Here is a picture of a recent job done by Garden State Soapstone involving the installation of a soapstone countertop with an undercount sink. The link below will take you to a video explaining the process we use in doing this kind of installation. Enjoy!
Garden State Soapstone – Undermount Sink and Countertop Installation Video
Italy held the 29th Cersaie event, considered to be the premier international exhibition of ceramic tiles and bathroom furnishings. Below are some of the top trends.
• Dusty Colors
Trends in tile generally mirror larger design industry trends, and this was particularly evident in this season’s color palette. From blue grey and clay to mauve and lavender, dusty hues were seen throughout Cersaie.
• Terracotta, Revisited
Terracotta is the direct result of craftspeople working with their hands. Perhaps searching for that link to the past, many Italian companies showcased the warmth and charm of this ancient material and reintroduced it in modern sizes, colors and finishes.
• Imperfections
Offering a nod to the trend toward personalization, Cersaie saw a host of unique offerings, from mismatched patterns to irregular shapes, suggesting that many designers are finding charm in imperfection.
• Creative Recycling
The green trend remains strong in the tile market, with creative recycling a hot trend. From reintegrating manufacturing residues into the production process to using recycled glass from discarded TV screens and computer monitors, tile manufacturers continue to push the envelope with new environmentally friendly collections, many of which were seen at this year’s Cersaie.
• Concrete & Resin
When it comes to tile, tastes tend to run to opposite ends of the spectrum. This year, both the subtle texture and soft feel of resin and the rough, industrial touches of cement were highly visible at Cersaie, as Italian companies provided an array of tiles that featured both looks with the functionality and durability of ceramics.
• Mixed Materials
Thanks to improving digital technologies, companies are mixing and matching the look of natural elements from alabaster and marble to metal and wood – and everything in between.
• Ceramic Rugs
While tile has many wonderful qualities, some detractors suggest the hard surface can appear cold and uninviting. To address this concern, many tile companies are softening the look of ceramic floors by offering decorative tiles with bold and intricate patterns that mimic the look of area rugs, resulting in a warmer appearance.
• In Full Bloom
Flowers are back in style, with many tile manufacturers choosing to decorate their ceramics with a broad array of floral motifs.
Hot water dispensers, such as InSinkErator’s Indulge™(shown), work as a system, delivering both 200-degree Fahrenheit water and filtered cool water at the touch of a handle. The instant access expedites daily tasks, such as boiling water for pasta or making oatmeal and tea, but is also convenient for cleanup. Unlike water coolers and sink mount filters that can be an eyesore, these dispensers are available in contemporary and traditional models, as well as several designer finishes.
Here are some images a client of ours just sent us from a job in Long Island. These show how wood and soapstone compliment eachother very nicely! Kitchen looks great! Thanks Donna!
Below are a variety of holiday cookie recipes, sure to please everyone!
White Chocolate and Dried Cranberry Cookies
1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 cups all-purpose white flour 1/2 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup light brown sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 large egg, at room temperature 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature 12 ounces white chocolate, coarsely chopped 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 cup dried cranberries 1 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats, pulsed well in a food processor
Place the butter and sugars in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the egg, egg yolk and vanilla, one at a time, mixing well between additions. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix until everything is well incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the chocolate and cranberries and mix again. Drop the dough by heaping teaspoons about 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake until the cookies begin to brown at the edges, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on the cookie sheet. Transfer to a wire rack and repeat with the remaining dough.
Fudge-Topped Toffee Cookies
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup light brown sugar 4 ounces semi- or bitter-sweet chocolate, melted 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature 1/2 cup pecans, lightly toasted, cooled and coarsely chopped 2 cups all-purpose white flour
•1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
•2
Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachement and mix until smooth and creamy. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, mixing well between additions. Add the flour and salt and mix until well combined.
•3
Form the dough into a ball, roll out on a lightly floured board and cut with a 2-inch cookie cutter. Place the cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared sheet and transfer to the oven. Bake until golden at the edges and medium firm to the touch, 12 to 15 minutes. Do not remove from the sheet until completely cooled.
•4
Using the back of a spoon, smooth the melted chocolate in a circular motion onto the cookie (almost to the edge) and while it is wet, sprinkle with the nuts. When the chocolate is completely cooled, transfer the cookies to a wire rack and repeat with the remaining dough.
Chocolate-Caramel Slice
1 cup unbleached all purpose flour (for crust) 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk (for caramel topping) 1⁄4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar (for crust) 1⁄2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar (for caramel topping) 2 teaspoons cornstarch (for crust) 6 tablespoons (3⁄4 stick) unsalted butter, diced (for caramel topping) 1⁄4 teaspoon salt (for crust) 2 tablespoons golden syrup (such as Lyle’s Golden Syrup) or dark (for caramel topping) 1⁄2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1⁄2-inch cubes (for crust) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for caramel topping) 1 tablespoon ice water (for crust) 6 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate (do not exceed 61% cacao), chopped (for chocolate glaze) 1 large egg yolk (for crust) 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream (for chocolate glaze)
•1
Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter 12×81⁄4×1-inch fluted tart pan with removable bottom. Blend flour, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in processor. Add butter. Using on/off turns, blend until coarse meal forms. Add 1 tablespoon ice water and egg yolk. Blend until moist clumps form. Press dough onto bottom (not sides) of pan; pierce all over with fork. Bake until golden, piercing if crust is bubbling, about 22 minutes. Cool completely.
