Installation Spotlight: A Contemporary Cottage

We recently partnered with a local homebuilder to bring a contemporary cottage look to a new house being built in Nashville’s beautiful Woodmont neighborhood.

For the island, we used Bianco Verona marble that we leathered in-house. This polishing technique creates texture and gives the island a soft sheen without being too reflective. The large installation includes space for a second sink and extends to create a gathering space in the back for barstools or chairs.

Around the perimeter, we installed White Cherokee leathered marble. This timeless marble is made up of small white crystals and is great for countertops in high-traffic areas. When paired with the darker cabinets, the kitchen feels light and clean.

Like this contemporary style? Visit our showroom and let our designers help you find the perfect look for your own kitchen.

Employee Spotlight: Joanne Marsh

Each quarter, we feature a Werthan team member that exemplifies our core values and team spirit. Joanne Marsh, a design consultant and account manager, shares her positivity with clients as they make important decisions in the showroom and is key in helping us provide superior service. We recently asked Joanne to tell us a little bit about herself and her role at Werthan.

 Tell us a little about yourself.

I grew up in Murfreesboro and graduated from MTSU. I married the most amazing man, Steve, in 2001 and we have two wonderful boys that are eight and 11. I still live in Murfreesboro and commute to Nashville every weekday. I’m very blessed and I’m a very positive person. It’s the simple things that make me happy.

How long have you been in this industry? How long have you been at Werthan? I’ve been in the industry for 11 years. I was with Michael Werthan at his Werthan Tile store in Green Hills for almost two years and I’ve been with Jeremy at Werthan, LLC for four years. So, I’ve been working with the Werthan family for a total of six years.

What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most? I enjoy working in the showroom with clients that are making tile and countertop selections. Being able to help pull a vision together is very rewarding and my goal is to make the process easier for every homeowner. Many customers come in and are very intimidated with the task of making these types of decisions. I love it when clients tell me how easy I made it for them and that it’s been the most enjoyable part of their projects. That means I’ve done my job.

What do you like most about Werthan? Having a platform that I can be creative and helpful at the same time. I also love the people I work with and feel like it’s a family. After all, I spend 40 hours a week with them so it’s important to work as a team.

 What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work? If I had time, I would be at the horse barn riding as much as possible. Horses are one of my passions. But, like it is for most wives and mothers, my husband and our two boys Lane and Jacob are my everything. They keep me busy and very happy. I love hearing about their days when I pick them up in the afternoons, and our weekends are spent at the ball fields or doing fun things together.

 What is your hidden talent? Painting and drawing. I’m also really athletic. If I’m playing a sport, it usually surprises people that I do really well no matter what it is.

Smart, Custom and Sustainable: This Year’s Bathroom Trends

If 2014 was the year of the kitchen, 2015 is shaping up to be the year of the bathroom. Whether you’re redesigning a bathroom for your houseguests, children or your own master suite, these are the upcoming trends you’ll want to keep in mind.

Decorate with statement tiles.

Dismiss the plain, boring tiles you see in most bathrooms and opt for a more creative, unexpected selection. Statement tiles range in size, color and texture, and provide an easy, unique option for decorating a small space. In a room with little furniture or basic design features, funky tiling can help add a touch of personality to the floor or wall.

Photo by Oceanside Glass & Tile. See more modern bathroom designs

Bring the outdoors inside.

Introduce nature-inspired features to your bathroom, such as wood finishes, “rainfall” showerheads and natural stone countertops to create a relaxing, sleek design. Want to take this design trend even further? Incorporate living features, like plant walls. These natural finishes are also an eco-friendly plus for any ‘green’ movement enthusiasts.

Photo by Narofsky Architecture + ways2design. See more modern bathroom designs

Update with high tech accessories.

Smart showers are the hot new product for the bathroom. With a touchscreen, you can set personalized shower settings, operate multiple showerheads at once and automatically control temperature and water flow. After a long day in the office, a hot shower in one of these might be just what you need.

Photo by BuilderFish. See more contemporary bathroom designs

Customize your space.

Everyone has different needs and priorities for their bathroom space. Shy away from mass-produced features and move towards customized countertops, cabinets and vanities. Pick the layout and specific storage design to fit the needs and desires of your family. You can’t beat a one-of-a-kind space!

Photo by Werthan LLC. See more transitional bathroom designs

Go green.

The ‘green’ phenomenon has carried over to the bathroom. Large showers with eco-friendly options, water-saving bathtubs and sensor faucets are all elements that make bathrooms more sustainable. Use recycled or reclaimed materials to build cabinets, storage shelves or vanities to create a truly environmentally-friendly atmosphere.

Photo by Woodland Cabinetry. See more rustic bathroom designs

For help in bringing your bathroom up to speed in 2015, visit our showroom or contact us at 615-242-4919.

