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Mar. 2012 13

Our Partner Blog: Custom Range Hoods

We have been cultivating another blog to help people who are just beginning to search around and shop for a custom range hood. I began working for Texas Lightsmith a few years ago and noticed that even the seasoned home builders had many questions. Homeowners are often unsure how to compare us to our competitors. There are so many things to consider and often a customer is dealing with so many other details in the construction of a new home or a long awaited remodel that we have to double and triple check all the details of their order.  Without further hooey, here it is; http://rangehoodcustom.blogspot.com/p/custom-range-hoods-q.html  go ahead over there and take a look, I’ll go grab some coffee and I’ll see you when you get back…     …. Great! Thanks for checking it out :)   Now tell me what you think, did it raise new questions for you, was it easy to read? You sit right down here and tell me all about it!

The “Custom Range Hood Blog” exists make you a more informed buyer!

Feb. 2012 9

The Gift: Custom Teapot Light

I have been meaning to post this since last Christmas! (yikes! it’s been 2 whole months already!) We had a very sweet young girl come to us with an old teapot that had been in her family for a while. Her parents had just gone with a contemporary remodel and her mom seemed sad that she could not figure out how to place this old world piece into her new design. We just thought it was the sweetest gift and it turned out so cool that I had to share! The old teapot, which came to us rather tarnished, was transformed into a sassy lamp! Hooray! Now with a haute contemporary lampshade it can fit right in as a memorable conversation piece! We don’t know what lampshade they chose, so I’ve edited a few images. Let me know which one is your favorite to use in a contemporary setting, or you can send a lampshade image and we’ll try it on. I am looking forward to getting some images back of the lamp in it’s new home and to see what style shade they’ve chosen!

Jan. 2012 18

US Patent# 8096678 Attained by Texas Lightsmith

January 17th 2011, Texas Lightsmith received the long awaited Patent for the Luminescent Series products.
The Luminescent Series was created as an innovative new product line for the kitchen and bath design industry that sets the company above it’s competitors by showing the innovative design capability of the multi-talented metal and glass company. Illuminated glass range hoods and unique stained glass aprons on copper and bronze kitchen sinks form a unique family of luxury kitchen products. Since 1995 Texas Lightsmith provides the highest quality craftsmanship of the olden days and the exciting fruition of innovative design.

GO SEE THEM AT THE MAIN SITE:

Illuminated glass range hoods

Dec. 2011 16

Congratulations Safeway Honolulu! Grand Opening Dec 17th 2011

A while back we were contacted by a store designer for Safeway about chandeliers for a new store. We began a long process of samples and finish choices, size and cost negotiations.
We were so excited to find that these chandeliers would be a focal point of the new store in Honolulu Hawaii! When I was getting quotes for shipping I told everyone to take good care of the crate because I may be in it! Aloha! lol…

When working with large corporations you have to remember to be patient and stay in contact. Just often enough to be remembered and not often enough to be a pain!
After your product is specified for a project, if you are able, get the name of the contractor they plan to use and get in touch as soon as possible and send them reminders on occasion. Contractors who work with these large companies are often very busy and will appreciate being able to readily find your information when your section of the project comes up. After negotiating with the contractor on various details, we did land the project…Hooray!!  From initial contact to final delivery was over a year. See there, told you it takes patience! Key factors in being a high end, custom manufacturer requires that you are always available for questions. You are often pioneering the unknown and solid communication is a vital key to success. Oh! Did you want to see the results of the project I described? Hehe.. Here it is… We are so honored have made these lights for Hawaii!
Beretania Safeway Honolulu HI Links:
Honolulu News Story on the Grand Opening of the new Safeway

Awesome Chandeliers at the new Safeway in Honolulu

Chronicle of the rise of the Beretania Safeway

Safeway Website

 

Thank you!

 

Nov. 2011 23

Black Friday you say?

Yes, we, too are putting out a special offer for black Friday. For all range hood and sink quotes coming in on Black Friday we will offer free shipping! I have been pulling for this offer for a looong time and I am very happy to be making this announcement! However, we will not be responding to these quotes until the next week as all our hardworking employees deserve a little down- time to spend with friends and family. Stay tuned to twitter and facebook for news about our Cyber Monday offer! You can also get a coupon from our friends at www.dartzdeals.com

get ready!

custom sink quote request button

 

range hood quote request button

Oct. 2011 28

Texas Lightsmith & “I Hate My Kitchen” on the DIY network

October 25th at 8:30pm e/p on the DIY channel, Texas Lightsmith steals the show with the “Venetian Oil rubbed bronze” Wavefront Copper Apron Sink.
Mariah and Jarvis Herndon get help from James Young on episode 303 of “I Hate my Kitchen”. Using some great techniques, James teaches Jarvis and Mariah how to attain a French country kitchen style to transform their hated, dated kitchen. The Texas Lightsmith copper wave front sink was a star show piece for the kitchen and the install was a snap! Paired with oil rubbed bronze fixtures the “Venetian oil rubbed bronze” copper sink not only matched the fixtures to the T but showed off some fabulous granite accents as well!
They distressed the cabinets simply by first painting them black, covering with a muted green coat of paint and then applying a light sanding; which turned out to be a great color choice with the beautiful granite and incredible sink! Mariah and Jarvis won’t be hating their kitchen anymore!
Be sure to watch/DVR the show for a terrific “how to” on the brick back-splash!
The show airs again a few more times through out November, so check your local listings for “I Hate my Kitchen” on the DIY network!!

