FSB / Porcher

FSB - like Chown Hardware, FSB was formed over 120 years ago supplying furniture fittings to multiple manufacturers. Over the years, FSB has added to the line to where they currently produce over 10,000 products in aluminum, stainless steel and brass.

Locally we have seen an influx of sales for the residential sector, but designs and competitive pricing has also opened up the commercial sector also. Condo buildings, businesses and residential construction can all use the FSB lines with confidence.

"Designed for the hand," FSB has designed handles and pulls with ergonomics in mind; oval cross cuts, curved arches and indents to guide your fingers to comfort.

Over 120 door hardware design options, your choices are quite impressive, adding to the design choices all of the options are available in both base metals of aluminum and stainless steel and many available in brass. Brass levers are able to be plated in multiple finishes adding to the many options in designs.

Commercial doors and high traffic doors will also be a perfect match for FSB. Currently in many condo projects and specified in many upcoming jobs you will see more and more uses in coming months. Tubular and mortise locks are available for every lever and rose option.

FSB also adds bathroom, window and cabinet hardware to round out the product line. Lead times run 1-2 weeks for standard products and 4-6 on custom designs.

New to FSB - Flush pulls for pocket doors, sliding door track systems for wood or glass doors and new lever designs to expand the overall line of FSB

To learn more about FSB, just click on the following Link - FSB

Jado / Porcher

Jado and Porcher have combined companies to provide a one stop source for faucets and fixtures for your home.

Jado - Introducing a new line of shower heads to match their already full line of faucet lines. 6", 8" and 10" diameter sizes in both contemporary and traditional designs are available. So whats the big deal, everyone has shower heads? Jado has innovated a large shower head that will work with either thermostatic or the lower flow pressure balanced shower valve. When a typical rain shower is used and is not pointed straight down the spray nozzles from bottom of the head to the top get progressively less and less pressure making the shower head not perform to full potential. Jado has introduced technology to make all of the jets spray at the same pressure making sure the head provides a full pressure and coverage in all installations.

Porcher - Many new designs this quarter and it is even before K-BIS! New release is Slate Basins, natural volcanic slate which is transformed into five possible basins. The Italian slate material has a rich, deep black color due to its very fine graphite pigment. Unlike other slate materials, this slate can be split into thin layers that will not flake. All are hand honed to a smooth finish that is velvety to the touch. Each piece is custom numbered adding to its unique design. All basins can be installed as above-counter vessels and two of those can be mounted in a drop in option.

New furniture is also added to complement the simple styling of the slate basins and the brushed stainless steel accents will easily coordinate with stainless and brushed nickel faucets and fixtures.

To learn more about the Porcher & Jado lines, just click on the following link - Porcher/Jado

Portland Product Knowledge Meeting Schedule

Meetings are held Wednesdays 8:30-9:30am & 9:30-10:30am - Please RSVP to jt@chown.com to reserve your seat

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 made bronze door and bath hardware.

3/25 - KWC / Hansa - Swiss quality kitchen and bath faucets.

Product Knowledge Meetings - Bellevue

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

3/10 - Julien - Quality kitchen sink manufacturing company out of Canada. 16 gauge sinks will add quality to any home

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.

4/14 - Hoppe - Multi-point hardware for both interior and exterior doors

4/21 - Baci Mirrors - Magnified vanity mirrors with and without lights. Make getting ready for the day a breeze.

Steamist

Long day at the office, the rain is coming down in sheets, temperature is dropping and you would love to go to the gym to sit in the steam shower to relax but would rather not deal with small talk with someone you do not know. So what do you do? How about a nice steam shower in your own home. Steamist is the in home steam bath. No more trudging to the spa to get a little relaxation when you can have your own at home. Just press the button and the day's stresses start to melt away.

Steambaths rid the body of impurities and toxins, resulting in improved circulation, a stronger immune system and a healthier complexion. Allergies, arthritis, asthma and other respiratory problems can be helped with steam.

No special rooms are needed to add a steambath either. The steam generator itself is compact enough to fit inside a typical vanity cabinet and take simple plumbing and electrical work to install. Requirements for a steam shower are a fully enclosed shower that is waterproof even the ceiling, a shower door that has a steam seal that will lock in the moisture and a ceiling that is only 8' tall or less with a slight slope to keep the condensation from building. A seat of some sort is also highly recommended so you can sit and relax for a longer period of time.

Optional features for the Steamist units are "Instamist" which accelerates the production of steam so that you can turn on the system and begin generating steam in less than a minute. Heating the showering space before stepping inside will provide a more comfortable and relaxing steam bath.

New additions to the Steamist steam bath systems

• Total Sense Collection steam generator - gives a consistent, controlled steam output which cuts energy costs and minimizes temperature spikes
• Total Control - TSC Series control which allows control of the optional AromaSence, ChromaSence & AudioSense packages
• AromaSence - Adds Essential oils into steam to "relax, restore, renew or energize." Two different fragrance options at the touch of a button and refillable canisters allow personal fragrances to be utilized
• ChromaSense - Light therapy that can cycle through 6 different color combinations to set the mood of a steambath
• AudioSense - Control music in the steambath, from your steambath. Enjoy your iPod or any other audio source from your shower with your choice of classic exposed speakers or invisible speakers that mount in the wall and transmit sound.
  

Health benefits, improved home value and ease of instillation are all reasons to add steam in your next bath remodel or addition. For an easy sizing chart and to learn more about the Steamist brand steam generator, just take a look at the following link - Steamist

Product Knowledge Meeting Schedule - Portland

Meetings are held Wednesdays 8:30-9:30am & 9:30-10:30am - Please RSVP to jt@chown.com to reserve your seat

2/18 - Jado / Porcher - 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

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

Product Knowledge Meetings - Bellevue

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 - Julien - Quality kitchen sink manufacturing company out of Canada. 16 gauge sinks will add quality to any home

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