A McLean doctor called Washington’s M&M Appliances a few years ago and ordered a special Valentine’s Day gift for his wife: An LG high efficiency front-loading washer-dryer pair in lipstick red. “He wanted something very special,” says Michael Greenwald, owner of M&M. When did washing machines and dryers turn into bling? It probably started about 12 years ago, when the front-loading machine with its energy and money-saving features, sleek style and technological upgrades started hitting appliance departments. Read full article > >

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How washers and dryers became trophy appliances

All the tools you need to pull the best shot at home every time Whether you’re a daily dripper or a post-dinner sipper, your preferred roast does play an important role in the espresso. But in the end the most important key to a great shot is the consistency. How do you maintain a perfect balance every time? The short answer is solid gear and attention to detail—good coffee is a science after all. I recently set out to source the top gear for making the perfect shot of espresso, soon realizing the daunting variety of machines, tampers and grinders on the market made so I turned to Chris Nachtrieb of Chris Coffee for help. Over the past 30 years, Nachtrieb has cultivated relationships with some of the industry’s best espresso machine producers and has become known for his extensive mechanical knowledge about how machines work. A huge proponent for improving espresso, Nachtrieb happily customizes machines to customer specifications. I was first drawn to the good looks of Quick Mill’s Vetrano machine, and after a few pulls was very pleased with the results. With further research, I realized in many high-end home espresso makers—the Vetrano included—a single boiler both heats the steam for milk and the water for espresso. These machines use heat exchange, meaning that inside the boiler 255

Exhibition of 20th-century industrial design highlights futuristic visions from the past With a focus on the curvaceous forms and clean sleek lines that characterized design in post-depression America, the exhibit “American Streamlined Design: The World of Tomorrow” next visits the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, OK, following presentations in Miami, New York City and Montreal. The show captures the collective hope in the American psyche about the future during a period of economic and social hardship, which cemented the national fixation with progress. A rare opportunity to see works from some of the leading industrial designers of the 20th century, including Norman Bel Geddes and Raymond Loewy, the exhibition includes over185 objects ranging from toasters to fans. The iteration at Philbrook will contain many new pieces due to their recent acquisition of George R. Kravis’ world-renowned industrial design collection. This, combined with a partnership with the Vitra Design Museum , will make the Philbrook a premier destination for 20th century design. The exhibition runs from through 15 May 2011.

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American Streamlined Design: The World of Tomorrow

Food-focused highlights from our holiday gift guide and an event in NYC Among the food-focused items in out 2010 Holiday Gift Guide we’ve selected ten stand-outs including some highlights from the Cool Hunting for Gap Pop Up shop—where we’re having an event dedicated to this favorite topic. For those in NYC, stop by the store from 12-2pm Saturday, 4 December 2011 to snap up products launching that day—including a chocolate bar collaboration we facilitated between Brooklyn’s Mast Brothers and Berkley’s June Taylor as well the deliciously addictive Happy Goat caramel sauce infused with Macallan whisky —and meet your favorite cookbook author while sampling goods from local artisans like Brooklyn Salsa Company . The Essential New York Times Cookbook The The Essential New York Times Cookbook contains over 1,000 recipes compiled by former NYT columnist Amanda Hesser. Dishes span Caesar to Fava Bean Salad to a 19th-century Raspberry Granita—all fully explained in a simple format. State-by-Food Tote Bag Shop your local green market with the State-by-Food Tote Bag , featuring illustrations of popular foods from each of the 50 states. No matter where you go, you will always have some inspiration to draw from. Nudo’s Quattro Stagione Olive oil for every season, Nudo spices up any salad, sandwich or pasta with four delicious flavors, all made from 100% hand-picked olives that go straight from the grove to pressing. Tartine Bread Nothing beats perfectly baked bread, especially when it’s baked using a recipe from Chad Robertson’s Tartine Bread , a James Beard award-winner and arguably the best bread maker in the United States. Sing Sing Dinner Tray The Sing Sing Dinner Tray is a refined replica of the trays used in New York’s infamous prison. Perfect for portion control, dinner in front of the TV or as a distinct tray for serving guests at your holiday party. OXO Four-Piece Grill Set For the BBQ ace with discerning tastes in and out of the kitchen, the OXO 4-Piece Grill Set comes with a retractable hooks and their patented design that keeps marinades from sliding off bristles on the silicone basting brush. DeLonghi Gran Dama Used daily by CH founder Josh Rubin, with the touch of a button the DeLonghi Gran Dama creates espressos, lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos—each with programmable amounts of coffee and milk, as will as adjustable cup sizes. The convenience is well worth the price. Damn Good Cookies While most of us are dreaming of dessert before our meal even starts, these cookies are worth the wait. Chocolate Gourmet’s ” Damn Good Cookies ” definitely live up to their name. Our mouths are watering just thinking about the delicious treats. Avocado Salt and Pepper Shaker The uniquely designed Avocado Salt and Pepper Shaker by Brooklyn-based ceramicist Daina Platais is cast from an actual avocado, her personal food favorite. Brooklyn Salsa Brooklyn Salsa engages us with its quirky names that represent the different boroughs of NYC. With flavors such as The Hot, The Pure, The Green, The Tropical and The Burnt, there are no shortage of options on how to spice up your next snack attack.

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Gifts for Food Lovers