One of the countertop materials that has really piqued my interest is Formica, and also Karran Edge Sinks, because Karran is the one sink that brings an air of unmitigated luxury to Formica. It is both unusual and gorgeous, and a number of sinks in this line have, to my eye, truly elegant lines.

Plastic laminate is an alternative countertop product that gets my vote. Even if you don’t install it yourself, the cost savings is substantial. The question, though, is will it look beautiful or just cheap? And that is what so excited me about Karran Edge Sinks when I saw them at KBIS.

Pyrolave has studios throughout the world, including our own USA, which has been importing these exceptional countertops since 1993. The countertop material itself, although available in a large range of colors, is natural, made of Volvic lava stone quarried from Auvergne’s volcanoes in France.

The Grothouse Lumber Company bears the name of him who founded it, Paul Grothouse. Paul’s father was a period furniture maker, so Paul learned both the craftsmanship and the integrity of one of those old-time woodworkers on the East Coast, elements which are now on display in his company.