"Bless My Mess" - Billy Pope

KSKC Chef's Kitchen Demo
The Remedy Market
162 Spring Street


Fantastic demo tonight with Chef Billy Pope, owner of The Remedy Market located on Spring St. in downtown Charleston.  The Remedy will feature fresh "Farmer's Market" fare 7 days a week from 7:30am - 9pm.  They will be officially open tomorrow morning, Thursday November 18, 2010.  This evening we were treated to Billy's made from scratch Kombucha as well as a FANTASTIC Kimchi.  Along with these two specialties, we sampled several of the delectable products that will be featured at The Remedy, including Slather Brand "Slatherin' Sauce", house-made Saffron Honey, and two unbelievable fresh Goat Cheeses from The Burden Creek Dairy located on John's Island.  

Be sure to stop by to visit The Remedy Market soon & ASK QUESTIONS!!!  He may not appreciate this - but Billy is OFFICIALLY a FOOD NERD!!!!  But that's why he was here, right?



Project Update | Beauty in Diversity

Although there are a few minor details to wrap up on this project, my enthusiasm got the best of me as I walked into a space that has only really existed in our heads for quite a while.  The project was referred to KSKC by Herlong Architects as a large scale renovation and addition to a Mt. Pleasant marsh home.  Chip & Zach Naramore, two of the finest custom home builders in the Charleston Market, took on the challenge of creating a space that is so dramatically different from the original home that you would never EVER know that you were standing in the same space.  

The KSKC Team assisted from the conceptual design of the space starting with the challenge of dealing with an unfortunately placed, yet REQUIRED, structural column.  This column fell smack dab in the middle of what we now refer to as "Entertainment Island" (AKA...the party Island).  To resolve this visual eye-sore that simply screamed "RENOVATION" verses "Ahhh...this is how I was aaaaaalways supposed to be," we collaborated with the Herlong designers, the structural engineers, the builders, and of course the home owners.  The ultimate resolution...two (verses one) cleverly concealed structural columns with a steel structural beam that allowed for an expansive opening from the kitchen into the casual entertainment areas of the home.  The end result - a space that flows beautifully, feels like it's ALWAYS been this way, and visually appears much larger without the visual obstruction.  

Enough jabbering - take a "gander" at the 95% completed space.  

Items to take note of:
- The media center & home office "column" are dark walnut panels provided by our factory in PA. 
- The kitchen, produced in Germany's only TRULY custom factory, is book-matched vertical grain "zebra wood" veneer with custom radius cabinets .  
- The center cooking island has one of the most unique details...engineered stone countertops that return down the two short ends - one end with stone-faced touch-open drawers that are 42" wide.  
- Appliances, with only a couple of exceptions, are Gaggenau - influenced by the best French Chefs & created by the best German Engineers.




KSKC features Artistic Photographer Mark Starnes


Mark Starnes
Mark Starnes Photographer

Mark Starnes Photography


Mark Starnes Photography


Mark 
Starnes Photography


About Mark:  Freelance Photographer, Filmmaker, Artist, Curator, Collector, Equestrian, Son, Uncle, Brother, Family Historian, Bachelor and Country Boy who likes Seaport City Living.

20% of all proceeds of art sales from tonight's event to benefit:


AFFA Logo

Upper King Design District | Design Walk Fall '10

CHARLESTON, SC - October 21, 2010 -  Charleston's Upper King Design District will celebrate Fall Design Walk 2010 this coming Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. will officially open the event.

From Calhoun to Spring, King Street stores will remain open late for shoppers and strollers with special events and adult refreshments. Most Upper King restaurants will have food and beverage events after 8:00 PM.

The Upper King Design District has quickly become the place to be in downtown Charleston with its unique blend of specialty retail shops, design showrooms and some of the most popular fine dining establishments on the peninsula.

This Fall's Design Walk will celebrate new businesses in the District including:
  • ADAM
  • Michael Mitchell Gallery
  • MyPhoneMD
  • Princess of Tides
There will be Special Event Parking at the Visitor Center Garage on Ann Street between King and Meeting, just $2 for the entire evening.

