Frank Lloyd Wright - Always Inspiring!

Newest article from K+BB:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honoring the architectural legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright, Reveal Designs's Taliesin Design hardware collection offers a clean, linear look. The collection was initially embarked upon over a year ago by the students and faculty of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, founded by Wright in 1932. The pulls, which were designed with the belief that form follows function, are intended to promote an understanding of how buildings and the natural environment can work together in harmony. Incorporating wood and metal, the pieces retail from $50-$79.

 

For more information, check our Reveal Designs's website.

Design Trends!

Found this super interesting article from K+BB and had to share it...

NKBA Releases Design Trends Survey Results

What’s popular in kitchen and bath design? Survey says…

February 18, 2011

If you believe what they say about the past—and this may also apply to the immediate past—being a good predictor of future behavior, then you may want to pay close attention to the results of the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA’s) annual survey of kitchen and bath design trends. Participating in the survey were more than 100 designers who are association members and have designed kitchens and/or bathrooms during the last three months of 2010. Although the survey findings may not reflect activity in all parts of the country, several commonalities did emerge, indicating that changes in kitchen and bath styles are afoot in this new year.

10 KITCHEN TRENDS

1. Shake it up. Although the popularity of the Shaker style began in 2009, it truly gained momentum in 2010. By the end of the year, it overtook contemporary as the second most popular style used by NKBA member designers, which, given its versatility, may not come as a huge surprise. Here’s the breakdown:

• Traditional is still king (76%) among surveyed designers, but its popularity has fallen slightly from last year.
• 55% of survey respondents specified Shaker-style cabinetry.
• 48% went contemporary.
• 21% used cottage-style cabinets.

 

Shaker door styles, such as this design from O’Neil Cabinets, are going strong. The company provides custom-grade product lines in a variety of styles and finishes. For more details www.oneilcabinets.com. Photo courtesy of O’Neil Cabinets

2. Maple is sweet. As 2010 began, cherry was the wood species of choice in kitchen cabinetry for NKBA member designers, with 78% of survey participants specifying it in their work (compared to 64% who selected maple, the second most popular wood). This year, however, those numbers are nearly reversed:

• Cherry has fallen to 71%, while maple has risen to 76%.
• Alder was used by 28% of designers surveyed over the last three months of 2010, representing a sharp decline from the previous year (39%).

3. Dark finishes. Dark natural finishes overtook medium natural, glazed and white painted finishes to become the most specified type of finish toward the end of 2010:

• The percentage of designers specifying dark natural finishes rose from 42% to 51%
• Usage of medium natural finishes fell from 53% to 48%.
• Usage of glazed finishes fell from 53% to 42%.
• Fewer designers specified white painted finishes: 47%, compared to 49% last year.
• Light natural and colored painted finishes remained fairly common, rising only slightly from the previous year: 24% to 25% for the former and 24% to 29% for the latter.
• Distressed finishes dropped significantly from a year ago, falling from 16% to just 5%.

4. A place for wine and everything else. Homeowners still like to keep wine, but they may be less fussy about storing it at fine-tuned optimal temperatures. According to the survey, the inclusion of wine refrigerators seems to be on the decline, while unchilled wine storage is growing in popularity. With kitchen organization a concern for most, other types of cabinetry options remain more common, but even most of these appear to be experiencing a drop in favor. Here are the stats:

• 51% of surveyed designers incorporated wine storage areas into their kitchens, up from 39%.
• Tall pantries declined in use from 89% to 84%.
• Lazy Susans fell from 90% to 78%.
• Fewer designers used pullout racks: 71%, compared to 81% last year.
• Appliance garage usage is also on the wane, falling from 36% at the end of 2009 to 29% a year later.

 

This elegant kitchen from Huntwood Cabinets features stacked wall cabinets, glass doors, rich raised panel doors, classic crown moldings, and a prominent island with built-in wine cubbies. Photo: Alan Bisson

5. Solid showing. That granite and quartz continued their reign as the number one and number two in countertop materials may not come as a surprise to anyone. Solid surfaces as a clear third, however, may raise a few eyebrows (or not). Both granite and quartz essentially held their dominance from a year earlier, with the percentage of designers incorporating these countertop materials into their kitchen designs changing very little from a year earlier:

• 89% of survey respondents used granite in their work, down from 90%.
• 70% used quartz, down from 72%.
• Laminate usage dropped from 21% to 17%.
• More surveyed designers specified solid surfaces: 25%, up from 14%.
• Butcher block usage increased, jumping from 7% to 12%.
• Marble also had a surge in popularity, increasing from 7% to 14%.

