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So far Lauren Metter has created 23 blog entries.

S+H Construction’s Showroom Favorites — September 2024

By |2024-09-09T15:33:50-04:00September 9th, 2024|Letters from Jason, Showroom Favorites|

A Note From Jason

Time with the boys. Making summer memories!

Hi Everyone!

How is the transition to fall going? I love cool mornings and warm days, but I admit to struggling a bit to appreciate the early evenings as the days get shorter.

My sons are back at school. This time of year always seems like the start of things – much more so than the beginning of the calendar on Jan 1. During my recent two-week staycation, we had lots of opportunities to connect and laugh together. For me, this makes their transition back to the structure and responsibilities of being in a classroom easier. Instead of being silly and talking about nothing and enjoying being in the moment, we are now busy and our conversations often focus on logistics and stuff that needs to get done. I’m grateful that we were able to share such valuable down time as it helps us know one another in a deeper way.

Speaking of my staycation, everyone who told me that two weeks off is dramatically different than one week was right! Going into an extended time away from the office felt like a big deal. During the first week, it was hard not to think about work. But I knew my team had everything under control. It was my time to check out. What a relief! It felt so healthy and nourishing to clear my head and enjoy the little things. I am grateful I was able to take this stretch of days to renew and revitalize my passion for our family business, my love for the outdoors, and my enjoyment of the many activities that are available in our beautiful New England region. Have you visited York’s Wild Kingdom? I have to say, my boys and I had such a blast there. It was like an amusement park with animals. And so close to home!

This month’s guest blogger, Sarah Lawson, is the owner and president of S+H Construction. She took over the business about eight years ago after working there with the founders Alex Slive and Doug Hanna for over seven years. She was introduced to the world of building by her dad and followed this interest after a short stint in the tech world. I was fascinated to learn that she is also a competitive runner and travels the world for elite races. So cool.

If you visit one of our showrooms soon, please ask the receptionist if I am available. I would be glad to come over to say hello!

Yours,
Jason Sevinor
President

Think women don’t own construction companies? Meet Sarah. She was raised in Lincoln, MA, and learned how to build things from her father, a mechanical engineer. Her first construction job was framing residential renovations in the summer during college. After 15 years as a technical writer, Sarah decided to go another way and returned to construction, working for a small builder. Not long after, she started her own small general contracting firm, and eventually, she landed at S+H Construction in 2006. Ten years later, Sarah purchased the award-winning firm and is now building on the company’s past success and paving the way for a fresh new future. Aside from owning and running S+H, Sarah is the mother of six children, as well as a grandmother of seven, a Masters Track and Field competitor, and in her spare time (what spare time?), she plays the stand-up bass.

THE GALLEY WORKSTATION

The number one reason I love The Galley Workstation? “Hide the dirty dishes.” When your friends are coming in seven minutes, and you’re chopping the crudité — you can hide the evidence. I can just imagine cutting and pushing the food right into the in-built colander. And it looks great!

FRANKE UNIVERSAL ROLLER MAT IN STAINLESS STEEL

I’m such a fan of this roller mat by Franke. I actually just got one and it’s beautiful, versatile, and compact. The stainless steel rods are perfectly manufactured and the rubber is heavy. And it’s not just one strip of rubber — it actually bumps up over all the rods — so graphically, it’s a beautiful object. You can roll it right up and store it under your sink. And then when you’re hand-washing pots, you can dry them over the sink. Makes so much sense.

SIDLER QUADRO MEDICINE CABINET

This Sidler medicine cabinet is perfect for doing your makeup because of the way the light goes around the whole thing. And it’s big and beautiful. The light is very informative and flattering. It’s incredibly well done. You don’t normally look at a medicine cabinet and say, “That’s gorgeous; it’s so simple.” But with this one, you do.

MTI JULIET FREESTANDING BATHTUB

First of all, the MTI Juliet is matte — it’s not one of those shiny tubs. It looks like it’s carved out of some beautiful stone that you’ve found on a beach in Greece. I got in it, of course. Some tubs have a sharp angle inside, but when you sit in this one, you can feel it has a smoother transition. It has the perfect amount of lean.

