U-Line has been recognized for award-winning product design with their new 3000 series of modular refrigeration, with the 3036RR model receiving Kitchen and Bath Business’ 2011 “Merit Award” and Interior Design Magazine’s “Best of Year” in the appliance category for December 2011.

The 3000 series of modular refrigeration has been available in sizes of 18” and 36”, but due to the demand and success of last year’s launch, U-Line is adding 4 models in the 24” size. Products in the 3000 series include wine storage, refrigeration and beverage storage and ice machines.

The uniqueness of the U-Line 3000 series is due in part to the U-Select™ control system in which four modes of refrigeration are offered – Beverage, Market, Deli,  Pantry and Root Cellar storage. These modes incorporate a temperature range of 34 – 70°, exclusive to the line. Clients can now be offered a full scope of refrigeration options for every imaginable zone in the kitchen, including the Pantry and Root Cellar, offering a low humidity-appropriate temperature environment for baking zones or cellar storage.

As if that weren’t exciting enough – another unique feature of the U-Line 3000 series is the capability of the 3000 series to be fully integrated, including the toe kick. This feature puts U-line is a class by themselves offering the most expansive line of modular refrigeration that can truly be integrated and flush in any residential environment.

For more information, please visit: http://www.u-line.com/products/3000-series/the-future-of-preservation.html

- Lisa Connor is the District Sales Manager for HADCO

Atlanta, GA, April 24, 2012 – Schuon Kitchens & Baths and Traditions in Tile and Stone are co-presenting an educational session on kitchen and bath design trends at The Cutting Edge: 2012 – Remodeling Education Expo. The Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is hosting the Expo at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, GA on May 8, 2012. The day-long event runs from 7 am to 6 pm and features a full day of CEU course offerings, a keynote address by Sal Alfano (Editorial Director of Remodeling Magazine), an exhibit hall, networking lunch and a happy hour mixer. Registration is $75 for NARI members and $110 for non members.

The Expo features 18 innovative educational sessions to include 6 credit hours of Continuing Education Units (CEU) that meet Georgia Residential Contractor Licensing Requirements and NARI Certification requirements. The Expo will also bring together members of related industry associations including the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Trends in Kitchen & Bath Design:

Schuon Kitchens & Baths and Traditions in Tile and Stone have teamed together to create an educational session titled Trends in Kitchen & Bath Design. In addition to pulling from years of professional design experience, the presenters are also conducting research to gain information from national manufacturers and designers across the country. The presentation will feature example images to illustrate where design trends are heading. This is a great session for remodelers, designers and architects wanting to stay current on trends so they may share the information with homeowners and their clients.

Attendees will learn about current kitchen design trends including information on: cabinetry, backsplashes, countertops, sinks, lighting, appliances, hoods and kitchen flooring. The presentation will also cover current bathroom design trends including information on: showers, tubs, toilets, sinks, cabinetry, fixtures, lighting, flooring and other popular upgrades such as steam showers, floor heating, towel warmers and more. Representatives from Schuon Kitchens & Baths and Traditions in Tile and Stone will also be available at their booths to answer questions.

About NARI Atlanta:

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the homeowner’s resource for finding quality contractors, design-build firms, suppliers and other related professionals in the Greater Atlanta area. NARI Atlanta is a not-for-profit trade association committed exclusively to the service of the professional remodeling industry. Representing professional remodeling contractors, product manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, trade and consumer publications, utilities and lending institutions, NARI stands as the spokesgroup of the industry and an ally to the nation’s homeowners.

About Schuon Kitchens & Baths:

Schuon Kitchens & Baths offers six of the finest cabinet lines at price points for almost every budget, as well as custom-built cabinetry and furniture. Schuon offers professional design services by certified designers. With over 30 years of experience, Schuon has built a solid reputation for designing and creating Atlanta’s finest kitchens and baths. Schuon has showrooms in Atlanta and Roswell that are open by appointment for their clients’ convenience.

About Traditions in Tile and Stone:

Traditions in Tile and Stone has been serving Atlanta’s residential design and build community for over 75 years. As a family owned and operated business, Traditions in Tile and Stone is the Southeast’s leading distributor of fine porcelain and ceramic tile, natural stone, glass, metals and mosaics and offers unparalleled service, quality and value. The company’s award-winning showrooms are staffed with friendly, professionally educated designers who are eager to help with product selections for any budget.

