KBB - November/December 2012 - (Page 64)

FAVORITES 1 2 Kim Nadel’s Top Product Picks Although Kim Nadel, cid, leed ap, principal of Niche Design in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA, may not subscribe to a particular style, she describes her work as “eco-luxurious interiors.” “There’s always some kind of green component,” said Nadel, who takes a more holistic approach to design.“It’s about balancing comfort and luxury.”This past November, people had the opportunity to see eco-luxury in action when Nadel’s home was featured in the Dwell Home Tour. A 2,000-sq.-ft. new construction, it was designed by local architect Brett Farrow as part of a larger green development and features a contemporary exterior that “fits the vernacular of the old-style homes in Cardiff,” Nadel said. “It’s an interesting kind of architecture.” No less spectacular is its interior, which Nadel created not only for her personal use but also to provide a showcase for local artists and designers and to illustrate how a green home “can be sophisticated.” Sliding glass doors throughout take advantage of California’s sunny weather and, in the living room, open to a beautifully landscaped garden that includes an 80-year-old avocado tree. An open plan enhances the home’s contemporary vibe, as do many of the kitchen and bath products, which also happen to be Nadel’s favorites. While local and regional sourcing is important when Nadel selects products, she acknowledges “not everything in my home is as green as I’d want it to be—sometimes you just want something.” One such product is Kohler’s Stages (2), which Nadel specified in the 45-in. undermount model. Not only does it complement the kitchen aesthetically, its myriad accessories and the way they’re integrated pack a lot of functionality into a limited space, which means it will be around for a very long time. Another space-saver is Kohler’s Karbon (3), which tucks into itself when not in use, allowing the kitchen and surrounding living spaces to blend visually. Moreover, the control lever can be placed to the right or left of the faucet, which is a boon for left-handed Nadel. Because modern architecture can be very rectilinear, Nadel likes to offset it with products that have a soft, organic form:“It’s like balancing feminine and masculine,” she said. Victoria+Albert’s Napoli 57 basin (1), for example, has an appealing egg shape and can be oriented with its narrowed end to the left or right. “It’s beautiful and very easy to clean,” Nadel added. The designer’s favorite dual-flush toilet is Inax’ Dover (4), an elongated one-piece model with a 0.8/1.28gpf flush system. Elegant with clean lines, its versatile design accommodates a variety of bathrooms. For her master bathroom, Nadel chose Hansgrohe’s Axor Massaud lav faucet (5), which doubles as a shelf and produces a calming “waterfall experience.” That the collection’s designer, Jean-Marie Massaud, is French is perhaps not that surprising, as Nadel admits to “a little French influence” in her work. While Nadel’s list of favorites is far more extensive, they can all be seen at her home, which is perhaps a product’s best endorsement. “I still love everything I use,” she said. “When you love something, you want to recommend it.” n —Alice Liao 3 4 5 64 + K BB November/December 2012 / www.kbbonline.com / The Official Sponsor of KBIS www.kbis.com http://www.kbbonline.com http://www.kbis.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of KBB - November/December 2012

KBB - November/December 2012
Contents
Online Contents
Editorial
Show Director’s Note
KBIS Special Section
Web Savvy
Trends
2012 K+BB Product Innovator Awards
Products
Design
Opinion
Ad Index
Favorites

KBB - November/December 2012