Only Natural Stone Supplier to Receive Certification

Everlife™ by Innovative Stone® ANNOUNCES NSF CERTIFICATION

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (February 2009) – Everlife™ by Innovative Stone has announced its recent NSF® International Certification. This certification states that natural stones having polished finishes protected by Innovative Stone’s PermaShield™ technology meet the material standards for cleanability according to NSF-51.

The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) provides industry standards for food equipment and testing to ensure kitchen products - such as Everlife countertops - are safe and sanitary materials to be used in high-traffic food service areas like restaurants. PermaShield™ anti-stain technology allows NSF to issue its certification to the only natural stone countertop offering meeting the criteria.

“We are honored to receive the NSF certification as it’s a testament to the years of extensive research and production that went into developing our PermaShield™ technology, which protects each countertop surface,” commented Karen Pearse, founder and CEO of Innovative Stone.

“Builders, interior designers, chefs and restaurant managers no longer have to choose between safety and design. Our luxurious Everlife offering of resplendent colors allows designers to focus their efforts on creating visionary designs while being ensured the highest level of safety,” she said.

Everlife countertops are protected by PermaShield™, a proprietary process that covers microscopic staining paths below the surface of granite or natural stone material. These paths are infused with molecular technology causing them to adopt water and oil-repelling properties. As a result, PermaShield™ protects the countertop surface from harmful elements.

NSF® International, founded in 1944 as the National Sanitation Foundation, is known for the development of standards, product testing and certification services in the areas of public health, safety and protection of the environment. NSF® Certification programs are accredited to the international standards through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Standards Council of Canada, assuring the highest level of integrity, quality and acceptance.

In addition to the NSF certification, Everlife™ has received industry certification by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI). For more information on Everlife™, visit www.everlifestone.com or call 1-800- 627-8663

About Innovative Stone®:

Innovative Stone is a leading global fabricator, supplier and distributor of branded natural stone products for commercial and residential markets, with operations in the U.S., Brazil, China, Italy and Turkey. Headquartered in New York, Innovative Stone has distribution centers in major cities across the U.S.

Innovative Stone's commercial stone supply business has a wide-ranging customer base that includes leading U.S. retail stores, shopping malls and hotels as well as many prestigious international projects. As a result of the company’s in-depth industry knowledge, global relationships and service to high-profile customers, Innovative Stone is widely recognized for its solid commitment to excellence and unsurpassed customer service. For additional information on Innovative Stone, call 631-273-4445, visit www.innovativestone.com, or e-mail info@innovativestone.com.

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Next Generation Microwave Drawer Ovens

Sharp unveils the newest 24" and 30" models for microwave drawers, models KB-6524 and KB-6525.

If you have a base cabinet to spare, microwave drawers are a great solution for freeing up counter space. Microwave drawers are ideal for children learning to help cook with Mom and Dad supervising, or Aging in Place design concerns. The controls are tilted up for easy viewing.

This year, Sharp has improved the design by making the interior bigger for reheating food and beverages.

If you have tall coffee mugs and wished for a taller capacity to reheat your beverage, Sharp has listened to the consumer, and the new models, K-6524 and K-6525, have a taller interior cavity at 7 1/8" tall. The units are larger by 1.2 cubic feet. The total interior space measures 17 5/16" x 7 1/8" x 16 3/16". Big enough to place a 8" x 13" casserole dish or a 20oz coffee mug.

But hold on, one change I am disappointed to report missing from the new models are the louvered grills at the bottom. The louvers on the older models served a valuable purpose directing the hot air out and away from the cabinetry.

Although the new design may look contemporary and sleek with concealed vents, I have to question the logic of the new design. The hot air from the concealed vents is forced to blow down and to the right directly onto the cabinetry face frames and doors. Steam heat directed at cabinets for over 7-10 minutes (a standard frozen meal cooking time), results in condensation on the cabinet parts closet to the venting. Moisture left on cabinetry, well, any one knows water wears away mountains, so steam heat aimed at cabinetry over time can't be good for cabinet finishes. Why would they decide concealing the air flo vents a good feature?

Let's hope they don't get rid of the models that have the exposed louver grills. They have been problem free. Hey Sharp, I'll take function first over sleekness every time.

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Houzz

A great new resource for design inspiration. Houzz is your online source for finding a design style for your kitchen, patio, living spaces, baths, bedrooms, exterior architecture and more.

Pretty cool source.

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