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Company News, Designer Showcase, Kitchen Design

A Discussion with Bonnie Ryan and a Look at her Pacific Northwest Dream Home

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Bonnie Ryan and her family recently moved into their newly built Modern Farmhouse home in Spokane, Washington that was designed by Bonnie herself. The hands-on project has been documented on Bonnie’s popular Instagram, @theryanhaus_, where she posts snapshots of the gorgeous home along with design tips and inspiration. We were struck by how the brand new home balances both modern and old world elements, so we decided to catch up with Bonnie to find out where she gets her design inspiration. We discussed how Waterstone is the “jewelry” of her kitchen space, her renovation advice and more. When did the home begin getting built, and how far along in the process are you now? We broke ground last March, and are pretty much done now. Just a few small things to be done, mostly outside. How would you describe the overall aesthetic of your home, and where do you go for design inspiration? Our home is mostly Modern Farmhouse, with some aspects of French Country and old world charm. I have found so much inspiration from Instagram, and our travels throughout North America and Europe. It’s clear your kitchen layout is very intentional and well thought-out. How much time did you spend on planning the kitchen compared to other areas of the house? The kitchen is definitely the heart of our home. When we began designing the house, we started here. We wanted an area we could entertain in, host lots of family and friends. We definitely spent the most time designing this area. What are your favorite features of the kitchen? There are so many things in our kitchen we love. A few faves are the range, faucets, and lighting. Our La Cornue Range is what we based the entire design around. I loved the high end European look it brings to our space. Finding the perfect pot filler and faucet to complement it was easy once I found Waterstone. Our faucets are the jewelry to the space. And finally I love our pendant lights, they bring in the old world/french country charm. Why did you decide to go with Waterstone’s Traditional PLP Pulldown Faucet? First of all, the look is stunning. I love the oversized neck on the faucet, and the traditional design. We wanted a clean look, and the pull down sprayer definitely brings this. Finally the variety of finishes is amazing. I ordered samples first before deciding and love the Classic Bronze we went with. Which Waterstone finish did you use, and why did you go with that one specifically? We chose Classic Bronze. It ties in so well with all the other elements in the space, and has the antique look I was hoping for. Are there any other unique features of the home or kitchen you’d like to share? We love our brick backsplash, and we love how the Classic Bronze Pot Filler pops against the white washed brick. What’s your advice for anyone building or renovating a home? Have fun!! Building or renovating can be so stressful, if you let it. Don’t stress, and take your time. Step back, slow down and just have fun! This process can be the best if you don’t sweat the small stuff! Take your time especially when choosing a builder or contractor; this relationship can make or break your experience. Trust your gut! I wavered on a few things, but when I trusted my gut I was so happy with the outcome!

Company News, Media

Take a Peek at Waterstone in this Colorful 1920s Home Featured in House Beautiful

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Waterstone’s recent appearance in House Beautiful’s April/May 2020 issue is too gorgeous not to share. Grace Mitchell, an interior designer and star of HGTV’s One of a Kind, showcased her renovated home in the Color Issue, an apt theme to feature the eclectic home. The four-bedroom Fort Worth house was built in 1919, which brought forth a long list of obstacles. But Mitchell loved the original period details of the home, built in an era when craftsmanship could be found in the smallest of details. Intent on honoring the era, when the back porch became too destitute to function, she decided to replace it with a garden room based on a set of 1920s plans she acquired from eBay. The plant-filled room has herringbone concrete floors that bring an indoor-outdoor element to the space right off the kitchen. The home is a perfect balance between old and new, with many antique pieces used throughout and balanced out by contemporary and glamorous design elements. The kitchen is arguably the most modern room in the house with its white cabinetry, white and grey tile backsplash and marble countertops. Unsurprisingly, there is a bright pop of color found in the antique steel window frame, painted in the same minty green that covers the millwork in the entry hallway. In front of the window is a farmhouse style sink and our very own Traditional Towson Faucet and accessories, including our Traditional Side Spray and the Annapolis Filtration Faucet. The suite is the perfect vintage addition while our Satin Brass finish is a particularly luxurious offering in the kitchen’s transitional design. To see more of how Mitchell added her unique and colorful touch to the historic home, check out the House Beautiful article here

