Crafted from Corian
BY CONSTANCE GORFINKLE
The Patriot Ledger
The space-age designs Joel Miller creates don't look like they're made of your daddy's Corian. That DuPont material, used largely for kitchen counters, has grown up, thanks to artisans like Miller, who has learned how to clad walls, build bathtubs and even fashion armchairs out of the versatile substance that appears to have few limits on its application.
One of those big, shiny chairs sits across from Miller's desk in his Brockton, Mass., loft studio. Dark green and magenta, the eye-popping chair is one of almost two dozen Miller made for an installation in the lower concourse of Grand Central Station in New York City, in collaboration with Sterling Surfaces of Leominster, Mass.
If that use for a commercial material seems more P.R. than practical, Miller begs to differ, pointing out the durability of Corian, which far outlasts that of natural materials.
"Corian is acrylic, which means it's nonporous and won't stain," he explains. It's also easily renewable, a plus for a piece of furniture that is sat in daily by thousands of people looking to rest their weary legs. It can be scorched, however.
"Whether it's scratched or whether there is a little discoloration, it can be restored as good as day one." In fact, Corian can be completely remodeled, says Miller.
"We've taken kitchens that are 10 years old and reconfigured them with some additional material when the home owners have wanted to remodel. So, basically, they've gotten their money's worth out of the product."
The 31-year-old Miller, who grew up in Brockton and learned cabinetry at South Easton Vocational School before working on high-end reproduction furniture at Eldred Wheeler in Hingham, eventually was drawn to Corian for its ability to be shaped when heated to 315 degrees Fahrenheit. It also can be sandblasted, laser-etched, back-lit and combined with other materials, including glass, wood, stone and metals.
Miller still makes what he calls cookie-cutter products out of the material, which comes to him in 12-foot-by-30-foot-by-inch-thick sheets.
"That's my bread and butter," he concedes. But more and more, he's getting jobs that require him "to think out of the box," as designers and architects increasingly get to know his work.
Among those out-of-the-box projects are a whimsical playground in Cambridge; a loft apartment in New York City, all of whose walls are clad in Corian; various pieces of furniture, among them a coffee table that appears to undulate; a handsome, heated chaise lounge, and a grouping of square bathroom sinks, striking in the purity of their design.
That the word about Miller is getting out is apparent in his growing list of clients. That includes the bath-and-kitchen design company Waterworks, Donna Karan Retail, Boston's Museum of Science, and Ian Schrager Hotels of New York.
A walkthrough of Miller's bright and airy, 6,000-square-foot studio is an eye-opener to what his work entails. Dominated by a long table, the room is cluttered with plywood molds upon which he shapes the Corian, after it's made malleable in the special oven that heats it to just the right temperature, a process that requires constant monitoring by Miller.
In the third floor of an old loft building, Sterling-Miller Designs is run by two-people: Miller is the artisan responsible for design and execution while his sister Tanya runs the business end of the company.
What Miller describes as his high-end work has been recognized in such prestigious publications as Architectural Digest. But that hasn't made him dismissive of his commercial jobs. In fact, he sees a strong crossover between those and his more innovative creations.
Jeanne and Mason Wiley of Marshfield, Mass., can attest to that. In renovating the kitchen of their 1830 Colonial, the couple wanted open shelves rather than cabinets, so that their collection of attractive ceramicware, made by Jeanne, could be properly displayed.
Since the shelves would be in front of a large window, overlooking their large backyard and the woods beyond, it was necessary that they not be too bulky.
Miller already was on the job fashioning the kitchen's countertops, so the Wileys appealed to him to find a way to create shelves thin enough to look as though they were floating, but strong enough to support the considerable weight of the ceramics.
Miller's solution was to affix a thin strip of Corian to a thin strip of aluminum. The result is just what the Wileys wanted: a graceful series of shelves that let the light in and are as beautiful as the pieces displayed upon them.
The Wileys have another project for Miller. Since circumstances have made it necessary for them to put their Marshfield house on the market, they will ask him to fashion an exciting workspace in the kitchen of their new home -- a 1743 house in Hingham.
Thrilled with their Marshfield masterpiece, Jeanne Wiley says: "I'll love anything Joel comes up with."
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From Finishes to Flooring: Kitchen Surfaces are Being Transformed by Texture
WILMINGTON, Del., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Earth, Lava Stone, Brass Pearl and Sandscapes(TM) are among the newest textured aesthetics being offered by some of the top names in countertops, flooring, appliances and paint. Today's textures are derived from both organic and inorganic origins to create the added dimension homeowners are choosing for their homes.
