* A Motion Activated Lid and Seat resolves the age-old argument once and for all.

* Illuminated Panels provide a soft, ambient glow.

* A Heated Seat and Feet Warming Panels – how great is this after a day on the slopes?

* An Advanced Bidet, Integrated Air Drying and Deodorizer – enough said.

* Built-in speakers -  play a selection from Numi’s pre-programmed FM radio, or connect your MP3 player to the magnetic docking station.

A touch-screen remote allows you to customize every option to your personal preference. And Numi’s sophisticated flushing technology provides water savings and power.

Yes, it’s an investment. But for those who want a well-appointed personal retreat, the Numi is something to consider. Click on the image below to see Numi’s stylish video.

The Numi Toilet - Kohler's Most Advanced Toilet

Gingered Carrot Soup with Creme Fraiche (from the pages of Food & Wine.)

Gingered Carrot Soup with Creme Fraiche - photo courtesy of Tina Rupp

Total Time: 30 minutes

6 servings

You will need:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter (You can use salted though.)

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 pounds large carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

1 large onion, very thinly sliced (I like yellow onions.)

2 tablespoons finely grated ginger

4 1/2 cups vegetable stock (I’ve substituted chicken stock before, and it provides a nice, rich flavor.)

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (I tend to add more.)

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1/4 cup creme fraiche or sour cream (I prefer creme fraiche.)

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro

1) In a medium soup pot, melt the butter in the olive oil. Add the sliced carrots, sliced onion and grated ginger; cover and cook over moderately high heat for about 8 minutes, stirring the vegetables occasionally, until just beginning to soften.

2) Add the vegetable stock and nutmeg to the vegetables and season liberally with salt and pepper. Cover and cook the soup over moderate heat until the carrots and vegetables are very soft, about 10 minutes.

3) Puree the carrot soup in batches in a blender. Return the carrot soup to the soup pot. Stir in the creme fraiche and chopped cilantro, and season the carrot soup with with salt and pepper. Serve in shallow bowls.

* Displaying some of your favorite accessories in a group such as vases or votive holders. Different shades of the same color work well together. Or paint some inexpensive picture frames the same color and hang them together.

* Painting a piece of furniture. C’mon, admit it – the barstools in your kitchen would look so much better painted apple green!

*Applying a bold color to the ceiling while keeping the walls neutral. Why not paint the ceiling in your mudroom Tangerine Tango, Pantone’s 2012 Color of the Year? You’ll be glad you did this winter!

Get inspired – click on the cover below!

Color Gurus Sonu Matthews and KD Fikso Share Their Best Tips for Playing with Color in Your Home

Fortunately my friend Christine DeOrio of Mountain Living  magazine (www.mountainliving.com) did all the research for us. Armed with her laptop and ample sunscreen, Christine jetted to Palm Springs, CA, to explore the mecca of Midcentury Modernism. Palm Springs was the weekend destination for Hollywood’s biggest screen stars including Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball. It was also a hub for visionary architects who believed the homes they created should meld with the dramatic desert landscape. As DeOrio writes in Design Destination: Palm Springs, “Their design aesthetic—flat roofs that seemingly float above walls of glass, deep overhangs that shield rooms from the sun, and open floor plans that merge seamlessly with the outdoors— would become known as Desert Modernism, and to this day, its informal yet elegant indoor/outdoor style inspires architects throughout the West and around the world.”

DeOrio highlights several landmark homes and historic sites – start at the Tramway Gas Station, now home to the Palm Springs Visitor Center (www.visitpalmsprings.com.) She also lists places to stay that exude a midcentury vibe, such as the Orbit In (orbitin.com), in the Historic Tennis Club District at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains.   DeOrio includes a few suggestions on where to nosh and shop including Cheeky’s (cheekysps.com) – home of the West’s “most delicious” cinnamon roll and notNeutral (notneutral.com) – brimming with housewares and gifts in bright colors and bold patterns. Click on the cover below to read more and plan your own spring break!

Mountain Living's Christine DeOrio highlights the best places to see, shop and stay in Palm Springs - the mecca of Midcentury Modernism

Frozen in Time - light blue Formica countertops, vinyl flooring and an avocado "high/low range."

Layers of wallpaper were the first to go!

Drawn to the house by its good bones, large backyard and close proximity to a park, the homeowners knew they could transform the dark, cramped kitchen into a spacious family hub. Respectful of the home’s age and architecture, they asked for “a modern take on the 50’s;” incorporating colors and materials that were reminiscent of the era. Avid cooks who frequently entertain, they needed plenty of storage space for their culinary tools, china, glassware and serving pieces. A peninsula for entertaining and casual dining was also at the top of their wish list.

A multipurpose room requires multiple light sources. Relocating an exterior door, installing French doors, and eliminating a wall separating the kitchen from the formal dining room added usable space, flooding the rooms with natural light. An artful mix of under-counter strip lighting, chrome pendant lights, flush-mounts, and glass-trimmed recessed cans bounce light off of the stainless steel appliances, glass backsplash tile and Caesarstone countertops.

Eliminating the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room added much needed space and natural light. An artful mix of light fixtures bounce light off of the stainless steel appliances, glass backsplash tile and Caesarstone countertops.

Base cabinets in a dark cherry thermofoil ground the aluminum and white satin gloss wall cabinets. The peninsula cabinets open on either side, providing easy access to china and serving pieces from the kitchen and adjacent dining room. The couple’s two young sons study at the peninsula, perched on adjustable bar stools. One peninsula cabinet houses their homework and art supplies. A tall cabinet with five adjustable roll-out shelves stores pantry essentials and the children’s snacks.

The olive gloss cabinet drove the color scheme. Peninsula cabinets open on both sides, providing easy access to dishes and servingware.

Bringing color and texture into the kitchen was also a priority. An olive gloss wall cabinet with lift-up hardware was the first element chosen; it drove the color scheme. Flanked by aluminum and white satin gloss cabinets, it is highlighted by oversized subway tiles in a quieter shade of green. Multi-color glass mosaic tile dominates the range wall and highlights the 48” professional-style range and hood. Marmoleum floor tiles offer color, texture, and a nod to the past. The homeowners love how it feels underneath their feet!

Multi-color glass mosaic tile from AlysEdwards dominates the range wall, highlighting the glass-front aluminum cabinets and 48" KitchenAid range and hood.

Durable, low-maintenance materials were essential for this active family. Everything can be cleaned with soapy water or Windex. The deep single-bowl sink with pull-down faucet washes everything from the dinner dishes to the couple’s baby girl.

With the style they wanted and the space they craved, the couple is now enjoying their ultimate family home.

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

Click on the color chip to learn more.

Pantone 2012 Color of the Year - Tangerine Tango

Email your stories to foodtvshow.gmail.com.

The 18″ Bacifiore  is a crafted entertainment sink in polished stainless steel. Distressing the polished stainless provides a beautiful sheen that conceals scratches, finger marks and patina that naturally occur.

In the past, designers have treated sinks as an afterthought. The only criteria was stainless steel or porcelain; single-bowl or double-bowl. Mick De Giulio’s line has taken a standard kitchen element and seamlessly melded arresting style with uncommon functionality. Click on the video below to learn more or visit Kallista’s website.