Designer Spotlight: RBS Kitchen Design Center

In Racine, Wisconsin the RBS Kitchen Design Center has been offering quality kitchen and bath remodeling, lighting ideas, storage and design solutions for over fifteen years. Our Designer Spotlight for December has come to Racine.

RBS has a large showroom showcasing a wide selection of granite, hardware, flooring, and tile. To display the countertops, the Kitchen Design Center recently contacted our Sales Manager, Broc Siefert, about an order for Brunswick and Oxford countertop braces. “Having recently installed them into our showroom. My fabricators stated how fabulous they are. ‘WOW!’ is what they told me,” says Owner, Mark Barnhill. Mark continues, “ This product lends itself to granite, quartz or stone applications. The product blew us away when we saw it at a Kitchen and Bath Show last year. Brass is so passé. They come in enough shapes -it’s contemporary and simple.”

For RBS, their specialty is kitchen and bath solutions, they have the resources and expertise to take your project from drawing to completion. They offer their customers a professional design staff, experienced installers, expert project management and plumbing and electrical by licensed professionals. We look forward to many years of service with a company such as RBS Kitchen Design Center, and in this article we are proud to focus on them, one of our designers.

If you are in the Racine area and you need a quality kitchen and bath design for your new residence, or are looking for a remodel job so your kitchen or bath looks like brand new, please contact Mark Barnhill at RBS Kitchen Design. Mark concludes, “ The neutral necessity of steel makes it applicable on the frameless or hidden countertop bracket. This is a quality product and we’re happy to do business with Federal Brace.”

RBS Kitchen Design Center

2310 on South Green Bay Road

Racine, Wisconsin 53406

(262) 554-2400

http://www.rbskitchen.com/

Like RBS, we believe in beautifully crafted, confident support.

There is no comparison: Box-Store Brackets V.S. Federal Brace

This one is for the customers that are thinking of buying the local hardware store or large box company support brackets, so I’m posting this on both blog sites at Federal Brace. Before you buy consider this comparison:

First of all, when you are picking between the two types of different brackets you’ll notice a considerable weight difference. The Federal Brace countertop support is made out of one-quarter inch steel, and the standard box bracket is made out of a material not even as half as thick. The Federal Brace countertop mount is a wider dimension than the local hardware corbel. The material size and dimensional difference between the Federal Brace and the box store bracket means that Federal Brace has a stronger bracket that will hold up your shelves and countertops better.

Federal Brace gives you a choice and a benefit in the brushed nickel finish that matches common stainless kitchen countertop appliances. They provide the stainless steel option, knowing that some customers are willing to pay for a certain type of look.

You will notice that the Federal Brace bracket has less dings in it than the store bought corbel, because of the care involved in the finish of the brackets. Also, the box store bracket may have the evidence of a long trip – being loaded and offloaded from cargo ships from foreign lands. Federal Brace brackets will come to your doorstep, individually packaged in boxes that are designed to secure your product during shipping. You can go pick out your box store bracket from a bin that looks like the old game “A Barrel of Monkeys.”

You dig a little deeper and you see that Federal Brace has carefully designed countertop brackets with no weld elements on the face of the bracket. The bracket is constructed with plug welding which gives a flawless finish on the face of the bracket. Not only are these super-strong brackets, but also they enhance the look of the countertop they are supporting.

Some may point out that the price comparison needs to be made. That’s fine with us. Our brackets are priced higher than the box store brackets – for the exact reasons listed above. As the old adage goes “you get what you pay for.” In this instance, you get a better looking, better made, stronger and safer support bracket for the investment you didn’t skimp on – your countertops. Go with Federal Brace countertop supports when your countertops matter. ~ www.federalbrace.com

The Three Favs.

The three most popular countertop bracket designs at Federal Brace have the customer’s interest in mind. This week I’ll be focusing on the Brunswick, Freedom and Liberty countertop braces.