Project Update {One Year Later} - Isle of Palms New Construction


Sometimes people ask me when they should get started with the design of either their new construction or renovation project if they're already working with an Architect.  Granted, there are many very talented architects and designers out there that bring a lot of input to the table, but in reality - if you truly want to create the kitchen (or in this case, the entire home) of your dreams, it's best to start EARLY.  It has been almost exactly one year since my last blog update on this project when I introduced the conceptual design of the kitchen.  Today those concepts are becoming reality and even though the project is not complete, I thought I'd give you a sneak preview of the progress of the installation.  This has been a REALLY fun project and every day something is changing and coming to life.  For many it's the most stressful period of the project because any errors made during the design phase always show up now - but for me, it's ALWAYS the most exciting part of the project because we can now see, touch, and feel what we've been looking at on paper for so long.  So without further ado, the photos.... 



Congrats Jamie McPherson - 2010 Southern Living Idea House

Photo by Tria Giovan for Southern Living

Our friend and former Atlanta colleague, Jamie Elliot McPherson of Hearth and Home Interiors, recently completed the interior design for the 2010 Georgia Idea House for Southern Living Magazine.  Although we haven't had the opportunity to tour the home, the images & videos on Southern Living's website are breathtaking.  

Since opening Hearth and Home Interiors, Jamie has truly flourished as not only an award winning Kitchen & Bath designer, but as a whole house Interior Designer as well.  He has been published numerous times and was named one of Atlanta's Top Talents Under 40 by Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles.  

Congratulations Jamie!  This is a WELL deserved honor!

Right Time, Right Place...Joel Parker Preview @ Scoop Studios

Artist Joel Parker
Yesterday, during a detour through our beautiful city, I found myself on Broad St. and decided to stop by and visit the lovely Saramel Evans, co-owner of SCOOP Studios at 57 1/2 Broad.  As luck would have it, my visit proved to be perfect timing to meet the artist featured in the upcoming solo exhibit "Rite of Passage", Joel Parker (BA in Art History, Studio Art & Historic Preservation from the College of Charleston / MFA in Painting from Washington University).

But hold on, there's more...I got to PREVIEW some of the pieces to be included in the exhibit.  Now I have to say - one of the reasons that I love SCOOP so much is due to their always adventurous CONTEMPORARY exhibits that certainly push well past the boundaries of the sometimes typical Charleston art scene (although I have to say that I've been impressed lately) - but this show is sure to take that juxtaposition to a whole new level.  Why, you ask?  Well, Parker has called upon his extensive knowledge of art history to create pieces that vary between competing stylized forces of romanticism, rationalism and realism - combines art historical poses with scenes of "college parties" - and portrays each subject in the nude.  

Have your attention now?  Why don't you click here and hop on over to the SCOOP website to read a full description of the upcoming exhibit.  And in case you miss it on their site, I will say it here as well...this exhibit is strongly recommended for ages 18 & older due to nude content.  

Rite of Passage | Solo Cups by Joel Parker
Reception:  Friday August 6, 2010, 5-8pm


In Town Living...


Post submitted by KSKC Project Design Manager McGregor Jordan.
To learn more about McGregor, click here.




In Town Living...the Past Future

Above - vintage photo of King Street

When you are planning for your future, especially when real estate is involved, long term trends should be a very important consideration. Nobody wants to buy a home in a future ghetto or design a space that is destined to be outdated in a few years. So here are my two cents on a major trend I see for the future of Charleston…PEOPLE ARE MOVING BACK IN TOWN!

As gas prices rise and people become generally more conscious of their carbon footprints and energy consumption, so rises the desire to live nearer the heart of town. No longer do you need a car to shop, or commute, and you won’t even need a treadmill to go for a walk. This has been a national trend for a while, especially since gas prices hit $4.50/gallon two summers ago, but here in Charleston we have more reason to expect this trend to really take off. We have critical mass on our side! FYI – critical mass is that point at which enough people get on board with an idea that the idea takes on a life of its own and begins to spread under its own power.

Let me explain how this works for us here in Charleston. As more people move downtown, or at least closer to it, more downtown business can be sustained. As more people move in and more business continue to open we eventually reach a point at which you can fulfill all your daily needs without being forced to leave the part of town in which you live. As more people bear witness to this type of lifestyle the trend really takes on a life of its own. We have certainly reached this critical mass point here. If you keep your eye open it is evident in almost every part of downtown – just look at the diversity of businesses, reemergence of corner stores, abundance of entertainment and recreation, density of interesting people walking the sidewalks, empty houses being restored, empty lots being developed, etc. etc.

So how does this affect your decisions? Impact your path through life? Well here are a few ideas...