CALIFORNIA FAUCETS TAMALPAIS WIDESPREAD LAVATORY FAUCET IN CARBON PVD

You really notice the difference in high quality plumbing fixtures, like this piece by California Faucets. The movement, the weight, the feeling. It’s beautiful, simple, and of good quality. It looks so modern and fresh to me.

Eighty-Two Ninety-Two’s Showroom Favorites — August 2024

By |2024-08-15T14:18:00-04:00August 15th, 2024|Letters from Jason, Showroom Favorites|

A Note From Jason

Woohoo! We are celebrating our company’s 79th anniversary. Feeling fortunate to keep the family tradition thriving and to move into our 80th year in business!

Hi everyone!

At the beginning of the month, Salem Plumbing Supply and Designer Bath celebrated 79 years since its inception. The weekend prior, I brought my boys into my office and Jack was looking at some old pictures – some of which were from when my dad was my age. Jack said, “Is this grampy?!” I said, “Yes it is!” It’s hard to believe we’re three generations into our business with the fourth generation picking weeds out of our landscaping at the front of our building. Business is not easy or for people who want to take the easy path. What keeps me going is getting to work with great people like our team members and our customers. Thanks for bringing us into our 80th year! Next August we’ll be celebrating a BIG ONE! 80, we’re coming for you!

One thing about being at the helm of a company is that you can feel like you are caught in the middle of a hamster wheel. You are working working working, but there is always so much more to do. While I try to preach balance as a priority to my family and colleagues, I have a tough time practicing it myself. So… for the first time ever, I am about to embark on a TWO WEEK staycation. What a luxurious concept. Two weeks away from email and voicemail and lists and responsibilities … can I do it? I know my team can manage everything while I am out of the office . They are amazing. And I know that it is important to regroup and recharge. I am trying to model what I espouse and what I know to be a best practice. I know it doesn’t sound painful or difficult and I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to take this break, but it is surprisingly hard to step away. I am committing to it and putting it out here, in print, to make myself accountable. Wish me luck!

Our bloggers for this month are a very talented husband and wife team. Respectively, they serve as architect and designer for the newly established firm Eighty Two Ninety Two. We have known each of them for many years as they honed their craft at some of the best known and highly acclaimed architectural firms in Boston. We are excited to see what they can accomplish as they merge their skills and experience to create beautiful and functional homes for their clients. Without further ado, here are Thomas and Molly Jonak and their five favorites from our Beverly showroom.

Best,
Jason Sevinor
President

Molly and Thomas are the founding principals behind Eighty-Two Ninety-Two Architecture & Interiors. They are a design-driven, value-added architectural and interior design firm and they believe that their work can positively impact their clients’ lives, businesses, and families.

SHAWS SHAKER FARMHOUSE FIRECLAY KITCHEN SINK

This is a classic look that could be used in a kitchen or laundry space, depending on the project. I could see it being paired with more of a traditional, widespread, lever handle faucet. You can’t go wrong with that combo. House of Rohl’s Shaws Collection has been around forever – which means in terms of quality, you know you’re getting something good.

NANTUCKET SINKS VICTORIAN FIRECLAY UTILITY SINK

I absolutely love this sink; it’s my favorite one in the showroom. I could totally see it in a laundry room and I love it for the powder room concept I’m currently working on. I’d pair it with a traditional widespread faucet or a classic faucet with lever handles and a spot on top of the faucet with a soap holder. It almost has a historic or antique vibe. It’s a utility sink that can be dressed up to achieve a more fun, vintage look.

VICTORIA & ALBERT VETRALLA FREESTANDING SOAKING BATHTUB

We came across this tub for the first time in the Designer Bath showroom. Victoria + Albert seems like a really versatile brand. The shape is streamlined, simple, clean, and on the more modern side — it would go nicely with more contemporary finishes. We love the floor mount tub filler options to go with this. This tub would be a focal point in a primary bathroom. It conveys a point of view and makes a statement.