Born in the Dominican Republic, Rafael Alvarez is an accomplished architect, graphic designer and painter whose work can be found around the world. A visual arts graduate from the School of Arts Apec (EDA) and Architecture at the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena (UNPHU), he was an Artist in Residence, Art and Design Director and instructor for the Foundation Altos de Chavon - an affiliate of Parson’s School of Design in New York City.
Informal and functional appear to be two primary components in kitchen design today, and homeowners are also searching for a relaxing, simplistic space for their baths. Many consumers are straying away from sophisticated designs and are leaning towards more minimal looks - but overall, still inspiring.
Cevisama -- the Ceramic, Natural Stone and Bath Equipment Show held annually in Valecia, Spain -- opened its doors today and will run through Friday, February 11th. The 2011 edition includes thousands of exhibitors who have vivid diplays of new product introductions.
When Artistic Tile expanded its business to include a showroom on the ground floor of Luxe Home at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, IL, New York-based architect Stephen A. Wanta was hired to create more than 30 separate vignettes that occupy the 3,200-square-foot display area.
When it came time to remodel a 7,000-square-foot residence in Dallas, TX, designer Elaine Williamson of Elaine Williamson Designs in Dallas, TX, needed to find the right balance between beauty and practicality.
Celebrating its 28th edition in Bologna, Italy, Cersaie 2010 - the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings - was held last fall, and the event hosted more than 83,000 visitors, and revealed leading trends and cutting-edge products from more than 1,000 exhibitors across 34 countries.
As fall approaches, another trade show season is set to begin. A week from now, I will be in Verona, Italy, touring the expansive exhibit halls at Marmomacc -- the world's largest stone exhibition.
With a diverse production range that includes kitchen countertops as well as elaborate commercial work, Akropolis Marble and Granite Imports of Colmar, PA, has maintained a level of success over the years.
In researching some of the latest tile and stone construction methods, I recently met with representatives from Marazzi, a large Italian manufacturer of porcelain tile.