Kitchens Design Philadelphia
Bath Design Philadelphia
Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Philadelphia

December 8, 2011

Custom Design Countertops-Work of Art

Countertops Become a Work of Art with ThinkGlass by Mailhot

Custom Kitchen Counter TopsDo you want your custom designed countertops to be a work of art? Do you want them to be beautiful and distinctive statement pieces? Do you want a solution that is green and environmentally friendly? Or do you simply want a clean, elegant look? Then look no further than ThinkGlass by Mailhot.

ThinkGlass is comprised of recycled glass and is, therefore, a sustainable material, and it is created using thermoforming, a process that shapes and molds through the use of heat. The glass can be infused with colors or can be lit from within by LED lights, which add a more artistic touch.

ThinkGlass can be used in a variety of applications for both residential and commercial projects. It is a blend of art and function, all at once providing a unique and custom solution while also serving as a performance product. ThinkGlass can be incorporated into residential projects in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, kitchen countertops, tabletops, bathroom vanities, raised bars, backsplashes, doors, walls, flooring, and shower enclosures. In the commercial field it is most often used to create stunning bars and nightclubs, while it is also utilized for hygienic countertops in healthcare and transaction desks in retail stores, hotels, and offices.

ThinkGlass is among the most exquisite high-end products in the world, and no other material offers such versatility, making the possibilities for its use endless. As the producers of ThinkGlass state, the product offers, “luxurious design with chameleon-like flexibility.” Crafted from 100 percent recyclable glass and serving as a sustainable material, each ThinkGlass design is custom-made with a variety of options for texture, thickness, color of glass, and edge treatment. The finished project is always unique and one-of-a-kind due to the customization of the material and the process through which it is made, so no other kitchen or bathroom will look like yours. Since each design is custom-made, it requires the use of highly skilled labor and craftsmanship throughout the design and production processes.

The technology used to create ThinkGlass allows for the unsurpassed creation of these custom designs. As a leader in the thermoforming industry, the producer’s versatile technique used to make the product allows for the creation of new or repetitive textures at a very low molding cost. The company’s exclusive thermoform ovens are the largest of their kind in North America, measuring at 88” x 152”. These ovens provide for the creation of almost any shape without needing to blow the glass, and allow for curving, shaping, molding, and heat sculpting. The technology can also create glass slabs without having to abide by thickness constraints. The variety of thicknesses, ranging from 1/8” to 18”, provide design possibilities that far exceed what can be accomplished with other mineral-based materials, such as granite or marble. For kitchen countertops, the 1.5” thick glass is the most commonly applied, but depending on the client’s desires can range to 4” thick. These custom glass designs can also be infused with dazzling colors by Master Glass Artist, Michel Mailhot, to create a personalized artistic touch so that the glass becomes more of a decorative art object and less of a utilitarian piece.

 

To further visually enhance the awe inspiring aspects of ThinkGlass, powerful LED lights can be imbedded inside to provide a glow from within. The LED lights are offered in pure white or a variety of colors which enable the client to create a light show. Programmable by remote control, hundreds of colors can be manipulated to transform the glass to suit the mood or to add interest to a special event. The client has the ability to pick one color, change colors, fade the light in and out, or create a flashing or strobe light effect. The incorporation of LED lights can highlight countertops and backsplashes, and can transform a simple space into the atmosphere the client desires.

Clients will question the durability and maintenance of ThinkGlass, much like they do with any material proposed for a countertop or vanity material. But do not be concerned, as ThinkGlass’s durability rivals all common countertop materials such as stone, granite, and marble. Under normal use and conditions, the material should not break, chip, crack or shatter. Since glass is pure and non-porous, it will not be affected by any chemicals and it is naturally resistant to scratches, mold, and mildew, making it the most hygienic ThinkGlass: Custom Design Glass Countertopscountertop material on the market. Although it can also endure high heat without cracking or scorching, the producers of ThinkGlass recommend not sitting hot pots or pans on glass counters as breakage near edges or corners can occur under certain circumstances. ThinkGlass is virtually maintenance free, since the textured finish hides fingerprints and the material is impossible to stain. Cleaning is quick and easy. There is no need to use special cleansers specifically designed for the material; simple window cleaners or water and vinegar solutions will suffice.

