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 10, 2011

Understated Opulence Kitchen Remodel in Blue Bell, PA

Our clients lead a very busy life between their two children family and travel they are constantly on the go. When our clients came to us they had just purchased a home that they wanted to make into their own; so they asked HomeTech to create an open multi-function kitchen space for them to be able to enjoy when they come home. By opening up the kitchen to the living room and breakfast room created an open environment for all family members and guests to interact with the host that is cooking and also providing a view of newly created bar area featuring red onyx mosaic tiles on curved front.

Classic cherry raised panel cabinetry featuring a new open peninsula facing the breakfast room provides a flood of natural light to spill into the kitchen. The red onyx tile was the perfect solution to tie the cherry cabinetry to the textured granite countertops. A new center island with low voltage pendant lighting featuring contrasting red oak hardwood flooring add an dramatic play between light and dark within the space. A new wall of built-in cabinetry gave way to the perfect place to house the double wall ovens, refrigerator and multi zone wine cooler added the right convenience to the adjacent bar.

The project came out just the way the clients wanted and have been enjoying their space ever since. Below are some before and after shots to see the dramatic changes:

To see more on this project visit the protfolio page on the HomTech website: Understated Opulence: Blue Bell, PA

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…)

September 19, 2011

Greg & Michelle

I think everything is fabulous you guys did such a great job. When we came back it was just phenomenal; it was like being in a whole new house! The kitchen I can’t express enough; Michelle and I both love to cook and both love to cook at the same time and we are not running into each other, not bumping hips. It’s just made such great efficient use of a smaller space for two cooks. We love the look of it; we love the feel! The center island is just phenomenal for working off of.  The appliances are great.  We love the backsplash; the look of the stacked stone is beautiful. By far the favorite is the opening up of the dining area into the living room as well as the bigger doors with the punch out; it totally gave us a whole new area where our large size family could sit down and enjoy meals. It’s a very enjoyable experience. I definitely love this whole bar hutch area here; adding it was just so critical to the whole theme of the household. I just can’t get over whole much space we are able to leverage and utilize in this small area.

The bathroom is incredible it like having your own space away from everybody else the walk-in shower with the beautiful the flooring feels like a massage every time you walk in there. Just the raindrop feeling of the shower head; it’s such a beautiful shower and the glass tile is incredible and the curved shower is amazing we love, love, love the tub; very enjoyable; and every one of the problems we were looking to solve were just solved and even better just phenomenal. You guys did a great job.

 

Visit HomeTech Renovations’ Portfolio to view  additional Kitchen-Bath Remodeling Projects.

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.

August 12, 2011

Kitchens Today: Function Meets Lifestyle

Kitchen Remodel, Chester Springs, PALife has evolved and so has the home. We have gone from a simple life to a hustling to finish everything before the day is out. Societies have transformed from formal and compartmentalized into a more casual and open entity; so has the home. We have seen and open floorplans within a home so families can interact together more within the domicile. The home is now taking on the lifestyle of the clients within the space through the use of materials and design. There are numerous factors that dictate the aesthetic and design within any space; a client’s gender, age, family and marital status are key components that will drive the materials and design.

Family oriented spaces are designed for a fasted paced way of life. Especially within the kitchen area. Appliances are now being designed to cut cooking time in half; entertainment centers are incorporating multi-media. The layout of the kitchen and adjacent spaces are integral to the family dynamics within the home as well. Kitchens, which have become the hub of the home, are now opened up into the family room, dining room and in some cases even the entry into the home. This gives a family the ability to interact with each other when one person is in the family room and the other is in the kitchen. Kitchens have truly become a multifunctional/multifaceted space that provides not only a place to cook and eat but to do homework, entertain, and gather together.

More mature clients tend to be drawn towards some newer technologies such as, induction cooktops, convection ovens, which make life easier within the home. Older clients also lean towards the more exotic woods and stones. It seems as though the emphasis with this group of clients relies on a cohesive design that makes sense for them and what they like. The preference for high quality materials, timeless design and all the gadgetry that they desire is what separates them from the younger generation.

English Country Style Kitchen Remodel, Villanova, PAGender can also play a part in how a space is designed. Women tend to gravitate to more airy lighter color ways and aesthetics where as men prefer the darker earth tones, stainless steel and rich deep wood hues. Women tend to look at the beauty within appliances and men search for the functionality and durability. There are also exceptions to these theories.

The home has become a place of gathering centralized around the kitchen so manipulating the space through different materials, multiple surface levels and unique layouts can provide the homeowner with their ultimate kitchen design. Using different levels on countertops helps to keep openness within a floorplan while dividing rooms and defining adjacent spaces provides multiple levels for different cooking tasks, epitomizes the sense of gathering, creates multiple working zones for the user maximizing the space and completely catering to the need of the client. Mixing surface materials and even cabinetry is another way to create interest and work zones within the kitchen space. Today your dwelling space is dictated by you and how you live.

HomeTech Renovations has completed many kitchen designs with open space in mind. An example would be this Eclectic Kitchen Design in Chester Springs, PA.

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

May 19, 2011

Counrty Refined Kitchen Remodel

Filed under: Kitchens,Recent Projects — Tags: , , — HomeTech Renovations @ 3:11 pm

coverLocated in New Hope, PA is a kitchen remodel project recently completed by HomeTech Renovations that provided our clients with a new space within their home to enjoy for many years to come. French cream antiqued painted wood cabinetry featuring espresso finished island, artisan handmade tile splash, and lime stone hood are key features within this welcoming kitchen remodel. The warm tones and accents create a warm space. The new layout allows the growing family to interact more in the kitchen area.

This space took over some major changes throughout the remodel. Take a look a some before and after photos:

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To see more of this project visit HomeTech’s portfolio: Country Refined: New Hope, PA

February 11, 2011

New from one of our featured local artissans, Lilywork …

Filed under: Baths,Innovative Materials,Kitchens — Tags: , , — HomeTech Renovations @ 5:23 pm

 Home Remodeling: Lilywork

January 31, 2011

2011 Meritorious Contractor of the Year Award Winner

2011 Meritorious Contractor of the Year Award Winner for "Residential Kitchen Over $120,000"2011 Meritorious Contractor of the Year Award Winner for “Residential Kitchen Over $120,000″ in Bucks/Mont NARI!!!

Congratulations to everyone’s hard work that was involved in the creation of a beautiful project that won the 2011 Meritorious Contractor of the Year Award for “Residential Kitchen Over $120,000″ in Buck/Mont NARI!

To learn and see more of this project view the kitchen design portfolio by CLICKING HERE.

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