Points of Distinction - Measuring For Countertops

LT-2D3D Laser Templator

Last year I picked out the countertop materials for the condo kitchen. I chose gray steel granite in a leathered finish for the island and Avenza polished pental quartz for the perimeter areas. As you all know, it's been a crazy Covid 19 year, so things haven't progressed as they usually do. Last week, George from Cosmos Marble and Granite  came to measure and brought the laser equipment with him. Made my day.

One of the most fascinating tools for measuring countertops is the LT-2D3D Laser Templator.  If I was in the business of tile and stone installations, I would have this tool. It may be pricey, but it's very efficient and accurate - just follow the red dot that marks the digital data point. I jest, it is more complicated than that. However, once you master navigating the software, it is a superb tool.

For those who know me, you know I love tools. As a child I worked with my Dad repairing furniture for the neighbors and with my Mom in a commercial kitchen, both fields have lots of tools.  Later, as a computer programmer I spent 30 years coding applications and as a kitchen designer I love the 2D and 3D aspect of designing on a computer.  So, I was intently watching the functionality of this tool at work.

In the short time George was here, I realized you can draw on different planes with the tool, you can use different colors for different objects so you cut down on confusion, you can aim the laser at the center of the sink cutout and it will calculate the correct cutout, if measuring a wall you can center the laser on the screw of the electrical outlet to get the correct outlet into the drawing. If I was having a backsplash done, he could have used the tool to measure up the wall as well. Yep, it's a great time saver. And once the data is collected you have it on file in a computer format that you can email if requested.  I think he must have been using the tool for awhile because it didn't take him that long to measure.


Next post you'll see the countertops in place.  I can't wait. Stay tune.

Ready for the plotter

Understanding Leathered Granite

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The uniqueness of each piece and the sustainability of granite make it the most popular countertop among homeowners. In most of my kitchen remodels, I specify granite countertops.  Although porous, it wears well in a kitchen and adds a natural movement that can not be matched by any man made product such as quartz.  I love granite in all its finishes.  I've had polished granite in my own kitchen for at least 15 years.  It's a great material for a countertop because it is stain resistant as well as heat resistant.  It's very durable but you can chip it if you bang something heavy against it. I randomly put a sealer on my granite.  It takes about 5 minutes to do so.

My current project has base cabinets along two walls in the kitchen and an island.  The base cabinets that create the island are cobalt blue while the cabinets along the perimeter walls are a medium gray.  The idea behind this design is to give the island a more dramatic position within the kitchen space.  This distinction can be achieved by the manipulation of three elements: color, finish(texture), material.  In this design, I used all three.  

Leathered granite has a matte or non-reflective finish, so if you like the high-reflective sheen of a polished granite, the leathered look is not for you. The diamond-dipped brushes that graze the granite takes the shine away and makes the stone muted and more stain resistance because the process will close the pores. The process also adds an amazing texture to the stone that allows it to be rough and elegant at the same time. This texture element also makes the stone more slip resistant when wet. Fingerprints and water spots are also lost on the hardy surface of the leathered granite.

As much as I love the unique look of leathered granite, there are two drawbacks that you should be aware of:
1) The uneven nature of the stone can make it susceptible to damage if met with a sharp object.
2) It can be difficult to clean if crumbs and liquids accumulate on the surface.  This is why it is important to ask the fabricator what type of seal they put on the granite.  Keep in mind that polished granite will always be easier to clean than leathered granite.


For the cabinets along the perimeter walls I've chosen a polished quartz.  This will contrast nicely with the muted leather look on the island.  It's a quartz product so it is more susceptible to damage by hot pots/dishes on the surface.  Pictured on the right are two samples of the Avenza quartz.  On the left is a honed quartz sample so the sheen is muted, the sample next to it is the polished one that will be installed.


Sorry, the countertops are not installed yet so there is no picture to attach of the countertops in place, but after there are installed I will post the pictures.

