News
Current news about upcoming product launches from vendors, showroom and local events, as well as company updates and projects.
Archived articles are located in our news archive.
Professional of the Month
Gary R. Chandler, A.I.A.
Architects and Interiors - Houston, Texas
www.grchandlerarchitecture.com
A full-service firm open since 1992, specializing in distinctive residences in the Greater Houston Area. Over 200 projects completed to date, including work done in the Texas Hill Country, South and East Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. Gary's clientele consists of individuals seeking to surround themselves in an environment of inspiration. "Architecture is knowing."
JUST for our Design Partners...
For all of our designer and architects clients, we want you to know we truly value your business and YOU!
As a special THANK YOU, be one of the first 5 to contact us via our website link below. You will receive 10% off your next order.
Simply enter your name, e-mail and the name of your firm and the words THANK YOU in the message box.
Happy Holidays from Elegant Additions! Looking forward to a continued successful partnership with all of you in 2012!
Careers
Elegant Additions is Hiring !!!
For our Houston, Dallas and Atlanta Sales Teams - Come Join Us
Please contact us today if you have an experienced and successful sales history.
We are not as interested in what you have sold in the past, but rather that you had great results.
Must be energetic, a self starter, and able to follow through with all details.
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Women's Business Enterprise
Elegant Additions has recently received national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women's Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA), a regional certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
WBENC’s national standard of certification implemented by the Women's Business Enterprise Alliance is a meticulous process, including an in-depth review of the business and site inspection. The certification process is designed to confirm the business is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women.
By including women-owned businesses among their vendors, corporations and government agencies demonstrates their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued development of their supplier/vendor diversity programs.
Kitchen Remodeling And In What Order
In these uncertain financial times, more and more families are deciding to update their kitchens and baths, in lieu of moving to a new house. When remodeling your kitchen, it is more important than ever to buy quality. If you are installing new cabinets and taking the kitchen back to the studs, then all of the items below will happen at once. But if not, this may mean the project will happen over a period of years. The following is a list of the suggested order in which to complete these updates:
- NEW DOOR FRONTS - can be put on most cabinets. This will surely change the look of the kitchen. You can change the door color and paint the remaining boxes to match or change the style of the new door to get a more updated look. Updated does not always mean contemporary. Decide what your own taste styles are and express them to the designer helping with the new doors. More contemporary will probably mean hidden hinges. Classical or traditional cabinet doors may use small exposed butt hinges with small ball finials. They come in a variety of metal finishes and truly make the kitchen look custom. Beautiful hardware is a must. Don’t be trapped into thinking they only come in limited size, shape or color. Want to try being green? Check out www.spectradecor.com or go very classical and make the cabinets look like furniture. See www.LBBrass.net
- NEW COUNTERTOPS - should be the next big improvement made in a kitchen. Granite is the most common material these days for kitchens but don’t overlook other choices. In our showroom we display a honed slate which catches everyone’s attention. Go to a slate expert for this option. Marble can be used in a kitchen, but be aware it stains and marks easily. The same is true of conscrete. There is a product in the market that has all the beauty of concrete but none of the negative. www.sonomastone.com
- CHANGE SINKS AND FAUCETS - so many options we can’t even begin to tell you them all. The kitchen faucet is the most used plumbing fixture in the house. Buy Quality! One saved plumber trip will pay for it. You have to visit with an expert showroom professional to see everything you can do in the kitchen these days. We like to consider the sink and accessories water appliances for the kitchen. Select a sink that is similar in size to the existing sink even though there are new tops. The cabinet under the sink has certain size requirements that are very important in your selection. Get a new garbage disposal now. Don’t forget built in soap dispensers. And if the sink is in an island, you have to put in an air switch to turn the disposal on and off without reaching under the sink.
- APPLIANCES - the next logical choice. Exact dimensions of what you have now, along with the existing space are mandatory. Don’t forget to measure length & width & height. Try to combine functions so you get more cooking and refrigeration power within the confines of the old appliances. Think ovens that do convection and microwave cooking. And think about one option to replace another. Small wine coolers fit in the exact space of an old compactor. Appliance stores that cater to design and building professionals will have the most choices and assist you in combing vendors to achieve that perfect cooking environment.
