Glass Countertop Fabrication…The Interactive Glass Design Process at Downing Designs.

At Downing Designs glass studio in Tampa,Fl we have pioneered a highly interactive process whereby our clients have direct input into their glass designs. Our mission has always been to offer maximum value to our clients, and we realized that opening up our design studio to clients has offered them something that no other facet of their home design can offer…an immersive experience with direct creative input into their glass countertop masterpiece. Something to always be proud of in the daily usage of their glass countertops. This shared design system offers a “free preview” and instills confidence in our clients that their voice is heard at each step from concept to visualization to glass fabrication. They can easily see how our proposed textural design fits atop a scale model of their kitchen design and layout. Our interactive design system is centered around creative thinking. While we do have certain engineering limitations in creating glass countertops, we discuss these upfront which enables creative freedom by solving any issues before they crop up. This reduces friction throughout and allows a more enjoyable design experience.

Our journey into this design process started we realized we were not the only ones with innovative design ideas. Many of our clients had incredibly creative ideas…and no way to express themselves. We found ourselves learning a lot from our clients and their design innovations. Many of our current products are collaborative result of our clients ideas and ours melded together to create a new glass texture for their kitchen or bath countertop.

 

Downing Designs Glass Design Process:

• Discussion with Client.

• Connect with your Lifestyle, Motives, Style Intentions, Brainstorm Ideas

• Visit Site, Draw Physical Layout

• Sketch Design Options

• Refine & Accept

• Produce Texture in Kiln

 

Of utmost importance is the ability to visit the site and get a feel for the way the kitchen or bath space flows. How do you enter the room where the glass is located? (Initial Viewing Angle is critical).  What is the purpose? Are there sinks, grills, faucets, etc.?  How busy is the rest of the decor? We then review our extensive web catalog of previous design solutions and see if anything looks close to what they want.  Some people want to infuse life into their space with a tempestuous, wild Category 5 Hurricane design…some people want a calm, light drizzle. To each their own. Our strength is to take these parameters and use our experienced design eye to offer a creative glass texture that fulfills our clients dreams.

Once done with the drawings we also offer our clients the ability to join us, elbow-to-elbow, in our glass fabrication studio to watch as we transform the 2-D design into a 3-D work of glass art in our kilns. Where else can you have such direct input into the creative design process? This is always made more fun with the opening of a nice bottle of wine (aka Artistic Aiming Aperitif).

If the client wishes to participate, we train them on the technique, and cut them loose on the design. Many wish to just watch and encourage the Artist with suggestions for the overall curvaceous form of the design. All must at least “sign” the sculpture with their finger… carving out the eye of the hurricane…at which point the kiln carving becomes a “Named Storm”… (Worthy of non-stop coverage by the Weather Channel).

We then fire the piece, cut, and polish the glass countertop and back paint the glass. Metallics, whites, pastels all are judiciously used to complement the room decor.

Installation, often using LEDs to illuminate the glass further enhances the depth of the textures created. We admire Tiffany’s and Swarovski, and have learned much from their technical prowess in using point-source lighting to maximize the depth and beauty of their diamonds and crystal sculptures. Finally, the sinks, grills and faucets are mounted to ensure everything fits and is exactly the way the owner envisioned. Pretty simple really, but thorough, and designed to make sure that the implementation is 100% executed to the best of our ablities.

We hope this blog has helped you to better understand the scope of our design services and inspires you to engage your own creative thought process and allow us to help you bring it to life in our glass countertops. Call us anytime to discuss your artistic vision.

Jeff Downing, Downing Designs   (813) 784-5211

Jeff Downing carving kiln design.

Jeff Downing designing glass countertop

 

Glass Countertop Result of Collaboration with Client

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A look at the beautiful American Social Bar and Kitchen in Tampa

 When the owners of the American Social Bar and Kitchen in Tampa visited us to initially discuss their bathroom sink ideas, we discovered they were interested in a very contemporary look for their new Harbour Island location. Our design center showed them exactly what they were looking for…floating sinks that offered their guests a real visual treat. The sink options they selected were designed to sync with the entire philosophy of their forward looking design that sets them apart from their competition. They delighted in specifying the exact material combinations (textured glass, seashell concrete) for their VIP room. The result is something that they can always proudly look back at and know the resulting sink perfectly represents their taste. 

They didn’t stop there. They were selecting countertops for their two large outdoor bar areas…often bathed in direct sunlight despite being under a canopy. Our design center has many outdoor-friendly countertop materials parked outside so clients can see just how hot they become in direct sunlight. They were very impressed with our White Glass Countertops, not only for their pure white composition, but even in afternoon sunlight, were relatively cool to the touch. We have referenced this in a prior blog showing just how well they stay cool in sunlight.