6. Goodbye, color. Uncertain times can often lead to conservative behavior, which may explain why homeowners seemed to shy from color as 2010 drew to a close. The use of every color, except beige and gray, was either flat or down across the board from a year earlier. Even neutral browns have been deemed too bold by many clients. Worth noting:

• Brown tones were used by 42% of designers as 2011 approached, down from 50%.
• Whites and off-whites dropped only slightly, from 62% to 59%.
• Grays increased from 10% to 16%.
• Beiges and bones rose from 46% to 55%.
• The only other colors to be used by at least 20% of designers were bronzes and terracottas, which remained flat at 24%.

 

Clean lines and open spaces define this Houston kitchen designed by Cheryl Carpenter featuring Poggenpohl Teak Décor Lava eco-friendly cabinetry, a textured dark grey laminate. Photo: Miro Dvorscak

7. Bonjour réfrigérateur. While most types of refrigerators lost some ground in the last quarter of 2010, French door refrigerator strengthened its position as the type specified most often by NKBA member designers. Here are the cold, hard numbers:

• French door refrigerators jumped from 67% to 78%.
• Freezer-top refrigerators were only specified by 8% of designers as 2010 drew to a close, down from 10% a year earlier.
• Freezer-bottom models fell very slightly from 60% to 59%.
• Side-by-side units actually rose slightly from 46% to 49%.
• Among smaller units, refrigerator or freezer drawers remained flat at 31%.
• Undercounter wine refrigerators fell sharply from 50% to 36%, an interesting change given the increasing use of unchilled wine storage.

Top: Liebherr’s 2060 series is available in freestanding, fully-integrated, and stainless integrated designs, providing consumers the opportunity to customize based on their preferences.

8. Inducting a new cooktop. Despite being ubiquitous in Europe, induction cooktops haven’t overtaken gas and electric models in this country—at least not yet. However, survey results indicate that they are slowly closing the gap:

• Of the designers surveyed, 70% used gas cooktops—a drop from 76% last year.
• 41% of survey participants used electric cooktops, up from 38%.
• 34% specified induction cooktops, up from 26%.
• Single wall ovens are down from 46% to 42%.
• Double wall ovens are up from 68% to 74%.
• In addition, warming drawers are down from 49% to 42%.
• Ranges are down sharply from 81% to 68%.

 

Thermador’s Masterpiece Series 36-in. Silver-Mirrored Induction Cooktop uses exclusive component technology that is as responsive as gas and as convenient as electric. Photo: Thermador

9. Lighting lightens up. Despite its warm and often people-flattering glow, incandescent lighting continues its journey to obsolescence.

• Only 35% of surveyed designers incorporated incandescent lamps into their work, down from 50% at the end of 2009.
• Instead, they are clearly opting for more energy-efficient lighting options: LED (light-emitting diode) lighting has increased from 47% to 54%.
• CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps), however, aren’t picking up any new proponents; their usage remained flat at 35%.
• Halogen lighting is down from 46% to 40% over the past year.

10. Trashy designs. A greater emphasis is being placed on trash considerations in the kitchen perhaps as a consequence of an increased awareness of and/or interest in living greener. Does living greener mean living cleaner? It could…

• 89% of kitchens designed by NKBA members in the final quarter of 2010 include trash or recycling pullouts.
• Garbage disposals were incorporated by 86% of designers, up from 75% in the previous year.
• Trash compactor usage has increased from 11% to 18%.

FOUR BATHROOM TRENDS

1. Quartz countertops. Just as quartz has come on strong in the kitchen, it continues to take away market share from granite as the material of choice for bathroom vanity tops.

• Nevertheless, 83% of NKBA bathroom designers did opt for granite tops in a recent design—a decrease from 85% in the previous year.
• Compare those numbers to the 54% who specified quartz vanity tops at the beginning of this year, which represents a decent increase from last year’s 48%.
• By contrast, solid surfaces haven’t gained much popularity in the bathroom—they’re at 25%, up from 23%.
• Solid marble has declined from 46% to 37%.
• Cultured marble and onyx have increased from 12% to 19%.
• No other material has even 10% of the market.

