Showroom Art - Joan Alden

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Joan Alden, writer turned painter, has lived in Charleston five years and teaches at The Citadel.  Before Charleston she lived in the Hudson Valley of New York with her late partner Catherine Hopkins, photographer, and wrote full time, producing three published novels and a children’s book.  It is Hopkins’ photographic prints that Alden uses in her paintings.  Alden pastes the black and white prints to canvases and paints them with the same oils she uses to create extended backgrounds for the photographic images.  In some cases the photographic image is more obvious than in other cases in which it is almost hidden under the paint, and except for the sharper focus that the observer will discover in the center of the painting that provides the clue that the print is there, one might not know.  Although Alden works with oils of every color, her paintings now on display in King Street Kitchen Company are all in hues of brown and cream and shades of blue and green.  On display at Med Bistro, Alden’s work incorporates brilliant yellows and greens and reds.  Her subjects at both places vary from landscape and architectural details to people and pets, sometimes mysterious and oftentimes humorous such as the painting titled Calligraphy of two dogs on the beach.  Their position, naturally canine, is of one sniffing the butt of the other, suggesting a graceful pen stroke.  The largest painting (30X40) at KSKC is titled Blanket.  It is a dramatic seascape with the back of a swimmer sitting at the surf while a wave, appearing like a blue blanket, covers her outstretched legs.  Another large painting is narrative in form with four separate prints of children at a quarry, suggesting an afternoon swim from another century.  All total there are 21 paintings hanging at KSKC, 12 at Med Bistro, and 6 at Chart.  Alden has had two shows in the area, a one night show October of 2007 at Gage Hall and a month long show at The Alchemy Café this last September.  Both shows were well received, selling fifteen paintings each.  Alden keeps her prices affordable.



Making Room....Display Sale!!!

It's hard to believe that Phase 2 of our build out is just around the corner, but we're already getting started with the plans for our next creative display kitchen.  Lucky for you, that means an excellent opportunity to get a GREAT deal on current display cabinetry.  This beautiful custom designer hutch was produced in the heart of Amish Country - Lancaster Co, PA by craftsmen whose skills have been in their families for generations.





Hutch Details:
  • Burnished Cherry wood with tasteful distressing options
  • High end furniture finish
  • Authentic solid Cherry flush inset face frames, drawer heads, and doors
  • All wood construction w/ solid wood countertop
  • Pull out waste basket and internal roll out shelf behind right base door
  • Wood cutlery divider and pegboard drawer divider
  • Heavy duty can storage pull out with adjustable shelves
  • Beautiful valance detail in open hutch area with plate grooves on each shelf
  • Decorative end panels (both sides)
  • Furniture crown and baseboard moldings
  • Several options for internal display lighting
  • Unit is currently installed on a mobile wall and floor system that can be easily moved
  • Additional matching cabinetry available
  • Can be refinished with a darker stain color or a pained finish
Retail Price:  $16,715.00
Display Price:  $8,357.50 (50% off)

All reasonable offers considered
Other displays available, e-mail or call for more information

When a toilet shows up in the middle of your showroom....

...we couldn't resist, could you? This reminds me of one of my favorite episodes of the Golden Girls where Dorothy & Rose decide to replace their broken toilet on their own. Soon after the toilet was dropped off & still sitting in the living room, Sofia, Dorothy's crazy 80 y/o mother, walks through the kitchen door and exclaims "You guys are geniuses! I've always wanted a toilet in front of the TV!"

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2009 Symphony Designer Showhouse


I am very proud to announce that King Street Kitchen Company has been selected to collaborate with the lovely design team at Herlong & Associates to create a charming yet elegant kitchen for the 2009 Symphony Designer Showhouse at Maison Du Pré.  Although the design of this space will reflect a certain European flair, it will be transformed into a seamless integration of modern convenience within the confines of a vintage aesthetic.  

The property selected for this years show house dates back to the early 1800's, which not only creates a perfect setting for each designer to push their creative talents to the limit, but, as with any historic property, it creates the ultimate challenge of blending the "new, perfectly square" with the "old, very not so square".  Contrary to the opinion of many in our industry, we live for experiences such as these because each little 200 year old quirk allows us to stretch our imagination, push our skills to the limit, and when we're lucky...learn something new.  

Be sure to visit the Symphony show house this year to not only get a glimpse of the work of Charleston's most talented design teams, but to benefit Charleston's beloved Symphony Orchestra.  And, of course, be sure to make your way to the central carriage house to get a glimpse of our handiwork.  

Countertops, Countertops, Countertops {Wood}


As promised, here's the deal with wood chop blocks and countertops. Truly, there is so much information about this topic that this blog could easily border on "informing you against your will", so I will try to keep it as brief as possible. However, don't hesitate to ask questions if I leave something out of if you have been advised differently.