The Brunswick is the one that started the Federal Brace line. It’s the original. The customer wanted to alleviate knocking their knees on their braces. “Everything about our company is finding a solution to the customer’s problems,” says CEO and President, Scott Toal, “The Brunswick provides the customer with a bracket that has the strength of a gusseted bracket and can hold a substantial over hang, but limits the possibility of knee- knocking.” The angle of the gusset on the Brunswick bracket bends toward the interior angle, which allows for more space in front so your knees can swing freely. It gives a nice elegant euro-style design. Check out the Brunswick Countertop Support product page here (link).

The Freedom comes from the customer’s desire to have a countertop that appears unsupported. It offers the maximum area underneath the counter without interfering with objects under the counter. The Freedom Countertop Bracket gives support for an overhang with essentially no viewable gusset. Scott continues, “The Freedom is limited in application due to deflection or bending in the bracket. So it is an excellent solution when the unsupported counter area is under 20 out from the support structure. We really suggest not using the Freedom on applications larger.” People use them on island extensions and certain knee wall applications. While these type of brackets are not new, Federal Brace’s offering has matched material thickness, bracket dimensions and placement of the fastener holes to create a modern design with strength. Check out the Freedom Countertop Bracket product page here (link).

The Liberty Countertop Support was designed well after the Freedom. “Some customers do not have the surface area to put a bracket flange down their supporting wall,” Scott explains, “Maybe they have a cabinet opening in the way. Maybe the material was already on the wall-board and they do not want to have a bracket with a down flange.” Federal Brace developed the Liberty bracket, or Liberty Plate, for such situations. It is very similar to a Freedom bracket in its carrying capacity. In order to install the Liberty style brackets the customer will need access to the top of their supporting wall. Like the Freedom bracket, the Liberty is not made over twenty inches due practical deflection. Check out the Liberty Countertop Plate product page here (link).

Three stunning brackets manufactured at Federal Brace. The Brunswick, Freedom and Liberty brackets were all created with the customer's needs in mind. Federal Brace believes in Beautifully Crafted, Confident Supports. ~ SK

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Designer Spotlight: BREWER CABINETS

Brewer Cabinets has been providing cabinetry in the Birmingham metro area for over 30 years. Starting as a custom shop in the owners’ basement, it grew quickly as word of mouth spread about their attention to detail and dependable service. In the world of cabinetry design there has been a gradual shift to factory cabinets, giving the company a wider selection, enduring finishes, and more dependable lead times. While the focus of the company has always been on residential construction, there has been a shift from strictly new construction to servicing remodeling jobs.

A family run business with over thirty years of experience, Jason Brewer, Vice-President of Operations says, “ Our product line carries everything from Timex to Rolex. We do kitchens from $3,000 dollar jobs to $50,000 jobs to $100,000 jobs.” People work with Brewer Cabinets when they want quality and affordable prices. They have an expansive showroom displaying their quality wood cabinets, kitchen countertops, appliances and granite countertops. Jason continues, “The Federal Brace product is more of a use to us, as a designer, on granite countertop jobs where a sturdy bracket is needed.”

When installers see our braces’ sturdiness they are amazed by the craftsmanship of the Federal Brace products. At Federal Brace we have supplied Brewer Cabinets with multiple Freedom hidden countertop brackets in cold rolled steel and stainless steel. People want a sturdy brace that’s unobtrusive, they want to know it won’t bend, it has to hold granite, and they want it to blend with their modern kitchen design.

We look forward to many years of service with a company such as Brewer Cabinets and in this article we are proud to focus on one of our outstanding design customers. If you are in the Birmingham area and you need quality kitchen designs for your new residence, or you’re looking for a remodel job so your kitchen looks like brand new, please contact Jason Brewer at Brewer Cabinets.

Brewer Cabinets

1 West Park Drive,

Birmingham, AL 35211

(205) 942-4000

http://www.brewercabinets.com/

Like us they believe in Beautifully Crafted, Confident Support.

Entryway Counter Shelf

I started not long ago with Federal Brace as a customer service rep and now they have given me the task of writing the blog. There is a lot to blog about. I see this as a way to help people understand how to use counter supports. I hope that you will find this interesting and helpful and invite others to take a look at it as well!

