Light the Way Whether tweaking existing designs or creating entirely custom pieces, Jeffrey Goodman’s New York City-based studio, jGoodDesign, hand-blows all its glass lighting. “People can send us floor plans or fabric samples, to help us get an idea of their space,” communications manager Jill Gerlin says of the studio’s creative process, and the design grows from there. Homeowners can request custom colors and heights, vertical or horizontal configurations, and drop-offs for stairway installations. They also can choose single pendants or chandeliers.
Even the fixtures’ light sources can be customized. “All of the bulbs can be switched out for LEDs but [the designer] will wire things specifically for fluorescent or halogen,” Gerlin explains. The option has been especially popular in the last year, she adds. jGoodDesign. 212.475.0479. www.jgooddesign.com.
Private Clubs Who needs the great outdoors? Homeowners anxious to hit the links can turn instead to the Full Swing Golf simulator. The product uses more than 600 infrared sensors to recreate the golfing experience, detecting everything from the angle at which a golfer hits the ball to the type of ball used. With a few taps of the touchscreen controls, users can select from 50-plus courses, hit from a variety of simulated surfaces, and even compete in online tournaments.
The standard simulator measures 20 feet long, 13 feet wide, and 10½ feet tall, but custom sizes are available. The insulated panels of the enclosure can be adapted to any interior design or fascia, the maker says. Its drop-down screen also converts into a home theater and is compatible with all gaming systems. Full Swing Golf. 858.675.1100. www.fullswinggolf.com.
Counter Productive Originally a millwork company, The Grothouse Lumber Co. began producing custom countertops and solid wood table bases exclusively in 1997. Today the focus is on providing an array of options to customers, says owner Paul Grothouse, as seen by the availability of 63 wood species and more than 40 stock stain colors and by the company’s ability to custom-match stains. The craftsmen also offer two FDA-approved finishes; a food-grade oil finish; and Durata, a water-resistant, formaldehyde-free finish available only on counters made by The Grothouse Lumber Co.
Grothouse says some of his most memorable projects left an impression because of their scale. “The largest we did was 6 inches thick, 54 inches wide, and 22 feet long,” he recalls. More recently, the company introduced a serpentine bar top series featuring counters with curving edges. The Grothouse Lumber Co. 877.268.5412. www.glumber.com.
Metal Mania Stainless steel appliances are all the rage in the kitchen, so Stainless Living—the consumer brand for Rigidized Metals Corp.—helps metal-loving homeowners satisfy their elemental cravings.
The fabricator produces custom stainless steel and copper backsplashes, tiles, and countertops. According to Jean Stanley, manager of the kitchen and bath line, stainless backsplashes are its most popular request. Each panel can measure up to 10 feet long and 4 feet high, depending on the pattern. She says customers increasingly are asking for “complete walls, bar fronts, bathrooms, and garages,” adding, “When there’s a seam or corner, we match it exactly so there’s no disruption.”
The company’s stainless steel is made from 100 percent recycled material and is low-maintenance. Its copper, by contrast, changes and patinas as it ages—unless a coating is applied. Rigidized Metals Corp. 866.713.4408. www.stainlessliving.com.
