The Art of Performance by Blanco and Poggenpohl
A big perk of attending the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) with BlogTourVegas is being invited to the best parties and receptions in town. That is exactly what I did a few weeks ago, when BlogTourVegas was invited by two of our sponsors, Blanco and Poggenpohl, to experience the “Art of Performance” by touring 3 newly completed penthouse suites at the Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas. These three penthouses showcased Blanco fixtures and Poggenpohl custom cabinetry installed in high end residences where the designers and invited guests could not only see the beauty of the product, but also to see how well they performed in action. The kitchens were designed according to each homeowner’s needs – entertaining, cooking, and storage. Touring these three residences allowed us to see that each line can take on a different personality depending on the needs of the homeowner and the space that it occupies. Whatever the focus of the kitchen, these products are designed to blend into the overall theme and style of each residence.
When designing for high end clients, aesthetics is always a must, but so is performance. At 120 years, Poggenpohl is the oldest kitchen brand, and they were not able to stay in business this long by settling for mediocrity. Their product performs and they continue to be at the top of their game by keeping up with the momentum and continuing to push the boundaries.
Penthouse 4307
The first residence we toured incorporated colored light throughout the home. Lighting tucked within the soffit emitted a soft royal blue glow onto the wall and set the scene for what was to take center stage- the kitchen cabinetry and workspace.
The Poggenpohl cabinets at the first residence we viewed was made of a natural walnut veneer and contrasted with a smoky glass bottom upper cabinets that were illuminated from within. The striking waterfall edge book-matched island further complemented the mix of materials ( a huge trend in kitchen design) used in the kitchen.Stainless steel fixtures by Blanco are a used, and like Poggenpohl, Blanco is a German company that is known as a leader in quality, performance, and innovation. The versatility of the Precision Steel Art sink and the flexibility of the Culina Semi-Professional faucet make them the perfect duo for an entertainer’s kitchen. The 10″ depth of the Precision Steel Art sink (it is also available in a 8″ depth) allow stacks of dirty dishes to be comfortably stored in the sink and out of the line of sight while entertaining, keeping the countertops clear for prep and serving. The 18 gauge stainless steel sink (which provides sound deadening insulation) is available with either zero or 10-radius corners. I personally prefer the 10-radius as the slight curve makes for easier cleaning – I abhor cleaning. The magnetic spray holder keeps everything in place with minimal effort and the closed coil makes for a sleek look and more easy cleaning.
In case you couldn’t guess, this particular residence was designed with entertaining in mind – a prep area along the rear of the kitchen to assemble dishes before serving and an island that opens up to the dining room on the opposite side of the walkway.
Lighting is definitely a topic of conversation in this residence and colored light is used throughout. Here is a quick glimpse at all the different ways colored lighting is used.
A bar area in the dining room uses a countertop of Cosentino Prexury Carnelian that uses semi-precious stones and is backlit with color changing lights. Watching the color morph from one color to another is entertainment in itself!
Penthouse 4501
The second penthouse we visited was the “Le Cordon Bleu” inspired kitchen. The Poggenpohl cabinetry in Stone Lacquer Grey in a matte finish paired with a stainless steel free-standing professional range mimics the look of a professional kitchen. A Blanco Precision SteelArt sink is used in conjunction with the Blanco Alta pull out dual-spray faucet and a wall mounted pot filler. A kitchen “work triangle” layout is implemented to maximize functionality in the kitchen, which is of utmost importance for the home chef.
To make use of the blind corner, ergonomic pull-outs are used so that every inch of storage is usable and accessible.
Cosentino’s Dekton in Aura was book matched and fabricated into a monolithic fireplace that divided the area between the bath and living area. No, that is not Calacatta marble, but an ultra compact man-made surface that is comprised of raw materials, glass and porcelain and is virtually indestructable. The use of Dekton in Aura did not stop there and continued into the bathroom and Dekton slabs were fabricated into a pair of unique waterfall edge sinks.
Penthouse 4504
The third kitchen we experienced was a contemporary white kitchen with sleek, clean lines. Brilliant polar white cabinetry in a high gloss finish with laser edging from Poggenpohl’s +Segemento collection are set around the perimeter of the kitchen. Thin, aluminum drawers make for increased storage space and configurable inserts with a non-slip, linoleum base ensure that items do not shift around when the drawers are opened and closed abruptly.
Again, Blanco’s Precision SteelArt sink is used with the Blanco Culina professional style faucet, and even though the space has a totally different look and feel than the first residence we visited, the Blanco sink/faucet duo blends in nicely. Dacor’s Discovery Wine Station, a fully automated temperature controlled wine dispenser that keeps 4 bottles fresh for 60 days, is installed directly above a 24″ dual zone wine cellar, also from Dacor.
And a few more snapshots from Penthouse #4505:
Blanco and Poggenpohl and the Art of Performance
To complement the evening, Blanco and Poggenpohl brought in two former Cirque du Soleil to illustrate the art of performance as it pertains to the human body. Just like Poggenpohl and Blanco products, the human body is just as much a work of art as it is a functioning body/space. Even though their movements may seem effortless, these performers push the boundaries of what is possible. What we don’t see is what goes on behind the scenes – endless hours of practice and conditioning. I have to admit that I first I thought it was a bit odd that performers were brought in to showcase kitchen products, but now I understand – it is all about metaphors. Just like these performers, we get to see the Poggenpohl and Blanco finished product in all its glory – sleek, polished and effortless. What we don’t see are the countless hours of research and development that have gone into each design. It’s all about the Art of Performance…
The Three Kitchens in Use
Finally, here are less glamorous pictures of the kitchen in use at the event, which goes to show that the spaces are just as functional as they are beautiful.
For those of you with a love for Modern design, I will be heading out for a quick jaunt to Palm Springs for Modernism Week. Follow along on Instagram for live, up to the minute pics of all the events. I’m going to soak in as much sun and warmth as I can because next week I’m headed to cold (and hopefully not snowy) New York.