Installing these white glass counters with Arch Hardware stainless steel drink rails is a very contemporary look…and very practical. The combination looks terrific and is very easy to clean. No sealer is needed as white glass counters are non-porous. We laminated the edges to give it a thicker appearance. Because it a such a long bar, the 4″ thick edge maintains the sleek look.

These white glass countertops are very easy to maintain with simple Windex cleaner and are non-porous. They are the perfect material for the partial sunlight that impacts them. The clean contemporary look fits perfect with their overall design thesis, and brightens the space with its reflective brilliance. The colors in their food, wine and beers pop against the pure white backdrop. 

For those interested in a durable, zero-maintenance, contemporary bar top, we highly recommend taking a look at our white glass counters and glass sinks at the American Social Bar in Tampa. try the delicious Short Ribs while you are there…super tasty!

Jeff Downing, DowningDesigns.com

 

American Social Bar…Outdoor White Glass Countertop

Sleek Outdoor Bar in White Glass

 

SurfSink glass sink in VIP room at American Social

Stainless Drink Rails with White Glass Countertops

 

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White Glass Countertop Pricing Guide

How is it Made. White glass countertops are a fusion of glass and silica at 2700 degrees. It is poured into forms, cooled, polished to a gloss finish. It is as non-porous as glass.

COST.   The average retail cost of a White Glass countertop is between $150/psf and $250/psf depending upon:

Size. Large white glass countertops sized pieces are harder to fabricate and install. Expect to pay a premium when more manpower is required to forl big pieces over 300lbs.  1.125” thick white glass weighs 23lbs psf (per square foot) which is about the same as granite. Slab sizes are 61” x 111” x 1.125”  Maximizing the yield per slab lowers the cost.

Thickness.   1.125” thick is the standard white glass countertop thickness. Lamination of edges can provide any thickness desired.

Design Options.  Fabricating white glass countertops takes skill and time.

Polished edge. Polishing White Glass takes 6 steps and a great amount of skill and effort. Make sure you inspect the quality of polish that your glass fabricator is offering before signing a contract. Square polished edge with a roundover is standard.

Cutouts. Waterjet cutouts for holes for supports, sinks and faucets are recommended, but with care, diamond core bits can be used.  

Arcs, Circles. Waterjetting and polishing arcs and circles in white glass is more demanding than linear saw cutting and polishing. Cutting white glass is NOT like cutting any other material. It requires patience, a specialized set of diamond tools.  Waterjetting glass usually runs about $100 per hour for setup and cutting.

Color. It is pure white. See our comparison of white countertop options.

Lighting.  White Glass is opaque and cannot be underlit.

Durability.   White Glass has a Mohs Hardness of 7.0  Scratching, chipping are not an issue if using roundover tops. Repairs in field are possible. White Glass Countertops aka Nanoglass countertops are by far the whitest, strongest, most stain-proof, UV-proof, cigarette and hot pan-proof, hair dye-proof, solvent-proof acid-proof material we have ever tested. For outdoor kitchens, it is the perfect material because it is 100% inorganic…and unlike quartz, whose plastic resin binder will yellow in the outdoor light. It also stays very cool to the touch (96 degrees on a 93 degree day) in direct Florida sunlight…amazing! .The unbelievable strength of white glass allows you to create designs with MUCH wider cantilevers, and overhangs, without bracing. It is non-porous and you do NOT need to use expensive sealers on an annual basis, nor will you encounter expensive refinishing repairs like a natural marble or quartzite stones.

Installation. Challenging site conditions e.g. stairs, small elevators may necessitate a large crew to install the white glass. White Glass Countertop installations are not for for amateurs. Please make sure that your installers are THE BEST you can find.  

Best For:  Modern, Contemporary, Transitional, Coastal, Indoor, Outdoor, Kitchen, Bath, Tables.

Summary.

The real benefit in owning White Glass Countertops is that they are pure white, non-porous, hygienic and luxurious material. They make the apparent size of each room they inhabit appear 25% larger. In an era where we purchase countertops and homes by the square foot, adding 25% to the visual volume of your home adds tremendous value.

They are also a very contemporary and modern countertop option that is great for outdoor countertops. When combined with stone or reclaimed wood paneling, white glass gives a very pure and interesting Jetsons-Flintstones juxtaposition.

 

 

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Lighting Glass Countertops…Which Method is Best?

