In the early 1990’s, Coordinated Kitchen and Bath joined with an in house colour consultant, www.coloursbypaula.com, thus offering homeowners a more complete package of home design options. Colours By Paula is now one of the leading colour and design consultants in Vancouver, having won a Georgie award, as well worked on projects in Canada, Asia and the United States.

In the mid 1990’s, Coordinated Kitchen and Bath launched its website, www.coordinatedkitchens.com, with the objective of establishing a presence on the Internet. The online presence further secured Coordinated Kitchen and Bath’s reputation as a leading home remodelling company specializing in Kitchen and Bathroom remodelling.

In 2006 The Coordinated Group further expanded, creating an online retail plumbing division under the www.finestfixtures.com brand to focus on homebuyers, designers, and builders in North America. Since 2006 www.finestfixtures.com has rapidly established a presence on the Internet, building on its experience from retail plumbing under the Coordinated Kitchens brand.

Today, www.finestfixtures.com has over 10,000 product options available online, which is mere fraction of the thousands of other products one can buy through the company at 1.866.405.1933. Brands such as Decotec, Grohe, Hansa, and Fairmont Designer vanities are just some of the exclusive lines that www.finestfixtures.com can provide to its customers.

Decotec, manufactured and designed in France is pure “haute couture”, incorporating pop culture with European design efficiency. Not for those on a budget, Decotec will bring spice to your bathroom like never before. To learn more, and get yourself on the waiting list to buy, call www.finestfixtures.com at 1.866.405.1933.

The Finestfixtures look will also be changing, as we add more product reviews to our site, including video and more pertinent industry news. In our on going commitment to our customers, www.finestfixtures.com will also be focusing more on delivering exclusive luxury bathroom and kitchen product

This means that in addition to the security features of purchasing through the Paypal’s secure payment service, and buying through www.finestfixtures.com SSL authentication, www.finesfixtures.com is now also a full member of the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association.

Microfiltration is a process that removes particles in the range of 0.1 to 1 micron. A micron is 0.000001 meters. Filters rated in the single micron range effectively extract major cysts such as Giardia Lamblia and Cryptosporidium.

Ultrafiltration is a process that removes larger particles, in the 0.002 to 0.1 micron range. It is process that will remove organics with a molecular weight above 1000. Molecular weights can be converted to grams using the conversion factor Avagardo’s Number (N). Smaller particles such as ions and smaller organics will not be filtered using this process; however, particulates, cysts, bacterium, and a significant number of viruses will be extracted from the water.

Nanofiltration will remove colour, organics, hardness, radium, and will separate in-organic compounds from organic material.

Reverse Osmosis provides the most delicate and highest quality of filtration possible. It involves using high pressure to force water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane reverse. Reverse osmosis will typically extract 95% of dissolved solids. The process is used in desalination of seawater and brackish water.

Chlorine is an oxidation agent utilized by most municipal water treatment services to treat organic wastes, manganese, iron, and hydrogen sulphide. It used in its most potent, or free radical form. Chlorine has one major drawback; in excess, it tends to bind to organic compounds to produce carcinogens.

Ozone is another free radical, which has a reactivity 3200 times superior to that of chlorine. Unlike chlorine, it leaves no chemical residues or carcinogens. Ozone also eliminates bacteria, cysts, viruses, and protozoa, as well as oxidizing Iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulphide.

Ultrviolet is a chemical-free process utilized to disinfect water. It does not produce any carcinogenic organic by-products, and will safely eliminate bacteria, cysts, viruses, and protozoa. 

Silver in its ionic state is an effective agent for the removal of algae. It also assists in the reduction of odour-causing bacterium, and inhibits the growth of mildews and molds. Ionized Silver (Silver Zeolite) attacks multiple targets in the microbe to prevent it from spreading and forming blooms.

High quality water filter systems typically incorporate these kinds of systems providing you with the protection you need for your home drinking water. Visiting sites such as the EPA or Environment Canada will give an idea of your needs in your local area; furthermore, high quality water filtration systems for the home can be found at www.finestfixtures.com.

Have you ever considered just how much energy is consumed with bottled water?  Every bottle of water delivered to your kitchen table requires energy and petroleum to manufacturer it, energy to transport it, energy to refrigerate it, energy to purify it, and energy and materials to package it.

Then of course every bottle requires paper and plastic labels, meaning billions of paper labels glued to billions of water bottles distributed around the world.

All this is just half the story, since every empty used bottle has to make its way somewhere – either to the trash, or else to be recycled. Both final destinations consume waste amounts of energy, and in the case of the trash, those bottles never decompose, ending up in landfills, dumps, beaches, rivers, and in our oceans.

Consider the following. If you were to make one small change in how you consume potable water, you could help reduce your “carbon footprint” on the planet. With global warming a reality with serious consequences, switching to products that consume less energy mean that you as a consumer are reducing your impact on the planet.

