Friday, January 23, 2009

Sonoma Cast Stone


For the past several years Chown Hardware has partnered with Sonoma Cast Stone to provide you with the finest collection of concrete kitchen and bath sinks, tiles, tubs and countertops. Sonoma Cast Stone provides unique top quality products for you and your clients homes.

Before we let you know what's "new and hot", I would like to give a little background to those who aren't familiar with Sonoma Cast Stone. Started by Steve Rosenblatt to replicate tiles he found in Europe, for his own residence, he was urged by friends to produce the products for consumers also.

Over the years with trial and error Sonoma has became a leader in the concrete industry by introducing such things as NuCrete, the worlds only "stainless" concrete. This is as the name states, a truly stainless product that will hold up the the daily rigors of kitchen and bath use. From red wine to catsup, nothing will mar the beauty of these concrete products. And being a proprietary design, you will not find anyone else producing this amazing quality!

Versatility is the best word to describe Somoma Casts 24 standard colors and color matching service. Tiles, countertops, sinks, fireplace surrounds, vent hoods, bathtubs, landscape and furniture are all available to complete the package.

So how does one expand on an already impressive product line? Let me tell you, we are proud to announce the launch of two new lines for Sonoma Cast Stone, "EarthCrete" and "MetalCrete".

EarthCrete is the next generation of concrete products for the home. Still offering the full line of colors and styles as before, it is now even more environmentally friendly. Environmentally sustainable with 44.75% recycled content, less Portland cement than standard thickness wet-cast concrete. Countertops weighing up to 75% less means less carbon output on both manufacturing and shipping. Greater strength eliminates steel re-bar construction and longer sections without seams. With the EarthCrete also comes quicker ship times as the curing process has been sped up with less material to cure. But the biggest news is lower cost to you and your clients.

The next new innovation which I am personally excited to announce is MetalCrete. A blend of concrete and metal into one final product. Nickel, pewter and copper can be added to your sinks and tubs to add another layer of design. Concrete is still available in the full line of colors adding to the versatility. Metals can be either used on interior or exterior of the piece adding a warm, unique design to any home.

Delivery takes 5-7 weeks on standard products and 9-10 weeks on custom pieces. 30 year warranty on NuCrete products.

Product Knowledge Meeting Schedules -

Portland Location Schedule

Chown would like to invite you to our weekly product training meetings. Factory trained represenitives explain new products of the lines and introduce you to new products. Bellevue location meetings are listed below.

Meetings at the Portland are every Wednesday from 8:30-9:30am and a second meeting 9:30-10:30am. Please RSVP to reserve your seat to jt@chown.com


2/4 - Baldwin Hardware - See the new products Baldwin has to offer and what makes Baldwin one of the best hardware manufacturers available

2/11 - Steamist - Bringing the luxury of steam to your home. Specifyng and sizing tips, health benefits and adding value to your home

2/18 - Jado & Porcher - Porcher & Jado, the manufacturer of fine fixtures has merged with a leader in elegant plumbing supply. Learn about new product designs, along with timeless classics

2/25 - FSB - German quality door hardware that has taken the residential and commerical construction by storm. Function and design, learn how it is brought togeather in one handle


Bellevue Location Schedule -

Meetings at the Bellevue location are held at 8:30-9:30am Tuesdays. Please RSVP to carolynt@chown.com to reserve your seat

2/24 - FSB - German quality door hardware that has taken the residential and commercial construction by storm. Function and design, lean how it is brought together in one handle

3/10 - KWC / Hansa - Swiss qualtiy for your kitchen and bathrooms, See cutting edge designs along with the classics that has made KWC and Hansa a lifetime quality faucet

4/7 - Valli & Valli - Italian designed door hardware and bath accessories. Well thought out designs that will add a touch of Europe to any home.

5/19 - Dornbracht - You have used the line in your top projects, been thrilled with the qualtiy it's provided, now learn what is new and exciting in this leader in faucet designs





Monday, January 12, 2009

Neo Metro

Stainless Steels is not just for your kitchen or laundry room any more, functional bathroom designs are now made for your residential bathroom.

Neo-Metro was born in 1998 after a Wall Street Journal article covering a residence in San Diego, CA, that installed prison toilets in their bathroom, was published, and again re-energized when Howard Stern went on the air and stated he also had stainless steel toilets installed after a party got out of hand and fixtures were "broken". The buzz from the design community demanded more options and has led Neo-Metro to where they are today.

Complete vanities including base, counter, sink and mirrors are available along with the option of using any of the components like sinks to be used alone and installed in your own counter top personalizing the design.

Neo-Metro does not stop at sinks and mirrors, but also has toilets available. Wall mounted, floor mounted or combination sink and toilet combination for those tight areas.

New resin designs also have the ability to match any color from Pantone Color Matching Systems for its resin deck and mirrors. Back lighted or non lighted counters along with mirrors are available in the multiple colors and sizes also. Available in frosted finishes adding different looks to the colors and styles.

