CAESARSTONE AND HOUSE BEAUTIFUL PARTNER FOR 3rd ANNUAL KITCHEN OF THE YEAR

CaesarStone, the original quartz surface manufacturer, announced today that the company will be taking part in the 3^rd annual “Kitchen of the Year” in New York next week http://www.housebeautiful.com/KOTY. This event showcases the best in kitchen design, cooking, entertaining and contemporary lifestyle. The 1,000 square foot, fully functioning kitchen will be available to tour in New York’s Rockefeller Plaza from July 19-23, 2010. This year, Jeff Lewis of Bravo’s hit series, Flipping Out, is designing the chef's dream space.

In addition to the weeklong Kitchen of the Year events CaesarStone is participating in they are teaming up with the stars of another hit Bravo design show 9 By Design (http://www.bravotv.com/9-by-design) for a market day in the Snaidero USA showroom on the 22^nd of July from 10am-2pm. Editors in attendance will get a sneak peak at CaesarStone’s newest summer color while being pampered with manicures and breakfast.

“CaesarStone is pleased to be working with Bob and Cortney Novogratz of 9 by Design. They are the perfect hosts for our market day as their design aesthetic paired with their wonderful personalities make for an educational and entertaining afternoon. We look forward to the wonderful projects to come with this talented duo.”

- Mitch Sebolsky, Marketing Manager

On the eve of the 22^nd CaesarStone will also host a private event from the Kitchen of the Year in celebration of their 3^rd annual partnership. The “Kitchen of the Year” installation celebrates outstanding American design and decor. Enclosed in a glass conservatory on Rockefeller Plaza where the Christmas tree sits each holiday season, the “Kitchen of the Year” will be the hot spot of the week.

About CaesarStone

CaesarStone is the original quartz countertops & surfaces manufacturer. The company is headquartered in Southern California with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle Miami, New York, Atlanta, St. Louis and Dallas. CaesarStone produces premium quartz countertops & 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, CaesarStone countertops and surfaces are nonporous, stain, scratch and heat resistant. CaesarStone has earned the respected Good Housekeeping Seal from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute and is in compliance with 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 and its products, please visit the company’s website at http://www.CaesarStoneUS.com, or call toll-free 877-9QUARTZ (877-978-2789).

About Cortney and Robert Novogratz

Husband and wife team Cortney and Robert Novogratz are SIXX DESIGN. Over more than a decade, this young, hip and artsy couple has developed and designed many unique properties in Manhattan, rebuilt (from the ground up) entire blocks in the city, and turned funky into fabulous, with every detail considered and executed with the utmost taste, confidence and luxury.

Robert and Cortney Novogratz, their work and family (the couple has seven children!) have been profiled globally in the media in The New York Times, The Times of London (“The Coolest Family in the World”), Sunday Styles, Italian Vogue Casa, Architectural Digest (in several editions), Emirates Home, Interni (in several editions), Oprah, Family Circle, Daily Candy, T Magazine, Elle, Living, Etc. and more.

Together, this couple wears all the hats in developing and executing their striking aesthetic. SIXX DESIGN’s first book published by Rizzoli, DOWNTOWN CHIC, has become a best-seller worldwide. Their tv show, 9 by Design, is an unqualified hit on the Bravo network.

Currently living in a new, 10,000 square foot glass house on Manhattan’s West Side Highway among the Richard Meier towers, that they created has been profiled around the world. Since the first SIXX DESIGN project in Chelsea, the duo has developed and designed fantastic living spaces in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Trancoso, Brazil, not to mention two fabulous places in Soho on Thompson Street that sold, ultimately, for record prices. SIXX DESIGN has just completed work on a six-story townhome for a well-known interiors writer and her family, in NYC’s East Village, and will be working on some very high-profile, exciting projects in the near-future. Not to mention a second season of 9 by Design on Bravo!

www.sixxdesign.com

*For editors requesting more information about the market day please contact Olivia Stansfield.

