Crossville Collections Installed in Adapted Home Built by Gary Sinise Foundation
For the walls in the kitchen, Crossville’s Savoy collection in white brings a touch of timelessness associated with classic subway tile.
As the exclusive tile supplier for the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) program in 2017, Crossville is honored to have contributed all the tile for the specially adapted smart home for U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Lucas David Cifka (Ret.) and his family. The house was dedicated in a ceremony on Thursday, June 15, in Canyon Lake, Texas. The home is now equipped with a luxurious yet practical bathroom and kitchen. The house also comes with a home energy monitor so they can see how much water and electricity is being used in both of those rooms. Allowing the family to be aware of their energy consumption, and keep their bills to a minimum.
“It’s exciting to know a deserving wounded warrior and his family are enjoying the comforts of a brand new, specially adapted smart home—and that our tile is a part of their everyday surroundings,” shares Lindsey Waldrep, Crossville’s vice president of marketing. “The tile options specified for Staff Sgt. Cifka’s home is not only beautiful but also practical for a busy family.”
More than 1,000 square feet of Crossville tile was installed in the master bath, the guest bath, the mudroom, and kitchen covering the floors and walls. Brandi Hines, interior designer, worked with the Cifka family to specify tile with the desired look and performance needed throughout the home.
The master bath features Crossville’s the Buenos Aires Mood collection, which brought natural color, touchable texture, and decorative appeal to ensure a relaxing space. In addition, Crossville’s Yin + Yang collection accentuates the master bath by adding a distinctive sense of harmony and flow with its authentic stone details.
The master bath features Crossville’s the Buenos Aires Mood and Yin + Yang tile collections.
Crossville’s Ready-to-Wear was specified for the guest bathroom bringing touchable, everyday style to the floors. Specified in the casual Smarty Pants color, the tile in this space provides a crisp, bright effect that rounds out the overall design. The Color By Numbers collection in the fashion-forward Nine Lives hues accents the guest bath, as well as the family’s mudroom.
For the walls in the kitchen, Crossville’s Savoy collection in white brings a touch of timelessness associated with classic subway tile. Not only will the Savoy tiles look beautiful in the long term, but they will also be simple to clean and maintain—a great advantage for the busy kitchen area. Simply just run a tile or hardwood floor steam cleaner on the floors to maintain cleanliness.
All products produced at Crossville’s Tennessee manufacturing facilities are made using third-party certified, sustainable processes, and are Green Squared certified.
About U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Lucas David Cifka (Ret.)
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Lucas David Cifka (Ret.) is originally from Olympia, Wash. He was very active in sports and spent time outdoors climbing trees and placing traps for small game. Cifka always knew he wanted to be a part of something bigger than himself and to protect the freedoms he had growing up. He enlisted in the U.S. Army infantry at Fort Benning, Ga. Upon completion of training, he was deployed to Iraq. Shortly after returning home from his tour, Cifka met and fell in love with Kaitlin. They were married and started a family. He continued his military career state-side, attending U.S. Army Sniper School, then Non-Commissioned Officers Academy and was the Honor Graduate of his class.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Lucas David Cifka (Ret.) and his family.
In 2013, Cifka was deployed once again, but this time to Eastern Afghanistan. On May 31, 2013, while on foot patrol, he stepped on a pressure plate improvised explosive device (IED). The blast took both of his legs as well as fractured his pelvis, both hands, face and sustained many other injuries. Cifka was evacuated to Germany and then Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where he underwent more than 30 surgeries. Cifka spent years in physical rehabilitation. After retiring from the Army, he moved to Texas with Kaitlin and their son. His goal is to become a firearms instructor, as he has the experience needed and a big passion for teaching.
About The Gary Sinise Foundation
The Gary Sinise Foundation honors America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. Through its R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment), specially adapted smart homes are being constructed for severely wounded veterans nationwide. Each one-of-a-kind home is customized to ease the everyday burdens of a wounded hero, their family, and caregivers. Other programs include Relief & Resiliency Outreach, Invincible Spirit Festivals, Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band, Arts & Entertainment Outreach, Serving Heroes, and First Responders Outreach. Its latest program, Soaring Valor, is sending WWII veterans to The National WWII Museum and documenting their first-hand accounts of the war. For more information, please visit GarySiniseFoundation.org.