HGTV/dooce blog duo Irreverent mommyblogger Heather Armstrong is coming to HGTV in some capacity. The network said Armstrong, whose frenetic dooce.com blog chronicles her life with two young children, a husband and two dogs in Utah, has signed "an exclusive programming development deal" to work with HGTV "to create innovative convergence programming." Beyond that, HGTV said there will be no details about the content and platforms of the programming until spring. Its Design Happens blog (blog.hgtv.com/ design) contains a post from site director Jillian St. Charles, who notes "I'm delighted to let you know that very soon the ultra-stylish Heather will be a regular presence here on Design Happens. And that's just the beginning." There's also a quick video of Armstrong, quoted in the network's release saying she "spent the first three months of my second child's life watching every episode of 'Curb Appeal' and 'Designed to Sell.'..." Armstrong's blog, which also features her photography and design work, sells "dooce"-branded items and advertises her two books. In the mom-blog world, Armstrong is known for wringing drama and ad dollars from the stuff of everyday life. Forbes magazine listed her 26th among the 100 most influential women in media in 2009.
Kitchen, bath trends Everything old is new again. That's what a recent survey of designers by the National Kitchen & Bath Association appears to show. The survey of designers who are NKBA members predicted traditional design will remain most popular for kitchens in 2010, along with the continued dominance of cherry wood as the top choice for cabinetry. The survey predicts the rise of pull-out and pot filler faucets, and a surge in the use of undercounter refrigerator drawers and wine refrigerators. Predicted bathroom trends: continued dominance by traditional design, ceramic and porcelain tile and white fixtures.
The survey was answered by fewer than 100 designers. But there will be more evidence of what's to come in April; that's when the association's annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show convenes in Chicago. Nearly 700 exhibitors are expected at the gathering of designers, builders, retailers, remodelers and others associated with kitchen and bath design and renovation.
KIM YEAGER
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