The Dyson Airblade Wash+Dry faucet

I don't know about everyone else, but I positively hate the hand dryers in commercial bathrooms.  They are entirely too loud.  My other pet peeve is to have to look around for a towel to dry my hands if the restroom does not provide wall hand dryers.

At the Independence Hall Visitor Center in Philadelphia I was delighted to use this little jewel of a faucet in the restroom.  It's a smart, little Dyson with no handles to turn or buttons to push. Not only can you wash your hands at the sink but you can also dry your hands at the sink which eliminates getting drops of water on the countertop and/or floor.  And it's more quiet than the wall units.  Sweet.

As you can imagine Philadelphia is busy this time of year with national and international visitors.  I could hear the sighs and see the confusion that some visitors experienced trying to use the faucet. To activate the water flow just extend your hands under the center of the faucet, then move your hands to the sides to activate the air flow, so you can dry each hand separately. I helped a few people and then went to the other side of the room to notice how people reacted.  Many hesitated but once they used it, they liked the experience.  I asked a few women as they were leaving and several of them mentioned that they preferred it to "those noisy hand dryers."   I nodded my head in agreement.

The Touchless Faucet

 

A few years ago I had a client who had to replace her sink faucet with a touchless type because of a hand injury.  She loved her touchless faucet, so when I designed the kitchen area in my studio, I decided on a touchless faucet. They are a nice looking faucet and do well in today's modern, fast-paced kitchen.

Our granite coutertop has not yet been installed, so the undermount sink is sitting on a temporary surface as though it is a drop in sink. However, when the permanent tops are installed you will not see the rim of the sink as you do in this picture. Like all faucets the touchless usually comes with the choice of a single hole which is best for a clean looking granite installation or a 3 hole installation component.

Other than an injured hand there are several reasons this product is a good idea in the kitchen where efficiency is mandated and food preparation is the primary task:

• Hands-Free Operation – When you use a touchless kitchen faucet you don’t have to touch anything to make the water start. This can be very helpful when your hands are dirty or when you’re holding something.
• Controlled Water Flow –  If the sensor is accurate the motion sensor detects when objects are in front of it and stops the water when there aren’t any. 
• Cleanliness -  You can take a dirty dish and start cleaning it without spreading grease onto the handle.
• Pull-Down Spray Heads – These faucets all come with pull-down spray heads that allow you to wash larger dishes with ease.   However, many regular faucets also have this feature.

I've had the faucet for 2 weeks now, so I am still evaluating the sensor.  There are times it seems to miss the hand wave.  With a touchless faucet the most important element is the sensor.  It must be accurate especially if you have children in the kitchen.  You definitely don't want water going on and off in response to movement outsite its assumed range.

As of this writing, these are the three best touchless kitchen faucets: Moen Arbor, Delta 9178T-AR-DST,  and Kohler K-72218-VS.

  

The One Step - Amy Howard At Home Paint

 

 
As a designer I often find myself in discussions with clients about their old furniture.  They don't want to just give it away and they don't want to throw it out, so what can they do?  The one way around this situation is to give an item a new life and a new look with the paintbrush.  Amy Howard At Home One Step paint is designed for this type of application.  It is easy to apply and has a built in primer so there is no need to apply a primer to the wood first, however, you do need to clean or degrease the furniture before applying the first coat, so that the paint can adhere to the surface. There may be a tendency to forgo this step but please don't.  The Amy Howard At Home product line has an array of  rich and heirloom like colors, waxes, gold and silver leaf option, sealers and also a lacquer spray paint option, so you may need to do some research before you start your project.  It is up to you whether you want to apply a sealer.  I applied a sealer to every item I painted.  It hardens the surface, makes it easier to clean and can add a bit or a lot of shine depending on which sealer you choose.

When I'm learning  how to work with a new product, I work on  a small item that I can afford to mess up.  In order to learn more about this paint I worked on a small piece of molding with lots of design details.  When you have an ornate item to paint, you can apply a wax or a glaze to the item to add depth and enhance the detail.  On a flat item there is no reason to add wax or a glaze because there is nothing you want to stand out or highlight.  For this piece of molding I chose to use their  Good Man is Hard To Find paint and after it dried I applied a liming wax to  enhance the details.