- BACKSPLASH - sounds simple but another messy job. Again, so many choices. This is the place to splurge on beautiful tile. After the old backsplash is taken down, open up the walls. This could be the time to add plumbing lines. To add a pot filler over the cook top you will need a cold water line from under the sink to above the cook top. If there are adjacent walls, this is not difficult. You can also add a water line to the refrigerator for filtered water to your ice maker. Or perhaps you can now add a hot European coffee maker with a direct water line. Be sure when the new backsplashes are replaced to use beautiful metal outlet covers. It takes it from ordinary to extraordinary. They are available in a wide range of finishes. www.colonialbronze.com
- LIGHTING - contractors will have to open the ceiling. Look for a variety of new lighting options from recessed cans to chandeliers. Yes, chandeliers can belong in the kitchen. Lighting changes make significant differences to how things look and how you function in the space. There are even pot racks with lighting included to again do two things at once. And don’t forget dimmers in the kitchen. It gives the kitchen attitude.
- FLOORING - finally, there is the surface below your feet. Floors can be changed or added to. If you cook, the surface has to be forgiving for long periods of standing. Consider wood, tile, cork, or stone. If you choose a hard surface, consider adding throw rugs or do what the chefs do. Add commercial rubber mats. They can be hauled outside and hosed off after that big dinner party. Flooring can even be heated in the kitchen to provide that warm, cozy feeling.
Kitchens are truly the heart of the home. Update yours with quality products and enjoy it for years to come. Consult with your realtor to see how an updated kitchen increases the value of your home.
advice
Here are some helpful hints and tips on.......
Fast Fixes To Spruce Up Your Kitchen And Bath For The Holidays
Fast Fixes To......
Spruce Up Your Kitchen And Bath For The Holidays
With little time left before the holidays, here are a few easy and relatively quick tips to make your holiday kitchen and guest baths ready for family and friends:
KITCHEN:
- COLOR – pick something you love. Make that the theme for your update. Go around the house and find accessories and artworks that have that color and move them into the kitchen. Purchase some brand new kitchen towels (and purge the frayed ones in the drawer) in that same color family. Stick with solid colors. Right before the big gathering go to your local supermarket produce department and purchase all you can find in that color. Green think apples, avocados, peppers, herbs, etc. and fill large glass containers you placenon the counter tops.
- FAUCET - replace your kitchen faucet with a brand new polished nickel fitting. Here is a trick. Take a picture of the existing sink on your smart phone and take it to your local plumbing showroom. From the picture they can be sure the new one will work with the existing holes. Tell them your time frame and ask for their favorite plumber to install. The advantage of a showroom vs. a big box retailer is that they will know what can be had in time and will also know the plumber who is familiar with the brand he will be installing. The kitchen looks so clean with sparkling new fixtures.
- FREESTANDING SOAP DISPENSER - purchase one to sit on the counter in a metal finish to match your kitchen faucet. Get rid of that awful plastic bottle on the sink.
- PET ART -if your pets eat in the kitchen, why not buy a tiny little piece of art and hang it their eye level? Pet food stations can look pretty off putting, but with the little art piece and perhaps some new rubber place mats (remember your color), it can fit in nicely.
- CABINET HARDWARE - n,ever ever think of replacing your kitchen cabinets just months before the holidays. Instead, replace the cabinet hardware to change the look entirely. Remember, take one of each kind with you to your local showroom so they can be sure the new ones will fit “without” drilling. Take a count of each size so the order won’t be held up.
- POT RACK - are the cabinets that hold your pots and pans embarrassing for guests to see? Install a pot rack in your kitchen. They come in so many sizes and colors. Hang only your best pots. It does not matter that it looks used; a sign of a real cook. Now go buy the 2 or 3 pots or pans you’ve always wanted. Consider it a holiday gift to yourself, and use them freely over the next few months.
