Bold Living

Our Unforgettable SKS Napa Experience: Luxury Design Meets Innovation 🌟

September 18, 2024

At Alisa Berry Designs, we’re passionate about creating more than just beautiful spaces—we’re all about curating unforgettable experiences. Recently, we joined the Vacation Rental Designers Collective (VRDC) on a fantastic journey to the Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS) Experience & Design Center in Napa, California. 🍇🍷 From luxury appliances to hands-on culinary lessons, this trip was […]

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At Alisa Berry Designs, we’re passionate about creating more than just beautiful spaces—we’re all about curating unforgettable experiences. Recently, we joined the Vacation Rental Designers Collective (VRDC) on a fantastic journey to the Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS) Experience & Design Center in Napa, California. 🍇🍷 From luxury appliances to hands-on culinary lessons, this trip was packed with inspiration! Here’s a look at our unforgettable Napa adventure.

Me in my gorgeous dress that I purchased just for this occasion.
This spritzer at the resort was everyone’s favorite. I could have kept on drinking it. I have a new found relationship with spritzers.

Day 1: Arrival at the Meritage Hotel & Spa 🍷

Our Napa experience began with a luxurious stay at the Meritage Hotel & Spa. The perfect start to our trip! That evening, we indulged in a private dinner, where we had the pleasure of meeting Robert French, our incredible Houston SKS representative. He’s the one who made this whole trip possible, and we couldn’t wait to dive into what SKS had to offer!

Our dinner at Olive & Hayes the first night (there was so much bread in Napa Valley, but I am not complaining)
Look at this delicious salad. Seriously? How can I possibly eat anything but #truetofood now?
New friends from Vacation Rental Designers Collective enjoying dinner
And there was more bread

We enjoyed our wine and conversations all night long

Day 2: Exploring the SKS Napa Experience Design Center 🍽️✨

Thursday was the big day! We visited the jaw-dropping 23,000-square-foot SKS Napa Experience Design Center, a state-of-the-art facility showcasing the future of luxury kitchen appliances. The center is built on three pillars:

  • Innovation: Cutting-edge technology elevating culinary experiences.
  • Precision: Flawless performance in every appliance.
  • Purposeful Design: Merging beauty with functionality.

But it wasn’t just a tour—we had a hands-on experience. Under the guidance of Chef Nick and Sous Chef Jordan, we crafted a gourmet feast using the SKS lineup, including the 48-inch Pro Rangetop with integrated sous vide and induction cooking. From making Lasagna alla Sorentina to a mouthwatering Croissant Bread Pudding, we explored everything from steam ovens to sous vide techniques. 🔥👩‍🍳

Our day continued with a deep dive into SKS’s refrigeration and wine storage solutions, topped off with a wine class. 🍷 By the end of the day, we savored our culinary creations in the elegant dining room—Napa luxury at its finest!

My Farm Rio dress with a 50’s housewife vibe but I loved it for Day 2. Y’all know I love a dress.
The SKS 48″ dual fuel range with built in sous vide well on top. Get into my kitchen.
Another bonus of SKS appliances is in their built in refrigeration columns. They also have wine columns that will not only store your wine but catalog it, and help you pair it with your meals.

Carrots cooked sous vide on the 48″ dual fuel range
Purple Carrots also cooked sous vide
Panzenella Salad was so delicious
Homemade sugar-coated biscuits for strawberry shortcake with balsamic vinegarette and fresh cream

Day 3: The Future of Kitchen Design and Smart Home Innovation

Day three was all about exploring the latest innovations in kitchen design. SKS truly stands out with:

  • The industry-first built-in sous vide well—a game-changer for home chefs.
  • Two-zone induction flex burners that boil water faster than gas and work individually or together for maximum efficiency.
  • A leading service plan that includes a 3-year warranty and a 5-day repair guarantee.

We also explored LG ThinQ smart home technology, which integrates with SKS appliances for seamless control. We capped off the day with Chef Nick’s signature Sous Vide Limoncello spritzers—a refreshing finish to a perfect day! 🍋✨

Chef Nick sliced up perfectly prepared boneless skinless chicken breasts that were cooked sous vide and then pan-seared to a beautiful light crust
Lasagna made with ham, salami, bolognese and cheeses

Day 4: Napa Magic and Design Inspiration 🌿

On our final day, we visited the historic Oakville Grocery before enjoying a wine tasting at the beautiful Trefethen Family Vineyard. The grand finale? A gourmet dinner at the Culinary Institute of America—a perfect end to our Napa adventure.

Arrival at Oakville grocery for our outdoor lunch of fresh salads and homemade pizzas to pair with our wine tasting.

Fell in love with this incredible chandelier inside Oakville Grocery
Wine tasting self serve style, all you need is a card and a glass

The Napa Valley Wine Train running in front of Oakville Grocery
Vineyards at Oakville Grocery
Trefethen Winery for our wine tasting and education
Outside of the Trefethern Winery
Grapes harvested that morning for wine making. They tasted unlike any grapes that I had before.
Our group with rosy cheeks well into our wine tasting

This cork tree outside the winery offered stunning views over the vineyards
We even had time to stop by Oxbow Market on our way to the Culinary Institute for dinner

The fresh food in California was unlike anything I had ever seen before. When you walk up to these foods, you can smell the lemons before you get there, and you can smell the apples. It truly makes me wish this were available everywhere.
Look how fresh and the type of fruits that we can’t always find in Mississippi

One of besties, Robin Burrill and I at dinner
I can’t recall the name of this dessert but it was divine
I honestly think that the fresh seafood was the biggest surprise of my trip. Each and every place we went, I got seafood and I never once smelled it. It was so fresh and delicious.
If there was a theme, it might have been bread. Maybe it is because I rarely eat it much anymore but this bread in California was so good.
Our group at the Grove at the Culinary Institute
My beautiful friend, Joy Maier of Prosper, TX thinking over dinner

This experience at the SKS Napa Experience Design Center was more than just a learning opportunity—it was a reminder of how luxury appliances can transform spaces and elevate the everyday. From high-tech ranges to elegant wine coolers, SKS is revolutionizing the way we think about kitchen design.

At Alisa Berry Designs, we don’t just create beautiful interiors—we create spaces that inspire and craft lasting memories. Ready to elevate your space? Let’s make your dream kitchen a reality.

As I reflect on my time at the SKS Napa Experience, I’m grateful not only for the unforgettable design inspiration but also for the incredible memories shared with new and old friends alike. From the exquisite food to the world-class wine, every moment was a reminder of the #TrueToFood philosophy—celebrating the freshest ingredients and finest culinary experiences. Once you’ve tasted food this fresh and delicious, there’s no turning back. It’s a way of life that I’m excited to carry forward, both in my designs and in my kitchen!

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I'm Alisa, your fearless designer.

A few years ago, I was a designer just designing for whoever came along and there was no joy in it for me. But, I wanted more meaningful and so did my clients. Now, I help women learn to be bold in their lives by transforming their homes from boring and bland to the unique and gorgeous home that serves their dreams. 

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Fearlessly designing extraordinary homes for women who live life boldly.

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