Making a switch to tap water from bottled water reduces your carbon footprint, it also helps keep your water consumption local, investing in your local environment and community. Furthermore, adding a water filter system such as Everpure to your kitchen and bathroom will also ensure that your tap water is of the highest quality standards. These systems, considerably more affordable and practical than bottled water, extract bacteria and common metals, whilst also adjusting for water hardness and acidity.

On www.finestfixtures.com you will find a selection of water filter systems for your kitchen and bathroom. Products such as Everpure will bring the water you drink to life, whilst helping you save yourself time, money, and the size of your carbon footprint.

www.finestfixtures.com, the finest in online luxury plumbing, helping you bring water to life.

Your home is your most valuable asset. Unlike stocks, bonds, and treasury bills, you can sleep in it, and with good care it will last more than a lifetime. Renovating is great way to increase the value of your home; however, before jumping into a major remodelling consider the following points, doing so will prevent headaches later on.

1.       Before you start any major renovation take the time to plan, plan, and plan again. Unlike changing the odd bathroom faucet or kitchen sink, a home renovation is a major change to your living space, as well as a significant financial commitment. If you are planning major changes, make sure you have planned everything – from finances all the way to your general contractor.

2.       Use professionals across the board for any major project. Changing the kitchen sink, adding a new mirror, or updating your bathroom plumbing fixtures is one issue; however, moving walls, changing the roof, adding a floor, or remodelling the entire kitchen is another. Avoid doing those big renovations alone.

3.       Use written agreements with contractors, and not handshakes. The building cycle can be unpredictable, and the last thing one wants is to be caught with a contractor who disappears because they are too busy, or they feel the job is done, even when the renovations are still incomplete.

4.       Don’t go with some new operation because they are cheap. Go with companies that have been around for a long time and are reputable. These companies have customers who you can contact and find out about their work. An example of the type of company to work with would be www.coordinatedkitches.com, a company that has been around for over thirty years with a well established group of sub-contractors, designers, and satisfied customers.

5.       Go with the referral network. Know a friend, neighbour, or family member who is happy with their renovation? Well then give them a call and find out whom they used.

6.       Ask the right advice from the right people. Don’t rely on your plumber to pick the style of your bathroom faucets or kitchen sinks, rather contact a plumbing fixtures specialist such as www.finestfixtures.com to find out about plumbing designs. Don’t ask your painter to pick your house colours, rather contact an established designer who can work with you through your whole project.

7.       You get what you pay for. Spending more on brand names adds sparkle to your home, and a discerning real estate agent and buyer will willingly pay a premium for a house complete with top kitchen and bathroom vanities, sinks, and faucets. At www.finestfixtures.com you can find some of the finest in luxury online plumbing from world famous international brands such as Toto, Franke, KWC, Zucchetti, and Porcher, and there is live customer service available to help.

With good weather finally upon us, the first thing on everyone’s mind is what’s next on the list of endless renovations needed around the house. Whether it’s updating the bathroom fixtures, landscaping the garden, or remodelling the kitchen, regardless of what you do, make sure you plan ahead.

One of the biggest mistakes any individual can make in a home renovation is to launch into a do-it-yourself construction project without any planning. Make sure you have your checklist ready! This includes a good reputable contractor – if you don’t have one, ask friends or neighbours, or visit your local design centre for names. It also includes having a budget in place, with financing organized with your caisse, credit union, or bank. Don’t forget that outdoor renovations, in particular painting, require good dry weather, so pick the right months for your area.

Using a quality contractor, such as www.coordinatedkitchens.com, can be advantageous, especially if there is significant money involved. Just think of it this way, would you prefer running a building project yourself, or would you prefer having experienced professionals with their own team of contractors do it for you? Time, money, and stress are important things to consider; however, so are issues such as the quality of the workmanship in your powder room, kitchen, or bathroom.

Another important tip is to budget your time frame conservatively, since more than often materials, trades, and financing takes a little longer than planned for – after all, spring is when everyone is renovating! There’s nothing worse than promising the in-laws that perfect kitchen, only to find that a delay sets you back by a week.

Selecting the materials to use in a home renovation is also important. If you are working with a contractor on a kitchen or bathroom, don’t be shy to browse companies such as www.finestfixtures.com for free ideas, as well as additional product options. In addition to offering ideas for free, online kitchen and bathroom retail companies such as www.finestfixtures.com offer products that may not typically be available in your area, and usually at a significant discount. The Internet is a great way to window shop for ideas, while also gaining access to unique home finishings from farther afield.

So when launching into the spring renovation, set your priorities right, make sure your budget and financing is set, pick a good contractor, shop around, and don’t be shy use the Internet to expand your reach to products beyond your local area. Most importantly in any home renovation, make sure you have fun!

You’ve just had a state of the art kitchen built: new cabinets, gleaming stainless steel appliances, a new Franke sink and faucet, and a magnificent stone countertop. So how do you make sure your investment looks as good as new for years to come?