Company News, Kitchen Design, Media

Celebrity IOU Episodes on HGTV Feature Waterstone Faucets in Kitchen Renovations Projects

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If you tuned in to HGTV’s Celebrity IOU series this month, you may have noticed some familiar fixtures in some of the episodes. If you’re not familiar with Celeb IOU on HGTV, Property Brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott partner each episode with a celebrity to gift a home renovation to a special person in their lives. Waterstone was excited to be a part of two projects – the renovation of Michael Buble’s grandfather’s home, which was gifted to his grandfather’s caretaker, as well as the renovation of the condo belonging to Jeremy Renner’s mother. The homes turned out beautifully, and we are particularly taken by the kitchens. Here are some of the design details: Michael Bublé Project The renovated home that once belonged to Michael Bublé’s grandfather was gifted to Minette, his grandfather’s longtime caretaker and honorary member of the Bublé family. Before the renovation, the Vancouver home was quite dated, boasting all-white décor and closed off spaces. After less than four weeks, the redesigned home was given a modern update while still honoring the original white-on-white style that was beloved by Bublé’s grandparents. The kitchen now features soft white cabinets, an oak island with a stone waterfall countertop and eye-popping black accents in the cabinet wall and in our Industrial PLP Pulldown Faucet. The matte black finish breaks up the white space, and the result is a contemporary kitchen that now leads seamlessly into the living room, creating the perfect gathering space for Minette’s large family. See more before and after images of the project here Jeremy Renner Project The outdated condo belonging to Jeremy Renner’s mom, who moved to Los Angeles to be closer to her family, was given a much needed update by Renner and the Scott brothers. The home before the renovation hadn’t been touched since the 1970s, which was evident in its mirrored walls and small, enclosed kitchen. Renner, who has renovated over 25 homes himself, was seeking a transitional design with a modern aesthetic and rustic elements throughout for his mom’s new living space. The updated kitchen now has two-tone white and navy cabinetry, luxe porcelain countertops, a farmhouse style sink and our Satin Brass Hampton Faucet and accessories. We love how the Hampton faucet ties together the brass details throughout the kitchen, a design that mixes both traditional and contemporary styles to create an elegant, old-meets-new space. See more before and after images of the project here

Company News, Designer Showcase, Kitchen Design, Made in the USA, Waterstone In the Wild

Spotlight on Jessica Conner: Award-Winning Interior Designer

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Jessica Conner is a talented designer of distinction. Her award-winning work, featured in numerous publications, is respected and admired by industry leaders in the kitchen and bath industry, fellow designers, clients and followers on social media. After scrolling through her Instagram account, it’s not difficult to discern why she is so highly regarded and awarded titles such as “Kitchen Designer of the Year” by Viking in 2018. Her design work is thoughtful, innovative, and always includes a touch of the unexpected. Jessica is the owner and interior designer at Jessica Conner Design and Interiors in the Birmingham, Alabama area.   Jessica’s work includes a new construction project in Homewood, a small historic area just South of Birmingham, AL. According to Jessica, the couple building the home wanted a clean and modern kitchen that was approachable and easy—being that it was located in the heart of the home with connection to the living room. The classic white cabinets were complemented with clean Alba Vera marble countertops. The same Alba Vera marble was used in tile form for the counter to ceiling backsplash and clad the custom hood over the 36” Viking Range. The Viking refrigerator and dishwasher anchored the kitchen without overpowering the light and airy feeling of the space. Open shelving was used to keep the space open and clean. Black sconces replaced the typical island pendants. Brass finish Waterstone faucets and hardware added a glamorous element to complete the space.   We asked Jessica to tell us more about the project, why she incorporated Waterstone products and what it took to ensure that the outcome would be something worthy of the Jessica Conner seal of approval.      What was your end goal for the design? We were going for a casual glam feel. The polished brass fixtures and marble mixed with the open shelves make the space feel luxurious but also a place where people felt comfortable hanging out.    Was there anything funny or unexpected that transpired during the renovation?  This was a new construction project. But we did need to modify the plans from the architect due to the grade of the lot. The corner of the kitchen was supposed to lead to a mudroom but we lost that with the modification and we gained the corner open shelves that I think made the space.    Which elements did you want to include and why?  The marble. We fell in love with the Alba Vera marble at the fabricators’ shop and we found out we could get the same stone in a tile format so we wanted to use it as much as we could. So we clad the walls and the range hood with the same stone as the countertop.      How did you find the right contractor and/or team to help bring this vision to life?  The contractor, Saunders Bradford, is my go-to contractor. We actually share an office now because we work so well together. Their standards of quality are unsurpassed and they deliver when/what they say. It’s hard to come by in this industry.    What made you choose Waterstone products for your kitchen, as opposed to any other brand?  We wanted something unique and loved the rounded details, the polished brass finish of the Waterstone traditional pulldown, pot filler, and bar faucet.    Which products and finishes were incorporated?  The Traditional PLP Pulldown Faucet 5500, Annapolis Bar Faucet, & Traditional Wall Mounted Pot-filler in Polished Brass.     You can see more of Jessica’s flawless design work and current projects by visiting her website or following her on Instagram: @jessica.conner.design. A special thank you to Jessica for graciously taking the time to chat with us and provide us with stunning photos of her work.      General Contractor:  Saunders Bradford www.saundersbradford.com Waterstone Faucets Used: PLP Pulldown Faucet: https://waterstoneco.com/plp-pulldown-faucet-5500-4  Annapolis Bar Faucet: https://waterstoneco.com/annapolis-bar-faucet-1300/ Traditional Wall Mounted Potfiller: https://waterstoneco.com/wall-mounted-potfiller-3100/  