Kohler Vault Apron Front Sink…The Best Sink for your Glass Kitchen Countertop.

There are hundreds of options to consider when choosing a kitchen sink for your glass countertop. For the contemporary or modern kitchen, we have almost exclusively recommended one sink: the Kohler Apron Front sink. The Kohler Vault and Strive are very similar. We love them for several reasons, several of which may not immediately concern you…but could down the road.  Facts: I have owned the Vault since 2013. I have recommended them to hundreds of home owners. I also get zero money from Kohler to write this article.

For the contemporary kitchen, whether you are using new cabinets or remodeling old ones, the Kohler Vault and Strive under mount sinks are great choices.  Foremost, they are beautiful, well-made of thick stainless steel, with a terrific brushed finish. Theyhave clean lines which complement our contemporary countertops perfectly. They feature a self-trimming design which makes sink installation a breeze in a new kitchen or a remodel. Their documentation and videos are terrific as well, something sorely missing from other major brands. The self-rimming feature means that in a remodel, the cabinet top rail must be cut. The Kohler apron front design overlaps these cuts with a wide flange. This is very smart.  Many other apron-front sinks do not have this overlay flange design, and require the cabinet to be cut perfectly and then trim or caulk the cut line…nearly impossible in a remodel without chipping the wood and/or laminate.

See the video below to see this simple installation.

 

As a custom glass countertop manufacturer, our view is that the design of the Vault sink eliminates the risk of cracking and chipping of the slim countertop piece in front of under mount sinks. This is smart because if you crack this non-structurally supported piece, you will need to replace that entire section of countertop. Ouch! The Vault design removes an expensive potential failure point. Further, glass countertops are usually LED illuminated from the rear edge. However, if you have an under mounted sink, the light will not hit the front of the sink and create an unsightly dark spot. This front countertop piece is also the place where pots, pans, etc must fly over when placing inside the sink for cleaning. This is a high traffic area much more suited to a resilient stainless steel apron front sink material vs a fragile countertop such as glass or granite. We have observed that many countertops, in many materials, suffer damage in this area. This is due to the narrow width of the countertop, as well as the usually thin, flexible rail that is underneath the front of the cabinet. These wood rails usually are subject to wetting from water splashing and this weakens them over time. Getting rid of this risk is smart. 

When choosing sinks for your glass countertops, we recommend you go with a top-mounted sinks vs undermounted sinks. This is because the glass will show the silicone seam…not pretty! 

Top-mounted and Apron-front sinks solve a tricky issue with glass countertops and under-mount sinks i.e. glass is a transparent surface unlike stone.

Undermounting sinks on glass counters leads to a very time-consuming installation process…which is why we do not recomend undermounted sinks EVER.

A simple, elegant solution involves the use of Kohler’s  Vault Apron-Front Sink 

 

Kohler Vault Apron-Front Sink

 

Installation of these sinks is easy and creates very clean lines. Kohler has great “how-to” videos on their site that walks you through the process. It takes less than 30 minutes to install, and can be done by anyone.

Apron-front sinks also solve a much more critical issue: The front edge of most sinks is a thin countertop piece. Do the math…if a typical cabinet box is 24” deep, the countertop is normally 25.5” deep. If the sink is 20” deep, this leaves only 5″ of countertop…divided by two for front/rear leaves only a fragile 2.5” wide countertop piece in the front and rear of the sink. And the rear piece will be drilled for a 1.375″ faucet hole, and maybe air-switches, soap dispensers, ect. Not good. Cabinet fronts are usually nothing more than a non-structural decorative trim element. Disaster looms if you should press down too hard on the front countertop piece. The counter will crack and need to be replaced with a matching color/pattern.

When using LED’s along the backside of the glass, any sink is going to prevent the light from illuminating the front glass piece…creating a dark piece of glass. By using an apron-front sink we eliminate that imperfect situation. We can also place an LED around the perimeter of these sinks to cast lighting outward, eliminating dark spots. In some island pieces, this may be the ONLY lighting option available, and is a simple, elegant solution.

Apron sinks are also much better at taking the impact from pots/pans reducing the risk of chipping an exposed glass surface on the front.

We like these sinks so much I installed them in my own home, and suggest that they be given your highest consideration when shopping for your kitchen countertop sink.

