No man is an island, but most people want one in their kitchen.

The middle of the kitchen is the traditional spot for an island. A central island anchors the room and organizes the work flow while providing accessible counter space from all directions.

Use custom kitchen islands to create an attractive area that will perform a variety of useful functions. Designed correctly, kitchen islands will make your work area more functional and efficient and will be enjoyed by everyone for many years to come.

You must be creative and plan. We will be revisiting Kitchen Islands in the upcoming blogs and going into more detail.

Picking Your Granite Color

You want to find a granite warehouse with a large selection. Make sure they have full slabs of granite for you to see. When you visit, bring your cabinet sample or a door from your existing cabinets. Hold the sample up to the granite, you should be able to tell right away if it is a good match or not. Don’t settle for something that you may not like. This is something that will be a defining element of your kitchen and you need to find a color that appeals to you.

Ask the granite warehouse to pull 5 or 6 slabs for you to view. Make sure the slabs are the same color and point out any dark/light spots or any pattern that you do not like and that you would like to exclude when they cut your kitchen. You may also request a revisit once they measure your kitchen so you can see the cuts they are making and how that will affect your color pattern.

Granite Countertop Maintenance*

A solid quality countertop can define a kitchen. The inclusion of a granite counter top will add class to the most modest of kitchens. They are available in a number of colors and are extremely durable (although periodic sealing is usually a must). Although there is some maintenance involved, granite kitchen counter tops are elegant and timeless.

For Daily care -- stone countertops, daily maintenance consists of simply wiping with a damp cloth or sponge. It's recommended that the countertop be cleaned using a stone soap once per week.

If your countertop has a polished finish, you can keep the gleam by applying a stone polish. It's easy to use, you simply apply, allow to dry, and then buff to a shine once a month or so.

Citrus juices & vinegars contain acid that if left unattended, could etch your countertops. Oils can also leave a stain on your counters. Bottles of oil or items containing oil, grease, etc. should be placed on a protective surface while cooking.

*This is the first in daily tips for kitchen design.

Using Metal Support Brackets to Accent Hardware

There is no question that Federal Brace countertop support brackets are sturdy. In fact, due to the strength of the brackets, our supports at times tend to be pigeon-holed into only supporting countertops.

Federal Brace has designed a selection of heavy duty yet elegant support brackets that go beyond the simple shelf or standard industrial style support brackets. Many designers and contractors are now seeing Federal Brace Supports for what they are - enhancing hardware pieces that can be used in various home decor applications.

Whether used in the kitchen, bath, studio, office or living areas, Federal Brace Support brings a decor touch that shows the homeowner attention to detail and care for quality. At the recent KBIS 2011 Kitchen and Bath Show we had support brackets in several vendor booths, used in actual applications and we were very honored. A couple of those applications, including Masterbrand's Diamond Series kitchen display (pictured at the top), used the Federal Brace supports to hold self-standing shelves within the kitchen cabinet arrangements. The brackets added to the overall appearance of the full kitchen by giving that touch of metal, tying in appliances, fixtures and other hardware with the cabinets.

So when you are considering that decor enhancement that will make your kitchen, bath, residential or commercial application standout think Federal Brace Supports. Designers using our hardware for decor accents have indicated that Federal Brace brackets are perfect because they are not the wimpy looking thin shelf brackets common on the market. The thickness of material that we use on our bracket make a support that looks like it can hold more than your pantry shelves. At the same time the designers really like the sleek, design enhancing appeal of a Federal Brace Support style. It is not that industrial looking shelf bracket that is used commonly in commercial applications.

How to pick the Federal Brace bracket that is right for your application as a hardware decor accent piece. Follow these easy steps:

1. Determine the Gusset shape that best matches with the overall appeal of your living space. If you want an understated look, look at the supports with the lower profile gussets. If it is high-impact that you want, you will want to look to the brackets with the full gussets.

2. If the bracket will be used in a supporting role for shelves, mantle or other surfaces you will need to think about how deep that surface is and how it will be installed. We suggest using a bracket that is not too small under the surface so that you can't see it. When determining what bracket to use as support we use an industry standard to extend the support bracket to within 4" of the end of the surface.

3. Determine the finish you desire. In most instances our decor enhancing supports are purchased in the brushed stainless finish since it matches so well with stainless appliances and nickel fixtures. However, you may have a particular color you are going after in which case you will want to get raw steel and coat it with your custom color. Check out our helpful video on painting your brackets to get more information on this: PAINTING VIDEO - Please Scroll down to Tips & Tricks.

4. If you need a custom style bracket or to modify a current Federal Brace design to meet your needs contact our helpful customer service representative at customerservice@federalbrace.com to discuss your needs. 

