Take a Tour and Learn More about CCW

As many of you may know, Columbia CabinetWorks has been a proud distributor of Wood-Mode and Brookhaven cabinetry since 2004. Over the years, we have taken pride in designing spaces for our clients that introduce comfort, functionality and style into their homes. It recently dawned on me that since I began writing this blog, I never showed you our beautiful main showroom located in North Greenbush, NY. We also have a showroom in the Times Union Center, which I gave you a tour of back in February after the Great Northeast Home Show. For me, our main showroom is comfortable and intimate, showcasing the incredible Wood-Mode product and design talent of CCW. It feels like a second home. My favorite thing about the showroom is how it displays a variety of cabinet options and unique styles that will inspire homeowners for their next renovation.

Below, checkout our new videos featuring me and our chief cabinet officer, Evan Levey, as we tell you more about the CCW experience.

Remember, you’re always welcome to stop by our showroom. I’ll be happy to give you a one-on-one tour!

-Laura

Kitchen Appliances and Their Multimedia Makeover

In case you haven’t read the November 2011 issue of Life @ Home, I highly recommend you grab a copy today. This month the Times Union publication featured a fascinating article on kitchen appliances and their technological advances. Now I’ve been in the home renovation business for years, but the numerous advances in appliances over the past decade are extraordinary. Today, homeowners can purchase vents that are quieter, dishwashers that are Energy Star efficient, or even built-in WiFi right into the refrigerator. With all of these modern updates, I don’t even think the Jetsons are the family to keep up with any longer.

Checkout the latest Life @ Home issue, and see what our own chief cabinet guy, Evan Levey, had to say about how appliances are making life easier in the kitchen.

Read the November Issue of Life @ Home here!

-Laura

Ray’s Favorite Things for the Kitchen

When it comes to designing a kitchen, Ray loves bringing in the technical aspects that are needed to make the space functional for homeowners. Below, you’ll learn some of Ray’s favorite things that will make life in the kitchen enjoyable and convenient.

Wolf Dual Fuel Ranges

While offering a wide variety of top configurations and standard dual stacked surface burners, Wolf’s 48″ Dual Range is a great option for large families and those that like to entertain. The optional steel griddle, infrared charbroiler and French Top give you the freedom to customize your dual fuel range. The large electric oven features Wolf’s dual convection system that helps to deliver even temperature and airflow throughout.

Sub-Zero PRO 48 Refrigeration

Appliances have always been the bling of the kitchen when it comes to making a statement. With it’s bold stainless steel design, Sub-Zero’s PRO 48 Refrigeration is sure to have your neighbors talking. This model provides dual refrigeration that keeps foods fresher longer and prevents odor transfer.

Kohler HiRise Wall-Mount Kitchen Pot Filler

Ease and convenience are the two words that best describe Kohler’s HiRise Wall-Mount Pot Filler. You’ll love having its extensive 24″ reach capability for professional cooktops and ranges that will help you from leaning over the cooking area, or filling the pots at the sink. This model comes in two finishes, brushed and polished stainless, that will provide outstanding durability.

Radiant Floor Heating

For an efficient way to heat a room, radiant floor heating can help increase comfort and decrease your home’s energy bill. It’s a great option to help eliminate bulky radiators and baseboard heat, and to make your kitchen floor nice and warm to walk on.

Wood-Mode Roll-Out Trays

We’ll admit it, digging through you kitchen cabinets to find that pot or pan can be a major hassle. So, why not make life easier with the functional roll-out trays from Wood-Mode? They make much better use of the cabinets’ space and nothing gets lost in the back of the cabinet cave. Ray believes these are the best value for the money when you are selecting accessories for your kitchen.

Ali’s Favorite Things for the Bathroom

As a vital asset at CCW, our office manager, Ali, is consistently assisting our designers with the most efficient resources and keeping the comedy alive in the showroom. Below, Ali shares her favorite things that will bring convenience and fun into your bathroom.

