The Vanguard Designer Showhouse Opens May 3rd

If you read this blog weekly, you may have heard that Columbia Cabinetworks is part of the Vanguard Designer Showhouse in Loudonville, NY.  For the past several months, we have been busy designing the cabinetry for the parlor in this historic 1839 home.

We invite you to come out and visit this wonderful Showhouse next week.  You can purchase tickets for $18 at the door and proceeds will support the Albany Symphony Orchestra!  This is truly a great cause!  Below are the times and dates:

Showhouse Opens May 3, 2011
Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 10:30–5:00
Wednesday and Thursday:  10:30-8:00
Sunday: 1:30-6:30

Visit the Vanguard Designer Showhouse Website

We hope to see you there and will have plenty of pictures soon!

-Laura

Storing Wine in the Kitchen

In a recent article published by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, homeowners are deciding not to install wine refrigerators.  These popular cooling options, made to protect wine from heat, humidity, light and vibration, are becoming too costly.  Designers have noticed that throughout 2010, unchilled wine storage has grown in demand.  But when considering a wine storage unit, forget about the wine rack you buy and place on your kitchen countertop.  Check out these creative designs for building wine storage into your kitchen cabinetry:

Earth Day…How Will You Help?

Tomorrow  is Earth Day and we are reminded that each of us has the power to reduce our impact on the environment.  We encourage you to participate and make others aware of the environmental issues seen throughout the world.  Make a difference by taking part in these simple actions throughout the home:

• Turn off the water when you brush your teeth
• Wash your clothes in cold water and use the short cycle
• Turn down your water heater
• Recycle and reuse plastic grocery bags…better yet, bring your own cloth bag to the market!
• Convert your household light bulbs to LED
• Purchase a filter for the kitchen faucet and cut back on water bottle usage
• Use your laptop over your desktop computer
• Take shorter showers
• Turn the lights off when you leave a room

Let your friends and family know that the small changes they do will have a huge impact on this wonderful planet we all call home.

-Laura

Designing Your Home Office

With a growing number of people choosing to work from home, why work in a space that is equivalent to your company cubicle?  The home office should not only be a comfortable environment, but a space that will keep you focused and inspired.

Function and Form

It’s important to know that when you’re designing a home office you need to define how the space will be used.  What is the room’s function?  This will help create the layout for the space.  First, you want to make sure there is tons of work space. A desk should be 24 inches deep and a minimum of 36 inches of width. The desk should also face the door for instant eye-contact with anyone who walks in. Storage is very important and there needs to be plenty of it.  Bookshelves, drawers and file cabinets should be easily accessible. And lastly, you should keep office equipment close to electrical outlets to hide cords.

Personalize the Space

Make your home office “you” and choose accessories that will enhance the comfy feeling:  trendy notepads, framed art, a decorative wastebasket or family pictures.  Also, don’t forget you’re in your home, so paint the walls a color you’ll enjoy.  Be colorful and forget about that drab office beige.  And don’t forget to place accent furniture pieces around the room for when you host business meetings or your family members wander in.

Let there be Light

Your home office doesn’t need to have those nasty fluorescent lights you would have at work, but there should be plenty of light to reduce eye strain and headaches.  If there is a window in the room, keep your computer at a 45 degree angle to reduce the glare on the screen.  Also, purchase a small desk lamp for task lighting.

Your Throne

Whether you own a business or are an employee, the chair in your home office should be top of the line.  Invest in a great chair that is beautiful, ergonomically correct and comfortable.  Trust me, it’ll be money well spent!

-Laura

Protecting the Wood-Mode/Brookhaven Cabinetry in Your Home

Although you receive a life-time warranty with any Wood-Mode/Brookhaven order, it’s important to know how to take care of your cabinetry.  Through the years, wood will react to environmental changes.  Excessive exposure to sunlight can gradually mellow the wood and wood finishes.  Also, the chemicals from our skin can break down the finish over time around knobs and handles.

Below, I’ve outlined instructions that can help minimize finish wear.  DO NOT use abrasive cleansers or pads!  They will scratch cabinet surfaces quicker than anything else.  On laminate cabinetry, scratches may be irreparable!

Stained Finishes

Use a soft cloth and a mild soapy water solution to remove dirt & grease.  Rinse immediately with a clean cloth and dry with a clean soft cloth, using light pressure.  Avoid vigorous rubbing, as this tends to raise glossy spots, marring the original finish.  Never use strong soaps, detergents or liquid wax cleaners with dirt cutting agents on wood finishes.  I suggest a mild mixture of two cups of water and two teaspoons of liquid dish detergent in a spray bottle.  Dawn is very mild.  You can get it at the grocery store.

