Archive for category Product Reviews

Game Changing Light?

Sintesys Chrome and Acrylic Star Pendant Light.   My best guess would be that my clientele would easily be a “love it”  OR  “hate it” opinion.   From my perspective this is a work of art, for modern decor.  It is sassy, has a fluid energy and original to say the least.   If other decor did not support and balance its truly distinctive design, it could fail quickly.

It carries a style that is undeniable.   If you are struggling to create a focal point, the buck stops here!  Whether it be a dining room, bedroom, or seating area, this pendant could easily reinvigorate your decor!    The frame features a lustrous chrome finish, partnered with the white acrylic panels it delivers a warm light that balances it’s integrity.

Specification Highlights:  Takes five 13 watt CFL bulbs only, 28″ wide, telescopic rod system, overall height adjusts 20-29″, canopy is 5″ high, hanging weight is 10.6 lbs.

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Plants .. from heaven above

Defy gravity, safe space, purify your air, bring more nature into your life and home.   This invention has been seen in similar designs ~ make no mistake this is no topsy turvy!  Greenery brings more life to your environment, and the Sky Planter has little hassle with all the rewards.

Imagine the possibilities… herbs in your kitchen, soothing scents in your bath, or simply cleaner air in your home office.  A few compatible plants include:  Syngonium, Anthurium, Rubber Plant, Boston Fern, Fennel, Geranium, Kentia Palm, Mint, Orchid, Parsley, Peace Lilly, Strawberry, & Hoya.

BOSKKE means ‘a small forest’ and that’s exactly what you can create with our intelligent eco-sensitive designs.

Learn more at www.boskke.com on the web or Facebook!

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Preview: New & Innovative Plumbing Fixtures

The 47th annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is right around the corner!  This year the show will be at the Chicago’s McCormick Place on April 16‐18, 2010, where more than 30,000 attendees and nearly 700 exhibitors and co‐exhibitors are expected to attend. With many of the world’s leading kitchen and bath manufacturers showcasing their products, one of the largest categories that will be represented on the trade show floor are all the new and innovative plumbing fixtures that includes an array of bathtubs, faucets, showers, sinks, toilets, whirlpools, bidets, saunas, spas, and other bath and kitchen‐related products.

Here is a preview of some of the most innovative products being showcased this year.

MAAX Bath Inc. is a leading North American manufacturer of award‐winning bathroom products for the residential housing market.They will be featuring the freestanding Viaggi bathtub, which radically transforms the art of bathroom design, and similar to a sculpture in a museum, this stunning piece is designed to take center stage in the bathroom. The tub sits effortlessly atop a solid wooden base and features a strikingly modern clean‐cut design. Its rich and earthy textures and colors add to its revolutionary structure an air of modernity and the new bathtub is also amazingly ergonomic

MAAS viaggi tub

BLANCO has an exciting new product ~ the BLANCO SALON, which is a high‐tech compost bin with MircoEdge™ technology to collect everything from fruit and vegetable peels to egg shells and coffee grounds. This product coordinates with any sink and is an eco‐friendly way to be eco‐conscious indoors and also get a greener garden outside. The SALON is innovative in that it’s a built‐in composting system that doesn’t take up any counter top or under‐the‐sink space, and it has a sealed lid so you can prevent odors. It’s also dishwasher safe and easy to keep clean.  (no picture available at this time ~ check back after the show!)

Hansgrohe, the renowned manufacturer of bathroom and kitchen plumbing fixtures will be showcasing their latest PuraVida™ line, which is already a recipient of numerous awards and the company’s newest venture with Phoenix Design designed to convey “more form, more emotion.” Hansgrohe deliberately turned away from purely geometric forms to embrace gently rounded lines and flowing shapes, and the collection of bathroom faucets, state‐of‐the‐art showers and wide range of accessories strives to transform the modern bathroom into a soothing oasis. Thanks to a proprietary dual‐process innovation, PuraVida offers flowing lines and a stunning, never‐before‐seen, duet of lacquered white surfaces and high‐gloss chrome. Furthermore, the shower components in the PuraVida collection benefit from the company’s revolutionary AIR Power™ technology.

hansgrohe-purvida-pure-vida

Here is a video of the creation: Hansgrohe PuraVida

Cosentino, a global natural stone manufacturer, will be launching their new Integrity sink which is the first sink to be made completely from one piece of Silestone.  It is hygienic properties and a high resistance to scratch, stain and heat. Customers will have a choice of 21 popular colors.

