4 Ways To Design A Family Friendly Kitchen

Raising a family isn’t easy, but, if designed well, your kitchen can help! See some great tips below that aim to bring family organization into everyone’s favorite room!

Two Rooms in One

Blending together the kitchen and family room into one great space creates an open area for everyone to gather. Whether mom and dad are cooking, kids are doing homework or little ones are enjoying playtime or a favorite cartoon…the space becomes multifunctional for everyone to use 24/7.

Get Organized

The recipe to any successful home may just be to minimize the clutter. By organizing your home for each family member, you’ll make things easily accessible. And that in turn helps things run smoothly throughout the day! Consider storing the kids’ things in bottom shelves and drawers for easy reach. You could even have cabinetry made to fit the children’s height with built-in inserts that can serve a different purpose when the children grow. Also, having a dedicated home station for the adults makes a great location for storing paperwork, bills, and the family computer.

Introduce Color

Design a bright, interesting space the entire family will enjoy. Color adds personality outside the all white kitchen. Why not incorporate a funky, vivid colored countertop or eye catching tiled backsplash behind the stove?

Appreciate the Memories

If you’re the sentimental type who enjoys holding onto memories, select items for the home that will inevitably show wear and tear. By selecting porous materials, such as Carrara marble or a maple butcher block, you introduce items that will add an old fashioned, settled appeal over time. These items are meant to embrace imperfections and showcase your family’s history of stains and rings!

(Photos courtesy in order: Houzz & Patrick Sutton Associates, Fresh Home, Dornob and The Grothouse Lumber Company)

Rethinking Your Kitchen For Entertaining Guests

I recently got married and as my lovely wife Marissa’s birthday approached, I wanted to make the occasion perfect. What she wanted was to invite a few couples over and cook a celebratory dinner to share. As our NYC apartment’s galley kitchen might have been too cramped, we decided to go to my family’s week-end house for the festivities!

But here was the problem…and a problem is certainly something you don’t want on your wife’s birthday. Although the kitchen in my family’s week-end house has a footprint more than enough to accommodate the eight of us, the kitchen was designed a few decades ago and the layout is not conducive for friends to gather together, help cook, or just enjoy some appetizers and a glass of wine. We made it work and the evening was a success, but it sure got us thinking about what we want from a kitchen as we begin to think about our first house.

Like many of you, Marissa and I love to entertain in a fun and casual way, getting everyone together in one space to cook, converse, eat good food and drink even better wine. Gone are the days of the “formal” dinner party where the guests only see the living and dining room. The kitchen has morphed from a room to prepare for a party to the space at the heart of the party. Basic kitchen chairs have been replaced by comfy window seats and easy access bar stools. The classic kitchen table has been replaced by multi-functional islands…perfect for chopping AND chatting.

As we begin to house hunt, one thing we know: whatever we have to sacrifice…a dining room, an extra study…our kitchen will have a layout for today’s entertaining!

Evan

8 Kitchen Renovation Splurges

The kitchen is the centerpiece of a home, so why not give it the love and attention it needs and deserves? For your next renovation, show your kitchen some love with these designer favorites.

Natural Light

Add a feel of cheerful richness into your kitchen with sunlight. Your space will be brighter than ever before. By working through design elements, you can incorporate new windows, skylights or French doors into the kitchen area.

Butler’s Pantry

Fuse old-world elegance and new-world practicality by creating a butler’s pantry. This small area between your kitchen and dining room is great for prepping tableware and food courses.

Custom Cabinetry

Forget store bought and have the kitchen fitted with cabinetry. No kitchen is the exactly the same, so the space will be customized based on your needs. Your room will not only be designed to handle daily functions, but will also look stunning through the years!

Marble

For an elegant and subtle look, marble is a beautiful addition in the kitchen. The material can be used in various areas, including backsplashes and countertops.

Lounge Life

When you design the kitchen to also act as a great room, you have a space that’s truly welcoming. Create an inviting space by incorporating a fireplace, multimedia entertainment system and/or cozy seating area.

Multiple Work Stations

Work where you want by creating multiple work stations throughout the kitchen to extend its versatility and flow. Each area would be fitted with separate sinks, counters and storage.

Walk-in Pantry

Outfitted to house nonperishable food, extra serving pieces, and miscellaneous odds and ends, having a large walk-in pantry is the perfect home luxury.

One of a Kind

Every kitchen should have a distinctive element. Whether it’s a handcrafted stone countertop, Portuguese-tile backsplash or an antique hanging light fixture, incorporate at least one captivating object in your kitchen.

Design Durability and Bathroom Beauty

The balance between durability and efficiency with comfort and beauty is the ultimate goal of bathroom design. Homeowners are looking for a reliable space to withstand time and use, which is, at the same time, the safe haven they need to escape everyday life. In years past the options were minimal, however, today there are tons of choices when designing the ultimate multi-functional bathroom.

Bathroom designers and suppliers are producing more diverse products. The industry is constantly improving and refining the manufacturing processes and materials without forgoing style. Every fixture has endured some change for the modern bathroom. Wooden bathroom furniture can now withstand the steam-filled rigors of daily life. By pre-treating the furniture with a moisture resistant coating, you enhance the performance and durability of the product. Manufacturers have been using higher quality materials, such as acrylic and resin, for tubs and showers that retain heat. These products are also easier to clean and are stain/scratch resistant. Lastly, improved technology provides better control of water temperature flow rate for faucets and shower heads.

