Inspiration Board: Harmony & Light

 <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xdFwKKcVul8/T86m18iZLJI/AAAAAAAAKtU/28oaqOJeuTc/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%2525205%25252C%2525202012%2525208%25253A37%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="647" id="blogsy-1339001228062.932" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xdFwKKcVul8/T86m18iZLJI/AAAAAAAAKtU/28oaqOJeuTc/s727/Photo%252520Jun%2525205%25252C%2525202012%2525208%25253A37%252520PM.jpg" width="727"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#800400"><em> Design by Darryl Carter and David Morey. Photography by Simon Upton. Via Elle Decor. </em></font></p> <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/search/label/Inspiration%20Board" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="203" id="blogsy-1339001228058.8044" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GflG1Vclz8o/T8-IkQaF_vI/AAAAAAAAKuE/DqtwGrkxvUk/s271/Photo%252520Jun%2525206%25252C%2525202012%25252010%25253A37%252520AM.jpg" width="271"></a></div> <br/><br/>

Inspiration Board: Harmony & Light

  Design by Darryl Carter and David Morey. Photography by Simon Upton. Via Elle Decor.    

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Cooking with Bosch

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PEPy5ZLzyvE/T82VbShHstI/AAAAAAAAKrY/NHC_0V63FkM/s720/Photo%252520Jun%2525202%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A40%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="561" id="blogsy-1338907704500.7903" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PEPy5ZLzyvE/T82VbShHstI/AAAAAAAAKrY/NHC_0V63FkM/s844/Photo%252520Jun%2525202%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A40%252520AM.jpg" width="844"></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; "><strong><font class="Apple-style-span" size="5" face="'Times New Roman'">M</font></strong>y trip last week to the <a href="http://www.bosch-home.com/us/" target="_self" title="">Bosch Experience & Design Center</a> in Irvine, CA was a whole lotta fun! I'll have more info in posts to come about modern kitchen design trends, and the great appliances we got to play with. But I thought I'd start with the great time we had cooking our lunch in the Bosch test kitchen. Along with the 18 designer/bloggers who were flown in for the retreat, there were local designers on hand as well as the Bosch design and marketing teams, plus a full complement of kitchen staff. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A8CeIcOGrlA/T82WfAdLZcI/AAAAAAAAKsQ/4hFgFl56FmY/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A12%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="631" id="blogsy-1338907704441.2788" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A8CeIcOGrlA/T82WfAdLZcI/AAAAAAAAKsQ/4hFgFl56FmY/s844/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A12%252520PM.jpg" width="844"></a></div> Bosch executive chef Kyle Jakobi (who could easily be on a cooking show!) kept us well fed and on task as the entire group of us split into small teams to make and plate several tasty dishes for lunch. This is actually a great "getting to know you" team building exercise. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e_AQxLOYFVc/T82WVaJe0FI/AAAAAAAAKsI/Wovlw9piG_0/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A19%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="631" id="blogsy-1338907704470.9768" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e_AQxLOYFVc/T82WVaJe0FI/AAAAAAAAKsI/Wovlw9piG_0/s844/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A19%252520PM.jpg" width="844"></a></div> Chef Kyle going through each dish, what will be involved in preparing it and which appliances we'd be using. We all then selected which dish we wanted to work on. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XmK3oWgh8n4/T82WC8XTcaI/AAAAAAAAKr4/EfKtybWBBXI/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A17%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="631" id="blogsy-1338907704425.8755" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XmK3oWgh8n4/T82WC8XTcaI/AAAAAAAAKr4/EfKtybWBBXI/s844/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A17%252520PM.jpg" width="844"></a></div> Each workstation was set up with all the utensils and pre prepared foods we need to create our dishes. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9ucIr3sR6_Y/T82V5pc-uRI/AAAAAAAAKrw/9xrZmveTszo/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A24%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="631" id="blogsy-1338907704432.8022" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9ucIr3sR6_Y/T82V5pc-uRI/AAAAAAAAKrw/9xrZmveTszo/s844/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A24%252520PM.jpg" width="844"></a></div> I worked on a duck confit with potato & onion pancakes with Mexican spices. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9sdMvSy3CW0/T82Vvl_7AwI/AAAAAAAAKro/3k4QYSQVcK4/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A24%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="631" id="blogsy-1338907704473.9102" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9sdMvSy3CW0/T82Vvl_7AwI/AAAAAAAAKro/3k4QYSQVcK4/s844/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A24%252520PM.jpg" width="844"></a></div> My team members were Florida kitchen designer <a href="http://annporter.wordpress.com/" target="_self" title="">Ann Porter</a> and DIY celeb <a href="http://ericstromer.com/" target="_self" title="">Eric Stromer</a>, who has appeared on shows on HGTV and TLC. Eric and Ann peeled and chopped up all the onions and potatoes while I pulled all the duck from the bone. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eI60b1gjWGU/T82Vl7zQ6LI/AAAAAAAAKrg/KfpFpLh17k4/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A11%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="631" id="blogsy-1338907704438.4614" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eI60b1gjWGU/T82Vl7zQ6LI/AAAAAAAAKrg/KfpFpLh17k4/s844/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A11%252520PM.jpg" width="844"></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">Ann and Florida kitchen designer <a href="http://kitchensforliving.net/about/" target="_self" title="">Gloria Graham</a> plate our duck confit, which was topped with avocado and cheese. Eric and I fried all the potato pancakes using an induction cooktop - my new favorite thing! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Mi2KkTy1gGk/T82ZvUttFNI/AAAAAAAAKs8/ToxSbg5eNJw/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A14%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="631" id="blogsy-1338907704511.383" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Mi2KkTy1gGk/T82ZvUttFNI/AAAAAAAAKs8/ToxSbg5eNJw/s844/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A14%252520PM.jpg" width="844"></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">Texas architect <a href="http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/about/" target="_self" title="">Bob Borson</a> made the most delicious bacon wrapped shrimp. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yZDjYALe2xo/T82ZlrSuKmI/AAAAAAAAKs0/um0lFyQama8/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A14%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="631" id="blogsy-1338907704438.1306" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yZDjYALe2xo/T82ZlrSuKmI/AAAAAAAAKs0/um0lFyQama8/s844/Photo%252520Jun%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A14%252520PM.jpg" width="844"></a></div> Boston interior designer <a href="http://www.andieday.com/" target="_self" title="">Andie Day</a> and California kitchen designer <a href="http://kitchensync.typepad.com/" target="_self" title="">Kelly Morisseau</a> whipping up dessert. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ocb94VKRtfc/T82VZpxt-6I/AAAAAAAAKrQ/30kVTPPjjcE/s720/Photo%252520Jun%2525202%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A41%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="561" id="blogsy-1338907704448.359" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ocb94VKRtfc/T82VZpxt-6I/AAAAAAAAKrQ/30kVTPPjjcE/s844/Photo%252520Jun%2525202%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A41%252520AM.jpg" width="844"></a></div>Teammates! <br/><br/> <br/><br/>