 

DuPont Zodiaq quartz surface in Bianco Carrara. Part of the OKITE collection, Bianco Cararra features a white stone with gray veining. Photo: Shadowlight Group

2. A worthy vessel. Homeowners were still renovating their bathrooms at the end of 2010, as survey results indicate that designers were specifying more lavatory sinks across the board. Of all the different types of sinks, undermounts continued to dominate newly remodeled bathrooms.

• 97% of surveyed NKBA bathroom designers specified undermounts in the fourth quarter of 2010, up from 95% a year earlier.
• Vessel sinks have become the clear second choice among designers: 51% of survey participants have specified them in the final quarter of 2010, up from 39% a year ago.
• Integrated sink tops were also up from 34% to 38%.
• Pedestal sinks were up from 21% to 29%
• Drop-in sinks were up from 23% to 27%.

3. Green bathrooms. In this instance, “green” doesn’t mean “eco-friendly” but the color green. A year ago, green color palettes were used by only 14% of NKBA designers, but at the end of 2010, that figure had risen to 24%. For some homeowners, perhaps green is more relaxing. For the rest of us, neutrals seem to do the trick, as whites (and off-whites), beiges and browns are the three most commonly used color tones in bathrooms.

• White and off-white palettes are up slightly from 57% to 60%.
• Beiges are down sharply from 66% to 57%.
• Browns have dropped from 48% to 38%.
• Other common color tones: blues at 22%, grays at 21%, and bronzes and terracottas at 17%.

 

Inspired by the delicate scallops of a seashell, Delta’s Addison Bath Collection in chrome finish brings a fresh, inviting look to the bath. Photo: Delta Faucet Company

4. Faucet finishes. According to survey respondents, satin nickel was a popular faucet finish in both bathrooms and kitchens. Does more need to be said? If so, here are the details:
• In the kitchen, the percentage of NKBA designers who specified a satin nickel faucet rose from 41% to 63%.
• In the bath, the percentage increased from 45% to 57%.
• Stainless steel is popular in the kitchen, specified recently by 44% of designers, but less so in the bath: 16%.
• Other popular faucet finishes in both the kitchen and bathroom are bronze and oil-rubbed bronze, polished chrome, and polished nickel.

What Martha Has To Say About Stone Surfaces

The limestone slabs here were treated several ways, proof that a stone's finish is as important as its color. Finishes can be applied separately or in combination.

Honed stones (1 and 5) have the most natural-looking finish. After the stones are cut, they are sanded with a coarse abrasive to create a smooth, matte surface.

Buffed and distressed stones (2) are first burnished to remove imperfections. Their surfaces are then weathered to create an aged look. The latter process involves tumbling the cut pieces of stone in a cement-mixer-like machine together with smaller stones and water.

Brushed and hammered stones (3 and 4) are first treated with stiff bristles, which give them a moderately rough finish. Hammers similar to pick axes are then used to create a pocked effect.

Satin brushed stones (6 and 7) are treated as brushed ones are, but with softer bristles. This method results in a smoother finish.

Highly polished stones (like onyx) have a glassy look. Fine abrasives smooth the surface in the same manner sandpaper is used on wood.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Choosing and Using Stone Surfaces - Martha Stewart Home and Garden

Marble
Marble starts life as limestone. But under certain conditions, the components of limestone crystallize, creating veins and changing its texture.
What to Know: Marble is softer and more absorbent than granite, but it's still tough enough for any application in your home. All marble can be polished, though green shades -- often called serpentines --can be difficult to polish to a high gloss.
Best For: backsplashes, floors, pastry surfaces, tub surrounds, vanity tops
Care: Clean marble surfaces with water. If necessary, use a mild detergent, and thoroughly rinse afterward. Rust stains are fast to set and hard to remove, so act quickly. Use a poultice (available at flooring stores) to absorb stains. Sealing is an option, but some sealants may darken white pieces, so test a discreet area first.





Granite
Granite, which is available in a broad spectrum of colors, is often flecked with bits of minerals that produce a salt-and-pepper look. In some instances, the minerals form veins.
What to Know: With unmatched durability, granite is hard to scratch and even harder to stain. Domestically mined granite comes from many parts of the country, including Georgia, New Hampshire (the Granite State), and South Dakota.
Best For: kitchen countertops, pastry surfaces, fireplace surrounds
Care: With proper precautions, granite's luster will not fade over time. Use coasters, cutting boards, and trivets on countertops. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners, which can damage the surface.