Community, Company News, Kitchen Design, Made in the USA

Four Kitchen Design Trends for 2020

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Ushering in a whole new decade with a fresh kitchen redesign sounds like the most fun we’ve had in, well… a decade! The kitchen, when stripped of its old decor, hardware, and utilities, can be a blank canvas. It’s an opportunity to see what is possible for the most often used gathering place in the home. Before you dive headfirst into a redesign, let’s look at some kitchen design trends for 2020. Blue In The Kitchen While white is versatile and bright, we tend to think that more color will be incorporated into kitchens this year. Why not consider the Pantone color of the year: Classic Blue (PANTONE 19-4052)? Pantone chose the color because it highlights dependability, trustworthiness, credibility, and constancy, all traits that are valued in the fast-paced, high-stress situations of the current world. Couldn’t we all use a little more zen at the end of a long day, while we are preparing a meal, or enjoying a glass of sauvignon blanc in the kitchen? If you doubt that blue could work for a kitchen without being reminiscent of the 1908’s era country blue and mauve trend, take a look at this kitchen designed by Anna Rae Design. The hardware and PLP PULLDOWN FAUCET – EXTENDED REACH in a satin brass finish complement the blue cabinetry and marble countertops perfectly. There are so many shades of blue that could work with other materials and colors in your kitchen. Try a combination of Charcoal Blue (a deep, smokey shade) walls or cabinets, paired with light-colored countertops. Don’t shy away from blue this year in the kitchen. It could be just the color you need to set the right mood. Faucets For Furry Friends If you have four-legged family members running around, you may want to consider a space for them in the kitchen. Blackband Design does a stellar job incorporating a built-in refreshment station for the family’s golden retrievers in their Newport Coast design project. The station boasts gorgeous marble, two water bowls, and our Contemporary Wall Mounted Potfiller for easy refilling.  This kitchen trend makes caring for pets much more time-efficient on a daily basis, especially during summer months when the weather is warmer and pets need more frequent hydration. If you’re traveling and have hired a sitter for the dogs, you can store everything needed in adjacent cabinets to make the job easier on them. Having a water station makes so much logistical sense, we tend to believe that this is not a fleeting trend, but a design element that will become a mainstay in most luxury kitchens, more frequently requested by those who treat their indoor pets with the utmost consideration and care. Brass Accents This year, designers will bring brass back into the kitchen with an eclectic flair. Interior designer, Becki Owens, incorporates brass elements into the Herber House Project (shown below), mixing and matching it with other metals in the lighting fixtures. We especially love how the industrial design elements, such as the barstools, blend so well with the soft blue cabinetry, giving it a rustic yet modern feel. The warmth of the wood flooring, doors, and support beams keep the space from feeling sterile and add balance to the white marble counters and subway tile. The pot filler, PLP Pulldown faucet, and Hampton Prep Faucet add a touch of luxury and further brighten up the kitchen. Shaker Kitchen Cabinets Traditionally, Shaker-style cabinets are units that are uniquely simple yet attractive, featuring recessed panel doors, light finishes, and basic hardware. These cabinets mirror the furniture designed by the Shakers, who were extremely skilled craftsmen and carpenters. Shaker style cabinets have doors with recessed panels and minimal adornments. However, some designers are trading out the lighter finishes for colors, adding glass panels or omitting the hardware all together, and it works well. The hardware on the cabinets matches perfectly with the Extended Reach PLP Pulldown Faucet and Annapolis Bar Faucet, shown here. This kitchen, designed by Waterleaf Interiors in Manhattan Beach, California, is a beautiful example of glass-paneled Shaker cabinetry. The transparency of the doors allows the homeowner to display glassware and china, lending itself to the overall bright and cheery, yet elegant and clean aesthetic of the room. Design predictions are being published daily and we’ve seen so many that we are excited for. House Beautiful features some great kitchen design trend predictions for 2020 from designers here as well. Which ones are you loving and how do you plan to implement them in your projects this year? Let us know in the comments, share your project photos with us on Instagram and drop us a note at creative@waterstoneco.com if you want to collaborate on a project in 2020.