With 60% of water usage taking place in the bathroom, it’s important for manufacturers to discover ways to reduce the home’s impact on the environment, and also your utility bill. To reduce water consumption, dual flush toilets and ceramic disc technology hare two great developments. Also cabinet manufacturers, including Wood-Mode, have become industry leaders in developing greener products and processes for the home.

The modern bathroom isn’t financially out of reach as you may think. You can certainly find the special products you desire to design a space without forgoing reliability and durability.

When A Kitchen Is No Longer A Kitchen

With a new year already underway, I’m excited to announce that our Chief Cabinet Officer Evan Levey will be guest writing for our blog. Evan is a phenomenal guy whose knowledge about design and functionality in the kitchen, especially cabinetry, makes him a real go-to resource here at CCW. I hope you enjoy his first article today. You can expect his articles to appear quarterly, so be on the lookout for them. I know I will be!

Laura

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a great holiday season. As things became mercifully still over the final weeks of the year, I began reflecting on what the number one trend in kitchen design is today. My conclusion agrees with many experts who are writing on the topic in publications ranging from Architectural Digest to the Wall Street Journal. The number one trend is the kitchen is no longer just the kitchen and is taking up more square footage in the home than ever before.

The kitchen today plays a host of functions from a place to prepare meals to an entertaining space, from a spot to work on homework to an extension of the living room. Our clients have been working with our designers on ways to integrate their lifestyle into the room that they love. In a recent project, a client wanted an island where he could be cooking and guests could be enjoying wine and hors d’oeuvres. The trick was to maintain a clear distinction between the cook and the guest sides of the island while at the same time making everyone feel they are together. As the kitchen becomes more and more a “living” space, paneling appliances, seating areas and entertainment nooks are becoming even more popular.

The size of the kitchen continues to grow and is taking up more square footage of the first floor than ever before. Additionally, our designers are coming up with more and more creative ways to design an open floor plan, where the kitchen appears to melt into surrounding rooms but maintains its unique identity.

Finally, although the kitchen is playing a host of roles, its primary function is still connected to food and the kitchens we design need to be ready for all different types of chefs. Whether someone enjoys preparing gourmet meals for friends, simple comfort food family dinners or warming up Chinese take-out, the kitchen needs to be properly designed and equipped.

Please be in touch with any projects you are considering. We would love to make a difference in your home.

All the best for a happy and healthy New Year,

Evan
Columbia CabinetWorks

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!

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!

Winter Insulation Tips

With the cool and hostile weather upon us, wintertime has homeowners doing everything possible to keep themselves warm. To make sure your home is free of the cool air, follow these steps for a toastier winter.

Plug Air Leaks

Make sure there are no exchanges of air between the indoor and outdoor areas. It’s important to discover any air leaks and plug them with caulk. It’s best to caulk both the inside and outside of your window casings and doors.

Thick Velvety Curtains

For extra insulation, replace your regular curtains with a material that is heavier. Velvet makes a great curtain during the winter months because it is textured and adds another layer to block any drafts.

Draft Stoppers

By purchasing or making your own draft stoppers, you can add a personal touch to your home around windows and doors. These products can help block air leakage and are a great option for older homes.

Saratoga’s Best Master Bathroom

As most of you already know, we had the privilege to work with our friends at Witt Construction for the Saratoga Showcase of Homes. We worked on the home located at 61 Granite Street and provided the Brookhaven cabinetry in several rooms of the home, including the kitchen and three bathrooms. Not only did the home win the “Realtor’s Choice for Luxury Home,” but also “Best Luxury Master Bathroom”!!

The winning master bathroom, was created with his and hers vanities separated by a middle bookcase and TV cabinet. Our designer Anna wanted to create a spa like feel with rich, dark cherry cabinets. However, she wanted the cabinetry to be simple and compliment the light Carrera marble and soothing colors. At the client’s request, storage was a must. Anna designed the vanity with a large center bank of drawers which resembled a Victorian apothecary.

For the powder room, we created a rustic piece that was like an antique washstand. By using a black distressed finish that was similar to the kitchen island, we were able to tie the rooms together. However, CCW wanted the piece to also stand on its own in the home so a different door style and furniture details were used. The white vessel sink really pops off the color of the black countertop. It continues to enhance the rustic feel in the room as it relates more to a wash basin than to a standard sink.

Lastly, the second master bathroom on the second floor had to be equally stunning. As you enter the bathroom, we planned for two vanities, each on either side of the door. The vanity on the right was to be used as the main sink and faucet area, while the one to the left provided the perfect amount of space to sit or apply makeup. The home had beautiful heart pine floors on the first floor, so we incorporated Heartwood Maple cabinetry into the vanities. We felt this would be a great option to continue with the rustic theme throughout the home. It also added a warm feel with lots of color variation.

Remember there’s still time to tour the home as the showcase runs this Saturday and Sunday from 11am-5pm each day and also the following weekend at the same times.  Be sure to check back on our blog next week as we share the details of the kitchen!

-Laura