Aug. 2011 2

In tha Houzz!

We recently, by some stroke of luck found out about houzz.com. This website is an amazing resource! I can not begin to tell you how full of wealth this site is for anyone! A strong community of Architects, Designers, Homeowners and Merchants all coming together harmoniously sharing products ideas and resources in a fun, informative and social way. I think every website strives to reach the type of interaction they have achieved. All I am left wondering is how did I not hear of them much sooner? Why are you still reading this? Get on over to www.houzz.com and check out Texas Lightsmith while you’re there!

Jul. 2011 6

Caring For Your New Kitchen- Polishing the Edges and Keeping it Shiny and New

Kitchen remodel complete, and instantly you are in love. I bet you are eagerly anticipating cooking a fantastic meal, entertaining guests, and maybe even cleaning up. Any excuse to be in your new favorite room, right?

Caring for that brilliant radiant copper, stylish yet functional sink, creative cabinet panels, vinyl plank flooring or even your eye catching- innov

ative- luminescent range hood can be as easy as 1, 2, 3.
Keep your new tile work and grout looking new by cleaning them biweekly. Form a loose paste by mixing baking soda and water, and spread it over the tile and grout. Let the paste sit fifteen to thirty minutes, and scrub with a soft nylon brush to prevent scratching. If the stains are stubborn, try pouring a bit of

hydrogen peroxide over the mixture. As soon as the peroxide is done fizzing, scrub clean and wipe off the remaining baking soda mixture with a damp cloth. Proceed to mop or clean tile work as usual.

Copper in kitchen design has quickly topped the stainless steel trend, creating a standard for stylish and elegant kitchens. Caring for your copper prolongs its radiance, and keeps you falling in love with your kitchen over and over again. Fortunately, copper care is simple, and uses a few standard items that can already be found in our kitchen. The first and most

frequent way to prolong your copper’s elegance is a simple dry cloth wipe down—especially on surfaces that come in contact with water. Make it a habit to keep a dry cloth near your sink, and after each use, wipe out any remaining water. This should be done daily. Weekly a light dish soap and warm water wipe down should be done, but be careful not to use abrasive cloths or chemicals as these will scratch and deteriorate your clear coat finish. Rinse off remaining soap thoroughly. If a deep disinfecting treatment is desired or required, we recommend diluting Simple Green cleaning solution, as it is non-abrasive and non-corrosive.

Lastly, and on a monthly basis a high quality copper patina wax should be applied. Be sure to use this wax, and not a copper polish. The wax is the same consistency of a lotion and will prolong the life and liveliness of your clear coat sealant.
Cabinet faces should be maintained in a similar way to your copper. Wipe down with warm soap and water often, rinse well, and wipe up remaining moisture with a dry cloth. If a grime build up exists, use vinegar! Vinegar is a wonderful, all natural, and extremely handy kitchen cleaner. For regular cleaning, use one part vinegar two parts water, however if the buildup needs a stronger cleaning, use a less diluted or straight up vinegar solution.

These methods should be done weekly to monthly to preserve the quality of your design. Range hoods, copper work, light fixtures, cabinet faces, and tile should be wiped down with a dry cloth daily to prevent build up. You should never polish against the grain or in circles; polishing should be done with the grain. Also, avoid acids, abrasives, strong detergents, degreasers, solvents and scouring pads. Any of these things will damage your custom copper, tile, and cabinet faces. Enjoy and prolong your new kitchen!
For more Home and Garden Tips please visit Water Softener Systems or Kronoswiss Laminate Flooring.

Apr. 2011 29

TradHome the love child…

Lonny Mag and Traditional home have put out a creation called TradHome, a jam packed, full of wonders enough to make you swoon..interior embellishments fit for the most avid lovers of contemporary and traditional!
Of course you can see work by none other than yours truly, Texas Lightsmith, on page 312.!

All thanks to the righteous ladies of Urban Grace.

A wave in kitchen and home decor being dubbed, “New Traditional”  is rushing the world of interior design, from custom range hoods to bright yellow zig zag curtains (looks better than it sounds, really!)  the New Traditional designers are setting the stage for the current evolution of how we create our environments.

Custom nickel silver range hood

Transitional Kitchen Design

Feb. 2011 22

Designer Delish!

From the blog of Toni Sabatino, “STYLE……………It’s all about the CONTEXT (surrounding conditions, the circumstances or events that form the environment within which something exists or takes place). Whether dressing yourself, furnishing a room or creating a meal, everything should be complimentary. If everything and everyone complimented everything and everyone the world would be a well organized, beautiful and happy place!”

You must see this blog, Toni Sabatino is one of our wonderful interior design clients who we really enjoy working with an it’s always a treat to see the finished photos! Take a trip over to Toni’s Blog and show her some love!