Community, Company News, Made in the USA, Waterstone In the Wild

Happy Holidays From The Waterstone Team

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With the holiday season in full swing, it can get absolutely chaotic. Despite that, Chris, Darcy and our whole team feel it is important to take a moment to reflect on our blessings this year and express our gratitude. 2019 marked our 20th year in business and we could not be more grateful for every single day that we get to come to the office and do what we do, with people who share our passion for creating the finest luxury kitchen faucets. We do not say that to brag, but to recognize every single person on our team who gives everything that they have to superior craftsmanship. From the sales team and engineers, to the quality assurance team and shipping department, every member of the Waterstone family holds a special place in our hearts. We would not be here twenty years later if it weren’t for a passionate team of innovative and driven individuals who are loyal to our company’s mission and share our vision.  We are utterly blessed to have experienced our most successful year yet, and that is due largely to our customers, designers, and distributors. Thank you all for valuing our dedication to uncompromised quality, appreciating our fiercely unique design and supporting our devotion to keeping everything fully American made. We believe that with you behind us, 2020 will see continued growth, expansion into new territories and maybe even a few new products!  Thank you for being on this journey with us. Words cannot possibly do our feelings of deep gratitude justice, but it is important to express them anyway.  We wish all of you and yours a joy-filled holiday season, a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year! 

