| Dear Customer, Once upon a time, the hearth of the home was the soul of the home. As technology progress and styles changed, the artistic expression of the furnace or fireplace became almost non-existent. Machine-produced utilitarian brick and steel replaced centuries-old techniques of production. Modern heating equipment lacks artistry. It can’t compare to the interior mood created in the home by well-proportioned furnace or fireplace built of beautiful tiles. At one time, the fireplace was considered an essential element of interior design. Magnificent examples of this Old World engineering and quality can still be found throughout the palaces of Europe. Equally beautiful, though less opulent, furnaces and fireplaces of the same design and function can also be found in many of the older houses and estates. The original 18th and 19th century tiles from Misnia, Poland, can be seen, their purpose far from outdated, their styling never more timeless. More and more often, instead of just removing the old furnace or fireplace, home remodeling contractors are building new in-room furnaces. For those that like the allure of live fire, new fireplaces are being built. These units are becoming more popular with new construction, where they perform very well with modern heating systems. Also, for those that don’t care for live fire, these units can be easily converted to standard gas or electric systems. Constructing a new fireplace or furnace can be a painstaking process. A knowledgeable contractor with a shared vision must be found. Adequate tiles and materials must be located. The remodeling of the old unit, made of original tiles, requires passion and great expense. Fortunately, there are a handful of smaller manufacturers, where exquisite hand-made tiles can be purchased for a very reasonable price. Kaflarnia is one such manufacturer. From their plant in Nowy Targ, Poland, the grandson of the company’s founder and creator maintains the classic production methods handed down through the family for over seventy years. Since 1931, all phases of fabrication have been completed by hand. Even today, present owner Wiktor Polak oversees each step of the mold-creating process and the finishing touches of the elegant painting. Inside the plant carefully stacked tiles can be found awaiting the first firing or for painting, where the glazing is applied and fired a second time. The firing process is critical and complicated. The firing temperatures can reach 900 degrees Celsius. Kaflarnia’s artisans work deftly, expertly creating individual works of art. The furnaces and fireplaces shown here are completely constructed of tiles produced at the Kaflarnia plant. These fine creations not only grace the homes in Kaflarnia’s local southern Poland, since most of the production is exported to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France. Our products have become so popular that units are being installed without standard chimney systems just for their quality and presence. The notion of bringing our creation to the United States came after the installation of one of our furnace in Seattle, Washington. The client, a businessman with European roots, had searched for 11 years, scouring America for a company that could deliver a product like ours. He discovered Kaflarnia and we installed a beautiful fireplace to his specifications. His family, friends, and guests love it. Do you need a better reason? Kaflarnia has arrived, presenting you with a new meaning of old technology. Our enchanting hand-made decorative tiles, in-room furnaces and fireplaces carry centuries of tradition and enhance the beauty of the modern home. Sincerely, Grand Bathrooms, Inc |
| call us at 312.863.1767 or info@grandbaths.com |