Custom Home articles from April 2005

Custom Home archives from April 2005

The big picture.(Editor's Page)
April 1, 2005... Though every custom kitchen and bath is unique, each is a microcosm of clients' desires. And when you have the opportunity to look at a lot of them in a short period of time, you begin to see patterns emerge. So after talking with custom...

Concrete ideas: a light touch with a solid material.(Trend Lines/Design)
April 1, 2005... "I started more than 20 years ago working with concrete as an interior material," says architect David Hertz. "At the time, it was a radical reaction to all of the faux finishes, and for me, slapping a big slab of concrete in the room was very...

Power desks: a new type of kitchen workstation makes multitasking easy.(Trend Lines/Design)
April 1, 2005... "We have a lot of clients looking for house desks," says Derrill Bazzy, designer for South Mountain Co., a design/build firm. In or adjacent to the kitchen is where pros are putting these multipurpose built-ins. Homeowners need somewhere to...

Sheer vanity: see-through materials open up the bathroom.(Trend Lines/Design)
April 1, 2005... A bath doesn't necessarily have to be big to seem big, especially if the designer uses materials with some immaterial properties that create the illusion of spaciousness. "When you can read through a surface, it has a multi-layered effect,"...

Quiet beauty.(Trend Lines/What's New)
April 1, 2005... Abbaka's Hy-Ex professional exterior ventilator is designed not only to move the noise of its 1,000- to 1,400-cfm blower motor from inside the kitchen range hood to outside the house, but also to achieve an attractive architectural design that...

In hot water.(Trend Lines/What's New)
April 1, 2005... Waiting for water to warm up at the tap not only slows you down, it also wastes water and energy. Enter Uponor Wirsbo's D'Mand Hot Water Delivery System, which consists of a pump, a motion sensor activator, and a button activator. The motion...

Mark your calendar: important upcoming events.(Trend Lines/Events)(Calendar)
April 1, 2005... May 3-6, Coverings Tile, Stone, and Flooring Expo. Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla. For information call 866.285.3691 or visit www.coverings.com. * May 9-12, Kitchen/Bath Industry Show. Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas. For...

2005 Watermark Awards: these five projects bear the mark of excellence.
April 1, 2005... The third annual Watermark Awards, jointly sponsored by CUSTOM HOME and BUILDER magazines, celebrates the fine art of kitchen and bath design. The competition is dedicated to honoring design excellence for these two most important rooms. This...

Merillat. Helping to create inspiring living spaces.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2005... Dear Builders, At Merillat, we are proud to be a part of the 2005 Watermark Awards. I congratulate this year's winners, whose designs exemplify true excellence in craftsmanship and attention to detail. They serve as an inspiration to all...

Research helps builders design kitchens around prospective homebuyers.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2005... Merillat recently conducted the unprecedented research study, Model Behavior: How People Act, Think And Shop In A Model Home. This study is the first-ever to gain insights into the motivations and preferences of new home shoppers. The...

Merillat Classic[R] becomes more chic with addition of Accent Collections[TM].(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2005... The introduction of Accent Collections is another example of Merillat Classic's virtually limitless design flexibility. Like all Merillat Classic cabinetry, the Accent Collections line allows builders to offer fashionable, furniture-style...

New Merillat classic accent collections tapestry: graceful details with a traditional look.(Tapestry)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2005... Tapestry's traditional is seen in its graceful wave and leaf pattern. This classical style leads itself to a breathtaking array of variations including Georgian, Greek Revival, Victorian and French Neoclassical. Its classic details make a big...

Merillat classic accent collections Estero: inspired by the clean look of mission style.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2005... Estero Estero is modeled after the simple, clean and refreshing look of Mission style. In addition, it can be used in a variety of decor themes including Colonial, Art Nouveau and Modern. Its clean style and simple lines have the...

New Merillat Classic[R] accent collections Windmere: delicate details inspired by an assortment of styles.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2005... Windmere Windmere has a delicate rope design that is inspired by eclectic styles. Windmere can be used to create many unique looks including Baroque, Italianate, Victorian, Renaissance and Regency. Windmere is an easy way to transform any...