For the first week I chose to do something that covers something near and dear to my heart – the entryway shelf! I had an idea of getting rid of your foyer coffee table and adding a granite counter in its place. All you need is two brackets, some screws and a slab of granite or other material. You’ll always have a place to set your keys or your mail when you come home from a long day. I’m always looking to throw things around when I come through the door, stepping over the dogs and tossing keys regularly. If I set my keys in the kitchen they end up getting knocked in the dog’s water dish or lost amongst my girlfriend’s paperwork. She’s a speech therapist and she’s good at what she does, but she has her stuff all over the kitchen.

I would love to be able to leave my keys and important papers at the front door. Running out the door, I’m always late. It would be great to have some kind of place – the key holding place by the front door - to grab my keys as I’m charging down the stairs and hurdling the dogs out the door. Key hooks are annoying and obtrusive, while a decorative counter or shelf adds elegance to a foyer.

Kids can put their back packs and shoes under the counter once they come in the door. Husbands can kick their muddy shoes under it and out of the way – to pick them up later and clean them (I’m sure). You can put your stuff under a granite shelf – try doing that under a traditional foyer table with all the scroll work dowel stuff going on under there. A shelf can be positioned nicely in front of a mirror on a wall and everything stays off the floor.

During my favorite time of the year - the holiday season - you can put bowls of potpourri, candy bowls for trick-o-treaters, candleholders, a nativity, scented candles, or Santa and his reindeer up on that entryway shelf. Almost anything can be displayed on a granite counter or marble slab.

During my time here at Federal Brace I’ve learned that you should have sturdy brackets holding up your granite, marble or even heavy glass counters. We recommend no more than four inches of over-hang unsupported, so if you are getting a twelve-inch deep slab and mounting it on the wall we have a pair of 8X8 countertop supports waiting for you to order on-line or with one of our friendly customer service professionals. It’s essential to have good solid support structures. Steel brackets are sturdy, reliable and a lot better than the cheap foreign junk you’ll find at major box stores. Wooden corbels are not made to support anything. They are just for show.

It’s the holidays, you can accentuate the first thing your guests see when they come into your home, but more importantly you’ll have a practical shelf for year-round use. Check out Federal Brace’s fantastic selection of counter supports and get started with making your entryway more than just an area to walk through. Here is a link to Federal Brace for your convenience – www.federalbrace.com.

Have a great day and thank you for joining us here at Federal Brace’s Blog Spot. I will be covering other topics here in the future looking at Bracket Backers versus lumber, I’ll be spotlighting our dealers, looking at our three most popular brands, just to name a few. I hope you’ll subscribe and return to this site. Have a good one. -- SK

Holidays are Coming - Is Your Kitchen Design Ready!

The holiday season will soon be down our chimnies and at our doors. Hospitality goes hand in hand with the festivities of the holidays. Family gatherings, dinners with the neighbor and Christmas parties are all opportunities to show family and friends some love.

In these large gatherings, or even intimate dinners, a functionally designed kitchen can make the occasion a success. If a kitchen is not properly situated to provide adequate serving area, there can be congestion or even accidents. Now is a great time to consider making some design upgrades to be ready for the holidays.

An eating or serving bar can be added to a kitchen by putting in a half-stud wall and mounting a counter bar at the top of it. An elevated bar bracket, such as the Alpine Designer Support bracket from Federal Brace, can attractively place tasty treats closer to guests' olfactory senses while enhancing the look of the kitchen as a whole. The stainless steel finish gives the kitchen a luxurious look that makes an impression.

Other possible kitchen upgrades to consider include adding an extension to a kitchen island or adding a serving shelf to an empty wall. Both of these additions assist with those large gatherings by increasing the serving space of your kitchen and dining areas. Also, when the holidays are over these become excellent places for decorative display and informal eating occasions.

Remember, when presenting design upgrades in preparation for the holiday season to give the homeowner time for ordering and installation. Ordering of counters and countertop support brackets should happen now to allow for production and shipping timeframes. You will want to make sure that your design changes get in long before the holiday rush happens!

