Green Mondays: New Eco-friendly Materials

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At Plumbtile, we like to research about the newest trends and news about green living and design. It is our advocacy to spread awareness about using sustainable, recyclable, and eco-friendly materials for the home.

ThisOldHouse came up with a list of new interior materials that are on trend and in the market. Here are some of them:

LEATHER TILES

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Even luxurious leather gets thrown away; scraps from furniture, shoe, car seat, and other tanneries eventually make their way to landfills.

The naturally sound-absorbent tiles install like cork or vinyl (preglued tiles are available). For care and upkeep of floor tiles, use a damp mop to clean them; wax them three times a year, or use a topical sealer once every five to 10 years. Wall tiles do not need wax or additional maintenance.

BIO-GLASS

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This luminescent material is 100% post-consumer recycled glass that’s heated and compressed to create solid-surfacing slabs. It contains no binders, colorants, fillers, or other admixtures, and has no off-gassing.

Sample shows slight markings from the bottom of a recycled beverage bottle. To enhance the upgrade, lighter colors can be underlit to make agglomeration markings stand out in dramatic fashion.

To find out more about going green and the use of renewable sources and materials, go to http://www.plumbtile.com/go-green.html or call 1-866-369-8180.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association's Trend Study

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grey-wall-white-cabinets

Looking to find out what’s hot and what’s not in the world of kitchen and bathroom design? If you are still in the planning stages of your remodel, you might want to check the latest National Kitchen & Bath Association’s trend study: 300 member designers were polled for the latest trends and news about bath and kitchen designs and remodels and below are the results.

Curious to see what’s HOT this season?

GRAY COLOR SCHEMES – that’s right, shades of gray are growing in appeal for both the kitchen and bathroom, and been growing in popularity since 2010.

“Among the overall trends identified for this year, gray color schemes in both kitchens and baths have witnessed a dramatic escalation since 2010, particularly over the past year, according to a written statement about the study. “Used currently in 55 percent of kitchens and 56 percent of bathrooms, shades of gray are growing in appeal, creating chic, sophisticated spaces that many consumers desire.”

The appetite for sleek shades of gray in kitchens and baths might be linked to the colors popularity in fashion over the last few years. NKBA stopped short of linking the color’s popularity to the steamy best-seller “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E.L. James.

Despite gray’s recent appeal, white and off-white are still most popular, used in 73 percent of kitchens and 71 percent bathrooms. The neutrals of beige and bone come next in popularity, followed by grays and browns, according to NKBA.
View full article.

 

QUARTZ – second most popular counter-surface material used in kitchens and baths last year, and is closely gaining popularity to granite on the top spot.

WHITE CABINETS – this is a popular trend for kitchens, it has been a top choice since last year.

GLASS BACKSPLASH – this trend has grown in popularity in the last 3 years, it’s no surprise.

TOUCH-ACTIVATED FAUCETS – at Plumbtile you will find many of these trendy faucets, we love them!

For the complete trends for the bath and kitchen, you can view the full list here. Call 1-866-369-8180 and ask your friendly Plumbtile consultant about the latest trends, they’re always ready to help!

Updating the Most Used Kitchen Item – The Kitchen Sink

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It is Remodel Thursday and we have a great  tip for you. Today, we are all about the kitchen sink. Are you ready?

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Elite - Kitchen 24

The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but the sink handles most of the daily chores. That’s because it’s the only working area used to both prepare meals and clean up after them. Although quality sinks can last 15 years or more, they do wear out. Their finishes start to dull or chip, and annoying leaks appear mysteriously around the rim and drain.

When replacing the kitchen sink one could get overwhelmed with so many options — single bowls to multiple bowls of different sizes, shapes and depths — you need to consider the size of the room and how you’ll use the sink. Large multi-basin models, which are popular right now, will overpower a small kitchen.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association, an industry trade group, suggests a standard 22X24-in. single-bowl model for kitchens less than 150 sq. ft. For larger kitchens, you can consider the added convenience of double and triple bowls that allow you to stack the dishes in one bowl while you rinse off vegetables in the other.

Kohler - Cordial(R) cast iron entertainment sink with two faucet hole drillings

Many designers specify one main sink and a smaller bar sink for large kitchens. The added smaller bar sink, like the Cordial Cast Iron Sink by Kohler, works out well when there are 2 cooks in the household. It also works well if there are children in the home.

Whatever size and bowl configuration you choose, you’ll also need to select the type of mounting you want. This is both an esthetic and a practical decision as described above.

You’ll also need to specify the number of holes in the sink deck. This number will range from one to five, depending on the faucet and the number of accessories you will have like spray hoses and soap dispensers you add.

