Sinks: Stainless Steel, Granite, Porcelain--What Are the Differences?

When purchasing a new sink for the kitchen, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the many different materials and choices available.  Should we choose stainless steel?  Granite?  Fireclay?  Porcelain?   Let's look at the pros and cons of some very popular options.

•  Stainless Steel:  The most popular material for kitchen sinks, stainless steel is durable, hygenic, rust free and will last a long time. It is available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and depths to suit any situation.  There are even stainless steel apron sinks. One can choose between very straight lined designs with sharp, crisp edges which blend well with contemporary looks, or curvilinear designs with radius edges for a softer look.  For a good quality stainless steel sink, look for one that has at least 18-gauge thickness and with at least an 18/8 percentage of chromium and nickel in the steel.  The chromium provides the luster, and the nickel gives the strength.  A thicker gauge stainless steel is also quieter. The best stainless steel sinks will also have sound-deadening material on the bottom.  Stainless steel can scratch, however, and will develop a patina of tiny scratches over time.  A sink grid can help minimize scratches.  Stainless steel is very easy to clean, but harsh chemicals should be avoided, and the sink should be wiped dry after use to prevent water-spotting.  Some manufacturers are offering water-spot and fingerprint resistant finishes on some of their top-of-the-line models.

  

  Blanco #516213 Precision

  
  
•  Granite: Granite sinks are available two ways--one can have a sink made out of granite slabs, which are beautiful, but very heavy, and expensive--or one can have a composite granite (or quartz) sink made of granite dust, combined with acrylic resins in about an 80/20 ratio and molded under high pressure in one piece.  They are very hard and durable, heat, stain and scratch resistant and are available in many different shapes, sizes and colors.  

  

  Blanco IKON 30" Silgranit apron sink

• Fireclay:  Fireclay sinks are molded from china clay under high pressures, dried, then coated with a porcelain glaze under very high temperatures (1600-2000 degrees) to make a hard, non-porous surface.  They are resistant to acids and other stains, and resist scratching and chipping (though they can be chipped).  They are not available in as many sizes and colors as composite granite sinks.
  

  

  Franke Orca sink, white

• Porcelain:  Long a classic in the kitchen, porcelain sinks have a cast iron core and are covered with a porcelain glaze and fired under high temperatures.  The result is a smooth, glossy finish and a timeless look.  They are available in drop-in and undermount models and in a wide range of colors.  Porcelain sinks are very durable, and with proper care last a very long time.  Harsh abrasives and chemicals should never be used to avoid wearing away the glaze, and care should be taken in placing objects in the sink to avoid chipping.  The sinks are very heavy and do require additional support for their weight.

  

  Kohler Riverby equal bowl, white

  
  
  
  
  
  

2017 Kitchen Cabinet Trend

In contemporary kitchens, all-white cabinetry has been a popular pick. Homeowners are drawn to white because it’s a neutral color and neutrals are timeless. All-white cabinets are popular because they give the space an open, clean, simple, and practical concept.

This trend will go on for some time while, slowly, another style is emerging in popularity.

All-white cabinetry is being combined with other cabinetry surfaces such as wood grains, steel, concrete, etc.

There are many reasons this is becoming the trend. Connection to the outdoors and uniqueness are just a few reasons homeowners are marrying the two.

Some homeowners like to include natural elements to feel connected to the outdoors.  Each outdoor element has characteristics that convey particular impressions. Wood is natural and organic, concrete is sturdy and heavy, steel is sleek and strong, glass is smooth and light, and so forth.

Collaborating with different colors, textures, materials, and finishes with their white cabinetry will make the space look unique and feel special while maintaining timeless design.

Different surfaces, worktops, accessories, and lighting can make the design more interesting. Leicht offers variations in all those categories.  Check out more designs at  leichtatlanta.com 

MODERN VS. CONTEMPORARY

INTERIOR DESIGN

MODERN VS. CONTEMPORARY

Modern and Contemporary designs are growing more popular these days. Both styles have their own unique characteristics. However, many times, it is tricky to distinguish between a modern interior and a contemporary interior. It is difficult to differentiate because they are so similar and we assume they are the same. 

MODERN INTERIOR

Let’s talk about Modern design. Modern design denotes a period in time during the 1920s-1950s. This was a time of new inventions and machination. Modernists were forward thinkers and challenged traditional views. Technology and social norms were reflected through art and design, thus, new artistic forms emerged. Some of the common characteristics of a modern design would include materials of the time, geometric shapes, and artistic trends including minimalism, surrealism, cubism, etc.

Materials that are common in this style includes: natural woods, plywood, plastic, linen, and leather. Furniture is made simplistic with elegant shapes. A modern space will look and feel simple, airy, and clean with colors that are monochromatic and neutral.