•2
Caramel Topping: Whisk milk, sugar, butter, syrup, and vanilla in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves, butter melts, and mixture comes to boil. Attach clip-on candy thermometer to side of pan. Boil gently until caramel is pale golden and thick and thermometer registers 225 degrees Fahrenheit, whisking constantly, about 8 minutes. Pour caramel evenly over crust, then spread almost to edge of crust; cool 15 minutes to set.
•3
Chocolate Glaze: Meanwhile, melt chocolate with cream in microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring occasionally until smooth (do not overheat or chocolate will separate). Spread chocolate over warm caramel; sprinkle with sea salt. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, at least 1 hour.
Cornflake Wreaths
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter 6 cups cornflakes 1 10-oz. bag marshmallows Red Hots or mini M&M’s 1 teaspoon vanilla Red licorice string (such as Twizzlers Pull-n-Peel) Green paste or liquid food coloring
•Line two baking sheets with wax or parchment paper. Melt butter and marshmallows in a large saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until marshmallows are melted.
•2
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and food coloring, adding a bit at a time to reach the desired shade. Don’t make them too dark green, because the color darkens when the cornflakes are added.
•3
Stir in the cornflakes until they’re well coated. Drop large spoonfuls on the baking sheets, and then use two spoons or two forks to gently nudge a hole in the center of each wreath, shaping and flattening slightly with the utensils.
•4
Press a few Red Hots or mini M&M’s onto each wreath like holly berries. Pull off a length of red licorice and twist into a loose bow with long streamers. Place on the front of each wreath, pressing down into the cornflakes to make the bow stick. Cool completely before moving the wreaths. Store 3 to 4 days, tightly covered in tins or a plastic cake container. If stacking, separate layers with waxed paper.
Melt-in-Your Mouth Snowballs
2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus more for dusting cookies 4 cups all-purpose flour 1 egg yolk
•Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
•2
Using an electric mixer, cream the butter, then sift in confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat until just blended.
•3
Add the flour gradually until a soft dough forms. If dough is too soft to roll easily, refrigerate it for an hour.
•4
Roll teaspoon-size mounds of dough into balls. Place rounded balls 2 inches apart on parchment-lined cookie sheets and bake until golden on the bottom and just golden on top.
•5
Fill a bowl with confectioners’ sugar and toss warm cookies three at a time until they look snowy, then place on a rack to cool. Generously sift more confectioners’ sugar over the cookies before serving.
Gingerbread People
1 teaspoon plus 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup light molasses 1/4 to 1/3 cup milk 3 cups all-purpose flour Dried currants, red-hots, fresh or dried cranberries and silver dragees for decorating 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground cloves Frosting or confectioners’ sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
•1
In a large bowl, beat the 1/2 cup butter and the sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the molasses until well blended. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt.
•2
Add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until well blended. Beat in about 1/4 cup milk, then add the remaining flour mixture, beating it in well. The dough will be very stiff. If it is too stiff and crumbly to roll out, add 1 tablespoon of additional milk.
•3
On a well-floured work surface, roll the dough out to a thickness of about 1/2 inch, then cut into shapes using cookie cutters or by tracing with a knife around cardboard cutouts. Transfer the shapes to the prepared pan.
•4
Decorate the gingerbread people with current eyes and red hots for buttons, pressing them into the dough before baking, or attach them with frosting after baking.
•5
Bake for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the cookies are puffed and spring back when pushed with your finger. Transfer the cookies from the pan to a wire rack to cool. Decorate with frosting and confectioners’ sugar as desired.
Rein-Dear Cookies
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 large egg 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened Small pretzels 3/4 cup light brown sugar Chocolate chips 1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus more for flattening cookies Red or green candy-coated chocolates (such as M&M’s)
•Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter two cookie sheets or line them with parchment paper and set aside.
•2
Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
•3
Using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, peanut butter and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl a few times.
•4
Add the egg and mix until just blended. Scrape down bowl again.
•5
Add the dry ingredients on low speed and mix until just blended. Scrape down bowl and blend until smooth.
•6
Roll teaspoon-size mounds of dough into balls and place 3 inches apart on baking sheets. Dip a flat-bottomed water glass into a small bowl of granulated sugar and flatten dough balls to make 1/2-inch-thick round cookies.
•7
Gently stick two pretzels into the dough at the top of each cookie to make antlers. Use two chocolate chips for eyes and a red or green M&M near the bottom for the nose.
•8
Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until cookies are light gold in color. Let cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then carefully transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Read More http://www.ivillage.com/rein-dear-cookies/3-r-70375#ixzz1fyakzQen
It started with smart phones, then smart TV’s, but a smart KITCHEN??
I saw this on Garden Web today from Kitchen Designr. You have to check it out!
