The Reveal Collection from Plyboo

The Reveal Collection from Plyboo, manufactured by Smith and Fong Co., is a series of carved and textured panels constructed of bamboo. When carved, the grain of the inner layers are revealed, creating a play on shapes and grain pattern.

Additionally, Plyboo bamboo is 100% FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified, as the material comes from well-managed forests, and the final product is manufactured without the use of formaldehyde, (no VOC’s) making it an eco-friendly choice for the home.

This artistic collection is available in 8 different patterns and color options. Sheet sizes are 4’x8′ X 3/4″ thick and available pre finished or unfinished. Reveal panels are fabricated in the USA with domestic and foreign components.

“Reveal is one of the most visually dynamic products we’ve ever introduced, It’s ideal for modern retail, hospitality and commercial projects that seek a cutting-edge design with a warm, natural look.” – Angus Stocks, president

If you are not familiar with the many offerings in the Plyboo Family, you may want to also check out PlybooSound, a collection of carved acoustical bamboo panels.

PlybooSound acoustical panels with QuietWall™ technology helps to reduce ambient noise and are great for large open spaces. These panels are so pretty you may just want to use them for their looks and get the added bonus of sound dampening.

About Smith and Fong:

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in San Francisco, Smith & Fong Co. was the first U.S. company to manufacture bamboo flooring for sale in North America, offering its initial product under the brand name Plyboo in 1993. In 1996 the firm began producing bamboo plywood, followed by coconut palm flooring and plywood products in 2000. Today, the company’s product range is distributed and sold throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and the Middle East.

June 25, 2014

Kitchen Inspiration

It’s hard to believe the 4th is just around the corner. Here’s some red, white and blue kitchen inspiration. Which is your favorite?

This photo was style so well with the red tomatoes contrasting with the gorgeous deep blue cabinets.

This kitchen is super fun with the red SMEG refrigerator.

This red back-painted glass splash really keeps this white kitchen from looking sterile.

What’s not to love about this pale blue kitchen? The contrasting cabinet interior is a beautiful detail.

I love kitchen banquettes and this one is complete with storage.

This Scavolini kitchen is bold and beautiful. Love the square pulls.

I love the countertop so much with the red cabinets, I’m going to overlook the drawer head mistake in the corner.

This recycled glass top countertop from Vetrazzo is perfect for entertaining.

June 8, 2014

What is a Cerused Finish?

Dating back to the 16th century, ceruse was a white lead derivative used as a cosmetic by luminaries such as Queen Elizabeth I. Highly toxic on human skin, it found favor with woodworkers, who used the lead-white and wax to fill the porous open grain of oak planks to deter insects and rot. After a while it became a fashionable way to lighten up and enhance the look of wood.

Also known as “limed oak,” the finish was popular throughout the Art Deco era and employed by notable midcentury modern pioneers including Parisian Jean-Michel Franck and Viennese-born Paul T. Frankl. A version of the technique, with a whitened grain contrasting against a black stain, was widely imitated in the 1950s.

A cerused finish on cabinetry is created by using a wire brush across the surface to expose the natural grain of the wood. The base color and a glaze coat are applied to accentuate the unique patterns within the grain. Cerused cabinets have a weathered appearance.

This finish is most popular on Oak and Ash because of their open grain structure but I have seen it done on Alder and Walnut.

Today, cabinet makers are raising the grain on extra thick slab veneered doors. Paired with streamline hardware , a more modern look is obtained. This look is also popular with industrial accents to invoke an urban chic interior.

Colored pigments are also popular and as the demand for “driftwood” finishes starts to wain, expect to see more colors options available.

A word of caution, overuse of this finish can be distracting and knowing how to make it flow with the rest of your home’s decor is very important. Also be aware that I had seen slab doors where half the door takes the color one way and as the grain changes, the other half soaks it up another way. When working with a lighter cerused finish, always order a sample door, don’t work from a small color chip.

From inspiration and to see samples come see me in the showroom. 3415 Radio Rd., Suite 102, Naples, FL 34104

April 23, 2014January 17, 2019

Nanotech Countertops

Fenix NTM ‘Nanotech Matt’ surface recently debuted in many trendsetting kitchen and furniture manufacturers displays at Salone del Mobile in Milan.

Fenix NTM is a thermo-laminate with unique properties, produced in Italy by Arpa Industriale with the aid of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology is the branch of applied science that involves controlling materials, at an infinitesimal level: from 1 – 100 millionths of a millimetre. This type of process has only been available for a few decades, but it is already transforming the world we live in, even the furniture sector.

The core structure of Fenix NTM is composed of craft paper impregnated with thermosetting resins. It is produced by the simultaneous application of heat and high specific pressure to produce a homogeneous non-porous high density product.

Fenix NTM is very resistant to scratches, abrasion, rubbing and dry heat. It is also resistance to stress, solvents and household reagents. Its surface is hygienic and easy to clean thanks to its enhanced anti-bacterial properties. Fenix NTM is also water repellant and mold resistant.

Despite its many features, it seems that it’s Fenix NTM’s matte anti-reflective surface, depth of color (especially black) and soft-to-the-touch feel that has designers flocking to it.

Homeowners and facility managers seem to love it because it is self-healing. To repair a scratch, just place a damp paper towel over the affected area and pass over the scratch with a hot iron. Your countertop will look brand new again.

FENIX NTM is available in the following sizes and thicknesses:
4200 x 1600 mm: 0.9, 1.2, 10 and 12 mm.
4300 x 1850 mm: 10 and 12 mm.

About Arpa:
Since 1954 Arpa Industriale has been designing and manufacturing panels with very high quality HPL technology for the most diverse applications: from architecture to interior design, from healthcare to shipyards, from transport to hospitality, from retail to kitchens.

Arpa’s American showroom is located in SoHo, the artistic and creative heart of New York City, the center for contemporary excellence. Arpa’s unique products and colorful collections on display are in this 7,500 square foot showroom center.