Basically, I classify countertops into two broad categories - those that easily retain their "like new" appearance no matter how much you abuse them, and those that age gracefully and develop a patina with regular use. Wood countertops generally fall into the latter of those two categories because they are naturally produced products (as opposed to human engineered). Another factor that pushes wood tops into this category is the fact that different wood species, such as maple, cherry, teak, etc, have their own individual quirks that respond differently depending on the environment. As an example, maple - traditionally used for heavy food preparation - is often used for heavy traffic areas that one might use on a daily basis for actual chopping and dicing. Because of its natural density and hardness it can take a lot of abuse and still remain presentable. For those of you out there searching for that perfect well used former butcher's chop block, you're most likely going to stumble across a maple one. Other woods, such as pine, are less common for actual preparation surfaces because of its very loose and soft grain. In a high traffic area pine will start to show wear and tear much more quickly.

In the past decade, as we have begun to exhaust our options for that perfect countertop option, many have turned back to wood. This demand has pushed the industry in a whole new direction, one that includes a vast variety of interesting and beautiful wood species. Again, each of these types have their good qualities and their drawbacks. In the photo above from the King Street Kitchen Company showroom, you will see an island countertop constructed from a wood called Iroko, a wood very similar to Teak. What makes this species a wonderful choice for kitchen countertops is its naturally dense grain and high oil content which reduces the possibility of staining. Maintenance is very user friendly, only requiring an occasional rub down with a penetrating mineral oil to further reduce the possibility of staining. Another property common to Iroko, much like cherry, is its tendency to change color over time. Typically, fresh planks will have a distinctive yellow hew, but will transition to a beautiful rich brown over several months, particularly when exposed to direct natural light.





One of the most common misconceptions about wood countertops and chop blocks is that they are less sanitary than alternatives. This theory was introduced in the 1970's at the same time that many of the man-made countertop options, such as corian and formica, started being produced. Studies done during this period claiming that wood was a breeding ground for bacteria eventually lead to heavy government restrictions for commercial use of wood surfaces, however later studies have discredited these claims and have proven exactly the opposite in many ways. A solid wood surface in good condition without heavy cracks actually helps kill bacteria because the surface is self-healing, meaning any cuts close back on themselves and eliminate the opportunity for bacteria growth. In many of the man-made materials, scores created during food prep remain open and provide a perfect environment for bacteria to fester and grow. That being said, the logical question remains, much like eggs and milk being good for your one day and bad for you the next, who do we believe. My personal and professional opinion is that, assuming we respect basic kitchen cleaning routines, wood is the winner and is my choice to not only provide practical functionality, but to provide a physically and psychologically warm alternative for everyday countertops.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at info@kingstreetkitchencompany.com

A couple of great resources for more information are:
Each of these resources produce high quality wood products for kitchen use and are available at the King Street Kitchen Company showroom.

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!

I am proud to announce that we have a winner in the King Street Kitchen Company chef hat competition!  Herlong & Associates' Sarah Melancon, Theresa Bishopp, and Laura Anne Moore submitted their photo showing just exactly how flexible this hat can be.  With a little creativity you can achieve a near perfect nun or Little House on the Prairie bonnet look!  (see Theresa in the middle).  


And what exactly is the grand prize you ask?  Why, a beautiful King Street Kitchen Company walnut cutting board!  Wood cutting boards have literally been in use for centuries but their existence has recently been threatened by fears of germs and bacteria. But alas...we have no need to worry.  More on that later in a future blog post....stay tuned!  


A reason for everyday fashion!

So, what is the best way to calm your nerves as you prepare for your first meeting with a new client?  I can assure you, a local news reporter with a camera crew in tow does not play well into that equation.  But hey, at least I had on a blazer and my shirt tucked in!  Check out the following report by Live 5 News reporter Marika Kelderman.  

It's Thanksgiving....almost!


How could I resist a blog post on the eve of one of the most important Kitchen days of the year?  For those of you that have already been crowned as an "official" KSKC chef and have earned your hat, I fully expect for you to put them to good use tomorrow.  AND....if you send me a photo of you cooking away in your chef hat, I will give you an extra special prize next time you visit me!  :-)

Some of you may be surprised to learn that I would happily skip the turkey & dressing to jump to the real reason that I love Thanksgiving, PUMPKIN PIE! MMMMM....my favorite for sure!  If you're pie isn't already in the oven, you may want to consider trying something a little different this year.  Below is a great twist on the good old fashion version from Mrs. Ina Garten.











For the crust:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs (14 crackers)

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

For the filling:

1/2 cup half-and-half

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree

1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3 extra-large egg yolks

1 package (2 teaspoons) unflavored gelatin

1 ripe banana, finely mashed

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

1/2 cup cold heavy cream

2 tablespoons sugar

For the decoration:

1 cup (1/2 pint) cold heavy cream

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Orange zest, optional

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a bowl and mix well. Pour into an 11-inch tart pan with a removable bottom and press evenly into the sides and then the bottom. Bake for 10 minutes and then cool to room temperature.

