CCW’s Holiday Wish List: Bedroom

As we wrap up the week of sharing our wish lists for the home, I hope you and your family have a very happy holiday. May you enjoy these moments and continue building memories in your home! We hope you enjoy our favorite items for the bedroom.

Restoration Hardware Tufted Bench

Sometimes you need to add another level of luxury into a space. The tufted bench from Restoration Hardware is the perfect answer. Designed as comfortable seating or footrest, the bench has a button-tufted top. There’s a wonderful selection of customizable colors and fabrics. We love this bench placed at the foot of the bed.

Yankee Candle Midsummers Night

With its intoxicating and masculine blend of musk, patchouli, sage and mahogany cologne, relax in your bedroom with this unique scent. We think you’ll love it so much, that you should go ahead and pick up the large Housewarmer Jar Candle which provides 110 to 150 hours of true fragrance enjoyment.

Swiss Dot Duvet Cover in Charcoal

This woven slate-on-slate pattern is simply a unique material to cover the top of your bed. The Swiss Dot Duvet Cover bring subtle texture to the bed in lightweight cotton voile. When the weather turns cool, layer chunky knits or bold stripes on top of the delicate dots. You can find this duvet at West Elm.

Built In Storage

Storage is a common problem for most homeowners, but with effective and clever built-ins, organization is a no-brainer. Because built-ins are custom-made for each space, they maximize every square inch of your home. Turn your empty, unused space into drawers, shelves, or even entertainment centers. Essentially, built-in storage units can add hundreds of square feet to your home without the need for renovations. We recommend a wall unit style option with a built in headboard!

CCW’s Holiday Wish List: Bathroom

As we continue sharing our holiday wish list, you’re gonna love these indulgent products for the bathroom.

GROHE Rainshower Cosmopolitan

For modern bathrooms, products that combine the latest design styles with high performance features are a must! The GROHE Rainshower Cosmopolitan handheld shower spray provides the luxurious feeling that will have you taking longer baths. From its chrome finish to four superb spray options, this piece will create the perfect shower to refresh, relax and rejuvenate!

Myson Electric Towel Warmers

Feel decadent every time you step out of the shower to dry off with a cozy, warm towel. This model from Myson Electric Towel Warmers provides a safe, reliable heating element that easily mounts to the wall. It’s stainless steel finish will look great in any bathroom while remaining energy efficient. Best of all, the product comes with a three year warranty in case of any manufacturing defects.

5th Avenue Egyptian Cotton Luxury Bath Towel Set

Woven in Egypt from the finest Egyptian Cotton, these towels from 5th Avenue are designed to wrap you in the kind of luxury found in most exclusive spas. These durable towels are deep-looped and densely stitched for optimal quality. They make the perfect gift for someone or keep a set for yourself!

DreamLine Majestic Jetted & Steam Shower

With its superb craftsmanship and unique materials, the MAJESTIC shower demonstrates true luxury. Designed to be installed against tiled walls, the model includes a rain top brass shower head, two recessed roof lights, six adjustable body jests and a designer shower head. The integrated steam controller includes On / Off / Time / Temperature settings for full steam adjustment and provides control access to lights, FM radio and MP3 sound functions. We love that its built in water management system lets us control the water temperature. Whether used for a simple shower, jet massage or steam bath, the MAJESTIC jetted and steam shower enclosure truly is….majestic!

CCW’S Holiday Wish List: Kitchen

Yesterday our designers shared what they wanted this holiday season for their living rooms. Today, see what they want in the kitchen!

LLumar Windows

When it’s winter, the sun sets early, the winds are cold. There are days when you just want to be snuggle under a blanket indoors. However, we all still crave natural lighting and lots of it! With LLumar Windows you can keep your home lit naturally and safely. Their products block more than 99% of all UV rays which helps preserve the color of your furnishings, fabrics, curtains and other materials. Also, you’ll save up to 40% on your energy bills while enjoying the outdoor views.

Pumpkin Cranberry Nut Bread

Is there anything better than the smell of fresh baked bread throughout your home? Here’s a tasty recipe from Epicurious that will put any fruitcake to shame. This bread is the perfect combination of flavors for the holidays. It’s even better when you share with your friends and neighbors!

Vintage Kitchen Aid Mixer

Has there ever been a better kitchen appliance for the home? These rare, yet exquisite, vintage mixers from Kitchen Aid are built to last. They’re the perfect tool for baking cookies, cakes and more. With its strong motor and classic beehive glass bowl, this mixer looks great in either an industrial or farmhouse kitchen.