Call us at 1-866-369-8180 and we will have one of our specialists speak with you.  We are now accepting PayPal.  For any orders that are over $99.00 you can choose to “Bill Me Later” and get 6 months interest free.  We look forward to assisting you with any of your kitchen needs here at Plumbtile.

Let's Go Organic…in the Kitchen

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Green Mondays by PlumbtileIt’s Green Monday once again!

We will never get tired of spreading awareness about our environment as well as providing our readers with the latest trends in green design.

Do you know what 2013 will bring to the world of kitchen design? Organic. That’s right, warm, earthy gourmet spaces. Mixing wood, slate, stone, and other rustic materials with industrial pieces.

Terry Mulligan of Yahoo gives us the latest trend in kitchen design:

Earthy Colors

Greens, blues, grays, browns, yellows, reds — these colors will be making a grand appearance in kitchens across the country. Whether on painted, weathered cabinets or handmade, upcycled tile, earthen colors will warm up our cooking spaces like never before. All shades are fair game, unless they glow neon. Stick to what you find in nature, and you’ll be right in style.

Organic Wood Cabinets

Instead of traditionally styled, stained, and glazed cabinets with fancy millwork, look for a more understated display of rustic wood on cabinet surfaces. Spalted maple or natural birch drawer fronts will be mixed with clean, industrial-styled cabinet doors and brushed stainless steel. And this year, austere shaker cabinets will be reinvented in many ways. It will be a welcome, yet unusual departure from the kitchens of the last 10 years.

Wood, Stone, or Tile Counters

Granite may not be the material of choice for countertops anymore. Wood and stone like slate should dominate — then add tile tops and backsplashes with a handmade look and feel. It’s all about color and textures that make you feel at home and comfortable this year.

Materials in Their Natural Form

Anywhere you can use materials in their natural form, it’s time to do so. Exposed beams on walls and ceilings will add a rural touch in some kitchens. Wood counters will sport natural, unfinished edges in their shift to a more organic style.

Rustic Floors

Rustic floors will be the rage. Reclaimed wood or polished concrete with amazing stain work will pull the other organic elements of the room together. Slate floors will also be in demand over highly polished marble or tile. Yet even in their natural form, these floors will still be a work of art. Artisans will be lending their expertise to make them part of a unique and extraordinary kitchen design statement.

At Plumbtile, the leader in all things bathroom and kitchen design related products, we have a wide array of green products from counters, faucets, and even tiles that are that are made from renewable resources that have none to minimal impact on our environment.

Let’s GO GREEN in 2013!

PlumbTile features the largest collection of premium brand names including Alno, Jado, Hansgrohe, Herbeau, Phylrich, California Faucets, KWC, Newport Brass, Toto, Ginger, Americh & Zuma Tubs, Hastings, Sugatsune, Classic Brass & more.

New Year, New Kitchen!

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newLast Thursday, we encouraged our readers to remodel their bathrooms for the new year by inspiring them with new trends for the year. For this week we would like to help show you some design ideas on how to get that new kitchen you always dreamed of.

Enumerated below are some of the design ideas and products we think will suit your kitchen to match the overall look and feel of your home. Click on each image to find out more. Enjoy!

Antique Green
  

Timeless Kitchen Style

  

Natural Setting

 

 

Plumbtile is EXTENDING the Photo Contest to April 15, 2013.

WIN $1000.00 worth of products!

Here are the rules:

  • Take a photo of your recent project and submit it to us.
  • Then get all your friends to “Like” your remodeling photo.
  • The photo with the most likes will win $1,000 worth of bath and kitchen products.

For more information visit Plumbtile’s Facebook page.

Out with the Old Sink, In with a New BLANCO SILGRANIT II Sink

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eewKitchens and bathrooms are the rooms that more easily become outdated during a home’s lifetime.  Designer Gloria Graham of Kitchens for Living (www.kitchensforliving.net) took on a tough project of transforming an older style kitchen for a homeowner Florida.

The need for change was obvious from the peeling cabinet paint to the lack of counter space and storage.  Though in need some upgrades, the kitchen still had good bones and is located at the center of the house, making it the heart of the home.  The most important factor was to keep the homeowner’s footprint, while incorporating strategic improvements that would go a long way.  The homeowner also had some products on her wish list there were able to be incorporated.

Gloria’s design inspiration stemmed from the desire to creatively utilize existing kitchen space.  She chose to bring in a British Colonial feel by incorporating the “X” motif and rattan inserts in certain pieces the cabinetry.  Due to limited natural light in the kitchen, it was best to steer clear of the more traditional deeper colors as the room would have become much too dark.  In order to meet the homeowner’s need for more counter space and storage, the center island size had to be expanded.  There is now counter space available in almost a full 360 degree area throughout the kitchen.  Completing the package are a few small sneaky details that make this kitchen unique and fresh.  These details include discreet cabinets that house the coffee maker and toaster oven as well as microwave drawer, keeping these appliances hidden when not in use.

