10/29/2012

Vetrazzo Colors

Message In A Bottle: Vetrazzo Colors: Vetrazzo® is a recycled glass surface comprised of 100% recycled glass. Vetrazzo is an exquisite surface material—truly a work of art—and it becomes the centerpiece for your home or project. So, what else makes it sparkle? A high glass content ( 85% by volume), expansive color palette, and story in every surface. From architectural to art glass, to beer bottles and jars, each mix is a signature blend of color and life that tells a story about you, too.

Here are some of our most popular colors

Alehouse Amber, Bistro Green
 
Cubist Clear, Cobalt Skyy
 
Floating Blue, Charisma Blue with Patina
 Milefiori, Palladian Gray

For examples of all the Vetrazzo Colors either visit their blog or website! 
www.vetrazzo.com 
Message In A Bottle: Vetrazzo Colors

10/26/2012

Anasazi Soapstone

Anasazi Soapstone

This Gorgeous Brazilian Soapstone has a dark rich black and green background with stricking white veins throughout. This Soapstone is one of the harder Soapstones making it a excellent combination of both durabity and luxury.



10/24/2012

Millefiori - "A Thousand Flowers"

Millefiori - "A Thousand Flowers"
Millefiori .... "the sweet scent and dazzling colors of a hillside covered with wildflowers. For centuries, Italians have made glass in brilliant colors called Millefiori - "a thousand flowers." The Millefiori mix captures that beauty with salvaged glass from a renowned art glassmaker.
Millefiori gets a lot of attention in our office. Not only is it a conversation starter but it is by far the most unique colors when it comes to recycled glass counter tops. There is nothing else like it on the market. So where does it come from and why is it so unique?

The world's largest art glass manufacturer patented a production process referred to as continuous ribbon, and what we know as stained glass. It connotes colorful ribbon candy and the rainbow of colors they produce is equally astounding. Rejects or over-runs of the glass give Millefiori its full bouquet.
 

     

So sit back, close your eyes imagine a thousand flowers on a Italian hillside and enjoy the Millefiori, Vetrazzo Mixture.
For More Information About Vetrazzo Please Visit the Blog "Message In A Bottle". Message In A Bottle: Millefiori - "A Thousand Flowers":

10/04/2012

The Granite Gurus: The Stories in Vetrazzo Surfaces

The Granite Gurus is one of our favorite bloggers. They provide great info about the stone world, design and expertise. This post - is reposted from them and it is about Vetrazzo. 

The Granite Gurus: The Stories in Vetrazzo Surfaces: 

The Stories in Vetrazzo Surfaces

Vetrazzo is a collection of recycled glass and concrete slabs that can be used in almost any application where you would use granite or marble. The color palette is diverse and offers something for everyone, from  the very subtle like the Flint Glass collection to the very bold like the Ruby Red. ... 

Ruby Red Vetrazzo
photo by Granite Gurus - MGS by Design
For the rest of this post and photos - The Granite Gurus: The Stories in Vetrazzo Surfaces:

9/20/2012

Elements Featured on HGTV's Property Brothers

Recently Elements by Durcon was invited to participate in the HGTV hit series Property Brothers. The shows were filmed in the Austin area and will air this fall. The countertops looked great and were a huge hit with the hosts and designers. 

There are 3 episodes throughout the fall. The first episode is Wednesday, September 26th. http://www.hgtv.com/property-brothers/hands-on-homeowners/index.html

 
So WHY is Elements by Durcon attracting so much ATTENTION? 

