What is all the excitement around Terrazo?

Terrazzo - The Italian art in stone

Terrazzo has been around for almost 500 years and is on the "A" list for luxury residential and commercial projects.  Terrazzo is wildly popular among architects and designers, especially the Italian made terrazzo's. This  unique stone makes a design statement that is hard to match.

It all started In Italy where Venetian workers used scrap metal fragments from high end projects. They put them together in a clay mortar base for their own homes. Archaeologists have even found Terrazzo in Turkey dated back 10,000 years ago.

Some architects and designers design their own terrazzo choosing the color, stone type, size and how far apart they want them laid. Terrazzo is so versatile. Companies like Marble Trend stock many styles of Italian terrazzo slabs and tiles. Marble Trend also caters to the custom design requests.

Let's get down to the technical part now. Terrazzo has a unique design like a concrete floor, where a mixture is blended with an aggregate like glass or rocks, then it’s polished to form a smooth and durable surface. It uses either a cement or epoxy matrix as a binder. Terrazzo is designed in for flooring, walls, stair treads, countertops, and other custom products.  The material consists of chips of marble, granite, quartz, glass, shell or similar materials. The list is endless for terrazzo, it can be used in commercial and residential applications.

Epoxy terrazzo is less labor-intensive and doesn’t require many of the skills that a cementitious system does. Epoxy terrazzo is a mixture of a base color and a hardener. The parts are mixed with marble dust and the aggregate. Then the epoxy and aggregate mix is then poured on the floor and placed at the required height with hand trowels. It is then closed with a power trowel to tighten and flatten the aggregate. Epoxy installed in the proper ambient temperature can be ground within 24 hours.

Cementitious terrazzo is traditionally a mixture of 2:1 ratio of marble

aggregate and cement usually grey or white. For coloring, iron oxide is added to the mixture. The mix is blended with water and is then poured into the specified panels and troweled to the desired height. Aggregate is then sprinkled on the floor in a similar pattern. A roller is rolled across the floor in alternating directions which then embeds the marble chips in the floor.  At the same time, the extra cement and water is pushed to the top which removed from the floor. The rolling process is then repeated a few times with different weighted rollers. What this does is remove excess water and cement from the floor, creating a tight fit of the marble aggregate. Once this process is finished, the floor is lightly troweled. The floor had to set and cure for several days before the grinding is started.

To summarize, terrazzo us a unique artistic form of stone material that beautifies homes and businesses with a touch of sophistication and fun.

Contact us for a quote for your project. We represent all luxury stones including Italian terrazzo, Italian marble, onyx and so much more!

Wine Lockers Trending in Clubs, Restaurants & Hotels

How hospitality venues are offering loyal patrons more personal amenities. 

High end restaurants, golf and private clubs as well as upscale boutique hotels understand that there is nothing usual about "business as usual".  In our current environment, people want to feel safe and are frequenting their clubs and the same restaurant more often. They must think beyond offering great cuisine, an elegant, fun ambiance and a popular wine and cocktail selection. What are many businesses offering their clients to create a sense of belonging and safety? Wine lockers is one of the top amenities included in their 2021 strategic plan, to the delight of their wine connoisseur patrons.

Custom Wine Lockers - New or Match you current system/

Wine Lockers are not just for wine anymore.

Wine connoisseurs are thrilled to have their own "stash" of their favorite wines in their private clubs and restaurants. Much to the surprise of the hospitality industry,  patrons are using wine lockers to store high end liquors and liqueurs.  After all, not everyone is a wine connoisseur. With the pandemic still fresh in everyone's mind, many people do not want to share a liquor bottle with strangers. Brandies, bourbons, after dinner liqueurs of all brands are finding their way into the wine locker.

Patrons with wine lockers are often offered special privileges such as complimentary sommelier service or the first pick of new and rare selections. Start a wine club within your clientele and make your venue a destination for wine and spirit lovers. What better way to make customers feel welcomed and special. Wine locker patrons will frequent your venue more often. Who doesn't like to show off their special wines with friends and colleagues.

Each venue handles their wine lockers a little differently. The return on investment for the wine locker installation is achieved fairly quickly. Our next blog will go over different ways to turn your wine locker investment into a profit center.

