Its not your Grandma's Kitchen | Plastic Laminate Steps It Up!

Even though retro is sort of back right now, it doesn't mean you want your kitchen, your bathroom or any room in your house to really look like your grandma's house.  


Vintage Formica Advertising Postcards - photo via ebay listing
As much as I loved my grandmothers and have amazing fond memories of their homes, I don't long for those gold flecked white plastic laminate countertops.

pic - House Beautiful April 1957 issue

With that in mind, 
step into the 21st Century...  

When was the last time you took a look at Plastic Laminate or even considered plastic laminate for your cabinets or even countertops for that matter in your home or business?  Well I can honestly say, having been in the kitchen and bath industry for over 25 years it has been awhile since the subject of using plastic laminate has even come up.  For me it was, key word was, sort of like asking if you want to buy a Yugo or a Pinto if you remember what those are.  Well Yugo's are not around anymore or Pintos for that matter, but  Formica has been around for over 100 years and is BACK in  fresh, exciting, new and innovative ways!    

Formica turned 100 years in 2013

I had the pleasure of celebrating their birthday with them at KBIS2013 in New Orleans. (Great cupcakes by the way)
Formica Booth #KBIS2013

Ok, ok, so I know you are trying to get past that whole Yugo / Pinto comparison, sorry about that I was just making sure you were paying attention.

So that was then...and this is NOW! 
(insert applause, oohs and aaahs here)

Formica Magma Black




“Although granite continues to be popular, homeowners are expanding their material preferences to include new stone variations,” said Amy Gath, vice president of marketing at Formica Corporation. “Our latest laminate patterns are fresh, affordable and maintenance-free alternatives, making design trends accessible for all.”


Formica - Lapidus Brown


During my trip to KBIS/IBS Design Construction Week 2014, in Vegas as a member of the #BlogTourVegas Team, I got to see first hand Formica's most recent pattern and finish introductions.  As a professional I have to say this is the first time I have been excited about plastic laminate in a very long time. 


“The new 180fx® patterns reflect some of the most stunning granite options on the market,” said Amy Gath, vice president of marketing at Formica Corporation. “Using advanced printing technology, we authentically replicated each beautiful detail in true scale ― capturing the high-end look homeowners desire without sacrificing the maintenance-free and affordable nature of laminate."


The 2014 180fx® introduction includes:

Formica - River Gold 180fx4


3546-46 River Gold in Etchings™ Finish: An inviting creamy-white granite with linear veins of gold and gray highlighted by chocolate-brown crystals. One of the most desirable granites, it reflects the trend toward light and white sophisticated stone. The Etchings™ finish enhances the “river-like” quality of the pattern with its light linear movement.


Formica - Lapidus Brown 180fx2

 3547-RD Lapidus Brown in Radiance® Finish: A versatile and timeless granite that features vibrant gold tones and rich iron veining highlighted by creamy white crystals and gray and black pebbles. Its rich color palette will coordinate with a variety of cabinetry, from light golden maples to cherry to antique black. The Radiance® finish highlights the crystalline structure. 


Formica - Magna Black 180fx

3548-RD Magma Black in Radiance® Finish: A dramatic stone that lives up to its name, each slab appears as if liquid lava has been poured over it. Rivers of gold, gray and rust highlighted by pure white crystals create a bold pattern. The Radiance® finish deepens the black background and accents the pebbles and crystals.
Formica - Red Dragon 180fx2

3549-RD Red Dragon in Radiance® Finish: An exotic and alluring rich red with dramatic veining and gray crystals. The Radiance® finish intensifies the color and complements the crystalline structure. 

All 180fx® patterns are available with IdealEdge™ laminate edge profiles. Suitable for curved, clipped or 90-degree corner installations, IdealEdge™ decorative edges transcend the customary limitations of laminate by eliminating flat edges and brown seams.

In addition to unmatched aesthetics and performance, all 180fx® patterns are designed to minimize environmental impact. Each pattern is certified under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) and the GREENGUARD Certification Program (including a GREENGUARD Certificate of Compliance Gold).
 

With over 100 years experience, Formica is leading the way with innovative new and exciting patterns, finishes, edging and surface materials.  The realism in the pattern, color and selections available are amazing and virtually hard to tell from the original pieces of stone, wood, metal and other surfaces they were made to reflect and look like.
   

