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Techlinea Inc., designed lighting
for Charles Salter & Associates new audio–video offices
Charles Salter & Associates unveiled their new audio-video design studio on April 29th. The new studio is located in the Hallidie Building, 130 Sutter Street. The audio-video studio shares the floor with the San Francisco Chapter of the AIA, so, it will be a featured whenever anyone vists the AIA offices.
Techlinea Inc., San Francisco based lighting consultants worked closely with CS&A to create the lighting and controls system for this LEEDS gold certified design studio. The focal point entry foyer consists of a color-changing LED luminous ceiling. The centralized common areas are illuminated with state of the art high-intensity LED downlights. The private offices use the latest in LED undercabinet lighting, as well as the newest streamline indirect energy-efficient fluorescents and custom luminous celing concepts. The lighting is controlled by Creston Electronics lighting controls. The entire 5000 sq/ft/design studio uses only 500 watts of halogen lighting, that’s 1/10 watt per sq/ft. the rest of the lighting is all color corrected energy efficient LED and Fluorescent lighting.
 
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Roast or Bake?
I had a client recently ask me what the difference was between ROAST and BAKE settings on their new oven. Sounds like a simple question but we were surprised by how many people hadn’t a clue. In the BAKE setting only the lower or convection heating element would be active. In the ROAST setting every heat source is active including the broiler element. A simple concept that explains why you don’t roast a cake yet can bake or roast a fowl. For a more in-depth discussion and a very good description of how erratic manufacturers are on this topic please follow the link a related article on Ochef www.ochef.com
Simmer & Sear Burner
The vast majority of the cooktops specified for our projects have high output, commercial style gas burners. Short of comparing BTU’s, burner grate configuration, sizes and esthetics people have trouble sorting them out. There is one burner that caught our attention. Dacor’s “Simmer & Sear Burner” has a range of 18,000 btus – 700 btus. The Dacor sales pitch is identical to the one we used 25 years ago with the wonderful old Chambers cooktops that no longer exist. We would put a plate on the burner with pieces of chocolate and leave it on all day. The chocolate would barely melt at the lowest setting. What that Chambers didn’t have was the other extreme of high heat that this Dacor burner now offers. This may not be the only deciding factor in a cooktop choice but it certainly has a flexibility that’s hard to top.
www.dacor.com
Re-using painted over hinges and knobs
We recently installed a kitchen that saved an old built-in hutch. It was no problem refinishing the wood but the client wanted to re-use the knobs and hinges that had many coats of paint on them. My father taught me years ago to take them off, including the screws, and boil them in water infused with a hefty dose of cider vinegar. You boil them just long enough to see the paint start rising off the hinges. Stop, let them cool then peel off the paint. Most times it’s not quite that easy but you’ll only need a Brillo pad or something similar to get off the stubborn parts .If they’re solid metal it works every time. If it’s plated you might end up with a patina you didn’t quite anticipate!
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Art at The Source
Andrea Cleall
It's Art at The Source time again in Sonoma County. Our best friend, Andrea Cleall will be presenting her renderings of the birds and beasts of her wine soaked environment as well as her books and sketches inspired by her beloved Hawaii. Showing the first 2 weekends in June, 6/7 and 13/14, at her studio deep in the redwoods at 13920 Green Valley Rd, between Forestville and Guerneville.
Art at The Source with West County Design www.westcountydesign.com
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Pewter By Design
Pewter by Design countertops are handcrafted in San Francisco, California to replicate the traditional European process that has been followed for many generations. The pewter is hand formed to duplicate the "period look" of French Chateau life. They are a small group of artists and craftsmen dedicated to creating beauty in everything we do. Their team brings a collective body of expertise from many different disciplines including: metal fabrication, woodworking, sculpting, patination, fine finishing, engineering, and other highly specialized skills. www.pewterbydesign.com
 
 
BRING INDOOR - ENTERTAINMENT OUTSIDE
With New Weatherproof Technologies for Televisions and Speakers
 Imagine lying in the pool and watching your favorite baseball team or golfer shattering their opponent. Watching Oprah on the screen while lying in the pool and soaking
up the sun. Enjoying your favorite movie or music in your hot tub with that special someone. Weatherized outdoor displays will change the way you use your favorite outdoor area. They can lift and swivel from behind a wall, or lift out of the ground near the pool, next to your putting green or barbecue, or in front of your hot tub. They can be simply wall-mounted or custom-installed to hide when not in use—the options are limitless. Your deck, patio, pool, hot tub, and barbecue areas will never be the same. Controlled outdoor lighting is a great way to set the mood for a romantic evening or watching the game with friends. Landscape on/off lighting can now be controlled with an astronomical clock. Lights will come on at dusk and turn off at sunrise, or at any requested preset time. www.highdefinitionhome.com
  
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