Merillat to showcase an array of products at the 2005 kitchen and bath show.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2005... Exciting innovations are planned for unveiling at the 2005 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, including a new cabinetry style, wood species and the new Merillat Classic[R] Deluxe and SoftAction[TM] System. On display for the first time will be...

Chef Central: home cooks mean serious business.(Portfolio)
April 1, 2005... Custom home owners are more dedicated to fine cooking than ever before. Many no longer think of preparing a meal as a chore, but as a luxury to which they devote considerable time and money. And to create beautiful, great-tasting food, they...

The water front: the custom bath scene is a study in perpetual motion.(Portfolio)(Cover Story)
April 1, 2005... If there is a theme in this year's collection of master bathrooms, we might phrase it this way: Who knew? Who knew that a north-facing bath could become a virtual temple of light, that a master bedroom suite could be successfully turned inside...

Buyer's choice: what are custom home buyers asking for in kitchens and baths right now? We put that question to custom builders in different markets around the country. Here's what they said is hot, and sometimes what's not, with their custom home buyers.
April 1, 2005... Lucy Katz Vice President of Customer Service and Client Development Katz Builders, Austin, Texas "The kitchen is no longer just in the kitchen," declares Lucy Katz. "You now have kitchen facilities throughout the house."...

Clean and clear: residential water treatment systems offer homeowners control over water quality.(Products/State of the Art)
April 1, 2005... Across the nation, desire is high for quality water in the home, as evidenced by the popularity of bottled drinking water and after-market filtration products. According to the Water Quality Association's 2004 Consumer Attitudes Survey, 64...

Culligan.(Products/State of the Art)
April 1, 2005... The Culligan Good Water Machine point-of-use filtration system uses a reverse osmosis membrane to reduce dissolved substances in water such as radium, lead, and arsenic. The membrane combines with a sediment filter to screen out particles down...

Everpure.(Products/State of the Art)
April 1, 2005... Utilizing an exclusive pre-coat filtration design, the H-1200 reduces up to 99.99 percent of particles 1/2 micron and larger in size, including cryptosporidium, the manufacturer claims. In addition to removing VOCs, MTBE, and 99 percent of...

GE infrastructure water & process technologies.(Products/State of the Art)
April 1, 2005... Designed for point-of-use installation, the Merlin reverse osmosis water filtration system reduces up to 95 percent of contaminants such as bad tastes, odors, and other matter. Operating on line pressure, the Merlin's tankless, continuous-flow...

General ecology.(Products/State of the Art)
April 1, 2005... Providing a high flow rate of up to 26 gallons per minute, the Spark-L-Pure microfiltration system removes chlorine taste and odor as well as fibers, visible dirt, scale, and other particulate contaminants such as chemicals from...

Open planning.(Products/Kitchen Products)
April 1, 2005... Bacchus cabinetry is designed for open kitchen environments that blur into dining and entertaining areas. Bacchus comes in a wide range of cabinets and components. Door finishes are available in wenge (shown) and white embossed lacquer....

Fill 'er up.(Products/Kitchen Products)
April 1, 2005... The A1444 and A1445 Country Kitchen pot-filler faucets feature swivel spouts that reach 9 inches and 11 inches, respectively. The 5 1/4-inch-tall faucets have a single, porcelain-insert-accented spoke handle. Rohl. 800.777.9762....

Now you see it.(Products/Kitchen Products)
April 1, 2005... The Monogram wine reserve and beverage center now are available with a privacy glass door. A liquid crystal laminate between the door's two layers of UV-resistant glass is opaque in an uncharged state; the push of a button clears the view. GE...

Remote venting.(Products/Kitchen Products)
April 1, 2005... The SU202-14 range hood's curved glass canopy combines with a cylindrical stainless steel chimney in a brushed finish. Its 600-cfm blower operates quietly on four speeds and can be adjusted using a wireless remote control. Features include...