Opaque Painted and Matte Finishes

NEVER use waxes on opaque or matte finishes!  Simply wipe clean using a soft cloth with a mild soapy water solution.  Rinse immediately after with a clean damp cloth and dry with a soft cloth.

Plastic Laminate Cabinets

Clean with a mild soapy water solution, rinse and wipe dry using a soft cloth.  If necessary, remove stubborn stains with a grease-cutting agent.  Clean afterward with a mild soapy water solution, rinse and wipe dry.

Metallic Laminates or Insert Panels

Do not use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, powders, sandpaper or steel wool.  These will permanently damage the surface and appearance!  Acids, solvents, alkaline or ammonia-based cleaners or other liquids (other than mild soap and water) may etch, oxidize or otherwise damage the surface and appearance.

To Remove Fingerprints, Oil or Sugar-Based Stains

Use a mild (diluted) liquid dish detergent and a soft damp cotton cloth.  Clean in the direction of the metal grain, pattern or texture; avoid harsh rubbing.  Rinse and remove any residual moisture with a clean, dry cotton cloth.

Hinges

Lubricate hinges annually for extended life and optimum performance with white lithium spray grease.  If hinges loosen over time tighten screws to restore hinges to their original operating condition.  Remove the hinge cap on frameless cabinets to access the hinge screws.

Please note that this is a basic guide to protect your cabinets.  For further details, contact Columbia CabinetWorks or Wood-Mode for advice.

-Laura

Like CCW on Facebook and Raise Money for Habitat for Humanity!

CCW needs your help to raise money for the Capital District Habitat for Humanity! Click the image below and “like” Columbia CabinetWorks on Facebook.  For every “like”, we’ll donate $10 to the organization!

Want to help even more? Grab your camera and take a picture of your favorite kitchen or bathroom detail, such as your cabinet handles, your kitchen backsplash or maybe even your bathroom sink.  Once you’ve taken the picture, upload it to our Facebook Page and we’ll donate an additional $5 to Habitat for Humanity.

Our goal is raise $500 for this wonderful organization to help fund home ownership opportunities to low income households. The campaign will conclude May 6, so go ahead…be a “friend” and “like” us today.  It’s quick, easy and we can’t do it without you!

Please share this post with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.  We need your help to spread the word!

-Laura

Designing the Kitchen Backsplash: Part Two

Tile isn’t the only option for a kitchen backsplash.  Here are other inspirations to design a space that will fit your needs and style.

Granite

Create an accent wall by running the countertop material from the countertop to the ceiling.  If running the countertop material to the ceiling isn’t an option, consider running it 4 to 6 inches up the wall.

Bead Board

For an antique look in the kitchen, consider the bead board.  The vertical lines help add a traditional feel throughout the space.

Glass Painted

As a practical material for the home, this non-porous, non-staining backsplash provides a sleek and calm look within the kitchen.

Talking with your designer is the best way to discover a look that will fit your lifestyle and your kitchen.  Don’t forget to checkout our tile inspirations to help design the perfect and unique kitchen backsplash for your home.

Designing the Kitchen Backplash:  Part One

-Laura

Designing the Kitchen Backsplash: Part One

No matter how many kitchen renovations I have been involved with, each is unique in their own way.  With a variety of cabinetry, countertop and appliance options, homeowners can mix-and-match to their hearts’ content.  Another unique feature found in kitchens is the backsplash.  A kitchen backsplash is usually made up of materials that generally make the surface resistant to splashes and spills from cooking and food preparation.  Today, designers utilize the backsplash to create the atmosphere for the entire room.

Most backsplashes for the kitchen are designed through intricate tile patterns.  Tile comes in a variety of materials, shapes, sizes and colors that can be arranged to create a multitude of designs to fit your personality and space.

For a fun and creative design, consider glass liner bars in various color options.

Add texture to your accent wall by using porous stone in a diagonal pattern. Be aware that this natural stone should be sealed to protect the material from water damage.

Use artwork as the focal point and surround with tailored marble tiles, glass mosaic accents and medallions.

Keep it traditional and run handmade subway tiles above the stove and countertop area.

For a modern look, create a color scheme using glass mosaic tiles.

Choose neutral colors for the backsplash to help resell your home. You can even incorporate tile rosettes and a border to create accent pieces onto the wall.

Having a tiled kitchen backsplash provides a functional as well as fashionable addition and is the easiest way to add your own personal touch to the design of your kitchen.

Not interested in tiling your kitchen?  Learn other options for creating a backsplash:

Designing the Kitchen Backsplash:  Part Two

-Laura