My first project was a small coffee table that was on its way to Goodwill.  Perfect. This was just what I was looking for.  After degreasing the table I waited several hours so that the table would be dry  for the first application of paint.    First I dismantled the table because the ornate hardware would be hard to paint around.  My first decision with this project was whether to paint the hardware or not to.  It was an easy decision not to because painting the hardware makes it blend into the wood but this hardware was just too distinctive and added a richness to the look of the table that would be foolish to destroy. The paint used for this table was Cartouche Green.


My last project using this paint line was a kitchen that was in dire need of an update.  A some point in the future when the client's budget will allow for knocking out walls and  resurfacing the floor, this kitchen will undergo a major remodel, but for now, it's  Amy Howard's Ballet White and sealer to the rescue.  The best way to do a kitchen is to remove all the cabinet doors and drawer fronts and take off the hardware from each  one.  After degreasing the old cabinets, you will probably need to do more than one coat of paint depending of course on what color you choose and how well it hides the old color.  I ended up doing three coats to this kitchen's doors and drawer fronts.  The wall and base boxes only took two coats.  It took me about 2 weeks working about 8 hours a day,  And it looked great when it was done.  The white paint gave a fresh, updated look to the small kitchen.



I often work with clients who prefer to do much of the work themselves.  I work with them offering the best product line that I know that will serve their needs.  Since I have done this kitchen, I have advised two clients on the how-to of painting their kitchens.  This is a monumental task so you do need to get advise before you embark on the journey.  There are professional painters that will do this if you prefer someone else take up the brush.  






 



Design & Construction Week 2014 - Part One - Overview

More than 75,000 design/build professionals were expected to attend the Design and Construction Week in Las Vegas last week and I've no doubt that expectation was met.  The combination of KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show) and IBS (International Builders Show) offered more exhibitors for designers and trade professionals to see and to take advantage of the variety of learning opportunities the combined forces presented.  They built the Show, people came, and it did not disappoint.

The mega Show was divided into three large buildings; North Hall dedicated to KBIS, Central Hall to IBS and South Hall featured more of IBS and WCI (Window Covering Industry).  It's best to plan ahead as much as possible and yet always leave enough time for discovery.  The show constantly surprises.

As I made my way through the registration area, I entered the showroom floor at the Kohler Booth.  The Kohler business started with the plumbing industry that we associate as Kohler but today it is home to a variety of furniture and home decorative products such as Robern, Kallista and Ann Sacks Tile and Stone Inc., so I spent a lot of time in the Kohler section.

  


Kohler Kitchen and Bath products are endless.  I love the new Sensate - touchless kitchen faucet.  This is great for cooks with sauce on the hands and good for all the generations living under one roof.  It just takes a wave of your hand behind the spout to turn it on or off.  It's a pull down hose with a magnetic docking  system that locks the hose back into place.  The faucet comes with a two-function sprayhead: spray and steam.   

Kohler has some fabulous sinks as well.  This red enameled cast iron double sink is an eye catcher. Cast Iron can definitely live up to the daily beatings from pots and pans but it also comes with a life long warranty against chipping.  It comes in a wide range of shapes and you have a choice of 20 colors.

 

Since Kohler has Kallista under its wing you also see Mick deGiulio's fabulous stainless steel sinks here.  Fabricated with a 16 gauge sink for durability this multi tiered sink  is a real task master. There are a variety of  accessories such as the teak cutting board and a flatware  tray. 

 

 

 

A little known fact that people outside of the Midwest may not realize about  Kohler is that it is owner of  the American Club, a 5 star hotel resort in Kohler Wisconsin.  The Chefs of the American Club were looking for a better turtle candy and 100 batches later, the Kohler original recipe for their chocolates was born.  Like every office worker in America knows, chocolate always brings people back.  So, I was at this display everyday of the show.

