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HELLO FRIENDS! Hope this finds you enjoying springand happily busy. My team ishappily busy designing and buildingaway this spring! As always, there's a lot happeningin the business of remodeling tokeep us on our toes. A recent studyby Harvard Remodeling Futuresconcluded that more homeimprovement products wereintroduced in the last 3 years thanthe previous 100 years combined!WOW! Daunting and no surprise if,as you think about your remodelproject, you feel confused,overwhelmed or even discouragedto simply begin the process. It's true with technologiesdeveloping and improving, choiceshave exploded. Daily when openingmy inbox I can count on several newproduct intros showing up.Launching this newsletter is myattempt to help you sort through themyriad of choices. First, I'll take oncountertops as there is a lot to talkabout and the discussion willcontinue for another issue or two.Then I'll move on to ventilation,flooring, appliances; the list goeson and on... Please pass this on to your friends,family, acquaintances that canmake use of the information. Andhave them call me if they would likea complimentary consultation ontheir remodel project. I'm continuallygrateful for the repeat and referralbusiness that comes my way. Karen Richmond,CMKBD, CAPS, CGPDesign [email protected] __________________ NEIL KELLY MEMORIALSCHOLARSHIP
The Albina Rotary Club developedthe Neil Kelly Memorial Scholarshipfund as a way to honor andmemorialize charter member NeilKelly when he passed in 1997.
A fitting memorial it is as Kelly wasa selfmade man who respectededucation and community serviceabove all. The first year, a $1,000scholarship was funded for onestudent; this year, from a field ofthirtyfour well deserving applicants,four will be awarded a $2,000
Sorting Through The Choices, Part One:COOL COUNTERTOP DESIGN
According to Kim Berndtson of Kitchen & Bath Design News: "In today's home, countertops are much more than just a work surface.They also serve as an integral part of the design, and often as a focalpoint for the space. The growing number of countertop materials offered by manufacturersmakes it easier, and in many cases more fun, to design withcountertops that command attention. Consider the opportunitiesprovided with materials that range from natural stone and quartz, solidsurface and wood to glass, metal, recycled materials and more. Add abit of creativity with interesting angles, mixed materials and LEDlighting, and every client can have a unique statement piece designedspecifically for them." I couldn't agree more! Here's a kitchen my team recently completed thatfeatures "cool countertop design." NORTHEAST PORTLAND HOME Goal: Open the kitchen from the small box it was to the rest of thehouse for light and ease in entertaining.
Before Remodel
Materials Used: Copper Meteorite Granite with a satin finish andOregon Walnut for bookshelf top/room divider. Desired Look: Lighten the space making it fun and playful. This familyis all about fun, family and friends and these natural stone counterscreate a perfect background for the lively colors in the kitchen. The"brushed" satin finish on this Copper Meteorite granite creates aslightly dimpled and matte surface cutting down on the glare and shineof typical highly polished granite. Oregon black walnut on the bookcasewas selected for the warm, rich glow it offers as a contrast to theliveliness of the kitchen.
After Remodel
annual scholarship, renewable forfour years.
I've been pleased to be involved inthe selection process over the pastfew years; it's a challenge but alsovery rewarding at the Rotaryluncheon to see the winners' faces. They have worked hard and deserveit.
If you have an interest in attendingthe award luncheon on Friday, May29th at 11:30am, please let meknow and we'll make room for youat our table. Or if you might like tomake a donation to the fund, alsolet me know.
__________________
SEE KAREN'SCOUNTERTOPIDEAS IN PRINT!
This Old House Magazine quotedme in an April 2015 article titled"How the Pros Cut Costs (NotCorners)." Here's my #1 tip:
"Check out lowergrade graniteslabs when shopping forcountertops. Fall in love with a toptier stone? Often there's one that'snearly identical at a lower price. Youmay find essentially the same lookthat a highpriced Group D slab hasin Group C for $2,000 to $3,000less. 'There's nothing inferior aboutthe quality of a lowergrade stone,'says Karen Richmond, a kitchendesigner in Portland, Oregon. "It'slikely from a quarry in South Dakotainstead of Brazil." __________________ LEARN MORE ABOUT NEIL KELLY SERVICES Design/Build Remodeling Custom HomesCabinetsHandyman ServicesHome PerformanceSolar
After Remodel
Satin or Brushed Finish
A word about Granite and Natural Stone Countertops: Natural stonesprovide the most unique of countertop materials as each piece boastsits own pattern and color that won't be found in manmade materials.Most granite is hard and durable, but not indestructible as they canchip, scratch and stain. Penetrating sealers help in preserving thecounter when first installed, although the user will still want to exertcare with oils and acids (think oil and vinegar). Oils can stain deeplyand acids can etch the surface. Typically granite is used for kitchen applications as it is harder thanmarble, limestone and travertine which are more commonly used inbathrooms. We are using interesting finishes beyond the typical polished variety(see photos below).
With a honed finish, the polishing process ends before buffing tocreate a matte or lowgloss sheen that lacks the highly reflective,mirrorlike look of traditional granite. This softer honed finish isparticularly popular among clients wanting an aged or casual look.Keep in mind that it is, contrary to what you may think, actually moreabsorbent than polished and requires more effort to keep clean as it issusceptible to finger prints and watermarks. Also without a lightreflecting glossy finish to distract the eye, the natural imperfections ofgranite are more visible with a honed finish.
To create a brushed finish, manufacturers gently brush the granite'ssurface until it becomes textured and appear wornin. Because of thebrushing process, granite countertops with this finish are more porousin comparison to glossy polished granite. And the color will become abit diluted, as happens with the honing process also.
A word about Wood Countertops: Best used as accent piecesoutside of the work area, wood can provide a wonderful texture andcolor contrast. Of course, you may choose to install a butcher blockcounter as a good workhorse if you are OK with the inevitable cut andpatina surface that results. There are many sources of reclaimed woodincluding storm damaged trees, sinker logs, old beams, old barnwood, etc. and lesser known species such as Madrone. All makestunning oneofakind counters. STAY TUNED! In my next newsletter I'll tackleGlass and Wood Countertops. GET INSPIRED AND GET STARTED WITHKAREN RICHMOND AND NEIL KELLY!
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Neil Kelly | 804 N. Alberta St. | Portland | OR | 97217
