Historic Kitchen Tour Inspires Ideas

Historic Kitchen Tour Inspires Ideas

A guide to countertop materials

w/ Linda McAndrews

Each year the Nantucket PreservationTrust opens kitchens in an historic neighborhood in the downtown area to educate about the significance of Nantucket’s historic houses and to broaden knowledge about the possibilities that exist in designing new and retaining historic kitchens in old houses. One of Marine Home Center’s kitchen designers, Stephen Ryan, was stationed at 11 Hussey Street, a very old, historic home on the market at this year’s tour in July.  He was offering up suggestions as to how to remodel the kitchen.

I was especially interested in checking out the countertop materials used in the kitchens on the tour, since I’ve been planning my own kitchen update and wanted to replace the old laminate counters. I saw granite, marble, soapstone, Corian and even man-made stone that is just as hard as granite but doesn't stain.

Seeing so many choices really whet my appetite, but I needed to learn more before making a decision on which material would work best in my own kitchen. Luckily, I know where to find the experts. I paid a visit to Barry Cohen and Jeff Rosparka, Marine Home Center’s kitchen countertop installers.

They showed me the same types of countertop materials I had seen on the house tour, and they explained all the pros and cons of each one. This is what I learned:

Granite

Granite's beautiful mottling and the host of colors and patterns found in nature make each piece one of a kind. It stands up well to splashes, knife nicks, heat and other wear and tear. Like most stone, granite should be sealed but the newer sealers are good for the life of the counter. And because of its weight and lack of flexibility you'll need very sturdy cabinet boxes to support them. The cabinets also need to be flat and level so that that the seams will be a smooth transition from one slab to the next.

Soapstone

Soapstone has come into its own as a countertop material. It offers subtle, nuanced beauty yet feels humbler than granite or marble. Soapstone has a natural softness and depth that fits very well with older and cottage-style homes. Although it usually starts out light to medium gray, soapstone can be brought to a dark color and sheen by applying mineral oil. Some people prefer the light, natural color. Soapstone is the most naturally stain resistant of all the natural stones. It is nearly non-porous, although it is soft. It will scratch easily but is also repairable – more so than granite or marble.

Solid Surfacing

Made primarily from acrylic and polyester, solid surfacing first was sold under the brand name Corian, which is often used as a generic term for it. Today, it's made by a host of manufacturers and has enjoyed steady popularity over the years. Because solid surfacing is nonporous, it's virtually maintenance free — no sealing or special cleaning required. Although it can be susceptible to scratches and burns, those are easy to sand out. Color and pattern options are extensive, and because you're not trying for the look of a natural material, you can experiment with vibrant hues such as turquoise or tomato red. The seams on most Solid Surface colors are nearly invisible. This allows for the appearance of one seamless surface from end to end and. Solid Surface is a great product to use in many other applications such as shower walls with no grout to clean.

Quartz Surfacing

Crafted of resin and quartz chips tinted with color, quartz surfacing (also called engineered quartz or engineered stone) is a good compromise between the beauty of stone and the easy care of solid surfacing. Quartz surfacing has the same advantages as solid surfacing with regard to maintenance. As an engineered product, it's available in an ever-growing range of colors and patterns. Seams are done the same way as granite and are visible. The installer always attempts for a thin inconspicuous seam. Quartz seams tend to be less visible than natural stone. Some Quartz products are now being made with a high content of recycled material such as glass.

Marble

Is there anything that looks and feels more glamorous than a marble countertop? Peerless in terms of its luminescence and distinctive veining, it's an ultra-traditional choice. Nothing beats marble for sheer elegance. It stands up to heat well, and because it remains perennially cool, it's a traditional choice for pastry and baking stations. However, Marble is very susceptible to etching that is often mistaken for stains. Etching is damage to the surface caused by acidic liquids such as lemon juice and household cleaning products. If you are going to use it in a kitchen, a honed finish should be used. This helps but does not eliminate etching. Polished Marble is more suited to the bathroom where everyday wear and tear is less likely to damage the finish.

Tile
Modular and inexpensive, ceramic and porcelain tile offers nearly limitless options for colors and designs. Tile works with almost any kitchen style, from country to majestic Old World. It holds its own against heat and sharp blades, and resists stains. If one or two tiles chip or crack, they're fairly easy to replace. However, tile's uneven surface can make it difficult to balance a cutting board or roll out a pie crust. Unsealed grout is prone to staining; standing moisture can damage it and contribute to bacterial growth.

Laminate

Made of paper blended with resins and fused to particle board, laminate has been a kitchen mainstay for decades.
In the past, it hasn't always had a reputation as stylish, but that's changing: The latest designs on the market mimic stone, butcher block and other pricier surfaces. Laminate is one of the most affordable countertop materials, so it's a good choice if your budget is tight. It's low maintenance and easy to clean.