On my first pass through the KBIS North Hall, I tried  to pick up the common themes or occurrences .  There were several things that popped up as I made my way through the  crowd:  Copper Craze,  Technology in the Kitchen. Mixed Materials and The Italian Influence.   

So much to see and hear in 3 days time.   What a whirlwind! 

 

 

Functional Luxury - The Sub Zero Built-In Refrigerator

Sub-Zero Built-In

Built-In refrigerators are a statement in a kitchen.  They look more like furniture than appliances and add a great deal of warmth to the kitchen's visual appeal.  Sub-Zero Refrigerators are one of the best refrigerators to build cabinetry around. 

It can be tricky to design for built-in appliances.  They all require accurate panel dimensions and trim pieces of varying types and Sub Zero works with designers to make the process error free.  With sub-zero wolf refrigerators you have two types of built-in design possibilities:  standard install using overlay panels or the flush inset installation.  Not all refrigerator manufacturers offer these two options. Both are beautiful when completed so it really just depends on what the homeowner prefers.  This is a picture of a standard installation. 

Functional Luxury - The Miele/SubZero Kitchen

 

No matter how beautiful a kitchen is, it must be functional.  Here's a sophisticated beauty that is easy to get around and easy to entertain in.  How a kitchen should function depends on how the homeowner uses the kitchen.  However, there are two major considerations regarding function within the kitchen: space planning and appliances.  Appliances are the backbone of the kitchen but you must also be able to effectively move around the space.  You can't be running  a marathon every time you cook dinner.   This spacious kitchen with its muted tones, simplistic cabinet style and built-in appliances is a subdued statement of functional luxury.

This appliance-savvy homeowner clearly understood the value of good quality energy saving appliances when she chose Miele for the cooktop, dishwasher, steam and convection ovens, and Sub-Zero Wolf for their refrigerator.  As their designer, my task was to provide a functional space plan to expedite their work in the kitchen, configure as large an island as possible for entertainment purposes and create a  shared openness with the adjacent  living room.   

As with many large kitchens having multiple entry points, placement of the island is critical. For safety and efficiency  it is important to have  adequate space  in the walk areas and around the work aisles in the kitchen. Sometimes the best solution to this  challenge is to position the island on a diagonal.  As it turns out, the diagonal approach worked well in this kitchen.

Even though this is a big kitchen it can still accommodate  the traditional triangle which means the refrigerator, cooktop  and sink are within easy walking distance from one another.  The two-tiered island  is  positioned diagonally to allow for easy traffic flow and easy access to the living room.  It is also  a preparation work station with multiple electrical outlets,  six drawers providing additional storage and is flanked by two 36"high cabinets.  The large overhang provides plenty of  space for  guest  to congregate and for conversations that  can easily include the cook.  Kitchens should be designed with the cook  in mind.

The beautiful cabinetry in this kitchen is from Fieldstone.  The cabinets are their Monterey door style done in cherry wood with a classic harvest stain.   This is a semi-custom line that allows a great deal of customization.  Therefore, as a designer you can meet your client's needs even when it may require extensive modification to their cabinetry.  This flexibility came in handy when configuring the oven cabinet and the adjacent utility cabinet.  Double oven cabinets always have to be modified depending on the ovens that the homeowner purchases.  The installer will make some modifications on site but some need to be done at the manufacturing plant. With the oven wall both the double oven and the utility cabinets were changing and the top cabinets had to be in alignment  after the modifications.  The utility cabinet was changing to make the top cabinet more  functional and that top cabinet would need to be smaller in order to align with the oven cabinet.   In this case, the homeowner didn't have a need for the normal top cabinet in the utility cabinet.  What they needed instead of the shelf was a place to store trays and miscellaneous items within access.

In many kitchens where  entertainment  is a goal a wine storage area is necessary, but we created  a wine area just off the kitchen in this home.