Contact:   Jeff Downing     800-486-3650             email:   Jeff@DowningDesigns.com

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How to Light a Glass Countertop

Acid Test on White Glass Countertop

At DowningDesigns we like to press the limits of our materials to understand their ability to withstand the harshest treatments they may encounter in our clients homes, bars, restaurants. Having scrap pieces in abundance helps as we can truly test them without reservation. In this blog we report on the ability of White Glass (aka NanoGlass) to withstand Muriatic Acid (aka Hydrochloric Acid) poured directly onto its surface. As ridiculous as this sounds, we thought we would try it anyway to see the result. We poured undiluted Muriatic Acid on to the White Glass and Textured Glass, and let it sit for 24 hours and rinsed it off. The resulting corrosion observed was in a word, NOTHING. No etching, staining, marking…just nothing. 

Some of the acid did flow onto the ground, where we had some concrete residue…now that had some impressive corrosive action…it smoked, fizzed, bubbled. Looked a lot like the movie “Alien” when they cut the creature and its acid/blood almost ate through their space ship. So we knew the acid was highly corrosive, but apparently just not tough enough to eat the White Glass.

So, next time you are planning on serving acidic drinks (wine, fruit drinks, etc.) go ahead… don’t worry about staining our White Glass Countertops. They are battle tested with chemicals that are far harsher than you will ever encounter, and come away clean. Zero staining. Zero cigarette burn. Zero hair dye stain. Zero maintenance. Just the best countertop material we know of…period.

 

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Outdoor Countertop Options: Which is Coolest?

Downing Designs offers many countertop choices. In fact, we are the ONLY countertop manufacturer that can supply our own custom  Textured Glass and Concrete Countertops, along with White Glass, and every Quartz, Granite, Solid Surface, etc.

The point is: We are agnostic when it comes to materials for your project. We do not care to push you in one direction or another, and as such, are a trusted advisor to many architect and design-build firms who seek our vast experience in the selection of materials.

Many times we are are asked to fabricate outdoor countertops, and the plans call for dark colored material (which makes us wince). We like to enjoy the great outdoors as much as anyone, BUT, in the Florida summer heat, most materials will be uncomfortable in direct sunlight (not to mention making my beer/wine warm).

We have a huge warehouse in Tampa, and store many materials outdoors. I purchased a digital laser thermometer to find out just how uncomfortable some of these countertop options are in direct summer sunlight.

Facts:  September 19, 2017  1:30pm,  Temperature 93 degrees, Zero Clouds. All materials were outdoors since early morning, placed flat. 

Item          Temperature       Notes

White Glass                        96                                  Cool

Human Skin                        98.6

Ultra-Clear Glass               104                                 Slightly Warm

White Concrete                  108                                 Slightly Warm 

Light Grey Concrete           118                                 Warm-Hot

Wood 2×6                           122                                 Hot

Asphalt Pavement              122                                 Hot

Dark Grey Concrete            125                                Hot

White Fiberglass Boat Deck  129                              Very Hot

Steel Bars 1/4″ x 2″ x 8′       130                                Very Hot

Black Granite                       131                                Very Hot

As you can see, there are clearly bad choices to be made when selecting your outdoor countertop material. There was one very clear winner, not surprisingly it was the White Glass.

This material was developed by Russian space agencies to repel heat on their re-entry rockets. Clearly it succeeds in that regard. 

Conclusion can be drawn any way, but we continue to become more and more impressed with our White Glass material, as seen in the above evidence. When selecting your materials for your outdoor kitchen countertops, please keep in mind these results, as they may just make the difference between a countertop that is highly used vs one that gets used only during the cooler months.

Come on by our shop someday and bring your own materials to compare with ours. Our digital thermometer is ready…

Jeff Downing (813) 784 5211

 

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Comparing White Countertop Options…Which is Whitest: Glass or Quartz?

White Glass Countertops are a popular color for anyone in need of a crisp, contemporary look. They are also excellent outdoor countertop surface as they reflect almost all of the heat from the sun. This is a huge benefit in Summer months (esp. In Florida) where many other surfaces will be simply too hot to enjoy.  When comparing white countertop options, many designers wish to employ the whitest color possible to provide a crisp clean color to contrast to cabinets, floors, walls, and back splashes.

While there are many white quartz countertop manufacturers we can fabricate for you,  we also provide White Glass countertops. The qualities of these have been referenced in other blogs here, but in our experience our White Glass is superior in terms of:

• White Glass can be used outdoors…Quartz cannot due to UV yellowing.
• White Glass reflects the sun…gets only mildly warm…even in direct Summer sunlight.
• White Glass can accept hot pans directly…Quartz can melt, scorch or burn.
• White Glass is Stain proof….White Quartz will stain from oils, pen ink, and solvents.
• White Glass is cigar and cigarette burn proof…Quartz is not. Great for commercial work.
• White Glass provides the best background for Textured Glass high bars to capture the shadows cast from above.