Laminate is prone to scratching, burns and, in some cases, staining. With wear and moisture exposure, the layers can peel. Because of the raw particle board core, you can't use laminate with under-mount sinks, and it's also difficult to repair if it gets damaged.

Butcher Block

Butcher block has a classic appeal and always looks fresh. It's especially fitting for traditional, country and cottage-style kitchens. Many homeowners like butcher block's warm, natural appearance and variegated wood tones. Although knives scratch it, many people like the shopworn look it develops — after all, it's what chopping blocks have been made of for years. But you can also sand scratches down with ease. Wood swells and contracts with moisture exposure, and butcher block is no exception. It harbors bacteria and needs frequent disinfecting.  Oiling is a must to fill in scratches and protect the surface.

I decided that I really liked the look and low maintenance of the Quartz and Corian, although I also liked the natural colors of the granite. I thanked Barry and Jeff for their help and told them I’d see them again soon to check out kitchen flooring…or maybe cabinets…and I really want a new fridge… and oh, wouldn’t a bay window be nice over the sink! I was just beginning my adventure of planning a kitchen update, so I took all the information and catalogs and started a file.

So many decisions to make! It was kind of overwhelming. So, the first thing I decided to do was to call Stephen Ryan and let him help me design my Nantucket kitchen.

A Wedding Gift Like No Other

A Wedding Gift Like No Other
w/ Linda McAndrews

My niece is getting married this summer on the island, and I wanted to give her a really special wedding gift.

I had seen Nantucket’s own Leslie Linsley découpage plates at Marine Home Center and thought that would make the perfect gift. I had first seen Leslie years ago on the Oprah show when she demonstrated how she creates her plates and I had admired a friend’s hydrangea bowl form Leslie’s collection.  I wanted to know more, so I asked David Holland in the Home Furnishings Department.

He picked up a stunning blue hydrangea plate.

”You can see why this is everyone's favorite, Nantucket and hydrangeas just seem to go together. The blue hydrangea designs come in different sizes and in square or round styles. They’re not just for decoration either. Imagine using these to set a beautiful table. You can serve food on them and they’re hand washable. Of course they’re also lovely on a wall for an interior accent in any room. Leslie can even custom design plates to match fabric or wallpaper.”

I turned over the plate in my hands. I couldn’t believe how vivid the colors were. It was perfectly smooth as if the pictures had been fused to the inside. I told David that I had tried decoupage once, but it had looked more like a kindergarten project.

“Well,” David said as he took the plate from me, “it’s more involved than that. These plates are each one of a kind works of art. Each original color print has been meticulously cut out and applied to the underside of a clear glass plate, bowl or platter. Some of the plates are then treated with a marbelizing technique and backed with enamel or hand-crafted papers. The edge of the plate is rimmed with gold leafing. Each process is protected with several coats of a special decoupage sealer that is totally non-toxic. Since all the work is done on the underside of the glass, you can safely serve food on these items.

I thought my favorite design was the hydrangea series, until I saw set of green and white “veggie” plates. Everyone knows that green veggies are good for you, but I never imagined them to be so pretty!

However, I knew I had found the perfect gift when David showed me the custom made plates using the couple’s wedding invitation.

The original invitation is reproduced to fit the center of a 10-inch round or square plate. Using the floral
(or other) theme of the wedding, the design motif is created, cut out from paper prints and designed to work with the invitation and size of the plate. The plate may be used and hand-washed or displayed on the wall or on a tabletop.

I was already picturing my niece serving a piece of cake on this plate on their first anniversary and many more thereafter. I decided to order two. I knew this would also be a very special keepsake for the mother of the bride to remember her daughter’s special day.

With my mission accomplished, I couldn’t resist revisiting the green and white veggie plates and choosing some for myself. The fresh, contemporary design will fit perfectly with my décor whether they are hanging on the wall or gracing my own table.

Father's Day Made Easy

Father's Day Made Easy
w/ Linda McAndrews

My husband loves to grill. He considers himself the Bobby Flay of the neighborhood. Last week, my two sons had come by for some burgers and took me aside.

“Mom, that old grill is making Dad sad.”

“What do you mean? “ I said, ”He spends hours out there!”

“Yes, but it takes forever to get that thing up to temperature. The igniter doesn’t work anymore and the heat is so uneven that my burger was burnt on one side and raw in the middle. He deserves better.”

“Well, it is kind of old. I think we bought that when you were teenagers,” I said.

“He needs a new grill!” they both said at once.

We grabbed Dad and got in the car and headed to Marine Home Center’s new Grill Center. We tracked down Marine’s grill expert, Robert Souza and told him what we wanted.

 “You’ve come to the right place”, he said as he led us to the Grill Center, “You’ll find just the right one here.”

Robert took us on a tour and pointed out the features in each brand. The most popular models are Weber, Modern Home Products (MHP), Kamado Joe and Traeger brands.

