Old World Charm Meets Modern Convenience

(Picture: Originally listed as two separate units, 3159 Jackson Street actually has two kitchens. This one sits on the second level with the main dining area and living room, while the other is on the first level. Both include CaesarStone countertops.)

3159 Jackson St., Pacific Heights, San Francisco. The asking price: $3.653 million.

What to love about it: The combination of Old World aesthetics and modern convenience. This three-level Pacific Heights home was built in 1904, and in 2005, the owners began a top-to-bottom renovation that was recently completed.

The home has hardwood floors throughout and multiple custom fireplaces. The main dining area on the second floor has room for a table for eight and features a kitchen with wrap-around CaesarStone countertops.

On the main level, there's a second kitchen that also has CaesarStone countertops and a bedroom that opens to the rear patio/garden. The home also comes with a newly constructed two-car garage.

Hidden gem: The third-floor master bedroom features an alcove with that delivers a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Size: The home was originally listed as two units, but is now being offered as a single-family home. It has five bedrooms, an office/library and 4 1/2 baths.

Agent: Antoine Crumeyrolle of Vanguard Properties

Readmore:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgibin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/20/REFP1AHSCU.DTL#ixzz0bsbtji8Q

For more information on Caesarstone Quartz Countertops & Surfaces, please visit www.caesarstoneus.com.

Why are Countertops Needed?

Have you seen any kitchen, bathroom, or area where work is performed without any countertop? If you have, doesn’t it look too messy without it? Wherever some kind of work activity takes place, it is necessary to have a support so that the work can be done smoothly and after that, if there is any need, the place can be cleaned easily. So much is the requirement for the countertops these days that these rooms do not look complete without them.

Out of all the counterparts used, Quartz countertops are the most sought after countertops. Those who want to have an everlasting look of their kitchen, bath or work room like to go for Quartz countertops due to its durability and availability in different colours. Countertops are a fun to change too, should you want to do it yourself. The satisfaction that will come from seeing your own handwork is immeasurable. You can combine functionality with self-help while choosing quartz countertops.

Kitchen countertops also give an aesthetic appeal to your kitchen. You can buy a colour according to the flooring, tiles or paint colour of your walls. Some people also like to create a sitting space in the kitchen where family can get together informally and have food together or discuss their whole day events. They also serve as a table where generation X meet oldies and try to understand their values and principles.

If you like designer stuff, you can even experiment with a zigzag cutting where the edges can be moulded so that they don’t hurt anyone. This is one of the newest and revolutionary ideas and only people with innovative mindset would actually take a step to implement it. Only quartz gives you a chance to be creative and at the same time be wild in the way you wish to decorate your home.

CAESARSTONE, THE WORLD’S FIRST QUARTZ SURFACE, IS AVAILABLE ON iPHONE

Van Nuys, CA (December 10, 2009) CaesarStone, the original quartz surface manufacturer, launches a unique, free iPhone “MobileGallery™,” application that gives consumers, designers and dealers alike a pocket-sized tool to browse and order samples from the remarkable lineup of CaesarStone countertops & surfaces, it was announced today by Arik Tendler, CaesarStone President.

“iPhone technology is a unique cultural phenomenon,” says Tendler. “CaesarStone is proud to make our product line available to our customers, architects and designers in innovative new ways. Colors can be viewed using the iPhone as a portable sample chip, helping the consumer to make informed, on the spot purchase decisions. For designers and dealers, it specifies material and allows for instant referencing of the CaesarStone library.”

CaesarStone’s “MobileGallery” application, developed by Rumble Design, Inc., was designed around the way the company’s product is presented online and in the field. “CaesarStone is offering a brand experience beyond the showroom,” said Jake Rumble, President, Rumble Design. “The iPhone’s platform and features provide powerful mobile tools for a progressive audience.”

The special functions of the application include:

Surface Browser – Allows the user to see size/color accurate samples. The scrolling features allow for viewing that goes beyond the edges of the iPhone. Additionally, the user can toggle over each sample to see how that surface looks in an application.

Surface Calculator – Allows users to calculate how much product they will need for their installation.

Free Sample Ordering – Users can immediately order free samples with one click.

FREE downloads of this application are available for iPhone users via the Apple iTunes App Store or the direct link from www.CaesarStoneUS.com.