Top Left—8829 Graphite Twill | Top Right—845 Spectrum Red

Bottom Left—3458 Travertine Silver | Bottom Right—8826 Neutral Twill

It really is the perfect material for multitudes of things - countertops, table tops, built-in's, desks, furniture....you name and it can be built out of Formica.  And it won't look like your Grandma's Kitchen.

Visit our Website or call 
Time2Design and set up an appointment
to discover your Kitchen style

941-378-9964

www.FORMICA.COM

Disclosure: This is a "Sponsored Post" The company/companies who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, all opinions written here are my own and I only recommend products or services I believe in.

DEKTON Hot New Surface / Countertop Material

Cosentino's Newest Countertop Material / #KBIS2014 #BLOGTOURVEGAS

DEKTON STRATO Tech Collection

Dekton may be what I would consider the next big thing in countertops.  It is something new, has a great new look, texture, color and it is indoor/outdoor rated.  Dekton is available in 12 white, grey, black and natural stone hues and in three polished matte and slate finishes.  It is made in large format slabs measuring 56" x 126" slabs in three thicknesses - 1.2cm, 2cm and 3cm - this will allow for the ability to fabricate large surfaces with fewer seams. In the future, the collection will expand to include an impressive range of innovative aesthetics including wood, rust, concrete and oxidized metal as well as a variety of textures such as rippled, leather, denim, slate, brushed and coated.  This will open up entirely new doors as far as where it can and will be used.


I had an opportunity to see and touch it in person during my time with #BlogTourVegas at #KBIS2014.  It has a beautiful feel to it, the colors are fabulously natural and the ability to have/add texture and/or route out a pattern in it is spectacular.  
The #BlogTourVegas Group Admiring DEKTON during #KBIS2014

The fact that is is fade resistant and qualifies for outdoor use is quite an impressive feat and one to be looked at in terms of innovation in the surface material industry.  Dekton's superior technical characteristics provide unique UV resistance for color stability outdoors and exceptional strength and performance.  

Facade DEKTON STRATO Tech Collection

The product is highly resistant to impact, scratches and abrasion for use in high-traffic areas and has very low water absorption.  It also provides thermal shock resistance against heat, frost and thawing, enabling the product to be used outside in any climate.  Dekton will open a whole new array of possibilities for outdoor spaces that were once not considered due to extreme climate changes.  

Exterior Cladding with DEKTON Sirocco Natural Collection

Ok so what is it made of?  Here is the scoop for those of you who need the 411 on how it is made - Dekton is made from a mixture of inorganic raw materials found in glass, porcelain tile and natural quartz.
  
DEKTON Factory Almeria, Spain

The process by which it is made combines technologies from these three industries, resulting in a proprietary new advancement called Particle Sintering Technology (PST), developed exclusively by Cosentino's R&D team.  PST is essentially an accelerated version of metamorphism or the "change in form" that rocks and stone undergo in nature when subject to heat and pressure over thousands of years.  To manufacture Dekton, Cosentino has reduced this process to four hours with extreme heat and pressure resulting in an entirely new category of material - the ultra-compact surface.

The DEKTON Press
The press used in the ultra-compaction process has a capacity of 25,000 tons, six times more than what has been regarded as the world's largest press up to now.



www.dekton.com



Photo credit - www.dekton.com
Disclosure: This is a "sponsored post" The company/companies who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, all opinions written here are my own and I only recommend products or services I believe in. 

BLANCO Kitchen Sink is the ONE™



In keeping with their amazing style and their innovative functionality Blanco's new kitchen sink the ONE™ Collection is sure to be a show stopper ~ New Product introduction at KBIS2014.  As part of the Modenus BlogtourVegas team I had an opportunity to see the ONE™ up close and personal during our time at KBIS |IBS – Design & Construction Week.  It is everything it appears to be and a great addition to any kitchen with multifunctional accessories to meet everyone's needs. 

BLANCO introduces the ONE™ Collection– three spacious kitchen sinks + five innovative accessory kits = the ultimate individualized workstations The new ONE stainless steel sinks join personalized lifestyles with commanding functionality to create organized culinary and cleaning stations.
BLANCO, German innovator of extraordinary kitchen sinks and faucets, launches the ONE Collection with three new sinks and five innovative accessory kits that combine to form unique customized solutions for cooking, organizing and cleaning. 