We took our White Glass and photographed it against common quartz countertop options to see which was the purest white surfacing available. We juxtaposed our white glass against popular Quartz manufacturers such as Caesarstone, Cambria, and Zodiaq. The results surprised us, as they proved to be not truly white colors despite having names such as Snow White, Pure White, etc. When we looked to their website for “colorful” descriptions, we found some interesting claims. From Caeserstone: “Pure White is the purest, cleanest, dense white available.This colour meets the ongoing demand for “new” whites and combines modern style with durability.” Close, but not exactly true!  It might be the whitest quartz available, but when you select a fabricator like Downing Designs who can offer to fabricate quartz, glass, concrete, etc you get a smorgasbord of offerings vs a narrowly defined vision limited to one material. 

White Glass vs Pure White Quartz

Clearly, the White Glass is a MUCH purer white. This is not surprising as the quartz is 30% plastic resin binder and only 70% solid material filler. The grains of aggregate can also be clearly seen in any quartz. This gives them a completely different appearance to a pure White Glass surface which is homogeneous and has a much more pure and refined surface shine.

“Pure White” Caeserstone 

The feel of our glass is also much smoother to the touch…a luxury which we see more and more countertop buyers looking for in their material selection. (We can also diamond polish the high shine down to a matte finish for those who wish to use White Glass for shower steps, stairs, etc.)

While we do not suggest that pure white is the only white countertop option, we would suggest that if you seek the purest white color and absolute durability, then our White Glass has a distinct advantage both now, and for many many years to come.

Please give us a call anytime to discuss your whitest countertop needs. Thank you…Jeff Downing (813) 784 5211

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Concrete Countertop stain cleaning

We get asked a lot about whether our concrete stains with normal use. We always answer…yes!   BUT with little effort, your concrete countertop from Downing Designs can be very easily cleaned and restored to normal. 

Our Concrete Countertops are processed and sealed with two types of sealers. This is the result of extensive testing of every type of sealer on the market, and is a process we trust. Our process increases the density of the concrete by crystallizing insoluble inorganic precipitates inside the pores of the concrete. The other is a penetrating sealer that is applied after all polishing is done. Both are applied until the concrete is saturated as evidenced by no more sealer being absorbed into the surface. It is an expensive, time-consuming process BUT with about 5 weeks time produces a very stain-resistant surface. The evidence is in the many restaurant, commercial and residential concrete countertops that still hold their looks years after installation. 

No stone surface is completely non-porous…none. We sell concrete, quartz and granite…they are all porous…some more so than others. Sometimes people confuse staining for dirt that is simply embedded into the pores. These stains can be removed with a little vigorous scrubbing. Others have penetrated deep into the stone. Fortunately, our concrete is a very tough material that can withstand straight bleach and scrubbing hogs hair pads.

Our recommended process for removing deeply embedded stains is:

Take straight bleach and scrub the affected surface. Continue for about 2 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap to keep the area wetted. Wait until you see the stain disappear…5-60 minutes.

The example below is pictures from my kitchen…its a light grey, matte finish countertop that is 3 years old. My espresso maker leaked slowly over the years…resulting in a stain that could not simply be scrubbed away.

These pictures show the result of my efforts to

restore the tops, and the the stain has been completely removed.Bleaching Coffee Stains on Concrete.

Coffee Stains

Bleaching Stains on Concrete

 

 

Cocker Spaniel Guarding Concrete 

Cleaned Concrete

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Glass High Bars with LED’s and Cantilevered Supports.

At Downing Designs, a very popular seller continues to be our Glass High Bars with LED’s. They add an element of distinction to any kitchen while at the same time extending the usable surface area of the kitchen via our custom cantilevered supports.

With just two supports we have successfully mounted many large glass high bars that are over 115″ long. The transformation of the kitchen is amazing and can be seen in the following photographs of kitchens designed to accommodate our high bars with bar stools.

A few distinguishing elements of note as you are looking at our installation photos and videos:

1. We minimize the LED wiring by first hiding it inside the stainless cover, and then threading it through a hole drilled into the back of the support and down through the countertop to the cabinet below. Sleek.
2. We use a slim 1/2″ x 1/4″ brushed stainless LED cover tailored to fit your glass top. The beauty of this is that on a 1.5″ thick glass countertop, you still get to see through 1.0″  or 2/3 of the polished glass. This is important as during the day, the glass edges can glow with any moderate ambient lighting, and is simply, naturally beautiful. Big cover plates are not for us…they simply hide the gorgeous hand-polished edge.
3. Simple, strong, elegant support design. Each is securely mounted with 3/8″ bolts that can handle 600 lbs each. Minimalist design but very robust.
4. Cool design to emulate the bow of a clipper ship, and, avoid your knees. Tampa is a cruise ship city and we get a lot of insights from the beautiful naval architecture that passes through here…specifically the bows of ships, which thrust out in a beautifully arced design. 
5. The glass is attached to the cantilevering brackets with silicone. This eliminates the need for mounting caps and is just as strong. More minimalism for you who want to slide your drinks from one end of the bar top to the other…or just plain sleeker.

