Color Chart

Materials, Designs, Finishes, & Colors

We work in natural wood, laminates, metal, glass and acrylics. Quite often several materials are combined in order to achieve the desired form, design, function, durability and cost effectiveness.

Natural Wood
Solid wood fixtures are most of the time cost-prohibitive. Therefore, most natural wooden fixtures are wood veneers on MDF/particleboard substrate or plywood. Edging and nosing can be either veneer or solid wood. The most popular wood species used for fixtures are Maple, Oak, and Birch. Sometimes multiple species of wood, such as Maple and Cherry, are used in one and the same fixture or wood is combined with solid colors of melamine or high pressure decorative laminates (e.g., Maple or Oak/White, or Maple/Black or Cherry/Black). Hardwoods can also be sandblasted for special effect.

Melamine (LPL) and High Pressure Laminates (HPL)
Melamine laminates (LPL) are available on MDF or particleboard substrates in several colors, patterns and woodgrains. They are quite durable and very cost effective because they bypass the finishing process.

The edgework can be either HPL, PVC or hardwood. LPL's are usually specified for non-wearing surfaces, such as cabinet interiors, verticle surfaces and shelves.
High pressure laminate decorative surfaces (HPL) are available in a large variety of colors, patterns and woodgrains, as manufactured by Formica, Wilsonart, Nevamar, Pionite and others. Because of its added durability, they are mostly used for wearing surfaces, such as counter and table tops, for decorative treatment or as accent colors, and when a desired color is not available in LPL.

Advances in technology have allowed the development of laminates and patterns to look like real wood or stone. There are also several metallic surfaces available.

Finishes, Colors and Designs
Finishes, colors and designs are somewhat trendy. There is a trend towards environmental colors inspired by the "green" movement. Blues and blue-green colors are "in" as are patterns from nature, such as stone and earthtones. Faux paint finishes, clear coated finishes, polished cement, or colorful stains on raw MDF are also seen. There are as many design directions as there are customer groups from traditional to contemporary and high-tech. For metal fixtures which are powder-coated in colors or chrome plated, raw steel with clear lacquer coat, brushed, satin chrome or nickel satin finish for special effects can be seen to reflect a high-tech or industrial look. Quite often industrial-type metal components are used in conjunction with natural wood or laminates and decorative industrial type metal fasteners are specified to accent the design.

Every retailer must decide which design and atmosphere appeals best to his/her target customers, goes with the geographical environment, the product sold and what statement the store shall make. The decision is also influenced by the merchandise. You do not want the design and fixture to overpower your merchandise. If you do not want your store to be outdated in a few years (except if you can afford a complete renovation after a short period of time) we recommend staying with basic finishes and color schemes and avoid fashionable trends.

HPL Colors and Woodgrains
Samples of solid colors and woodgrains, patterns, etc. from major manufacturers such as Formica, Wilsonart, Nevamar, Pionite and others, are locally readily available and therefore not shown here.

Limitations
The color charts show just a limited selection. Please let us know what colors or finishes you prefer, or send us a sample.

Due to printing processing the actual colors and finishes are somewhat different. Also, finishes on wood veneer or solid wood will vary for one and the same project since wood, unlike laminate, is a natural product and is not uniform. We will submit color, clear finish and stain samples upon your request before fabrication.