Limestone
Limestone, which comes in an array of textures, is frequently formed from the shells of marine animals.
What to Know: The quality and color of limestone vary widely. Hard, dense pieces take a polish; softer ones do not.
Best For: bathroom surfaces, kitchen floors, entryways
Care: Seal as needed; as with most stones, the frequency will depend on how and where it's used and how it wears.


Onyx
Onyx is distinguished by its translucency. The layered stone often comes from caves.
What to Know: Although we use onyx to describe items that are jet-black, the stone is commonly white or pastel. It can be polished to a very high gloss.
Best For: bathtub surrounds, shower tiles, vanity tops
Care: Be careful; onyx is more prone to scratches than other stones. Seal often.


Slate
Slate is formed from the clay of ancient seabeds.
What to Know: Slate, which often comes in deep greens, blues, grays, and purples, has a matte surface and a distinctive cleft pattern.
Best For: floors, kitchen countertops
Care: Use only neutral, mild alkaline, or specialty cleaners. A low-luster finish, such as honed or distressed, will preserve slate's matte surface; seal as needed.


Travertine
Travertine has a porous surface, the result of the stone's forming near hot, mineral-rich bubbling springs.
What to Know: Holes give this stone a spongelike appearance. It can be ordered with them filled for an even surface.
Best For: bathtub surrounds, countertops, shower tiles, floors
Care: If holes are unfilled, be vigilant about wiping up spills, to keep them from pooling in the holes; seal as needed.


Sandstone
Sandstone comprises dense layers of sand for earthy tones.
What to Know: Hardness varies, depending on where the stone is quarried.
Best For: bathtub surrounds, shower tiles and walls, kitchen floors
Care: Seal as needed.


Soapstone
Soapstone gets its soap-like feel from the element talc.
What to Know: It resists high heat.
Best For: kitchen countertops, vanity tops, sinks, fireplace surrounds
Care: Do not seal; rub out scratches with mineral oil or by lightly sanding them.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Choosing and Using Stone Surfaces - Martha Stewart Home and Garden

Dining by Design

My favorite time of year! 

Article from Architectural Digest:  As one of the nation’s largest supporters of HIV/AIDS service and preventive awareness, DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS raises millions of dollars each year through its fundraising efforts within the design community. Dining by Design—the organization’s signature event, now in its 14th year—was recently held at Manhattan’s Pier 94 as part of the Architectural Digest Home Design Show and included fantastical displays of creativity at its best. Students, emerging designers, and some of the biggest names in the business—including architect (and chairman of DIFFA’s board of trustees) David Rockwell, celebrated event planner David Stark, and fashion designer Tracy Reese—dreamed up inspired installations that look more like pieces of art than dining environments. See highlights from this year’s New York exhibition, the first stop on its national tour.

Read more: http://www.architecturaldigest.com/resources/features/2011/05

 /delicious_decor_slideshow#ixzz1KZFWNEyq

A Beautiful Alternative - Wood!

Bring your design dreams to life with fine solid wood countertops expertly hand-crafted to bring elegance, warmth and durability to any decor. Our wood countertops can be both decorative and functional. Butcher block countertops can be used for food preparation such as cutting and chopping. A kitchen island that serves as an alternate eating area or as a service station for entertaining is one example of how a decorative wood countertop can be used. Whether you are choosing an island countertop, a kitchen countertop, a bathroom countertop, a wet bar countertop or a cutting board / butcher block, Craft Art has the broadest selection of the highest quality wood surfaces to meet your needs!

 

Benefits of Wooden Countertops

Wooden countertops are a great alternative when designing a kitchen because of its many benefits. Our wood countertops for kitchens are less porous than natural stone. The wood is protected with four coats of Tung-oil finish, making for minimal maintenance. As with any wooden countertop, you must wash and disinfect it to keep it free of bacteria. Aside from cleaning the wood counters, you will have to apply some Tung oil every 2-3 years which takes about one hour. Any damage to one of our tops is easily repaired. Usually you can do it yourself, with some simple directions from our staff. Our wood countertops are a unique alternative which will add warmth and charm to modern or alternative kitchen designs.

 

 Click here for more information on wood countertops.

Dr. Bubbles to the rescue!