For the filling, heat the half-and-half, pumpkin, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water until hot, about 5 minutes. Whisk the egg yolks in another bowl, stir some of the hot pumpkin into the egg yolks to heat them, then pour the egg-pumpkin mixture back into the double boiler and stir well. Heat the mixture over the simmering water for another 4 to 5 minutes, until it begins to thicken, stirring constantly. You don't want the eggs to scramble. Remove from the heat.

Dissolve the gelatin in 1/4 cup cold water. Add the dissolved gelatin, banana, and orange zest to the pumpkin mixture and mix well. Set aside to cool.

Whip the heavy cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and continue to whisk until you have firm peaks. 


Grand Opening - WE MADE IT!!!!

Let's just say that I saw more than just a few "deer in the headlights" expressions on people's faces as they walked through our front doors to what many might describe as total chaos only 24, no 12, who are we kidding....2 hours before our grand opening celebration on Thursday evening.  I am fairly certain that the words "have faith' came out of my mouth during the 12 hour span before our 6pm grand opening deadline more than ever before.  To give those...shall we call them "hopeful skeptics" credit, this was a VERY aggressive timeline and many had not experienced the dedication and determination that comes along with a "cherry picked" team.  This showroom, this entire design and construction team in fact, is the perfect example of the "sum being greater than its parts."  Each team member has been searching for the best way to combine their talents to achieve something magical, something that we can share with our clients, something that will allow each of us to continue to grow and learn, and something that we can all have fun doing.  Based on this experience and the excitement from Thursday night, I'm positive that we've found it.  

Thank you all for attending our Grand Opening and for supporting our friends at Louie's Kids.  Also, a special thank you to Chef Nico Romo from Fish Restaurant for breaking in our new kitchen, to Wolf and Sub-Zero for their amazing support, and for Baker Motors for making sure we all had the opportunity to arrive in style!   

Don't be a stranger....you're welcome in our kitchen any time!  

PS....more photos coming soon!  (Don't worry...no blackmail photos - for now)  ;-)

Tonight: King Street Kitchen Company Grand Opening Celebration!

Tonight King Street Kitchen Company Celebrates its Grand Opening at 543 King Street in Charleston's Upper King Design District.  Either stroll down King Street or park in the Charleston Visitors Center Parking Deck.  Shuttle to our showroom in style, courtesy of Baker Motor Co., and take either a Maserati, Porsche, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, or the new Smart Car.  Whether shuttling to our celebration or strolling down King Street, stop by at anytime from six o'clock until nine o'clock this evening and enjoy the party!

Our Grand Opening will not only be a celebration of great design, but also a locally operated national charity–Louie's Kids, a non-profit that helps treat childhood obesity nationwide.  Just like Louie's Kids does through education and fitness programs, we hope to influence healthy lifestyles by creating cooking and living environments that our clients love to live in.  

Please join us for this celebration, see our new showcases, and learn about King Street Kitchen Company kitchens for your home.  You'll see favorite products that we've used in past projects, vintage materials being reintroduced as unique design solutions, and totally new products making their debut in the work of kitchen design.  Come meet our designers, enjoy the part, and help us thank Louie's Kids for all of their positive influence in our society.

King Street Kitchen Company is located at 543 King Street in the Upper King Design District.  Parking is available at the Charleston Visitors Center between John and Ann, and shuttles will be provided by Baker Motor Company of Charleston.  We can't wait to see you there!

Grand Opening

Wow, we could have never imagined such a wonderful response at the Design Walk on Thursday evening.  I have been told that we had somewhere in the range of 750 - 1000 people visit the showroom!  Unbelievable!  Thank you all for coming out to show your support.  

We met some wonderful people and had a lot of great questions about KSKC & the selections showcased in our kitchen.  Some of these selections are favorite products that we've used in past projects, some are vintage materials being reintroduced as unique design solutions, and some are totally new products making their debut in the world of kitchen design.  Although it was a nail-biting experience to unveil the marriage of so many unique products at one time, we couldn't be happier with the results.  

Continuing the trend of exciting events, our November 13th Grand Opening will not only be a celebration of great design, it will also be a celebration for a locally operated organization, Louie's Kids, that helps treat childhood obesity nationwide.  Childhood obesity is an epidemic with startling statistics in our country that it is only getting worse and is a major contributor to many often avoidable illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease.  Just like Louie's Kids does through education and fitness programs, we hope to influence healthy lifestyles by creating cooking and living environments that our clients love to be in.  Please join us for this celebration and help us thank Louie's Kids for all of their positive influence in our society.  

"Sneak Preview" - Upper King Design Walk

Tonight's the night!  We have been some pretty busy bees lately getting our front kitchen display ready for a "Sneak Preview" of King Street Kitchen Company, King Street's very own kitchen design firm.  Our hammers are taking a much needed break & we're putting our forks to work for the evening.  Put your party hat's on & we'll see you tonight at the Upper King Design District 2008 Design Walk starting at 5pm!

Our Grand Opening benefit for Louis Kids will be on November 13th from 6-9pm.  Stay tuned, we will be sending out additional details in the coming week!