Kitchen
“, the Wave House was a productive and rewarding collaboration between the client” “motion of a wave and can be seen in the flexible slate on the contoured fireplace, Modular” “in the Wave House has generated a great deal of interest! I am certain you will have the opportunity for such a project - it seems like a growing trend. Thank you for your interest!” “of the Wave House on Houzz.”
Advantages: Concrete's durability is unquestionable. And options beyond the industrial aesthetic are easy with shapes and additives like stains, pigments, aggregates and coatings. Architects and designers favor this material's ability to unite with other concrete elements in the home, like floors. And because the counters are handmade by artisans, you can easily have details such as integral drainboards. Disadvantages: It's not unusual for concrete, especially when cast in place, to develop tiny hairline cracks as a result of curing and settling. The cracks are typically not structural.
The basics: Concrete is composed of water, a binder and a filler. •The binder, cement, is most commonly Portland cement, but slag cement and fly ash — both industrial waste by-products — are becoming common additions. •The filler, an aggregate, can be anything from sand, gravel and stone to crushed glass and beads. Concrete counters are either precast or cast onsite (also known as cast in place). •Precast concrete counters are cast offsite by a local artisan, who pours the counter based on a template of the layout. •Cast-in-place (or site-cast) concrete counters are poured right on top of the cabinets and finished in place. Cost: $100 to $150 per square foot installed.
Sustainability: Many solid-surface manufacturers tout GreenGuard's approval, which certifies that due to the nonporous surface and low chemical emissions, the countertop contributes to healthy indoor air quality. The ecological shortcoming of these products is their composition, which comes from finite, nonrenewable resources, including petroleum and aluminum trihydrate (ATH), which is strip mined. Choosing a solid-surface product with recycled content, like Durat or Corian's Terra series, will reduce the negative environmental impact.
The basics: Solid-surface counters are a blend of acrylic or polyester resins, powdered fillers and pigments, cast into slabs. There are many manufacturers of these synthetic counters, including Dupont Corian, LG Hi-Macs, Wilsonart, Formica, Durat, Staron and LivingStone. In the counter above, a solid surface counter from Staron (on the left) is combined with Calacatta marble. Cost: $50 to $100 per square foot installed.
Advantages: Solid surface is durable and nonporous, making it resistant to stains, mildew and bacteria. Its unique composition makes buffing out scratches a breeze and provides the appearance of a seamless installation, including for integral backsplashes. This product outshines its competitors with an ability to be thermoformed into unusual shapes and configurations. Disadvantages: Its resin-based composition makes this counter material sensitive to heat and vulnerable to scratches. As with many countertops, keep your trivets and cutting boards handy.
. Clear Some Counter Space. Small appliances can take up a lot of counter space, but it isn't easy finding a good storage solution — particularly for items that get a lot of use. Countertop built-ins can save a lot of space and hassle. This clever built-in slides a toaster in and out of place without the need to unplug it or move it from cupboard to counter.
. Ultimate Storage Solution for Your Measuring Cups. Measuring cups and spoons always seem to be buried at the bottom of a drawer, unattached from one another and drifting in kitchen chaos, right when you need them most. Beckie Farrant came up with this cute and clever idea: Paint sticks, hooks, and vinyl lettering keep everything right where she can find it and make converting measurements easy too.
Steam Oven With Convection Steam Cooking - $2,699.00 » Steam ovens are a fabulous new addition to the appliance market. Healthy cooking, moisture without added fat and being able to proof bread are just some of the perks that come with this clever unit.
by Certified-LightingGarden Lighting Added to 18,470 ideabooks Recently added by rooming Last comment "lit up yard" This photo has 24 questions These garden pots light up the evening yard and are certain to spark conversation.
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