As I have discussed before, the care & maintenance for soapstone is minimal and very simple. The most common way to keep your soapstone looking beautiful was by using mineral oil, until a better solution came about - Dry Wax.  There are many benefits to the wax such as: 

• Eliminates the need for frequent oiling
• A completely food-safe blend of natural oils and waxes
• Mold and Mildew Resistant
• Not a petroleum-based product like mineral oil
• Eliminates 90% of soapstone countertop maintenance

As always, we try to find ways to make it even better and easier for the client.  Dr. Bubbles has come to the rescue!  Dr. Bubbles is the best brand of 100% natural handmade soap, not to mention an incredible scientist! She has offered to help us at Garden State Soapstone create our own wax that will not only protect your soapstone but bring out the beauty of your countertop unlike any other product.

First, we’ll line up stone samples and apply all of the oils at once with rags (round 1).  We’ll observe the stones and determine the following:  1) how long the each oil remains on the stone and 2) the finish that each oil provides.  Once we determine which oil(s) provide the most preferable finishes, we’ll eliminate the others and re-apply the selected oils (round 2).  We’ll keep doing this until we’ve decided what you like best. 

Click here for more information on Dr. Bubbles and make sure to check back for weekly updates on the progress of our experiment!

New Pics!

A great kitchen design firm we work with, TrueLeaf Kitchens, forwarded some fantastic photos of a final project we worked on.  The client loved their new kitchen so much they staged all the photos for us!

Garden State Soapstone is now LIVE!

Check out our very first Garden State Soapstone video, now on YouTube and our website: http://www.gardenstatesoapstone.com/

Let us know your thoughts!

Be Inspired!

When designing/remodeling a kitchen, it can often be very overwhelming with all the different appliances, materials, and finishes. I came across a great article from KOHLER on how to bring your own inspiration into kitchen design. If you want to transform your kitchen into a room that fits you personally, here are some of the highlights I found helpful:


A solid foundation
Staying true to the architecture of your home is always a good bet. Let the style, lines and moldings guide your choices for materials and general design aesthetic.

“Stick with the underpinnings of your home’s architectural influences [and] let that serve as a foundation,” suggests Bethany O’Neill of Classic House Interiors in Naples, FL. “But no need to be a purist. There’s a place for eclectic, and that can make for a more interesting space that people want to discover.”

In other words, stay true to the spirit of your home, but add your own personal twist.

Let travel be your guide

Some of the most interesting journeys have been known to inspire culinary experiences—including kitchen design.

“People are most relaxed when they’re on vacation. And typically they’re drawn to an ideal environment so they come back with dreams of a casual respite,” explains O’Neill.

A trip can fill you with renewed inspiration and stimulation. The sights, sounds and even smells of your destination can bring new ideas to the kitchen table. For example, O’Neill mentions the Tuscan style as one that has proved popular with many of her Florida clients.

“For a while it seems everyone was escaping to Europe during the hurricane season. They’d traveled through a world that was rustic, warm and inviting and wanted to bring that home with them.”

Intricate wrought-iron accessories, marble or stone flooring and sturdy hardwood furniture are just some of the elements of this decorating style that can be successfully integrated into a kitchen project.

That said, it’s best to resist the temptation to pack up a trend or inspiration that won’t be at home in your new kitchen’s climate or environment.

“Knotty-alder doors are great in the Colorado Rockies,” O’Neill explains. “Not so much here in Florida.”

For more ideas you can read the full article here.

Q & A

Since I get many questions about soapstone every day, I wanted to provide you with some of the most frequently asked questions. If you have any others, post below OR contact me here.

QUESTION:  Do I need to seal my soapstone counters like granite or marble?

ANSWER:  No. Soapstone is impervious, and therefore, no sealant is needed. 

QUESTION:  Is soapstone easy to scratch?

ANSWER:  Many varieties of soapstone will scratch. However, because of the extreme density of this material, scratches rarely will penetrate the surface - meaning they can easily be made invisible with a small dot of mineral oil. 

QUESTION:  What if I get a deep scratch on the countertops?

ANSWER:  Soapstone is easily restored to a smooth state with the use of 220 and 120 sandpaper, then applying oil.

QUESTION:  Is soapstone difficult to clean?

ANSWER:  Because of its matte finish, soapstone is simple to clean without leaving fingerprints or large greasy stains. Any mild dish detergent is recommended. Harsh cleaners will not harm the stone, however, may take off the oil (re-oiling may be needed).

QUESTION:  How often do I have to oil the counters?

