BLANCO: passion for perfection like a true Olympian

   (Image by Blanco)

The first evening on BlogTour Cologne was so much fun! Our sponsor BLANCO, a German company who designs and engineers unique sinks, faucets and decorative accessories hosted a dinner event at the German Sports and Olympic Musuem, which documents the history of the Olympics and successes of German Olympians. Here are some images from the night:

(Images by MDG & Blanco)

Olympic athletes are totally dedicated, strive for excellence, and have a passion for perfection. Like Olympians, BLANCO is passionate and committed to be the best. This brand is all about Innovation, High quality and unsurpassed service since 1925.

 (Image by Blanco)

"Passion starts with people and passion starts with us, " states Tim Maicher, Director of Marketing for BLANCO. "We are presenting state of the art products at IMM Cologne/Living Kitchen with a Passion for Perfection." Yes!, I can feel the power and energy in the room and that zeal for innovative design was evident in their architecturally powerful display constructed specifically for the imm-cologne trade show. Their arched design highlighted their brand and product amid water, and colored lighting. Superb, like their products!

 (Image by MDG)

 (Image by Blanco)

I saw some very exciting designs from BLANCO. Their Compact Alta is suitable for small work areas and has an extendable pull out design with dual spray coverage. Really like the variety of finishes:

 (Images by Blanco)

The  retractable faucet is an amazing product! Now you see it, now you don't! The faucet in its standing position retracts and becomes flush with the sink so that the cutting board can slide over the faucet and sink. I have never seen anything like it! Have you? That's brilliant German engineering! For a small kitchen, this is an efficient use of space! Unfortunately, we are ahead of the curve here. This won't be available in the U.S. for a year or so. 

Check it out:

  (Image by MDG)

Another really cool and unique faucet is The BLANCO Hot!  The instant hot is integrated into the faucet. Rotate the end of the faucet and hot water pours out!!  Its all in one, hot and cold. Who needs multiple holes in your counter-top for another fitting? Simplicity at its best!

  (Image by MDG)

The perfection in this stainless steel counter-top fabrication is unmatched! Absolutely, gorgeous craftsmanship!

  (Image by MDG)

BLANCO, I am your #1 fan! 

Cannot wait for these products to come to the U.S.A.!

Thank you for being a sponsor of Blog Tour Cologne! Great Team breakfast!

Blog Tour Cologne 2013 itinerary

BlogTour Cologne is days away! 

Off to the airport tomorrow!

I am so pumped to have been chosen by Veronika of Modenus to go on BlogTour Cologne 2013. What an honor! Pinch me...what an amazing opportunity! I'm a ball of energy and nerves! I have so much to do but I got my i phone, i pad, and my 800s coolpix camera which has the ability to share! 

We have such a rich itinerary ahead of us. We will be immersed first at the imm furnishing show - a cornucopia of ideas from the most important players from Germany and abroad! The halls will be filled with over 1000 exhibitors showing an enormous array of furnishing products and concurrently the Living Kitchen, showing everything to do with kitchens! Perhaps I can bring back some cooking tips too! 

So many awesome events in Cologne and Amsterdam to look foward to: meeting our esteemed sponsors Blanco, Du Verre Hardware Company, Miele, Mr. Steam, Axor-Hansgrohe, and NKBA; going to the "We are social,"an International Bloggers summit with Holly Becker, founder of the awesome decor8 blog;a delicious dinner at the German Musuem of Olympic Sport sponsored by Blanco; Spa night at Claudius Therme sponsored by Mr. Steam; group tour of Cologne's magnifiecnt church Koelner-dom; Walking tour of Amsterdam curated by Eigen Huis & Interieur and the opportunity to meet Amsterdam's brightest bloggers and designers! 

There better be some time for German beer in there somewhere! I hope to share many with my fellow Blog Tour pals! You can catch some of their great postings on the Modenus Blog.

So much innovative DESIGN to be seen and reported!!

German Musuem of Olympic Sport

Claudius Therme

 Koelner-dom

I'm excited to share the newest products on the market with you! Follow and catch me on Facebook,Twitter, and Instagram while I am in Cologne and Amsterdam!

Thank you to all of the Blog Tour's sponsors!!!:

Meet our Sponsors for BlogTour Cologne 2013

The countdown to BlogTour Cologne 2013 is less than a week away so its time to shout out to our awesome sponsors who are sending me to Cologne and Amsterdam! I heart you!

Blanco Modex

Inspiration. Innovation. Ideas...illustrate the Blanco brand of kitchen products. Blanco is committed in their craft in making luxurious and sustainable sinks, faucets and decorative accessories for the kitchen. Don't you love the look of their new Modex sink? So sleek, so chic. Will look great in any modern kitchen. Look foward to learning more about its specifications in Cologne. Follow Blanco on Facebook.

Axor Starck Organic

Want a bathroom environment that suits your lifestyle? Axor is the designer brand for the Hansgrohe group where extraordinary collections are created for extraordinary diverse bathroom environments. Axor maintains an open dialogue with design visionaries across architecture, interior and product design to create collections as different as people themselves. Their new product Axor Starck Organic is designed by my hero, Phillipe Starck. This faucet is a looker and fuses beauty and technology seamlessly. Follow Axor on Facebook.

Miele Controlled steam oven

Want to impress your next dinner party? German based Miele, manufacturer of high end domestic appliances has recently developed a controlled steam oven for the kitchen. The steam creates the perfect cooking temperature so that your food cooks evenly to perfection. I look foward to learning more about its technology and getting a taste-test in Cologne! Follow Miele on Facebook.

Mr. Steam therapy system

When you are on vacation, don't you desire a spa experience? I know you are now imagining sitting on a bench soaking in the steam. Well, you can have your very own steam therapy system in your very own home by Mr. Steam, a maker of steam therapy systems and towel warmers..... Bath culture has never been so sophisticated and luxurious.... Mr. Steam truly believes in the benefits of this lifestyle and they are treating all of us on Blog Tour to a relaxing evening at a German spa - Claudius Therme. AAAhhhhh! We are all so lucky!! Follow them on Facebook.

POMEGRANATE By Heinz Pfleger

Hardware has never been so artful. Partnering with an outstanding roster of designers,like famed designer Clodagh, Du Verre hardware company showcases innovative and contemporary knob and pull collections. I got so excited by the catalog I received in the mail that I previously wrote about some of their collections HERE. Follow Du Verre on Facebook. 

Well that's our innovative group of sponsors! Thank you Sponsors! Thank You Modenus!! I can't believe I will soon be here....

Cologne, Germany

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And here....

Amsterdam

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I am bursting with excitement and cannot wait to start sharing all of my adventures and product discoveries!!! 
(All images from the sponsors websites)