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The Invisible Workplace Crisis
There’s little doubt that COVID-19 has radically transformed the residential remodeling, housing and kitchen/bath landscape.
For one thing, remodeling demand is reportedly at record highs, with both short- and long-term forecasts overwhelmingly positive. At the same time, new lifestyles emerging as byproducts of the global pandemic are proving responsible for the current mindset driving home design, product preferences and consumer purchases. Homes have literally been transformed, doubling in many cases as offices, schools, playgrounds and multi-generational residences. Wellness, sanitization, biophilic design and an emphasis on outdoor living have become more pronounced than ever. Multi-functional kitchens and eco-inspired baths remain high on the list of remodeling projects favored by homeowners.
But there’s more to the impact of the coronavirus than simply that.
Businesses on every rung of the product-distribution chain have been forced in the past 18 months to essentially reinvent themselves, implementing virus-mitigation strategies ranging from masking and showroom protocols to an increased emphasis on remote employees and digital-connectivity tools. Product costs have risen sharply, while labor shortages have been exacerbated and supply chain disruptions continue to result in project delays. Home prices have also spiked amidst shrinking inventories and a pronounced flight from the cities.
And now there’s yet another COVID-related issue that’s increasingly impacting the residential construction trade: the profound impact that the public-health crisis is having on workplace mental health.
Indeed, throughout the months-long pandemic, employees and business owners alike have faced an unprecedented confluence of issues threatening their physical and mental wellbeing. Routines have been disrupted, relationships strained, fears heightened over personal health and the health of loved ones. Feelings of isolation have led, in many cases, to a pervasive sense of loneliness and vulnerability. Anxiety, uncertainty, depression and stress have similarly taken a toll. While many remote employees are handling the disruptions well, others miss the sense of connectedness they had once in offices, factories and showrooms.
The subject of workplace mental health has been thrust into the public spotlight in recent months, particularly now that the nation is experiencing a resurgence of the coronavirus amidst contentious differences regarding issues like masking and vaccinations. And now, with no end to the pandemic seemingly in sight, many people are experiencing a sense of “horizonlessness,” the lack of a firm reference point regarding the future, as well as a sense of déjà vu regarding potential job losses and business closures.
All of this has had a cumulative effect. Indeed, workplace mental health is being described by experts as an “invisible crisis” that has yielded a palpable rise in chronic pain, fatigue, substance abuse, loss of productivity and suicide.
It has also yielded, thankfully, some decisive action.
The National Association of Home Builders, for example, is actively attempting to change the culture regarding mental health awareness by providing resources tailored to employees and business owners in the residential construction trade. As evidence, the NAHB recently launched a multi-faceted initiative focused on helping business owners support healthy work environments and turn mental health awareness into action. As part of that effort, the NAHB partnered with other trade groups and mental-health experts to develop specific tools for business owners to learn more about employee wellbeing, help eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness, and encourage employees to utilize the resources available to help navigate this complex, sensitive issue.
This effort is more than simply commendable. Indeed, it should serve as a model for others.
Business leaders and industry trade associations have an important role to play when it comes to balancing worker health with the ROI that can be realized by focusing on wellness through the lens of lower healthcare costs, reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.
Corporate management should fully understand why mental health is essential to the success of their companies. They should also understand how they can be proactive in incorporating mental health into a company culture that prioritizes the wellness of employees as much as it does revenue and profits. 
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Top 6 Best Thermoelectric Wine Coolers for 2021
The post Top 6 Best Thermoelectric Wine Coolers for 2021 appeared first on Kitchen Infinity.
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New CA Law Requires Use of ‘Lead-Free’ Plumbing Fixtures
ONTARIO, CA — A new plumbing code signed into law in California will mandate strict new limits on the manufacturing and sale of plumbing fixtures that leach lead, a toxin that has been tied for decades to drinking water, state officials announced.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom last week signed into law AB 100, legislation that establishes new lead leaching standards for the state, according to the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), an organization that coordinates the development and adaptation of plumbing, mechanical, swimming pool and solar energy codes in the U.S. and abroad.
The new law, effective Jan. 1, 2023, prohibits the manufacturing and sale in California of any plumbing fixture, fitting or faucet that does not meet NSF/ANSI/CAN 61-2020, the IAPMO said. The law also requires that product packaging and labeling of any device that’s intended to convey or dispense water for human consumption must indicate compliance with the “lead-free” standard.
