.

I would like to share the limelight with… I would take great pleasure in sharing the limelight with Verde Home by Laura Walker. Laura is an amazingly talented designer; the custom rugs they offer through their showroom, Verde Home, are truly incredible. They can help you realize your own designs, or you can even customize some of the patterns Laura has designed and end up with your very own beautiful, high quality, unique rug.

IMAGE CREDITS | All images provided by Steve McKenzie except showroom image via Lonny.

Italian Menagerie

One of the recurring themes of BlogTour Milan for us was the lovely menagerie of beasts we encountered throughout the winding streets of Venice & Milan. We were enamored with so many of the animals we encountered that we started snapping images along the way.

ABOVE | Antiques on our superb afternoon with the Toma Clark Haines, The Antiques Diva.

ABOVE | An Hermès scarf.

ABOVE | More antiques with the The Antiques Diva.

ABOVE: Piazza San Marco square in Venice.

ABOVE: The Gessi Concept Lab in Milan's fashion district.

ABOVE: The ceiling at Castello Sforzesco in Milan.

ABOVE: A doorbell in Venice.

ABOVE: Wandering the streets in Milan's Brera district.

Glorious, aren't they? Now that we're back from our insane month of travel we're eager to finally share more from BlogTour Milan with you all over the next couple of weeks.

Image Credits | All photographs taken by Krista Nye Schwartz & Tami Ramsay of CLOTH & KIND.

BlogTour Milan Sponsors | Modenus, BLANCO America, Gessi, Clever Storage by Kesseboehmer, Dekton by Cosentino, National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).

Happy Mother's Day

It's nearly over, but we still wanted to share our warmest well wishes for a wonderful Mother's Day with each of you. Hoping your day was as relaxing and love-filled as each of ours was.

PHOTO CREDIT | CLOTH & KIND, taken in Milan, Italy during BlogTourMilan

No. 33: Nicky Rising

What an insanely wonderful whirlwind of a week here in Los Angeles! One of the best parts, hands down, of being here in celebration of the LCDQ Legends event (and our custom designed Goldfinger window at Sydney Harbour Paint) was the time we were able to spend with our peers and friends in the interior design industry.

Case in point. Yesterday we crashed Nicky Rising - an all time favorite CLOTH & KIND showroom - and had her put together today's Palette for us on the fly. We adore what Nicky and her fabulous showroom manager John threw together, all built around this divine showpiece of a vintage rug. Bright and cheerful, just like beautiful Nicky. Here she is pulling it all together.

We're headed home to Ann Arbor & Athens today and couldn't be more ready to get back to our real worlds, our families (good lord, do we miss them!) and our clients, but it's been a blast LA. Thank you to everyone for being such gracious hosts, especially the LCDQ and Sydney Harbour Paint.

TOP RIGHT | Bermuda by Chapas Textiles (#09-20A) from Nicky Rising

TOP LEFT | Mahmut in Pink by Tulu Textiles (#n/a) from Nicky Rising

BOTTOM | Vintage Pictorial Khotan Chinese Wool Rug, early 20c (#n/a) from Nicky Rising

LCDQ Legends 2014

You already know from our Textile Files that we're complete and utter Pinterest addicts. So what better way to showcase the evolution of our Legends 2014 window from conceptual design all the way through to the finished space than by sharing the board we created for it? Take a peek at our CLOTH & KIND, Goldfinger LCDQ Legends 2014 board (which has been private up until today) for a complete list of all the sources we used in the design and decoration of our window at Sydney Harbour Paint.

The links on the board will connect you to all of the specific items used, the vast majority of which are for sale. But we also wanted to extend a very heartfelt thanks to the showrooms that worked with us to fulfill our vision for this space by creating custom pieces and/or loaning pieces to us. You guys in the La Cienega Design Quarter ROCK, and it did not go unnoticed the way you welcomed these two out-of-town girls with open arms. This has been an extraordinary experience and we're immensely grateful to count so many of you as new friends.

Sydney Harbour Paint | Liquid Gold Paint

Jasper, Michael S Smith | Pierre Sofa

Downtown | French Modernist Chairs in Sycamore Burl, Tom Greene Brutalist Chandelier, Toni Zuccheri Sconces for Venini

Dragonette | Polished Brass and Lacquered Wood Cocktail Table, Orange Brass and Leather Side Table, Swiveling Three Tier Side Table 

Harbinger | Brian Gennett Modern Drinks Table

Lee Stanton | Cactus Floor Lamp, Black and Brass Tole End Table

Nicky Rising | Clay McLaurin StudioBush Fabric (used on screens and pillows), All Ceramic Vases, Bird Sculptures

Sally King Benedict | Indigo Nude (custom commissioned piece, contact Sally directly for information & pricing)

Paper Mills | Little Havana Wallpaper (custom coloration using Sydney Harbour Paint Liquid Gold paint)

Clay McLaurin Studio | Brush Fabric in Midnight (available at Nicky Rising), Custom Fabric Screens and Pillows (custom Pom Pom trim by Kate Roebuck)

Kate Roebuck | Custom Commissioned Woven Textile (on sofa back), Custom Pom Pom Trim on Pillows

Agora Vintage | Monyo Sculpture 'The Embrace'

CLOTH & KIND | Vintage Shibori Lumbar Pilllow, Vintage Laboring Chairs, Glass Grapes Clusters, Vintage Martini Set, White Dinner Jacket

Stay tuned for a feature on the other spectacular windows that were designed by the truly incredible talent as part of Legends 2014. But first, we're off to the opening night Gala event (be sure to follow us on Instagram for a live feed of the events tonight and over the next couple of days - @clothandkind & @tamiramsay).

