alfano-kitchen-bath

3 Most Popular Finishes for Countertops

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 20:28:34 GMT

Recent design trends are showing a lot of textures. From crushed velvet for couches and window treatments, to hand scraped wood flooring, texture has become a statement for interior design. Texture has even made its impression on countertops, with a lot of designers and homeowners leaning towards honed finishes, especially in marble and granite.

Polished

Polished countertop surfaces are still the most popular for kitchen and bathrooms. This glossy finish will provide a shiny, glass-like look and truly brings out the full color and characteristics of the stone. As bathrooms and kitchens are very high traffic areas, which see a lot of day to day usage, the polished finish allows for the least amount of maintenance and care.

Honed

Honed finishes give off more of a matte, satin-like finish. There is virtually little to no shine on the overall surface. Honed finishes will need more maintenance than polished surfaces, such as resealing every few years. You will also want to be more cautious on this surface, liquids specifically acidic ones like tomato sauce, red wine, or sodas, should not be left overnight. You will want to promptly clean up these spills before permanent marks are left behind.

Leather & Suede

Leather and suede finishes of natural stone have really picked up as an interior design trend in high-end custom homes. Commonly seen in darker stones, such as granite which features a lot of character, leather or suede finishes truly showcase a textured look. Leathered stones sometimes have a slight sheen, but not as much as a glossy polished countertop. Suede stone, like the leather, is soft in appearance as well as touch. Both these finishes require more care than that of polished stone, but when taken care of, really makes an impact in the room.

The surface finishes you ultimately select will drastically affect the look and feel of your remodel, not to mention overall maintenance and care as you go. When working with our team, ask questions and share information about your family’s lifestyle so we can help you select the best option!

See Our Countertop Selections

Add Luxury to Your Kitchen With These Popular Specialty Appliances.

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 20:24:01 GMT

With the rising popularity of celebrity chefs and prestigious cooking shows, preparing gourmet meals at home is quickly becoming the norm for many home cooking enthusiasts. Everyone wants to treat their family and friends to fantastic, but it isn't easy without investing in specialty appliances.

Read on to learn more about the essential specialty appliances to add luxury to your kitchen and start cooking like a real chef!

Induction Cooktop

An induction cooktop is a great addition to your kitchen, as it is energy efficient, quick, and thorough. To use it, you will need induction-friendly pots and pans, which will use electricity for proper heating. This induction technology is becoming more and more popular as people are getting used to this innovative and convenient way of cooking.

Steam Oven

Cooking healthy, nutritional, and tasty meals can be complicated at times. Luckily, specialty appliances such as steam ovens are here to help. Steam ovens are small microwave like units that can steam anything from vegetables to fish and meats, without the use of high-fat oils.

Warming Drawers

It may seem like warming drawers only have their place in professional kitchens, but these useful appliances are quickly becoming must-have kitchen accessories to keep meals warm while waiting to be served. Warming drawers are particularly priceless if you host large groups, such as Christmas family gatherings, birthday parties, or other circumstances where you offer a buffet-style meal!

Wine Fridge

Are you a wine connoisseur? The true mark of a wine lover is a wine fridge. If you don’t have a cellar, a wine fridge is the best arrangement for your valued bottles. You can keep red or white wines at their ideal temperature, bringing out the subtle and sophisticated notes of your favorite bottles.

Beverage Fridge

If your family love their sodas, juices, or alcoholic drinks, a beverage fridge is perfect for keeping them chilled while also freeing up space in your main refrigerator.

Built-in coffee-machine

An essential specialty appliance for any coffee lover, a built-in coffee machine can grind and brew the perfect cup of java in a matter of seconds.

Speed Oven

Speed ovens are small, fast, and can do anything from grilling to roasting. The benefit of a speed oven is it is energy efficient and can cut down on cooking time. This gives you more flexibility when creating your dinner masterpiece!

Do you have any questions about selecting appliances or assistance planning materials for your upcoming remodeling project? Click here to contact us online or call us at (732) 922-2020 to speak with one of our professionals today.

Designer Select Trends: Clawfoot Tubs

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 20:19:29 GMT

Clawfoot tubs are all the rage these days: they are aesthetically stunning, flexible and comfortable. With their pleasant old-fashioned feel, clawfoot tubs are ideal for people who want to add a nice retro charm to their bathroom or achieve that elusive luxurious feel.

Read o n to learn more about clawfoot tubs and discover how to get started if you are considering installing one in your home!

It’s all about space.

Before considering a clawfoot tub - or any tub, for the matter, it is very important actually to get a very precise idea of your space. In other words, will the tub be a good fit? It’s very important for the tub to fit snugly within your particular space. The last thing you want is to spend money in a tub, only to discover that - surprise surprise, it doesn’t fit in your designated space for it!

It is also a bit frustrating to discover that your new clawfoot tub barely fits…you want a bathroom, not a Tetris playground! Always make sure to measure your space and leave plenty of room for wiggle.

Different materials for different styles.

