Silestone by Cosentino is featured as the official countertop for Discovery Channel's all-new series Construction Intervention.
Construction Intervention follows Charlie Frattini, New York construction extraordinaire, and his trusted team of contractors and designers
as they find businesses who are in danger of failing due to botched, delayed, or impossible construction jobs and rescue them from their
construction woes Cosentino was involved in the construction process for by providing all Silestone countertop surfacing.
In just five days, with community businesses lending a helping hand, Charlie and his team of experts - plumbers, carpenters and electricians -
transform businesses, many on the verge of closing their doors forever. Whether it's a New York firefighter whose dream restaurant fell victim to
a failed construction job or an all-too-trusting barbershop owner whose shop is falling apart due to shoddy work - twice, the crew steps in to help.
STARS Youth Center
Howard Beach, Queens, NY
Rob and Frances, Owners
STARS Youth Center provides after school homework help, leadership development and recreational activities to over 200 families in Howard Beach, Queens.
While the organization does great work for the community, the building is literally falling apart around the kids that consider it home. After a fire, a flood
and over a century of wear and tear the space is no longer safe, but the neighborhood children have nowhere else to go.
Newlywed owners Rob and Frances spent the first three months of their marriage trying to do the necessary repairs themselves but fear there was no end in
sight. Now this altruistic couple and their community need a construction intervention to revamp their center and keep their kids reaching for the STARS!
Cosentino, the maker of Silestone natural quartz, joined with Construction Intervention to provide countertop surfaces, fabrication and installation with
hands-on involvement from Counter Revolution for STARS Youth Center. Cosentino donated Silestone Stellar Marine Blue Sahara for this project.
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Real Deal Barbershop
Jersey City, NJ
Fred Robinson, Owner
Fred Robinson, owner of Real Deal barbershop, was a constant victim of rogue "contractors". Nearly two years ago, on two separate occasions,
Fred hired people he thought he could trust to connect the main drain in the basement and to fix the HVAC system. Now, as a result of shoddy
work, his shop is literally falling apart from the floor to the ceiling, and the constant small repairs are cutting into his profits leaving him unable
to make larger, costly repairs. In addition, his wife has had to come out of retirement twice to help pay the bills.
The Real Deal desperately needs a real Construction Intervention to keep him a cut above the rest.
Cosentino, the maker of Silestone natural quartz, joined with Construction Intervention to provide countertop surfaces, fabrication and installation
with hands-on involvement from Counter Revolution for Real Deal Barbershop. Cosentino donated Stellar Marine and Mahogany for this project.
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Tredici Restaurant
East Rutherford, NJ
Dominick Anfuso, Owner
Dominick Anfuso, the owner and chef of Tredici restaurant, has his hands in the pasta and in every aspect of the renovation. Without a clear and concise plan,
he opened his restaurant four years ago, and then started construction. As a result, this project has turned into a two year renovation nightmare with too many
bad contractors in the kitchen, an architect with a different vision, and a business owner who's forced himself to play the role of sub-contractor, restaurateur,
and chef. Unfortunately, his dream of creating a traditional Italian restaurant is taking a toll on his family, his health, and his bank account. Tredici, which
means 13 in Italian, is certainly Dominick Anfuso''s unlucky number!
Dominick did what any of us would do when he started the renovation of his restaurant. He got recommendations for a contractor and hired one for the job.
The first one proved to be incompetent and he was fired. The second one did everything wrong and left with Dominick's money. Now Dominick is trying to
be his own contractor, and run his restaurant. And on top of that he keeps changing his mind about what he wants causing further delays. He needs a
construction intervention to undo the damage caused by disreputable contractors. Unless this happens, his dream of a themed "traditional" Italian restaurant
with an indoor piazza, painted blue ceiling (that resembles the sky), balconies, and a monorail glass system over the bar, may never come to fruition.
An architect trained in Italy, replaced the former architect. He's taken on the project at a greatly reduced rate because he truly feels sorry for Dominick because
his last architect and contractors took him for a ride. But he's getting frustrated. Dominick keeps changing his mind and insists on being heavily involved in
every step because of the bad experience with the former contractor.
The third, and current contractor, is on the project because like the architect, feels badly that a fellow contractor took advantage of such a nice guy. John
is managing the crews, but since Dominick can't afford John's subcontractors, he has to go out and find his own. Effectively making Dominick act as another
contractor and sometimes causing confusion.
Cosentino, the maker of Silestone natural quartz, joined with Construction Intervention to provide countertop surfaces, fabrication and installation with
hands-on involvement from Counter Revolution for Tredici. Cosentino donated Stellar Marine and Blue Enjoy for this project.
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Botta de Vino
Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY
Triciann and Jeff Botta, Owners
Jeff, an employee at a manufacturing company, lost most of his 401k due to the recent recession. So, he decided that rather than spending another 20
years to recoup the loss, he and his wife, a massage therapist, should secure their own destiny, while Jeff still holds down his current job, and open their
wine shop, Botta de Vino.
