The GT Blog

Archive for the ‘Design’ Category

A Little Bit of Alice in Wonderland

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Sometimes we have to sit back and remember that when people remodel they want the finished product to reflect their own interests, their own personality. The design, or re-design, of a home is something that takes creativity and imagination. Building a kitchen or bathroom should be something that is enjoyable, something that brings the owner great joy beyond the functional benefit. This is why when we see something of creative integrity, rife with originality, we want to commend it. In this case the design is less than functional, so to speak, but eye catching regardless.

Surreal.

Surreal.

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Just When You Thought It Couldn’t Get Any Better…

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

Just when you thought you had us figured out, here we are, throwing you a curveball. Many people know us as quality providers of granite countertop overlays, glass countertop overlays, refaced cabinets, acrylic bath liners, and glass mosaic tile – commercially as well as in the comforts of your own home. But now we have taken our talents to a slightly less affixed sector – furniture!

Granite and wood, handcrafted together.

Granite and wood, handcrafted together.


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Revitalize Your Kitchen in Time for Football Season

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

During the month of September, most Americans know that football season begins, and unless you are able to travel to every game, that also means the start of football party season. It’s much easier to go to a party than throw one, but eventually your friends will notice that you haven’t hosted one since Brett Favre retired the first time, and it will be your turn.

Get the snacks ready. Football season is upon us.

Get the snacks ready. Football season is upon us.

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Granite Countertops…Outdoors!

Monday, August 9th, 2010
Day after day the thermometer seems to poke its head annoyingly above 90. With each passing day the commute to work is filled with more air-conditioned car rides, dry air-conditioned offices, fans blasting at a rate usually seen only in wind farms, and yet when we get home we don’t want to wallow indoors. It’s the summertime! And for those of us who live in the northern states this is our chance to soak up our yards, patios, and outdoor areas to their fullest – regardless of the oppressive heat (just whip up some lemonade).
Although our last post was about things you may want to steer clear of when it comes to extravagantly remodeling, this post is all about excess. While some of us might be content with a patio or a deck, others won’t settle for anything less than the maximum. In this case, going the distance means only one thing: an outdoor kitchen. What do kitchens need? Countertops! Here we go!
The ever-luxurious poolside bar. Some people simply don’t need to cook fanciful meals equipped to please attendees sporting only the highest of brows in an outdoor kitchen – indoors will do them just fine. Some people just want a bar to entertain, a poolside bar at that. It’s a fun feature that turns your backyard/pool area into a veritable summertime destination for family and friends.
Getting creative with your outdoor granite countertops can keep the outdoor kitchen in steady use long into the wintertime. This granite-laden outdoor setup comes equipped with a raised brick oven, perfect for dishing out crisp breads and pizza just a short walk from the home and a short walk to the yard. It’s a great way to incorporate a year round tool into a seasonal setup.
These guys went to all the trouble of installing an outdoor kitchen without considering the most important element of all: the countertop material! As you can see they opted to adorn their outdoor cook-space with plastic countertops, which are not only not as durable, but in our opinions not as attractive. Granite countertops give your outdoor areas that “am I even outdoors?” feel. You’ll see.
So next time you have a boatload of cash lying around and you figure that sprucing up your property is a good use of that surplus take a long hard look at a granite countertop containing outdoor kitchen or bar. They are functional, fun, and a great way to keep yourselves lounging in the backyard just a little bit more. Enjoy the rest of the summer.

Day after day the thermometer seems to poke its head annoyingly above 90. With each passing day the commute to work is filled with more air-conditioned car rides, dry air-conditioned offices, fans blasting at a rate usually seen only in wind farms, and yet when we get home we don’t want to wallow indoors. It’s the summertime! And for those of us who live in the northern states this is our chance to soak up our yards, patios, and outdoor areas to their fullest – regardless of the oppressive heat (just whip up some lemonade).

poolside bar

A decadent poolside bar setup.

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A Kitchen Fit for Poseidon

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

We spend a great deal of time on our blog talking about homes, way to upgrade homes, other people’s homes that we think are notably attractive, and basically anything else you could think of that can be neatly filed under the keyword “home.” Well today is your lucky day, especially if you’re someone who prefers the nautical lifestyle to one bound by yards, sidewalks, and driveways.

The revamped English river boat.

The revamped English river boat.

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Get a Kitchen Island You Can Gather Around

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Up in the Northeast they have the pleasure of enjoying the hottest temperatures in almost a decade. It’s a veritable scorcher and I doubt people are spending a lot of time roasting outdoors on their decks or patios – no sir, I don’t think many people will be doing much of that this weekend. Well, with the AC cranked and your home acting as your oyster you’ll probably find the kitchen being a much trafficked meeting place for family and friends.

The ever-handy barstoll look.

The ever-handy barstoll look.

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World Class Homes: The 2010 World Cup Edition

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Some call it the greatest sporting event in the world. Some plan their lives around the soaring highs and devastating lows that each national team can deliver to their frothing fan base. I’m talking about the World Cup, and right now, just a short skip across the pond, the finest soccer players in the world are lacing up their cleats in South Africa to claim glory for their nation and bring home the coveted cup. What does this have to do with granite countertops and home remodeling, you might ask? Well, truth be told, not much! What it does allow us to do, however, is take the time to examine some of the exquisite homes that the world’s soccer stars live in when they’re not sprinting from one end of the field to another for 90 minutes. People love this stuff!

world cup

World Cup fans going crazy in South Africa

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Artistic Inspiration at its Best

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Have you ever stepped into a home and thought to yourself ‘WOW, how did they ever come up with this design?’ It happens quite a bit to me, as I just can’t seem to think as creatively as some of my artistically adept friends. No matter; I get to gander at their designs all I want, knowing that I didn’t have to shell out the cost to produce it. So in a weird, unsatisfied way I get the last laugh (sort of)! Maybe I just don’t receive the inspiration necessary to plan out such beautiful interior design arrangements. That’s why I hope these wonderfully creative bathroom designs serve as some sort of creative muse for you and yours.

Don’t want to lose even one iota of comfort when you schlep your body from the couch to the bathtub? Well in this home, the bathroom is so plush it may even exceed the comforts of the living room. Does an upholstered, overstuffed bathtub sound like you’re kind of relaxation? It certainly doesn’t seem stressful.

How cozy, no?

How cozy, no?


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More Like the MOMA than Your Bathroom

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Oh the joys of remodeling! We all seem to want to spice up our home from time to time, but much of the time we fall prey to the conformed look. Let’s all get glossy countertops, new cabinets, a big, stylish mirror, and have a technically sound, yet roomy and luxurious shower/tub. Yes, this is what we want, but where is there room for imagination and creativity? Sure, you can pick color schemes and plant arrangements, but will sparks fly, or will it become stagnant? Thanks to mosaic slabs you can now treat your bathroom, or any room you choose, like your own canvas.

Custom mosaic shower surround.

Custom mosaic shower surround.

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Mosaics and You: The Remodeling Beginners Guide

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

I don’t imagine any of you out there reading this would liken yourself an imperial emperor, nor a monarch, nor a Roman aristocrat. So, you must not think that fine mosaic designs and refined, glossy-looking backsplashes adorning every room from the kitchen to the bathroom to the living room would be an option for you – it’s only fit for a king! Not so! You, too, can give your home that elegant feel that only a mosaic design can deliver.

Carefully cleaning an ancient Roman mosaic.

Carefully cleaning an ancient Roman mosaic. (Photo via Zimbio.com)

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