Tags: countertops, quartz countertops

Countertops - the biggest bang for the buck to recreate a kitchen

Countertops are horizontal work surfaces and form an essential part of kitchens, food preparation areas, bathrooms, lavatories and work rooms. They are positioned at an ergonomic height for users, and the particular task for which its designed. Countertops may be constructed of various materials, both natural and man made. Each has its particular attributes with respect to functionality, durability and aesthetics.

Quartz is one of the most sought after countertop materials. Quartz countertops are used in kitchens, bathrooms, table tops, flooring and wall paneling. Both natural and engineered quartz are used. Engineered quartz slabs are manufactured from 93% quartz and polymer resins, compacted under intense vacuum, vibration and pressure. They are then cured, gauged to precise thickness and polished. Available in a wide range of colors, quartz countertops retain the cool tactile qualities of natural stone, while offering design freedom. They are extremely smooth, tough, durable, non-porous and resistant to heat and scratches.

Countertops are the focal points of kitchens and bathrooms. As such, the functionality, the durability and possibly most importantly; the appearance of the countertop is of critical concern. As the centerpiece of the kitchen or the bathroom, the countertop must both enhance and match the style of the room.

In modern homes, the kitchen countertop is the center of the busiest of rooms. In the past, Kitchen Countertops made of formica and plastic laminates ruled the roost. However, with changing tastes and budgets, kitchen countertops are nowadays made from granite, quartz and concrete. Kitchen countertops made from granite are of high quality, tough and durable. They are matchless in toughness, scratchproof and heat resistant. They are available in an impressive variety of colors; from ruby red to verdant green and to jet black. Although expensive, off late more and more average people are using it.

Quartz is growing in popularity as kitchen countertop material. As quartz is crystalline, it adds shimmering depth and beauty to any kitchen. Available in a wide variety of colors, it’s is exceptionally smooth, hard and non-porous. Both natural and engineered quartz are used. Although engineered quartz cannot quiet match the variety of texture and grain of natural quartz, it mimics the natural one closely and requires less maintenance.

Polished concrete kitchen countertops are very beautiful and quiet affordable. One can make ones own concrete countertop. Available in many colors, they have an attractive glossy finish.

Tags: Countertops, Quartz countertops, Kitchen Countertops.

CaesarStone Atlanta is Launched by Granite Countertop Warehouse

Granite Countertop Warehouse today announced the launch of a new marketing and website campaign for CaesarStone Atlanta. Serving Atlanta and all of Georgia, as well as much of the Southeast, Granite Countertop Warehouse specializes in the fabrication and installation of Natural (granite/marble) and engineered stone countertops. The new website, www.CaesarStoneAtlanta.com, will highlight current products, specials, and discounts as related to CaesarStone®. Comprised of 93% natural quartz, CaesarStone quartz surfaces and countertops offer the ultimate combination of form and function, allowing for a more diverse, durable, and
practical countertop surface. With its stain, scratch, and heat-resistant properties, CaesarStone is an ideal choice for carefree countertops.

Granite Countertop Warehouse has been in business for more than seven years. They specialize in kitchen, bath, and bar countertops made of granite, marble, and quartz (engineered stone), as well as sinks, backsplashes, fireplaces, and more. With its quick and steady success, the company has grown to a staff of 50 in those seven years, with more than 100 years of combined experience in countertop sales, design, and installation.

“The primary objective of the CaesarStone Atlanta campaign is to inform the public and businesses in Atlanta, Georgia and the Southeast that Granite Countertop Warehouse offers discounts and special pricing for the CaesarStone® engineered quartz product line, including fabrication and installation, said Manuel Enrique “QuiQue” Lopez, spokesman for Panorama Press, the marketing agency behind the campaign. “We want them to know that the Granite Countertop Warehouse has on display a large variety of CaesarStone® slabs, tiles, sinks, and more for kitchen counters, backsplashes, bathroom counters and more, while also offering some of the best prices and warranty options anywhere.”