Moen Destiny Hands-Free Faucet

For a convenient and functional tool in the bathroom, a hands-free faucet will be perfect for any day. The Moen Destiny Hands-Free Faucet is designed exclusively for the powder room. With its modern and minimalist design, the faucet features curves and hard angles that blend seamlessly with the benefits of touchless activation. Another plus, the faucet is temperature controlled!

Thermique Towel Warmer

The wall-mounted Thermique Towel Warmer is a work of art. The elegant glass heating surface is a stunning design element that can serve as an accent or centerpiece of your bathroom decor. With a wide range of metallic finishes to choose from, you’ll love how the heated-glass brings luxury to your room. It may not be a necessity for the bathroom, but it’s a great way to pamper yourself and allows you to create your own spa in your home – who wouldn’t want that?!

Kohler DTV II Custom Shower Interface

Create a spa-like environment next time you shower with Kohler’s DTV II Custom Shower interface. The interface allows you to combine shower, music, lights and steam. You’ll be amazed how your shower syncs with the lights and music. There are six user presets enabling for one-touch access for your custom showering experience. Even the shower experience alone is wonderful since you can set your own preferred temperature and choose between eight shower components with just a touch of a button. This would be amazing in any shower!

Robern M Series TViD Medicine Cabinet with Integrated TV

Whether you catching up with the news in the morning, or don’t want to miss part of the game, having a TV in the bathroom would be helpful for any homeowner. Electronics have come a long way in the home, and Robern introduces a stylish integrated TV within your bathroom’s medicine cabinet. The medicine cabinet also has electrical outlets and a hook up for a MP3 player and an interior with glass shelves. What a perfect option for busy mornings!

Evit Vetro Tile

When it comes to tiling the bathroom, it’s important to leave plenty of room for creativity. These glass tiles from Evit offer a stylish and interesting look to any bathroom.

Amy’s Favorite Things for the Kitchen

Since being given a Barbie mansion as a child, Amy has grown passionate about combining colors, textures and objects together in her designs. With her creative edge, checkout these beautiful items she recommends for any kitchen.

Belle Foret Pot Filler Faucet

When it comes to the kitchen, create an innovative focal point to the open area behind the stove with a pot filler. You’ll love this one from Belle Foret as it makes your life easier to fill large stock pots right at the cooktop.

Wood-Mode Pull-Out Chopping Block

No matter the size of your kitchen, there never seems to be enough space. With Wood-Mode’s pull-out chopping block, you’ll enjoy it’s convenience and ease of use. Amy recommends installing the chopping block above the trash unit ,so that you can just wipe what you don’t need into the trash below.

Sub-Zero Built-In Refrigerator and Freezer

Simplicity is the new trend in the kitchen and hiding your appliances has never been easier. With Sub-Zero’s built-in refrigerator and freezer, you’ll enjoy it’s seamless decor and that the hinges and grills are not visible. Sub-Zero is one of the only refrigerator manufacturers that designs a completely concealed unit. This model has two distinct temperature zones which ensure the freshest food and energy efficiency.

Windows and Natural Light

It’s always a great idea to use windows in the kitchen to introduce natural light into your space.

Built-In Microwave Cabinet

Sometimes the microwave can be a real eye sore in an amazing kitchen. Consider installing your microwave in a built-in base cabinet that allows you to save space and hide it from your sight line.

Anna’s Favorite Things for the Bathroom

When it comes to renovating homes, Anna loves to bring her passion for fine arts and historic backgrounds to her designs. Below, Anna introduces you to some decadent pieces that will create a classic and cozy feel into your bathroom.

Gramercy Double Metal Washstand

Introduce simplicity into your bathroom with a classic metal washstand. The Gramercy Double Metal Washstand is perfect for “his and her” vanity sinks and brings a modern flair with its polished nickel finish. What is great about this washstand is that it includes the sink top, base and basin. Anna recommends pairing a Carrera marble countertop with the washstand.

