Countertops 101

I am not sure about you but I have grown a little bored by granite counter tops. It is just that they seem to be everywhere (including my Kitchen, so no one get offended) . There are just so many other interesting and great options out there.

Besides the obvious laminate, ceramic tile, and marble, there is Soap Stone. It is a natural stone that typically comes in blacks, greys, and greens.The counters pictured in the Kitchen above are soapstone and they have always been a favorite of mine. While it has always had popularity on the East Coast it is finally moving to the Midwest. It has such a rich look to it and I just love the way it feels.

Solid surface has "come a long way, baby". The counters pictured above are Corian and I love how they wrap down the sides of the cabinets. . This is a big trend right now and is being done with all types of products. It looks so clean and finished. (The kitchen was designed by Patricia Gray Inc.)

Wood counter tops are a wonderful way to add warmth to a Kitchen and especially nice paired with stainless or oil rubbed bronze appliances.

Reclaimed Wood counters are a good choice for Baths or Kitchen islands.

Recycled glass counter tops are just that, made from recycled glass. I love this product because you get such a wonderful range of colors. I have used the "sea glass" mix of colors for Kitchen and Wet Bar counter tops and it is beautiful. This product is available from companies like www.icestone.com and www.vetrazzo.com

Concrete counters are wonderfully diverse in appearance and texture. It can be molded, stained, and polished to have a sleek, modern look or left with pits and rough edges for a more rustic feel.

Bamboo has been sort of the wonder product of the 2000's. We saw a huge surge in using it in place of hardwoods for flooring and that has spilled over to dishes, serving ware, sheets, robes, and counter tops. Bamboo regenerates extremely quickly, so it is sustainable, but also very durable. The product prictured above is from Teragren Bamboo Products.

Engineered Stone has really swelled in popularity for the consumer who likes a cleaner more controlled look. Companies such as www.zodiaq.com, www.viatera.com, www.silestone.com, and www.cambria.com have developed products that are part natural stone, such as quartz, fused with resin. It has the durability of a natural stone with the color and pattern control of a solid surface product like Corian.

The Kitchen above showcases Zodiaq's Bianco Carrera product which looks similar to a white Carrera marble. I, for one, have always dreamed of a Kitchen with Carrera marble counters, but I know from living in a house with one they are difficult to maintain. This is a great sub.

Paper is another "green" option, in addition to recycled glass and bamboo, for counter tops. Yes, I said paper. The top pictured above is made by www.ecotop.com which is a product made from 50%recycled paper and 50% bamboo fiber. It comes in tons of colors and has a smooth, almost concrete or soapstone like look.

Glass has gained in popularity in bathrooms and Kitchens in the last few years. It is beautiful illuminated from underneath and comes in clear, frosted, colors, and textured. It is great in combination with other surfaces as pictured above from www.thinkglass.com .

Stainless Steel. I know some of you may be grumbling that it is "So 50's", but I love the look of it. Commercial kitchens have never stopped using it for it clean ability and durability. Re-visit this old friend, even in combination with another surface. It looks especially good with painted cabinets.

Besides stainless, there are bronze and copper options for counter tops as well.

(Some products mentioned above my not be readily available in your area.)

I hope this was informative and inspiring to you. A dear friend of mine suggested a while back that I share some of my designer in sight and secrets, so I have to credit this to Kristi. She actually asked me to do one on carpet, which is coming I promise, so look for Carpet 101 in the near future.

Cheers,

BBS

images: Google Image, Patricia Gray Inc., Country Living, IceStone.com, Concrete Revolution, Teragren Bamboo Products, Zodiaq, EcoTop, ThinkGlass.com, Bostton Design Mfg.

Can We Be Friends????

The buzz around the studio yesterday was, "Have you seen Jennifer Aniston's new house?" I quickly perked up, as I am obsessed with most things Aniston. I actually think that we could (would) be friends if our paths would just cross.

Jen and I like most of the same things; trips to Cabo, designer clothes and bags, living in beautiful surroundings, Brad Pitt, margaritas....You get the point.

The chatter at the studio was about her being on the cover of the March 2010 Architectural Digest and how great her new house is. I rushed home to see if my issue was in my mailbox. Sadly no, but one of my co-workers was kind to share her copy with me today.

Her home is stunning. It has the feel of a sophisticated, luxury hotel in some remote location, yet is still comfortable and inviting. I began imagining myself hanging out in the Kitchen gathered around the wood burning pizza oven or shooting pool in the game room over-looking the LA skyline. I know, don't you worry, that I will never be hanging with Jen and her pals, but it is fun to dream on this snowy day.

I fell for the fruit wood piano pictured above. The simplicity of the light wood against the dark wood paneling on the wall is fantastic. To see a piano in something other than glossy black or mahogany is such an unexpected pop. The lamp in the foreground of the picture is also amazing. It appears that everything in the house has a story and a place. It doesn't feel staged or put together.

The house was designed by Stephen Shadley, who has done many homes for Diane Keaton and was named to AD's top 100 in 2009. His look seemed very familiar to me when I discovered that he had designed the AD Green Room for the 2009 Oscars. It is pictured above.

Last year when the images of the Green Room were released I thought it to be perfection. The space was actually an interior room with no windows. Shadley created the feeling of being in a highrise looking over the city by using murals.

One item I kept returning to over and over again while I was reading the article on Jennifer's house was her fabulous Hermes watch. Isn't divine? Maybe she will let me borrow it when we become friends.

Cheers,

BBS

The image of Jennifer Aniston on the cover of AD was taken from Google image and photo credits to Peggy Sirota. Image of her home scanned from AD issue and photo credit goes to Scott Frances. Image of AD Green Room taken from Google Image. Image of Jennifer Aniston at her home scanned from AD and photo credit to Peggy Sirota.