10 Safety Tips for Barbecue and Grilling

As much as I love my kitchen, there’s nothing like heading outdoors and firing up the barbecue. And with summer beginning, it’s hard to resist a good old fashioned hotdog, hamburger or steak from the grill.

Each year about 600 fires and explosions occur because caution wasn’t used around gas and charcoal grills. When cooking outdoors, whether hot and fast grilling, or low and slow barbecue, there are a few things you need to know to make sure nothing goes wrong and to get the most out of your cooking.

1. Never barbecue inside your house, garage, trailer, tents or any type of enclosed area…grills are designed for outdoor use only. The carbon monoxide fumes may accumulate and kill. Enjoy your grill in a well-ventilated area but be aware of wind-blown sparks.

2. Keep the grill clean of grease and food build up to avoid fires. You can brush the grill with canola oil to prevent food from sticking.

3. I’m probably too cautious, but some parents have the younger children light the grills. To me that’s a definite safety risk and no children should have this responsibility.

4. Read your manual and learn the minimum distance that must be kept clear around the unit. I suggest that you take a good look at your equipment and imagine the worst fire you can. Make sure there aren’t any buildings, trees or other objects within the “keep clear” space.

5. Most igniters on the grill stop working causing you have to light the flames with a long match stick. When lighting the igniter, be sure not to turn the valve to the gas on too soon…it will make a huge flare up.

6. Keep foods refrigerated until you are ready to cook. Leaving edibles in the hot sun can ruin the party.

7. Keep a fire extinguisher handy when outside.

8. It is not advisable to use sauce at the beginning of your cooking. And always wait at least one minute before serving food to avoid burns.

9. Keep the grill stable to avoid tipping. Place your grill over a plain surface; not over any steep or sloping surfaces.

10. Never store or use flammable liquids, like gasoline, near the grill.

-Laura

The Fortin’s Wood-Mode Kitchen Renovation

One of our recent kitchen renovations involved updating an already beautiful kitchen from the 1990s. The Fortins visited our showroom to price cabinetry, and discuss the wow factor they wanted to introduce into their kitchen for entertaining family and neighborhood friends. This particular renovation would have our designer Amy focus on a complete remodel from floor to ceiling.

First, a larger window with a deep arched casement was replaced over the sink to open the space and bring more light into the kitchen. We brought it all the way down to the top of the cabinets, so that the granite would be continuous into the sill and have a deeper landing behind the sink and faucet.

We then created a decorative built-in refrigerator with glass cabinets and a pantry with roll out trays. The glass cabinets are lit from the inside to create a mood at night with just the decorative lights in the kitchen turned on. This is a great feature for any intimate gathering that the Fortins would host. We also mimicked the glass cabinetry into the bar area for a soft transition. The bar functions as a drink center for kids and adults offering cold storage for juice boxes and water, as well as white wines. This is a great option for entertaining as people can congregate outside of your cooking zone and still be able to converse.

The island is functional on two sides with a Sharp microwave drawer and extra storage. It is finished with wainscoting panels and corbels on the back side where the seating is.

For the finishing touches, we accented the black island and hood with a black rope moulding that goes up to the ceiling. The hardware is brushed pewter to pick up the stainless steel and black, combining the two.

The Fortins were great to work with and love sharing and working together in the new heart of their home!

-Laura

Alternative Materials to Hardwood Floors

When it comes to flooring, natural wood floors can be a great addition to any room in the home. It’s important to know that although natural wood floors are beautiful, they need extra care to maintain their appeal. For your home, consider these alternative materials that offer the look you want without the upkeep.

Solid Wood

Solid wood is basically ordinary lumber. As one continuous piece, this wood type offers thicker materials for future sanding and refinishing.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood is manufactured by binding the strands, particles, fibers, or veneers of wood, together with adhesives, to form composite materials. This product has a thin top layer of hardwood secured to a sturdy plywood-like base layer. Another plus is that the material is cheaper than solid wood and is less likely to be affected by humidity.

Vinyl Wood Flooring

Vinyl sheet flooring comes in a variety of looks, including wood. It is best to add vinyl flooring into the bathroom because the product withstands splashes easily. Also, the hefty base layer allows quick lay-down installation without glue or underlayment.

Porcelain Tile Planks

For wet environments, consider porcelain tile planks with a natural wood design. Porcelain tile is great for the kitchen or bathroom because of its durability to withstand heavy traffic. This material is also easy to maintain within the home.

Reclaimed Wood Flooring

Go green and use reclaimed wood from old barns, homes and other structures for your project. Reclaimed wood is highly desired by architects and designers for the history, quality and character it brings into the home.

-Laura

Designing an Unique and Opulent Bathroom Vanity

The other day I was talking to Anna, one of our designers, and we were reminiscing about past projects. One of her favorite renovations involved designing a bathroom for a new home. The homeowners were working with Tralongo Builders in Schenectady, NY and wanted CCW to design a unique furniture piece with rich, ornate details for the master bathroom.

When creating a rich feel for a room, you should consider darker colors for the cabinets. The cabinetry in the bathroom was a cherry wood and stained with the color mocha. We enhanced the overall appeal of the piece with Louis Philippe Columns and Enkeboll Hand Carved mouldings for the Crest Top. To add a unique design for the cabinet doors, Anna recommended a Pelham Manor Raised Panel door style. Once the furniture piece was designed and installed, a Copper Canyon granite countertop was selected to match the colors of the painted walls and tiled floor. Lastly, an under mount Porcelain Sink was added with Delta Victorian Series faucet in a Oil Rubbed Bronze.

It was exciting to design this detailed furniture piece! Congratulations Anna on a wonderful design and achieving the look our clients wanted for their home!

-Laura