“AB 100 will help reduce the risk of lead exposure in the built environment through certified, ‘lead-free’ endpoint devices,” said Robyn Fischer, director of government relations for the Ontario, CA-based IAPMO. “This new law will complement the larger-scale efforts underway to help protect Californian’s water infrastructure and underscores the state’s commitment to uphold public health and safety.”
“We’re grateful that California’s new law promotes the industry standard for lead reduction, so that drinking water fixtures and faucets are accurately labeled,” added Tom Palkon, IAPMO’s executive v.p.
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Wetstyle Opens New Showroom
Beginning May 1, 2021, customers are welcome to view WETSTYLE’s product line at its new corporate showroom, with social distancing practices in place. The 11,600-sq.-ft. showroom, located in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, on Montreal’s South Shore, will be open by appointment only during showroom hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.
“We are very proud to welcome customers to this facility, which was designed to showcase our values as a brand,” says Mark Wolinsky, president of WETSTYLE. “We look forward to showing local specifiers and customers what we do.”
The showroom exhibits 19 bathtub models, nine furniture collections and more than 30 sink models to choose from, many featuring WETSTYLE’s proprietary WETMAR BiO material, recognized by GOOD DESIGN for Green Innovation as the industry’s first recipe for soy and mineral stone used in the fabrication of composite bath fixtures. Among the WETSTYLE products on display are the Stelle Vanity collection, Mood bathtub and Feel shower bases, all recipients of GOOD DESIGN awards.
Designed by Atelier Moderno, and recipient of the Grands Prix du Design 2020 award, the showroom is filled with distinct and intimate spaces, each highlighting an individual product. The contemporary space features non-obtrusive walls that isolate each product zone in vignette-like fashion, invoking sentiments of environments reflective of the products in use. Atmospheric lighting sets the mood of each product zone via strips and spotlights, reflecting off of a porcelain floor with marble-esque qualities that embrace the sophistication of the company’s high-end, handcrafted, made-to-order products.
“The showroom is the face of our beautiful finished products, and we have succeeded in creating a space that captures the essence of that beauty,” adds Wolinsky. “It’s also a vehicle for exhibiting the tremendous level of detail, craftmanship and passion invested in the making of our award-winning products.”
Ensuring a safe environment
With the health and safety of its clients and employees as a top priority, the WETSTYLE showroom strictly adheres to all government guidelines in respect to COVID-19 protocols. As of May 1, the facility will welcome customers up to a maximum of five people per designated appointment time.
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Fantini Calls for Awards Entries
New York – The Fantini Design Awards, an annual competition presented by Fantini USA, has opened its competition with a call for entries through October 29, 2021. The competition, celebrating its fourth year, celebrates the best of North American design inspired by water. Fantini invites all architects, designers and developers to submit their eligible projects for consideration.
Seven projects will be selected as winners by a panel of judges, and one representative per winning project will receive a four-day, all-expenses paid trip this fall to Casa Fantini/Lake Time resort, designed by Piero Lissoni at Fantini’s headquarters in Pella, Italy.
Qualifying Projects should:
Be either a Completed or a Future project
- Be completed after January 1, 2019 and no later than October 29, 2021
- Be located in the U.S. or Canada
- Be documented with high-resolution, professional photography (Completed Projects) OR a sketch, rendering and/or floor plan (Future Projects)
Completed Project Requirements
- Fit in one of the categories: Residential or Commercial
- If Residential, the Project must have at least:
One master bathroom with five or more Fantini fixtures (including faucets), OR
two or more bathrooms with at least three Fantini fixtures (including one or more faucets) in each - If Commercial, Fantini branded products must have been used in the Project.
Future Project Requirements
- Project must be under construction, meaning that the construction works have begun on-site in the U.S. or Canada but are not yet completed.
- Must fall into one of the following two categories:
Residential, provided it will install Fantini fixtures in two or more bathrooms; OR Commercial, provided that Fantini branded products will be used in the Project.
Project entries will be judged by Kendra Jackson, deputy editor, AZURE magazine; Olivia Hosken, Style and Interiors writer for Town & Country, and Alessandro Munge, founder and design director for Studio Munge.