Why stainless steel? Non porous material makes a less bacteria friendly material especially in a bathroom setting. Metal fabrication for custom sizes and shapes are easily developed. Lifetime durability you don't have to worry about chipping or breaking the fixtures. Most of all, it is a green product, the stainless steel is recyclable and will be used in other projects in the future.

Neo-Metro also has a full line of commercial products available from hand wash stations and urinals along with a new series of sensor faucets.

Stainless steel, resin, wood, leather and now powder coating options along with the ability to make custom sizes and designs give the designer and architect an unlimited amount of design options.

Product line includes the following


  • Sinks

  • Counters

  • Mirrors

  • Bath Accessories

  • Vanity Bases

  • Toilets

  • Bathtubs

  • Urinals

  • Tiles

  • Faucets

  • Commercial fixtures

  • Custom works on request

To learn more and see the full line of options from Neo-Metro, just click the link below to explore the complete site.

Neo-Metro


Product Knowledge Meetings


Remember, everyone is invited to our Wednesday training meetings which are held from 8:30-9:30am and 9:30-10:30am. Please RSVP to jt@chown.com to reserve your seat.

The current schedule is as follows and is updated regularly so check back often -

1/21 - Sonoma Cast - Custom concrete kitchen and bath sinks along with tiles. Custom shapes, sizes and colors. Learn how it is made, durability and different uses throughout the home

1/28 - How to Specify door hardware - Residential Door Hardware - measurements, differences between mortise and tubular locks, also how to hand doors. Hands on training will help you understand the workings of a lock.

2/4 - Baldwin Hardware - See the new products Baldwin has to offer and what makes Baldwin one of the best hardware manufacturers available

2/11 - Steamist - Bring the luxury of steam to your home. Specifying and sizing tips, health benefits and adding value to your home

2/18 - Jado / Porcher - Porcher and Jado, the manufacturer of fine fixtures has merged with a leader in elegant plumbing supply. Learn about new product designs, along with timeless classics

2/25 - FSB - German quality door hardware that has taken the residential and commercial construction by storm. Function and design , learn how it is brought togeather in one handle

3/4 - Sun Valley Bronze - You read about it on the Blog, now is your chance to see it first hand. Hand made forged hardware in both rustic and contemporary looks.

3/11 - Dornbracht - You have used the line in your top projects, been thrilled with the quality it's provided, now learn what is new and exciting in this leader in faucet designs

3/18 - Nobilus - Hand worked bronze, timeless designs. Nobilus provides products for your whole home. From door and cabinet hardware to bath accessories this is your one stop to outfit your home.

3/25 - KWC / Hansa - Swiss quality for your kitchen and bathrooms. See cutting edge designs along with the classics that has made KWC and Hansa a lifetime qualtiy faucet

Monday, January 5, 2009

Knobworks Vermont

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

The first full week of the New Year, no snow (currently) and all the ice has melted and with it comes a new hot line to Chown Hardware!

Introducing Knobworks Vermont -

Knobworks Vermont is a four year old company started by designer Justin Metcalfe. Designs featuring hand-blown glass, hand turned wood and milled brass give the line some stunning designs you will not see elsewhere.

Milled brass knobs are made from solid brass barstock that alows seamless hardware that has an amazingly solid feel that you lose with the hollow handled companies. Milling the billets of solid brass eliminates irregularities in the metals that will often spoil the look or finish of a hardware piece. Offered in three primary finishes of brass, patinaed brass & nickel. Polished and brushed nickel are standard on some of the lines. Along with the standard colors, Knobworks also offers custom color matching to make the line "just right".

Hand-turned and finished wood starts with kiln-dried hardwoods that is turned and finished by hand with multiple layers of polyurethane. Offered in multiple exotic hardwoods and and hardwood burls. Either inlayed wood or solid wood handles are available.


Hand-blown glass offers you and your client a touch of artistry for every door. Each piece is made by hand so no two knobs are exactly alike.


Knobworks utilizes Baldwin hardware tubular latches and Accurate Lock mortise locks to make functions and designs for every door in your home

Cabinet hardware in milled brass is also available from the Knobworks company. Currently limited designs, with new designs in the works.

To see a full line of the Knobworks line, just click on the following link - Knobworks




Chown Cache

Chown Hardware would also like to introduce the "Chown Cache." Throughout the month we will be adding hot sale items to the site that will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Limited stock will make these quick movers, so bookmark the site to check in from time to time. Currently we are showcasing Blanco sinks and Robern cabinets to name a few - Chown Cache

Product Knowledge Meetings

Throughout the month Chown Hardware has product knowledge meetings that we would like to invite everyone interested to attend. Meetings are scheduled for twice each Wednesday morning, at 8:30 - 9:30am and 9:30-10:30am. This months schedule is as follows -

1/7 - Neo Metro - Stainless steel plumbing products for residential use
1/14 - Hoppe - Multi-point hardware for both interior and exterior doors
1/21 - Somoma Cast Stone - Custom concrete sinks and tiles for kitchen and bath designs

Please RSVP to jt@chown.com to save your spot!!