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Innovation and Inspiration:
Trademarks of Fu-Tung Cheng
You may never have heard of Fu-Tung Cheng. His isn't exactly an American household name yet.
However, most people involved in home design and construction today have read about him, if not actually
seen his work. Cheng's designs are having a major influence on current trends in home design throughout
the country, especially in kitchens and baths. You can see that influence when you thumb through the
pages of magazines like House Beautiful, Woman's Day and Fine Homebuilding.
He is setting the standard for simple elegance and the creative use of natural materials.
Cheng graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelor's
degree in fine arts in 1971. By his own admission, he thinks of himself
as an artist who gravitated from fine arts to designing large-scale
"sculpture" in the form of homes in order to make a living. Today he is
principal of Cheng Design and Cheng Design Products, Inc.
His artsy version of modern design is not cold and sterile, but rather warm
and witty. Some examples from the kitchen-Cheng's cabinets often feature
light-colored woods with a fine grain. He might add a surprising touch by running the
grain horizontally across the cabinet doors, instead of vertically. Sunlight may stream in from
the ceiling through skylights and drench soft bamboo floors below. He designs stainless steel
kitchen hoods in unique, imaginative shapes. The hood finishes, such as the "hand-burnished
ribbon finish," or the "plaster finish" add an organic warmth to the
sleek, contemporary design.
Cheng Design is perhaps best known for its landscape-like, luminous cast-concrete
countertops. Cheng says he treats each of his creations as functional sculptures.
Integral cutting boards and trivets are placed at the point of use. Water may be flowing
merrily into the sink from one end of the countertop to the other, confined
in a central trough he has fashioned in the concrete. But what fun! The
concrete is embedded here and there with swirling shapes of shells and
other unexpected "found" objects. Unapologetically, Cheng places recycled
materials side by side with the new, infusing the space with life and historical significance.
Perhaps the photos included here will provide a bit of inspiration for your next dream project.
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Sink Savvy
They are stylish, they are trendy, and they are oh, so sophisticated. Vessel
lavatories are attracting attention and making heads turn in today's bathrooms and powder rooms.
A lavatory is considered a "vessel" when the basin is designed and finished to be
free standing and exposed on all sides. It can be installed above the counter of a bathroom
vanity. In this case, the vessel may have a look reminiscent of bygone days when a
pitcher and washbasin were permanent fixtures on the bedside table. A vessel lavatory can
also appear to be floating in mid-air, supported by an open decorative frame with all the
plumbing in full view below. These types of sinks are usually installed with designer
wall-mounted faucets for a striking ensemble.
The sky is the limit in terms of materials lavatories are fashioned - ceramic, metal, glass,
stone, concrete or even wood. Since all sides of the lav are exposed, this only increases
design possibilities. Natural light shining all the way through a glass vessel, for example,
lends a special brilliance to its color. A stone vessel is as smooth as silk on the
inside, but may purposely be left with the irregular markings of the
stone cutter's chisel on the exterior, giving the lav its unique character.
It is important, however, to consider your lifestyle as well as maintenance
issues when making choices regarding sinks in your home. Because of
their greater exposure, vessel lavs can be a more of a challenge to keep
clean and free from fingerprints, and may be more easily broken than an
undermounted sink. For this reason, if you have children, you may want a
more practical sink for their bathrooms. A main hall powder room
would be an excellent area in which to show off your design savvy.
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Countertops: Concrete
Not long ago concrete was a drab, utilitarian material that was relegated
to out-of-the-way areas of the home, such as the basement or the garage.
All that has recently changed.
Concrete has come into the limelight as the material of choice for countertops
in many kitchen and bath installations. It is not because it is inexpensive. The cost
of a concrete countertop per square-foot is comparable to that of granite or quartz surfacing.
Homeowners, however, are choosing concrete for its warm, natural feel and its incredible
versatility. Not only can it be shaped into complex forms, but it can also include various
pigments, stains and aggregate colors to beautifully complement the color of any interior
space. The surface can be made smooth and shiny, or gently textured and non-reflective. It
is also possible to integrate items while the material is still malleable-such as metal strips
that form a useful trivet, or an interesting decorative object that shows up on the surface,
or perhaps glass chips worked into the background for textural interest.
Concrete countertops are sealed to make them water and stain resistant. It is important
to handle the surface with care, so that the sealer is not damaged. For that reason, it
is recommended that a cutting board always be used. Sometimes a cutting board is even
made an integral part of the countertop. Also, hot pans should not be placed directly
on the countertop, but rather on a trivet or a hot pad. Use a mild, non-abrasive soap and
warm water for daily cleaning.
Concrete countertops are not for everyone, as their handmade quality may make the surface somewhat
unpredictable. Each countertop is uniquely fashioned and usually changes over time. With regular
use, it develops a warm surface patina, and hairline cracks may appear. None of this affects its
durability or structural integrity. It is what makes a concrete countertop have a special
character all of its own, and is part of what attracts homeowners to the material.
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