Less is more. White cabinets are “in” again, as well as brass hardware, but in totally new ways. If you are interested in finding out where design is trending for intown Atlanta, here is a quick overview:

As a kitchen designer to some of Atlanta’s premiere intown neighborhoods, including the Highlands, Morningside, North Druid Hills and Decatur, I have noticed several interesting kitchen design trends.

Over the past decade, I have seen a shift toward more simple and clean design. Clients are requesting far less decorative details on cabinetry such as heavy moldings, spindles and pilaster treatments, and are opting for more simple lines and less ornate designs.

Cabinet Trends – Light cabinetry is popular, and white cabinetry is definitely back in a new and better way. Today’s white cabinets are not distressed and not glazed, but feature plain paint that has the appearance of being painted on site (as was done years ago).

Countertop Trends – Polished granite has taken a backseat to matte finishes. We are specifying a lot of white marble and concrete. Also, zero maintenance quartz surfaces are increasingly popular. We are also contrasting the light wood of the cabinetry with dark solid wood countertops in mahogany or walnut that are used in accent areas such as a side cabinet or on an island.

Kitchen Flooring Trends – Hardwoods are still generally preferred on the main level with an emphasis on building on an “open” concept to connect the spaces. We match existing hardwoods if they are in good shape.  When we are specifying new hardwoods, the trend is toward darker stains and wider planks.

Mantle Hood Trends – We see a definite move toward more simple and smaller mantle hoods with an emphasis on metal including copper, bronze and zinc.

Hardware Trends – Brass is back, but not in the super shiny finish that was popular years ago. The new brass is in a matte finish giving it a rich, aged and warm appearance.

In terms of style, most homeowners prefer a transitional design. Clients with older homes typically want to keep the architectural integrity of the house, yet modernize by creating a more simplistic, less hectic environment with less clutter.

Another popular trend is creating an industrial feel to spaces by using light fixtures and hardware in darker iron mental and darker bass finishes that are contrasted with lighter rough hewn wood accents in exposed ceiling beams and in the furniture.

Emily Robbins is a Certified Kitchen Designer and Vice President of Schuon Kitchens and Baths, Inc.

Leather floors? Leather walls? Absolutely-Idaho Leather Co. There is a real market for leather tile today, more than ever before and the reasons are many. First and foremost, it’s gorgeous! Second, it’s durable!

To demonstrate the durability, Taber tests were used to show that Idaho Leather Tiles were six times more abrasion resistant than the competitions! Also, the tiles tested favorably against a standard oak hardwood with two coats of Urethane finish! This doesn’t mean there will never be bumps, dents, and small scratches, but the time worn look of leather is one that is desired by many.

HGTV has used leather tile at least six times this year, and Lisa Laporta even did a bathroom floor in tile!

Diane Olson recently did a bedroom floor and carried the leather tile up the wall to create a leather “headboard” on the wall. Traditions in Tile has an installation you can look at, touch and feel in their Alpharetta Showroom.

Commercially, leather tile from Idaho Leather Co. has been used in judges offices, casinos, corporate conference rooms and lobbies.

Lastly, installation is simple: prep the floors so it is smooth and clean, then spray “3M90” contact cement on the floor or wall, and lay the tile. It is recommended that a professional tile installer be used, as the tiles cannot be moved once they come in contact with the adhesive.

With ease of cleaning-vacuum, damp mop and blot dry spills, these floors are as easy to clean and maintain as any hardwood floor.

With so many colors to choose from, and many different finishes, leather tile is a wonderful option for that space that needs a warm, softly worn feel!

- Andrew Brown is the President of Traditions in Tile and Stone 

• Add to a desk or eat-in bar. Another creative option is to integrate a wood countertop or butcher block into a raised or lower desk or eat-in bar area. By integrating wood into a granite surface, you break up long lengths of stone and add not just warmth and texture, but a custom feel that won’t look like every other kitchen on the block.

CUSTOMIZE TO THE HOMEOWNER’S LIFESTYLE

A kitchen that is truly a custom creation is one that reflects the homeowner’s lifestyle and personality. If you’re incorporating wood countertops, consider where and how they would best complement your clients’ functional needs.

• For cooks. For instance, a homeowner who loves to cook would benefit from adding a butcher-block portion to the countertop that has been finished with a food-safe penetrating oil. It can be used to prepare food and chop vegetables.