- KITCHEN SCALE - finally, holiday baking can be overwhelming at this time of year. Successful bakers always measure by weight, not volume. Why not invest in a scale to make the job go smoother? Franke Kitchen Systems makes one. It is an investment but well worth it. It can be cut into the counter top so you have a flush installation and simply lifted out for cleaning. You may not get it cut in before December so use it now and schedule the handyman for after December 31st. Check it out at www.frankeksd.com
BATH:
- FLOWERS - no one ever buys flowers for their own bathroom, so why not buy some for your guests? There is no need to spend a fortune. Simply locate a great old family mixing bowl or crock pot and drop in a potted plant. The flowers will stay fresh for their entire stay.
- SHOWER HEAD - get a new shower head. Get the best one you can afford. Look for one that has a self-cleaning face so you never have to deal with clogged openings due to infrequent use. No plumber needed to install.
- SHOWER SCREEN - is your shower curtain looking, well, awful? Why not get a new European shower screen installed? It is a simple three to five bolt installation. No more shower curtains. You must check out Cesana. WWW.CESANAUSA.COM and click on products, then shower screens.
- TOWELS - how about some brand new white towels? They look clean and fresh. Always, always launder them before you use them. Towels come with a fabric coating to prevent damage while in the store. Wash and dry with NO fabric softener. Fabric softener or dryer sheets will put a film on the towels and they won’t be as absorbent as you hoped.
- BATH FAUCET - a brand new faucet on the sink changes everything. Dont' forget, take a picture of what currently exists to your local showroom. That way there will be no mistake of what you need and when.
ICAA Awards, Texas - Sept. 2011
Beautiful tables with logo centerpieces at the awards, held at the Staub-designed Bayou Club
Richard Humphreys and Jeff Ryan talking about a recent project he did with Elegant Additions
ICAA President and client, Russell Windham, during the presentations
Look closely on the left and you will see famous designer Sherry Hayslip of Dallas sitting with Julie and Richard during the awards
Cersaie 2011
Leading Trade Fair for Plumbing Fittings in Europe
Ten days ago, Elegant Additions Owner, Julie Koch, flew to Bologna, Italy to participate in the Cersaie Fair. Vendors from all over Europe came to this annual exhibition to show the latest and best bath trends for the year.
WELLNESS was everywhere - prevent illness and protect your health!!! There were spas to pamper, tubs to massage, mood elevation via water pressure and temperature, steams rooms that appear to come from the next century and tranquility in every design.
Gessi, a maker of items for the bath, showed 2 new collections, along with some amazing bath accessories. There were towel bars from the ceiling, and spouts, too, along with fittings that look like drops of water.
Julie and Richard joined Andreas Dornbracht of Dornbracht U.S.A for a reception. At the fair, Dornbracht showcased their latest fittings, ATT. Stop in the Dallas showroom to see ATT - one of a handful of showrooms in the country offering this amazing, working experience.
NARI - National Association of the Remodeling Industry - Dallas Chapter
On Tuesday August 9th, NARI industry members shared an evening at the Elegant Additions showroom in Dallas.
Those in attendance ranged from home remodelers to kitchen and bath designers.
Eighty-five guests enjoyed delicious Texas BBQ. New connections were definitely made and fun was had by all.
Devon and Devon was a big hit, as was the Gessi Rettangolo ceiling mounted spout.......and of course, Vitraform.
RSVP Design Event - Dallas
Elegant Additions and Materials Marketing host dinner for RSVP Design Services on July 27th.
RSVP is an award-winning residential and commercial design firm. Staff includes:
Rhonda Vandiver-White RID, ASID, HDA, LEEP AP - Principal Designer
Amy ARmstrong, Allied ASID - Assistant Designer
Aislinn Phelan - Project Manager
Elegant Additions and Materials Marketing sent an SUV Limo to fetch the girls from RSVP Design Services so we could all share a wonderful dinner, prepared by Wendy Krispin Catering (http://www.wendykrispincaterer.com). The evening started in the Elegant Additions showroom with wine and fabulous snacks. The group saw the very latest in hot products and cool ideas for the bath.
We moved to Materials Marketing to stand on some very cool and very elegant stone. We also saw tile, stones and more. Then we got to sit and eat and eat and eat. The best part of the evening was that the seven of us really got to know each other. And we found out some very interesting information about each other. But don't worry ladies.....your secrets are safe with us!!!
Elegant Additions at the James Hotel NYC
Elegant Additions recently entertained some of the most popular editors in the U.S. at the James Hotel in New York City. Showing the press items from our elegant collections never seen in the U.S. before, pictures were taken and ideas were exchanged.
