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

Quartz vs. Granite Countertops

Many homeowners involved in remodeling their kitchen or bathroom can attest, choosing the perfect countertops and other finishing materials can be tough. While the look and feel of the product is an important consideration, it is also essential to know the benefits and drawbacks of the surface, in order to make an informed decision.

What is Granite and what is Quartz?

Granite is a very hard type of stone found which is mined from deep within the earth. It is found in many places throughout the world, including here in the United States. The color and pattern of the stone is determined by the surrounding minerals found. Granite is composed of approximately 50% quartz; the remaining elements found within granite include softer minerals and impurities.

Quartz is one of the hardest minerals found on earth, second only to the diamond. Quartz countertops & surface slabs made by Caesarstone, Cambria, Zodiac and Silestone, are also comprised primarily of quartz. Unlike granite, quartz products are made of 93% quartz crystals, with resins and pigments making up the remaining composition.

Durability

Granite slabs create a very durable countertop, however since the materials are comprised of some softer minerals, there are some important things to keep in mind. Most granite countertops are scratch resistant, but not scratch proof. It will look good for years to come, considering the proper care is administered. It is recommended, nay, insisted that granite countertops are sealed once a year to deter bacteria growth, and as well as keep the surface relatively safe from scratches, burns, or stains. Using granite for countertops, especially on a kitchen island or peninsula, homeowners must take care in keeping countertop overhangs to a minimum. Most granite countertop installers will recommend that overhangs be no deeper than 12” from the edge of the cabinet. Support brackets should be installed about every 36” in width for best results.

Quartz countertops, are nearly twice as strong as natural granite. Quartz products are very dense, meaning the quartz crystals are very tightly packed. Because of the manufacturing process, they are also free of the invisible fissures (tiny cracks) that can be found in granite. Because of this extra strength, countertop overhangs can be deeper, and require fewer support brackets.

Both granite and quartz are resistant to both heat and scratching. However, any type of thermal shock, whether from extreme heat or cold, can cause damage to both granite and quartz. Although these products can resist heat from hot pans, it is always recommended that homeowners use trivets when setting a pot on the surface. Homeowners should also always use cutting boards when preparing food, as their knives will be dulled by the hard stone surfaces.

Food Safety and Staining

As mentioned before, since granite is a natural stone, it is porous. These microscopic holes in the surface of the stone allow liquids to penetrate it. This can lead to staining, as well as the growth of bacteria. Keeping the granite sealed is the best way to avoid stains, and keep the stone looking new. Sealers do not keep out bacteria; for this reason, granite is not allowed for use in commercial kitchens and restaurant countertops.

Quartz products are nonporous so they do not need to be sealed and are resistant to mostly all types of stains. The nonporous composition of these products also keeps them from harboring bacteria, making them suitable for commercial use. Homeowners like the low-maintenance benefits of quartz countertops.

Colors and Patterns

Quartz countertop materials have a drastically different look than granite, which comes in patterns ranging from the very consistent to the extremely wild. With veins, blotches and iridescent flecks, each slab of granite is unique. Granite colors range from white to blue and from red to black.

Quartz products, because they are manufactured, have a more regular pattern. Quartz products lack the depth of light that natural granite possesses, and can tend to look flat. Although newer quartz products include veins and inconsistencies, they still do not rival the unique look of natural granite.

On the other hand, quartz products do come in color combinations not found in nature. From bright red to warm tones of chocolate brown and green, quartz countertops offer colors that are impossible to find in natural granite. Although granite and quartz are similar in look and composition, they are very different products. In most areas of the country, even the pricing is similar. Knowing the maintenance and benefits of each type of countertop material is vital to making the best choice for each space.

Tags: countertops, quartz countertops

Confused about Granite or Quartz Countertops?

A countertop is the best way of adding some elegance into your kitchen. Many people, while buying countertops get confused in their types. The differences in quartz versus granite Kitchen countertops go beyond mere price. Quartz countertops, which are moulded according to their size, are the safest countertops available today.

While it is true that many homeowners prefer granite countertops, due to their cheap price and beauty, quartz countertops are also gaining popularity due to other major benefits that they offer. Quartz surfaces are easy to clean, non-porous and highly chip-resistant. This eliminates the need of using sealants for them. In addition to these features, quartz countertops are consistent in appearance, irrespective of the size of the surface covered.

Quartz countertops are generally made from a combination of resin and crushed quartz crystals. The work begins with pulverizing the quartz, which is then combined with resin, and other required materials, such as pigments. The mix thus made is placed in a mold the exact size and shape of countertops required by the customer. This prevents any need for cutting or sealing when they are installed in kitchens. This property gives a sleek look to the countertops even after years or decade of their installation.

On the other hand granite countertops are made from large piece of rock, which is cut using machines. The slices of granite are placed one by one on top of each other to form a countertop. This sometimes causes slight color mismatching between pieces and can be seen with the naked eye. In addition to this, granite countertops also need to be covered in sealant, which must be renewed every few years. A quartz countertop is chip-resistant and extremely durable. The way it is composed makes it very hard which reduces breakage to a great extent.