On the rocks.(Products/Kitchen Products)
April 1, 2005... Blender and Beverage centers are constructed of stainless steel and are available as built-in or slide-in models with stainless base cabinets. The Beverage Center features a sink, drain board, work area, insulated ice bin, and optional speed...

Fusion cooking.(Products/Kitchen Products)
April 1, 2005... Providing 1,500 watts of electric power in two separately controlled cooking zones, the Vario Teppan Yaki VP 411 modular griddle allows temperatures to be precisely adjusted over its entire surface or just half. The surface is hard-chromed,...

Perfectly preserved.(Products/Kitchen Products)
April 1, 2005... The two-drawer, 43-bottle Wine Captain features individually temperature-controlled top and bottom drawers. When opened, the wine racks automatically cascade outward; the lower drawer has a removable three-bottle wine caddy. It is available...

Multi-tasker.(Products/Kitchen Products)
April 1, 2005... Constructed of 18-gauge 304 stainless steel, the BlancoAxis 6 integrated workstation features a sliding safety-glass cutting board, a removable stainless steel colander, and a 3 1/2-inch basket strainer. Blanco America. 800.45.5782....

Stand tall.(Products/Kitchen Products)
April 1, 2005... Constructed of stainless steel in a natural finish, the Sandpiper kitchen faucet is a single-control, slim column measuring 14 inches tall. Available with a matching side spray or with a pull-out aerator, the Sandpiper's spout has an elongated...

Glass act.(Products/Kitchen Products)
April 1, 2005... Available on a variety of bottom-freezer and side-by-side refrigerators, dishwashers, built-in wall ovens, and warming drawers, the new glass panel finish comes in glossy white or black. The reflective panels extend beyond the face of the...

Stony edge.(Products/Kitchen Products)
April 1, 2005... The StoneDesign collection of countertops uses a patented process to wrap a 1 1/2- to 3-inch-thick layer of natural stone around a lightweight base material. More than 24 stone types and unlimited edge designs are available. The process makes...

Artful accents.(Products/Kitchen Products)
April 1, 2005... The rustic, hand-cast Accents collection of knobs and hang-ups comes in satin stainless, stainless steel, and bronze. The knobs and hooks are available in nine patina finishes: dove, black, antique, celadon, natural, mink, lustre, oil-robbed,...

Doubly cool.(Products/Kitchen Products)
April 1, 2005... Designed to slide into 27-inch-wide cabinet openings, the Double Drawer refrigerator features a "cool pantry" option on its bottom drawer that allows temperature settings between 40 and 60 degrees F, in addition to normal 34 to 45 degrees F on...

True craftsman.(Products/Kitchen Products)
April 1, 2005... Period-accurate features of the Arts & Crafts cabinetry collection include quartersawn white oak Morrisville doors, tapered base cabinet legs, bracket moldings, arched toekicks and light rails, and solid wood pegging. Crown Point Cabinetry....

Toujours provence.(Products/Kitchen Products)
April 1, 2005... French Country cabinetry replicates antique kitchen furniture from the south of France, the maker says. The geometric silhouettes of the five door designs are set off by the line's 11 custom finishes, which include distressed paint colors...

Strong impression.(Products/Bath Products)
April 1, 2005... Available on the maker's Memoirs Stately collection of bath faucets and decorative accessories, the Hammered Nickel finish is inspired by the textures and patina of beaten metal. The PVD finish will not scratch, corrode, or tarnish, the maker...

Color infusion.(Products/Bath Products)
April 1, 2005... Available in six vibrant shades, the iColor medicine cabinets are constructed of steel with a baked-on powder-coat finish. The cabinets feature two interior mirrors and adjustable glass shelves that lock into place with snap-fit shelf supports....

Style squared.(Products/Bath Products)
April 1, 2005... Sand-cast from a solid piece of an aluminum-based alloy, the Cozumel in Alegre sink has no applied coatings, allowing its color and finish to mature over time. Designed for surface-mounted application, the sink measures 15 3/4 inches square and...

