Everyone is talking about Island Stone. What is Island Stone? Island Stone is a company that brings the primitive and exotice beauty of pebble stones to your home. Many people go to 5-star hotels or spas and experiences these pebble beneath their feet and they want that same feeling in their home whether it is outside, inside or both. Island Stone is renowned for its amazing durability and everlasting beauty.
Crafted by nature these stones are gathered from various island locations. These pebbles are color matched and hand sorted for size and quality and laid out into patterns giving each layout a unique one-of-a-kind look.
As a design firm specializing in kitchens and baths we have used Island Stone in numerous projects for clients. The material is beautiful and versatile, leaving a lasting and timeless impression on any design. To learn more about Island Stone and their products visit their website: http://www.islandstone.com/index.php
As an artist I feel that design is an extremely important part of everyone’s lives. Anywhere you look you see design whether it is noticeable to the eye or not. Being an artist I look at the world in a much different way. I see the beauty and design in something as simple as a water bottle to the complexity of a suspension bridge. Something as simple as a wrapper package took time to imagine, design and create or something as complex as a spaceship was carefully designed an executed. No matter what it is that you come into contact with there was a design and thought process to that object. Living organisms are even designed specific ways. Design can go as deeply rooted into living objects to the other spectrum: interior design, graphic design, industrial design, architecture, etc. Everything has an aesthetic to it, a certain beauty that draws an individual in.
There is a tremendous amount of thought and energy that go into designs. Connection to the project is extremely important. If there is no enthusiasm then there is no desire to accomplish the project. Connection to a project could start with something as small as a paint color or as big as the cabinetry. Maintaining the enthusiasm is just as vital as finding the intimacy to the project from start to finish. As a designer you want to show your clients how important it is to see and even feel their designs. There is nothing better than to have client come up and say that they were given exactly what they wanted and how amazed they were to see the amount of time and care that go into developing a project no matter how big or small. It makes you feel good that you have created a work of art for your client to not only enjoy but to interact with and experience. You see them appreciate the smaller pieces within the room. You see them touch a certain piece that really speaks to them within the space. They begin to realize that sometimes the smallest details are what really ties the room together.
During the entire design and remodel process your client begins to see the amount of work that is being done and the level of detail and they realize the value in their investment. They begin to see the complexity of what the design actually entails. The design goes further than just what is seen there is design within the plumbing infrastructure which gets hidden behind the drywall. Again there is a thought process and a design to it.
Design is in everything we touch and everywhere we look. So when you see something as simple as a candy wrapper; take the time to appreciate it…
Bathrooms have come a long way since their birth which dates back to as far as 3000 B.C. At this time hygiene wasn’t the reason for the baths; water had religious value. Water was seen as a purifying element for the body and soul therefore people would cleanse themselves before entering a sacred area. Communal baths became very common in villages but not all ancient baths were in the style of large pools. The first surviving bathtub that was recovered from the Palace of Knossos dates back to 1700 B.C. Not only was the tub similar to that of today’s tubs put also contained an extensive plumbing system as well. As time and people evolved baths which were typically public became favored as private spaces throughout the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries in the west.
Today, bathrooms are becoming at-home spas and retreats for people. It is a way for people to experience total relaxation within the comforts of their own home. As lives become more hectic; people want a way to escape from reality for a little while and relax and this is what the new bathrooms are doing for people. Steam showers, chromotherapy, aromatherapy, and music therapy systems are being incorporated into these spaces. These spa-like environments are meant to aid in a better lifestyle, body and soul. Each therapy component does something for the body, mind and soul. People are beginning to explore these different therapies within the bathroom environments; sometimes just using one while others may use a combination or all components for the ultimate spa experience within their home. The three therapies listed (chroma, aroma and music) are gaining more and more popularity in our culture and individuals are seeing the benefits of the therapies. (more…)
Going “Green?” Everyone is doing it. This is a subject that makes many antique dealers smile. Most of the more than 50 dealers at The Antique Store in Wayne have dedicated their lives to preserving artifacts for future generations. This goes hand and hand with reusing and recycling materials. Recently, I visited a “Green” web site where all products were made from 100% recycled materials. Think of the energy wasted in re-manufacturing, packaging and shipping these products made from recycled raw materials! It made me wonder why anyone would spend money for lessor quality, mass produced products when for a similar cost they could buy a truly 100% recycled, zero carbon footprint product, and support an independent local business at the same time. Volumes have been written on the environmental advantage of durable verses non-durable goods but we still continue to purchase merchandise from discount retailers.