If considering a glass countertop for your home, please consider these:

1. Do you have sufficient clearance from the faucet on the lower surface?
2. Do you have sufficient access to attach our support brackets for the high bar?
3. Is your lower countertop sufficiently strong to support the weight of a 300lb high bar?

 

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Interactive Design of Glass Countertops at Downing Designs

We always learn new things from our clients. Always.

When clients approach us with their ideas about their custom glass countertop, we first discuss with them how their space “flows”, and their ideas. We always want to know how a person will enter the kitchen or bath, as this angle is critical to our design. From there we present a series of countertop sketches where the texture seamlessly flows with the room. This is how we go about our signature design technique, and in our experience, it does two things: It “greets” people with an inviting  linear texture that “pulls” you further inside the glass work. Second, it elongates the room, enhancing its looks and value. This takes skill to thoughtfully execute correctly, while at the same time creating an original work. This is where the participation of our clients infuses our designs with fresh new ideas.

We create our textures right in front of the client, first lightly sketching in our sand bed, then deepening our kiln carving to create their centerpiece.

Opening our studio to clients is a great way to get a free preview of the work, and the client-artist interaction is assured to give the best result we can offer…and is very important to most of our clients. The experience is highly interactive…as we become immersed in the design of the overall form that our glass will take. This gives them the opportunity to tell us just how they feel about their piece in terms of: curvaceousness, open space vs textured, Cat 1 or Cat 5 hurricane, etc, etc. All of our hurricanes are finished by the client “signing” the piece with their finger to create the eye of the hurricane…and then is forever named after them. Its great fun, and a memorable experience in the creation of their masterpiece.

The textured glass countertop that results is hand-crafted, thick, piece that is a sensational look in any kitchen or bath space.

When looking into your next kitchen design, dont overlook the opportunity to co-author your commission…its one of the few areas where you will have ultimate control over the exacting look you seek.

Jeff Downing,  DowningDesigns.com

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Thermoformed, Tempered, Annealed, and Fused Glass Countertops.

Often, we receive questions about our glass countertops about whether they are Tempered, Annealed, Fused or Thermoformed. Here, we hope to quickly delineate these processes for you as they primarily relate to our custom textured glass countertops. 

Thermoforming is a process where glass (sheets or pieces) are placed atop a mold inside a kiln which is gradually heated to its melting point to allow it to take the form of the mold. The amount of detail possible in thermoforming is amazing and this technique allows glass to be crafted into many beautiful shapes and sizes, including our countertops. Our textures are created by hand in a bed of technical sand in our large kilns to impart the exact look that our clientele desires.

Thermoforming involves fusing several layers of glass sheets above 1400 F and then cooling and annealing them after it is thermoformed to impart some additional strength to the now thick unit of glass (typically 1” to 1.5” thick). Annealing takes time. On large, thick pieces it can take from 5-10 days. The upside is the glass piece emerges as one, and is able to be cut and polished afterwards.

Our textured glass is both fused and thermoformed. It is interesting to see several layers of glass act as one thick piece as evidenced when we take remnants and smash them…they fracture as one clean, solid piece.

Annealing is a process where glass is cooled slowly after it has been thermoformed. Its goal is to relieve the internal stress. Glass must be cooled so that its center, and its edges are typically within 5 F of one another as it cools from 1400 F…hence the time-consuming nature of annealing, especially with large and thick slabs. Thick, annealed glass is very strong, typically breaking above ~6000 lbs per sq inch which is more than adequate for countertop usage.

Tempering is a process which imparts strength to glass products that enable it to be utilized in situations where it would be too dangerous without tempering e.g shower doors, side windows in cars. When broken, tempered glass breaks smaller, relatively safe pieces. The process is as follows:

1. Cut and polish glass to size.
2. Heat glass to about 1140 F and then rapidly “quench” or cool the glass. Cooling the outer surfaces of the glass much more quickly than the center causes the center to contract from the outer surfaces. The center remains in tension, as the outer surfaces compress. This effect is what imparts strength to tempered glass.