Liebherr SBS 246 Refrigerator

Innovative is the word to describe this refrigerator. Liebherr is recognized worldwide for their refrigeration and freezer technology. From its stainless steel finish to LED lighting, this model sports features that will have you staying in your kitchen more often! Our team loved the built-in wine cooler for storing our favorite Pinots and Chardonnays.You’ll enjoy the Biofresh feature that provides the perfect climate for keeping foods fresher while retaining more of their nutritional value. Food can actually last up to three days longer. What makes this appliance even better is that it is Energy Star efficient!

5 Kitchen Trends for 2013

2012 was another fantastic year for the kitchen! From new materials to less traditional designs, people were wanting something different in the heart of their home. If you’re considering a kitchen renovation for 2013, be sure to take note of these popular design trends.

Open-Plan Kitchen

The unity of cooking and living flourishes in the New Year as more homeowners are opting for a seamless transition between rooms. This trend makes entertaining crowds a breeze, as guests float between the kitchen and living/family room.

Glass

High gloss abounds, from cabinets to appliances, but nowhere is this more striking than in the rise of back-painted glass backsplashes. It’s easy-to-clean and the reflective surface adds a beautiful polish to the space. Instead of a single glass sheet, glass mosaic tiles offer an option for an impressive design.

Modern Appliances

Today, we are beginning to live more like the Jetsons than the Jones’s thanks to smartphones and tablets. The kitchen is more mobile than ever and can be controlled through multiple devices. Expect to find more professional style appliances in the home. Go-to designs will be professional gas ranges and induction cooktops that will make any neighbor green with envy.

Transitional Style

According to the National Kitchen And Bath Association, the “traditional” kitchen design was dethroned by the “transitional” style in 2012. The kitchen is moving in a more modern direction, but still contains many elements of traditional style. Think more simplified lines, chandelier lights and big, open spaces made for entertaining.

Plain or Colorful

Appliances: expect to see more colorful options from kitchen manufacturers in the New Year, but don’t say farewell to stainless and paneled options just yet!

A Design Upgrade for the Classic White Kitchen

It was June 2011 when the Elarios walked into our CCW showroom. One was a professional photographer and the other a floral designer. They met with our designer Ray and said they wanted a “classic white kitchen.” Those three little words have been mentioned by so many people over the years that Ray has lost count. However, as a few months passed, the Elarios began to expand their vision and Ray saw that they were looking for something quite dynamic.

Ray visited their home and everyone agreed that the kitchen needed a cleaner palette that would reflect the light and the seasons through the expansive windows overlooking the stunning property. Keeping things light and airy, maple wood cabinets with a Nordic white finish were installed. The recessed doors added to the clean beauty of the design that manages to avoid distraction.

For the kitchen island, four solid wood turned legs and wainscot panels anchored the space and provided plenty of seating for a host of sous chefs!

Because the couple had a love for cooking and entertaining, we knew that Sub-Zero would offer superb and functional appliances for their kitchen. The Sub-Zero bottom freezer refrigerator, Sub-Zero under counter drawer refrigerator and the Wolf range with char grill and ventilation hood were beautiful additions!

No kitchen is complete without the details! Ray recommended a subway tile backsplash and exposed stainless steel that would elegantly reflect the changing light throughout the day. Lastly, 15 mullion glass doors were included to complete this modern kitchen.

Ray, as I watched you design this kitchen, I knew you were creating something special! You took a basic request for a classic white kitchen and turned the project into an exciting and fresh space. Bravo!

-Laura

Spring Cleaning Tips

With the new season beginning, it’s time to think about spring cleaning. This is a great opportunity to start getting your home in order by cleaning it top to bottom. I believe in a clean home not only for the obvious reasons but for the fact that it supports an organized and healthy lifestyle for your family.

Declutter

Before you begin, be sure to get rid of the garbage and extraneous clutter before cleaning. Purge, purge, purge. If you haven’t used something in over a year, you probably never will. Throw away or donate to charity.

Tackle One Room at a Time

You may be excited to get started cleaning, but be careful not to get distracted with too many projects in your home at once. It’s important to clean one room at time. By doing so, you’ll see the difference immediately!

Clean Windows

For me, clean windows are essential! They provide beautiful sunlight in and allow everything to be seen more clearly. After being shut up inside for months, it is so refreshing to open the windows and have fresh air flowing through the house. I like to to have scented candles lit as I go through my list of chores.