COSENTINO integrity sink

Moen will unveil the new Arbor™ pulldown faucet which features a graceful, high‐arc spout, multi‐function pulldown wand and docking mechanism that offers the perfect combination of form and function. In addition, the S‐shaped handle, which can be installed on the right or left side of the faucet, adds an unexpected touch of style.

Moen Arbor

ROHL, purveyors of high‐end, luxury faucets, sinks and fixtures for America’s finest homes, resorts and hospitality projects.  This year they will feature the new Vincent Series collection. The promise of the Vincent Series emerged from the mountain resort of Saint Vincent nestled in Italy’s Piedmonte region, where picturesque villas and grand villas dot the landscape. ROHL tapped talented Italian craftsmen who interpreted classic European forms and features into striking shapes which resulted in the centerpieces for the new series.

ROHL Vintage

Be sure to visit often as we continue to report on the hottest new products on the market!

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eco™

A counter top that won’t melt—or scratch, stain or scorch.
And it is one of the most GREEN products on the market !

eco by cosentino2

Glass never wears out – it can be recycled forever. Every month, American´s throw out enough glass bottles and jars to fill up a giant skyscraper.  A glass bottle can take up to one million years to breakdown.  On the other hand, Americans recycle nearly 13 million glass jars & bottles every day.

eco countertops polar capEco™ by Cosentino is ahead of their time, and prove to be GREEN at best. Production of their counter tops is expected to reuse the equivalent of 60 Million glass bottles every year!  The only use products that have reached the end of their lifecycle – this means materials being used in ECO™ by Cosentino cannot be incorporated in to any other industrial product that would otherwise collect in landfills.

-mirrors salvaged from houses, building and factories

-glass from windshields, windows and bottles

-granulated glass from consumer recycling practices
porcelain from china, tiles, sinks, toilets and ECO by Cosentino elements

-an eco-friendly resin with 22% of its composition coming from vegetable origin (mainly corn)

    The Green Collection is composed of colors containing 75% post-industrial recycled raw materials.  Polar Cap, Crystal Ash and Starlight are made mainly from recycled mirror. While the colors Luna and Crystal Sand are composed mainly from recycled glass and porcelain. The color Black Forest is composed mostly of recycled glass and quarried stone.

    The Revive Collection is composed of 75% post-consumer recycled raw materials.  The colors Terra, Riverbed and Iron Ore are mainly composed of from recycled glass, mirrors and industrial furnace residuals and White Diamond is mainly composed of recycled glass.

    Eco Colors

    Click on the logo below to learn more.

    logo-eco-by-cosentino

    recycled surfaces

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    Time to re- THINK GLASS

    logo think glassGlass counter tops are the new rage.  They are edgy, timeless and even sustainable!  Before we look at the particulars, check out the  10 top reasons why you should get glass countertops for your kitchen or bathroom :

    1. Wow factor that makes it the focal point of your kitchen
    2. High-end appearance
    3. Maintenance free
    4. Non-porous, making it suitable for Kosher kitchens
    5. Most hygienic countertop on the market
    6. No Cross-contamination
    7. Can endure high heat without cracking or scorching
    8. Impossible to stain
    9. Textured finished underneath that masks fingerprints, common wear and allows scratches to go unnoticed
    10. Can be edge lit to transform your countertop, creating a floating and ethereal beauty

    Think Glass lighted bar topSo what is it about ThinkGlass’  glass countertops that makes them one of the hottest trends in kitchen & bath design?   First of all, they can be highly customized to meet your design preferences.   With a choice of 7 colors, 10 textures, 3 thicknesses, and 3 edge treatments, the creative possibilities are countless!    Second of all, they have a high-end appearance that certainly separates them from the main stream product (granite, marble, etc) choices you see today.   Third of all, as the only transparent countertop material, glass can further accent a kitchen or bathroom design by coordinating it with multiple surfaces.  And last, but certainly not least, Think Glass now offers full LED solution for further highlighting!

    Think Glass island top

    A ThinkGlass countertop makes a statement – in creativity.

    Because each ThinkGlass countertop begins with a handmade process, every finished product maintains its uniqueness. You can forever appreciate how no other kitchen or bathroom will look quite like yours!

    Imagine…your countertop, created with the texture and color of your choice. Now imagine this translucent surface mounted atop a copper, stainless or colored cabinet top, transformed again by the tone beneath it. Luxurious design with chameleon-like flexibility. Just imagine.

    Get more information and images visit: thinkglass.com

    Think Glass rough edge vanity top

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    PR: Brizo Faucet Collection – Virage

    DIFFERENT.  SURPRISING. DRAMATIC.  with a simple twist.

    brizo virageBrizo’s new Virage faucets are an updated elegance that is sure to appeal and compliment nearly any decor.   It features gentle twists and curves  that make the style truly unique.  The fitting pays homage to the Art Deco period, but with a look that meshes with today’s sensibilities. The technology of this sophisticated faucet is also gentle on the environment with a spout that features a water-efficient, hidden laminar aerator, which results in a 1.5-gpm flow.