While this makes tempered glass 2-4x stronger than annealed glass it CANNOT be cut or polished afterwards. Also, because of the high surface tension created in the glass tempering process, you CANNOT temper deeply textured glass without a high risk of it shattering during the tempering process.

All of this to say that our typically 1.5” thick glass countertops are thermoformed, fused, and highly annealed, but not tempered. They are crafted by a highly technical process that imparts beautiful textures that will last for a lifetime with proper care.

Jeff Downing

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Best Events for Interior Designers in 2017

If you’re in the interior design industry, you want to meet others in your field and be up on the latest designs. Luckily, there are number of great events where you can do just that.  Whether you’re focused on vintage or custom bar designs in Clearwater, these events have something for you.  Here are some of the best upcoming interior design events.

From Architecture to Custom Bar Designs in Clearwater:  The Best Interior Design Events in 2017

Neo Con

This event has been rated number one by multiple publications and is well known as being one of the best interior design events around. With a concentration on commercial design, this event features everything from lighting to furniture for your interior design needs.  Boasting a history of up to 50,000 attendees and more than 700 exhibitors, this is your big time interior design event. In 2017, the event will be held June 12th 2 14th in Chicago.

HDExpo

This Expo focuses on the hospitality industry, and brings together interior designers, commercial project managers, and architects. They have a number of interesting sessions and topics that influence and educate the hospitality design world and architectural industry.  In 2017, the conference will take place in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas May 3rd through 5th.

High Point Spring Market

The High Point Market is the largest furnishings trade show in the world! This show takes place every six months.  The industry market show brings in tens of thousands of designers from all over the world to Highpoint, North Carolina.  The Spring show in 2017 will take place April 22nd.

West Palm Beach Antiques Festival

Looking for a one-of-a-kind piece to add to your latest design?  Aiming for an eclectic atmosphere and the opportunity to mix the old with the new?  The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival brings a huge number of antique dealers to one area for a designer’s dream event.  In 2017, this festival will take place February third through fifth, at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

Design Bloggers Conference

You’ve got to love design bloggers!  Constantly giving us inspiration and new ideas.  So, where do they keep coming up with these insights?  At the Design Bloggers Conference, of course!  This is the only conference which focuses specifically on interior design bloggers.  This year’s event is being held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, March 5-7, 2017.

Your Home

All of these events have you dreaming of grand designs?  Create your own event with Downing Designs.  The entire process when you order a custom handcrafted design is an event in itself!  You’ll have complete collaboration throughout the design process, and can even come to see the piece being made!  Help create artistic but necessary elements for your home, from custom bar designs in Clearwater to kitchen counters.

Sources:

http://www.wpbaf.com/

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White Glass is the Medium of Choice in Home Design

In modern home design, white glass is the medium of choice. Home designers love using white glass for a number of reasons, including white glass sink countertops in Miami.

White Glass Sink Countertops in Miami and Other White Glass Design Uses

Walls

White glass wall tile is a popular choice and has been flying off the wholesale shelves since the release of the movie Something’s Gotta Give. The primarily white kitchen in the movie featured a white glass tile wall that had everyone inspired.  From restaurants to homes, this clean, crisp and unique look has made its presence known everywhere.

Kitchen Counters

White glass is ideal for kitchen countertops. It looks light and bright, and is easily cleaned because of its smooth service. It is also cool to the touch. This means that countertop stove burners don’t leave the counters hot when you touch them. It’s also been a primary choice for outdoor kitchens since it doesn’t absorb the sun and there are no burns when you place your hand on the cool white glass.

Bathroom Counters

What better way to make your bathroom look pristine and spacious than a glossy white countertop?  This look is perfect for any bathroom and can be an complementary asset or a main focal point in the room.  White glass is also known to be very hygienic, making it perfect for your powder room and for white glass sink countertops.

Accessories

Artists have been using white glass in recent years for home accessories. The preferred method and medium is white milk glass. White milk glass is a material commonly found in vintage vases.  Today’s style mixes the old with the new, and vintage accessories are essential to any well-designed home. Original vintage white milk glass vases are all over the web, and artists of modern day use this medium to create new variations of the classic style. Most specifically, the practice of combining modern metallic with vintage pieces is very popular. Gold or bronze dipped milk glass vases are a hot item on Etsy and other crafting sites.

