A tale of two faucets

Cifial Techo Straight Lav Faucet

Next week, Hands-On Construction starts remodeling a master and a family bath in Weston.  We've been working with the homeowner, designer and plumbing supplier Waterspot Natick for a few months on product selections and arranging delivery to coordinate with our construction schedule.  The homeowner and designer had selected Euro-style Cifial fixtures for the two lav faucets and the tub fill in the contemporary master bath.

A few weeks ago, our Waterspot sales rep let us know that Cifial, a Portuguese company, was unable to get shipments out of the country and was also having trouble getting component parts for their product.   Waterspot suggested a similarly-styled Graff substitute for the tub fill and offered to give us the two display models of the Cifial lav faucet from their Natick and Providence showrooms.  We conditionally agreed, but asked that Waterspot send the floor models here first, so we could examine them before accepting them for the job.

Graff M.E. Collection Lav Faucet

When the faucets arrived, we discovered that the faucets were identical, except for the brand lettering at the base of the faucets.  The company had undergone a logo update between the manufacturing of the two faucets.  Yes, it was only a cosmetic difference, but a possible source of irritation whenever the homeowner looked at the two lav faucets.  And, additionally, we don't like to start a project with products that may have service or warranty issues going forward - the future of Cifial had started to concern us.

We did some online leg work (bless the Internet) here in our office and found that the Graff lav faucet that matched the replacement tub fill was a similar design, was in stock at Waterspot and might be a viable design alternative.  Our Waterspot sales rep worked with us to match the price of the Cifial faucets and we were able to present an acceptable solution to the designer and homeowner and stay on schedule and within budget.

A Concord Garden Room built for entertaining and family

The homeowners of this lovely Concord home wanted to convert an unused screen porch into a year-round garden room, suited to both formal entertaining and daily use by the family.
 

In designing the garden room, the architect integrated arches and curves, reflecting earlier work on the front entry and created a sun-drenched garden room. A barrel vaulted, coffered ceiling room with pilasters, which lends itself to formal entertaining, was offset by glass, veneered rustic stone and radiant heated floors giving the room a warm and family-friendly quality.

Rain chains add a whimsical touch to the copper gutters at the doors leading in from the garden. 

  
A dormer with an extended elliptical window intersects the copper clad shed roof.  A new rear porch provides entry to the tiled mudroom with cherry cubbies adding visual warmth, a bench seat and functional storage.

Architect -- Rick Eifler

Photography -- David Yates

First peek at new Jules Verne home theater tomorrow night

Several years ago we did a successful collaboration with Audio Concepts (870 Commonwealth Ave, Boston) on a beautiful home theater in Sudbury. 

This week Audio Concepts is featuring its newest home theater showroom -- the Jules Verne.  From their website:  

Steampunk is a movement that’s oozing into books, movies, fashion, and for some time now, home design.  Imagine brass and copper, glass and polished wood, and intricate details that have been long neglected in overall design.  The result is a wonderful combination of Victorian era antiques salvaged and reconstructed into clever modern day gadgets.  Connoisseurs of the aesthetic have “steampunk’d” everything from computers, chairs, televisions, guitars and whole houses.

Unveiling of the new showroom and free cocktail reception is Tuesday, April 10, 5 to 8 pm - Register here.