The CaesarStone Atlanta campaign is a multimedia operation including ad placements in various media, supported with online promotions including blogs, articles and other online strategies. The website, www.CaesarStoneAtlanta.com, is an interactive web portal that makes it easy for consumers and businesses to learn more about the many options available for CaesarStone® slabs, tiles, countertops and more in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Southeast. The site will inform and promote the many colors, patterns, styles, finishes, and sizes of CaesarStone® available. The site will also focus on promoting how the wide array of CaesarStone® products and styles offered will give unique qualities to kitchens, bathrooms, bars, and many other home areas.

CaesarStone Atlanta by Granite Countertop Warehouse is located at 2595 Baker Road, in Acworth, GA 30101. They can be reached by phone at 404-592-5599 or by email at info@CaesarStoneAtlanta.com.

For more information, or to set up an appointment online, visit, Caesarstone Atlanta.

For information on Panorama Press Marketing, please call 678.391.9136 or visit the website at www.PanoramaPress.net.

CaesarStone is Flipping Out for Jeff Lewis

For the second year in a row, CaesarStone, the Original Quartz Surface, is the exclusive surface for House Beautiful’s "Kitchen of the Year.” This event showcases the best in kitchen design, cooking, entertaining and contemporary lifestyle. The 1,000 square foot, fully functioning kitchen will be available to tour in New York’s Rockefeller Plaza from July 19-23, 2010. This year, Jeff Lewis of Bravo’s hit series, Flipping Out, is designing the chef's dream space.

The annual “Kitchen of the Year” installation celebrates outstanding American design and decor. Enclosed in a glass conservatory on Rockefeller Plaza where the Christmas tree sits each holiday season, the “Kitchen of the Year” allows visitors to experience a visionary take on today’s American kitchen. Previous installations have celebrated the styles of Ina Garten (the Barefoot Contessa) and kitchen designer Christopher Peacock, and have featured CaesarStone countertops.

In addition to being showcased in his design for “Kitchen of the Year,” CaesarStone has been chosen by Lewis as the exclusive quartz surface used in his design projects.

“Jeff Lewis is a true professional. His proven track record in home décor and renovation lends perfectly to his keen eye for contemporary design and style. CaesarStone is honored to be his chosen surface and looks forward to many successful projects to come”- Mitch Sebolsky, Marketing Manager.

About CaesarStone

CaesarStone is the original quartz surface manufacturer. The company is headquartered in Southern California with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle Miami, New York, Atlanta, St. Louis and Dallas. CaesarStone produces premium quartz countertops & 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, CaesarStone countertops and other quartz products are nonporous, stain, scratch and heat resistant. CaesarStone has earned the respected Good Housekeeping Seal from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute and is in compliance with 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 and its products, please visit the company’s website at www.CaesarStoneUS.com, or call toll-free 877-9QUARTZ (877-978-2789).

About Jeff Lewis

Having developed some of the most coveted homes in Los Angeles, Jeff Lewis has earned the title of America’s most well-known house flipper from his starring role in Bravo’s docu-reality series Flipping Out.

Lewis has created a brand of properties that are in harmony with and are exemplified by the exterior and interior living spaces. When it comes to renovation, Lewis believes in finding the true integrity of the house, then breathing life back into the home in a way that will connect with a certain type of buyer.

In addition to being announced the designer of House Beautiful Magazine’s Kitchen of the Year in Rockefeller Center, Lewis is also shooting Season 4 of Flipping Out which will begin airing later this year. For more information about Lewis, visit his website www.jefflewisdesign.com. For information about his series Flipping Out, visit www.bravotv.com/flipping-out.