Stacey Puliatti Living
Company News, Designer Showcase, Kitchen Design

Puliatti Living – Birmingham AL

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Although Stacey Puliatti in now a successful home designer, to her, it is a second love. A naturally creative person, Stacey has been an artist for the past 25 years and has taken that talent into luxury home design. Stacey is now the owner of Puliatti Living in Birmingham Alabama. A design firm that focuses on exceptional creativity, quality, and commitment to excellence. Puliatti specializes in Custom new builds, luxury remodels, or just a touch up to an old living space. Her start-to-finish services include initial CAD drawings, a structural engineering crew, virtual walk through’s and custom artwork for the walls, cabinetry, and canvas finishes. “I always look for beautiful elements in design. I am an artist first so designing a room just came second nature,” says Puliatti. Along with her artistic talent, Stacey started out in the home design world by painting and remodeling kitchen cabinets and furniture. When asked if she could do more, Stacey enthusiastically replied, “Yeah, sure.” That first job lead to two and now after 12 years, Puliatti Living is a thriving design firm focused on luxury living spaces throughout the United States. Puliatti loves the intimate details and considers each home a unique canvas for a masterful work of art. As a designer and artist with a personal love for the reclaimed French countryside chateaus, her style is warm and inviting. It boasts a romantic “old world charm” with inviting characteristics in each space. Stacey is a visionary in her work and sees the unique possibilities for design, decor, custom cabinetry, moldings, wall, and canvas finishes that all reflect her artistry and concepts for each job. Recently, Puliatti finished two luxury kitchen remodels, both featuring Waterstone Faucets. “It’s all in the details,” says Stacey. These unique faucets and accessories create such a gorgeous feature in the kitchen that my clients love time after time. I love each Waterstone style and the engineering and thought behind of each unit is top notch.”  Another project Stacey is particularly proud of was a Custom Home that boasts an Indoor and outdoor living space in Kansas. Featured in Kansas City Homes and Style multiple times, Puliatti Living and a team of contractors created a backyard oasis that has a resort like quality, And an interior that she created to have a beautiful Chateau feel.  “This was such an honor to be chosen to design this home and so much fun to be allowed to create such an incredible dream for these precious clients/ friends. I wanted to make sure it would be something they would be proud to own forever.” Her vision of a French chateau and old world charm turned the interior and exterior of this home into a fairy tale. This home did get a little notoriety when singer John Legend, Christy Teigan and their daughter stayed there through Airbnb during his Darkness to Light tour that went through Kansas City. While TMZ and People Magazine did patrol the neighborhood for awhile, it did lead to some publicity with other magazines like Architectural Digest and Us Weekly.  “This has been a great journey and I am grateful for every opportunity” To see more of Stacy’s work, visit Puliatti Living: http://www.puliattiliving.com/  

Company News, Kitchen Design, Sales News

From Water to Wine Tour – NKBA SoCal Visits Waterstone

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How do you go from water to wine in one afternoon? Several members of NKBA were invited to find out at a unique industry event. Called the “From Water to Wine Tour,” over 30 members from the Southern California Chapter came out to see how luxury kitchen faucets are made in America. The tour was organized by NKBA SoCal President Nichole Cooper of Expressions Home Gallery. The two part event included a tour of Waterstone Faucets, then a relaxing lunch out in the Temecula wine country. First was the “Water” part of the event. After arriving by bus from Orange County, the group was given a in-depth tour of the factory and were able to get a first hand insight on the Waterstone process. President Chris Kuran walked the group through the CNC machining area, polishing and plating. VP of Operations Paul Yandell, demonstrated our Kanban process of inventory and faucet assembly. A couple of NKBA members even rolled up their sleeves and helped built a faucet. West Region Sales Manager Ben Newcombe wrapped up the tour with a presentation on why Waterstone Faucets are not only the most beautiful faucets out there, but made with the highest quality and craftsmanship in the industry. Once the factory tour was over, it was to the “Wine” portion of the event. NKBA members and the Waterstone sales team headed out to the Miramonte Winery in Temecula. They were treated to a 5 course wine tasting lunch and a chance to relax. With all that talent in one place, the conversations immediately went to design. We want to thank NKBA SoCal President Nichole Copper for setting up the event. We appreciate the groups support and hope you enjoyed the day! Visit the NKBA website: https://www.nkba-socal.org/Instagram @nkbasocal Miramonte Winery – Temecula CAhttps://www.miramontewinery.com/

