Blog Post

Habitat for Humanity

  • By Katie
  • 08 Sep, 2017

Shayna and the United Way Housing Committee

For the owners of Emerald City, it's not just about design and installation. Utilizing their business skills and passion for community, John and Shayna are involved with various non-profits and volunteer opportunities.

Last year, Shayna had the pleasure of sitting on the United Way's Housing Committee and was honored to be able to see the work started on Cape Cod due to the funds allocated to Habitat for Humanity. These homes were being built in a community for local families in need.

At the job site visit, she had the opportunity to meet a young woman who was there working on what would be the future home for her and her three children. Shayna recalls the smile and pride the woman had while talking about the opportunity the Habitat for Humanity had given to her family. She was actively involved in viewing and helping through the process.

Although it was a time-consuming process, Shayna learned so much about reading grants and the incredible local non-profits that require funding each year to continue their amazing work. She is grateful to have been able to be part of an amazing team and witness firsthand how much the grants make a difference to those in need.




By Amanda Bebrin 25 Apr, 2018

Being a homeowner is a big part of the American Dream – the hard evidence that you’re really, truly, rocking this whole adult thing. But real estate is also viewed as an investment, one that every owner hopes will pay off when they choose to retire, downsize, move up, or relocate.

With a potential resale in the future, as an owner, you want to ensure that the money you’re spending on upgrading your home results in something that appeals to the largest number of future buyers – no faux-wood paneling or harvest gold toilets, please.

And since kitchens can make or break the sale of a home, it follows that many homeowners choose to invest in creating the perfect modern kitchen.

You know the one I mean. It’s in every HGTV show. It’s sleek AND chic. Neutral yet bold. Open concept, soaring ceilings, white cabinets with tasteful granite counters. Stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, and pendant lighting round out this Pinterest-approved design.

It’s a great kitchen. As a Realtor, I’ve been in more variations of it in the last five years than I can count! It’s luxurious, yet accessible, sure to please even the pickiest of home shoppers.

But for those of you who want your kitchen to feel less like a showroom and more a reflection of your unique personality, this can cause a bit of a disconnect. If you’re not planning to move for another five or ten years – or ever! - why not have the kitchen of your personal dreams?

Good news! High-end kitchens are trending towards incorporating vivid, daring, even dramatic colors, so it’s only a matter of time before this becomes more popular with the masses, as well.

Even without a sky-high budget, here’s how you can make your kitchen feel totally customized to you:

Captivating Cabinets : love a specific color family or hue? Go for a colored cabinet to make an undeniable statement. Two-toned cabinets are trendy right now, so if you’re unsure, split the difference and do a color for your bottom cabinets and white or a similar neutral for your upper cupboards.

Arresting appliances : Smeg, Big Chill, and other companies now make fridges and ranges in a ton of eye-catching colors. Because the only thing better than baking cookies is doing it in a SKY BLUE oven.

Daring details : Not ready to take the plunge into that bold color life? Take the first step by selecting a bright backsplash, kitchen island, or accessory like chairs or dishware, for all of the drama with less of the commitment.

Voila! A kitchen that truly feels like home to you – and one that you’re happy to spend time in, even if you’re washing dishes.

And, should you end up putting your home on the market sooner than anticipated, or just want to change the look, you can neutralize any of these changes without a major renovation.

A unique and colorful kitchen that suits you perfectly? Now THAT’s the dream!

By Katie 12 Feb, 2018
Now that we've covered some of the surface options in previous posts, we'll turn our attention to what lies beneath! While Emerald City is mostly known for countertop offerings, we also carry several different cabinet lines. To meet the needs, desires, and budgets of all our clients, we have various price points and multiple levels of design offerings. 

Beyond the monetary distinctions, what separates cabinet lines? Four features in particular: Door styles, Modifications, Box Construction, and Warranty.

Door styles are just as the name implies - the shape, color, and profile of the door itself. This is one of the biggest decisions that needs to be made in a kitchen, being the most visible part of the cabinetry and setting the style for the rest of the room. Shaker tends to be our most popular door style at present. The hottest colors are White and Gray. 
By Katie 12 Feb, 2018
Recently, a customer walked into the showroom intent on purchasing a soapstone countertop for her kitchen. She happened to mention that it was her second soapstone purchase and that her first was so beloved, she would never think to use any other material. Laurie and I were intrigued. Soapstone is not a common choice in today's kitchens, but the way our customer listed all the reasons she loved it, I just had to find out more!

Soapstone is a naturally occurring metamorphic rock. It contains varying levels of talc, with low-talc soapstone utilized to make countertops, sinks, floor tiles, and other "architectural-grade" items.  High-talc material is used in carving and artwork. Talc gives the stone a "soapy" feel, hence its name. 