Palm Desert Fashion Show Features Interior Designers Turned Fashion Designers

 

During Fashion Week El Paseo there were many high-fashion designs, but not all were from the top local fashion designers. Night number two saw a twist, giving interior designers the chance to expand their decorating talents into fashion pieces. Much like a Project Runway challenge, 23 of the desert’s leading interior designers were invited to create outfits based on pieces from the Palm Springs Art Museum exhibition The Passionate Pursuit: Gifts and Promised Works from Donna and Cargill Millan Jr. But there was a catch! Each look had to utilize home design materials to be judged by a panel including ex-catwalkers Beverly Johnson and Cheryl Tiegs.
Kimberly Swanson took home the grand prize for her 40-pound, 1960’s-style sheath dress laden with small squares of blue, red, yellow, and green CaesarStone quartz countertop tiling. The “CaesarStone Dress” was inspired by Andy Warhol’s 1967 work Portraits of the Artists (from Ten from Leo Castelli). “Understanding the weight of the quartz was very difficult,” said winning Palm Desert-based interior designer Kimberly Swanson, a member of the American Society of Interior Designers, the evening’s headlining partner.

Quartz countertops from CaesarStone and other big names can be very heavy – definitely not your average fashion material, nor a snap to work with. To buffer the immense weight of the tiles, Swanson added a layer of fabric underneath the white, shiny vinyl dress, aptly named “Edie” after Warhol’s infamous Factory-era muse, Edie Sedgewick. The tiles were adhered to the short, sleeveless garment with fashion tape and industrial glue. And surprisingly, not a single tile fell out of placecomeshowtime.
Swanson wasn’t the only creative jack-of-all-trades who chose to use commonly found countertop materials. Candice Knox, a representative for Cambria Quartz Surfaces, created a Cambria quartz cascade of black, gray and white tiles affixed to the skirt of a black sleeveless dress. Simply called “The Cambria Dress,” the look was inspired by artist Brice Marden’s minimalist abstract painting Cold Mountain Series (Zen Studies 1-6). The dress, which reportedly weighed 60 lbs., finished in the night’s top five looks. Incidentally, judge Cheryl Tiegs is a Cambria spokesperson.

About CaesarStone

CaesarStone is the original quartz surface manufacturer. The company produces premium quartz countertops & 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, CaesarStone products are nonporous, stain, scratch and heat resistant. A sustainable material, CaesarStone is GREENGUARD certified and the company is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). 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).

Tags: Quartz Countertops, countertops.

CAESARSTONE INTRODUCES THE “WHITEST WHITE” IN QUARTZ SURFACES, “PURE WHITE”

CaesarStone, the original quartz surface manufacturer, launches “Pure White” (1141) the “whitest white” in quartz countertops & surfaces, it was announced today by Arik Tendler, president of CaesarStone.

“Our CaesarStone international R&D team, with its pulse on the latest in trends, determined that ‘White is the new black;’ and is the hot new color choice for residential and commercial usage,”

said Tendler.

Pure White, the “Whitest White” in quartz surfaces, features a beautiful silk finish and is perfect for hospitality designs, smart office spaces, stunning kitchen countertops to match white lacquer cabinets, shower walls, bar tops, custom-made furniture and wherever your imagination takes you.

“Since our products are made from 93% natural quartz, naturally, there are varying shades and undertones even in the lightest of quartz,” continued Tendler. “Creating just the right consistency and pigment for Pure White was a challenge. We’re so proud to present this beautiful addition to our color line up.”

Pure White, like all CaesarStone surfaces, is scratch, stain, crack and heat resistant. It is also resistant to most household chemicals and is nonabsorbent, nonporous and mold and mildew resistant. Additionally, CaesarStone is the only quartz countertops and surfaces manufacturer that stands behind their products by offering a Lifetime Residential Warranty and a10-year Limited Commercial Warranty.

CaesarStone will support the launch of Pure White with a national print advertising campaign and a variety of online initiatives.