Originally developed for laboratories and now available to everyone for the first time, Elements is a truly unique surface unlike any other option available today. Made in Texas, Elements is a fusion of post-consumer recycled glass, natural quartz minerals and epoxy resin formed through a unique manufacturing process. The company's scientific breakthrough has resulted in the creation of a highly-polished, luxurious and sustainable surface, virtually indestructible. 
HGTV - Property Brother, House #1 * Linen Countertops - Elements
HGTV - Property Brother, House #2 * Shoreline Countertops - Elements
Scientifically Proven:
Elements is a new surface material developed from Durcon's years of research, testing and manufacturing experience in serving the scientific community. Elements has 40 years of proven USE in the Harshest Laboratory environment background. It is extremely resistant to chemicals, stains, heat and fracture. It meets the most stringent indoor air requirements as certified by the Greenguard Environment Institute. Elements is also non-porous thus the growth of mold or bacteria impossible. It is SCS Certified for Recycled Content. And Elements is the only Quartz countertop with recycled content Certified Safe for Food Contact under the strict NSF 51 Standard. 
Steel Countertops - Elements
Naturally Inspired & Designed for the Way You Live::
Durcon is committed to develop sustainable products that minimize the impact on our environment. Made outside Austin, Tx, Elements is low VOC and each sq/ft incorporates 3 post consumer recycled bottles; diverting over 180 tons of post consumer glass from landfills. Elements is a monolithic, non-porous material that is harder and more durable than other countertop material - truly setting a new standard for kitchen & bath environments. It can contribute to USGBC LEED Certification

                    * Eco - Friendly                        * Heat, Bacteria & Stain Resistant  
                    * Scratch Resistant                    * No Sealing Required 
                    * Non - Porous                          * Safe For Food Contact
                    * Made in the USA                     * Easy to Maintain
Slate Countertops - Elements 
Green Logos



For more information please visit 
www.doradostonedist.com or www.elementsbydurcon.com

8/31/2012

Drink Responsibly. Recycle Responsibly. Vetrazzo.

Happy Labor Day. 
Drink Responsibly. Recycle Responsibly. 
VETRAZZO

                          





Texas-Style Labor Day Drink Recipes




What is Elements by Durcon?

What is Elements?

Elements is a truly unique surface unlike any other option available today. This new eco-friendly surfaces material is a fusion of pure, fine natural quartz and post-consumer recycled glass formed through a unique manufacturing process. The innovative, breakthrough material provides today's consumer an environmentally-friendly countertop surface with superior strength, durability and performance-engineered to last a lifetime.



Elements is the most versatile product on the market today. No other surface can match the combination of all these benefits.
    • Eco-friendly, 100% recyclable
    • Non-porous
    • Heat, bacteria and stain resistant
    • Scratch resistant
    • Most durable surface on the market
    • Easy to maintain
    • No Sealing Required
    • Limited Lifetime Warranty
    • Safe for food contact
    • Made in the USA - Taylor, Tx



  
Copper                           Wheat                            Sahara  

 Mist                              Linen                              Flint   

   Shoreline                            Slate                             Steel           

                                 Suede                                      

Designed for the way you live – setting a new standard for surfaces.
Elements is an eco-friendly, monolithic, non-porous material that is extremely resistant to heat, scratches and stains from food, juices, wine, coffee, tea, and even nail polish. This new countertop surface, virtually indestructible and maintenance free, is ideally suited for kitchens, bathrooms and other high-traffic areas. Satisfying stringent health and safety codes, Elements is NSF 51 certified for food contact and is low-VOC emitting as certified by Greenguard.



Eco-friendly – Naturally inspired

Elements is formulated to stand up to the harshest environment. At Durcon, the company behind Elements, we understand today’s consumers are concerned about the future of our planet and reducing their carbon footprint. To help address those concerns while providing an aesthetically desirable product, we have developed a new surfaces material we believe is ideal for those seeking an eco-friendly alternative.
Developed from a proprietary blend of post-consumer recycled glass (ie. clear beer bottles), natural quartz minerals and resin, the material is solid, non-porous, never requires sealing, and is homogenous in consistency. Its unique manufacturing process produces an incredibly durable, eco-friendly countertop surface proven through time. And, Elements is certified by Greenguard, as a very low-VOC emitting material.
For consumers, designers, remodelers and fabricators wanting to leave a “green” mark, Elements is the ideal choice over the more conventional countertop surfaces on the market.

Green Logos




8/24/2012

New Soapstone Colors ... Noire & Verde Minas

Introducing two new soapstones that are making a making quite an impression! 

