Musical Inspirations In My Custom Sink Designs

You might not know, but I have been a musician most of my life. (The above photo was taken 17 years ago, I am on far right)  I can play piano, guitar, mandolin, cello, and drums. I even dipped a toe in the professional music arena about 18 years ago. I formed a local rock band and we played different venues locally. When I built my house, there was a large room dedicated for band practice. It is well insulated so that the loud music would not bother others in the house. I put acoustical tiles throughout the walls and carpeted the floor. It was important to me that instruments sounded "right" in the room. One thing that bothered me, and most of my band mates, was the loud volume of the drums during practice. I have always been a "think outside of the box" kind of guy, and a problem solver, so I went to work. I eventually came up with a product that made drums and cymbals much quieter. I was able to make a cymbal almost dead quiet with a 2" square of the material I came up with. My solution, however, did not work well on drums, so I went back to work. I worked with the 3M company, and they made something special for me that they had never produced before. This was based on my request to have 5 mils of aluminum over a dampening product that would have an adhesive strong enough to adhere to a drum, yet be removable and reusable. My last request was to make the glue washable, so that dirt and dust would not ruin the application. My request was met with a laugh, but with enough of a challenge that they did eventually come up with exactly what I wanted. I then formed a company called Drum Muff. Without getting into too much technical jargon, my Drum Muffs simply made all drums sound better, and my Cymbal Mutes made cymbals quieter. My products were very well received. The word spread quickly.  We received a call from the drum tech for Pearl Jam. They desperately needed our cymbal mutes for a recording session in Washington State. We overnighted some, and this was the response. "Hey Dino,   I'm happy to report those cymbal mutes worked amazingly well!  We did the video shoot with them and what an easy solution...  When you have time for that business, it will do great... I know it! "   I got a call from the drum tech from One Republic. They were at Disney recently and the local back line company was using our Professional Cymbal Mutes for the video. They were blown away.  In the world of video production, cymbals need to appear authentic yet produce minimal sound. Traditionally, professionals in the backline industry had to maintain an extensive inventory of every type and brand of cymbal, each in duplicate. They would glue these pairs together with silicone to dampen the sound, a method that drummers truly hated due to the excessive stress and the strain it caused on their arms and wrists. However, with my invention, there was no longer a need to combine two cymbals into a heavy, wrist-straining unit. Just one or two of our Cymbal Mutes would effectively quieten a cymbal - and it could easily be removed. This innovation was so impressive that we received orders for six sets immediately from the backline for One Republic. Interestingly, we use a very similar product to ensure our stainless steel sinks are remarkably quiet too! 

Just as harmony is crucial in music, creating a balanced and harmonious design in my custom sinks is essential. Shapes, materials, colors and even sounds of sinks play a role. Each material choice takes part in the overall harmony of a complete kitchen. A copper sink, for example, offers a subdued color palette that harmonizes with the rich earth tones, or it can be a contrasting element in a modern kitchen. Stainless steel has a sleek and modern appearance. It has a neutral yet sophisticated look. Stainless steel works well in transitional spaces that blend traditional and modern elements. It can provide a cool contrast to warm tones, just like the crisp sound of a snare drum provides contrast to the warm tones of an acoustic guitar.  Brass and bronze are highly adaptable, capable of presenting either a deep, earthy appearance or a bright, modern aesthetic. 

 I have a collection of 13 guitars, and each one holds its unique value to me. Why so many? It's because every guitar, while seemingly similar, has its distinct sound and feel. I love the subtle variations - how one guitar can bring out the best in certain songs or suit a particular genre of music better than another. Some guitars are just more comfortable and satisfying to play. To a non-musician, these minute differences in tone and feel might be imperceptible, even if pointed out. But to a fellow guitarist, the unique value of each instrument is immediately apparent. In parallel, our team and I continuously refine our sink designs and manufacturing techniques, often in subtle ways. Trying to convey the essence of these refinements can be as challenging as explaining the nuances of my guitars. However, just as a seasoned musician can instantly appreciate the qualities of a well designed and crafted guitar upon playing it, those who use our sinks regularly can recognize the subtle yet significant improvements we make. Our sinks, much like my guitars, reveal their true value and character in the experience of using them.

Rhythm is the heartbeat of music, guiding its pace and flow. Similarly, rhythm plays a crucial role in the kitchen, where a well-designed sink can significantly enhance workflow efficiency. A stock sink might serve basic needs, but it falls short in catering to a family's unique cooking, cleaning, and daily routines the way a custom sink can. By designing a sink tailored to a family's specific habits and patterns, my aim is to create a kitchen centerpiece that not only streamlines workflow but also harmonizes with the rhythms of each family member's life. I truly love getting to know our customers. That is why I offer zoom meetings 6 days a week. I can get to know the basics, like height and handedness, as well as shopping and cooking styles and much more. Often, our conversations naturally drift into topics that good friends might discuss. I, and my customers, make personal connections that often last for many years, harkening back to the days where all business was conducted face to face, on a friend-to-friend basis. Now you know why I love what I do every day.