That's it. Now you are on your way to new methods of using Federal Brace Countertop Supports to enhance your kitchen and bath designs.

Our review of KBIS 2011 - Las Vegas, Nevada

Federal Brace brought its Eva Reinforced corbel to the best in show at KBIS early last week. The three day long event is the Super Bowl for the Kitchen and Bath industry. A huge event in itself is typically held in Las Vegas, Chicago and Orlando. The event took place at the Las Vegas Convention center in Nevada, Las Vegas.

Architects, dealers, designers, and industry professionals within the kitchen and bath field were presented with several new designs from Federal Brace. Scott Toal, CEO/President of Federal Brace said, “The best part of the show was meeting and hearing from current customers and getting their comments on our products.”

The team at Federal Brace saw representatives from Pan America, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and every province of Canada. Scott Toal continues, “ We saw visitors from 48 out of 50 states. What I liked about having it in Las Vegas is that we were able to meet some of our clients from California, Nevada, Colorado and Hawaii. I had a chance to meet Dave Dressler, a longtime client of our company.”

Federal Brace received quality feedback pertaining to current designs and made a large number of contacts, which they will be following up soon. There­ were a smaller number of vendors, the foot traffic was consistent and the company was satisfied with the turnout. General Manager, Cathy Morgan said, “We had a great time connecting and building relationships with our distributors as well as meeting some of our customers. It was good to see our product showcased in several cabinet dealer booths. Federal Brace is already making plans for the KBIS show in 2012. We hope to see you at our booth!” ­Looking forward to the next year, Cathy, at KBIS, Chicago.

Federal Brace's KBIS Preview -- Las Vegas 2011

Federal Brace is making final preparations to attend the 2011 Kitchen and Bath Show (KBIS) in Nevada, Las Vegas at the end of the month. April 26th through April 28th Federal Brace will roll out their successful line of countertop brackets and supports. This year Federal Brace’s goal is to continue to inform professionals within the kitchen and bath industry about their great support solutions.

“This is our second trip to KBIS,” says CEO/President, Scott Toal. He continues, “This time last year our company was five months old. We received a tremendous response from the KBIS attendees despite being such a young company. We are now recognized as a company with a quality product that offers real solutions. We’re looking forward to seeing current customers and introducing Federal Brace to those who are not aware of our countertop support solutions.”


Over the past 12 months Federal Brace has doubled their countertop bracket line by adding 15 new countertop bracket styles. These include several new countertop-mounted supports that extend off the top of a counter. Federal Brace saw a need for a product used to prevent sheet rock flexing and crushing of soft wallboard material. In response they created the Bracket Backer ™. Federal Brace has introduced video guides that give tips and tricks as well full installations. The company has also branched out into full line of shelf brackets and reinforced wood corbels.

If you're going to the show make sure to check out Federal Brace’s QR Code below and tweet it before the show and then visit their booth. Even if you don't have a phone, you can still win a 3G Kindle, a Free Order up to $500 dollars and other prizes. Also, when visiting the Federal Brace booth (#C7283), pick up a product catalog and find out more information about their support brackets using QR Codes. Federal Brace’s Sales Manger, Broc Siefert, will be making a presentation on “Granite Countertop Extensions,” where he will discuss the future of cabinets, countertop and granites.

When it comes to the customers’ needs, their needs are Federal Brace’s number one focus and the driving force of their business. Federal Brace has helped thousands of homeowners with countertop support solutions and is steadfast in supplying Beautifully Crafted, Confident Supports.

QR Code for the Free Giveaway -- Scan or Click Below:


If you want to learn more about the company -- Click Below:

QR Code: A quick response to support.

After the great response Federal Brace received at last year's KBIS show, they were looking for new ways to communicate to their customers their new products and to keep them current with the most up to date catalog. In steps this little guy:

http://bit.ly/FBKBIS

A Quick Code response, the newest in internet marketing. (Please see the CNN Video below). If you're planning to stop by and see Federal Brace, let your friends and followers know via your smart phone. Just scan the QR Bar code with any QR Scanning device (most smart phones have free apps such as "Red Laser" or "i-Nigma 4.") and submit the QR Code message. Check out the message to see what it says...

Alternatively, you could just click the image to do the same, but it's not as much fun. When you do it, share with others and they promise you won't go away empty handed from the booth. Let's not forget Federal Brace's twitter feed is posted on their front page for others to follow and see.

Federal Brace plans to have QR Code images to give descriptions of brackets as well as an updated version of the catalog. So make sure you have your QR scanning device handy at the show, Federal Brace will also have some more fun ways for you to to enjoy the experience using a QR Code scanner. Have a blast at KBIS 2011!