CONTEMPORARY INTERIOR

While Modern design is about the 20^th century era, Contemporary design integrates Modernism with today’s trends and movements. This means that Contemporary design is always changing. Today’s contemporary materials will be in lacquer, glass, stone, steel, cork, etc. Currently, sustainability is in demand, so there will be a lot of materials that are eco-friendly and designs will have the indoor-outdoor feel.  Contemporary interiors are also minimalistic, simple, and clean-lined. 

Check out more designs from the Leicht website!
http://www.leicht.com/en/kitchen/modern-style/

TEXTURE, MATERIAL, AND COLOR

You are remodeling your bathroom and you’re not sure how you want your bathroom to look. First of all, pick an inspirational piece and use your design ideas around that inspirational item.

Look at several elements such as texture, material, and color.

When considering texture, you should think about scale, light, and visual weight. These features determine how something feels, whether it’s tactile or visual. Rough textures usually add weight to an object, making the item feel more dense and cozy. While softer textures create a lightweight, smooth impression.

A key component to consider is material. A material can mimic some of the special characteristics of another. A good example is the wooden-like tile floor in the image which is actually made of porcelain made to look like wood. You can say you have wood for your bathroom floor!

Lastly, choose the perfect color scheme. Anticipate how you’d like to feel towards the space or object. Choosing color temperature is choosing warm or cool colors. Darker tones such as grays and blues tend to feel cool, fresh, and relaxing. While red, orange and yellow are professed as warm, vibrant and energetic.

Look at the image of the tile back-splash. There are a lot of fun patterns and textures, different materials, and complementary colors all in harmony. The rough surface of the porcelain represents sand on a beach, while the reflective glass is perceived as the ocean. The tile has subtle hues of cool colors consisting of greens, blues, greys, and white.

You have an awesome tile, but what are you to do with it? Make sure to pair it with something complementary. The hues of the tile are quite subtle, so my next step is to match it with a contrasting and bold finish.  For instance, metal, oil-rubbed bronze faucet would warm up the space a little bit. 

What's New for 2017?

As 2016 comes to an end, we look forward to an exciting and prosperous 2017.  If you  have been holding off on that kitchen or bath renovation, now is a great time to go forward and make it happen. 

We at CSI are seeing some very interesting and innovative developments in our industry that makes us very excited about kitchen and bath design possibilities for the coming year.

One trend we love is the use of textured woods for cabinets. Yes, oak is back, and in a big way; but not your grandpa's oak! today's oak utilizes different sawing techniques like quarter-sawn and rift-cut to change the appearance of the graining pattern.  We are seeing rougher textures that include the natural knots and blemishes in wood to create an interesting surface.  The wood may also be wire-brushed to give it a weathered, old barn wood look, and combined with stains and glazes to further enhance the texture.

The other big trend we see in cabinets is in painted finishes.  Grays, whites, and creams are hot, and the combinations of painted finishes with the textured woods are very appealing.  We also see a surge in other colors, like blues and greens, to put a personal stamp on a kitchen or bath.

Lighting is the other major trend we see in kitchens now.  Lighted cabinet interiors are being requested more and more. Glass-fronted cabinets can be lit traditionally with halogens in the ceiling, but advances in LED technology also allows unobtrusive narrow strip lighting down the sides.  There are even glass shelves that can include LED lighting.  And how about lighted drawers and base cabinets to make it easier to find items?  Pendants, chandeliers, and ceiling fixtures have also become major design statements in the kitchen with the bold new designs that are available now.

So, we are very excited about about the new looks and trends that are coming on the market, and we invite you to visit our showroom to see what the future has in store for your next project! 

KITCHEN WISH LIST

What does your ideal kitchen look like? What would you include in your dream kitchen? The answers are different for everyone, but there are certain features that everyone agrees are must haves.

1. Plenty of storage: The ideal kitchen has plenty of space to store all of your cooking equipment. The best way to add storage if you lack square footage is to go up. Take advantage of all the ceiling height you can by installing tall wall cabinets. If you have a high ceiling you can create a dramatic look with stacked wall cabinets that may have glass in the upper portion perfect to display your favorite decorative pieces.

Get creative with custom cabinet features that maximize storage. A blind corner cabinet, for instance can have one of several devices that make it easier to access items. One is a “magic corner” which is a chrome wire pullout with baskets. Another popular one is the “Le Mans” unit which as two kidney-shaped sliding shelves. Tall pantry pullouts make the most of a narrow space, and rollout shelves in base cabinets make accessibility easy. Don’t forget customized drawer accessories like cutlery trays, spice and knife inserts. Don’t forget to provide special shelving for that cookbook collection.