Those in the crowd included Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Traditional Home, Veranda, Real Simple, Lonny Magazine, Apartment Therapy and some well-known freelance writers. With hot chef David Burke preparing the food, it was a perfectly elegant event.
Check out our video and peek into the suite....and don't forget to e-mail this video to your friends!
Announcing Our Elegant Concierge Service
Elegant Additions would like to introduce you to our elegant Concierge Service. Offered to select clients, this program is designed to provide expanded customer service options, including early-on technical support and complete detailed information to the builder and subcontractor team.
Call one of our three showrooms for more details
HOUSTON 713-522-0088
DALLAS 214-745-0888
ATLANTA 770-945-8088
elegant concierge service
Elegant Additions would like to introduce you to our elegant Concierge Service. Offered to select clients, this program is designed to provide expanded customer service options, including early-on technical support and complete detailed information to the builder and subcontractor team.
Dinner with Dornbracht and Elegant Additions Atlanta
" ONE AMAZING NIGHT ! " is all people could say about the sit down dinner held in the Atlanta showroom of Elegant Additions. To begin the evening guests were treated to special bites and chats with the chef.
Once everyone was seated Andreas Dornbracht, of Dornbracht Bath and Kitchen Fittings, gave the crowd a “sneak peak” at the brand new releases for the coming year. How special it was to have the owner of the company come all the way from Germany to host a dinner for special design types and the media.
Andreas told the crowd of the brand new shower system that spas around the world are clamoring for. And so much more was learned. Then the real fun began.
Julie Koch, President of Elegant Additions, arranged with one of the hottest chefs in town to cook his version of a southern inspired meal. And what a meal it was!!! Believe it or not, he cooked the entire meal on portable griddles in the showroom. Andreas said he was embarrassed to say he ate every bite.
Spotted in the crowd were Bill Carpenter, Jackie Naylor, Mark Williams, Frank Neely and some great editors, including Veranda Magazine.
The products remain on display in the Atlanta Showroom.......... so stop in today to see the latest offerings of Dornbracht!
Papercity Magazine Write-Up
Elegant Additions once again received a fabulous write up in the current issue of Papercity Magazine Houston.. Don’t look for the article buried in the design buzz with all the other stores, but rather top of the page, titled Sparkling Water! Go to page 36 and check it out. And if you are in Dallas, look at our new full page ad. This will blow you away, especially if you are into gold swans.
We Love Hardware !!!
Who knew hardware could be this easy?
We love hardware....
From traditional to modern, simple to fancy, gold or silver, we have the door hardware appropriate for any project.
Let us do the work for you
(We do takeoff's)
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International Center
Dornbracht Boutique - Houston
Want to see video clips of the latest in water design? Or hear about a wild kitchen party? Want to see the VERY LATEST from Dornbracht? Come into the Houston showroom. The new Dornbracht Boutique is in full swing. Wow!
And not to be outdone, THG also has their own private room inside Elegant Additions Houston. See collections from Jamie Drake, Lalique, Bernardaud, and Chantal Thomas. Water has never looked so glamorous....
Marjorie Skouras Hardware
Bling! is the name of these beautiful pieces. Imagine her dressing room, or his bar, all dressed up with these exquisite, unique cabinet hardware pieces. Elegant Additions launches these items this week. You must stop in the showroom and try one on!
Devon & Devon
Devon and Devon is brand new in the United States and Elegant Additions is one of their exclusive partners www.devon-devon.com. Come visit their recently installed boutique inside our Atlanta Showroom. This complete line for the bath offers stunning baths, stone and ceramic consoles, furniture, bath accessories that include crystal towel bars and bath completions (soaps, matts, towels, robes) and more....
Devon & Devon in Dallas
Elegant Additions Dallas has recently installed a new boutique inside our showroom - Devon and Devon www.devon-devon.com. D&D is brand new in the United States and Elegant Additions is one of their exclusive partners. This complete line for the bath offers stunning baths, stone and ceramic consoles, furniture, bath accessories that include crystal towel bars and bath completions (soaps, matts, towels, robes) and more...
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