Friday Find - Stone Forest Salus Potting Sink

As the push for outdoor living spaces reaches a fevered pitch, I'm more interested in the outdoor spaces that we where we do more working than living.

I'm still waiting on some sort of recliner/lawn mower that allows me to watch a movie on my iPad while I "mow" the lawn... Until that technology exists, I'll happily love the goodies that make outdoor work just as nice as outdoor relaxing.

With the autumn gardening season firing up, I long for a super awesome stone sink. Check this one out.

This is the Salus Potting Sink from Stone Forest. If you aren't familiar with them already, you should acquaint yourself quickly. Everything they do is awesome. 

The Salus is honed granite and would hold up to the rigors of even the most accomplished green thumb.

photos via Stone Forest

Check out the Stone Forest website and get one for your house. I might even come over to use it.

When Trends Attack! Granite Tile Counters

I don't want to sound cranky so soon after my post o' disdain pointed at chalkboards in the kitchen, but another common(and surprisingly popular) project in the kitchen has recently had me wound up. Maybe it's wrong of me, but this is a design blog of sorts and I never expect everyone to have the same taste as I do. So if you think I'm being harsh, it's okay- change my mind down in the comments section.

*sigh*

Where to begin(or in the back splashes case, where to end)?

Maybe that's Baltic Brown?

"Could we just go ahead and tile the exterior of the house, too?"

I've run out of witty anecdotes.

I may have nightmares over some of those pictures... 

There is no convincing me of the merits of putting a 12" floor tile on a kitchen counter. There's a big reason why the granite tile is in the flooring department of major home improvements stores, it's not a good counter top material. 

Granite is a natural material. Movement in a slab is often desirable and color can vary from one side of a slab to another. Same with the tile- the color differences in the second picture up there would drive me absolutely bonkers. 

I am a big fan of tile back splashes, bathrooms, floors, on and on... Tile counter tops in general are a fad that went away with the 90's, and if you've ever lived a house or known someone who did live in a house with tile tops, you know that the grout lines are magnets for any cooking, crafting or debauchery you're doing in your kitchen. If you thought that sealing standard granite was daunting(which it isn't), think about having to deal with all those grout lines!

The most common reason(excuse) for using 12" granite tile for a counter is cost- the theory behind "I can have a granite counter for less than having the actual slab granite" is just about always true, but sometimes cheap looks just that... cheap.

Not every customer that comes through our door can afford a solid surface counter top- not every customer we have wants a solid surface kitchen counter. However, the one thing you will NEVER hear me suggest at our showroom is that a granite tile counter is a good alternative to a traditional granite top.

Fortunately, there is a good alternative. 

Blue Storm

Most homeowners first reaction: "I just got through telling you that we can't afford granite!"

Nick's reply: "You don't have to afford granite... Just promise me that you'll never say 'granite tile counters' again. 

These are a few of the colors from the Formica 180fx Collection. If it's not completely obvious after looking at the pictures that Formica has re energized the laminate counter world, you might need more help than a designer can give you.

Calacatta Marble

Antique Mascarello

Slate Sequoia

Golden Mascarello

Blue Storm

So what do you think? 

There's no reason to think about granite tile on your counters any more.

When Trends Attack! Kitchen Chalkboard Edition

Trendy things tend to irritate me- things that are trendy just for trendiness sake usually do more harm than good. Even though this isn't a fashion blog and I'm the last to dole out tips on dressing well, it's like wearing cargo jean shorts and socks with sandals.

Some things we shouldn't have tried in the first place.

Chalkboard paint in the kitchen is one of those things. Need proof?

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Perhaps this works if you happen to be forgetful about where you put your counter top appliances. Bet you can't guess what the "Word of the Day" is...

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I can hear the homeowners discussion now... "If I draw a range on the back splash now, maybe one day we'll actually have one in the kitchen!"

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I'm not really sure what to say to this one... 

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Credit where it's due, this one is cute. Well, cute except for the facts that you'll have footprints on your counter top and chalk dust all over your utensils.

Chalk dust no worry? Think again... the Academy of Allergy and Immunology says that chalk dust is an asthma trigger, particularly with younger children. 

Is this what you want covering everything in your kitchen?

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The black/charcoal back splash is a good look and there is another alternative. While it may not be as budget-friendly and certainly not a weekend DIY project, the results are stunning and add value to the home.

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This is Absolute Black Honed granite- honed granite is the same as any other granite, just stopped prior to the buffing stage in the finishing project. The matte finish is an excellent alternative to the high-gloss granite and offers a great dark alternative to chalkboard paint to achieve a similar look. Full back splash in stone is a stunning addition to a good kitchen plan. 

Plus, no need for erasers!