Flooring

Okay, usually flooring isn’t made of white glass, but the appearance of white glass is the main goal of many products on the market. Some ceramic and definitely many porcelain tiles have been used to create this look, which is popular in living rooms and open floor plans.  Since the emergence of wood tile, designers have embraced the idea of tile in the living room and showing the various looks you can achieve by using this medium. The white glass look is sleek, sophisticated, and contemporary.
What’s your favorite white glass home design element?  Let us know in the comments below!

Sources:

Houzz.com

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Interior Design Trends of Then and Now

A lot has changed over the years when it comes to design. You can’t appreciate the new without giving a slight nod to the outdated, so here are some of the design trends that haven’t stuck around, and some that have transitioned to a new era.

Designer of Custom Kitchen Counters in Florida Reflects on the “Then and Now” of Design

Bathroom Mirrors

Then:  Bulky Cabinets

Now:  Statement Mirrors

Less is more when it comes to today’s bathroom mirror. People are anxiously ripping out their bulky cabinets and replacing them with fun and design-forward statement mirrors. The idea behind the old bathroom cabinet was to create extra storage for medicine, hair products, and whatever else you need to store. Perhaps it’s the more creative storage options that have emerged, or the minimalistic approach of the future, but these cabinets are of the past and a smoother, more visually appealing look is the option of today.

Terra Cotta

Then: polished, full flooring

Now: raw, used as accent

In the eighties, terra cotta tile was all the rage. Highly polished versions of this warm colored Spanish tile overtook our kitchens in a big way. Maybe too big. Now, this trend has worked its way into the future of interior design, but you won’t see the overuse you have in the past. Instead, interior designers are using this as an accent and opting for both a more natural finish and a more subtle incorporation into room design.

Kitchen Counters

Then: Functional,  minimalist

Now: artistic,  focal point

Kitchen counters used to be simply where you prepared your food to cook. Because of this, they were mostly functional, minimalist, and lacking in real design. Now, your kitchen counter is the first thing people notice. They socialize at the kitchen counter and cook at the kitchen counter.Having lots of counter space is a must for the modern kitchen.  Because of this, custom kitchen counters in Florida have become a work of art. Using the counter surface to create a focal point for the room and adding a personal custom touch has become the ultimate thumbprint of interior design.  Custom kitchen counters in Florida achieve this goal.

Knowing which designs to use and when to update them is the best way to stay current on interior design trends.  Take from the old, and make it new!  Do you have any of these design aspects in your home?  Let us know how you plan to update!

Sources:

designs.net

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Blogs to Follow if you Love Home Design

As designers of kitchen counters, beautiful kitchen sinks, and other handcrafted household items, we understand those who love design.  For some of us, home design is not just a necessity, or a source of pride, or a career. For some of us, home design is our passion. Luckily, enough people share this passion that there are some great resources out there to inspire the masses, provide much-needed eye candy, and keep us moving along toward the next design trend. Here are some of the best blogs to follow if you love home design.

Designer of Beautiful Kitchen Sinks Recommends These Design Blogs

Interior Design

If interior design is your thing, these blogs are perfect to inspire you.

Desire to Inspire

This blog is run by two girls who have never met, who each have an eye for interior design.They find the perfect room, and post it. You’ll love the visuals in this unique blog.

Decor 8

This is another great interior design blog, which is centered around unique household decorations and themed rooms. This is a great blog for those who are looking for new and fun ideas to spruce up their home.

Downing Designs Blog

As custom designers of handcrafted pieces you can use in your home, we strive to have an up-to-date and exciting blog for our readers. We post the latest and upcoming trends in interior design, as well as information about our own products.  You can find information about beautiful kitchen sinks, countertops, and other handcrafted art for your home.

Architecture

If architecture is your focus, you’ll want to focus on these blogs.

Dezeen

This blog, which stands for design magazine, is almost fully focused on architecture. It also features furniture and lighting for the well-rounded designer.  If you’re environmentally conscious, this book is a bonus for you since it has a green design slant.

Architecture Blog Tumblr

Be prepared to become hooked to this architecture lovers blog. This is a Blog centered fully around photographs.  If you thinks pictures speak louder than words, and you love great architecture, this is a perfect blog for you.

DIY

The world of DIY has grown and started taking over. If you’ve got the craft bug, you’ll love these DIY blogs.

Bower Power

Katie and Jeremy Bower, the husband-and-wife duo who manage this blog, give you real life DIY projects that the average person can accomplish. They post their mistakes, mishaps, and successes so you can see the project in all its glory.

A Beautiful Mess

Speaking of DIY teams, nothing’s better than reading this blog written by sisters Elsie and Emma.  They go through various homes and navigate us through the DIY lifestyle.

Sources:

A Beautiful Mess

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