Perrin and Rowe Edwardian Faucet in Polished Nickel

When it comes to the sink, consider the Perrin and Rowe Edwardian Faucet. Perrin and Rowe’s 3 hole widespread faucet allows for more room between the faucet handles and spout. Consider installing this beautiful faucet set for larger sink basins, or even for the master bathroom.

Victoria and Albert Shropshire Slipper Tub

With more homeowners choosing to separate the shower and the bath, add a little elegance into your space with a slipper tub. For a classic look, you’ll enjoy Victoria and Albert Shropshire Slipper Tub. This model is ergonomically comfortable with its compact dimensions making it great for smaller bathrooms, too!

Wesaunard Towel Warmer and Radiator

Pamper yourself when you dry off with a towel warmer that doubles as a radiator. The Wesaunard towel warmer and radiator provides extra heat and brings a Victorian Style luxury into your bathroom.

Walnut Toilet Seat

Bring style and contrast into your bathroom with a walnut toilet seat cover. Your toilet needs more consideration than you think. So, why not impress you and your guests with this eye-catching combination?

Laura’s Favorite Things for the Kitchen

When it comes to the kitchen, it is difficult for me to narrow my list of favorite things. I could literately talk all day long about cabinetry, windows, appliances and more. However hard it may have been, below are my top 5 favorite things in the kitchen.

Soapstone Countertop

In the kitchen, the number one countertop material I recommend for homeowners is soapstone. This material is an excellent choice because it is heat resistant, a great option for those who cook on a daily basis. You do need to be careful about scratching the countertop, but you can remvove scratches easily by lightly sanding the area. Soapstone is also nonporous, so it does not need to be sealed. Most natural stones like granite and marbles need to be periodically sealed to prevent staining, in fact some stones even after being sealed will still stain. Soapstone is a very dense stone which will not absorb anything.

Heartland Dual Fuel Range

With a chic and sleek design, Heartland’s Dual Fuel Range is a beautiful choice for the kitchen. It’s also a dual range that I have loved having in my home. This unit comes complete with 4 gas burners, easy clean, porcelain coated solid cast iron grates and burner bowls and is available in 30 or 36 inch models. The dual fuel range offers the power and precision of the propane cooktop combined with the efficiency and convenience of the room 4 cubic foot self-cleaning electric convection oven.

Floating Shelves

For an open airy feel, a floating shelf makes it easy to reach items within the kitchen. From pots and pans to canisters, you can store practically anything on floating shelves. I recommend mixing floating shelves in with your closed-in cabinets to diversify the look in your kitchen.

KitchenAid’s Double-Drawer Dishwasher

The double drawer dishwashers are really a great appliance to have in your household. With KitchenAid’s double-drawer dishwasher, you’ll love its sleek design and that it is quieter than standard dishwashers. This appliance also features two drawers to give you the convenience of two dishwashers in one, and provides the same easy to access drawers as higher-end models. Another plus, it’s energy efficient! Unlike your regular dishwasher, you can wash smaller loads and use less power.

Moen’s 90 Degree Stainless Faucet

Pull-out faucets are a great convenience option for the kitchen, and I’m in love with Moen’s 90 Degree Stainless Faucet. With its attractive design, you’ll love it’s easy to install and clean functions for everyday use in the kitchen. This pull-out faucet brings function with it’s swivels and sprays that provide lots of room to clean and fill large pots. It’s another kitchen product I am proud to use on a daily basis in my own home.

Don’t miss tomorrow’s article as Anna shares her favorite things for the bathroom!

-Laura

CCW’s Favorite Things for the Home

Mark you calendars! The designers and I are excited to announce that next week we will be sharing our must-have items for the kitchen and bathroom. Over the years, many of customers have asked us our personal choices for the home. From tiles in the bathroom to the kitchen sink (literately), get ready to be inspired for your next home renovation!

-Laura