abo design co. » countertops http://abodesignco.com The Ever-Changing World of Interior Design, Art & Architecture Sat, 20 Feb 2010 01:46:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Interstyle Ceramic & Glass Tiles http://abodesignco.com/bathrooms/interstyle-ceramic-glass-tiles/ http://abodesignco.com/bathrooms/interstyle-ceramic-glass-tiles/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:53:39 +0000 admin http://abodesignco.com/?p=535 Whenever possible, I always prefer to support a local company when selecting finishes & materials for my clients.  One company that has become quite popular among my clients is Interstyle located in Burnaby.  They manufacture ceramic & glass tiles for kitchens, bathrooms, and swimming pools.  They specialize in creating custom mosaics and large format tiles for wall & floor installations.  What’s truly unique about them is their line of recycled glass manufactured locally in Burnaby.  For those working on LEED certification, you know how important this is.  Aside from the fact that they are a local business, their products are visually stunning and for special projects that call for unique designs, they’re an excellent alternative.  A sampling of my favourites:

Aquarius

Aquarius

Agates

Agates

Icestix

Icestix

Ribbon (countertops or wall panels)

Ribbon (countertops or wall panels)

]]> http://abodesignco.com/bathrooms/interstyle-ceramic-glass-tiles/feed/ 1 ThinkGlass…Think Green http://abodesignco.com/art/thinkglassthink-green/ http://abodesignco.com/art/thinkglassthink-green/#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:48:31 +0000 admin http://abodesignco.wordpress.com/?p=323 We’ve covered concrete countertops and now glass!  ThinkGlass countertops are sustainable.  They are 100% fully recyclable.  No sealants or harsh chemicals are used to produce them.  There are no emissions released and no negative impact on air quality.  They are radon free (compared to granite) and safe for use as a food preparation surface (Certified NSF).  For homes they would gain you 10 LEED points and 23 points for NAHB Model Green Home.

Aside from their green characteristics they are stunning (especially against light) and a unique option for kitchen or bathroom countertops.  Combining function & art, they are practically maintenance free and extremely durable.  They are non-porous, which means they are perfect for Kosher kitchens.

All images courtesy of ThinkGlass.com

They are the most hygienic countertop on the market.  You don’t have to worry about cross-contamination and they are pretty much impossible to stain as well.  And the kicker, if you hate the way fingerprints are left on glass, a textured finish underneath will mask just about any fingerprint as well as common wear & scratches.  You can place hot cookware directly on them but it is recommended that you use hotplates whenever possible.

They average about $200-$300 US per square foot, including cutouts.  And like anything else, custom cuts are extra.

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