Noire Soapstone - This soapstone is very dark Black with some minimal White veining. This stone is also harder than some of our more traditional stones such as our ever so popular Minas Soapstone. Clients are raving about this stone and in our Austin location we sold out in the first week! But don't worry we have more! 
Noire Soapstone
Noire Soapstone - Natural / 1/2 oiled 
Verde Minas Soapstone - This soapstone is a RICH Emerald Green color with some settle movements through out it. This stone is also fairly hard. Clients love this stone because the color is so rich & deep! 
Verde Minas Soapstone
Verde Minas Soapstone - Natural / 1/2 oiled
For Sizes & Prices Please Contact Us


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8/21/2012

Antonelli's Cheese... "A Friendly Neighborhood Place That Celebrates Cheese" - Austin, Tx

We met Owners, John and Kendall Antonelli towards the end of 2009 when they walked into our shop looking for Soapstone Countertops for their new Cheese Shop in Hyde Park. If you unfamiliar with Antonelli's Cheese - it is "A Friendly Neighborhood Place That Celebrates Cheese". They showcase artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, craft beer, wine, and other delectable pairings like chocolates, nuts, honey, vinegars & oils, and olives. 
One of the main focal points in the shop (other than the cheese, an educated Cheesemonger & red walls) is the soft black matte finished Dorado Soapstone countertops. 
The soapstone not only serves as a visually beautiful countertop but its durability is ideal for a commercial kitchen or food shop. Soapstone is naturally nonporous & antimicrobial ... which means John & Kendal do not need to worry about bacteria harboring into the surface and know it is 100% food safe for as long as they have the counter. 
Soapstone also does not require a sealer so over time the sealer will not break down and need to be resealed. Again, John & Kendall do not need to worry about disturbing their business to have their countertops resealed and can just concentrate on their passion of selling cheese! 
The next time you are in the Austin head to 4220 Duval St. in the Hyde Park neighborhood ... and swing by Antonelli's. The service is excellent and the price is competitive. Make sure to take advantage of their try before you buy policy and ENJOY! 
  
For more information about Dorado Soapstone or Antonell's Cheese please visit the webistie! DoradoStone Distributors or Antonelli's Cheese

8/20/2012

Recycled Skyy® Vodka Bottles Emulate Water at the Parkway Hills Baptist Church.

Project: Parkway Hills Baptist Church Children's Area 
Architect: HH Architects, Dallas, Texas
   

Who would ever thought that "a festive evening with friends sampling savory treats and drinking top-shelf spirits poured from a lovely cobalt blue Skyy® Vodka bottle" would become the Parkway Hills Baptist Church Children's Area centerpiece? An innovated, passionate glass scientist in Berkley, CA did. More than 15 years ago he was the first to create a 100% Post Consumer Recycled Glass countertop called Vetrazzo®.   
The inspiration for  Children's Area at Parkway Hills Baptist Church was the salt water fish tank which was existing and was the idea for the "water" theme. The vision behind the design of the Check-In Desk was "stimulation" and "interactive". Using one of Vetrazzo's signature color, Colbalt Blue Skyy®; made from ACTUAL Skyy® Vodka bottles was a perfect color to emulate blue water. 
 
The primary color "windows" on the face of the desk are at child height so the children can touch them and reach inside them.  The fish tank adds visual interest,  and "thinking" and "seeing" stimulation. HH Architects & Nan Gammon thought the Vetrazzo counter added visual stimulation and of course color to the desk. 
Enviably, Parkway Hills Baptist Church was on budget but it was interesting when interior designer Nan told us "although we went through a number of value engineering exercises with this client, cutting the Vetrazzo counter was never approved.  The client agreed that it was the centerpiece of the Check-In Desk, and they liked that it was recycled glass".  
 

Project Credits  
  HH Architects: Principal -Jerry L. Halcomb
  Project Manager - Tom Willis
  Interior Designer - Nan Gammon
  Construction Administrator - Dale Smith 
  GC: Beck Group/Principal Robert Hodges 
  Project Manager - Elliot Bevers





For more information about Dorado Soapstone or HH Architects please visit the webistie!