In the past few weeks, it’s hard not to notice the hashtag #BlogTourCGN discussed on Twitter. A group of designers I met at the 2012 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, specifically, have been tweeting and blogging about this recently and it spiked my interest. What is BlogTourCGN?

By Maureen Alley

In the past few weeks, it’s hard not to notice the hashtag #BlogTourCGN discussed on Twitter. A group of designers I met at the 2012 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, specifically, have been tweeting and blogging about this recently and it sparked my interest. What is BlogTourCGN?

Modenus, a website for architects and designers, sponsors industry designers to visit various cities and learn about architecture and trends. The one we’ve been hearing about – Blog Tour CGN – visited Cologne, Germany and Amsterdam last week. In addition to viewing the local architecture, the designers attended the IMM furnishing show.

Kathy Sandler, designer and owner of Sandler Design Group, shared some insight about trends she noticed during her Blog Tour travels. “Wood is back in a big way, but in a matte finish. No high gloss on unpainted cabinetry here,” she says.

Countertops are also experiencing their own trends. “[Countertop trends are] new surfaces that look like wood, but aren't. Kitchens are sleek and warm,” Sandler adds.

International travel – especially to Europe – often inspires designers and architects due to the historical aspects of the architecture. Many trade professionals find traveling helps them get inspired and find new ideas for projects they are working on back in the United States. Add the international IMM furnishing show to the mix, and these designers definitely came home with inspirations.

I highly recommend checking out the blogs, tweets, Instagram pictures shared about the Blog Tour last week. Hard to come away without being inspired.

Future Blog Tour dates and cities are as follows: New York, March 19-24; New Orleans, April 16-20; London, Sept. 19-24; and, Los Angeles, Oct. 2-6, 2013. Contact Modenus if you’d like to participate.

Where do you get inspirations for your projects?