Badge Appeal

Making the right impression when turning up to a job is very important and clients will always look for polite workmen/woman, clean shaven and in clean clothes. Because lets be honest, they just bought a £50K kitchen and when a motley crew of untidy guys rock up in a battered van, it’s not the best impression. Now obviously people know this, to turn up looking smart but the vehicle is neglected. Even turning up in a dirty van shows lack of care.

If your company is moving forward with a certain part of the business, then a look at new vehicles might be wise. Here at Stephen Graver Ltd, the kitchen side is booming and sadly the older vehicles don’t have the same high profile image, so a new Mercedes Sprinter was welcomed to the team. Going from traditional Graver Green to Gun metal Grey has changed the image from builder to business jet. People do notice and say if vehicles look a bit tatty and hopefully this blog will help you in making the right decision.

So our new Sprinter, it’s the 313 CDI long wheel base and it is massive. Over 20ft long you could fit a whole kitchen in the back with ease. Beautifully made with a car like feel inside. Bluetooth, CD player, cruise control and remote locking make this a real head turner. Motorway driving is a breeze with the compact yet powerful 2.0 litre engine effortlessly cruising at 70mph. Stick the cruise control on and whack the stereo up.

And lets be honest, it’s a Mercedes, so the badge appeal is off the scale. Mercedes also offer this big beauty as a short wheel base if you don’t need the extra length! However, if you want a van the same sort of size as the Sprinter, there is the Crafter from Volkswagen. Basically the same van with different body styles and interiors. The VW may not be the same high profile as the Merc, but still a smart looking and powerful van.

If you are looking for a small van then there are loads on market all offering different specs and shapes. The best on the market today are the VW T5 with a 1.9 TDI engine that is economical and powerful. They feature two meter loading beds and class leading reliability. Have it in a grey colour or maybe a dark blue and throw on some alloys and would look very smart indeed. Mercedes offer the Vito which has been around for over a decade. Looks fantastic, has a glorious 6 speed gear box and rear drive if you wanted to get the tail out (when no one is looking). The German vans are tried and tested and offer a company an upmarket feel.

Japanese alternative may not have the same credentials but are bullet proof, efficient and excellent value. Toyota’s Hiace is exceptionally well made and will last forever but they are work vans with not a huge amount of character of charisma.

So if you are looking for a new van or vans to benefit your company then the best choices are from VW and Mercedes. If you have that extra cash to splash, go for alloy wheels and metallic paint and make the van much more than a van. Remember, it’s all about the badge appeal and people do like badges that shout success. 

The weird, the whacky, the wonderful……sinks

Britain is a country of weird and whacky folk. At Stephen Graver, we do love things that are different and out there. We are a nation of designing things that are just plain bonkers. Concorde is a fine example of what this funny little rock in the North Atlantic can do. We are the country of men in sheds dreaming up and making things no other country dares. Well until now, as there are numerous companies in various countries making the most wonderful pieces of design. No Concorde mind you, but items that have a wow factor and when you think kitchen or bathroom sinks, you don’t think whacky and awesome. But there are companies that can sell you something that is just magical.

Art Ceram, an Italian and let’s face it. With such creations as the Lamborghini Countach, you know the Italians will make something whacky. The sink in question is a wall mounted sink featuring a curved glass basin, but it’s more like a very slightly curved window that is angled into the ceramic wall mounted part. The idea is to allow water to drain without needing unsightly drain pipes with a flush wall fit. The tap head looks like a futuristic ray gun finished in chrome with a slither of frosted glass underneath. It may not be the most practical of sinks, but a Countach was never practical, yet people bought them. Yours for around $1800 online, one basin.

Even Germany is at it. When you think German you think precision engineering, exquisite if a tad dull looking cars and lederhosen. However, High Tech Designs can offer you a stunning yet simple Ammonite looking sink honed from a piece of concrete. A stunning spiral channels the water to the centre so majestically it will have you mesmerized every morning…..and late for work come to think of it. Offered in several colours, a true magnificent design feat.  Prices found at Hightech-design-products.com

And finally from Italbrass, another Italian product offers you much more than basin. Ever wanted an aquarium but have no where to put one? Then look no further. How about a basin that is an aquarium available with your choice of colour sand and coloured legs. It is a large basin this one, but will make any bathroom look like Stombergs dream underwater world. Everything needed to keep your fish happy with filtration from the electric motor and two fish feeding caps on top. Curtains are not an option so pray your fish are not looking when you need to go number two! Beautifully made and will impress anyone and even keep the family cat amused for hours. All yours for a mere $4500 or roughly £4000. 

Yes it’s expensive and a novelty but what a way to literally “splash” your cash!

Welcome to our Blog

Bath Life January 2012

There are some changes happening at Stephen Graver with a new website in development, a revised look for our advertising and a studio which is now very much open for visiting.

Stephen Graver is about producing perfection for our clients, whether it is a kitchen, a bathroom or bespoke furniture. What we do will never be available on the high street so book an appointment to come and see us.