Archipelago Hawaii excels at display of appliances

Archipelago Hawaii was recognized as Hawaii regional winner of the Sub-Zero and Wolf 2008-2009 Kitchen Design Contest.

The local firm, co-founded by Tiare Noelani Cowan, was lauded for its creative use of a Sub-Zero and Wolf appliance in their client’s kitchen with unique design elements.

More than 1,400 entries were submitted, with 50 named regional winners.

The company received a cash prize of $500, a four-day trip for two to the Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla., and the opportunity to compete against other regional winners for national awards and cash prizes of up to $15,000.

Bella Pietra holds contest for stone makeover

Bella Pietra is accepting entries in its "Make My Room Bella" design challenge. Oahu homeowners are invited to submit up to three pictures with explanations (up to 300 words) of why their kitchen, bathroom, entryway or lanai deserves a total stone makeover.

The grand-prize winner will receive $1,500 worth of stone and a design consultation. Submit entries by Oct. 15 to www.bellapietra.com. A panel of Hawaii design experts will review the entries and choose the grand-prize winner by Dec. 1.

Call 587-7779.

Is that a bottle in your pocket, or …?

Flying off the shelf at SoHa Living in Kahala Mall are Vapur collapsible reusable bottles.

Owner Brooke Watson said, "They came in (Tuesday), and they are doing very well already. You can store one in your purse since it takes up no space and weighs almost nothing."

Retailing at $11.80, each bottle holds 16 ounces. SoHa has them in pink and smoke, with other colors expected "any day now," said Watson.

Vapur can be rolled, folded or flattened when empty, making them easy to fit into pockets, purses, packs or briefcases.

The bottle is freezable, dishwasher safe and, according to the folks at Vapur, BPA-free, which means it can be reused again and again.