CONTACT:
Sarah Anderson
sanderson@craft-art.com, 404-574-2672

Craft Art Adds Metal & Glass Countertops to Wood Product Offering

The company also now provides instant online quotes

ATLANTA–Jan. 20, 2012—Craft Art, Inc. the leading wood countertop producer in North America, has added metal and glass countertops, to become the pioneering one-stop shop for specialty surfaces. The company also now provides instant online quotes to offer more specialty countertop choices, with a quicker turnaround than most competitors.

“People want countertops and islands in their homes that make statements,” says Sarah Anderson, Marketing Coordinator for Craft Art. “Both metal and glass countertops make a bold modern statement and are very hygienic surfaces with little maintenance.”

Metals offered by Craft Art are Stainless Steel, Copper, Pre-Weathered Zinc, and Bronze. Except for stainless steel, the metals will oxidize, forming a patina. On a green note, Copper and Zinc are recyclable.

Glass is available in more than 50 combinations from different textures to Craft Art’s “Exact Match” colored glass with LED backlighting options. One of the most stylish countertop materials available, glass provides a high-end unique look, offering cleans lines and a cleaner surface.

Craft Art has built the first in a series of exclusive showrooms where customers, designers, and kitchen and bath dealers can view a niche surface showcase.  “Homeowners want alternatives to traditional countertops, and our Buckhead (Atlanta) showroom is designed to merchandise a multitude of niche surfaces so people can conveniently select their ideal surface,” says Brad Baker, Director of Sales, Craft Art.

About Craft Art

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Craft Art is the industry leader of custom-built wood islands and countertops in North America. The company now has more than 25 different wood species, 50 glass combinations and four types of metal countertops, with a retail presence in nearly 3,000 locations. For more information, visit www.Craft-Art.com or call Craft Art at 404-352-5625.

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CONTACT:
Sarah Anderson
sanderson@craft-art.com, 404-574-2672

Craft Art Adds Metal & Glass Countertops to Wood Product Offering

The company also now provides instant online quotes

ATLANTA–Jan. 20, 2012—Craft Art, Inc. the leading wood countertop producer in North America, has added metal and glass countertops, to become the pioneering one-stop shop for specialty surfaces. The company also now provides instant online quotes to offer more specialty countertop choices, with a quicker turnaround than most competitors.

“People want countertops and islands in their homes that make statements,” says Sarah Anderson, Marketing Coordinator for Craft Art. “Both metal and glass countertops make a bold modern statement and are very hygienic surfaces with little maintenance.”

Metals offered by Craft Art are Stainless Steel, Copper, Pre-Weathered Zinc, and Bronze. Except for stainless steel, the metals will oxidize, forming a patina. On a green note, Copper and Zinc are recyclable.

Glass is available in more than 50 combinations from different textures to Craft Art’s “Exact Match” colored glass with LED backlighting options. One of the most stylish countertop materials available, glass provides a high-end unique look, offering cleans lines and a cleaner surface.

Craft Art has built the first in a series of exclusive showrooms where customers, designers, and kitchen and bath dealers can view a niche surface showcase.  “Homeowners want alternatives to traditional countertops, and our Buckhead (Atlanta) showroom is designed to merchandise a multitude of niche surfaces so people can conveniently select their ideal surface,” says Brad Baker, Director of Sales, Craft Art.

About Craft Art

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Craft Art is the industry leader of custom-built wood islands and countertops in North America. The company now has more than 25 different wood species, 50 glass combinations and four types of metal countertops, with a retail presence in nearly 3,000 locations. For more information, visit www.Craft-Art.com or call Craft Art at 404-352-5625.

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]]> http://www.craft-art.com/dealer_announcements/specialty-surfaces-metal-glass-countertops/feed/ 0 http://www.craft-art.com/dealer_announcements/facebook-2/ http://www.craft-art.com/dealer_announcements/facebook-2/#comments Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:08:09 +0000 wpengine http://www.craft-art.com/?p=1613  See homeowner submitted photos, Craft Art’s current TV involvement, and Sneak Peek Pics from the Craft Art shop.