About CaesarStone

CaesarStone is the original quartz countertops & surfaces manufacturer. The company is headquartered in Southern California with offices in Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Diego, CA; Seattle, WA; Miami, FL; New York, NY, St. Louis, MO and Atlanta, GA. CaesarStone produces premium quartz surfaces that compliment any design from traditional to contemporary, for both home and commercial applications. CaesarStone products are available through kitchen and bath retailers, fabricators, architects, designers, builders and distributors nationwide.

Offering a residential lifetime warranty, CaesarStone countertops are nonporous, stain, scratch and heat resistant. CaesarStone has earned the respected Good Housekeeping Seal from Good Housekeeping Research Institute and is in compliance according to stringent international environmental standards including ISO 14001 (environmental management system), ISO 9002 (quality management standard), and NSF (public health and safety). A sustainable material, CaesarStone is GREENGUARD certified and is a member of The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

For more information about CaesarStone please visit: www.CaesarStoneUS.com or call toll-free 877-9QUARTZ (877-978-2789).

Green Trends in Kitchen & Bath Design

A Recent Product Trend Report By Kitchen & Bath News Recently Visited The World Of Green Countertops. While Many People Claim To Want To Be More Conscious Of The Environment In Every Aspect Of Living, Not Everyone Is Willing To Spend For It. While The Green Trend May Not Have Fully Permeated The Kitchen And Bath Industry Yet, At Lesast In Terms Of Spending Patterns, In The World Of Countertops, Sustainable Design Seems To Be The Hottest Trend Around. At Least That’s What The Manufacturers Who Were Interviewed By Kitchen & Bath Design News Are Saying. They Maintain That The Future Of The Countertop Industry Will Be Defined By Durable, Sustainable Countertops With Plenty Of Design Appeal.

Indeed, Sustainable Countertops, New Colors And Patterns, Countertops Featuring A Sense Of Depth And Products Designed With Long-Term Cost Savings In Mind Are Clearly In Vogue Today, Manufacturers Agree.

“The Future Of Our Business Is In Creating Quality Products That Are Sustainable And Have High Performance, While Not Sacrificing Design,” States Lorenzo Marquez, Director Of Marketing For Cosentino North America, In Stafford, Tx.

Marquez, Like Many Others In The Field, Believes It Is Now More Important Than Ever For Manufacturers To Produce A Quality Product That Helps Preserve The Environment.

“Consumers Are Looking To Do Good And Feel Good About Their Countertop Choice.” Says Maureen Mcgeehan, Marketing Manager For Dupont Surfaces In Wilmington, De.

Ferron Dunham, Marketing Manager For Lg Surfaces In Peoria, Az, Concurs, Stating, “Surfaces That Give Back To Nature And Are On Target With The Color Trends Will Be The Best Sellers.”

Taly Dunevich, Director Of Marketing For The Van Nuys, Ca-Based Caesarstone, Sees That Trend Toward A More Contemporary Look, With Colors That Are “Consistent, Rich And Less ‘Noisy’ Than Granite.” Dunevich Also Notices A Movement Toward Surfaces That Have Some Kind Of Pattern Or Texture.

While Going Green And Adding New Colors And Patterns Are Popular, There Also Seems To Be A More Subtle Change As Consumers Look For Alternatives To Granite.

“Now That Granite Is Showing Up In Gas Station Bathrooms, I Think That People Are Really Looking For Something New And Different,” Says Karen Righthand, Director Of Marketing For Vetrazzo, In Richmond, Ca. “We’ve Seen This Trend In Countertops Before. Historically, Every 10 Years Or So, A New Material Kind Of Drives A Wedge In And Starts To Open The Door.”

This New Trend Is Seemingly Quartz Countertops, According To Dale Mandell, North America Sales Director For Samsung Staron. “Quartz Is Beginning To Rival Granite In A Big Way,” He Says. “Quartz Surfaces Use Mined, Natural Quartz (One Of The Hardest Minerals Found In Nature) That Are Blended With Technologically Advanced Polymers. The Result Is A Durable, Stain-Resistant, Scratch-Resistant Surface.”

CaesarStone Introduces MOTIVO™, World’s First Quartz Surface with Embossed Look and Feel

CaesarStone, the original quartz countertops and surfaces manufacturer, proudly presents Motivo, a new pattern-designed technique for its quartz surfaces. Launching in November of 2009, Motivo is another groundbreaking innovation from the company that pioneered the use of quartz in surfacing material over two decades ago.