In recent discussions with those interested in recycling, several people have mentioned that being environmentally conscious is a mindset. Frequently, we buy something newly manufactured and mass-produced because that seems most convenient. We purchase things and have them shipped to us from across the country, ignoring the enlarged carbon footprint due to transportation. Antiques are truly environmentally sound. When buying an antique, we can feel good about not depleting our natural resources because we are using products that have already served a generation or more. When we buy anything local we reduce the energy costs involved in transportation. How much more economical it is to reuse quality items, rather than dispose and replace simply because the quality of the new piece was poor to begin with. A quality piece of furniture does not need be a rare, expensive antique. Older furniture made from real wood will not cost any more than the imported, mass-produced, glue and formaldehyde stick furniture you will need to throw away in five years. (more…)
Have a question on your kitchen or bath remodel??? Not sure of what’s out there??? Need design or material advice???
This section of our blog is dedicated to answer questions that you might have with regard to you remodeling ideas and needs for your kitchen and/or bathroom. Please feel free to leave us any questions that you might have and we will be more than happy to answer them for you.
The kitchen is not just for cooking anymore. The kitchen has evolved into a space where families gather to converse, eat, entertain and do homework to list a few of many of today’s kitchen activities. As the kitchen has evolved; so have the elements within a kitchen. One that truly has come to high demand is the kitchen island. Kitchen Islands have probably become one of the most sought after features of a kitchen. They serve multiple functions: a gathering place for entertaining or keeping the chef company, laying out food buffet style, an extra work space and storage. The kitchen island has become the hub for multiple activities within the kitchen and quite possibly aided in the kitchen becoming not just a place to cook but a gathering place for socializing and bonding.
The kitchen island has evolved from utilitarian to a way to add another layer to the design; islands are now becoming feature statement or a piece of furniture within a kitchen. It is a way for some homeowners to express their character and flair without going overboard. Islands may vary both in size and function. They may incorporate various tiers or levels, contain different appliances and plumbing and different materials all tailoring to each unique client and their way of life and comforts.
Designing a kitchen island with flair and to stand out but make it work with the rest of the space can be done many different ways. It all goes back to the client, their needs and taste. Different finishes and tops are being used to juxtapose the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. In a kitchen island you see the tops in a stone or wood or sometimes partially wood and the rest are stone. Depending on the clients and how they are utilizing the space determines how the island is designed, what materials and finishes should be used and what type of cabinet accessories should be specked out. A different finish for the cabinetry in the island might be different from that of the main cabinetry. The main cabinetry could be a natural cherry finish and the island could be done in a soft crème or celery green with a worn finish in order to make the island look like a custom piece of furniture. Different countertop materials can be used or combined as well in the island area. Perhaps along with the granite countertop on the kitchen island there is a separate slab of wood on the end of the island which then could be set at a different height as well to customize the island further.
Multiple activities can take place as well within the island. The main cooking area may be place in the island as well as an eating area. The eating area could be raised up to separate the two zones allowing the cook their space while still be able to entertain their family or guests. The island could also be used as just a prep area where the cook would prefer to only have a prep sink and the rest of the island is work space. It can also be customized as the main washing zone where the sink and dishwasher are placed. Seating can also be incorporated which again welcomes people into the space and doesn’t alienate the host while they are preparing, cooking or cleaning. There are many elements that go into a design to specifically tailor to each individual client. Designing a custom kitchen island is one way of transforming an ordinary kitchen into a warm and welcoming space.
Being a designer is in part becoming a teacher by educating and opening the eyes of people who have a difficult time visualizing a design and its details and helping them to understand and see the amount of time and thought that goes into custom projects is very important. It is hard to see the value in a project when you are staring at a dollar amount and don’t really comprehend all the work that is being achieved within the investment your client is embarking on. Whether it is a sculpture, painting, living room, computer or car; there is work and design done in order to create this piece specifically for you.
There are reasons why a Ford costs what it does and why a Bentley costs what it does. Both are cars and get you from point A to point B but how they are designed and engineered and the materials used for each of these cars are completely different. Each car is designed to target a buyer or buyers. But what makes them different from one another? Why is one so much less than the other? It is the details, quality, personalization and craftsmanship that goes into each car. You are probably asking; why are you talking about the difference between two different cars? Because, it is the same in the remodeling and design industry. Design, details, quality, personalization, professionalism and craftsmanship are all qualities that are key to a seasoned designer or remodeler and the custom design you want to achieve.
Designs go further though than just a drawling on a piece of paper. The execution, process, and the fabrication needed to achieve a specific design is just as vital as the drawling on the piece of paper. A design can look beautiful but it has to be executed and engineered correctly in order to do so; this is why certain things cost what they do. A beautifully hand-crafted and custom designed piece of furniture is going to cost significantly more than an out of the box piece from a local store; why? The amount of time, engineering and quality of materials that goes into these specialty items is incredible; there are people that are specifically trained to do what they do. Is that not why we hire them?
A designer is hired because of their specialized training and education. Seeing the value in your investment is key and sometimes it is hard to see this value until you have seen and experienced the finished product. Perhaps the biggest obstacle is getting past the cost of something and truly realizing that this particular piece or deign is unique to you and only you.
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