Soapstone

Money Magazine declared Soapstone #1 in value when compared to Granite, Solid Surface, Concrete, Butcher Block and Ceramic Tile.

We have had a Soapstone countertop in our showroom for years and it still gets a lot of attention. People have a lot of questions about its durability and cost. Below are a few pros and cons of Soapstone just in case you are considering it for your kitchen. If you would like a closer look please feel free to stop by our showroom.

SoapStone is a soft stone found in Finland, Brazil and in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Below are some of the pros and cons of choosing this surface for your kitchen.

Pros:
• Its naturally nonporous (stain resistant)
• No fussy, vulnerable sealants; scratches can be sanded and oiled away.
• Prices out similar to granite

Cons:
• You can get any color you want, so long as it's green or dark gray.

Trends - 1" Thick Doors

Looking to create stunning cabinetry with substance?

Try using one of Crystal's 1" thick door styles. The thicker, heavier look of these styles creates dramatic depth and an element of quality and true craftsmanship. Available on inset construction only, you have the option of 3/4" thick face frames or 1" thick face frames.

Design Tip:
Use 1" thick door styles on a 3/4" thick face frame. This allows for an additional profile to be added to the outside edge of the door to enhance the depth even more.

Click "Read More" to see the door styles available at 1" thick

NARI President's Breakfast (August)

Latest News from NARI:
Join us for the August President's Breakfast. This free breakfast meeting brings together professionals in the remodeling industry to network and share their insights. There's no set agenda--just time to discuss what's on your mind.

Thursday, August 11, 2011
Time: 7:30 am - 9:00 am
Host: Architectural Ceramics
Location: 800 East Gude Drive, Suite F
Rockville, MD 20850
RSVP using this online form
 
Questions:
Contact June Stanich of the Membership Committee at (703) 591-7443 or by email.

Camping at Home - life at home without the use of your kitchen

When people tell me they are ready to remodel their kitchens, we have a lot of information to exchange. I want to know their needs and tastes, and they need to know exactly what the process is. One area that I find some confusion is the gutting part where they don’t have a kitchen for about 6 weeks. Many folks never thought about the fact that they would spend time packing up everything in that kitchen, have a contractor tear everything out often including the drywall, then proceed to rebuild it from the bottom up. This will take some time, almost always 6 weeks.

NARI - July Education Dinner Meeting Announced

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

What's your "X" Factor? How do you distinguish yourself from your competition when you meet with potential clients? Join NARI July 20th as Tim Nagle, Owner of Remodel Buddy, discusses how to create the ultimate marketing system. You'll gain a more in-depth understanding of what marketing truly is and how to develop a system for your success through the Art of Differentiation! You'll discover how to identify the important point of difference--one that matters to your ideal clients and how to promote it.

Concurrent Sessions will include:
- New Local Building Codes for Montgomery County: Are you current on the Changes?
George Muste, Manager of Montgomery County Residential Review,
Steve Thomas, Manager of Montgomery County Residetnial Ispections

- The Sale Beneath the Sale: From Kids in the Candy Store to Signed Construction Agreements
Jeff Nay, President, Sandler Training

Early Registration Ends July 15th.
Register Now to Save.

The Falls Church HS Senior Art Show

You're Invited!!!

The Falls Church High School Senior Art Show is running from May 20th - June 2nd. The reception is JUne 2nd from 6pm to 8pm at the Kleppinger Design Group Showroom at 2809-A Merrilee Drive Fairfax, VA 22031. For direction click here

Shiloh's Custom Paint Program

The inability to find your perfect color no longer stands in the way of achieving your vision. Shiloh Cabinetry is now offering the entire Sherwin-Williams color palette as part of their Custom Paint Program. With an entire palette of colors to choose from, the Custom Paint Program opens up a whole new possibility for color. Just visit any Sherwin-Williams location and choose your perfect color. Then let Shiloh Cabinetry go to work making your vision a reality.

A Fresh Start (Part 3) Craft Room Wrap Up

It seems as though we started remodeling the craft room in my house about 4 months ago, but I can now say, we are 99% finished. My #1 goal was to find ways to organize everything so I could find it easily. I also wished for a more attractive place to work in, with better light and restful colors. Additionally, I didn’t want to break the bank. 

Crystal Update

I just wanted to take a minute and share some news from Crystal. I spent then last 3 days up at the factory with 14 others designers from around the country, learning about upcoming product offerings, while at the same time they picked our brains for products and features we as designers would like to see. They have been fortunate to have seen growth in the last year, and were very sincere in passing on their thanks for our business. That growth has allowed them to develop new products, and expand upon existing ones. Coming this summer we will see several new stain colors for Maple, Cherry and Alder, new design options, expanded moldings and more. They are limiting themselves only to their and our imagination for products we can think of.

So check back in a few weeks as we get the official release of these new products.

Andrew

NARI President's Breakfast

Two President's Breakfasts Announced
 
Friday, May 13th and Wednesday, June 15th 
 
Join the National Association of the Remodeling Industry for two upcoming President's Breakfasts. At these free casual events, meet Chapter President, Jerry Levine, as well as others in the business. Members can bring guests. Anyone thinking of joining is welcome to come and talk to members about NARI and get membership information. Hope to see you there.

Upcoming President's Breakfasts:

May 13, 2011
Lutron DC Experience Center
Click here to rsvp.

June 15, 2011
Merrick Design and Build, Inc.
Click here to rsvp.