Clean Corners

By cleaning the nooks and crannies in your rooms, you’ll have an instant change. You’ll see the changes as you dust the corners of the ceiling and vacuum the edges of the room. It’ll make the space feel brighter and bigger.

Check Your AC

As spring begins, be sure to prep for warm weather. It’s important to change your home’s air filters and have the AC cleaned and serviced to use in the hot summer months.

Clean the Gutters

After the leaves fall in autumn, make sure you clean your gutters of debris that has gathered inside the gutters, eave troughs, downspouts and drainpipes. This will keep those April showers from damaging your home and provide a smooth flow through the gutter’s route runoff.

- Laura

100 Ideas for Your Home

It feels like yesterday I started writing our blog to share with homeowners the latest in design trends and renovation ideas. Today, I am thrilled to be writing our 100th post! To celebrate, our design team has gathered a list of 100 ideas to refresh the interior of your home.

1) Varied Cabinet Styles in the Kitchen
2) Earth Tones
3) Vessel Sinks
4) Porcelain Tiles
5) Maple Cabinets
6) Kitchen Hutch
7) Wesaunard Towel Warmer and Radiator
8) Stainless Steel Appliances
9) Recharge and Move Forward with Tangerine Tango
10) Tilt-Out Bins

Store your favorite fruits and vegetables in this attractive and functional cabinet. These can be built into any space in your kitchen.

11) Built-In Wine Storage
12) His-and-Her Bathroom Vanity
13) Robern M Series TViD Medicine Cabinet with Integrated TV
14) Engineered Wood Floors
15) Wall and Ceiling Mouldings
16) Clear Countertop Surfaces
17) Ceiling Spotlights
18) Radiant Floor Heating
19) Eco-Friendly Cabinets
20) Floating Shelves

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

21) Kohler HiRise Wall-Mount Kitchen Pot Filler
22) Ceramic Tile
23) Butler’s Pantry
24) Wood-Mode Roll-Out Trays
25) Freestanding Kitchen Hutch
26) Modern Traditional Style Kitchens
27) Granite Countertops
28) Energy Efficient Appliances
29) Attractive Cabinet Hardware
30) Banquettes

When it comes to seating in the kitchen, create an intimate feel with a banquette. Over the past year, we have noticed that these cozy booths are becoming a favorite with homeowners. They are a great option that helps to accommodate a large number of people and allow increased room for the dining area within the space. Another real plus, you can have built-in storage in the cabinetry configuration.

31) KitchenAid’s Double-Drawer Dishwasher
32) Brown Tone Cabinetry
33) Task Lights
34) Single Hole Faucets
35) Multiple Stain Finishes in the Kitchen
36) Spacious Master Bathrooms
37) Recycled Countertop
38) Pull-Out Pantry
39) Built-In Microwave Cabinet
40) Victoria and Albert Shropshire Slipper Tub

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

41) Space Saving Bathrooms
42) Walnut Wood
43) Sub-Zero Built-In Refrigerator and Freezer
44) Folding Area and Hanging Rod in Laundry Room
45) High-Gloss Cabinetry
46) Open Vanities
47) Pedestal Sinks
48) Vinyl Wood Flooring
49) Sub-Zero PRO 48 Refrigeration
50) Tiles Kitchen Backsplash

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.

51) Vivid Colors in the Kitchen
52) Heartland Dual Fuel Range
53) Moen Destiny Hands-Free Faucet
54) Garden Bay Windows
55) Bead Board Kitchen Backsplash
56) Cork
57) Long Linear Tiles in the Bathroom
58) Thermique Towel Warmer
59) Quartz Countertops
60) Coffered Ceilings

Homeowners are getting creative and are requesting intriguing details for their kitchen ceilings. The coffer design is basically a sunken panel in the shape of a square, rectangle, or octagon. Most kitchens typically consist of wooden beams that criss-cross the ceiling. This original design clearly has some staying power since it dates back to the early Renaissance.

61) Porcelain Tile Planks
62) Wood-Mode Pull-Out Chopping Block
63) Cabinet Inset Panels
64) Moen’s 90 Degree Stainless Faucet
65) Resin
66) Eco-friendly Devices
67) Windows for Natural Lighting
68) Open Shelving
69) Perrin and Rowe Edwardian Faucet in Polished Nickel
70) Decorative Light Fixtures

Introduce a beautiful chandelier above your kitchen island that lights the room with it’s decorative design. It’s a wonderful modern or classic option for your kitchen.