    “By far, the biggest design trend that connects with both consumers and
    designers is the idea of individualization,” states Tim Maicher, Director of
    Marketing for BLANCO. “We have so many options in front of us each day
    – we truly believe that there is one product, made just for us and for our
    life. That is the inspiration for ONE. It’s a sink that lets you customize the
    features to create a personal workstation.”

    “If you have a family and are worried about keeping knives out of reach, if
    you are a foodie and you want a cutting board that lets you clean, cut and
    save space, if you are living in a small metro space and you don’t have
    counterspace to both clean and prep – there’s a BLANCO ONE sink and
    accessories kit just for you,” continues Maicher.



BLANCO ONE comes in three base model sizes: XL Single, Super Single and Medium bowls. Able to take on the challenges of daily life, these easy-to-clean 9" deep bowls are created from high quality stainless steel with BLANCO’s signature Satin Polished Finish. The accessories include a Magnetic Sink Caddy to hold cleaning tools inside the sink; a Workstation that holds knives and utensils; an  Ash Compound Cutting Board that fits to the sink to save space and protective Custom Grids. Exclusively for the XL Single bowl, the Multi-Level Grid.


This multi-functional sink meets the needs of many types and styles of users and is fitting of the name the  ONE™.  Well done Blanco!

 Photo and video credit - www.blancoamerica.com

Disclosure: This is a "sponsored post" The company/companies who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, all opinions written here are my own and I only recommend products or services I believe in. 


Headed to #KBIS2014 ~ Kitchen and Bath Industry Show

BlogTour Vegas | KBIS | IBS | Design and Construction Week | 2014 


I am headed to LAS VEGAS for the inaugural Design & Construction week!


For the first time both KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show) and IBS (International Buidlers Show) have joined together to create one show in one place at the same time ~ Design & Construction week!  This is sure to be an epic event combining all aspects of the construction and design in home building, construction and the kitchen and bath industry.  You've heard the saying "Everything and the Kitchen Sink"? Well this is it!  



The exciting part of this trip is that I will be experiencing the show as a member of BlogTourVegas.  I am one of 15 designers and design bloggers from the U.S. and Canada selected to be a member of BlogTourVegas.  We will spend four days at the inaugural Design and Construction Week in Las Vegas spotting the latest trends, seeing the newest products, networking with industry peers and reporting back to our blogs and social media audiences.   

The BlogTourVegas Bloggers...


Carmen Christensen, Time2Design  | Ken & Grace Kelly, Kitchen Designs blog | Vanessa Francis, Décor Happy | Meredith Heron, Sashay | Lisa Mende, Lisa Mende Design | Rita Catinella OrrellDesignythings  | Christine Da Costa, The Glam Blog | Sarah Sarna, Live The Life You Dream About , | Marilyn Russell, Design Magnifique | Cristin Bisbee Priest, Simplified Bee Blog | Rhonda Knoche, Rhonda Knoche blog | JB Bartkowiak, BuildingMoxie.com | Tina RamchandaniLife in Sketch | Stacy Naquin, Stacy Naquin blog




In addition to the BlogTour meetings, greetings, networking and tours the Blogtour team has been asked by KBIS management to judge not only the newly revamped Best of KBIS Awards but the first ever Booth Innovation Award as well. This is sure to be four days filled with inspiration, information and fun times and I look forward to sharing my experience with you along the way and when I return.  


You can follow BlogTour Vegas on Twitter using hastag #BlogTourVegas, and view my live updates by following my Twitterfeed or you can also keep up with me on my Instagram or Facebook

BlogTour Las Vegas is sponsored by: KBIS, Blanco, Poggenpohl, Sub-Zero, Cosentino, Mr Steam, Top Knobs, Wood-Mode, Formica Group, Walker Zanger and TOTO USA.

Small Change, Big Result - Bathroom Renovation

Are you thinking about remodeling your kitchen or maybe your bathroom.  You don't always have to knock down a wall, you can make a change by simple changing the cabinetry color.  Like this example we resurfaced the cabinetry and finished them in white.  This simple change created a whole new look and feel to this space.