Diamond Spas Blog

You Name It-Our New Stainless Steel Bathroom Sink

kpayne — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:18:35 +0000

Diamond Spas No Named Stainless Steel Bathroom Sink

Another great stainless steel bathroom sink has been unveiled here at Diamond Spas showing off the great ideas that our designers continually bring to us. We have been calling it the “slip sink” for the way the water slips through a slight drain. The inspiration for this new sink came from another sink that we had fabricated, a stainless steel custom undermount sink that was made for a commercial site’s restroom. A designer found this image on out website, but wanted to modify the look for a powder bath, and voila here it is!We are looking for suggestions on a name for this great little sink. Got a name in mind? Comment on this post and let us know your ideas and your product name may be chosen. Stay tuned…

Wood Grain Tile Adds Natual Look Without the Fuss

kpayne — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:08:42 +0000

Tile has come a long way baby, since the avocado colored tiles of yesteryear. Tile manufactures are getting so good at simulating faux finishes these days that unless you scratch the surface you will never know the difference. This is the case for the new product “Lodge” that was released from Settecento, a great little company out of Italy. This faux wood tile is fabricated by using photographic images of real wood and transferring it onto the tile surface. Genius! This is an ideal product for tile surrounding a luxury home spa, or any wet space where special care is needed in flooring. The use of tile will cut down on maintenance and look gorgeous at the same time. Look Mom, no splinters!

Eastern Tradition Finds Favor With Bath Designers

kpayne — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:48:54 +0000

As seen in the Washington Post

Some of us are shower people, and some are bathers.

But there’s a way to be both, as the Japanese discovered centuries ago when they developed the ofuro, or Japanese style soaking tub.

From wooden tubs, acrylic and stone, here is another option:

— Metal tubs

Diamond Spas in Frederick, Colo., welds recycled copper and stainless steel into tubs that are lined with foam insulation, then buffed to a nice Old World finish. Like kitchen pans, the copper tubs can be left to develop a patina, or rendered shiny with a polishing compound.

Soaking tubs aren’t as complicated to install as you might think.

If you’re putting in a smaller, one- or two-person tub, you’ll actually use less water than a conventional tub. But a four-person version can hold a lot of water — close to 250 gallons, compared to around 50 for a conventional tub. So floor joists need to be able to hold the weight of the water, not just the tub.

Also, make sure you’ll be able to get the tub sideways through doorways.

Many tubs come with an overflow failsafe built in, but you should have a drain in the bathroom floor as well. The river rock bed is an attractive way to hide a draining floor system, but you can also tile the bathroom floor and install a drain.

You’ll need lots of good hot water, so upgrade your system, and consider an inline heater that continuously reheats the full tub.

There are jetted options for many of these models, if you’d prefer some bubbles with your soak.

See full article here.

Unearthing the Beauty

kpayne — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:12:12 +0000

The Architectural Design Home Show turned out to be a fabulous show for us in so many ways. Our team was able to meet so many talented designers, architects and artisans from around the world, we won best in show and we are seeing new sales from the show! That’s what we call a successful trade show!

Although we were busy during the show we were happy to get the chance to check out some of our peers work. One of those we had the chance to visit was Green River Stone Company. What a cool company and concept. Their work is simply captivating. Their specialty is using fossils that are found in the lake beds of Wyoming and creating them into a work of art. Sounds like an easy task, but there is a lot of work that goes into unearthing these fossils. From small hand tools and picks that pick up the layers of stone, the laborious task has an end result of a highly defined fossil in which every bone is shown in high definition. These fossils are then added to a number of products they offer from counter tops, tables, murals and tiles.

We loved their work so much that we are looking into doing some collaborative work with Green River Stone Company. We think our copper custom sinks, or a Japanese style bath would fit in nicely along side these fossils in stone. We’ll keep you posted!

AIA Convention and Design Expo Goes to the Capitol

kpayne — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:34:34 +0000

This years AIA Convention and Design Exposition is coming to Washington DC May 17th-19th. Architects from around the country will be honored for their involvement in the rebuilding and memorials at Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Penn. Together, they helped inspire hope for a better world. Most notably are the key note speakers of the convention, award-winning historian David McCullough and the Honorable Shaun Donovan, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Custom Built Hot Tub Featured in Sensational Steamboat Home

kpayne — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:08:44 +0000

Diamond Spas is fortunate once again to be featured in the beautiful pages of Colorado’s LUXE Magazine-2012 Spring issue.

