Products: Fine Finishes

Carved Beauty Hand-carved wood entry doors are custom-designed in the U.S. by architects and designers, then crafted in India of natural teak. The hardwood’s weather- and insect-resistant properties make it suitable for exterior applications, and its workability makes it ideal for carving simple or intricate designs into its surface. “It can withstand most climatic changes,” says Arya Enterprises owner Cherian Paulose. “It has a lot of natural qualities, and contains a natural oil that protects it to a certain extent from termites.”

Paulose starts the design process with a sketch based on the client’s ideas. Once the customer is satisfied with the design, the carving begins. The finished product can be left in its natural shade of golden brown or stained. A combination of finishes can also be used to highlight specific design details, such as medallions, frames, or panel edges. Glass sidelights and transoms, as well as glass panels, can be incorporated into the overall design. 678.560.3244. www.aryaenterprises.com.

Stony Surfaces Sinks and countertops from Sheldon Slate are crafted of several varieties of slate in different colors quarried by the company in its own fields in Maine, Vermont, and New York. Family owned and operated, the company also produces slate tiles, roofing, flagstones, and monuments.

The goal in each custom project is to produce a sink that fits a kitchen’s design and scale. Using computer-aided technology, Sheldon’s staff works with architects and designers to build sinks in a wide array of designs. “Most people just want a sink, but some have very exact requirements,” owner John Tatko says. Sheldon Slate’s design staff can help clients create a slate sink in single-, double-, or triple-basin configurations, with angled or sloped sides, and in any size requirements, says Tatko. The company’s slate is non-porous, non-combustible, stain-resistant, and does not need sealing. The sinks are built like pieces of furniture, with rabbeted joints that are precisely machined to match exactly. The pieces fit into each other, and a marine-grade adhesive is applied to the joints. 207.997.3615. www.sheldonslate.com.