2. Appliances: You, of course, will want your ideal kitchen to have the latest in appliances. One trend, especially if you entertain a lot, is to have two dishwashers to make clean-up a breeze. A professional-style rangetop with a built-in griddle is a feature most cooks would love to have. Double ovens and a warming drawer are a must when cooking for a crowd. And don’t forget specialty appliances like steam ovens, built-in coffee systems, and extra refrigeration space like under counter refrigerated drawers, beverage centers or wine storage units. An extra ice maker is also handy for entertaining.

3. Lighting: Great lighting can make the difference between a good kitchen and a “Wow” kitchen. Lots of natural light from large windows is a must. Of course, you need general ambient lighting, specific task lighting and lighting for atmosphere. Be sure to include under-cabinet LED lighting, recessed ceiling cans for general lighting and pendants or fixtures over islands. If you have glass-fronted cabinets you will want to have interior lighting to sparkle off crystal and china. For special lighting consider rope lighting above the cabinets as well as below the toekick area. Dimmers on most of the lighting are the best way to create atmosphere and set a mood when entertaining.

4. One feature that most people would include in a dream kitchen is a large island with seating. The island incorporates many functions. The large surface is great for food preparation, it can double as a buffet for serving, and it contains lots of storage. It is perfect for creating a convivial atmosphere for chatting with friends and family and to keep an eye on the kids as they do their homework.

5. Style: Everyone’s idea of what the perfect kitchen looks like is different, but there are some elements that will elevate your kitchen above the norm. The cabinetry you choose is the furniture of the room and sets the mood. Hardware is the jewelry of the kitchen and adds extra flair. Color is essential in creating mood and making the kitchen a pleasant place to work. Add special touches like barn doors for the pantry, open beams, marble countertops or a special tile pattern for the floor to individualize the space.

Whether you are planning to build a new house, or remodel your current one, plan your dream kitchen for comfort, storage, functionality and beauty and make it as individual as you are.

Remodeling and the Lead-Based Paint Factor

We all want to make sure that we are living in a safe, healthy environment.  One area where we do have control is in our own homes. 

Lead is one of the most dangerous elements that can be present in a home, and young children, especially under two years of age, are the most sensitive to lead poisoning.  Lead was frequently used in paints prior to 1978, and flaking, peeling, and cracking paint create dust that can be breathed through the air, or ingested by inquisitive children by chewing on or touching painted surfaces such as window sills, stair railings and door frames.  Though some lead is naturally present in the outdoors, lead-based exterior paint can flake off and contaminate the soil around the home and be tracked indoors so it is important to remove shoes at the door and wash hands. 

The risks of lead exposure to young children include lower IQ, slower growth, learning and behavior problems and anemia.  Unborn children are at risk also as lead is stored in the mother's body and can be transferred to the fetus and via breast milk to the infant.  Adults are not immune either, and high levels of lead in the body can lead to cardiovascular problems, hypertension, kidney and reproductive issues among others.

The good news is that lead poisoning is entirely preventable.  For one thing, lead-free paint was banned for residential use in 1978, so if your home is newer than that, there should not be cause for concern.  According to the EPA, houses built between 1960 and 1977 are 24% more likely to contain lead-based paint than newer homes; between 1940 and 1959 69% more likely; and before 1940 87% more likely.   But even if your house was built prior to 1978, if the paint is in good condition; i.e., not peeling, cracking, or flaking, and sealed under layers of newer paint, then there may be no cause for alarm.  Frequent wiping down of painted surfaces and vacuuming with a HEPA filter are good practices.  But if in doubt, it is wise to test for the presence of lead.   

However, if a home is being remodeled, and was built prior to 1978, it is likely that paint will be disturbed in the process.  It is important to have the paint in the home tested for lead content.   The EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule) "requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and pre-schools built before 1978 have their firm certified by EPA (or an EPA authorized state), use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers and follow lead-safe work practices".  In Georgia, that means that a Certified Renovator must be licensed by the Georgia Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to supervise all RRP-regulated projects and to perform lead testing on all surfaces that will be disturbed. 

The removal of lead is a federally mandated process.  A lead test must be performed on any home from 1978 or older by a certified renovator.  The certified renovator must wear very specific protection gear and properly secure the area being affected with multiple layers of protection.  If the paint involved is outdoors, the soil or immediate area must be properly covered.  One area which is generally overlooked is in window replacement.  Windows in homes from 1978 or older may contain lead and can contaminate the area outside and inside the house if it does contain lead and areas are not properly protected. 

If your home was built prior to 1978, and you are planning to remodel, be sure to use a certified renovator to test for lead. 

For more information from the Environmental Protection Agency on how to keep your home safe and lead-free visit  http://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family#sl-home