Check our Federal Brace's Website for details on Support Brackets for your holiday design upgrades: www.federalbrace.com

Finish Steel Support Brackets for the Look You Want

Federal Brace countertop support brackets provide the variety of different selections in shapes and sizes. The companies customization services give you, the designer, the ability to modify and even unique create the support as your design requires. Another area where the Federal Brace countertop support brackets allow you to create as desired is in finishing.

While Federal Brace provides services for finishing steel and even stainless in custom colors and finishes, most of the customers of the company choose to finish the steel brackets off on site at the installation location. By taking this step the designer or client can choose the coloring and texture desired in the finish of their countertop support brackets. There are practically infinite posibilities in finishing on steel, but the real nice thing is that generally any protective paints available from a hardware, paint or box store can be used to finish Federal Brace countertop support brackets.

By using a flat black with a slight texture the look of wrought iron is possible while supporting with the strength of plate steel. In some instances where the unfinished iron look is desired designers will use a clear laquer to finish the bracket. This process brings out the iron colors and variations of color in the metal providing depth and a uniquely rustic appeal to the brackets. Of course, the variety of colors available makes painting the countertop brackets simple. From bright red to cream white, your countertop supports can take on the look you desire.

Heck, stick the countetop bracket on a spinning wheel and let the colors flow - tie-dye countertop supports. Now to figure out what room to put those in...

Granite vs Quartz Countertops

It is generally understood that granite and quartz countertops are the same in characteristics as well as performance. While this is not absolutely the case, the two types of countertop materials are very similar. At a recent NKBA chapter meeting, we learned a little more about the technology used in creating manufacturing quartz and how they compare with granite and other solid surface materials.


Some Highlights:


There are considerably more grades of granite than there are of quartz materials. Granite allows for more variation for those who are looking for this type of aesthetic look. Due to its precise manufacturing process, quartz has less variation and a more consistent look thoughout the slab.


Quartz is manufactured with quartz silica made up primarily of quartz crystal material and resin. The way in which a quartz slab is made, called the Breton process, creates a finished slab that is densely packed with none of the fissures that may be present in granite. This feature of quartz surfaces provide for increased hardness over granite countertops and a greater flex strength.


Quartz surfaces are also presented as being a lower maintenance product than granite and other stone surfaces. Manufactured quartz surfaces are non porous and, according to numerous resources, do not require sealing.


It is important to state that the manufacturers and distributors of quartz countertops suggest that slabs and fabricated countertops be handled in a similar fashion as granite is customarily handled. Proper equipment is necessary for installation and fabrication. Quartz can be damaged by extended exposure to high heat and will fade slightly over time in direct sunlight. Also, some chemicals can cause damage on quartz manufactured surfaces.


Quartz counters that will have overhang portions or will bear heavy weight should be properly supported with an adequate countertop bracket. As a heavy stone material, the quartz countertop weight is similar to granite and should be supported by functional support brackets attached to a substantial support structure.


Ultimately, the selection between granite and quartz for a kitchen design will be based on customer preference. While there may be advantages using one material over the other, the way the countertop looks in the kitchen is going to matter most.


Further Information on Quartz Countertops:

http://www2.dupont.com/Surfaces/en_US/products/zodiaq/index.html


Further Information on Countertop Supports:

http://www.federalbrace.com/

Kitchen Décor and Design Styles

When planning your kitchen you may need some design inspiration. Choosing a style can help you make many of your selections, when you know what fits in that design style. Things like architectural details, décor, and colors can be found in the details for each design style. No matter what design style you choose in planning your dream kitchen, if you have a counter with an extended overhang you are going to need support brackets. Listed below are top design styles and some of their features, provided by Kitchen Solvers. We hope this will help you in the planning and designing of your new dream kitchen.