The standout feature of soapstone is that it is completely nonporous. Unlike granite and marble, this material is impervious to staining and highly bacteria-resistant. This also means it does not have to be sealed. Soapstone is heat-resistant, allowing hot items to be placed directly on the surface. It has a warm feel and lends itself equally to a rustic kitchen, a modern cooking area, and everything in between. 

Soapstone has  a variety of uses. Whether it's an entire counter top, a statement-making sink, a vanity application, a sturdy hearth surround, or for outdoor entertaining, this hardy surface will stand up to the wear and tear of daily life. Some homeowners choose to oil their soapstone to even out the darkening that time causes. Others opt to leave the stone in its natural state. Whether the surface is oiled or not will not affect its stain-proof, etch-proof, bacteria-resistant properties. It cleans easily with soap and water. 

Occasionally, soapstone can nick, dent, or scratch. This is remedied with a light sanding of the affected area. As it is a more unique surface, and quarried in smaller slabs than granite, this material tends to be more expensive than other counter top choices. Unlike those choices, however, soapstone is a timeless option that will last for decades to come.

In becoming more familiar with soapstone, it would certainly be one of my considerations should a kitchen remodel opportunity arise. With its durability, unique characteristics, and wide range of uses, soapstone sets the bar very high!

Check out our soapstone supplier's gallery here:  https://doradosoapstone.com/gallery/
By Katie 25 Sep, 2017
Going back to my late 90's kitchen design origins, quartz was not a oft-chosen countertop material. Although the process of engineering quartz surfaces was invented in the 1960s, the sale of such material for the use of kitchens and baths truly skyrocketed in the early 2000s.

Upon entering the design business again, I had a lot to learn about this new (to me) material. Was it natural or man-made? What differentiated it from granite? Did it have advantages to other countertop material? How does it compare in terms of cost?

So let me take you on my journey of discovery...

Is it natural or manmade?
Well...both! Quartz is a 93-95% natural material - one of the hardest minerals on earth. This, combined with polyester resins, creates a non-porous, scratch-resistant surface ideal for high-traffic use.

How is it different from granite?
Granite, being completely natural, is porous and subject to the forces that created it which gives slabs their unique striations and movement. Quartz, on the other hand, is ground and combined with the resins and pigments, allowing for greater color consistency and pattern throughout the slab.

Does it have advantages to other countertop material?
Quartz is the most durable countertop material one can choose for their kitchen. It does not require sealing and does not stain, should something inevitably spill. Additionally, this non-porous material is easy to keep relatively bacteria-free. That said, quartz can be damaged by excessive heat. It is always recommended that a trivet or potholder be used with hot pans.
Quartz is also more environmentally friendly, as it does not require quarrying or significant transportation costs, if regionally manufactured and fabricated. It's a breeze to clean, requiring only mild soap and water - no sealing or harsh chemicals needed!
Lastly, quartz generally comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

But what does it cost?
With such strong and long-lasting attributes, quartz typically comes at a slightly higher price point than most other solid-surface options. But with its consistency and quality, this versatile material is a worthy investment. 

Check out the following brands that we carry:
https://www.cambriausa.com/
Whether it's a kitchen counter, vanity top, fireplace surround, shower or tub feature, desktop, wet bar, or window sill, quartz will create a stylish, yet durable, focal point. The value it adds to any home will be felt for decades to come!

https://www.emeraldcityllc.com/quartz


By Shayna 06 Sep, 2017


Are you going to be completely stressed out and irritable for months? Are you going to spend a lot of money and gain weight because you’ll have to go out to eat and order take-out? Will you ever feel organized again?

Here are a few tips on how you can survive your remodel, without getting too anxious. These tips will help you to have a better understanding of what to expect so you don’t feel overwhelmed and confused throughout the entire process.


1.   Time to clear clutter and get organized

Use this time to really clean out your home. You’re hopefully going to have new cabinets that will help keep you organized but in the meantime, create four bins in your home: one for trash, one for recycle, one for donate and one for keep. You can start in the kitchen or bathroom and then move into other rooms if you’d like. Once you have your new space and less clutter, you are going to feel like a new person! You’ll be able to enjoy your home more than you did before.


2. Plan stress-free activities

Sometimes sitting in the house amongst the chaos and mess can cause extra stress. If you can get out of the house and plan something fun and stress-free, you’ll be able to clear your mind. Try to go to the movies, take your dog for a walk, plan game-night at a friend’s house, try a new exercise class, book a massage, or even go to a cooking class so you can eat too!