To create Motivo, CaesarStone uses a unique patented polishing method to create contrasting gloss and matte finish on its quartz surfaces. The stunning, intricate motifs add character and style to any décor.

Motivo is the perfect material for a multitude of applications including kitchen backsplashes, shower walls, countertops, vanity tops, wall paneling, bar tops, custom-made furniture and more. Since there are no minimum order requirements for Motivo, it is a perfect option for projects of all sizes.

Motivo will be available in two patterns:

Lace 2116 – This delicate floral pattern adds elegance and grace to a room. The subtle design in brilliant white is traditional yet trendsetting and unique.

Crocodile 3117 – This dramatic and daring pattern adds a sense of adventure to any space. An exotic black surface, Crocodile adds depth, intrigue and excitement to interior designs.

The technique used to achieve Motivo’s signature looks has been carefully developed in order to maintain the integrity of CaesarStone’s high-quality standards and physical properties. As with all CaesarStone surfaces, Motivo in nonporous and low-maintenance; additionally, one of the biggest advantages of Motivo is that it remains in full compliance with CaesarStone’s global quality standards.

About CaesarStone

CaesarStone is the original quartz surface manufacturer. The company is headquartered in Southern California with offices in Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Diego, CA; Seattle, WA; Miami, FL; New York, NY and Atlanta, GA. CaesarStone produces premium quartz countertops and surfaces, complementing any design application, from traditional to contemporary, for both home and commercial applications. CaesarStone products are available through kitchen and bath retailers, fabricators, architects, designers, builders and distributors nationwide.

Offering a residential lifetime warranty, their products are nonporous, stain, scratch and heat resistant. CaesarStone has earned the respected Good Housekeeping Seal from Good Housekeeping Research Institute and is in compliance according to stringent international environmental standards including ISO 14001 (environmental management system), ISO 9002 (quality management standard), and NSF (public health and safety). A sustainable material, CaesarStone is GREENGUARD certified, a is a member of USGBC (The U.S. Green Building Council) certification.

For more information about CaesarStone and its products, please visit the company’s website at www.CaesarStoneUS.com, or call toll-free 877-9QUARTZ (877-978-2789).

Beautiful Modern San Francisco Home Built on a Steep Hill

Featured in this year’s American Institute of Architects Home Tour the other weekend, hundreds of people walked through Strachan Forgan's San Francisco, but few of them probably realized that the double-height living room, the dramatic open staircase and the luxurious Italian kitchen with quartz countertops could all be theirs - should they be in the market for a rather stunning modern home priced at around $1,479,000 price.

The two-bedroom residence at 1223 Bosworth St. was designed and built by Forgan, an architect at Sasaki, for him and his wife Melissa in 2007. Forgan said after buying the snug, nonconforming lot overlooking Glen Canyon Park in 2004, the site was "a gaping tooth on the neighborhood block" - but it represented just the sort of challenge he relished: how to create a sunlit, stylish home on a steep infill lot only 25 feet wide.

And for his efforts, the home won Forgan a Custom Home Design Award this year that described it as “a compact jewel of a house that packs a ton of sophisticated living on its speck of urban real estate.” This modern interpretation of a San Francisco row house with a multitude of green features also earned Forgan the respect of his neighbors. In order to ensure one neighbor retained his view, for example, he carved a corner out of the home's facade with its dramatic double-height bay window.

The house has been designed on four stories. The lowest level comprises a generous garage, a built-in wine cellar and storage space. The first floor combines the living and dining areas as well as the kitchen with its Arclinea cabinets, CaesarStone countertops and Italian Graniti Fiandre tile underfoot. Folding Nana-Wall doors open onto a small, beautifully designed rear garden with Ipe hardwood decking, tiled planters, natural gas barbecue and water fountain.

Much consideration has been given to making the home as energy efficient as possible with its high-performance envelope, radiant heating under edge-grain amber bamboo floors, nonporous quartz countertops and Energy Star appliances.

The owners, who are moving on in order to build their next home - they already are scouting another infill site in the city on which to work their magic - say they have loved living in the Glen Park neighborhood with its library, restaurants and markets. Forgan added he will miss the "ping" of balls being hit in the baseball diamond across the street. "There's something very soothing about that sound," he said.

Readmore:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/27/RE0G19RLLP.DTL#ixzz0SXJ5XkLP