Company News, Made in the USA, Media

Waterstone Celebrates 20 Years of Creating Kitchen Faucets

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Just when you’re starting a business, the last thing you want to hear is dream killing news. Waterstone founder and President, Chris Kuran, heard it first when a banker told him – You’re probably not going to make it. Well, Kurans don’t quit. That has always been the mantra of Chris and his wife, Darcy. When the couple and their 3 small children decided to start a plumbing company in 1999, they always knew that they would succeed. “We had some lean years. We ate a lot of macaroni and cheese,” say Chris. A U.S. Naval Academy grad and Marine Corps veteran, Chris was determined to make it work. Today, 20 years later, Waterstone has turned into the premiere manufacturer of luxury kitchen faucets in the North America. EARLY DAYS After serving in the Marine Corps, Chris moved back home to Orange County and began a plumbing business with his father. Four years later, the duo sold that company and Chris went to work for another plumbing manufacturer. However, that entrepreneur desire still tugged at Chris. He knew of a friend that was ready to retire and had manufacturing equipment. They partnered and started Waterstone. At first, the company primarily sold parts and components to large manufacturers that made drinking water filtration systems. When asked if he could design a more elegant filtration faucet in custom finishes, the answer was “Sure, we can do that. We’ll just figure out a way to just get it done.” That’s when Kuran spotted a niche opportunity. Waterstone pivoted toward the production of high quality filtration faucets in a choice of several finishes. In 2001, the company recruited Steve Kliewer, the product engineer that would bring Chris’ faucet visions to life. The team works well together blending art and technology. “We are truly faucet geeks. I love going to friends homes to see what type of faucet they have. I am always inspired and try to figure out how things work. I think I am blessed to have the ability to visualize what the market is looking for and it shows in our designs,” says Chris. As the kitchen has evolved into a central gathering area in the home for family and friends, Waterstone has increased the number of faucet choices to keep pace with new and spacious kitchen layouts and designs. In 2005, Waterstone took the big leap and added kitchen faucets to its product line-up. However, faucets as a stand alone product was just not good enough. Along with kitchen faucets, Waterstone developed a one-of-a-kind collection of kitchen faucets called “Suites.” These traditional and contemporary style faucets and accessories match as a group in both style and finish. It creates a complete collection that looks gorgeous together on any kitchen sink. Waterstone was the first kitchen faucet company to offer this unique package. These Suites provided its customers the ability to get matching products from a single source instead of mix and match from several faucet lines. Each Suite has its own unique look, feel and style that lend itself to a specific kitchen design. The six Suites were all influenced by experiences in Chris’s young life. The Annapolis – a tribute to the U.S. Naval Academy along with the nearby city of Towson. Hampton is where Chris loved to visit when he at his first duty station in the Marines. The Hunley is named after a civil war submarine. The Parche was one of the most decorated vessels in Word War II. Lastly, the Fulton is inspired by steamboat innovator Robert Fulton. In 2010, Waterstone really knocked it out of the park. Chris and Steve developed the PLP Pulldown kitchen faucet. An industry first. It’s innovative “Positive Lock Pulldown” design features a sprayer handle with a locking mechanism to hold it in place when not in use. When using the pulldown sprayer for food prep or clean up, a counterbalanced weight on the hose allows for a smooth pull every time and prevents snap back. When finished, the sprayer easily slides back up into the spout and locks firmly into place. This patented design elimates the sprayer sag found on most competitive pulldown faucets. Not only do they work great, but they’re beautiful!. The traditional style PLP Pulldown Faucet is Waterstone’s best seller to this day. THE CALIFORNIA DREAM Waterstone is proudly made in the USA. Chris and Steve are passionate about keeping manufacturing and jobs here in the U.S. In order to create the highest quality, luxury faucets, you have to do it here. You just cannot create a quality product 5000 miles away. From raw material to a beautiful finished product, Waterstone is a vertical integrated factory. Every faucet is engineered, manufactured and assembled here in Murrieta California. So, why California? It is the toughest state in the nation to do manufacturing, but it is also the best place to live. “This is our home. I grew up in Orange County and I have always found my way back California. Where else can you can drive up to the mountains in the morning, ski, then make it home to surf in the afternoon?” says Chris. All the Kurans – Chris, Darcy, four children and Zoey the dog were born and raised right here in sunny Southern California. “Why would we go anywhere else? We want to put people to work. American manufacturing jobs are important and have a positive impact on the U.S. economy. We admit it isn’t easy. It’s tough, but we found a way to create record sales every year.” Record sales are great, but space was limited. This led to a move to a bigger building in 2015. More machines meant more parts, but more importantly – more American workers! “Were are a family here. Our employees spend so much time at work, we want to make this feel like home. We give people opportunities here and encourage them to grow. They are one of the biggest reasons Waterstone is so successful,” says Darcy.  “It really shows in

