FRENCH FLAIR
An assortment of antique architectural elements receives another lease on life, thanks to Exquisite Surfaces. The Los Angeles-based company, which opens a showroom in Beverly Hills this month, was established by a French family in 1997 and now has several stores on both the East and West coasts. The newest location is housed in a three-level, 8,000-square-foot building featuring a rooftop garden. Products offered include antique fountains, fireplace surrounds and flooring in such materials as limestone, terra cotta and French oak. Also available are reproduction goods, pots, garden items, salvaged roof tiles, and decorative ceramic tile collections. Pictured right is a Provence-style reproduction limestone fountain.

Visit the showroom at 289 N. Robertson Blvd. For further information and to find other locations, log on to exquisitesurfaces.com, or call (310) 659-4580.

Metal Amore
Couples who work together, stay together—that holds true at least for Pam and David Bentz, owners of Handcrafted Metal in Austin, Texas. In business for more than 25 years, the family enterprise designs and produces range hoods, bathtubs, sinks and countertops fashioned from copper, zinc, pewter and stainless steel. The staff—about 40 total—works around the clock to complete and ship wares all over the world.

While custom orders are a specialty, the firm also offers a variety of product lines that can be viewed on the Internet. The bathtub line, for example, includes the Canyon Lake tub (pictured left), which is made of rustic-looking and patinaed hammered copper and features rugged decorative rings, a riveted base and a curved top rim. Orders may be placed by phone or through the company’s Web site. Workshop visits can be arranged for those interested in taking a look in person.

To learn more, go online to handcraftedmetal.com. For details, call (800) 755-0310.