Butcherblock Cart Spotlight: Sommelier Cart

Modern wine and beverage service is at its best with Craft-Art’s Sommelier Cart. Showcase your wine, cheese, or even use as an appetizer service piece. Shown in a dramatic statement species, Zebrawood, this cart is ideal for showing your guests a fabulous time. The end grain construction makes it perfect for a chopping block and preparation surface, as well. The hand-forged iron base features storage bars that are perfect for storing up to 24 wine bottles, hanging linens, or placing your favorite tray for decorative storage. With the addition of casters, this cart can move with your party. Keep the cart in the kitchen for extra counter space and a touch of refinement, then roll to the living room for Saturday night’s fête.

Concerned about red wine spills? Have no fear with Craft-Art. This Sommelier Cart is fully waterproof and stain resistant, thanks to Craft-Art’s organic Tung Oil finish. Daily maintenance is as simple as how granite is cleaned – no ammonia allowed, but all vinegar based cleaners are safe and effective disinfectants for Craft-Art tops.

This Craft-Art butcherblock Sommelier Cart is a highlight for the host and a staple for the bar.

Dimensions:
30″ wide x 24″ deep x 2″ thick wood top. Total Height without casters is 31″ tall. Total height with casters is 35″ tall.
Total width including pull bar is 33.5″.

Just Chop and Stir! If you can do that, this deliciously simple guac recipe is for you.

Ingredients

• 3 avocados – peeled, pitted, and mashed (see “Hot Tips” for how-to’s)
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
• 1 finely chopped jalapeño – choose pickled(low heat) or fresh(high heat)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic – mince yourself for best results!
• 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 pinch ground cumin (optional)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, jalapeño, lime juice, and salt.

2. Mix in onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic. Stir in cayenne pepper and cumin.

3. Refrigerate 1 hour for best flavor, or serve immediately.

Hot Tips for Cool Guac

Get touchy-feely: 

Most importantly, handle and feel the avocado. A rock-hard avocado translates to an under-ripe and bland fruit.

Open sesame:

1. Grip the avocado gently on one side with your hand – wrap the hand you hold the fruit with in a towel for safety. With a large, sharp knife in the other hand, cut the avocado lengthwise around the seed. Open the two halves to expose the pit.

2. The third way is to gently tap the pit with the blade of the knife. I generally just tap the pit very gently a few times, each with increasing pressure, until the knife sticks. Then discard the pit. (And give yourself a high-five because that was a cool chef’s trick.)

3. Scoop out the avocado flesh with a spoon for making guacamole.

Tried it and have a suggestion? Let us know and leave a comment!

Avocado - The Perfect Butcherblock Accessory

Chef secrets from our secret chef.

We love to chop. But anyone can chop, and we aren’t just anyone. Follow the Craft-Art way, and make something functional into something functional and beautiful. When you chop you make small pieces. When you Julienne you make small, beautiful, consistent pieces. So take a page from our book and read on for: How to Julienne.

 1. Pick your veggie- an easy one to practice on is a carrot; the skin isn’t slippery like a zucchini, for example.

2. Peel the skin from the vegetable if necessary and trim away any root or stem.

3. If the vegetable is round like a potato or carrot, cut it in half and lay it cut side down on the chopping block or butcher block to keep it from rolling.

4. Use a “claw grip” on the veggie- put your fingertips on the surface with your knuckles facing forward which provides a better grip and a safer angle for your fingertips!

5. Cut it into even strips 1/4-inch thick keeping the tip of your knife on the board at all times and keep a steady rocking motion with the knife.

6. You will now have thin and wide strips. Stack them together and use the same rocking motion with your knife to cut them into 1/4-thick, even slices.

Like that? This product is for you.

This gorgeous and substantial chopping block is the perfect size and shape to fit into any space while giving the illusion of having a truly custom kitchen island. The end grain construction allows for every chopped vegetable to feel like part of a momentus occasion.