    Available in five finishes, the Virage line also includes Roman tub fillers, handshowers and accessories.

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    PR: Delta Touch2O Faucet

    Delta Logo

    Touch2O™ Technology -- this is the moment that your forearm has been waiting for!  Start and stop the flow of water with a touch of your wrist, forearm, or elbow -- anywhere faucet’s body or handle!  The handle stays clean when your hands aren’t.

    So, when hands are messy during meal prep or clean-up, Touch2O™ Technology helps reduce the spread of germs and bacteria — simply touch the faucet body with your wrist or forearm.

    Delta is offering this incredible technology at a competitive price ($300-400) …truly the technology that everyone can and will appreciate!

    Learn more at www.deltafaucet.com

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    Privacy you ask?

    PRODUCT REVIEW…in disguise!

    One of the most interesting challenges I have had over the years when designing master bathrooms & suites is dealing with the privacy factor.    This is not only inherently a factor with homeowner’s who wish to have a open spa like bathroom, but also for those with smaller rooms looking to remove walls to create the illusion of a larger space.

    So what are the options? In all of my experiences and research the most common ways to create privacy walls that offer some amount of light through has been through the use of glass, whether it be obscured (old fashion ripple, etched/frosted, patterned, etc) or the use of glass tile blocks.   There are numerous ways these are still used today, but the demand for new innovation & style has pushed way for new product and design.   Client’s are wanting personalization and fresh look.   If your desire fits your wish list, then read on…

    My first product of choice is Lumicor®. This product is so creative, inspiring and innovative that it is yet to have any competition  (that I’m aware of course!).   The basics of the product is that it is a resin panel (eco-friendly by nature!) manufactured in various thicknesses, ranging from 1/16″ to 1″.    As for styles, the choices are astonishing and quite exciting!

    Take a glimpse at a small range of designs they offer – woods, leaves, shells, and textiles to name a few!

    The last photo above is one of my favorite applications in a master bath renovation I designed in the Spring of 2009.  The “before” plan was a typical, dated design that had the shower and toilet in a closed-in area, separated from the sinks.   With the use of the Lumicor Praire Grass Panel, privacy from the main bath area is still achieved – without sacrificing style!   The frame around the panel was custom made to match the other cabinetry throughout the room.   Here are a few additional views:

    Lumicor prairie grass Lumicor Prairie Grass Panel

    For more photos on this master bathroom renovation, and other great designs,

    visit my online PORTFOLIO (page 4 = VanDyne project)

    Before now Lumicor was well known in hospitality/commercial arenas for unique architectural panels.   But now Lumicor is available to the design community and the possibilities for residential design are near endless!  For more creative applications visit the manufacturer’s website:  Lumicor.com

    Founded in 2002, Lumicor is a privately held company located in the Puget Sound area in Washington. The company has grown substantially over the last six years as a leader in the manufacturing, cutting, and fabrication of architectural panels, all produced at its facility in Renton, Washington. Today,  Lumicor leads the industry as the pioneer of high-quality architectural resin panels paired with unrivaled customer service. To view Lumicor’s product line and for more information visit www.lumicor.com

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    PRODUCT REVIEW: Kohler Flipside Hand Shower

    Kohler Flipside

    Flipside Handshower

    This hand shower is the perfect example that not all are created equal!  Recently I attended a KOHLER Showroom (PDI in Lawrenceville, GA) where they educated a crowd on new product releases and innovations.   The Flipside was part of the presentation, and I won the door prize … to take one home!  (I never win anything.. so I was very thrilled!) I did not hesitate to get this marvel installed into my master shower!   From day one of using it my opinion of hand showers (I had a well known Alson’s previously) changed dramatically – simply no comparison.   The different flows have unique names (all starting with K) and their deliverance is like no other.   The Kotton is my favorite of them all, feeling almost like a rain shower.

    • Koverage – a classic, soothing everyday shower
    • Kotton – a soft enveloping downpour of relaxation
    • Kurrent – a targeted massage spray that eases aches and revitalizes the body
    • Komotion - a circular pattern for a deeper sense of an exhilarating massage

    For a FULL demonstration on all the incredible features of this sprayer … just clicky HERE!   And at a selling price of $85-110 (plus hose/mounting brackets), it is worth every penny!