A cutting edge material in the interior design market, ThinkGlass provides clients with the opportunity to create something truly distinctive and inspiring in their home. Whether it is used as a simple, clean solution for a bathroom vanity, or as a bold, colorful statement for home entertaining, ThinkGlass will become a piece that is talked about. So the next time you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, consider ThinkGlass. The possibilities are endless.

Contact HomeTech Renovations for more information on custom designed kitchen-bath countertops, kitchen-bath remodeling or renovation project.

October 3, 2011

Updating the Look of Your Home Without Breaking the Bank

bankDuring these trying times when the economy is down and money is tight it seems almost impossible to improve or update your home without feeling like you are going bankrupt. By doing simple things around your home you can improve any space without having to reach deep into your wallets.

A Splash of Color – Color is a powerful tool that can provide a change and enhance in almost any environment. While most of us may not spend a lot of time thinking about room color, it affects every day of our lives. Room color can influence our mood and our thoughts. Colors affect people in many ways, depending upon one’s age, gender, ethnic background or local climate. Certain colors or groups of colors tend to get a similar reaction from most people – the overall difference being in the shade or tones used

To have a beautiful home, you do not have to worry about trends. Color trends will come and go. The people who live in a home make it beautiful by choosing colors that reflect their likes and their personalities. Color has the power to change the shape and size of furnishings as well as the shape and size of the room itself. Adding color will give your tired room a whole new look and make you, the homeowner, feel better.

paint fanEach color has a psychological value. Colors behave in three basic ways: active, passive, and neutral, and you can easily match every room’s colors to your personal desires and taste and to the room’s purpose. Light colors are expansive and airy, they make rooms seem larger and brighter. Dark colors are sophisticated and warm; they give large rooms a more intimate appearance. Specific colors emit different emotions so picking a particular color to go in a specific room is important.  (more…)

U.S. Green Building Council

Filed under: Going Green — Tags: — HomeTech Renovations @ 8:22 am

USGBC, United States Green Building CouncilThe Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a 501 c3 non-profit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.

With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, nearly 16,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 162,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs. (more…)

September 16, 2011

Birchcraft Pioneering the Power of Green

Filed under: Baths,Going Green,Kitchens — Tags: , — HomeTech Renovations @ 2:39 pm

Due to Birccraft’s heritage they have a healthy love and respect for the environment and for natural resources and are committed to offering an ecofriendly product that will be part of their rich legacy.

In selection of raw materials, Birchcraft’s plywood meets the lowest formaldehyde requirement, tested with results of 0.00 PPM of formaldehyde. Their hardwoods are purchased from an FSC‐certified supplier, and our cabinet finish is rated as LOW VOC.

Birchcraft has even created a green cabinet checklist that has become the standard or their company:

  • CARB1 Compliant: Cabinet Box, Columbia, PUREBOND Plywood
  • Plywood Test results Showed 0.00 PPM Formaldehyde
  • Hardwoods are purchased from an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)  Certified Supplier
  • Cabinet Finish is Low VOC rated
  • Reclaimed Wood is an option for certain species
  • FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified Bamboo is standard
  • Composite veneers available

Birchcraft has gone above and beyond simply the purchasing of the best materials; they have upgraded our finishing room with state‐of‐the‐art energy conservation equipment. Improving computer controlled systems to optimize our conservation of energy use and changing all of their lighting in the entire manufacturing facility to be 100% high efficiency, low energy.

To extend their commitment, Birchcraft has embarked on an active recycling program for our wood scrap, finish byproducts, and for aluminum and plastic containers.

September 2, 2011

Eco-Friendly Lighting Breaking the Mold

Filed under: Going Green,Innovative Materials — Tags: — HomeTech Renovations @ 10:00 am

lighit 3According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, electric power plants are the largest U.S. industrial source of carbon dioxide emissions, a main cause of acid rain and global warming. A higher demand for electricity means more fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and natural gas are burned by plants to generate power. Besides replacing antiquated electric power plants with ones that use renewable energy sources, energy-efficient bulbs are a phenomenal way to reduce the amount of carbon emissions added to the atmosphere. As an bonus, energy-efficient bulbs lower your utility bills, making them a smart long-term investment!

