Spring Refresh From the Comfort of your Own Home
 The world is quickly adapting to the crisis of COVID-19 and Earth Elements is no different. With our staff working from home and our clients safe in the confines of their own spaces, the vast majority of the world's population is getting antsy. We understand the implications of spending too much time in a house that suddenly seems stagnant. Whether one finds a backsplash to re-tile or another determines that there is no better time for a full bathroom remodel, Earth Elements has got you covered. With our staff working remote, we are still available to all of our clients by phone or email during normal business hours. Additionally, our website features many of our top vendors who's products can be view ed without even stepping out your front door, by clicking the links on our " Collections " p ages.

With the current state of affairs, it is hard to ignore the ongoing conversation that is overpowering all media outlets and nearly every discussion - personal cleanliness. We are told to wash our hands for 20 seconds minimum, wear PPE when leaving the house, maintain a 6+ foot distance between yourself and another person, and disinfect all items that come from stores before bringing them into your house (among other things). But what if you could have the peace of mind that critical finishes in your home were significantly more resistant to the virus or even entirely antimicrobial? At Earth Elements, we supply a number of home finishes that boast one or both of these properties, so you can be confident that you are safe and secure in your own home.
A Clean Home Without Actually Cleaning

Earth Elements carries a variety of home finishes that have antimicrobial properties. From copper sinks and quartz countertops that are inherently antimicrobial, wood that has Microban ® protection integrated during the manufacturing process, we supply high-quality finishes that are sure to suit every unique home. You can be sure that Earth Elements has something to suit your needs. If you are interested in learning more about what products we carry and how they can help you maintain a cleaner home, please feel free to reach out to us at info@earthelements.com .
FEATURED PRODUCT:

In case you need another reason to consider copper for your home: viruses, including COVID-19, survive less than 4 hours on copper materials. That is significantly less than stainless steel which can host germs for 2-3 days (yikes)! Native Trails offers beautiful copper products for your kitchen and bathroom relieving you of the choice between aesthetic and functionality. Their sinks and tubs come in a wide array of shapes and patinas to fit any style.

Native Trails writes that the EPA registered copper as the first antimicrobial metal surface. “We’ve seen viruses just blow apart [on copper],” says Bill Keevil, a professor of environmental healthcare at the University of Southampton. “They land on copper and it just degrades them.” Naomi Neilson, Native Trails’ founder and CEO, told Forbes “Kitchen and bathroom sinks are among the most frequently used items in the home, so opting for a copper sink can play a powerful role in maintaining a truly sanitary environment.”

On top of copper’s antimicrobial powers, copper can be recycled time and time again. So, you are not just taking an extra step to keep your family safe, you are helping the environment! Take a moment to explore Native Trails products and let us know how we can help you add this unique element to your project.
FEATURED PARTNERS:

“ The leader in quartz surfaces for kitchens and baths since 1990. ”

A subsidiary of Cosentino, Silestone manufacturers highly-durable countertops that have the natural beauty of stone with the resilience of quartz. A leader in the quartz surface industry, Silestone exports their materials to over 80 countries worldwide.

Why choose Silestone?

With the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the past few months, it is hard not to think about how clean you and your home are. Micro-organisms are a face of life and are always around us. Most are harmless; however, as we have seen, some can be incredibly dangerous. The surfaces in your seemingly-spotless home are no exception. Microbes on your countertops can be a major source of cross-contamination as they can be transferred from whatever you may bring into your home and from there, onto nearly everything, including the food on your dinner plate.

The advantage of Silestone countertops is their composition of ground quartz and resin. This make their surfaces incredibly durable, resistant to stains and scratches and even antimicrobial. When you have natural stone countertops, they are prone to scratches. This give ample space for bacteria to settle in and makes disinfecting a great challenge. Silestone countertops have antimicrobial agents injected into the actual material. These agents kill many types of bacteria before it even has a chance of settling in and multiplying. 
"We have been manufacturing high-end floor covering products for over 40 years."

Based out of California, this flooring company has really made a name for itself. From Facebook to Google to Dropbox, Artistry Hardwood has installed quality flooring for the world's biggest names while simultaneously offering competitive lines to even the newest re-modeler. What sets Artistry Hardwood Flooring apart from the rest of the manufacturers is their state of the art finishing facility that allows them to quickly and efficiently produce any color or texture that a project calls for.

Most noteworthy, however, is their Orleans collection containing 59 colors. Each one of these unique floors is protected with Microban ® technology. This extra layer is built-in antimicrobial protection, defending your floors from the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew. Homes with Artistry's Microban ® flooring are noticeably cleaner and odor-free.

This added protection to your floors works because it actually penetrates the cell wall of microorganisms that would normally flourish there, and disrupts its cell functioning, rendering the microorganism unable to function, grow and reproduce. While Microban ® does not protect users from disease, it is highly effective in combating common bacteria that cause stains, odors and product degradation.

You can be confident that this patented technology will never wear off or wash away. For the lifetime of your floors, Artistry's Microban ® technology will stay active.

At Earth Elements, we supply all existing Artistry colors, Microban ® protected and otherwise. So whether your home is traditional, modern or anywhere in-between, Artistry Hardwood Flooring produces a floor to suit your need.
RECIPE OF THE MONTH:

Herb and Cheese Scones
Recipe by WOLF COOKING
Makes 8 servings

Ingredients
2-1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup parmesan, grated
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated

Before You Start
Be sure the butter is cold and make sure not to overwork the dough.


Preparation Method
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit on Convection Mode with a rack set on position 3.
  2. Whisk together all the dry ingredients and the thyme
  3. Mix the butter into the dry ingredients by hand until hazelnut-size pieces are formed.
  4. Add in cheese and then the heavy cream.
  5. Mix gently by hand until the dough comes together. This can also be done in a stand mixer or food processor, though caution must be taken not to overwork the dough.
  6. Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and press out into a 7-inch disk, about an inch thick.
  7. Cut disk into eight pieces.
  8. Place on a parchment lined baking pan and bake for 16-18 minutes until golden brown around the edges.

Products Used in this Recipe


" You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep
spring from coming" - Pablo Neruda
-Earth Elements Team-
Earth Elements Design Center | 406.414.7040 | earthelements.com