    The Flipside handshower brings you four distinct showering sensations, each with its own dedicated sprayface on your choice of three unique models. Innovative Flipstream™ technology makes selecting a spray both simple and stylish. Just flip the sprayhead on its axis–no impossible twisting–to enjoy the spray that best suits your needs. Switch between the traditional, soothing Koverage, the softer, silkier spray of Kotton, the exhilarating, circular pattern Komotion or the targeted Kurrent spray. With three style options, there’s a handshower for every bathroom and a spray sensation for every need.

    A KOHLER Representative interviewed at the Kitchen & Bath Industrial Show:

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    PRODUCT REVIEW: Granite Shield

    Granite Shield

    If you are a proud owner of granite or marble counter tops (or considering the purchase), this product should be high on your consideration list!     Natural stones have steadily increased in popularity for nearly 2 decades now – the natural, sometimes very unpredictable, patterns and colors offer a beauty that highly respectable man-made products have yearned to replicate.  The fact that some of the stones are susceptible to staining has driven many clients to other products such as Caesarstone, Silestone, Cambria, or Zodiac … all of which are natural products (Quartz), as they promote a better sealant.    The debate between the products is not likely to end anytime soon as techniques and technology continues to improve each year.

    Until now – Granite and Marble have a very competitive edge with the application of Granite Shield!  Now you can have “maintenance free with a lifetime guarantee“!   It can be applied to existing applications even if has been sealed by a previous fabricator.

    Check out this demonstration for yourself:

    Here are 21 reasons why Granite Shield will improve the quality of your life and increase the value of your home:

    1. 5 deep penetrating chemicals for permanent bonding protection.

    2. Leaves granite the same natural color only a deeper penetrating shine.

    3. Less than 3 ounces of each chemical seals a 60 sq. ft. kitchen.

    4. Granite Shield is a flameproof seal, heat will not affect Granite Shield.

    5. Granite Shield becomes inert after application and meets
    FDA and AMA guidelines.

    6. Applied at fabrication location and customer’s home to seal
    all edges and seams.

    7. Deep penetration of chemical lifts contaminates out of stone leaving stone cleaner and
    permanently bonded through catalyzing carbon crystal.

    8. No off-gassing and countertops are ready immediately for use.

    9. Floral smelling chemical leaves pleasant scent after
    application and dissipates instantly.

    10. Natural colors are preserved for a lifetime.

    11. Warranty is against any failure of the seal and will replace material if the
    stone cannot be restored to original state.

    12. Warranty is backed by a multimillion dollar international company.

    13. Sealer can be added to any granite of your choice anywhere in the world to
    new or existing granite countertops.

    14. Granite Shield doesn’t leave a dull, hazy film.

    15. The Granite Shield process doesn’t contain plastic, silicone, resins or epoxies
    and is not topical.

    16. Granite Shield doesn’t have a ‘limited” warranty on granite like
    many Granite Shield competitors do.

    17. Granite Shield doesn’t have a limited color pallet selection and can be applied
    to glossy and honed granite.

    18. Granite Shield doesn’t impose restrictions for granite care and maintenance.

    19. Granite Shield can be applied by your granite fabricator of choice and
    to any slab of your choice.

    20. The price factor. Choosing your own granite fabricator, the granite slab of your choice with Granite Shield will save you a lot of money.

    21. Don’t be fooled by imitators. Granite Shield is the originator of the long term granite stain protection. Granite Shield has been applied to the public’s granite since 2002. Even if it’s a “big box” store, a granite fabricator or granite slab yard you should ask questions before deciding on a “10, 15 or 20 year” warranty. “when did that sealer come to market?” Have them explain their “limited warranty” or “restrictions.” It just may be a regular sealer and they’re just saying it has a long term warranty. Even if that company has been in business 20 – 30 years doesn’t mean that particular sealer has. Granite Shield does have the track record for their granite permanent lifetime sealer. Granite Shield was created when the stone industry was still saying granite doesn’t stain or just put butter all over your granite to make it the same all over.

    There is more … The greatest part is this innovative product is not only for counter tops, but also for floors, showers… and even stainless steel & glass shower doors!  Check out the manufacturer’s website for more details on the application and guarantees for areas other than granite tops.

    Georgia inquiries or to learn more about all applications:

    Granite Shield of Roswell:

    Traditional Granite & Marble
    Phone: 770-518-6505

    Visit their Website or to email direct Click Here

    NOTE: Application must be applied by a Authorized Distributor/Applicator.   Live outside of Georgia? Find an Authorized Applicator by visiting the manufacturer’s website GRANITE SHIELD

    Designs by BSB assumes no responsibility or guarantee to this product or service

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