I would consider planning a home in a part of town with higher density, and design your home to accommodate an increase in density in the coming years. If you are building or renovating seek out designers and architects who understand and emphasize efficient use of space, and energy efficiency. Consider lots and home sizes that are slightly smaller than that fantasy mansion you dreamed of as a child {click here to read recent post "The Incredible Shrinking House"}. Perhaps that will give you a better idea of what your real fantasy home might look like. After all the best home for you and your family might not be that same old home concept that has been advertised to us for so many years….

Slideshow Photos above are courtesy of George Holt & Andrew Gould, Design Principles at Downtown Charleston design firm "New World Byzantine". This urban infill development combines advancements in efficient planning, innovative technologies, historic renovations, and new construction projects. Click Here to read more about the neighborhood project & to see additional photos.

KSKC to Host High Cotton Chef Ramon Taimanglo



King Street Kitchen Company welcomes Ramon Taimanglo, Chef de Cuisine at High Cotton - one of Historic Downtown Charleston's most recognized dining destinations. Having attended the Johnson & Wales Culinary Arts Institute in Charleston, Ramon returns to his culinary home after mastering his skills in kitchens across the country - including a position as Executive Sous Chef under the celebrated Chef Bob Kinkead in Washington, D.C. We are excited to see what kitchen secrets Ramon will share....okay yes - our tummies are excited too! But can you blame them?

This installment of our monthly cooking demos proved to be popular looooong before the actual event. The demo quickly booked prior to even sending out our typical official announcement. However, in order to allow those that were not able to book their reservation, we are releasing our typically reserved media passes to the public. Please click the "get tickets" link below to get your name on the list ASAP.

KSKC Chef's Kitchen Demo
543 King Street - Upper King Design District
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
6 - 8 (ish)pm
$20 per guest
*All Proceeds Donated to Louie's Kids*

Click below for easy & secure registration:


Charleston Cooks & Thermador Event!



Maverick Southern Kitchens and Thermador home appliances will be hosting an Open House at the Charleston Cooks - Maverick Kitchen Store on Saturday July 17th from 2 - 5 pm. Charleston Cooks' demonstration studio has just been outfitted with beautiful new Thermador appliances. Be sure to stop by for some good food, wine tasting, and to register for some door prizes!!!

Charleston Cooks Showroom
194 East Bay Street
Charleston, SC
843-722-1212

Design on Tap Summer Clearance Sale!!!

Our friends at Design on Tap are having their Summer Display & Overstock Sale!!!! When we received the e-mail with the list of items available we were sure that they had made some serious typo's on the pricing - but no, we're talking serious deals. Most items are around 90% off of list price!


Here's one of our favorite items offered on their Sale List:

Duravit Sundeck Airbath
{includes airbath, deck cushions, & 3-sided furniture surround}
List Price: $ 11,000
Sale Price: $ 999 !!!!!!!!!







For a full list of what's available, be sure to contact Design on Tap directly. Contact information is listed on their website or e-mail Ashley at ashleyhyer@creggercompany.com.

The Incredible Shrinking House...


So this is not necessarily "new" news, but rather confirmation of what has been suspected for a while. As reported by "Custom Home Magazine", recent surveys conducted by the American Institute of Architects indicate an increasing trend in more compact homes with increased attention to detail and construction quality.

If you'd like to read further, be sure to check the online article out by clicking here.

My first thought - sounds like "Bye Bye McMansions!" {"Let's hope so" says the downtown architect hanging out at the KSKC office this afternoon}

Charleston Home Sales Highest in 3 Years


Just read a veeeewy intawesting article by The Post & Courier. It seems that Charleston, SC's June home sales exceeded 1,000 which is the highest transaction count in nearly three years. Although the median home price dropped about 4% (I actually would have guessed more) - this news becomes particularly interesting & much sweeter when you compare Charleston's year-to-date sales to the rest of the country. Nationally sales have increased this year by 16% - sounds good right? Well CHARLESTON'S year-to-date home sales increased a whopping 31%!!!!! That's almost twice the national average!

So here's my first question - buy, sell, or both?

My second question, or statement I guess.... LET'S RENOVATE!!!! WHEEEE!!!!

Click here to read the full article on The Post & Courier's website.

KSKC Friends Named Charleston's Most Influential!!!


We would like to congratulate all of the talented Design Professionals that were recently featured in the Summer 2010 issue of Charleston Home + Design magazine. Each year this local periodical recognizes a select group of lowcountry talent as Charleston's Most Influential Home & Design Professionals and every year you are sure to see familiar faces that have been long standing contributors to our industry along side the fresh new talent that keeps us on our toes. This year King Street Kitchen Company was listed by many of our industry peers in the "Where They Shop" section - an honor that we are EXTREMELY grateful for. Be sure to pick up a copy of the magazine {complimentary copies available at the KSKC showroom}.