All submissions must be received by October 29th, 2021 at 11:59 pm EST.
For additional information, visit https://fantinidesignawards.squarespace.com/
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Services Offered by Deck Builders
If you’ve ever hired deck services for your home or garden, you know that they’re not cheap. Some deck services companies might try to take advantage of the fact that most homeowners are tight on cash and will hesitate to commit to long-term contracts with unknown deck builders. In contrast, others might be outright rip-off artists looking to take advantage of the DIY homeowner in their time of need. However, there are ways to protect yourself against shady deck services providers and still get quality work done that looks great and lasts for years.
One of the first steps to prevent any shady deck services company from taking advantage of you is to ensure that they have a proper license to ply their trade in your area. It’s a given that most deck services companies will have their right, but it’s also a good idea to check. Ask the local government or fire department for their licensing records, as well as ensure that you’re dealing with an experienced and reputable company by checking online for customer reviews. When choosing a new deck builder, it’s also a good idea to check out the company’s history and whether they’ve been involved in any complaints before.
Most deck services will also offer expert deck building services including pre-built railings and new decks, but this isn’t always the case. Some deck builders are also willing to design and build outdoor spaces, but not all of them are. Check out the credentials of any deck services you’re considering hiring for the strength of their deck building skills and the quality of the materials they use. It’s important that you feel comfortable with your chosen contractor because it’s one thing to get a beautiful set of railings, but you want the overall experience to be 100% enjoyable.
Most deck builders will provide you with excellent customer service. The key to a happy and successful deck installation is making sure that your builder is available to you right from the start, whether you have a basic deck built or are having it customized. If your deck builders can’t be reached during normal business hours, you may want to consider another deck builder or ask for recommendations from friends and family who have had experience with deck installation.
Many people are leery of using plastic deck materials because they don’t believe that they are as durable as wood rot resistant materials. Plastic decking materials are very easy to maintain and can be used outdoors year-round. However, they are not as hard as wood, and plastic is susceptible to damage caused by extreme temperature changes, such as hot weather and winter storms. This can result in mildew or black spots on the surface of your decking material and can actually hasten wood rot and decay.
If your deck installation is not going as planned, it’s important to discuss possible fixes with your chosen deck builders before the job is started. You should find out what kinds of repairs or renovations are covered under warranty. Some deck manufacturers offer warranty protection on materials and labor for a limited period of time. Ask your deck builders about this arrangement. The cost of these warranties may seem minimal, but knowing that there is a repair available after the warranty expires can save you money.
If you live in an area that experiences high winds, you should know that loose railings on wood decks are a big problem. If you don’t have strong reinforcement for the rafters in your deck, winds can cause them to bend and break. When this happens, the deck is no longer safe for guests or family members to use, and you could end up spending additional money to fix it. You may even want to consider building a brand new deck around your old, broken rafters. Having stronger railings on your outdoor space will prevent this from happening.
If you want to know more about deck installation and maintenance, contact several local deck builders. Find out what services they provide and whether or not they offer custom built decks. If you already have a plan in mind, talk to each deck builder about how you would like your new deck to look. If you aren’t an artist, bring in a landscape photographer to create a mockup of your new deck. This allows each deck builder to visualize the end result of their work. Once they understand how much work goes into constructing a new deck, they will be more willing to work with you and make sure it’s completed to your satisfaction.
Modern Kitchen Cabinet Design Trends for the Next Decade
Kitchen cabinet ideas are everywhere you look, but they’re not always easy to identify. Many people are confused about the different types of cabinets and wonder how to make their kitchen look more stylish. Here are some kitchen cabinets ideas to get you started.
Rustic-The rustic style is one of the most popular choices for kitchen cabinet ideas. Open shelving provides an airy and open feel to kitchens and allows easy access to dishes and other items. This style of large cabinets with several cubbies will also give your kitchen an antique, rustic feel. There are 12 DIY rustic kitchen cabinet ideas here.
Country-This is another great choice if you love the countryside. Country kitchens are often decorated in an old-fashioned country style. Choose farmhouse kitchen design details like wood accents and rough textures for hardware, doors, and paint. Use accessories that match your cabinetry. For example, you could use wooden door handles that match your wooden cabinets.