Rustic American - Works very well with Federal Brace brackets. The stainless steel is an attractive design element which complements the gray tones and pewter hardware. Our steel brackets can also be painted in the off white and neutral colors if you prefer to match wall color. http://www.federalbrace.com/

Color accents in grayed tones or sun-baked colors with predominately white, off-white or neutral base colors work well. Surface selections like ceramic tile, soapstone, slate and wood in a matte finish with a natural and heavy appearance are all appropriate. Pewter, rustic metals, wood and wrought iron can all be used in hardware choices. Wood finishes in oak, pine and walnut are the most popular wood species for these styles.

Modern/Contemporary –Our sleek stainless steel Brunswick or Oxford bracket would work well in this style. This design style is an excellent complement to Federal Brace stainless steel brackets as noted in the hardware choices below.
Brunswick Countertop Supports

Stainless steel can be used as an accent color, but vibrant colors of blues, oranges, reds and yellows predominate. Recently, dark black-brown colors are becoming more popular. Surface selections would be natural stone, quartz or concrete as your best options. Nickel, chrome and stainless steel are the most appropriate for hardware. Straight grained woods such as birch, maple and bamboo are the most prevalent for wood finishes in this design style.

Traditional/Country – In this design style you may wish to use the hidden Freedom support bracket, Liberty or choose one of our decorative brackets to paint in a color that falls in the categories below.

Reflect original dye colors from the American Colonial time period using reds, blues and yellows. Items containing small patterns also reflect this time period. Soapstone, granite, wood trimmed laminate and solid surface material with square edge profiles can all be used as your surface selections. Hardware choices should be rustic finishes such as wrought iron and oil rubbed bronze fit in nicely as well as copper and antique brass. Light wood finishes on maple, pine, oak, birch and cherry work well in this style. Freedom Countertop Supports

Missions/Arts and Crafts – This style lends itself well to the metal finishes we offer at Federal Brace. Inspiration or San Juan brackets would be a good choice in this décor. These are only suggestions and you may like a different style better. Any Federal Brace bracket would be a trusted and beautiful support for your counter. Warm colors such as golden yellow, soft green, natural dyes and earth tones work in this style. Natural stone, multi-colored porcelain pottery, and the matte finish of rough earthenware materials are natural choices for surfaces. Almost any brushed finish or metal, other than brass will work with this design. Missions inspired designs use mainly items constructed of oak. Arts & Crafts designs often use cherry in place of oak today.


French Country – This style comes from France and has predominately curved lines and light colors. Several Federal Brace brackets have curved lines and we are adding new design styles almost weekly. Hagendoorn Countertop Supports


Pastels are the best choice for colors in a French Country setting. Ceramic tile backsplash areas with laminate tops that have a wood edge are appropriate. You can also use natural stone, quartz and solid surface materials. Your hardware choices would be nice hammered finishes in iron, pewter, copper or bronze. Your wood colors would be in lighter finishes such as pine, walnut, or cherry with some distressing.

Tuscan/Mediterranean - Arched openings and heavily plastered, oversized rooms along with vibrantly painted tile murals, and dark wood balanced with soft edged stone surfaces help define this style. Our hidden brackets like Liberty and Freedom would lend themselves well to this design style for counter overhangs. Olive green and terra cotta have a definite Italian feel to them as do warm colors in yellows, oranges and reds balanced by blues and greens. Granite with an active pattern and other rustic patterned surfaces are appropriate in this style. Italian environments support the use of metallic surfaces beyond hardware but in most cases, rustic metals and crackled finishes on porcelain are excellent selections. Heavy woods with strong grain work well in this setting. Painted finishes should be worn through and distressed.

Victorian - Medieval motifs such as stylized floral patterns, filigree; lancet arched windows and leaded glass panes are part of this design style. Any of our brackets in the cold rolled steel material could be painted in the dark colors that go so well with this time period. A black powder coated San Juan would provide a beautiful elevated counter. Golden tones along with olive green, black and burgundy can be used as your color palette. Ceramic tile, granite, and wood are all appropriate for surfaces and hardware could be ceramic or marble, you will typically see ornate polished brass. Heavy dark woods are commonly used such as mahogany, blackened oak, walnut, satinwood or rosewood for your wood finishes. San Juan Elevated Counter.