For stainless steel appliances and products you are assured of durability; however, they do need simple daily maintenance and shine to make sure finger marks and grease don’t hide their gleam.

Countertops are more complex. Food, cooking oils, red wine, and sauces can stain surfaces, seeping deep into the stone and forever changing its appearance. Then of course there are the abrasions from knives, chopping, and cutting. 

To protect your countertop, the first thing you can do is ensure that any abrasive work be done on chopping boards. FinestFixtures has an excellent selection of fitted wood and stainless steel chopping boards, and strainers – just the tool you need to make sure food and knives stay clear of the counter.

To protect from staining due to knocks and spills, make sure to apply a protective sealant. Your kitchen and bath company should suggest the best ones for your particular countertop. What is important to know is that sealants act to block the porosity of stone by filling in the natural pores in the rock surface, and in doing so, protecting the surface for years to come. Once your kitchen countertop is sealed you can step away from harsh cleaners and replace them with mild environmentally friendly products and natural cleaners.

Beware though, sealants will not protect your countertop from acid spills. Orange juice, coffee, wine, tomato juice, tooth paste, mouth wash, and pop are highly acidic and will easily etch into marble kitchen or bathroom countertops, leaving stains and marks. To avoid these problems make sure to use chopping boards, coasters, and mats, as well as to clean up as soon as you are done.

Should you notice etching or staining, you can apply acid and oil stain removers. These products should be available from your kitchen and bathroom store, or can be purchased online from your countertop manufacturer.

Summer has finally arrived, and with the good weather those that are lucky enough will be spending more time at the cottage over the next few months. Cottage living provides a break from the hectic schedule of city and suburban living that dominates the rest of the year. Yet as great as having a summer home is, it also means another piece of valuable real estate that needs care and remodelling.

When it comes to summer homes, most of us tend to spend money are things such as the roof, the gutters, and the drains; however, there are other things we can do that go beyond the ordinary in making our summer palaces shine. For example, why not consider upgrading the powder room with a new faucet or basin and vanity, or replacing some of that aging garden furniture? If water quality is a concern for your family, then why not look at installing a new water filtration system from www.finestfixtures.com?

These days almost everything for the home can be purchased over the internet, meaning that rather than dealing with long lines and waits at giant box stores, one can enjoy the convenience of shopping for that perfect new bath faucet, shower, or garden furniture kit from the comfort of the sunny cottage porch.

Summer, the cottage, and the convenience of Internet shopping, can life get any less complicated?

This summer, just around September, I predict the United States will face the most significant surge in prices since the 1970′s. High oil prices in US$ will leave Americans more exposed than anyone else. Coupled with high US$ priced oil, cheap goods coming out of Asia will surge in prices as off shore economies increase prices to adjust for oil costs and improved local living standards. The adjustments will hit Americans harder than any other developed economy because of the undervalued dollar. The Fed, now largely sidelined and lacking any credibility whatsoever, will have no tools in hand to control the inflationary surge, forced by protectionist Democrats and a weakened Republican Party to keep interest rates low so as to save voters’ homes and investments. The result will more than likely lead to a run from the US$ to the Euro, Yen, and Pound, as well as our relatively significant Canadian Dollar (yes it helps to be a resource giant).  

Add to the fact that the US has successfully shipped its empowerment offshore by allowing Libertarian MBA maniacs to outsource everything from the production of toilet seats to Barbie and Ken. Yes, there is no free lunch, and outsourcing is no different – if only Libertarians remembered their grade 12 science classes. In their obsession to achieve absolute profit and economic liberalization they have handed Americans economic shackles to the whims of off shore manufacturers such as the Chinese.

The combination of a run from the dollar with a surge in global inflation will result in an evaporation of liquidity in the American economy, something I have been predicting for some time. Now add in a pissed off China and things just get all that more interesting…

Times are tough, interest rates are expected to rise throughout 2008 as prices for products from China rise due to a falling US dollar, surging commodity prices, and increased labour and productions costs in major production centres throughout the Asia.

Add to the potential for rising consumer  costs – inflation, and the accompanying controls through higher interest rates – and the average consumer will only find 2008 the most challenging year in over a decade to make ends meet.

Yet life must go on, and while it may no longer be possible to renovate ones entire home and then sell for a quick profit, the reality is that one can still make ones home a wonderful place to live by investing in the right bathroom and kitchen fixtures that will gleam for years to come. The days of the real estate flip is over, replaced by the age of long term home renovations designed for the home owner who plans to make the most of their home and ride out the current real estate downturn.

At www.finestfixtures.com you will find a host of bathroom fixtures, kitchen sinks and faucets, and bathroom vanity combinations allowing you to renovate your home stress free, leaving the hassles to us, whilst saving you time and gas – now that’s money in your pocket for a rainy day!