 “All of these great brands are synonymous with reliable quality and service,” Robert told us. “Anyone who has ever  decided to save a few dollars on a new grill by buying the ever-changing models at the local gigantic everything store, quickly realizes the huge difference in value that a few extra dollars buys when they use a real quality grill.”

He showed us the three sizes of Weber grills: Spirit, Genesis, and Summit. Spirit models are the entry level, smaller and less expensive barbecues.  The Genesis models are larger and have features like cooking grates and hood colors.  The Summit models are even larger and come standard with better gas burner design and recessed side burner.   The Summit BBQ has an infrared recessed rotisserie option, sear zone option, smoker tray with a dedicated wood burner and outside lights that turn off and on when the barbeque hood closes and opens. I think I saw tears of joy in my husband’s eyes.

“Like the Weber charcoal grills and the Summit and Genesis gas models, MHP grills are all American made and the direct descendant of the first backyard gas grill. It’s made to last with solid construction. This grill is a work horse that really delivers. The large cast aluminum base and body with stainless steel components give it a good solid feel. MHP is known for high, even heating, and good grill performance.”

Robert also showed us the Kamado Joe ceramic charcoal grills and the Traeger wood pellet grills.

“The amazing wood-fire flavor you get when grilling on a Kamado Joe grill comes from the lump charcoal that ceramic grills are designed to use. Lump charcoal, unlike charcoal briquettes, is made from pieces of real wood, so it imparts a wonderful wood-fire flavor to your grilled food.”

He showed us how starting the Traeger wood pellet grill is as simple as lifting the lid and turning the controller to the smoke setting and waiting for 8 to 10 minutes. The igniter rod will activate for the first 4 minutes and will automatically light the pellets as they are fed into the firepot. No matches! No lighter fluid! No giant fireball to burn your eyelashes!

I was intrigued, but I saw that my guys were still over at the Weber section hugging a Summit grill like a long lost friend. I took Robert aside to arrange for the free assembly, delivery, and removal of our old grill. He also reminded me that Marine has a propane exchange program. Making my husband happy and having him eager to cook dinner every night was a win-win. Happy Father’s Day, honey!

Ply & Thread Counts

Ply & Thread Counts?

w/ Linda McAndrews

Summer is just around the corner on the island, which means it's time to start prepping the home for warmer weather. For most of us, this will most likely involve changing out thicker bedding for lighter sheets.

I had just bought my new Serta mattress during Marine’s ‘May is Mattress Month’ sale. And I knew exactly what I wanted to buy with the $150 gift card I received with that purchase… I deserved some new sheets!

Looking through sheet sets in the Marine Home Center bedding department, I thought I would just pick a pretty color and be done. However, there were so many things to consider! Thread counts, fabrics, ply.  What should I choose that will make me feel cool and comfortable on humid summer nights?

Kelly Shay, the expert in Bed & Bath, came to my rescue. She told me that cotton is the best choice for the hot summer months.  Cotton sheets breathe well and keep you feeling cool. Egyptian cotton and Supima cotton are 100% natural cotton and absorb moisture. They are also luxurious and soft feeling.

“What about thread count?” I asked, “shouldn’t I want the highest number?”

“Anything over 250 makes for a soft, comfortable feel,” said Kelly, “but ply is also something to consider. Ply is how many threads are wrapped together to make one total thread.  A 300 thread count vs. a 300 double ply thread count, will have a different feel.  The latter one will feel more like a 600 thread count sheet and will feel thicker and richer. We carry all qualities of cotton sheets so you’re sure to find one that fits your budget,” she said, “But if you really want to invest in an excellent night’s sleep be sure to check out our Matouk luxury bedding”

New mattress, new comforter, new sheets…I was almost done. I just needed to pick up some new pillows to put in my crisp, new pillowcases.

Again, I was befuddled by choices…down, down & feather, down alternative, synthetic, memory foam! I didn’t even know what was in my pillow at home, all I knew was that it was lumpy and uncomfortable and the only thing left that was keeping me from a good night’s sleep.

Before I knew it, Kelly was beside me to help me choose.

She said that the way you sleep will determine the firmness of your pillow.

Back sleepers prefer a medium support pillow that cradles the natural curvature of the upper spine, perfectly positioning your head and neck.

Side sleepers like a firm pillow that cradles the head, neck and shoulders, providing an even surface to help keep the body in a horizontal line.

Stomach sleepers do best with a soft, plump pillow that cushions the head and neck at a comfortable angle and prevents an unnatural turning to either side.

“But what if you’re an every position sleeper, like me?” I asked.

“Generally those who don’t maintain a particular position through the night prefer a medium density pillow to accommodate all positions.” She said.

With Kelly’s help, I chose the perfect new sheets and pillows that would be just right for me, and my budget. When I got home, I put together my beautiful new  bedding and couldn’t resist slipping between those crisp cotton layers right away, convinced that it was the perfect time for an afternoon nap to test my new sheets.