• For wine lovers. Wine enthusiasts may want to replace the granite by their wet bar with wood that uses a penetrating crosslinked tung oil finish. This tough, durable finish will repel wine spills and gives the area a look you’ll find at an upscale winery or a high-end wine cellar.

• For coffee lovers. Similarly, for coffee lovers—whether they have their own cappuccino machine or a single-serve coffee maker—a wood countertop can be used to articulate their own coffee bar and make it stand out.

EXPERIMENT

Once the location of the wood countertop is decided, it’s time to choose the wood species—and there are a lot of choices.

Domestic species abound, ranging from cherry, maple, hickory to black walnut. In addition, woods come in a variety of exotic species, including zebrawood, wenge and teak, all of which will add color, texture and warmth to a kitchen. Can’t decide on just one wood? Consider a checkerboard wood countertop that combines two different species for a unique punch of color.

Like a rustic appearance? Specify a distressed wood top, a process done by hand that adds age and patina to the wood from the get-go. There are also green wood options, like bamboo and lyptus, or reclaimed wood that has been repurposed as a countertop from an old barn, warehouse or home that has been torn down.

Avoid matching your clients’ wood countertops to their wood cabinets, hardwood floor or even an existing granite countertop. Pick a color that will accent the kitchen and coordinate with the other colors. You may also want to keep your use of woods to the same color family by sticking, for example, with browns, red tones, gray-green tones or light woods, such as heart pine or maple.

Here’s an example. In a kitchen with antique heart pine floors that are a pale gold color, you may want to choose cabinets that are stained a dark mahogany and a reclaimed beech wood countertop with an overall golden background and fairly dark knots. This will allow the floor, counter and cabinets blend together nicely.

Like fashion, kitchen design is cyclical. Ten years ago, granite was all the rage and everyone wanted it. It was prestigious to have granite counters in your home. Today, everyone has them, and wood may be the surface homeowners aspire to own. Europe, which often leads the U.S. in trends, is moving toward wood countertops. For instance, in Scandinavia, wood countertops represent 40 percent of the market share, whereas here in the U.S., wood currently holds about seven percent market share.

But that may be changing, as designers and homeowners look for different materials to create a kitchen that is distinct, fresh and current, both visually and functionally. This has become even more critical, as kitchens are increasingly the focal point of most homes and, as such, a showpiece.

CUES & FACTORS

As a designer, you may know all the benefits of wood countertops—warmth, durability, beauty, longevity—but how do you convey this to a homeowner? Some homeowners, of course, may be more inclined than others to entertain the idea of incorporating wood into their kitchen, but how do you find that all out? Following is a list of key words or phrases that could serve as tip-offs:

• “I want something different.”

• “I want my kitchen to be a centerpiece.”

• “I’m only looking to spruce up my kitchen.”

• “I only want my countertop replaced.”

• “I only want my island replaced.”

• “I want an island.”

You may also want to consider:

• What else is in their kitchen? Another way to identify the ideal wood customer is by the other products in their kitchen. If they are buying custom cabinets and commercial-grade appliances, they are definitely prospects for wood surfaces. They may not be happy with a cookie-cutter kitchen surface and would be open to, say, mixing materials for a more individualized look.

Homeowners who opt for custom cabinetry are the perfect prospects for a solid wood countertop.

• What is their kitchen budget? When you walk into their kitchen, what do you see? Appliances, countertops, cabinet faces, backsplash, hardware and fixtures. Those are the areas where homeowners spend the majority of their budget. As their advisor, look at the total amount of money budgeted and break down the amount to own a wood surface as a percentage of the entire project. For example, someone buying granite perimeter countertops could upgrade the centerpiece of their kitchen—their island—to a solid wood top starting at roughly 10 percent more than that they would spend on, for example, their granite island alone.

MYTHS & ADVANTAGES

Cite the advantages of wood. There are a lot of myths in the marketplace about wood. Now is the time to debunk them.

• Contrary to popular belief, wood is enduring. In the 1800s, wood countertops were used in the very best kitchens and remained the first choice in countertop materials until shortly after World War II when laminate and ceramic tile became two other options for kitchen countertops.

• There are numerous practical benefits. In addition to being durable, it is waterproof and food-safe. And depending upon the finish chosen, wood countertops provide a maintenance-free, worry-free surface.