Chris Kuran Waterstone Faucets
Company News, Manufacturing

How a SBA Real Estate Loan Gave Waterstone a Competitive Edge

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By Lily Rutman In the much-earlier days of Calif.-based company Waterstone Faucets, a banker told founder Chris Kuran something entrepreneurs tend to hear often: You’re probably not going to make it. “I had been told by a bank, ‘You’re under-capitalized… we don’t think you’re going to succeed,” said Kuran, recalling when he tried to get conventional bank financing many years ago. A U.S. Naval Academy grad and Marine Corps veteran, Kuran has never been known to be a quitter. With some help from two SBA loans, he has since grown Waterstone Faucets into a leader in high-end kitchen faucets in the nation, attracting the business of the well-heeled and well-known. The more recent SBA loan was 504 real estate financing provided by CDC Small Business Finance, with the help of senior loan officer Merri Adams. Now in its 20th year in business, the U.S. manufacturer employs more than 140 people, pumping economic activity into their home base of Murrieta, Calif. “We figured out a way to just get it done; we don’t quit,” said Kuran, as he walked among the heavy hum of faucet production at his 42,000-square-foot manufacturing plant on a recent weekday. MAKING THE BEST FAUCETS IN THE WORLD Founded by Kuran in 1999, Waterstone Faucets was at first in the business of selling parts and finished components to large filtration companies that made and sold drinking water systems. After clients asked Waterstone to make small institutional drinking water faucets in custom finishes, that’s when Kuran spotted a niche opportunity. Waterstone pivoted toward the production of top-notch filtration faucets in several finishes, and in 2005, Waterstone added kitchen faucets to its line-up. Since that pivot, Kuran — with business partner and Vice President of Manufacturing Steve Kliewer who joined in 2001 — has been laser-focused on “making the best faucet in the world,” he said. COMMITMENT TO MADE IN THE U.S.A., EXPANSION Today, Kuran is proud of the fact every single faucet is made by machine and hand from start to finish at the Murrieta production plant. “When we started I knew I wanted a product that was made in the U.S.,” Kuran said. Everything from plating to curing to polishing is all done inside the 42,000-square-foot facility, which Kuran purchased in 2014 with an SBA 504 loan through CDC Small Business Finance. (They were originally under a lease agreement with an option to purchase the facility.) Waterstone’s previous digs were significantly smaller, at 13,000 square feet. Why move into a space more than three times the size? Kuran and his team wanted to bring the faucet finishing work in-house, which required more room for machinery and workers. They had previously contracted out the finishing work. So by bringing that function in house, Waterstone was able to control both cost and quality. Demand for Waterstone products has only accelerated since moving to the new space, thanks largely to word-of-mouth referrals from architects and high-end home designers. To meet demand, they’ve since brought on new machinery to increase capacity and switched to a “lean” production system that allows every team member to easily visualize where components are in the production line, which has increased efficiency. In all, they track about 750 components, so the lean system has proven to be invaluable, Kuran said. HOW AN SBA 504 LOAN PAVED THE WAY FOR GROWTH After realizing buying commercial property would be advantageous, Waterstone explored doing so with the help of an SBA 504 loan. It’s financing for real estate and major equipment that comes with a rate that’s fixed and affordable. Perhaps the best part: You only need to put 10 percent down. Getting an SBA 504 loan provided Kuran and his company several benefits including: Savings: His mortgage was less than what he paid in rent. Stable monthly payments: SBA 504 rates are fixed so you know exactly what you’ll owe every month. No surprises. Investing in your future. You are building equity in your own asset. “It was the edge we needed,” Kuran said. “I’m living proof that SBA loans do help small business entrepreneurs get off the ground.” Merri Adams, a senior loan officer at CDC Small Business Finance, helped Waterstone get their SBA 504 loan. “Using the SBA 504 loan program, they purchased the building with 10% down and leveraged a low fixed rate,” Adams said. “The low fixed rate translates into stable monthly payments that do not increase over time, driving increased profitability and stability for companies.” “It’s a labor of love,” Kuran said. HOW CDC HELPED Provided SBA 504 loan to buy 42,000-square-foot building in Murrieta, Calif. Loan provided an affordable, fixed rate for stable monthly payments. Mortgage was less than what the borrower had been paying in rent. Pave the way for hiring, with total employee count at 145. WHAT’S NEXT FOR WATERSTONE FAUCETS? Now that Waterstone has a strong foothold on the luxe kitchen-faucet market, they’ve got their sights set on a bathroom line. They’re currently working on the new designs, which are slated to go live around 2020. Waterstone Faucets’ expansive building houses its production, warehouse and offices in Murrieta, Calif.

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