ANSWER:  It will vary. However, generally once a month for the first 6 months. Afterward, the stone will stay darkened, unless the oil is removed with sandpaper or harsh cleaning chemicals. If the oil is removed, simply reapply oil and the stone will return to its darkened appearance.

QUESTION:  Can I put hot pots and pans directly onto the countertop?

ANSWER:  Yes, because of its non-porous, heat resistant properties, hot pans can be placed directly on the counter without harm.

QUESTION:  I understand that marble and some stones will "etch". Is this a problem with soapstone?

ANSWER:  No. Soapstone is impenetrable and non-porous, so it will not stain or etch as other stone does.

Soapstone Isn't Just For Countertops!

I was approached by a company, Amit Exports, Agra India and want to share their creations with you. They are a wholesale quantity manufacturer for hand-crafted Tablewares, Dinnerwares etc. 

Amit Exports was established in 1990 and today is India's leading producer and exporter of exquisite handicraft products. Now An Internationally recognized Export Oriented Unit, as the premier source forthe finest handicraft products in India.

They have a selection of produces such as...

• Tableware
• Desktop Accessories
• Bathroom Accessories
• Kitchen Accessories
• Aroma Diffusers
• Incense Burners
• Candle Holders
• Sculptures
• Gifts and Jewelry Boxes

...all of which can be made out of SOAPSTONE!

 

Also, they can make any item as per your artwork/idea/sketch if you are interested in having them developing your own creations, check out their website! 

What exactly IS soapstone?

If you are still asking yourself what soapstone is, read the article below...

There are two different materials known as "soapstone". The first material is talc; the softest mineral known and commonly used in manufacturing cosmetics, toothpaste, refractory materials and sculptures.
The second soapstone material is steatite. This soapstone was commonly used in colonial New England for fireplace hearths, sinks, countertops, and wood stoves. Today, steatite (soapstone) is still used for countertops, sinks, masonry heaters, flooring and cookware. Steatite is composed of several minerals, including talc, chlorite, dolomite and magnesite, which gives it a warm, soft feel to the touch. However, steatite is much harder than talc due to the other mineral components.

This natural quarried stone is softer than most other naturally occurring minerals. Although it is soft, soapstone is a very dense and non-porous stone; denser than marble, slate, limestone and even granite. Because soapstone is impenetrable, it will not stain, as liquid will not permeate the surface. Other stones, including granite, have a propensity to soil; this is why soapstone (Steatite) is widely used as chemistry laboratory tops and acid baths.
Soapstone is quarried all over the world, with the largest supply coming from many different areas in Brazil and India. The colors, movement and veining in soapstone vary depending on where the stone is quarried.

Have more questions? Contact us here.

Words of wisdom from the experts...

If you are having a hard time designing your kitchen, check out this interesting article I found from Architectural Digest...

Designers Tell All

When designing a kitchen, what are the key considerations? What are your favorite materials to use? What are your biggest frustrations?

Read more: http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architects/features/2008/01/tell_all_kitchen_article_012008#ixzz1JFD8473v

 