Coppery glow.(Products/Bath Products)
April 1, 2005... The Pacific Tub is constructed of a solid piece of 72-ounce 13-gauge copper with a bronze carriage and cast bronze ball feet. Weighing 180 pounds, the stand-alone tub has a mirror-polished interior and an antiqued copper-patina and...

Asian illusion.(Products/Bath Products)
April 1, 2005... The Allusion bathroom suite features a whirlpool bath, pedestal sink, and toilet with matching faucetry in an Asian-influenced style. The low-profile toilet's PowerFlo flushing system uses a 2-inch fully glazed trapway. Fixtures come in white,...

Set sail.(Products/Bath Products)
April 1, 2005... New to the Hatteras collection of faucets, the wall-mount lavatory faucet features cross handles and bell-shaped handle bases. Constructed of solid brass, the Hatteras wall-mount faucet is available in antique nickel and bronze finishes, as...

Soothing soaker.(Products/Bath Products)
April 1, 2005... Measuring 32 inches deep, the Yubune soaking tub can be speced for a still-water soaking experience or with one or more of the maker's whirlpool and thermo-air massage packages. Constructed of high-gloss Lucite cast acrylic, Yubune comes in...

Height of fashion.(Products/Bath Products)
April 1, 2005... Formed from the maker's high-performance glassed steel, the WT.RX series of sinks stand 3 feet tall and come in three models. The pedestals can be fitted with either deck-mounted or wall-mounted faucets. Alape/Dornbracht. 800.774.1181....

Power flush.(Products/Bath Products)
April 1, 2005... The EcoPower sensor-operated Electronic Flush Valve utilizes a self-sufficient power source. Each time the toilet or bidet is flushed, water spins a small internal turbine, generating power that is then stored in a series of capacitors and used...

European collectibles.(Products/Bath Products)
April 1, 2005... The Lorraine Chest is a French bombe-shaped bath vanity of alder solids and cherry veneers with a distressed, aged chestnut finish. It is available with a granite top, faucet, and undermount sink, or as the vanity alone. Cole & Co....

Luxurious geometry.(Products/Bath Products)
April 1, 2005... Designed by the F.A. Porsche Design Studio, the F1 collection of bath faucets boasts an oversized cone shape, aluminum finish, and a hefty feel. The single-hole center-set faucet uses two small levers, positioned one above the other, that glide...

Sounds of silence.(Products/Bath Products)
April 1, 2005... The WhisperLite ventilation fan utilizes patent-pending technology to deliver the lowest sone levels currently available, according to the maker, ranging between .4 and 1.4 sones. Two-storied, double-tapered dolphin-shaped fan blades and a...

Modern look.(Products/Bath Products)
April 1, 2005... The Mini Nikko bath vanity features three door insert options: rice paper, rattan, or solid panels; the wood top accommodates any vessel sink or basin. The 32-inch-high vanity comes in 40 finishes, and a 38-inch-high matching mirror is also...

Double take.(Products/Bath Products)
April 1, 2005... Designed to ventilate several areas of a bathroom through one remote-mounted fan, Dual-Port exhaust kits are Energy Star qualified and come in a variety of sizes. The DLX200 kit includes a 408-cfm fan that is capable of exhausting a 210- to...

D-lightful.(Products/Bath Products)
April 1, 2005... Created by designer Dieter Sieger, the Happy D bath suite features six different soaking tub models, matching shower trays, a toilet, a bidet, and a sink. The tubs and shower trays are made of the manufacturer's UltraAcryl, which is cast...

Wine cellars.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2005... The nice thing about wine is that you don't have to be a connoisseur to enjoy it. But whether you're a novice or expert, you must store your wine properly or risk losing the inventory you have, be it five bottles or 500. Wine enthusiasts, in...

Roman bath.(Last Detail)
April 1, 2005... For this 2,000-square-foot spa/pool house pavilion in Coral Gables, Fla., a shower of majestic proportions was needed. "It's really a cooling space for the steam room and sauna--a transition, also, between other spa areas and the hot rooms,"...