Clawfoot tubs come in different materials. Acrylic is a very flexible option, and it is quite affordable too. The material is easy to shape and fairly versatile. On the other hand, many people prefer metal or cast iron for a more traditional feel. The latter models are usually heavier, and they might hurt your floor without proper precautions, due to their weight. By its nature, metal might also require more attentive maintenance. As you might know, metals don’t work too well with water over time, and you might need to be very attentive if you seek to prevent rust and other signs of wear. Regular maintenance might be annoying to some, but to others, it is a worthy price to pay for a phenomenal look that has no equal.

Comfort

As with anything in your home, a clawfoot tub is not just for looks. It should also be useful and comfortable. Will it fit your lifestyle and needs? Many clawfoot tubs are very deep, which is great for relaxing and bathing, but could be difficult to bathe a toddler. It is very important for you to choose a model that could fit your home and your family.

Clawfoot tubs are trending as one of the most luxurious design elements in a bathroom remodel. By following these few easy tips, you’ll be sure to select a statement piece that perfects your bathroom remodel.

Do you have any questions about selecting a tub or assistance planning materials for your upcoming remodeling project? Click here to contact us online or call us at (732) 922-2020 to speak with one of our professionals today.

Why is Cambria Quartz the right choice for your next remodel?

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 20:15:23 GMT

If you are considering materials for your next remodeling project, you should keep your eyes on Cambria Quartz. This material isn’t only stunning and visually striking: it is also extremely durable and flexible. For this reason, Cambria quartz is often found on high-quality kitchen table tops, sinks, and other surfaces.

Read on to learn more about Cambria Quartz and discover who it could be the best choice for your next remodel!

Colors to suit different aesthetics.

Cambria Quartz is aesthetically quite versatile, as it comes in many different colors, which can be a good match with different styles, looks, and concepts. This way, you can match the Cambria Quartz with any piece of furniture or other interior design elements in your space. From endearing dark hues to vibrant marble patterns, the possibilities are truly endless.

Ultimate Durability

Cambria Quartz is more durable and stable than many other similar materials on the market, including granite. While the latter is vulnerable to heat and impact damage, Cambria Quartz has a phenomenal natural density, which makes it incredibly sturdy and reliable in any situation. Most Cambria quartz items are also sealed upon manufacturing, further protecting the surface from nicks and dings.

A perfect natural vibe.

Cambria is made out of completely natural Quartz, a prized hard mineral, known for its durability and flexibility of use. Although Cambria might look quite similar to granite, it is superior in a lot of ways, particularly since granite only features from 40% to 60% quartz in its composition. Cambria, on the other hand, is made by combining pure Quartz with resins and pigments in small amounts, to add color and texture. The result is a non-porous material, meaning that it will be denser, and therefore, more robust.

Do you have any questions about selecting countertops or assistance planning materials for your upcoming remodeling project? Click here to contact us online or call us at (732) 922-2020 to speak with one of our professionals today.

We Were Awarded The Best Of Houzz

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 20:05:44 GMT

Alfano Renovations of Monmouth County, NJ and Union County, NJ has won “Best Of Customer Service” on Houzz®, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The award winning kitchen and bath remodeling firm was chosen by the more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 40 million monthly users on Houzz. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2017. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award. A “Best Of Houzz 2018” badge will appear on winners’ profiles, as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.

“Houzz is the platform that our clients utilize for inspiration on new projects and rely on for honest reviews and feedback from the Houzz user community. We recognize the power of Houzz and therefore maintain our profile with our latest projects and showcase our client’s satisfaction. We collaborate with remodeling companies across the country on design ideas, sharing our unique style and staying ahead of the latest industry trends. Earning another Best Of Houzz award in 2018 has proved that the hard work and effort we put into our business is being well received,” said Michael Alfano Jr., Lead Designer at Alfano Renovations.

"The Houzz community selected a phenomenal group of Best of Houzz 2018 award winners, so this year's recipients should be very proud,” said Liza Hausman, Vice President of Industry Marketing at Houzz. “Best of Houzz winners represent some of the most talented and customer-focused professionals in our industry, and we are extremely pleased to give them both this recognition and a platform on which to showcase their expertise."

Follow Alfano Renovations on Houzz http://www.houzz.com/pro/michaelalfano/alfano-renovations-kitchen-and-bath-showroom

About Alfano Renovations

Alfano Renovations is a family-owned and operated renovations, construction and real estate consulting company. Over 20 years ago, the Alfano family built this company the same way it builds structures - with careful design, dedication, strength, and creative ideas. These principles catalyze Alfano’s finished products to stand out from the rest, giving the residents and businesses of New Jersey a full-service provider of buildings that impress. Their work is showcased in two spacious designer showrooms, located in Monmouth County and Union County. They are located at 353 Highway 35 in Eatontown, NJ (Get Directions) and 331 South Ave, Garwood, NJ 07027 (Get Directions). For more information or to request a design consultation, contact Alfano Renovations at (732) 922-2020 or visit them online at http://www.alfanorenovations.com.