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G&G Architectural Interiors Showroom Favorites — March 2024

By |2024-05-01T06:27:14-04:00March 1st, 2024|Uncategorized|

A Note From Jason

I’ve always worked hard to go green, but this is a new look!

Hi Everyone!

A couple weekends ago, the Salem Plumbing Supply sales team had a kickoff meeting for our new fiscal year. The focus was on the part of our business that caters to plumbers. It was an offsite meeting that gave us time to connect, strategize for the year and share goals. The best part was looking around the room and feeling a strong sense of gratitude for the passionate people who make up our team. I’m excited to work with these amazing people this coming year and continue to grow our business.

During the retreat, we often stated one of the most important things that differentiates our company from many of our competitors is being a third-generation family-owned business. The ability to be nimble, pivot when needed and make moves quickly gives us an advantage over large corporations. As a family business, we are embedded in our communities and prioritize serving the customers who buy our products and seek out our expertise. I feel this is where our true passion for our business comes from, to create solutions to the challenges our customers face. It feels great to help people.

March is designated as Women’s History Month and features “Women in Construction Week.” To celebrate, on our social media channels we are highlighting women who are running a few of the top high-end residential construction companies in the metro Boston area. By rising to the pinnacle in an industry that has a reputation for being male dominated, these women have demonstrated their intelligence, grit, and love for the world of building. I admire what they have accomplished, and I look forward to watching them make history as they transcend stereotypes, persevere in their roles and create new models of leadership. Both my colleagues and these female pioneers are inspirational to me.

Speaking of female entrepreneurs, I would like to introduce our guest blogger for March, Bethany Giblin, the owner of G&G Architectural Interiors. We worked with Bethany for many years during her prior stint at a large design/build firm. We were excited to hear her announcement of the launch of her new business and are glad to continue our dynamic partnership.

Until next month,

Jason Sevinor
President

G&G Architectural Interiors, founded in 2014 by owner Bethany Giblin, is an Interior Design firm located in Gloucester, MA specializing in kitchens, baths, and cabinetry. With a decade of experience in high end residential design, as well as multi-families and vacation rentals, G&G provides unmatched service, thoughtful design, and quality cabinetry for all projects.

CROSSWATER UNION SINGLE HOLE FAUCET WITH LEVER HANDLES IN BRUSHED BLACK CHROME

The first thing that stood out to me about this Crosswater piece is that the diameter of the spout is slightly oversized. That proportion is fun and different — it’s something you don’t see all the time. I also liked the brushed black chrome finish, which is unique and hard to come by. Finally, the touches of industrial styling stood out. The exposed washer and knurling on the handle are little details that elevate it and make it feel tailored.

I could see this working in a kids’ bathroom or a powder room — you can do things that are upbeat and funky in those spaces. Or you could pair it with a wall mount vanity in a really bold color to push into the pop art vibe. If you wanted to go more luxury, I would pair it with a Stone Forest vanity — I envision it with a thick carrara marble sink with metal legs.

STONE FOREST MILANO VESSEL SINK IN CARRARA MARBLE

This is exactly what I’d pair with the Crosswater faucet. I love the height of this sink. Yes, it’s a vessel so it’s above the counter, but it’s not so tall that it feels awkward for your hands. I also enjoyed the warmth of the carved stone and how it has no seams or joints — it’s just one smooth piece of stone. That feels luxurious. Sometimes you just need a bit of a quiet moment in a space where there’s a lot going on.

GRAFF PHASE CONTEMPORARY PRESSURE BALANCING SHOWER SET, ROUGH AND TRIM IN POLISHED CHROME

The thin and flat valve handle and tub spout of this GRAFF set stood out immediately — they’re unique and different, but they still feel ergonomic and easy to hold. The proportions are also comfortable. This is perfect for a contemporary shower with large-scale tile or showers that are a big slab of stone. Something very clean and modern.

ARTELINEA FLUTED VANITY IN BRONZO

The color of this Artelinea vanity is stunning — deep chocolate with an almost metallic sparkle. Chocolate brown is super trendy right now and I’m happy to see people jumping on the trend early. The one-piece molded glass top is rounded and soft, with no sharp edges. It feels very smooth and elegant. This could go with plumbing fixtures in rich gold tones. Or if you want to keep it cool and sleek, pair it with a shiny chrome with modern lines. I could also see it in a more moody master bath where the wall color is darker.