Cooking with Bosch

M y trip last week to the Bosch Experience & Design Center in Irvine, CA was a whole lotta fun! I'll have more info in posts to com...

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The Queen's Jubilee

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJeaLGbSY-Q1gxzzNkuz0Ok4v4-E5qPzQb74UuDoBhZVG45GFVettM3CJ-6MbocpVqD8gLWZwubFR3_yjUxnRjse5ZPzWwuGCJ8vw-tx0d6g_BT1gLl-fDUO9vrdCA_ELWTo61f3YdF52/s1600/cbeaton+Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJeaLGbSY-Q1gxzzNkuz0Ok4v4-E5qPzQb74UuDoBhZVG45GFVettM3CJ-6MbocpVqD8gLWZwubFR3_yjUxnRjse5ZPzWwuGCJ8vw-tx0d6g_BT1gLl-fDUO9vrdCA_ELWTo61f3YdF52/s640/cbeaton+Queen.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">C</span></b>ongratulations to Queen Elizabeth II on her 60th year as British Monarch. I just finished watching <i>The Tudors</i>, a four season series that aired on Showtime here in the States a couple of years ago. Great series, btw. So I'm feeling very entrenched in British history at the moment. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cgrdF2ZqOho/T8uD8_VqDrI/AAAAAAAAKqs/IN76Q4Ltc74/s1920/Photo%252520Jun%2525203%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A29%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="365" id="blogsy-1338739402962.9956" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cgrdF2ZqOho/T8uD8_VqDrI/AAAAAAAAKqs/IN76Q4Ltc74/s650/Photo%252520Jun%2525203%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A29%252520AM.jpg" width="650" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"> I</span></b>f it weren't for my 12th Gr. Grandfather Nathaniel Merrill who came over from Essex, England to Massachusetts Colony in 1633, I may have today been a British subject. While I do love all the pomp that the Brits are so good at, I'm glad things worked out as they did. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ieK02xmobVI/T8uD5g9rptI/AAAAAAAAKqk/OqHLfdtKREo/s511/Photo%252520Jun%2525203%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A26%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="462" id="blogsy-1338739402986.9773" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ieK02xmobVI/T8uD5g9rptI/AAAAAAAAKqk/OqHLfdtKREo/s650/Photo%252520Jun%2525203%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A26%252520AM.jpg" width="650" /></a></div>I can't help but thing that the Eighth Henry would have found today's Jubilee celebrations very exciting as well as familiar. Tradition! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5HOTOpAYFsI/T8uKEh3OzTI/AAAAAAAAKq4/zTlNbO8ks7U/s638/Photo%252520Jun%2525203%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A58%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="321" id="blogsy-1338739402934.7024" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5HOTOpAYFsI/T8uKEh3OzTI/AAAAAAAAKq4/zTlNbO8ks7U/s650/Photo%252520Jun%2525203%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A58%252520AM.jpg" width="650" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> The Field of Cloth of Gold, coloured print by James Basire in 1774, from a 16th century oil painting in the Royal Collection.</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ygfghi4GMiQ/T8uD3yKeXZI/AAAAAAAAKqc/TmcoC5KDJSY/s511/Photo%252520Jun%2525203%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A28%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="430" id="blogsy-1338739403029.5276" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ygfghi4GMiQ/T8uD3yKeXZI/AAAAAAAAKqc/TmcoC5KDJSY/s500/Photo%252520Jun%2525203%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A28%252520AM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>God Save the Queen!<br /><br />

The Queen's Jubilee

C ongratulations to Queen Elizabeth II on her 60th year as British Monarch. I just finished watching The Tudors , a four season series that ...

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