Beware of Fraudulent Eclipse Stainless Brand – Eclipse Stainless is CLOSED!

In July of 2017, ANO, Inc., after thirteen years as the Midwest Distributor of Eclipse Stainless, has terminated its relationship due to unresolved Quality Control Issues in the Malaysian Factory producing Eclipse Sinks. On December 29, 2017, Eclipse Stainless, Inc. was dissolved.

ANO will expedite warranty claims from our customers or their customers!! Click on the link in the header to contact ANO or CLICK HERE.

 Merry Christmas and

a Happy and Profitable New Year

From Jim, Karen, Tom, Julie and all the

Elves at the ANO Warehouse

The kitchen is the working center of your home. Lighting can make or break the design. It can also be adjusted from bright food prep illumination to cozy intimate family dining.

Plan your lighting early because relocating lighting can be expensive.

Layered lighting means providing various lighting systems to highlight different features and for different uses; task lighting for food prep, general lighting, accent lighting to highlight artwork or unique features.

Add ambient lighting to create a warm welcoming such as central lighting, table hanging lamp, or downlights at the perimeter.

Add accent lighting to highlight special features.

Choose lighting that matches your home’s style

Do not undersize the lighting or overwhelm the room with bright light.

Control lighting so a variety or looks can be achieved.

Source article: http://www.foxnews.com/real-estate/2017/11/03/9-pro-tips-for-choosing-kitchen-lighting.html

The Best Stainless Steel for Stainless Steel sinks is Certified 304-grade steel.

304 Stainless Steel has 18% Chromium and 8% Nickel. The Chromium gives the sink its luster and it will match the kitchen appliances which are also made from 304-grade stainless steel. The Nickel hardens the finish so it does not age. Here is an excerpt from a presentation we did for one of our customers.

https://youtu.be/WslYltUzaCo

There are four qualities that distinguish a quality a Stainless Steel Sink from the “free sinks” that are used as an incentive to buy countertops.

• Better steel
• Better production processes
• Certified quality
• A professional to stand behind the sink.

In this article, we will discuss one of the better processes, Individually drawing each bowl then welding the two bowls together. Here an excerpt from a presentation we did for one of our best customers.

https://youtu.be/fQ5hOs16i_I

Stainless Steel Buyers Guide/Checklist

Here is a checklist of what to look for when you are buying a stainless steel sink for your new granite or quartz countertop.

1. Certified 304 stainless steel so the sink will match you appliances at install and for the life of the sink. – Many sinks sold as 304 are not so you need to ask if it is certified by and independent agency such as UPC to be 304. Many sinks are drawn from 301 stainless steel which has less chromium so they will not match your appliances and less nickel so they will age faster.
2. Sinks with bowls that are individually drawn before they are welded together. This makes the bowls more even and heavier which means it is quieter. A welded 18 gauge sink is heavier than most sinks sold on the internet as 16 gauge.
3. All model building codes require that sinks are certified by and independent agency usually IAPMO (UPC) to meet ASTM112.19.3. To meet this requirement, the sink must have the manufacturer’s name or logo on the sink, so it is visible after installation and must have the independent agency’s mark stamped on the sink. In the case of UPC, it is their shield. A sticker provided by the manufacturer that states the sink meets UPC requirements does not meet the code requirement.
4. Does the sink have a sink professional to stand behind the sink? Many sinks sold on the internet are sold by companies with no inventory and no expertise regarding the products they offer. Companies like ANO are working with customers daily to resolve issues, so they do not return.

When you get a free sink, do not accept it just because it is free. You are buying your countertop for a lifetime. Make sure your sink will last as long as the countertop. If the free sink goes bad, it can only be replaced by another low-quality sink. Don’t let you expensive countertop project look second class for the price of a cheap sink.

There are three area three storage zones in the kitchen.

The Refrigerator Storage Zone.  

Sink Storage Zone

Stove Storage Zone

Kitchen storage works best if items are kept in the correct zone.

Source: Stash It All: Know the 3 Zones of Kitchen Storage

Kitchen renovations and remodeling often run over budget. According to the article below from Houzz there are common reasons the projects go over budget.

1. Selecting expensive products or materials – custom cabinets vs. box for example
2. Selected products were more expensive than expected
3. Change in project scope or design
4. Project more complex than expected
5. Discover unrelated construction related problems
6. Poor project management
7. Poor communication
8. Unexpected code building code requirements
9. Change service providers

More detailed list

1. Custom cabinetry vs. box
2. Special features in cabinets/ pull our shelves, spice racks and more can drive up cost.
3. Selecting higher priced countertops
4. Selecting more expensive appliances
5. Exposing unforeseen structural issues
6. Code compliance
7. Changing your mind during construction – Add not making selections before you start to budget busters.
8. Project creep where the dining room or living room now needs work to match the beautiful new kitchen.

Source: From the Pros: 8 Reasons Kitchen Renovations Go Over Budget

Most Popular Kitchen Storage Ideas on Houzz

1. Custom Pantries
2. Corner Drawers
3. Utensil Drawer
4. Undersink drawer
5. Pullout trash can
6. Cookie sheet drawer
7. Appliance garage
8. Deep cabinet organizer
9. Rolling cabinet or cart
10. Spice storage
11. Kitchen mail station
12. Dish drawer
13. Pet bowls
14. Open shelves
15. Pull our shelves

Source: The 15 Most Popular Kitchen Storage Ideas on Houzz