Installation Spotlight: A Fresh Look in Forest Hills

We recently completed a renovation project in Forest Hills and couldn’t be happier with the look and feel of the result.

As part of the remodel, Werthan was given access to the two most important rooms in any home – the kitchen and the master bathroom.

On both the kitchen countertops and center island we installed Safari granite, which perfectly complemented both the white kitchen cabinets and the dark drawers on the island.

This Indian stone has the softer, marble-like look that is popular right now.

For the master bathroom, Dolce Vita marble was installed to harmonize with the metallic fixtures already found in the room. This luxurious marble is a classic choice for countertops and gives the bathroom a beautiful and timeless appearance.

Marble is known for its unique qualities. Its variation in pattern, color and texture allows virtually limitless design options.

If you’re interested in revamping your kitchen or bathroom, visit our showroom and let us help you find the right look for your space.

4 Kitchen Design Trends to Expect in the New Year

The New Year provides plenty of motivation for a refresh of your current kitchen look. If you’re looking towards a renovation in the coming months, keep an eye out for the following design trends expected to be popular. Our professional design staff can give you ideas on how to incorporate these new looks into your kitchen.

Open Shelving

Photo by Werthan LLC. See more transitional kitchen designs

Aligned with current trends that promote an open, multi-purpose feel in the kitchen, open-air shelves will be used to de-clutter and virtually expand even the smallest rooms. Homeowners will forego cabinet doors and instead display tableware, vases and other kitchen necessities.

Mixed Materials

In search of a homier feel, homeowners will combine materials and finishes to create a mix of traditional and modern. A marble island with a wooden base and granite countertops paired with antique cabinets are great examples of this trend in action.

White or Colored Sinks

Photo by Zoe Feldman Design, Inc.. See more transitional kitchen designs

With warmer finishes, homeowners will look at new color palettes for the kitchen. A white or colored sink may be used in place of the traditional stainless steel to match modern countertops or finishes.

Metallic Finishes

Photo by Werthan LLC. See more kitchen designs

Metallic finishes will make a spark in 2015. Homeowners traditionally use silver, chromes and stainless steel in the kitchen to provide a sleek and finished look. But this year finishes like gold, copper and bronze will be used for a warmer look.

Giving Back: Second Harvest Food Drive

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee has been working to solve hunger issues in our community since 1978. The organization acts as a central distribution center for companies, groups and individuals who wish to provide food for hungry people in our community. The collected food is then distributed to soup kitchens, pantries and shelters. In 2013/2014, Second Harvest provided more than 28 million pounds of food throughout its 46-county service area – that’s 23 million meals of food!

Dedicated to giving back to our community, we were excited to get involved with Second Harvest this holiday season. From November 17 to December 19, our team collected more than 177 canned foods for the organization.

Leading our team was Gina Detharidge, who donated a whopping 86 cans for the drive.

We encourage you to get involved with Second Harvest, too. Learn more about how you can volunteer your time or donate that extra food sitting in your pantry here. The most need food items include:

• Peanut butter
• Canned meat
• Canned vegetables
• Canned fruit
• Pasta
• Cereal

We can’t wait to host another Second Harvest food drive next year. Our goal? 200 cans!

Black is the New Black

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article on the return of the black kitchen and Werthan, LLC is no stranger to the trend.

Black countertops are a bold choice and as seen in the kitchen above, look best with white or lighter wood cabinets. This kitchen features Mineral Black Soapstone countertops and backsplash.

Black goes with everything. Whether you have a classic or contemporary theme in your kitchen, black countertops will be an eye-catching addition. Spruce up your kitchen with stainless steel appliances or pepper the room with colorful accents and the vibe is instantly changed.

With hundreds of options on how to best bring black into your kitchen, this is a design trend that will stick around. It’s like they always say, black never goes out of style!

Nearly every surface material – laminate, concrete, solid surface, granite, marble and quartz – is available in black. This contemporary kitchen features leathered absolute black granite countertops.

Do you dare to go to the dark side in your kitchen?

Photo Credits: Derrick Slaughter & Casella Interiors

Innovations in the Stone Industry

Werthan, LLC is dedicated to staying ahead of the curve and providing our clients with the most innovative solutions. Using the most up-to-date equipment and innovative software, we’ve increased productivity by 80 percent over the last few years and as a result, are able to provide better service to our clients.

Two key areas in the stone industry have improved significantly thanks to new technologies.

1. Measurement & Estimation

The “old school” method of measuring with an architectural ruler and notepad is done.

Today, new technologies have transformed the way countertop companies take measurements and provide estimates. We use a program called Cloud Takeoff, which allows us to measure, plan and start a project faster and more efficiently than ever before – that is, everything is performed digitally. With this software, we are able to provide our clients with accurate and timely quotes.