• Wood is warm to the touch, as well as the eye, which is a plus, as today’s kitchens often serve as the hub of family life and more consumers are spending more time at home.

• It is a green option. In addition to those made from species that are harvested from certified forests, there are also rapidly renewable options, such as bamboo and lyptus, as well as reclaimed wood alternatives. These surfaces are made of wood repurposed from old warehouses, homes or barns that are being torn down into a new countertop—the epitome of recycling.

Green options include lyptus, which can be mixed with granite for a richer look in any kitchen.

• Wood tops can be ordered with special hand distressing as well. This gives the surface a naturally aged patina from the outset.

Expertise creates loyalty. Honing your knowledge of specialty products, such as wood, and the confidence to present/sell them can help you create a niche that will protect you and your business. Currently, there are only a handful of specialty wood surface experts in the marketplace; you can be their singular expert.

Having a thorough knowledge of selling wood surfaces, gives you one more tool in your bag that will help you distinguish your customer and give them the kitchen of their dreams. Check back for the final installment of this four-part series, which will offer tips on how to design a kitchen with wood.

—Brad Baker is the director of sales for Craft-Art, Inc., a manufacturer of fine wood countertops.

Specifying wood for a kitchen countertop, island or butcher block provides homeowners with plenty of opportunities to customize their kitchen surface to suit their individual tastes, personalities and lifestyles. The variety of species is broad, ranging from domestic and exotic woods to sustainable and reclaimed wood options—offering something for just about everyone. Once a decision has been made, the next step is selecting a construction style.

THREE STYLES

There are three different construction styles from which to choose.

• Plank style is a design-driven construction that is chosen to show off the wood’s grain and beauty. Plank style refers to a piece of wood that is laid flat to show off its grain characteristics and pattern. You’ll see all the nuances of the wood and the wavy grain patterns contribute to make plank style the most visual choice of all the construction styles. It is usually chosen to complement warm, rustic and vintage décors.

• Edge grain provides a harder, stronger construction that makes it the best choice for overhangs that are typically found in an island seating area. It can bear more weight without supports than any of the other construction styles. Historically, edge grain was the choice for butcher-block food prep areas. In this construction, the wood is laid on its edge, providing a very strong surface with a clean, linear appearance. The wood surface tends to have a uniform color without a lot of visible wood grain. Often homeowners will choose this style if they desire a contemporary, classic look.

• End grain is yet another construction style that is very popular for butcher blocks, chopping blocks or food preparation areas. Here, a piece of wood is stood on its end and many 2-in. x 2-in. ends become the surface, which gives the look of a checkerboard. Some end-grain construction countertops are subtle, using the same wood species to form a tone-on-tone offset checkerboard, while others are more dramatic and use contrasting dark and light woods to form a very visual checkerboard.

Of the three construction styles, end grain lends itself to smaller areas of the kitchen as a focal point, such as a food prep area or coffee bar. It is durable and can easily be fitted with an undermount sink but is not recommended for overhangs. If you’re looking for an edgy design, this is it. Whether constructed from the same wood species or contrasting woods, this surface option is very distinctive and eye-catching.

STYLE AND FINISHES

Although finishes were covered in Part 1 of this series, they do bear repeating, as choosing the right one can be critical to the health of your wood surface and its user. • Crosslinked penetrating tung oil finish can be used with all three styles can be finished with to seal and protect the wood. A penetrating tung oil finish will give each style the look of upscale fine wood furniture. Plank-style construction islands will have a slightly satin finish. Edge- and end-grain styles will have a slightly more matte finish.

Choose this finish if you plan to use a cutting board whenever you prepare food. The finish is durable and cleans up easily. Spills bead up, making it a low-maintenance, low-worry finish.

• Food safe penetrating oil finishes are ideal for use on edge and end grain constructions if they are to be used as butcher block food prep stations or chopping blocks. You can cut on the surface and any scratches can be easily sanded out.

This finish requires more maintenance than a tung oil finish and should be re-oiled every three to four weeks to maintain its beauty. Spills should be wiped up immediately. This matte finish would not be recommended for an island that uses plank-style construction.