This is a dream kitchen when it comes to appliances. My next post will be dedicated to just the appliances  for they really are luxurious additions  to this sophisticated kitchen.

One other significant detail regarding this kitchen is that the  installation was done by the homeowner.  This was a complicated kitchen to install giving the built-in appliances and  the diagonal island.  Hats off to the homeowners.  It was a pleasure working with them.  I was glad to be part of the team.

 

A Touch of Class with Glass

Today glass has a wide range of usage in home decor.  In the kitchen area it looks stunning when used as glass tiles placed strategically into a backsplash.  It is also beautiful as a countertop especially if it is designed as an accent countertop with granite or another solid surface being the main countertop.   Of course, glass tables have been common in the American household for years.   Glass tables have certainly come along way though.  Take a look at these beauties created by Gravity Glas.   These are custom tables  and there's  a variety of colored glass to choose from as well as the type of edging available  to complete the design..  

Here is an idea that would be great for a wine bar area.  You can create an atmosphere where it changes color or just keep a specific color to complement the room it's in.





The bathroom has the added option of a glass sink.  It can be a fabulous vessel sink or it can make a stunning pedestal sink.  Designed mirrors can also add great appeal in the bathroom.

If you interested in exploring the best way to design with glass in your remodel projects just give me a call.  Just a touch of this material in a room can add spark and interest and bring the room to life.

Modular Rug Designs

 Would you like to design your own rug?  This material  is made of 100% recycled nylon. It's available through Flor Carpet and allows you to create your own design using square carpet tiles.   Basically your rug will start with a 20"  square that is easily connected through a FlorDot adhesive to another square  tile.  You can make the rug whatever size your  space requires.  You can do runners and wall-to-wall rugs as well as custom rugs..  You can mix and match patterns and color or just use one tile interchanging between vertical and  horizontal in the design until you have the right number of squares to make up the rug size. 

 Flor Carpet has a showroom located in the Scottsdale Quarter in Scottsdale Az.  They have sample rugs throughout the showroom, just keep in mine that Flor Carpet recommends their usage only on the floor. 

Finishing Touches in the Bathroom

 There was once a time when people remodeled so there could sell their house faster but that attitude has been replaced with "let's remodel so we can enjoy it before we have to sell it". This mindset has led to an increase in bathroom remodeling using luxury components. In other words, people are splurging on their bathrooms.

In the previous decade, bathroom renovations came second to kitchen remodeling. If the homeowner was planning on doing the kitchen then they would include the bathroom as well. Now, there's is a good chance that the homeowner will do the bathroom first because it is a room used everyday so they have the benefit of using those fabulous products everyday. Homeowners are investing in TOTO toilets with an apron or tankless toilets that hang on the wall for ease of cleaning, intricate tile designs on the walls and shower flooring, oversized shower niches as well as luxuriously styled tubs and faucet fixtures. Sometimes even the smallest of details can make a statement in a renovation which is where the drain comes in.    

Years ago deciding on a drain in the shower was a very minor decision because there weren't allot of choices.  Today, in our design-conscious world  the number of choices can make your head spin.  The simplest choice is to insert a drain that is the same finish as the finish on your fixtures in the shower or wet room.  Another option is to create a tiled space  over the drain that allows for water to drains and eliminates other particles like hair from going down the drain.

 

More complicated decisions usually involved more complicated installation considerations.  The Infinity Drain is a beautiful addition to any shower area.  To the left is a picture that depicts how it is installed.  To the right is a completed installation. The drain comes in various sizes so it depends on the size of the  shower as to what size you will need.

 

Another great accessory that you once saw only in luxury  hotel bathrooms is the heated towel rack. This is almost a necessity in a cold climate.  The primary reason for a towel warmer is to dry towels, but in doing so it will often warm the room which is a wonderful benefit at 7AM when you are getting ready for work.  The best way to fold a towel on the rack so that it is fluffy and warm when you next need it is to fold it in 3rds and then drape it over the rail. The layers will hold in the heat more than just a single layer.  Most towel racks comes out  from the wall about 4 or 4 1/2".

