Monthly Archives: January 2012

Want to Save $5000 off Your Home Renovation?

With the Great Northeast Home Show soon approaching, we decided to run a Home Show Special to celebrate. Visit us at the Times Union Center during the Great Northeast Home Show from February 10-12, 2012 to enter to win $5000 off your cabinetry order. You can also enter to win by signing up on our website…simple fill in the “Contact Us” section through the link below:

ENTER TO WIN

This Home Show Special will continue through February 29, 2012. Good luck!

Looking forward to seeing you at the Home Show!

-Laura

Great Northeast Home Show 2012

It’s that time of the year again for the Great Northeast Home Show! This event is the largest consumer show in upstate New York. Each year, thousands of homeowners come to browse through products and services for their home. We’re excited to be part of the exhibition and you’re welcome to stop by our arena showroom at the Times Union Center on the concourse. Also, be sure to enter to win $5000 off your cabinetry order by filling out the “Contact Us” section on our website.

The Great Northeast Home Show will be held in Albany, NY at the Times Union Center and the Empire State Plaza from February 10-12, 2012. And don’t forget, there will also be helpful informative seminars presented by local and regional experts, including our chief cabinet guy Evan Levey.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Home Show!

Visit the Great Northeast Home Show’s website

-Laura

Should You Paint the Kitchen Cabinets?

Recently, our chief cabinet officer, Evan Levey, was advising some homeowners about a kitchen renovation. The homeowners felt the cost of new cabinetry was out of their budget and chose to look into other options. They were curious about painting their somewhat dated and tired wood cabinets. Evan advised them that, although it is a quick fix, painting your kitchen cabinets will not look right and can show more smudges and fingerprints than other finishes. The process involves a lot of work and expense to prep and paint the cabinets for a small result, especially if you hire a professional who must strip your cabinetry. Some homeowners opt to do the project themselves, but you run a risk of over-sanding or accidentally damaging your cabinets.

Evan and I both agree that painting your cabinets, whether by spray or brush, is a bad idea. And while paint can improve the look of your cabinets, it cannot hide all faults. Also, the paint will begin to chip over time and can lead to more upkeep than the average homeowner expects. One of the biggest reasons to not paint your cabinetry is that it can be a turn off for potential buyers. If you are trying to resell your home, it can diminish the overall value in the speed of a brush stroke.

If your cabinets are structurally sound and not to displeasing to the eye, we would recommend new countertop. Remember, once the countertop has been installed, you won’t want to change the cabinets anytime soon, so be sure they are structurally sound. You could also change the hardware on the cabinets. With a variety of wonderful countertop and hardware options, you can give your a kitchen an effective and beautiful makeover.

-Laura

White Kitchens

When it comes to a kitchen renovation, many homeowners enjoy the subtle and elegant feel white can bring to the space. Here are a few examples that are sure to provide you with the inspiration you need.

Sophisticated French Flair

From end to end, this galley kitchen provides sophistication with its glass door cabinets and wood paneled refrigerator. The black countertop and matching cabinet handles accent the room perfectly, providing a bit of artistic flair.

Vintage Perfection

Take a step back through time with this beautiful Victorian folk kitchen. This space brings a vintage twist to modern design with its hanging fixtures and old fashioned style sink faucets. Also, the mix of glass door and closed-in cabinetry completes the antique look.

Bistro Art Decor

Bonjour! We love how this kitchen delivers a clean, crisp look that is full of eclectic designs. The tile along the wall is accented with a striking black outline that really pops. Bringing in a contrasting color, the yellow patterned wall paper completes the artistic and refreshing atmosphere.

Rustic and Timeless

The family in this home wanted a kitchen that was timeless, yet had a rustic appeal. The use of maple and oak cabinetry were mixed in throughout the space, and the cabinets above the countertop have glass doors for an antique look. What we really enjoy about this kitchen is the grey island that acts as the room’s focal point.

French Country

This beautifully detailed kitchen makes you feel you are in a country house in France. The kitchen cabinets were recessed in antique white to bring a traditional feel within the space. Creative accents, lattice inserts in the wall cabinets and stacked crown mouldings were used to compliment the design aesthetic.

Home Design Trends

With a new year underway, I asked a few of CCW’s designers to share their favorite kitchen trends for 2012. Below, Amy and Ray share some ideas that will have the heart of your home cozy and stylish.

Multiple Finishes

Although having all of your kitchen cabinets in the same finish is certainly a popular design approach, interesting effects can also be achieved when multiple finishes and textures are used. Ray believes kitchens are all about layering and using a wide variety of finishes breaks up the room and adds warmth. He suggests using a different finish on the island or bar area that will stand on its own from the rest of the kitchen. This particular trend is very popular, especially with white kitchens.

Corner Banquette

Amy admits that her clients have fallen in love with the corner banquette and are eager to incorporate the design into their kitchens. It’s a beautiful trend that can bring a warm and cozy eating area into the kitchen without sacrificing too much space. Even if you only have a small corner available, you can build a banquette that comfortably seats six, eight, or more. An added bonus is banquettes offer plenty of storage beneath the bench.

If you’re considering a kitchen renovation, be sure to checkout our Top 5 Kitchen Trends for 2012 for the latest interior design styles.

-Laura

Recharge and Move Forward with Tangerine Tango

As most of you may know, Pantone Color Institute selects a color that will be symbolic for the new year. You may be familiar with last year’s color, Honeysuckle, which inspired people to be cheerful and optimistic. For 2012, we’re ready for a burst of energy with Tangerine Tango. Tangerine Tango is a spirited reddish-orange that is exotic and has a lot of depth. It is sophisticated and delivers a sense of dramatization and seductiveness. The color has taken its time to grow in popularity, but I think you’ll love the explosively loud and exceedingly bold statement it can make in a room.

For home interiors, Tangerine Tango adds an unexpected pop of color. As a versatile choice for any room, the orangey hue complements a spectrum of colors including yellow, purple, blue and green. Use the color to freshen a room with a variety of accessories, such as pillows, lamps, chairs and more. You can even paint an accent wall in your entryway or hallway, or incorporate the color within your kitchen backsplash. The possibilities are virtually endless.

-Laura

The Kitchen Pantry

A disorganized pantry is a kitchen nightmare. How many times have you gone into your pantry and couldn’t find a particular food package or that one spice you rarely use? Well, Wood-Mode Cabinetry has released some wonderful style options that provide function and easy storage in your kitchen. You’ll love the pull-out drawers, slide-out spice racks and shelf space they provide. What I really enjoy about these products is the variety of styles that homeowners can select. Based on your needs and the size of your kitchen, you could install a pantry that is a closet size, a tower or even a base for underneath the countertop.

Below, explore the wonderful style options Wood-Mode has to offer and turn your cluttered pantry into a kitchen dream!

Pullout Brookhaven Pantry

Chef's Pantry

Swing-Out Spice Pantry

Pull-Out Pantry Tower

Chef's Pantry

Chef's Base Pantry

Pull-Out Pantry

Wood-Mode has a variety of style options that provide convenience in any kitchen. Learn more about drawer storage and convenience options!

- Laura