Indigo Nude // Sally King Benedict Commission

There is no shortage of very unique, highly curated pieces in our LCDQ Legends 2014 window at Sydney Harbour Paint but we are both firmly rooted in the camp that this abstract gold and indigo nude which we commissioned from Atlanta artist Sally King Benedict is the pièce de résistance.

When were were first presented with the invitation to participate in this prestigious design event and told that we could choose any novel to design our window around, we spent several days discussing the literary possibilities. But no matter the subject matter, we kept coming back to the idea of a huge piece of artwork commissioned by Sally for the massive center wall in the space.

Ultimately, we settled on Ian Fleming’s novel Goldfinger as the inspiration for our window for a variety of reasons. First, who does not love the dashing and dapper agent 007 James Bond?! We consider the post-war era of the book a wildly pivotal period for art, furniture and lighting design. It was a time that eschewed the formalism of the 40s and 50s and embraced a non-conformist mix of styles, patterns, periods and colors. This speaks to our design aesthetic fundamentally, and we favor mid-century modernism over most eras of furnishings, for being lean and mean, glamorous and sophisticated. Sally's painting so beautifully captured the spirit we were creating for the space and the gold nude is our personal homage to the iconic women in the novel, Jill Masterson and, of course, Pussy Galore.

We've had a long time, very healthy obsession with Sally and her art. To know her is to love her. Just peruse our Curated column on her and you'll quickly see why. Several people have already inquired and so we are happy to relay that yes, this painting is for sale! Jump on it, guys. Sally's stunning 5' x 7' masterpiece will not be available for long and we'd love to know that this influential piece ofCLOTH & KIND Goldfinger memorabilia ends up in a fabulous home. If you are interested, please contact Sally directly at contact(at)sallybenedict(dot)com.

IMAGE CREDITS | All photos of Sally King Benedict's Indigo Nude taken by CLOTH & KIND

LCDQ Legends: Goldfinger Press!

Stay tuned for photos from our LCDQ Legends window at Sydney Harbour Paint later today, but in the meantime a huge thanks to Apartment Therapy & Dering Hall for featuring us on their sites today. What a thrill this all is!

Something Sacred // 5 Years in the Making

Five years ago, back when CLOTH & KIND was still just the beginnings of an idea being tossed around within the catacombs of my mind, I stumbled upon this Me & Ro pendant. It has the Tamil word for sacred engraved on the front and the English translation on the back. The day that I found & bought this talisman I made a promise to myself that I would treat this yet unborn passion project of mine with great reverence and ultimately find a way to make it my full-time job.

I didn't yet have the full vision for what CLOTH & KIND would eventually become, but I knew at my very core that it was unequivocally what I wanted to spend my days and nights doing. So slowly, ever so slowly but surely, I chipped away at exploring my lifelong love of textiles & interior design, and found a new affection for blogging along the way. And just like everything that's meant to be in life, my path serendipitously crossed with Tami's just as I was feeling like the only thing missing was my creative other half. Together, we have taken this fledgling company to great heights which I always knew would be reached eventually but never dreamed would be happening so quickly... and we're only truly just getting started in earnest.

Today I'm turning that promise I made to myself over five years ago into  a reality. I have left my (absolutely wonderful, totally stable and awesome paying + full benefits) full-time job (GULP!) in order to dedicate myself entirely to CLOTH & KIND. And while this is about fulfilling that promise from all those years ago to myself, it's also about so, so much more. It's about living an authentic life. It's about aligning the thoughts and dreams in my head with how I live my day to day existence. I don't want a life that looks good on the outside but is depriving my soul on a daily basis. It's about getting messy, making mistakes, but growing and learning every step of the way so that at the end of this precious life I won't ever have to look back with any regrets. To me, allowing myself to love what I love, without restriction, is the ultimate form of authenticity and I refuse to settle for anything less. And while I will admit that I'm scared out of my fricking mind, I've also never been more certain of anything in my life.

No. 32

We are so, so very into lavender lately. Can't get enough of it, especially paired with a bold navy. Classic. And, by the way, how fantastic is Victoria Larson's Fern N Dot fabric? We've long been fans of Victoria's and are thrilled to have the opportunity to share the stage with her this coming week at the Bradley USA showroom in Atlanta (where all of her fabrics are available to the trade) for the much-anticipated Veranda-sponsored Design ADAC event. The three of us will be yammering on about a topic that's near and dear to our hearts, What's New, What's Next in Textiles. If you're a textile addict too, come join us!

TOP RIGHT | Loire Jute Stripe in Amethyst from Schumacher (#68693) TOP LEFT | Fern N Dot in Navy on White by Victoria Larson (#NZ-103.P03). BOTTOM | Pomegranate wallpaper in Dusk from Galbraith & Paul (#n/a)