Phillip Smith & his expert team have long been regarded among the front runners in the low-country's amazingly talented pool of general contractors. KSKC has collaborated closely with both Phillip Smith General Contractor, Inc. and one of last year's award recipients, architect Steve Herlong with his amazing team of designers, over the past few years, so we speak from experience when we say that this recognition is well deserved. Try to find something out of place on one of his job sites - go ahead, I dare ya!


Oh, how we love Julie!!! We have had the great privilege of working with Julie Fox Braddock, owner of Fox Interiors, on an amazing Mt. Pleasant renovation project that is nearing completion. Not only has Julie been a joy to be around, her creativity is seemingly endless. This project has also allowed us the opportunity to work with another of Charleston's most respected General Contractors, RS Custom Homes.

Go Anita!!! Anita King, owner of Ink Architecture LLC, has been a friend of KSKC for several years now. We appreciate all of the amazing support that she has shown over the past few years and look forward to many collaborations in the future. I'm ready for some more house shaped cookies Anita!!!





KSKC + Guerrilla Cuisine + Charleston Ballet Theatre = One Special Night


KSKC Chef's Kitchen Demo
- Presents -

Guerrilla Cuisine
We are an experiment in collaborative dining. We bring together the hottest chefs, local farmers and the coolest artists to bring you a unique culinaryexperience. Guerrilla Cuisine is not for everybody. It is an experiment in the social, culinary and artistic.



To benefit...


Presenting the World Premire of...




Hand Made Charleston Glass Tile + Designer Challenge


So I Guerrilla glued myself to my desk earlier to check e-mails & I noticed a message from one of my favorite local artisans - Justin Walling with Charleston Architectural Glass Studio. If you don't already know Justin &/or his company, let me introduce you. Chs Arch Glass is one of the leading custom commissioned architectural glass resources in the US & guess what!!! Yep, you got it...they're just a hop, skip, and a jump away (take bridge to avoid jump). If you're a design NERD.......whoooa, Chill - why is it a bad thing to be a nerd! Think of it this way - you're not the one sitting at your desk writing this blog on Friday evening! What do you think that makes me??? So, as I was saying, if you're a design nerd (there - lower case. Better?) I suggest you take a peek at some of their amazing work.

Justin stopped by the showroom a couple of months ago to give us a sneak peek at some of the coolness that they've been working on. A few of those items were no brainers for the Kitchen & Bath Industry (and beyond) and were included in his recent e-mail. BUT - don't let just these products stop you from exploring. I feel obligated, however, give you a heads up - even if you don't do so on your first visit to his site, be prepared to look at every single portfolio picture! It's 100% bookmark material. Check, check, check it out.

  • Silver Tiles: Charleston Architectural Glass Studio could possibly be best known for their impeccably crafted Antique Mirror (Trust me, you've seen it if you've been out & about in Charleston - you just thought it was 300 years old). They have recently released a beautiful hand silvered 3"x6" beveled edge tile that carries over that talent of beautiful hand made mirror.


  • Painted Tiles: Another great option is their custom back-painted beveled glass which can be mixed & matched with some great colors and configurations. In fact, if I recall our conversation correctly, I believe that this product is basically 100% customizable with an almost an almost endless variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.



The unique bevel found on either tile option results in a surface that has a great dimensional quality while at the same time creates a very crisp and refined quality. Endless design flexibility! I can't wait to use these on a project soon & am very eager to see how the products will evolve and transform after some you designie folk let your imaginations go wiiiiilllldddd!!!

Designer Challenge:
OK - so here's a design challenge for the talented pool of Charleston (and beyond) Designers that have the patience to....yep, you got it - let me "inform you against your will"!!! Because I personally have yet to encounter a scenario where Justin cannot meet, or usually exceed, expectations, I think that we should see just HOW far Charleston Architectural Glass Studio can be pushed in terms of extraordinary design.

Contact Info:
Justin Walling
Charleston Architectural Glass Studio, Inc.
175 Signal Point Rd
Unit 7E
James Island, SC 29412
843-452-0427
justin@charlestonarchitecturalglass.com

New Team Members!!!