2. Fabrication

Similarly, new techniques in stone fabrication have dramatically reduced the time and cost of cutting and shaping stone. In today’s industry, CNC technology allows fabricators to digitally control cutting and polishing machines to make the process faster, easier and more precise. In a trade that previously relied on hand tools, this shift makes shaping even the most difficult designs simple.

We use the Northwood CNC Machining Center, designed for durability, performance and efficiency in mind, and the Robo SawJet Cutting System, which saves customers 70 percent on labor and 20 percent on material cost.

Overall, estimating software and CNC technology have increased production, reduced costs, increased the quality of finished products, and have allowed us to give our clients their dream rooms faster.

Photo Credit: Nathan Morgan, Nashville Business Journal

Installation Spotlight: The Bridge Building

The Bridge Building, a historic landmark located on the waterfront in downtown Nashville, offers the premiere rooftop destination for weddings, private dinners, corporate events and meeting spaces.

The six-story 5,000 square foot building was constructed in 1908 as Nashville Bridge Company’s office and used to build ships and barges. In 2010, after being abandoned for many years, plans were underway to give the building new life. The restoration paid tribute to the history of the building as one of the last remaining structures of the east bank’s industrial heritage.

Today, the historic event venue continues to go through renovations to modernize the structure with a commitment to sustainable construction. This includes solar power, geothermal heating and cooling, and green countertops.

We at Werthan, LLC were thrilled to be a part of this renovation, adding Richlite Grays Harbour (shown in black) and Avonite Kokoura (shown in white) countertops to the sixth floor of the building. Richlite is an eco-friendly material made from compressed 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper.

Richlite is extremely durable with a lifetime resistance to stains, water, bacteria and heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of its firmness and density, Richlite is not just used for countertops, but also tubs, conference tables, desks, plaques and partitions.

Next time you are at The Bridge Building, check out the countertops and let us know what you think.

Stone Science

When selecting the perfect stone surface for your home, it’s important to look beyond the aesthetics and into the science behind the surface. Though many types of stone can look alike, each has its own character that can affect the way you use, care for and enjoy your new surface.

Granite

This stone is the hardest natural material available for countertops. It is primarily composed of quartz, feldspar, mica and various other minerals that fit tightly together. The quartz and feldspar range in color from pink to white, offering a background color that is punctuated by darker accessory minerals. This combination of minerals results in a product that is incredibly durable, scratch proof and burn proof — the only known materials that are harder than granite are diamonds, rubies and sapphires! Most commonly, granite is imported from Brazil, Italy, China and India.

Granite, an ingenious rock, is also very porous and may absorb fluids in a kitchen or bathroom. If you choose granite as your surface, be sure and ask about sealing and protecting this stone. Some granite countertops need to be sealed annually, while others can go 10-15 years without needing to be re-sealed.

Marble

Considered one of the most elegant stones, marble has been used in buildings since ancient times. For example, the original Parthenon (not Nashville’s version) is made of marble. This metamorphic rock is composed mostly of calcite, the crystalline form of calcium carbonate, and is characterized by “veining,” a design created by streams of materials that run through the stone. A majority of marble is sourced from Turkey, China and Italy.

Marble is a relatively hard stone but is susceptible to acid etching, staining and scratching over time. However, many consider this patina caused by use to add another layer of beauty and history to the stone.

Limestone

This stone is a sedimentary rock composed of calcite and aragonite that is formed when calcium sediments and organic material compact overtime. Limestone is one of the most common types of stone and is a hard and durable choice for any surface in your home. Its unique, random design comes from fossils that have been compressed into the stone over thousands of years.

Limestone is a softer stone that scratches easily and absorbs liquids. It should be professionally sealed at least once a year to prevent marks and staining.

Travertine

Travertine is a form of limestone created by deposits from mineral springs. It is one of the most popular stones on the market today due to its unique, swirled design and durability. Small cavities, created by escaped natural gas, add to this stone’s distinctive look.

Another characteristic that makes travertine unique is that the same block of stone can be cut multiple ways to create different designs. When cut perpendicular, the stone shoes a vein pattern, while a crosscut reveals cloud-like patterns with earthy color variants. Travertine, like limestone, is a soft stone that should be treated with care.

Man-Made Materials

Photo Credit: Beckwith Interiors

Natural stone is a beautiful and durable way to update your home, but it’s not the only option. Quartz is an engineered stone that is made from a high concentration of quartz crystals. This type of stone has a similar look to granite but can be easily customized to fit your design needs. Solid Surface is another manufactured option that offers a range of colors and textiles that are easy to maintain in high traffic areas. The nonporous surfaces can be thermoformed into any shape.