Perhaps no place within the home exemplifies this design trend more evidently than the kitchen, the single most renovated room in the house. According to Rebecca Cole, co-host of Discovery Channel's Surprise by Design, homeowners are feeling more confident layering a variety of surface materials and colors in their kitchens.
"Touch is our most personal sense -- we want to reach out and feel things that look appealing," said Cole. "And ever since great designers such as Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Michael Graves have been creating for the masses, individuals are feeling more comfortable being bold with color, blending classic and modern, and bringing the outdoors inside."
Companies on the leading edge of textural decor make it their business to understand residential design techniques and consumer style preferences. For example, DuPont, Mannington Mills, KitchenAid Home Appliances and Sherwin- Williams employ directors of styling and development to unearth the trends and translate them into products sought after by consumers.
Ginguei Ebnesajjad is the director of Styling and Product Development for DuPont Surfaces, which is launching a series of three uniquely textured colors of DuPont(TM) Corian(R) Private Collection, Earth, Sagebrush and Tumbleweed. She describes the colors as engagingly complex surfaces that emulate the desert landscape.
"The colors have a lot of movement, but are also very neutral -- I call them a canvas for living," said Ebnesajjad. "They allow people who want to create depth to layer splashes of color without over stimulating their senses." Visit http://www.corian.com/ to view the DuPont palette.
Mannington Mills, a leading manufacturer of floor coverings, utilizes texture to create both visual and tactile dimension in its products. According to Joe Amato, vice president of Styling and Design for Mannington Mills, realism and color are key when emulating beautiful looks of slate, travertine and wood.
"Natural looks are extremely popular when it comes to styling kitchen flooring," said Amato. "And, when texture interacts with color, it can create a warm, subtle sophisticated look or a dramatic combination that enhances the character of other items found in today's kitchens."
When it comes to statements of color and finish, perhaps no other company has spotted the trend as brilliantly as KitchenAid Home Appliances, who continues to push the envelope as a fashion leader in the countertop appliance industry and has been a leader in color since 1954. From high gloss, colorful finishes to neutral palette and low gloss finishes, the appliances are intended to complement the natural materials popular in today's kitchens.
"We must stay plugged in to information everywhere, all the time," said Tiina Perttu, manager, Global Color Strategy and Trends. "From fashion to hardware, automotive and travel, we look for lasting trends, versus just passing fads."
Consumers also are exploring texture in wall coverings, from wallpaper to paint. For example, Sherwin-Williams' illusions(R) Sandscapes(TM), Softsuede(TM) and Crackle Finish have been introduced to help DIYers achieve their individually desired design effects.
"Paint is perhaps the most flexible way to complement or add contrast to today's popular countertops, appliances and cabinetry," said Sheri Thompson, Sherwin-Williams director, Color Marketing and Design. "Texture can be added to walls, trim or even furnishings to create feelings of luxury, retreat or even an exotic, sensual environment." Consumers can visit http://www.sherwin-williams.com/ to experience the company's illusions(TM) finishes on the color visualizer.
According to Cole, in well-designed kitchens, a combination of these elements allows homeowners to keep color palettes tight, themes bold and the look lively. "Contrasting looks help us appreciate the beauty in our interiors. With a mix of features that are marbled, smooth, shiny, tweedy or woven, we can create environments that convey high style and elegance."
One of the largest flooring companies in the U.S., Mannington Mills, Inc., based in Salem, NJ, is the only North American company engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of resilient, laminate, hardwood and porcelain tile floors, as well as commercial vinyl and carpet. Founded in 1915 by John Campbell, the company is still privately held. After 90 years, the company continues to pursue its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction through customer-focused product design, state-of-the-art technology and innovative marketing. For more information visit http://www.mannington.com/.
Since the introduction of its legendary stand mixer in 1919 and first dishwasher in 1949, KitchenAid has built on the legacy of these icons to create a complete line of products designed for cooks. From countertop appliances to cookware, ranges to refrigerators, and whisks to wine cellars, KitchenAid now offers virtually every essential for the well-equipped kitchen. To learn why chefs choose KitchenAid for their homes more than any other brand, visit http://www.kitchenaid.com/.
Sherwin-Williams is the nation's largest specialty retailer of paint, stains, coatings, wall coverings and associated supplies and sundry items. With more than 3,000 stores in North America, the company is dedicated to supporting the do-it-yourself consumer with specialized products, superior technical knowledge and one-on-one, personalized service that's focused on the do-it-yourselfer's unique project needs. Sherwin-Williams brand-name products can only be found at Sherwin-Williams stores.
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Delaware is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.
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