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jonikoenig

any idea where the fruit bowl came from or how I could find out?

Calacatta-with-Brown.gif · More Info

Comments (33)

  • PRO
    EuroWest Decorative Surfaces
    10 years ago
    Joni, I'm sorry i do not know where they got the fruit bowl. All of our photographs are taken in Italy.
  • trionag
    10 years ago
    just ordered three slabs for my kitchen. I don't see electric sockets here. Where are they?
  • evaree
    10 years ago
    Where did you order the slabs? Beautiful!
  • trionag
    10 years ago
    I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. There are two places here that sell them Bodrosians in SJ and Geologica in SF. The slabs can be found online at either Stonepeak Ceramics (the product is called Plane) or Granitifiandre (the product is call marmi maximum). Both are made in Tennessee even though Granitifiandre talks about it being developed in Italy. The product testing from Tile Council of North America is identical. They test out with the same hardness as granite.

    The challenge is in finding someone trained to install them. If you live in the bay area I can help with that as well. but no maintenance ever YAY
  • evaree
    10 years ago
    Thanks, I found both websites. Now coming across more Porcelain, like this one : http://horizontile.com/viewproduct.php?categoryid=8&subcategoryid=0&productid=302
  • evaree
    10 years ago
    Wow, Granitifiandre, Calcutta Maximum is gorgeous! Wonder about having them as countertops? On Stonepeak, an article stated, because they are thin, they can go over existing countertops.
  • trionag
    10 years ago
    I am using them as countertop. They need to be supported underneath by a layer of plywood and then something called Kerdi Board. the fabricator then miters edges on so the boards are not seen. My countertop and backsplash will be the same.
  • evaree
    10 years ago
    Sounds wonderful. Did you get samples? I'm curious if the Calcutta Maximum has veins of beige and brown as in pictures I've seen. I'll be calling first thing tomorrow. I've found a distributor in Ma. Also, I found a good article on how they are made, with tips on choosing, you may want to read here: http://taliankodesigngroup.com/knowledge/porcelain-tile-can-you-tell-the-difference/
  • trionag
    10 years ago
    I went to the showrooms and they gave me small samples to take home. I've already ordered mine and the installation will be in about two weeks. So to save my sanity I am not looking at any more products.:-)
  • evaree
    10 years ago
    http://www.forresidentialpros.com/article/11289660/porcelain-slab-countertops-offer-new-design-options. I understand, I've spent days pouring over this, as I was about to go with Marble. One last question, I had, is if you can do an undermount sink with the Porcelain? Best of luck, and hope you'll share the outcome, very exciting!
  • trionag
    10 years ago
    I was told that one can do an undermount but it works better with a self rimming top mount.
    I have an idea book in which I post the pictures of my remodel as we go along. It is called My remodel has begun.
  • evaree
    10 years ago
    Thanks, I will be following your progress. Did you find out about the electric outlets?
  • trionag
    10 years ago
    No, but I suspect this is a showroom installation and there are no electrical outlets.
  • sandyshirl
    9 years ago
    Trionag ....did you go ahead with these slabs in your kitchen? I'd love a review? I'm finding it soooo hard to get a user review on this product as it's so new. I'm most likely getting fiandre/maximum calacutta slab. My big concern is chipping to the edges of bench tops
  • trionag
    9 years ago
    Hi Sandyshirl,
    I love my new countertops. I have posted pictures in my idea book "My remodel has begun".
    They have been in place since late March-early April. I have had no problems. You are right to be concerned about the chipping of edges. The material is only about .3 inches. However it is very hard. I have had no chipping.
    When the contractor installed my stove/oven (170lbs.) he let it fall against the edge of the counter and the edge cracked. The installers were able to repair it.
    I don't let anyone sit on the counters.
    I had the old, small porcelain tiles in my old kitchen for 20+ years and had no problem with them cracking. I had ceramic tile in another house and they did crack. Porcelain is harder.
    Hope that helps.
  • jddec
    8 years ago
    Trionag- Can what is the approximate price per sq ft for this type of large format porcelain tile? It looks Beautiful!!!
    Thank you!
  • trionag
    8 years ago

    You have to shop around. I found widely different costs. I finally bought it through a supplier in San Francisco and shipped it up from LA. With tax and shipping costs it came to about $1100 per slab. Each slab is 5' x 10'. That price did not include installation.

  • Annie Pollack
    8 years ago

    Trionag - What did you pay in installation. I found the slabs to be reasonable ($20 a sqft) but installation in NYC is close to $80 a sq ft alone.


  • trionag
    8 years ago

    annie2190 I used 3 slabs at 5'x10' each. My installation was $3568. which comes out to $28 sq. ft. But I used the slabs on the countertop and the walls to the cabinets or to the ceiling behind the oven. I'm not sure how to calculate the square footage installed. I had to shop around for installation. the prices were varied. It's important to get someone who knows how to work with this thin material.


  • Annie Pollack
    8 years ago

    Well considering I got a quote for 3 slabs + fabrication for 15k, i'd say its still double or more than what you paid. I'm having a hard time finding fabricators, but, I want it so I'll keep looking. You mentioned above you don't have anyone sit on the counters, not that i'll let people either, but what is the concern? That they are thin and less stable?


  • trionag
    8 years ago

    That was a little tongue in cheek. The counters are completely supported by wood underneath. The porcelain is as hard as granite. However as I watched it installed and saw how thin it was I cringed at the thought of someone sitting or standing on them.

    Anyway I spent as much time finding the slabs and the installer as I spent on the cabinets.

  • cathny
    8 years ago
    Trionag - do you have a recommendation for porcelain slab installers? I saw pictures of your kitchen countertop and loved it. I'm also in the SF area.
  • trionag
    8 years ago

    I used CR marble in San Jose

  • cathny
    8 years ago
    Thank you!
  • Jessica86
    8 years ago

    @trionag hey can you post the link of the products and the photos? Thank you

  • trionag
    8 years ago

    Hi,

    @Jessica86

    It has been 2 years since I did my remodel. I am attaching a few pics of the large porcelain slabs being installed and the link for the product. Not sure what exactly you wanted.

    http://www.eurowest.com/product_finder.php

  • Jessica86
    8 years ago

    Thank you very much!

  • Annie Pollack
    8 years ago
    Trionag - How have the countertops held up? would you recommend them?
  • trionag
    8 years ago

    annie2190 - The countertops are great, no problems, maintenance free. I am quite pleased with them and would choose them again.


  • trionag
    8 years ago

    @Jessica86

    I bought the Calacatta. I used polished. I moved my kitchen to the north side of my house and decided that it needed all the reflected light it could get. also when I saw it at Bodrosians in an installation, the honed seemed to take on a yellow hue from the lighting. So I was careful to use lighting that was not yellow.

  • Candace Stevens
    8 years ago

    Annie2190 did you ever find a fabricator in the NYC area that you used? I live on Long Island and looking at porcelain slabs now for a kitchen Reno.


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