Call us to discuss a free custom wine locker design and upgrade your venue today! 

https://www.curatedappliancegroup.com/#/wine-cellars-solid-wood-wine-racking-systems/

6 Six Wines with a Cause

As we consider how to keep our holiday traditions alive this season, wine often comes to mind. To  bring cheer back into our lives, helping others who are truly in need is a great way to accomplish this. We have researched several wineries that have an altruistic side, separate and apart from the enjoyment they bring to us on special occasions in December and beyond. Here is a short list to consider for your holiday celebrations.

1.             One Hope Wine - https://www.onehopewine.com/

One Hope Wine Supports Families with Special Needs Children this Season

According to their website: Due to the pandemic, children with special needs are facing both school closures and disruptions to their in-person therapy sessions, making this time even harder on them and their families. Shop our fundraiser where 10% of every purchase will help fund grants to create a little holiday magic for these families.

2.      Nakedwines.com

NakedWines.com supports small vintners who have no other way of distribution.  They cut out the middleman since they ship direct. Their winemakers get to sell all of their wines, and make a living. They make the same margins as bigger vineyards, and appreciate those of us who support the little guys in the wine business.  Naked Wine calls their customers "Angel" since they help small vineyards get and stay in business

According to their website:

Our customers have changed the lives of 159 winemakers in 14 countries around the world

Carmen Stevens, South Africa's first black female to graduate in winemaking, had her life turned around in 5 hours by 2,000 Angels

Katie Jones, whose business faced ruin after vandals struck her winery in the south of France, was rescued by 2,500 Angels

Rod Easthope, left his job at an iconic New

3. Wines For Humanity https://www.winesforhumanity.com -

Check out this interesting concept. You can host a wine tasting or become a wine advisor and help the homeless.  Currently they are in 14 states.  We should help bring it to NY since our homeless is at a record high. "Wines for Humanity raises funds for charities across the country in order to prevent homelessness in families with children. We believe that funds raised locally should be applied locally - directly impacting the quality of our Wine Advisors' neighborhoods nationwide."

4.     The Great Oregon Wine Company - https://www.greatoregonwine.com/Rascal

The Great Oregon Wine Company pledges to Stop Animal Cruelty through support of organizations such as The Humane Society of the United States. "That’s why every sale of our Rascal® and Lil’ Rascal® wines gives Great Oregon Wine Company® the opportunity to support animal welfare organizations that help rescue, heal, nurture, and find forever homes for all our animal companions."

5. EFESTĒ Vineyard

https://www.efeste.com/rockin-sips

https://www.efeste.com/success-stories

EFESTĒ Vineyard,(Woodinville Wine Country, Washington) fight Leukemia With Tough Guy Wine and the Rock-Sips event. In 2007, the owners the five-year-old grandson was diagnosed with A.L.L. Leukemia. "Already a “Tough Guy”, Joe’s strength of spirit and personality allowed him to endure the exhaustive treatments while maintaining a brush-off attitude, continually empowering those around him with his insistence, “Come on! I’m fine! Let’s go!” We are so proud of Joe for his courage, toughness, and inspiring attitude". EFESTĒ crafted  a 2012 “Tough Guy Wine with a Cause,” where Efeste donates a portion of the proceeds to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They also hold an annual event "Rockin-Sips) to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Little Joe is thriving today!

 

6.  Tackitt Family Vineyards

https://www.tackittfamilyvineyards.com/about/EOD-Cellars/

This is an amazing cause which grew from one small fundraiser.

Tackitt Family Vineyards, owned by a retired Navy bomb disposal expert and his wife, started what they thought was a onetime fundraiser for wounded EOC (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) warriors.  This event turned into a cause for them to help fellow EOC.

Tackitt’s created a  bottling for a cause, EOD Cellars, in 2010 to support the EOD Warrior Foundation. They also partnered with a fellow EOD warrior, and opened the Boulder Crest Retreat, the nation’s first privately funded rural wellness center for wounded warriors.  Their Purpose" "To ensure that combat veterans, first responders, and their families can live great lives in the aftermath of trauma"

 

Six Appliance & Home Renovations Trending in the Stay-At-Home Era

In the Tri-State NY area, lockdowns have changed remodeling priorities.