JUAN MONTOYA
When designing a kitchen, what are the key considerations? Storage! What are your favorite materials to use? Soapstone, polished slate, and natural wood. What are your biggest frustrations? Lack of space.KARIN BLAKE
I prefer to work with wood, stone, stainless steel and concrete, and I prefer to catch the morning sun—so lots of glass!
TIMOTHY CORRIGAN
Let’s face it, whether designers like it or not, people tend to congregate in a kitchen, so we always try to make them as inviting as they are functional: comfortable seating areas, spaces without harsh overhead lighting, both video and music options. The other big issue is finding a way to get maximum storage, because these rooms do more than just house the pots and pans.
KATHERINE NEWMAN
Some clients have the expectation that kitchen finishes will never stain or wear.
JIM JENNINGS
My biggest frustration is finding a home for all of the specialty appliances—does anyone really need a bread maker?
GRAHAM VINEY
Simplicity. I do not like over-designed kitchens.
THAD HAYES
I always plant an herb garden within 15 feet of the kitchen for ease of use. A kitchen should also have good natural light.
RICHARD LANDRY
My biggest frustration is balancing openness with enough cabinets and counter space.
WALLACE CUNNINGHAM
I first decide what the kitchen is to the client.
JOHN BARMAN
Practical countertops are very important. Corian is a great substance and comes in lots of wonderful colors.
DIANE BURN
Appliances are key to functionality: I prefer Wolf ranges and Sub-Zero refrigerators.
MARIO BUATTA
I like function—restaurant fixtures. Nothing cutesy!
EDDIE JONES
Besides the usual work triangles and gadgetry, I encourage people to consider their kitchen a very important composition of appliances, millwork and plumbing, integral with glass walls, openings and translucency. It’s OK to make decisions based on compositional balance and not just function.
CHARLES ALLEM
Today’s kitchens are an essential living area and are often integrated into the main living space, so it’s important to keep them streamlined and aesthetically pleasing.
BILL BENSLEY
My favorite materials are copper and stone. Considerations are durability first, that’s why I like to use stone sinks and floors. Frustrations? When is someone going to produce a good looking refrigerator?
GEOFFREY BRADFIELD
I am not a kitchen person; however, my favorite kitchens are classic, contemporary, white lacquer and brushed steel. I have recently been using countertops of clear crystal glass—very space-age and glamorous.
ROBERT COUTURIER
The needs of each client are always different whether one has a chef or cooks themselves. My favorite material to use when designing a kitchen is statuary marble—I just love the distinctive luster. Also, I use simple French limestone for the counters and lacquered cabinets.
ELISSA CULLMAN
We take into account the flow of the space making sure that all of the major functions of the kitchen work well together. We like there to be a triangle between the sink, stove and island. Also, decide how to distribute the large appliances, particularly if there is going to be a large refrigerator and an additional large freezer. If possible, move the freezer out of the kitchen to a pantry area because the enormous side by side fridge and freezer combination is imposing. Add freezer drawers into the cabinets for everyday necessities—like ice—and keep the oversize full height freezer out of the main space. One of the first considerations is to decide whether you want your cabinets to be paneled or flat. Will they be inset or over mounted, and then, what type of hardware? Do you want to see exposed hinges or use European hidden ones—because this will determine the overall “look” of your kitchen. We like all drawers and cabinets to have specific built-in functions, such as dividers for flatware, so the client doesn’t have to buy inserts for their drawers. Our favorite materials are durable granite countertops and white kitchen cabinets. We love wooden floors in kitchens—they’re warm and easy on your feet. The biggest frustration is finding lighting appropriate for a kitchen that hasn’t been seen before—particularly because in a kitchen there are a variety of lights. We often need some sort of flush mounted or recessed lights for general illumination, a pendant fixture to hang over the island and a different pendant—perhaps a chandelier or something else decorative—for over a breakfast table

Read more: http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architects/features/2008/01/tell_all_kitchen_article_012008#ixzz1JFDIxRVi

Cooking on Soapstone!

Having a hard time finding the extra money in your budget to eat out or order in? We have a solution - Pizza stone!

Pizza stones are becoming more and more popular.  Since soapstone and will withstand temperatures over twice that of cast iron and other metal cookware. The strength and natural beauty of soapstone, as well as its natural heat conduction and retention properties make it an extremely versatile cooking and serving tool.
Because of it's natural properties, soapstone does not stain. Once heated, soapstone will radiate heat for hours.

I recently had a client come to me overjoyed with how our soapstone did wonders for her pizzas so I had to share this with you.  She informed me that the bake time went from over 6 min down to 3 min and 40 seconds, and the quality and crispness of the crust is far better than it was before. The soapstone is largly responsible for the good crust spring that you see in the photos below.

It will save you money and great bonding time for the family! Plus, who doesn't love pizza?? If you are interested contact me at  jay@gardenstatesoapstone.com

Spring is here!

Now that the weather is warming up, I want to share with you how soapstone can be used as the perfect material for your outdoor kitchen & grill. 

Soapstone is ideally suited for outdoor use because it is heat and stain resistant. Some other stone countertop surfaces hold heat, creating a scorching surface in the summer months. Unlike other stone, soapstone never needs to be sealed and will not absorb food or liquids, which may leave stains.

 

Thinking of going with Granite?

Think again! There are more options today than ever before and soapstone is the best! Check out the list below for soapstone advantages over granite and other natural stone counter tops.

• Quarried Naturally
• Heat Safe
• Will Not Harbor Bacteria
• Non Porous
• Will Not Stain
• No Radon Emissions
• Will Not Etch
• Easy to Maintain
• Easily Repaired if Scratched
• Requires No Sealer
• Natural Looking Honed Finish

 

 

A soapstone counter top requires less maintenance than a granite counter top.

 

 

 

 

A granite kitchen counter top needs maintenance on a regular basis.