Each component serves its own pupose along with being green. The four key goals of this island are to control waste management, food health, reduce energy consumption and create intelligent storage solutions. This kitchen Ekokook has several modules for distribution, processing and storage of organic solid and liquid wastes along with a built-in dishwasher, steam oven and refrigerators which consume much less power than what we are used to.
Let us know your favorite part of this smart kitchen island!
Attention homeowners!!
Wolf is giving away a $2,500 classic cabinet and vanity top package through its second Facebook-only sweepstakes.
“Wolf Classic Cabinets has quickly built a following among the independent dealers we serve,” said Jim Groff, Wolf’s chief marketing officer. “By creating this second Facebook giveaway, we’re able to extend that excitement to builders, homeowners and others and respond to the enormous popularity of our August giveaway.”
Visitors to Wolf’s Facebook page who are over the age of 18 may enter the contest. The sweepstakes ends on December 9, 2011.
Wolf developed its cabinet line as part of a broad strategic shift that began in 2010. The company, once a traditional two-step distributor, has positioned itself as a sourcing company that focuses on identifying or developing products designed solely to meet the needs of independent dealers.
**Notice the soapstone countertops in both kitchens!!**
I read a great article on ebuild.com about what designers have to say on kitchen and bath trends. Below are some highlights from the article that I found interesting, including the increased popularity and demand for soapstone countertops.
“My clients come to me for three things,” says the principal and CEO of Robin Wilson Home. “They want water efficiency, energy efficiency, and they want quality design-something that will last and won’t go out of style.”
“…But they are asking for bigger great rooms that encompass kitchen, family room, and media center. More flex space is a plus, and a colored accent wall is a must. White cabinets and wood floors are hot, she says, and low-flow showerheads that still offer power are also important.”
“The designer is seeing requests for recycling centers in the cabinets, organized drawers for spices, and a strong trend for farmhouse-style sinks, even in stainless steel. “Stone tops [are hot] but not granite,” she adds. Instead, clients are asking for honed surfaces, composite quartz, and soapstone.”
In
Multiple countertops in one space
White cabinets
Quartz
Stone
Glass tiles
Low-flow showerheads
Farmhouse sinks
Accent walls
Out
Ice machines
Trash compactors
Formal living rooms
Wallpaper
Granite (except exotic types)
Listed below are 25 decorating ideas for your kitchen during the holidays from StyleTheHome.com.
Lighting
1 Wrap a strand of simple garland around the chandelier. If desired, string sparkling lights and then nestle in a few decorations.
2 If the chandelier hangs over the center of the table, hang ribbons from the branches so they reach all the way to the table surface. It’s a great alternative to a tall centerpiece.
3 Embellish shades with ribbon in holiday colours. Use double-sided tape or adhesive ribbon that can easily be removed.
Windows
4 Attach ribbons to the top of a window, letting them hang to the center, then tie holiday ornaments to the ends.
5 Place a pot of seasonal flowers like amaryllis or paper whites on the windowsill.
6 String vintage cookie cutters and hang them across the window.
7 Sit a rosemary tree on the windowsill for a great scent and to keep close at hand for holiday recipes.
8 Hang a simple boxwood or cranberry wreath in front of the window. A square shape is modern while round is more classic.
Chairs
9 Replace seat cushions with some that match your holiday decor colours.
10 Tie a wide ribbon or piece of fabric around the backs of chairs. Add a small bouquet of evergreen and pinecones to the back for a festive detail.
11 Make nametags that can be tied to chairs and attach berries and leaves for a seasonal alternative to traditional tabletop place cards.
Door and Cabinets
12 Change the cabinet knobs or pulls to something with a little sparkle for the holiday season.
13 Glass cabinet doors can be embellished with decorative ribbon. Stretch adhesive ribbon from corner to corner creating an X pattern and attach a pinecone or glittery holiday ornament in the middle.
14 Hang mistletoe in the kitchen entryway.
Countertops and shelves
15 Switch out some everyday items for a few festive alternatives — bright red cooking utensils and mixing bowls make a cheery addition to everyday kitchen decor.
16 Display Christmas cookies in clear jars and place them on the counter for easy access.
17 Pile festive baking items like nuts and cranberries in clear jars on open shelves.
18 Use decorative holiday trays to corral items such as jars and canisters. They look pretty and will help keep the countertop organized.
Tables
19 Create a centerpiece by filling vases with white or red roses or bunches of candy canes.
20 Place pinecones on a three-tiered cake stand and place in the middle of the table.
21 Fill a clear glass vase with cranberries about one third of the way to the top and tuck a white pillar candle inside. If space permits, display a group of two or three on the table.
22 Enjoy the scents of the season with a bowl of pinecones and oranges. Dot the oranges with full cloves for a spicy holiday fragrance.
Walls
23 Cover a corkboard in a fabric that matches your holiday decor. Hang in the kitchen and pin holiday cards to it.
24 Create simple holiday artwork. Paint a few small canvases in your favourite Christmas colours and glue ribbons to create pretty patterns. Hang them gallery-style on a kitchen wall.
25 Add whimsy to walls with removable stickers or decals in holiday patterns and colours.