I have been speaking with many trade professionals in the tri-state area who are experiencing home improvement projects taking center stage due to the lock down experience. The new way we work, play, study and communicate is driving many product and renovation choices.  We have higher expectations of our homes including the desire for a healthy atmosphere.  Let's explore top products and designs happening which enable the home to satisfy all our senses.

1.    Indoor entertaining - Wine cellars/beverage refrigeration units are hot - The thought of giving up socializing with family and friends is driving new entertaining spaces in the home.  There is a variety of projects architects, designers and contractors are working on.   

a)    Basement wine cellars with a tasting room or dining area  

b)    Wine and beverage refrigeration - Full size and undercounter units are being designed into the kitchen or home bar. Some people are adding undercounter freezers for liquor.

c)    Home Bars - People are using their basements for a full bar and dining area. Smaller bars are being installed in dining rooms, living rooms and dens.

d)    Home Theatres -  Indoors and out! What better way is there to get the whole family together for movie night. Beverage fridges, microwaves and popcorn makers are making their way into these roooms. Home technology systems are being installed starting with the home theatre and expanding to security, lighting, music, temperature and more.

2.    Additional refrigeration - Entertaining &  Peace of Mind -  Once the lockdowns began, residential freezers were flying off the shelf.  Within weeks, they were backordered.  Due to these recent events, the reality of food shortages, lockdowns and the desire to entertain at home has led to the need for more refrigeration space at home - fridges and freezers. Of course basements and garages are housing these units. For larger homes, commercial walk-in refrigeration is trending. Walk-ins are customized for size as well as type - fridge/freezer - based on need.  They preserve food longer and safer than any residential model. Trays of prepared food are easily accommodated for parties and entertaining.  They can be designed into any area including outdoors.

3.    Steam Ovens - Healthy cooking -  This appliance has gained "steam" over the years. Today, a high percentage of projects include a steam oven due to the versatility and healthy cooking aspects people enjoy. In a 2018 Crain's Roundtable on " How the Food & Beverage Industry Can Find Opportunity in Disruption",  Bruce Bronster (Bronster LLC) stated " If the world stopped producing food this minute, we would have a 23-day supply. Everything we eat is farm-to-table. It’s a question of access, transportation, timing and supply."   The fact that people want fresh food begs for a steam oven to fulfill their desires.

4.    Outdoor Living & entertaining -  What's trending? BBQ's, hearth ovens, smokers, fridges, sinks, outdoor motorized shading, outdoor speakers  and heaters.  Every appliance that enhances outdoor living and entertaining is considered.  Outdoor theatres are gaining traction with amazing products such as weather sturdy speakers, TV's and screens.

5.    Human Centric Lighting - Paying attention to the human side of a lighting plan in the kitchen and whole house can significantly affect all the activities you do at home. According to the Human Centric Lighting Society," The proper use of dimming and CCT shifting, which is often called Kelvin changing, can improve circadian rhythms, mood, visual acuity and performance in addition to substantial energy savings and sustainability.human centric lighting

6.    Blast Chillers -Locally grown freshness all year long, food safety/longevity and convenience  -  Bet you never heard of a blast chiller.  This is the sleeper appliance that is becoming one of the most desired!  Have you ever wondered how restaurants serve local fresh berries, herbs all year long and they taste fresh picked? They never serve soggy frozen fruit. They prepare many ingredients/meals ahead of time and when served, they taste like they were just cooked! Restaurants have a blast chiller /freezer that chills or freezes food so fast, the taste and texture of food is preserved.  

Ordinary freezing methods transform the liquids in food into macrocrystals which damage its structure. Shock freezing gets the food core to -18°C at a higher speed, leading to the formation of microcrystals that preserve the original properties of the food.

Fast blast chilling blocks food aging, avoids oxidization and reduces bacterial proliferation. Taking the core of your food to +3°C faster than any residential fridge reduces the loss of weight caused by evaporation, and preserving nutrients. With a blastchiller, you can serve wonderful meals, cooked ahead of time, that taste like they were just made.