71) LED Light Bulbs
72) Imitation Quartz Countertops
73) Kohler DTV II Custom Shower Interface
74) Glass Kitchen Cabinets
75) Wall Decor
76) Modern Kitchen Furniture
77) Soapstone Countertop
78) Widespread Faucets
79) Evit Vetro Tile
80) Bay Windows

Bay windows are a great option that can help bring in extra sunlight with windows projecting outward from the main walls of the home. They are also very inviting and can provide extra storage and interior space if needed.

81) Wood-Mode and Brookhaven Cabinetry
82) Glass Kitchen Backsplash
83) Gramercy Double Metal Washstand
84) White and Black Kitchens
85) Minimalism in the Bathroom
86) Windows and Natural Light
87) Bamboo
88) Wolf Dual Fuel Ranges
89) Appliance Garage
90) Custom Cabinets

Why go to Home Depot and get a standard cabinet when you could have a customized kitchen to fit your needs. Having the freedom to design what you want in your home will make you feel so comfortable in your space. Also, there may be unusual spaces that need special attention to find that perfect fit.

91) Blue, Green and Violet Paint Colors
92) Walnut Toilet Seat
93) Wall-Mount Sinks
94) Framed Openings to Kitchens
95) Granite Kitchen Backsplash
96) Long and Vertical Showers
97) Belle Foret Pot Filler Faucet
98) Reclaimed Wood Flooring
99) Box Bay Windows
100) Wood Paneled Appliances

Some homeowners are now opting to hide their appliances beneath wood panels that match their kitchen cabinets. By keeping appliances out of sight, the kitchen has a more streamline look that provides a minimalistic feel.

Thank you for taking the time to experience CCW’s talented and dedicated team of designers who continue to bring their energy, creativity and passion into your home. We hope our favorite interior design options inspired you to reinvigorate your home.

-Laura

Kitchen Renovations: Prioritizing What Matters to You

Let me just start off by saying thank you to everyone who visited CCW at the Great Northeast Home Show last weekend. As always, it’s a pleasure to meet homeowners and learn how they want to redesign their kitchens to fit their lifestyles and personalities.

During the Great Northeast Home Show, we enjoyed having our chief cabinet officer, Evan Levey, present a seminar on kitchen renovations. Evan is passionate about kitchen design and planning, and shared with homeowners the importance of identifying the components of a renovation, asking yourself a bunch of questions about each component and then prioritizing which components are most important to you. This will ultimately help you choose the trades best suited to work with you on your project. Overall, we were glad to hear that people found our seminar to be informative, and welcome you to read Evan’s presentation to gain insight into a successful renovation.

Kitchen Renovations: Prioritizing What Matters to You 

View more PowerPoint from Columbia CabinetWorks

If you’re in the Albany area, I welcome you to visit our main showroom on Route 4 in North Greenbush, and see how we can help you create your dream kitchen.

-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

Top Five Bathroom Trends for 2012

Bathtubs and Fixtures Design

In the bathroom, homeowners are installing contemporary designs when it comes to their bathtubs and other fixtures. Today, we are seeing more and more wooden, glass, metal and stone materials. For an eye-catching design, mix the new with the old. There are a wide range of options from wooden toilet seats paired with white toilets to black and glass bathtubs.

Modern Design

Similar to the kitchen trends for next year, modern design continues to grow in popularity. As homeowners move forward from traditional design, they are inviting a wide range of neutral colors into their home. Popular choices have included pale green tones, sand, cream, gold, silver, ivory, comfortable brown and classy white shades. Black and white decorating designs are also on the rise as they bring a streamlined feel of simplicity and cleanliness.

Space Saving

Small bathrooms and half-baths are no longer a design challenge in 2012, as homeowners are choosing to install more space saving options. Whether you are loving hidden drawers within the vanity or a wide shallow sink, creative options now define the space. You can even save space by upgrading your toilet as older models are larger and take up more room. Also, don’t forget custom corner storage cabinets are a great option as they provide unique design solutions within a limited space.

Vanity Height

Many homeowners hate having to stoop behind the sink. As time passes, this becomes uncomfortable and can bring along back pain. In the past, vanities were originally installed at a height of 30-32 inches to accommodate kids. Today, people are choosing to raise their bathroom vanity to a more comfortable height of 36 inches.

Spacious Master Bathrooms

The master bathroom continues to evolve into a retreat for homeowners to indulge and relax. With a spacious layout, you can install a wide range of features from large sunken bathtubs to wide vanities that bring luxury and elegance to your room. This trend is really a throwback to a vintage period as many enjoy the open space and separate areas for the shower and bathtub. Don’t forget you can mix in modern elements, such as shower lights and his-and-her sinks.