Yes - we have had the good fortune to be quite busy lately. What is even more fortunate is that this has given us the opportunity to strengthen the KSKC family by adding some truly talented and highly skilled team members. Thank you for embracing us and allowing KSKC the opportunity to provide each project the valuable contributions that these individuals offer. I will be updating our website soon with each new team member's personal bio - so I will keep introductions short and sweet for now.

Melissa is the KSKC Showroom Manager
melissa@kingstreetkitchencompany.com
Melissa Steiner joined our team in October '09 - just in time to help out with the Fall Upper King Design Walk. Originally from Atlanta, Melissa relocated to Charleston after earning a Culinary degree. While still in Atlanta, Melissa had the opportunity to sit on the other side of the table as a consultant for the renovation of her family's Atlanta home. As it turns out, the designer for this project was none other than yours truly!









Erica is a KSKC Lead Designer & European Kitchen Specialist
erica@kingstreetkitchencompany.com
Erica Slowik, originally from Virginia (my home state as well), relocated to Charleston after working for almost a decade as a Lead Designer for one of the country's most recognizable contemporary kitchen companies in NYC. Erica has been very influential in the incorporation of KSKC's European product offering.







Logan is a KSKC Design Assistant
logan@kingstreetkitchencompany.com
Logan Bond is a Charleston Native and a current a senior at The College of Charleston majoring in Historic Preservation. Logan also has family ties in Virginia where, ironically, we met for the first time just after his mother's Mini Schnauzer had given birth to a litter of puppies - my introduction to the breed. Our next meeting, almost 15 years later, was at the KSKC showroom where Logan applied for an internship position.







McGregor is a KSKC Project Design Manager
mcgregor@kingstreetkitchencompany.com
McGregor Jordan is not so much "New" as he is "Official" now. McGregor has a background in the Kitchen & Bath Industry through a local plumbing supply company - but is amazingly proficient in most all aspects of the industry. From cabinetry design & construction to Lighting design - McGregor has had his fingers in every aspect of both new construction and renovation projects. His technical proficiency no doubt is a reflection of background in Engineering. McGregor is an Auburn University graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.









International "Good Design"

The International "Good Design" award is the world's oldest and most coveted good design award. This design competition, founded by architects Charles & Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, and Edgar Kaufmann, Jr. in Chicago in 1950, was created to bring global recognition to the world's most influential designers. The award is presented to those that advance new, visionary, and innovative product concepts that represent originality that pushes beyond what is considered to be "ordinary" consumer designs. Today, two of the most influential Architecture and Design organizations, The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, work together to narrow down the thousands of entries to those concepts that will go down in history as industry leading ideas.

At King Street Kitchen Company we are proud to represent two organizations, Allmilmo Cabinetry and Gaggenau Professional Appliances, that have been honored with this award. In fact, the number of award winning products created by these two innovative leaders in the Kitchen & Bath Industry is simply to vast for a simple blog entry. Below, I have highlighted several of the most recent recognitions of the "Good Design" award.

The Allmilmo "Wave" Kitchen, seen above and below, features a uniquely contoured door that is available in a plethora of highly durable "Diamond Lacquer" color combinations. Samples are available for preview at the King Street Kitchen Company Showroom.




As many of you know, the name Gaggenau has been synonymous with not only "Good Design", but as a representation of true restaurant quality kitchen appliances. I recently read a blog forum that a US engineer had posted his oven temperature test results on. He found that not only did the Gaggenau ovens have a consistent temperature reading throughout the entire oven compartment, but the temperature read out on the appliance itself was 100% accurate AND when he opened and closed the oven door, the unit re-established the desired cooking temperature before his precision equipment could even detect a temperature change. I have always been impressed by the quality of the Gaggenau product, but reading this unsolicited feedback simply blew me away.

Pictured above is the innovative Gaggenau "lift oven". Below, the Gaggenau refrigerator column which features a stainless steel interior, cantilevered glass shelving with button adjustment controller, and front / back lighting. Upon first seeing this unit at The National Kitchen & Bath Association Industry Show the first words out of my mouth were "wow - a jewelry cabinet for your food".



Ink Architecure One-Year Celebration!

Just left Architect Anita King's celebration of her firm, InkArchitectureLLC.com, one year birthday. My favorite goodie of the evening - House shaped cookies home made by Anita herself!! They were so yummy that I had to have two!!! (shhh, don't tell anyone).

Strangely enough I now have an overwhelming desire to design a new house! Anita? What exactly did you put in these cookies & more importantly, when can we start on my new house?!?! Can we start
tonight by any chance? ;-)

The party was great & the cookies really were super yummy!