Or at least a free cutting board to make your lunch on. Like Us and post your Craft-Art countertop photo on Facebook.com/craftart and get a free 12”x18” wood cutting board for it.

All you have to do is share pictures of your Craft-Art wood countertop with us at http://www.facebook.com/craftart and Like Us.  Once you add the pictures and “Like Us”, email us at marketing@craft-art.com with your name, address, email and phone number, and we will send you a free 12″ x 18″ cutting board.

Constructed with the same hand-crafted technique that Craft-Art uses on its custom wood islands, countertops, chopping blocks, and butcher blocks the new line of Craft-Art Cutting Boards will bring a touch of warmth with a hint culinary prowess to your kitchen. Be part of the exclusive group to get the look of an investment piece at an exceptional value.

All of our Private Label Cutting Boards are finished with Craft-Art’s Board Conditioner to lock in moisture leaving a silky finish without any waxy build up. This deeply penetrating cream protects and seals your cutting board to maximize strength of the surface and keep your knives sharper longer. Experience the restorative power of our Board Conditioner for yourself when you bring home a bottle, available online at store.craft-art.com

 Block Tops sees texture, patterns and profits in wood islands, countertops

Back in 1977 when Damien Bates founded a company based on the custom design and fabrication of butcher block furniture and countertops, he aptly named it Block Tops. Since then, his product mix has strayed from its origins with sales of solid surfaces overtaking those of butcher block.

But if recent sales are any indication, Block Tops may be returning to its roots—wood countertops and butcher block with sales of wood on the upswing as increasingly more homeowners search for that one focal piece that will set their kitchen or bath apart from the rest.

Wood: Distinguished, Elegant

“Years ago, granite was for the elite few. Nowadays everyone has granite. It is so common, it is almost as if every house has it. People want something different and elegant,” reports Carrie Fleming, who works in sales at Anaheim, Calif.-based Block Tops.

The “something different and elegant” they are turning to is Craft-Art solid wood countertops.

“Craft-Art is a great contrast to granite. They are doing a wood island in the middle of their kitchen as a focal point. It is a very elegant material and warms up that cold feeling of granite,” Fleming adds.

Thirty years ago when Block Tops started out, it made its own “old school butcher block,” explains Fleming. “When we saw Craft-Art’s line, we just fell in love it with it and stopped manufacturing our own butcher block.”

Block Tops starting carrying Craft-Art solid wood countertops in 2007. Today, wood represents about 10 percent of the company’s total sales and is growing. “In the past six months, people are starting to hear about the wood and they are becoming very interested in it,” says Fleming.

Wood’s Selling Points

Among Craft-Art’s big selling points are its beauty and functionality, according to Fleming. “The fact that it is waterproof is the big difference between Craft-Art and other manufacturers. You also don’t have to worrying about warping and that’s a big thing. It is food- and stain- resistant, and low maintenance. These things, plus its beauty and uniqueness are what made me fall in love,” says Fleming, who is loyal to Craft-Art.

“I don’t work with any other wood besides Craft-Art. Regular cutting board butcher block and Craft-Art are completely different materials. They are not the same thing. With Craft-Art, the design options are virtually unlimited and the company offers so many different species. Anything you want to do, you can.

“You can get a countertop starting ats 1-1/2 inches to 6 or more inches thick, which can give people a very different look in their kitchen. You can also get ¾-inch thick material for a backsplash if wanted. You cannot find stone or granite that is that thick,” adds Fleming. “Plus, if there is a specific edge a homeowner wants, I can just send Craft-Art a photo and they will make it. That is a huge selling point for Craft-Art.”

The fact that wood is sustainable is another great feature, notes Fleming. “I have customers who will choose reclaimed white oak even if it is more expensive because they feel they are doing something important for the world. It also has a rustic beauty about it. They like the grain and different imperfections. That is what makes it so beautiful and they understand that.”