3.   Be patient and breathe

Understand that with any renovation, there may be some unexpected challenges that occur. Obviously a good company wants the process to go smoothly, especially without added expenses and a longer time-frame for their customers. However, there may be additional work that needs to be done or extra materials purchased that was originally unforeseen. If you go into the remodel understanding this as well as remembering to breathe and be patient, you will be less stressed and keep your blood pressure regulated. Try to enjoy the process of getting your upgraded space!

Hint: Start the design in advance of when you would like to begin, because selections, ordering and construction may take longer than you think.



4.   Be grateful

You’re going to have a new kitchen or bathroom! When you wake up in the morning, write down 3 things that you are grateful for that day. This will give you a new perspective on your remodel. Many people aren’t able to remodel these days so take time to be thankful that you will have a beautiful new kitchen to enjoy with your family and friends and/or bathroom to relax in.


5. What to buy and cook

If you are remodeling your kitchen, I’m sure you don’t want to keep going out to eat or getting take-out. It’s not only expensive, but will cause you to eat more than you normally would, which can lead to weight gain and low energy. Since you most likely won’t have appliances to store fresh food and cook with, you want to keep a simple grocery list. Focus on getting food that doesn’t need to be stored in the refrigerator. For example, stock up on bananas, apples, avocados, tomatoes, pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, cranberries, raisins, almonds, cashews, walnuts, dark chocolate, crackers,  granola, chicken broth, peanut butter, beans, rice, quinoa, onions, garlic, etc.


Take this time to use a crockpot and cook chili, soup, beef and vegetable recipes.


Crockpot Turkey Chili Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground turkey

  • ½ cup chicken broth

  • 2 teaspoons chili powder

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • salt and pepper to taste

  • 1/2 cup chopped onion

  • 2-14.5 ounce cans diced tomatoes with juice

  • 1-16 ounce can of pinto beans, drained, rinsed

  • 1/2 cup salsa

  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Directions:

-Add broth, turkey, onion, tomatoes, beans, chili powder, and cumin in the crockpot.

-Mix ingredients together.

-Cover and cook on the low setting for 5 to 6 hours, until turkey is browned.

-Serve with salsa, sour cream and/or shredded cheese.

-Enjoy!

Shayna Mahoney and her husband, John, own Emerald City, a kitchen and bath showroom in Plymouth, MA. Additionally, Shayna is a holistic life coach who gives women hope to reduce anxiety naturally. Download her from Anxious to Calm 5-minute meditation at www.shaynamahoney.com


By Katie 21 Aug, 2017

“Unwittingly then had I discovered an Invisible Empire of the Air, intangible, yet solid as granite, whose structure shall persist while man inhabits the planet.” ~Lee De Forest


As I begin my kitchen design blog adventure, granite seemed like a logical place to start.


Let me tell you a little about myself: My name is Katie and kitchen design had never figured into my life plans of law enforcement and the Navy (neither of which happened), nor my eventual degree in accounting. But 16 years ago, I was asked to work for a kitchen designer and jumped at the unique opportunity. After a few years, I left the business to start a family. Three children and 2 moves later, I find myself back in the kitchen business! Life surely has funny and fascinating circles…


But why start with granite, you might ask? The simple answer is that Emerald City started out in the granite business. Long before cabinet lines and flooring options, John and Shayna were all about granite. From selection to fabrication and installation, they did it all!


The most surprising difference I’ve seen, as I return to this business after more than a decade, is the prevalence of granite as a standard part of a kitchen makeover. During my first kitchen design stint, granite was considered a luxury item, only appearing in high-end homes. To see how accessible it has become is compelling. Laminate, that go-to material of yore, is hardly seen anymore, especially as the price points for both material are nearly balanced.


Naturally, the taste in granite has evolved over the years. Just as we are no longer wearing mood rings and jelly shoes, we do not often see the jewel-like tones of Uba Tuba, Butterfly Green, and Sapphire Blue as much as I did back then.


The colors we have most commonly filling our A-frames these days are Fantasy Brown, Absolute Black, and New Venetian Gold.


When picking granite, it is most important to see and select the slabs in person. Color, pattern, and movement can vary wildly, even among slabs with the same name.

Preference is key. But that is the beauty of natural stone - it’s unique and delightfully individualistic - ensuring that most will be able to find something that works in their own space. Rounding out granite’s characteristics: it is resistant to heat, easy to maintain, and durable for years to come.


Whether it is the space-expanding properties of Ice White, the endless design possibilities of New Venetian Gold, the warm, cozy feeling of Baltic Brown, or the sleek sophistication of Black Pearl, granite is a great way to add value and richness to your kitchen, bathroom vanity, or fireplace surround. It’s not just a luxury anymore!



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