Transitional – Is a relatively new style combining Modern/Contemporary with more Traditional Old World design style, creating a bridge between the old and the new style. Brushed metals would be very common sight in this style. Federal Brace stainless steel brackets in various styles are a perfect match in this setting. While colors in the contemporary style tend to be bright and bold, more subtle colors or a combination of colors lean more towards the tradition style. Combining granite or quartz with wood accent areas would help define a transitional space. Brushed metals, oil rubbed bronze or wrought iron finishes will all work. Tight grained woods such as maple, birch and cherry can be used. Alpine Elevated Counter Supports

American Shaker - Defines a woodworking style that is beautifully executed and simple in detail. The Shaker’s homes were multipurpose rooms and they hung chairs on pegs along the outer walls so floor space was available for other activities. This style lends itself to beautiful wood décor. Federal Brace will be presenting in the near future a combination bracket that provides the sturdy strength of a steel L bracket with the beautiful wood façade. Check out the Federal Brace site for more info, Federal Brace Countertop Supports. Colors range from pinky tones and terra cotta earth shades, through yellow ochre and olive green, to greenish blues and denim. Granite, limestone, slate and square-edged solid surfaces are all appropriate for surface finishes. Wood pegs are the most authentic in place of hardware. You can also use simple metal or hand-forged finishes. Predominate wood choices include maple and cherry. Warm or medium range wood tones are appropriate.

Light, Stone and Metal - A Dream Combination

When determining how best to create the aesthetic and functional appeal desired, William Spiegel, designer with Design Presentations in Highland Park, Illinois decided to mix light with stone and put in a dash of steel. The creation that resulted is unique, beautiful, brilliant and can serve an entire house party with no problem.

Due to its translucent properties Onyx was chosen as the stone for the surface counter and elevated bar. Lighting was installed under the surfaces so that when lighted the entire bar and counter surface would be illuminated. The beautiful textures of the stone are seen as the light penetrates the onyx giving forth the impression of a sea of light.

A strong and sure support was required for the elevated onyx bar including the subsurface and the lighting. To provide that strong support for the bar (weighing over 400 pounds) while not compromising on the designer appeal of the bar as a unit Bill talked with Federal Brace and selected the Alpine Designer Elevated Countertop Support Bracket (view product page here). Specifically designed to support elevated counters, the Alpine is made of quarter inch stainless steel and provides ample fastening opportunities on a 12" base plate that fastens to the support structure under the subcounter and elevates its top plates 8" above the counter to support a bar. The onyx bar seen in the images is entirely supported by the Alpine Support Brackets.

To finish off the metal accents on this Onyx Bar, Design Presentations used a "jitterbug" finish on stainless plate that matches up nicely with the stainless brackets on the face of the support structure under the bar. The finished product is magnificent.

Federal Brace is honored to have our Alpine Countertop Supports as a part of this beautiful work. We thank Design Presentations and William Spiegel for including our brackets in their design and sharing the pictures with us.

To view Design Presentations Website Click Here.

To View more information on Federal Brace Click Here.

Welcome to the New Federal Brace Designer Blog

Welcome to the brand new - first ever - Federal Brace blog especially made just for designers.

As a designer you might be having trouble finding brackets that do their job or that fit your project requirements. Here on the fantastic Federal Brace Designer Blog, we will discuss issues related to countertop and stone shelf support applications, highlight particular designs and focus on those issues that relate particularly to the designer and their customers.

At Federal Brace we are here to serve you, the kitchen and bath designer. We understand the complexities involved in specifying the right support for the right job. We listen and we want to hear what you have to say.

We believe that with an open line of communcation between a company that designs and produces the market's best support brackets and those individuals specifying the projects requiring such brackets in the end a magical solutions' machine will be built to service our industry. This is possibly a little too extravagant on the wording but you get the idea.

We hope that you will find this blog useful and follow it as well as Federal Brace on this blog and through Facebook and Twitter. In the future we will present designer spotlights, special promotions and other information specific to designers and their needs through this blog. Hope you will be here to take advantage of them.

Thank you for visiting us today and come again!