Since this appliance is new to many, we will feature one major brand made in Italy, Irinox Freddy. Irinox offers a residential built in appliance as well as a free standing unit. What does a residential blast chiller do?  "Freddy is the first blast chiller made for home use, with essential design that’s appealing in any kitchen. Freddy is the only domestic appliance that enables blast chilling of food straight after cooking, quickly and carefully freezing and thawing food, cooking meat and fish at low temperature, proofing bread, pizza and focaccia, holding food at the ideal temperature, and provides meals that are hot and ready to serve as well as chilling wine and other drinks."  This is an appliance used to lock the succulence into food and keep it intact over time. Blast chillers lock in flavor, vitamins, color and consistency so food is always at its best.  https://www.curatedappliancegroup.com/irinox

Trends can improve our lives. Let’s embrace them!

7 Tips to Maximize Your Residential Walk-In Refrigeration

Congratulations on your new  residential walk-in fridge or future walk-in for your home!   

Whether you have a fridge or freezer or combo, there are many elements that remain constant to keep your food safe and organized.

Temperature - Always insure your refrigerator is set between 38-40 degrees F.  for optimum food safety and longevity.  Freezers should be set at minus 10 degrees F. They can hold ice cream beautifully and the defrost cycle will not compromise  food safety.  Make sure to have an accurate temperature display with an alarm monitoring system.  If you have a built-in blast chiller, you can shock freeze hot foods before placing them in the freezer or blast chill hot items going into the fridge to avoid reducing the temperature inside your walk-in.  Walk-ins are not meant to cool down hot foods quickly.  They are meant to accept room temperature. cold or frozen foods.

Shelving - The first decision is the shelving itself.  Do you want stationary shelving or mobile carts that you can move in and out of your walk-in? If your walk-in is installed in an area other than your kitchen, it would be a good idea to survey your space to see if the cart can move in and out of the kitchen when you entertain. The shelving should be rust proof if you choose wire shelves.  If you choose plastic shelves, it's a good idea to order them with antimicrobial. Check out this site to learn more: MICROBAN. Stability is extremely important.   You also have the option with some brands to add removable shelf mats which is a great idea for easy clean up and cleanliness.  Many brands of  mats can be washed in the dishwasher. Make sure the shelves are easily adjustable for maximum flexibility. Weight per shelf is important and most brands out there hold hundreds of pounds per shelf.

Spacing -You must allow space between shelves and stored food products.  2" is a standard gap to maintain between food products and above and below shelves. . The lowest shelf should be 6" above the floor and the top shelf should allow food to be 2" from the ceiling. Air flow is very important for longer and safer preservation of food.

Location - In order to avoid cross contamination,  raw meats/seafood should be placed on the lower shelves.  If you have all raw meats on one shelf, it is recommended to place poultry on the bottom, beef & pork above and seafood on top. Prepared foods,  dairy, fruits and vegetables should be placed above all raw meats.  Another option is to place all raw foods in the back of the walk-in on its own rack and prepared foods / fruits and veggies in the front.  Never put food directly on the floor.

Organization - Storing food in categories makes it easier to see how much of each food type you have available.  Labeling and dating the food enables you to utilize the "first in first out" inventory method.  You can add the expiration date based on USDA recommendations for frozen foods (mainly for quality). USDA Recommendations

Cleaning - Of course cleaning your unit inside ( and the coils) is important.  Using the mats is very helpful since they’re removable and many are dishwasher safe.

Wine/Beverages:  If you have room, you can also have a walk-in set for wines and beverages.  A self contained unit is practical as well as a preservation machine.

We offer START  TO FINISH SPECIFICATION SERVICE to help design the ideal walk-in for your home.  Inquire about your walk-in: Curated Website

5 Wine Cellar Design Features to Personalize Your Collection

Many of us wine aficionados enjoy storing and displaying our wine almost as much as drinking it. Building your custom wine cellar and display is an interesting and fun journey.  Here are five important decisions to be made with your architect or designer. This blog is for people who enjoy searching for those special vintage wines and who enjoy drinking wine. 

Wine Safety - Let's start with the not so interesting but extremely important details that must be solved. What does wine love? Cool, dark, and an ideal humidity level of 60%. Basically, reliable climate control. Wine bottles also love to sit still, on an angle or horizontal.

Wine hates heat.  Temperatures above 70 degrees ages a wine more rapidly than you would like. Ideal numbers have been cited between 45-65 degrees for red and white.