Blanco - Precis Super Single Bowl - TruffleThe updated cabinets have a maple stain and darker glaze on them and rattan panels were included in order to create a balanced flow with the other dining room furniture.  The cabinets were designed by Gloria, herself, and custom built by Brendan Donovan Furniture & Cabinet Co. (www.Brendandonovancabinets.com). Appliances in this kitchen include Thermador (gas range top), Subzero, Wolf and Bosch.

The homeowner’s favorite new feature was a durable white BLANCO SILGRANIT II Precis Super Single Sink.  This classic style sink works nicely with the surrounding upgrades and its convenient size allowed for the surrounding space to be fully utilized.

With Gloria’s help the homeowner was very pleased with the end result.  Her love of her new BLANCO Sink and the kitchen as a whole is extremely evident.  This is the perfect example of how to increase storage space and functionality of a kitchen, while also brightening up the space and giving it a traditional airy feel.

Have a Happy Holidays from Plumbtile.com!

 

Congratulations Blanco!

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Blanco has been synonymous to high-quality bathroom and kitchen fixtures and accessories since 1925. The company is known for exquisite caliber sinks, faucets and accessories for residential and commercial uses. Boasting of over a hundred undermount and drop-in stainless steel kitchen, prep and bar sink models, as well as granite sinks, Blanco is one of the top manufacturers that have always been trusted by PlumbTile.

We take pride in saying that we provide the most comprehensive collection of Blanco products on the web. Not only is PlumbTile honored to distribute products from a quality manufacturer such as Blanco, we also want to let our readers know that they were recently given the Red Dot design award for 5 of their latest sinks and faucets. The products, judged on innovation, functionality, ergonomics, and ecological compatibility, that emerged winners are the Blancomodex, Blancoandano, Blancoyovis-S, Blancovondo and Blancoculina-S.

Red Dot is a very prestigious award for excellent design. Out of 4,515 submissions, Blanco, along with other winning designs, was chosen by an international jury of 30 independent specialists..

Congratulations Blanco!

If you want to find out more about Blanco or check if any of their Red Dot awarded designs are available, just click here and the staff will help you locate them.

Time for some Stainless Steel Sink Shopping

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Let’s go shopping! Here are a few tips we want to share with you to shop for that perfect stainless steel sink.

Tip #1 – Consider the Drain

Blanco - Spex Undermount Single BowlStainless steel sinks may come with or without drain assemblies or baskets. Always give plus points to sinks with accompanying drain assemblies. Also consider the location and design of the drain. Do you know that a drain towards the back means more usable space for dishes in the sink and most importantly, better drainage? That’s right. A rear drain is always better, as shown here. This is a Spex Undermount Single Bowl. Blanco is a manufacturer of high-quality sinks, faucets and accessories for residential and commercial purposes.

Tip #2 – What makes a sink?

Bates & Bates - Sat Rim / Sat BowlLet’s get technical. You should know what your stainless steel is made of. Always know its ingredients. Your sink must be 18% chromium and 8% nickel. This is the best “formula” for optimal corrosion and stain resistance. A lustrous satin finish will develop a better patina over time than matte-finish stainless steel.  To find out if your sink is the best, stick a magnet. If it holds-unfortunately it’s not the best sink.

Here’s an example of a sink with the best components:  Sat Rim / Sat Bowl from Bates & Bates (which incidentally also comes in bronze).

Tip #3 – Knock, knock

Magnum Specialty Undermount Double Bowl Sink With ApronYes, give the sink some thorough knocking. Also look for rubbery undercoatings that deaden the sound of water and silverware hitting the sides. You can be sure a sink is lightweight or without an undercoating if it sounds like a steel drum. If you want to be sure about quality and toughness, you can never go wrong with a Magnum Specialty Undermount Double Bowl Sink With Apron. That’s one tough sink right there.

Tip #4 – Rolling with the Depth

Depth is key. A 10-inch dep sink will hold lots of piled dishes freeing your countertop space. You also get more volume with square corners, straight sides, and a flat bottom. Soft angles allow for easy cleaning and good drainage. The sink shown here is 12” deep (imagine that?), it might hurt your back when you lean down to pick up stuff in it. Consider that.

Tip #5 – Call Plumbtile!

Plumbtile has various stainless steel sinks to choose from. If you are not sure or do not have the luxury of time to inspect each and every stainless steel sink in the market, call Plumbtile. The team will answer all your questions and give you sound recommendations.

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