BRIZO LITZE PULL DOWN FAUCET WITH ANGLED SPOUT AND INDUSTRIAL HANDLE IN LUXE GOLD

This Brizo faucet is definitely a go-to favorite of mine; I’ve used it a million times. I keep going back to it because it’s an amazing price point for the finish and the quality you’re getting. Their specific gold finish is softer and cooler than most other product lines and therefore goes well with everything. I love the angled arch of the spout — how it goes up and down but it’s linear, not one big curve. It feels unique but also very Brizo. I’m also a sucker for that knurling/industrial detailing in the handle. It just gives it a little bit of interest and character.

Howell Custom Building Group’s Showroom Favorites — February 2024

By |2024-02-08T09:21:23-05:00February 7th, 2024|Uncategorized|

A Note From Jason

The key combo for happy kids is activities and fresh air – no matter what the weather! Here is a moment I captured with my sons that shows them having a great time playing in the snow during one of our adventures up north. 

Hello everyone and happy February!

For me, winter is a time to get outside. If I keep my boys inside too long, something is bound to get broken or someone is going to end up crying. To get their energy out, and mine as well, we take to the slopes when we can. This past weekend we did a day trip combo of skiing and tubing. I can tell you, we all slept well that night!

As we prep for the Super Bowl this weekend, I think about the things that got the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers to the big game. Neither team would have gotten there without teamwork.

When I think of teams and the power of working together as a singular unit, my attention turns to my colleagues at Designer Bath and Salem Plumbing Supply. Our company is committed to excellence and supporting one another, and always keeping the needs of the client top-of-mind. This is how we get to the kitchen and bath Super Bowl!

Recently, a friend at a staffing agency told me that this is the most challenging time to find and retain talent that they have ever seen. When we are searching to fill a position, we don’t settle. We know that investing in the search and hiring the right people is a critical part of our business if we want to remain at the top of our game. These decisions are important, and with this in mind, I’ve spent a significant amount of my time lately on the hiring process. I’m happy to say we’ve had great success and have brought on several impressive additions to our team. By curating the right players, I’m confident we’ll continue to have our Super Bowl-caliber team.

This month’s guest blogger is Susan Howell from Howell Custom Building Group. She and her husband Steve have developed a reputation as one of the best builders on the Northshore, especially if you are interested in post and beam construction. We have been collaborating with Howell Custom Building Group for over a decade. We worked with them on a couple of Habitat for Humanity Builders Blitz projects in Lawrence and that helped forge a friendship that has developed into a strong partnership. Susan came into our Beverly showroom and we were proud to show her the recent updates to the layout and displays.

Best,
Jason Sevinor
President

Susan and husband Steve Howell are the Owners/Founders of Howell Custom Building Group. A leader amongst the premier residential builders in the greater Boston area, the company was recently honored as “2023 Builder of the Year” by the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston (BRAGB). For over 26 years they’ve provided a consistently great new home construction and home remodeling experience for homeowners north of Boston.

FURNITURE GUILD HAYDEN VANITY BASE

This Furniture Guild vanity appealed to me because it’s elegant, yet not overly formal. Lately, we are building and renovating homes with a transitional or modern farmhouse style and this would look great in a powder room of one of these projects. The heavy circular brushed brass pulls are so beautiful – their heft lends substance and “pop” to an otherwise delicate looking piece. I also like the functional aspect of the drawers, which feature mortise and tenon joinery, a testament to the craftsmanship of this vanity. In the showroom, this vanity was part of a display that included brass sconces that matched the aged brass finish on the pulls. I loved the entire vignette.

 STONE FOREST AMBER ONYX VESSEL SINK

As I walked across the showroom floor, my eyes were immediately drawn to this visually stunning natural stone vessel sink by Stone Forest. It looks like a piece of artwork featuring organic patterns and colors — I love the stone’s unique nature. This would go well in one of the post and beam homes we build — I could see the stone complementing exposed woods, natural stone floors, and other earthy products.

 LANDMADE OSTRA BATHTUB IN PURESTONE WHITE

The Landmade Ostra tub caught my eye because of its size, unusual shape, and the Purestone matte white finish. This finish softens the tub’s look and feel, so you just want to climb into it. While the piece is oversized (my 6’3” husband would be comfortable in it!), the sculptural shape and the chamfered edge add an airy lightness. I envision this tub becoming the centerpiece of an owner’s bathroom in a contemporary home, perhaps sitting in front of an oversized picture window overlooking a beautiful view.