Two Types of Wood Customers

At Block Tops, there is no conflict selling solid stone surfaces alongside wood; the two co-exist and even complement the other. “Having wood is a great addition to our line of stone countertops because it is used frequently to warm up a kitchen,” explains Fleming, who suggests there are two distinct wood customers.

There are homeowners who opt to go entirely with wood. “The person who will put in a full wood kitchen is looking for an entirely different look and is typically a very high-end customer.”

Then, she says, there is customer who wants to mix the materials. “The person who mixes stone countertops with a wood island is the more unique customer. They will match a wood countertop or island top with something else they have in the kitchen. They are looking to blend the warmth of wood with the icy cold of stone and they will put the warmth on the island where people gather, where people sit.”

Selling Wood

Selling wood countertops and islands is easy, says Fleming. “Craft-Art’s samples are beautiful. You don’t have to do a lot of selling, the product really just sells itself.” 

That said, Fleming says the key to success is making sure the homeowner knows they are buying wood. It sounds simplistic, but it isn’t. “Yes, you want to make sure they understand that wood will make their kitchen look different. It is waterproof, stain resistant, food safe and low-maintenance. But the most important thing to stress is that it is still wood. You have to take care of it as you wood any piece of fine furniture. I want to make sure the homeowner has realistic expectations,” advises Fleming.

“There are some people who like distressed wood and they will pay Craft-Art extra to make those dings and scratches. Others want to make those imperfections on their own.”

The fact that wood takes on a patina, a character that is unique to its owners is often a source of beauty and pride. Concludes Fleming, “Wood is more than just beautiful; it is also functional. You can cut on it; put food on it and it is waterproof. Yet, there is something more special about it. There is a beauty in wood that I just can’t explain.” 

[Contributor]

Carrie Fleming

Sales

Block Tops

1560 Harris Ct

Anaheim, CA 92806

http://blocktops.com/

714-981-4046

In a time of flipped homes and pre-fabricated kitchens, Anthony Hubbard, Craft-Art’s Homeowner of the Week, found himself in a sea of same. His traditional kitchen had dark granite on all surfaces and didn’t have a piece that stood out. As a consummate host with a special love of cooking, he wanted a place for people to gather in his oversized galley kitchen. But the granite covering every surface left something to be desired for him. After finding several alternative surface options available through his online research, Anthony selected marble – and wood.  “You may think they are an unlikely pair, but I love them together. I have my traditional marble and my traditional wood. Put them together and it’s not so traditional,” Anthony says.

The marble was a great fit for Anthony’s taste. He wanted natural variation and the classic element of a white marble surface. But he was back to his problem of the blandness that can happen with a single surface in a not-so-large space. And since marble can be slightly high in required maintenance and price, he wanted to go with a second surface that would look like furniture and work into his lifestyle of frequent cooking and entertaining. A surface that his friends and neighbors had never seen and would love to congregate around. He went with a rich chocolate brown Black Walnut for his island countertop to contrast with the clean white of the marble. The bright cool white is instantly warmed by the dark walnut centerpiece, and together your eye is drawn to every corner of the kitchen, simulating a larger space. A distinguished copper undermount sink in his dark wood island top meets the modern form, function and durability of the Wolf gas range. But Anthony doesn’t just make the kitchen his own. He makes everything that comes out of it his own. Even his cuisine comes with a twist, “I love to make the same foods I ate growing up. But I don’t keep recipes. I take what I learned and I put my own spin on it. It may be my mom’s recipe, but I punch it up. I don’t like to make the same thing twice.”

Anthony says about his wood countertop, “It’s not something I just stare at. It’s useful.” In wanting his kitchen to feel like an extension of the den, the idea of wood for the island was perfect. It can feel like a table, incorporate the surfaces he has in every other room of the house, and with the Tung Oil penetrating finish, not be at risk for damage like other furniture. When the furniture look meets guilt free use and traditional meets modern day, it’s just another day in the Hubbard home.