LED Lights: A lighting giant in a tiny package, the lit LED bulb produces very little heat, so a greater percentage of electricity goes into generating light rather than wasting energy. Because LEDs lack filaments, powered instead by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material, they outlast incandescent bulbs. An LED bulb can last ten years, or 10,000+ hours, and will dim at the end of their life rather than flicker or suddenly burn out. Incredibly hardy, they resist vibration and shock, making them a reliable light source.

Fluorescent Lights: Did you know that energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps use 66% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs for the same amount of light? What’s more, fluorescent compact bulbs last an average of 10 to 15 times longer than your heat-producing standard filament bulb. The fluorescent bulbs of today are a far cry from those loudly buzzing, sterile white creations recognizable from office lighting in the 80s, and compact fluorescent bulbs fit into many of the medium socket and candelabra lamps on our site. If wattage is throwing you off or making you second guess the brightness of compact fluorescent bulbs, don’t worry. Because fluorescent bulbs are remarkably efficient, a low watt fluorescent bulb brightens a room with the same intensity of a high watt incandescent bulb

Halogen Lights: Halogen bulbs are wonderful for long periods of use because their filaments, encased in quartz envelopes, produce bulbs of remarkable longevity. They also emit more light per unit of energy compared to incandescent bulbs, their bright pools of light perfect for reading a book or focusing on a work station.

Lighting and the Environment: Lighting is not only about illuminating a space so that you can see well. It is a decorative addition to your life that will affect the way you feel and function. Lighting also affects the environment in several ways. The amount of energy consumed by each light and the materials used to manufacture such lamping products both influence the environment. (more…)

August 3, 2011

Livinglass, Living Green

live glass 1Now a days people are looking for more and more unique and innovative design solutions that step outside of the typical vanilla box. They are also interested in the environmentally friendly products as well but sometimes the cost and even the aesthetic drives them away. Livinglass is a company that features beautiful recycled glass and 100% resin products that can be showcased in a mélange of different environments and applications within the design of your home or particular room.

Inspired by the colors and textures of nature, Livinglass is a laminated architectural glass which captures organic materials between luminous sheets of clear glass. Because of the infinite variety of forms and materials in nature, each Livinglass panel is unique.

Livinglass is committed to preserving the environment by offering Earth-friendly products made from recycled materials. Our new line of LEED friendly Light products lets you take inspiration from nature while protecting the environment. Scroll down for more information about how Living Glass products can be used for LEED credits.

  • Available with recycled glass and 100% recycled resin.
  • Earn LEED credits with our environmentally friendly Light.
  • Available in thickness starting at ½”Affordable, budget-friendly.
  • Impact resistant safety glass.
  • Class A Class I Fire Rated.
  • UV, water, and chemical resistant.
  • Antimicrobial and sanitary.
  • Resists scratching, fading and discoloration.

To learn more about this product and more about what they offer visit the Livinglass Website.

View our portfolio of unique vintage kitchen and bath designs

June 23, 2011

New from Lilywork …

new lily

The above images show installations completed over the last year using Lilywork’s Byzantium Decorative Field. The 6″ Decorative Field tiles are also referred to as ceiling tiles because of their delicate linework reminiscent of historic tin ceiling tiles.

View the below link to visit with Kara Angotti, of Beyond Green Design, behind the scenes at the Lilywork Studio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf7PCs4nptY&feature=youtu.be

January 4, 2011

Concrete Countertops

Concrete Countertops, kitchen and bath remodelsMore and more kitchen dealers, architects and designers are going with concrete in the kitchen! With the multitude of choices in color, pattern, shapes and sizes; Verdicrete has become a beautiful and creative medium that can be used in both modern and traditional design styles. With Verdicrete, you can bring your innovative ideas to life with countertops, decorative inlaid panels, fireplace surrounds, floor tile, wall tile, furniture, and bath enclosures. The possibilities are endless! (more…)

June 10, 2009

Going Green: The Vintage Advantage

Filed under: Going Green — HomeTech Renovations @ 9:22 am

Antique accessory ideas for kitchens and/or bathsGoing “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…)