Now, married for less than two years, their renovation continues to put stress on their relationship and bank account.
This particular renovation is a classic case of "he said, she said" as unbeknownst to Jeff, while he's working his 9 to 5; Triciann keeps changing the
renovation plans with the contractor. As a result, the contractor is in the dark with what they want and hasn't completed a blueprint, every month money
is flying out of the window because they're not open, and not only is the renovation on hold, so is their plan for starting a family.
Botta de Vino is their dream business that has quickly turned into their worst nightmare!
Botta de Vino needs a construction intervention because without it, Triciann will continue to give design changes to the contractor (without Jeff's input),
which is why things aren't happening now, and are at a complete standstill.
Currently, the entire 1,800 sq ft space (includes 1st floor and basement) is cold and bare. While the walls and floors may be finished on the 1st floor, it's
nowhere near the cozy, Tuscan style atmosphere they envision that includes an enclosed wine library with a wall of wine and library ladder, a mock kitchen,
a living room area, a tasting wine bar, and a back wall made of double doors that leads to a deck that extends to the backyard.
The basement is a very nice, finished area that should take on the look of a dark speakeasy with a tasting wine bar, lounge seating, wine storage, and a small
bathroom. However, the only thing to speak of in the basement is that it's a blank, primed canvass waiting for the owners and the contractor to create
something magical.
The back deck / back yard is to be a place enjoyed by groups of people who want to feel like they're in Italy. To add to their design, the landlord is going to
display his mammoth works of steel sculptures.
Cosentino, the maker of Silestone natural quartz, joined with Construction Intervention to provide countertop surfaces, fabrication and installation with
hands-on involvement from Counter Revolution for Botta de Vino. Cosentino donated Silestone Coffee Brown for this project.
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Just Wingin' It
Harlem, NY
Walter Lewis, Owner
Firefighter Walter Lewis' dreams have gone up in smoke since he was forced to close the doors of his restaurant "Just Wingin' It." After only five months of
business, this Harlem hot spot shut its doors due to botched construction. Now, facing a mountain of bills and four more years on his lease, this local hero
must make major changes if he hopes to see his pride and joy rise like a phoenix from the ashes.
Everything from the "front of the house" to the back of the kitchen was poorly designed: radiators were installed as an after-thought because the contractor
forgot to install a central air system, he purchased appliances that didn't properly fit into the layout which lead to the dysfunction of how food was prepared
in an efficient manner, and the kitchen is so poorly designed that an open top freezer was placed under a counter with the inability to be opened if two people
are working in the kitchen.
Cosentino, the maker of Silestone natural quartz, joined with Construction Intervention to provide countertop surfaces, fabrication and installation with hands-on
involvement from Counter Revolution for "Just Wingin' It."
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The Blarney Stone
New York City (Financial District)
Joe & Teddy Keane, Owners
Forty years ago, the Blarney Stone, a family owned Irish bar, opened its doors in the Financial District to much success. But, after the death of the Keane
family patriarch and 9/11, business has suffered, leaving brothers Teddy and Joe struggling to carry on the family business.
Now, after 40 years of wear and tear, The Blarney Stone desperately needs renovation in order to attract the new wave of young residents living in the
Financial District. However, renovation has been out of the question and the bar is literally disintegrating around them!
A construction intervention would resurrect the spirit of the Blarney Stone and bring in new customers to this much loved neighborhood institution.
When someone new walks in, they almost immediately walk out because nearly everything is original from 1969! From the barely functioning steam table
to the cracked tile floor, the kitsch of this bar is killing its revenue.
Although these troubles haven't stopped loyal regular customers from enjoying great food and cheap drinks, the grungy appearance has hindered the
flow of new clientele that Joe and Teddy need to make up for the loss of business they suffered after 9/11. While the brothers try their best to keep profits
up, they are barely making ends meet and fear losing the family business that was their father's pride and joy.
Nearly everything could use a facelift. The floors are dingy, the ceiling tiles are mismatched and water damaged, the air conditioning ducts leak, the
refrigerators behind the bar don't work, the kitchen appliances and floor are in dire straights, and all aesthetic touches are outdated or non-existent.
As Joe and Teddy are from a family of eight children, which has now grown with the addition of 21 grandchildren, one can be assured that a Construction
Intervention reveal will be the biggest Blarney Stone celebration in its history!
A new look would breathe new life into this Financial District favorite and preserve the Keane family's legacy on a neighborhood that cannot afford to lose
another business.
Cosentino, the maker of Silestone natural quartz, joined with Construction Intervention to provide countertop surfaces, fabrication and installation with
hands-on involvement from Counter Revolution for Blarney Stone. Cosentino donated Tigris Sand for this project.
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