About CaesarStone

CaesarStone is the original quartz surface manufacturer. The company is headquartered in Southern California with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Miami, New York, Atlanta, St. Louis and Dallas. CaesarStone produces premium quartz countertops & 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, CaesarStone products are nonporous, stain, scratch and heat resistant. CaesarStone has earned the respected Good Housekeeping Seal from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute and is in compliance with 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 and its products, please visit the company’s website at www.CaesarStoneUS.com, or call toll-free 877-9QUARTZ (877-978-2789).

Choosing the Right Countertop Surface for your Home

If you're remodeling or designing a kitchen from scratch, you can be sure countertops will eat up a healthy chunk of your budget. With so many options and price points, it is touch to decide on look alone. While some are shiny, heavy and pricey, including colorful granite, concrete can create a subdued impression that's more modern than glamorous. There are fragile performers and the almost indestructible laminates that should be the solution for busy kitchens that see a lot of wear and tear. Often, you can end up with a combination of countertop surfaces in one kitchen, meaning it's important to know what best suits your lifestyle and budget. The top kitchen-design companies already know the pros and cons of various surfaces.

 QUARTZ/ENGINEERED STONE

Engineered stone is composed of crushed quartz particles that have been combined with polymer resins and pigment. It's uniform in color and pattern, which is great for those looking for a clean finish. It's also available in a wide range of colors.

 "The look is different. It's more of a solid, speckled finish, versus some of the stones that have a grain," says co-owner Jim Deslaurier, of Ottawa's Deslaurier Custom Cabinets, adding it's easy to maintain, without the annual sealing required by natural stone. Some brands on the market include Cambria, Silestone and CaesarStone quartz countertops.

 Pros: It is stain-and scratch-resistant, easy to care for and manufacturers usually include a warranty.

Cons: Expensive to fix if chipped or cracked.

Cost: $50 to $100 per square foot, installed.

 GRANITE

Granite is right up there with quartz, and is the top material of choice if budget is not an issue. The popularity of this surface has skyrocketed, and the fact that it boosts a property's resale value doesn't hurt. This material is a rock with naturally occurring variations in color and pattern. While it does hold up to heat, experts suggest using a protector to avoid any problems. Some warn the counter may crack if a hot object is placed near a weakened area or hidden fissure, or if the countertop has not been installed properly.

 Pros: A wet cloth cleans this surface easily. It has the second-highest hardness rating after diamonds.

Cons: Requires some maintenance, including a sealer. Some stone absorbs stains if not sealed; knives can become dull if you cut on it.

Cost: $55 to $200/sq. ft., installed.

 LAMINATES

Pros: Cost-efficient, easy to clean and available in a variety of colors

Cons: Scratches and chips are difficult to repair, seams show, end and front-edge finishes can be pricey.

Cost: $25 to $70/sq. ft., installed.

 WOOD OR BUTCHER BLOCK

Pros: Easy to clean and season with vegetable oil. It can be sanded and resealed as needed.

Cons: May stain over time. Can be damaged by water and heat.

Cost: $30 to $125/sq. ft., installed.

 MARBLE

Pros: Marble is elegant, waterproof and heatproof.

Cons: Porous, stains easily unless professionally sealed, can scratch.

Cost: $50 to $200/sq. ft., installed.

 STAINLESS STEEL

Pros: Easy to sanitize. Takes hot pans without marking.

Cons: It does scratch and may dent, adding to the industrial look.

Cost: $100 to $200/sq. ft.

 CONCRETE

Pros: Heat-and scratch-resistant, can be color-tinted, looks exotic. Additives reduce porosity; custom-formed with a modern appeal.

Cons: It can crack without proper treatment. It can appear cold and industrial. It is porous, but can be sealed.

Cost: $80 to $120/sq. ft., installed.

 Readtherestofthestoryhere: http://www.nationalpost.com/homes/story.html?id=2620472&p=1

Tags: countertop, quartz countertops, countertops