Polyurethane and lacquer finishes should be avoided. Polyurethane and lacquer are not oil finishes that penetrate the wood but, rather, are put on in layers that sit atop the wood surface. Furniture makers use polyurethane to finish the wood because it is inexpensive and easily put into mass production. The problem with these finishes is that moisture can get underneath the layers and cause the dreaded white rings that often occur when a glass sits on a surface without a coaster. In addition, both polyurethane and lacquer can chip or flake off. Penetrating oil finishes will not do that.

Part three of this four-part series will look at how to sell wood countertops.

— Craft-Art, Inc., is a manufacturer of fine wood countertops and islands.

Suggest a butcher block, wood countertop or wood island to a homeowner and those born after 1940 may never have seen one, yet it used to be the cornerstone of the best homes. Today, wood countertops are making a comeback.

In Europe, which typically runs ahead of the U.S. in design trends, wood countertops are very popular. In Scandinavia alone, wood tops have better than 40 percent of the market share compared to the United States, where they hold about 7 percent currently. For kitchen and bath dealers, that figure alone represents a huge opportunity, provided they know the basic selling points of wood countertops.

CHOOSING A WOOD SPECIES

There are a number of wood species to choose from for a kitchen island or butcher block. Domestic and exotic wood species range in color from the palest beige to nearly black and everything in between. You can also choose from a broad range of thicknesses. For example, depending upon the construction style, a single piece of wood can be as thick as 6 in. There are also dozens of construction styles and edge profiles to choose from to complement the design styling of the kitchen.

Homeowners can choose from dozens of wood species and edge profile to make their wood countertop unique to their home and lifestyle.

If you’re price shopping, start at domestic hardwoods. They will be the most affordable. Some popular choices are maple, hickory and oak. If you’re in the market for something a little exotic and are prepared to pay—on average—60 to 120 percent more, wood species, such as teak, zebrawood and wenge, work well as countertops.

CHOOSING A FINISH

In addition to wood species, you’ll want to make sure that the countertop is properly finished. Three types of wood finishes are available:

1. Polyurethane finish. Typically, polyurethane is sprayed on and can turn brittle over time. Once the film is damaged by something falling on it or denting it, moisture can get underneath, which can look unsightly. When the finish fails, the moisture lifts the finish off the wood. Some vendors still use variants of this today.

2. Natural oil finishes, such as mineral oil, walnut oil or other natural oils, do not harden or seal the wood, but protect it. When using this finish, homeowners must routinely (every three to four weeks) re-oil their wood top to maintain its functionality and beauty. The benefit of this matte finish is that homeowners can use the entire surface as a chopping block and any scratches can be easily sanded out by the homeowner with a sheet of sandpaper.

3. Penetrating tung oil finish is very durable. It is the finish that was used originally to seal ocean-going ships. Today, it dries fast and flexible, so the finish won’t chip or break off around the corners. Because it penetrates into the wood, moisture can’t get underneath the surface, which prevents water rings. It is highly durable, resists most household chemicals and is highly moisture-resistant. This mid-gloss satin finish is typically chosen by the homeowners who use a separate cutting board and do not use sharp objects on the countertop without surface protection.

A penetrating tung oil finish will give a wood island the look of fine furniture that is still durable, easy to clean and warms up any room.

Most countertop scratches occur when a homeowner drags an unfinished ceramic plate, bowl or flower vase across the surface. Doing this will not only scratch wood, but may also scratch granite, slate, limestone and solid surface countertops. If scratching is a problem, consider a butcher block countertop or a distressed wood, which comes with a natural aged patina.

Likewise, the finish chosen will also have a lot to do with stain resistance. A penetrating tung oil finish will resist stains. Just wipe up stains or water as you would on any other surface.

Finally, any surface, whether it is wood, glass, tile or granite can retain bacteria. The real issue is whether homeowners disinfect their tops. No matter what surface you have, if you don’t disinfect it, bacteria will grow on it.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CHOICES

If you’re concerned about the environment (and who isn’t these days?), there are a number of green options available. You can choose domestic wood from a managed forest; fast-growing woods, such as bamboo or Lyptus; recycled sugar maple; and reclaimed wood from old barns and homes that are being torn down. Taking the wood from homes, businesses, warehouses or barns that are to be torn down and giving it new life as a countertop is perhaps the greenest option going.

Interested in learning more about wood countertops? Check back for Part 2, which will discuss the different construction styles available.

— Brad Baker is director of sales for Craft-Art, Inc., a manufacturer of fine wood countertops and islands.