Light wrecks havoc on wine as well.  Sunlight is a no-no since it heats wine and we know that is not good.  Hot lights such as incandescent, florescent and halogen are not recommended. LED lights are cool and there are more choices of colors than in the past. These lights are placed in close proximity to the bottles for beauty and viewing and must be chosen properly.

Humidity levels about 70% will cause mold and degradation of labels. Humidity below 50% will dry out the corks causing evaporation of the wine and causing oxidization making it undrinkable.  

Stillness is important since vibrations age wine and cause sediment to disburse in red wine. 

Placement -  Your home or apartment most likely will dictate where your wine cellar is built. A good option is the basement.  Usually cooler and darker than other areas of the house, it's perfect for short term storage.  Long term and fine wine storage in a basement should climate controlled.  Another great spot, if you don't have a basement, is a large closet or under a stairway.  Creating your wine cellar as a room divider is a stunning design statement.  If you have the room consider adding a tasting area or an intimate dining area adjacent to the wine cellar.

Size - The size of your home may restrict the amount of space you can dedicate to your collection.  Many people wish they dedicated more space for their cellars after they've been built. The passion for your wine collection blossoms more each year. The layout depends on your storage needs. Plan on wide aisle(s) and easy access to your wine if enjoying the experience is your goal. For serious, high volume collectors more compact, high density storage and a good system of cataloging inventory is a must. If you purchase wine for investment, leaving space to keep wine in their cases is important.  Analyze if you need rack storage for single bottles, large bottles,  champagne. This will determine the size of the racks.

Style - So many choices! Modern,  Traditional,  Transitional. Choice of metals.  Endless choices of wood.  Do you want display shelves?   Many people like stone or brick on the walls.  What about a door? Black glass on the cases is quite beautiful depending where it is built.  A doorway with character leading into the cellar sets the mood before entering your wine kingdom!

Ambiance -  All important - Lighting, floor / wall material, artwork, music.  

Lighting - Shelf lighting and overhead lighting will dramatically change the look and feel of your wine cellar.  What type of lighting will you enjoy in your tasting room?  Chandelier?  What light color(s) do you love?  Dimmers.

Materials - The floor material adds to the whole experience of your wine cellar.  You must decide what feels best for you.  Wood, concrete, stone, porcelain tiles, bricks vinyl.  Do you want it to be a backdrop or a "wow"?  Practicality must be considered.  Is it easy to clean?  Will it withstand the environment without cracking or buckling?  Wall materials as part of the design will coordinate with the floor. Some people like contrast, others uniformity.  Both change the ambiance.

Art work - So do you want sophisticated, romantic, old world or modern?  Adding art work is a very personal choice. You can change an entire room with the art you choose.

Music  - What an amazing game changer music can add to the ambiance of your cellar! Especially if you have a tasting or dining area. But even if you don't, choosing your wine with a music backdrop is wonderful!

How much fun is it to design your wine cellar! We will be there every step of the way.

Walk-in Refrigeration for Your Home - Luxury, Convenience, Kitchen Art or Necessity?

Residential Walk-In Refrigeration is the latest trend in home renovations.

An increasing number of architects and designers are being asked to design walk-in refrigeration into homes. Walk-ins add unique storage space that standard refrigeration does not offer.

Homeowners use walk-ins for bulk food purchases, multiple trays of prepared food for parties and holidays, food for emergencies and specialty and seasonal items hard to get all year round. 

A custom walk in can be designed into a kitchen, pantry, spare room, garage, basement or any where space allows. With options of metal, colors to match your design and glass doors (clear or smoked), the walk-in adds an element of "coolness", literally. 

Arctic Walk-In Company offers standard sizes as well as custom sizes and shapes making it easy to adapt into your design. Of course a glass window is not only practical, it adds beauty especially if  it's on display for guests. Food is a Chef's art. A walk-in is easy to spec into your projects because now you can contact one of the "Start to Finish Service” experts at  Curated Appliance Group.

Abundant storage, convenience, organization, time savings, emergency storage and lower operating cost are all reasons homeowners are requesting walk in refrigerators and freezers. Walk-ins are ideal for keeping food fresh for a longer period of time.  