The article in which the custom built hot tub appears, focuses on the famed Architect Michael Rubin and Landscape Architect David Kamp‘s work on the 10,000 feet masterpiece in Steamboat Springs. The home, which is adorned in Colorado granite and large picturesque windows take in the vistas that abound in the area. The owners were wanting a relaxed home in nature where their family could come and enjoy the outdoors, and that is what they got, Kamp is quoted, “a campsite with great amenities.”

Click on the link to see the article:

http://issuu.com/newbeauty-16/docs/co_lx27_issuu/235

May is Water Safety Month

kpayne — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:36:20 +0000

Water Safety Tips from our friends at the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF)

Teach children water safety and swimming skills as early as possible.
Always brief babysitters on water safety, emphasizing the need for constant supervision.
Appoint a “designated watcher” to monitor children during social gatherings at or near residential swimming pools.
Equip doors and windows that exit to a pool area with alarms.
Install a poolside phone, preferably a cordless model, with emergency numbers programmed into speed-dial.
Post CPR instructions and learn the procedures.
Keep rescue equipment poolside. Don’t wait for the paramedics to arrive because you will lose valuable life-saving seconds. Four to six minutes without oxygen can cause permanent brain damage or death.
Keep a first aid kit at poolside.
Install four-sided isolation fencing, at least five feet high, equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates, that completely surrounds the pool and prevents direct access from the house and yard.
Maintain constant visual contact with children in a pool or pool area. If a child is missing, check the pool first; seconds count in preventing death or disability.
Don’t use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision. Never allow a young child in a pool without an adult.
Don’t leave objects such as toys that might attract a child in the pool and pool area.
Never prop the gate to a pool area open.
Don’t rely on swimming lessons, life preservers, or other equipment to make a child “water safe.”
Never assume someone else is watching a child in a pool area.
Don’t leave chairs or other items of furniture where a child could use them to climb into a fenced pool area.
Don’t think you’ll hear a child who’s in trouble in the water; child drowning is a silent death, with no splashing to alert anyone that the child is in trouble

San Francisco Decorator Showcase Celebrates its 35th Year

kpayne — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:07:53 +0000

Considered to be the West Coast’s premier design event, San Francisco Decorator Showcase is celebrating 35 years of intriguing and inspiring interior design. Renowned for featuring the work of the region’s top interior and landscape designers, this years event has over 20 established interior designers that participated. Every space is designed by a different designer from the atypical telephone room and listening room to the more recognized spaces of the master bath with high end tubs and manicured gardens on roof top terraces.

All the funds raised through the Decorator Showcase go directly to support the San Francisco University High School (UHS) Financial Aid Program. The success of this important fundraiser depends upon the generous support of our sponsors, the school’s trustees, parents, faculty, alumni, students, friends, the participation of hundreds of accomplished designers, and the patronage of thousands of Showcase visitors each year. Last year the showcase raised more than $500,000.

Tickets available at the door

2020 Jackson Street, San Francisco

Designing with Water Jet Technology

kpayne — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:05:59 +0000

Diamond Spas new division Architectural Metal Products is adept with the very basic fabrication jobs of small metal parts to the larger and more complex jobs of metal counter-work and signage. Using water jet technology gives Diamond Spas the versatility to work on diverse projects and applications. Designed with a high pressure water jet stream, up to 60,000 psi, and combined with a garnet abrasive, the water jet produces a precise, clean cut every time. A water jet can perform functions that other technologies simply cannot. By using a water generated system, there is no heat involved in the cutting process.

Water jet can product flawless intricate cuts

Due to the precise nature of this machine in conjunction with infinite toolpath nesting, there is very little loss of material. Products are produced efficiently and economically with unmatched accuracy.

Product signage

Stainless steel table base

Stainless Steel Tubs Go to the Dogs

kpayne — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:34:44 +0000

contemporary entry design by san francisco general contractor Dijeau Poage Construction

Luxurious tubs are now making its way to the top of the list of what homeowners are seeking in their new construction or remodels. From free standing baths, to whirlpool tubs, today’s homeowners are making sure that their designers are making way for amenities that use to only be seen in top notch spas.

Not to be left out of the mix, is the family pooch who is getting in on the deal with having its own primping station. With the time and cost of grooming our family pets, it makes sense to have your own dog wash at home which will significantly cut down your time of loading the dog in the car and such, but also helps eliminate the mess.

This custom metal tub is pretty ideal for dog owners. With its easily accessible steel steps that lead up to the tub, sliding door for hidden storage, and perfect height to wash the pooch, this design is a dog owners dream.