A towel rack can be a real eye catcher in a bathroom.The heated towel rack on the right is a Hydrotherm product which would look stunning in the right bathroom.  The size of your space will determine what size of towel rack you can incorporate in the space.  Hydrotherm produces a wide range of sizes and finishes like the one shown here that can be viewed on their site and they will also create a custom rack if the bathroom design requires it.

 

Accessorizing the bathroom is usually a fun project.  It can take many forms such as selecting special towels, soaps, decorative and functional lights, light switches-it's endless, really.  But there are some accessories that are just wow factors like a sleek looking floor to ceiling  towel rack.

Eye on Dacor -The Life of the Kitchen

JC Abbey Introduces Dacor - The Life of the Kitchen
 

A big part of my job as a kitchen designer is to help homeowners select the best appliance for their kitchen. And for that reason I attend tradeshows and manufacturers seminars whenever possible.  Last week I attended a seminar on the Dacor line of products.  What a treat!
 

Dacor is an American, family owned-business that has been operating since 1965 and is well known for its cooking and ventilation products. It offers a full line of appliances that appeal to a broad range of  homeowners because of their style, performance and craftsmanship. When selecting Dacor appliances you have three series to choose between: Distinctive - price point package, Renaissance which gives highlights performance appliances  and Discovery which is more innovative. 

 

 The Discovery 30" Millennia Wall Oven is a jewel in the kitchen and is designed and manufactured in California. I can't say enough about double ovens.  Double ovens are great to have in the kitchen. If you have the space but have to tweak the budget alittle to include one then do it. You won't regret it, I promise.  It's a time saver and if it is a convection oven then it is even more of a time saver.  This one pictured on the right isn't just a gem because it looks pretty but  it's also a "pure convection oven".

Let's talk about this idea of pure convection.  Dacor''s exclusive Pure Convection System  is achieved through a inter workings of 4 parts: fan, heating element, air baffle and the convection filter.  For the homeowner this translate into reduce cooking time, superior heat distribution and it  means  that  you can cook different dishes at the same time without the worry of  the flavors transferring from one dish to another.  It's a baker's delight because as a  pure convection the air circulates around the food so you get even heat distribution meaning  all your cookies will come out looking great; there's no need to turn the pan so that the cookies in the back don't burn.  In the picture on the right you can see the racks and the round filter that I pulled from the back where it is normally kept.  It is dishwasher safe so you can remove it and include it in your next dishwashing cycle.  Another unique feature that I really liked is the space at the front of the rack that allows for a hand to pull the rack out.  So simple a feature, yet so practical.  

Other important features in this oven  are the Controller Panel, the rain gutter and the recessed heating element under the glass.  The rain gutter prevents vapor from descending down the front of the glass on the inside.  There are ovens that no matter how hard you clean that glass the problem is inside the glass so it wll never come clean - the rain gutter prevents that issue.  The recessed heating element under the glass allows for faster preheating and secures that even heating temperature within the oven. 

The Control Panel on this oven is fabulous.  It features a full-color LED display with a glass touch.  It's full color means you can match the paint in your kitchen if you would like.  That sounds funny to some people but the fact is that other people will change the color to use the control panel as an accessory in the kitchen. 

This Control Panel does everything it needs to do: calculate time, temperature and cooking mode.  It also comes with about 100 recipes.  As good as this one is it is undergoing a technological makeover that includes Wi-Fi.  The new  Discovery panel should be out in June of this year.  Just think you can set your temperature and check facebook at the same time.  In my posting on Kitchen Trends I mention that technology in the kitchen will be a hot issue over the few years and then I heard about this panel.  It's exciting. 

As I said Dacor offers a full line of products. If you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen or  maybe just upgrading your appliances do yourself a favor and click on this website:  http://www.dacor.com/.  There's so much more that can be said about this company, its commitment to customer  service and  its well designed products and they offer information, advise and recipes on their website..