A walk-in's size and shelf configuration adds an amazing amount of space for all types of storage. Organize food and beverages with custom shelving based on the family's needs.

Meats can be stored on one shelf, fruits and vegetables on another. Dry items can be refrigerated for extended storage too. You can even add a wine shelf.

Additional storage space is beneficial for people who store quantities of frozen and/or perishable foods. This space allows you the convenience and time savings of shopping less. You can shop for sales and bulk items and have a place to store them safely. You do not have to make multiple trips, saving time and gas. Homeowners can enjoy spending more time with family and friends instead of making multiple trips to shop for food.

Blizzards, droughts, hurricanes, viruses - all out of our control.  Many people cannot go out during these times. Being prepared for any calamity truly gives you peace of mind.  Shopping is also difficult for people that live "off the grid".

Walk-ins offer accurate temperature displays with an alarm monitoring system.  They are built for long term safe storage. You can order a glass door which minimizes the number of times you have to open the door and let warm air inside. A walk-in allows you to keep food under safe conditions until you are ready to eat it.

Back to our question. Is Walk-in Refrigeration for Your Home - a Luxury, Convenience, Kitchen Art or Necessity? Our conclusion is that walk-ins are "all of the above".

Are you an architect or designer? Learn about our Start to Finish Product Specification Services. Curated offers Start to Finish Product Specification Services to help design a walk-in for your client's needs. 

Call us today at (347) 813-1859

Planning to convert extra space in a home into a walk-in refrigerator? Consult an expert today! 

Blast Chilling Beyond your Imagination

So what is a blast chiller? And a blast freezer? We will discuss blast chilling / freezing and the other amazing functions the Irinox Freddy, which is made in Italy. It is the speed in which Freddy lowers food temperature that prevents the build up of moisture which breaks down foods in standard refrigerators and freezers. You can blast chill a meal, hold it refrigerated in the Freddy and program Freddy to reheat it at 6:00 pm just in time for you to get home and have a hot delicious meal!

Blast Chilling quickly lowers the core temperature of just cooked hot food to +3°C. By quickly dropping through the 40°C to 10°C temperature range Freddy blocks evaporation and prevents bacterial proliferation. Ideal for preserving the quality, fragrance, colours and aromas of food, tripling its shelf life. Any cooked food can be blast chilled and kept in the fridge for up to 7 days. When reheated, it tastes like you just made it!

Shock Freezing - As Freddy quickly reaches a temperature of -35°C inside the cabinet, the shock freezing cycle rapidly takes food to -18°C at the core. In this way preservation is perfect and when thawed food will be exactly as it was when fresh. Shock frozen food can be kept in the freezer for up to 6-8 months. Check out Herbal-icious all year long!

Freddy is the first blast chiller made for home use, with essential design that’s appealing in any kitchen. Freddy is the only domestic appliance that enables blast chilling of food straight after cooking, quickly and carefully freezing and thawing food, cooking meat and fish at low temperature, proofing bread, pizza and focaccia, holding food at the ideal temperature, and provides meals that are hot and ready to serve as well as chilling wine and other drinks.

Freddy is made entirely from stainless steel, and is equipped with a probe that monitors food core temperature and an intuitive, easy-to-use soft touch control panel. Freddy is a dream come true of our very own time machine. It’s an instrument with which to lock the succulence into food at just the right moment and keep it intact over time. Flavour, vitamins, colour and consistency can overcome space and time so that they are always at their best.

Other features of Freddy: Gentle Freezing, Controlled Thawing, Low Temperature Cooking, Bottle Cooling, Holding, Natural Proofing, Ready Made Dishes timed to be hot when you arrive home.

Check out this RECIPE

Bonnet French Suites - Get to know us.

Maestro is a small artisan workshop located in the idyllic town of La Motte de Galaure, just north of Provence, in Southern France.  Surrounded by the iconic vineyards of the Cotes du Rhone region, it is nestled in a small farming community with roots in grapes, sunflowers and lavender.

We are fortunate to be the manufacturer of choice for many of the world's three star Michelin restaurants and the finest estates worldwide. The most recognized chefs turn to us for their professional kitchens and on the residential side we have supplied ranges for captains of industry, celebrities, athletes and some of the same chefs that chose us for their professional kitchens.