Barnicle-These are kitchen cabinets that come in solid color families, such as tan, red, black, or white. They’re perfect for someone who wants to add some individuality to their space. Barnicle kitchen cabinets look best in farmhouse kitchens because of their warm, country appeal. Some people even choose painted backsplash panels. Choose colors like red, black, and brown for this kind of cabinetry.
Wood-The timeless beauty of wood cabinets has made them one of the most popular choices for kitchen design. Modern wood designs are especially attractive in compact, oval, or rectangle shapes. Many manufacturers have standard kitchen sizes so you won’t have to pay extra for your custom sizes. The main drawback with wood cabinets is that they can be expensive. Try to stay away from cheap materials unless you absolutely have to. Keep in mind that the goal is to find high quality construction for a low price, so be prepared to shop around.
Dark Wood-The dark wood styles are often associated with gourmet kitchens, but they make great cabinet ideas for all kitchens. They give a sense of depth and substance. Dark wood also exudes a richness that lighter woods don’t. The downside is that dark wood is harder to repair and maintain. If your cabinets stain badly, or you simply want more durability, consider a different style.
White-The white kitchen cabinet trend is here to stay. With it’s sleek, simple, and affordable appeal, it’s no surprise that so many people love it. Although the trend seems to be fading in popularity, it might be a good idea to hold on to your white units while the trend does not. If you do decide to sell later on, it will be worth it because of the value. Even with the fading of the white kitchen cabinet trend, two-toned cabinets can make a statement while remaining unique.
Matte Black or Satin Black- Although both have their place in today’s cabinetry, it seems that the matte black color has taken over the market. This may be a good thing because it is relatively easy to clean and maintain. However, if you are looking for a color that is more unique, try either black or satin black. Satin is slightly more expensive but it also is easier to repair and maintain. The chalk paint on the other hand is more durable and will last for years to come as long as it is properly sealed and painted with a sealer.
Modern Hardware- Although you may not want to go completely antique, there are plenty of ways to give your cabinets an upgrade without spending tons of money. One way to do this would be to change out the knobs and drawer pulls on your cabinets. Today, stainless steel knobs and drawer pulls are becoming popular choices. You can also replace your cabinet doors with something more interesting such as shaker cabinets. Shaker cabinets allow light to filter through the glass making the area much larger and visually appealing.
Other Modern Kitchen Cabinets- Like open shelving, you may want to stay away from the more traditional metals when searching for ideas on modern kitchen cabinet design trends. While metal and glass are great options, they can be too common and monotonous. In addition, it can be difficult to keep your modern kitchen cabinets like open shelving updated with new trends. For an easier time doing it, consider checking online for some cabinet design tips and ideas.
If you’re interested in changing up the look of your cabinets, one idea that you might want to consider is to add some extra deep drawers or cabinet doors. The Internet is a great resource for additional information on cabinet door ideas, including how to install them, and modern kitchen cabinets like open shelving. If you’re looking to save some money while still staying on budget, consider investing in some stainless steel drawer pulls. These inexpensive hardware pieces can easily update your cabinets, without spending a lot of money.
Cottage Style Kitchen Cabinetry –
Make Use of This Great Style
You are lucky enough to have a cottage-style kitchen nowadays as most houses were built in the cottages or old-style barns and all the components are still there. So you have many options of kitchen cabinetry and styles to choose from, some more attractive than the others. The price of this cabinetry can vary from one manufacturer to another. They can be inexpensive but still, give that rustic beauty to your kitchen.
What are the best-selling types of cottage-style kitchen cabinets cottage kitchen’s design styles? People love it for its simplicity and warmth. It is an excellent choice for people who are trying to minimize their costs. Many people fall into the trap of using all the space they have available in their homes and then trying to make cabinetry out of these pieces. This is not the best way to go about this; it will just take away from the appearance of your kitchen. If you want to use the extra space, you can get some pretty creative with the arrangement of your storage racks and other items to make it look appealing.
One of the other features people really like about cottage-style cabinets is the fact that they are painted on one side. Most of the other kitchen cabinets are painted on both sides, but this one-side painting makes it simple to clean. It makes it so much easier to work at cleaning up the stains and dirt than it would be if all the cabinet doors were painted. The colors can be whatever you like or stick to the lighter pastel hues that look best with most furniture and decors.