Columbia CabinetWorks Wins the CRBRA’s Best Kitchen Remodel Award

Let me just start off by saying that this has been one extraordinary week for CCW! From exciting projects underway to our most recent award, we have a lot to celebrate. CCW was recently honored to win the Best Kitchen Remodel at the Capital Region Builders and Remodelers Association’s (CRBRA) first annual Best in Building Awards!

So which project was the winning kitchen remodel? Well, it was a previously shared project designed by Ray and featured on our blog: A Design Upgrade on the Classic White Kitchen. This space is simply incredible! The CRBRA was impressed by how Ray took a simple classic white kitchen request and added excitement, beauty and functionality all in one amazing kitchen.

A few of the well received details included the kitchen’s maple wood cabinetry with a Nordic white finish and Rockport Recessed doors. Also, who could forget the massive island featuring four solid wood turned legs and wainscot panels that truly anchors the space. This feature alone paved the path for casual dining and ample seating when hosting family and friends.

Ray had been extremely excited for this project from the first day he met with the homeowners and we couldn’t be more proud of the final outcome! Thank you so much CRBRA for recognizing our talented team!

-Laura

Earth Day…How Will You Help?

Today is Earth Day and we are reminded that each of us has the power to reduce our impact on the environment. We encourage you to participate and make others aware of the environmental issues seen throughout the world. Make a difference by taking part in these simple actions throughout the home:

• Turn off the water when you brush your teeth
• Wash your clothes in cold water and use the short cycle
• Turn down your water heater
• Recycle and reuse plastic grocery bags…better yet, bring your own cloth bag to the market!
• Convert your household light bulbs to LED
• Purchase a filter for the kitchen faucet and cut back on water bottle usage
• Use your laptop over your desktop computer
• Take shorter showers
• Turn the lights off when you leave a room

Let your friends and family know that the small changes they do will have a huge impact on this wonderful planet we all call home.

-Laura

Designing a French Country Farmhouse Style Kitchen

As most of you may already know, we have been thrilled to be a part of the Saratoga Showcase of Homes this year. We have enjoyed working with Witt Construction on the award winning bathrooms, but also in the kitchen. Yes, we were thrilled to also design the kitchen in the home at 61 Granite Street! Set in Saratoga Springs, NY, the kitchen was planned with a French Country farmhouse theme. Anna designed the kitchen with a balance of masculine and feminine styles to match the area known for its beautiful Victorian architecture. Although the home is a completely new construction, it looks like it could have been built a century ago in the historic city. Anna made it her mission to ensure that the design would fit the architecture of the home, the rich history of Saratoga Springs and the needs and wants of the client. Since the kitchen has gorgeous high ceilings reaching 115”, Anna planned to use stacked cabinetry with small windows in the upper layer of cabinets for display. The client fell in love with Wood-Mode cabinetry’s copper chicken wire inserts, so the material was used in the windows instead of glass to create a homey farmhouse feel. To play up the farmhouse details, we also used a 3” wide beadboard in the backs of the open display cabinet over the refrigerator, the bookcase cabinet to the right of the refrigerator, and the back of the island. Anna was smart to incorporate a gorgeous black soapstone countertop (a product that was used quite a bit in the Northeast a hundred years ago) which elevated the Victorian feel. We also chose to use a medium stained glazed maple finish on the main kitchen cabinets, complemented by a large distressed black island that gives the space an unfitted look and also helps ground the tall space with the dark color. The worn through corners and edges on the island perfectly match the color of the rest of the maple cabinets in the kitchen. To continue with the rustic elements in the kitchen, Witt Construction planned and built a gorgeous stucco hood as the centerpiece of the kitchen. To add some elegance to the space, we planned an oversized crown moulding around the tops of the wall cabinets and the custom stucco hood. We also added hand carved onlays on the repeated columns on either side of the range and also on all four corners of the island. Anna’s favorite details were these columns because they actually opened to reveal custom tray, cookie sheet and cutting board storage. I also loved the mail center on the right of the refrigerator. The bottom base drawers are file cabinets and the upper section is perfect for showing off the client’s large collection of cookbooks.

We also used some repeated elements from the architecture of the home. The arch over the refrigerator was custom designed to match Witt Construction’s arch for the pass-through into the dining room. To help tie in the chicken wire from the upper cabinets, the birdcage handles and knobs were installed. The beadboard detail was carried into the beaded frame of the inset cabinets, the bead around the opening of the arched display cabinet over the refrigerator, and the bottom of the crown moulding detail. Lastly, Anna chose traditional mouldings in various sizes to create some interest and allow the eye to move up to the large crown moulding at the ceiling. You should also note the rustic farmhouse pendants that hang over the island. Our client found them at Barnyard Lighting, and I don’t think she could have chosen better! Again, we have enjoyed working on this stunning project. Anna, the work you accomplished in this home has been superb! Remember there’s still time to tour the home as the showcase runs this Saturday and Sunday from 11am-5pm each day. Hope to see you there! -Laura

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

Saratoga Showcase of Homes 2012

Mark your calendar because the Saratoga Showcase of Homes returns this September! The showcase celebrates and recognizes Saratoga County’s most exceptional homes built by the finest builders in the Capital Region.

Now in its 17th year, the event will display the latest in building techniques and products for the home. Homeowners can also explore beautiful, high-quality furnishings and fixtures from the area’s top interior designers.

There will be three consecutive weekends to join the showcase tours: September 15th-16th, 22nd-23rd & 29th-30th. The showcase home tour hours are 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Also, be sure not to miss the exciting Chefs “Saratoga Style” at participating showcase homes. These delectable evenings will take place September 14th and 21st!

To purchase your tickets, visit the Saratoga Showcase of Homes website. All proceeds from the event will benefit Rebuilding Together Saratoga and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. Be sure to grab your tickets and visit the showcase home on 61 Granite Street to explore the kitchen CCW designed with Witt Construction!
- Laura

Earth Day 2012…How Will You Help?

Earth Day is Sunday, April 22nd and we are reminded that each of us has the power to reduce our impact on the environment.  We encourage you to participate and make others aware of the environmental issues seen throughout the world.  Make a difference by taking part in these simple actions throughout the home:

• Turn off the water when you brush your teeth
• Wash your clothes in cold water and use the short cycle
• Turn down your water heater
• Recycle and reuse plastic grocery bags…better yet, bring your own cloth bag to the market!
• Convert your household light bulbs to LED
• Purchase a filter for the kitchen faucet and cut back on water bottle usage
• Use your laptop over your desktop computer
• Take shorter showers
• Turn the lights off when you leave a room

Let your friends and family know that the small changes they do will have a huge impact on this wonderful planet we all call 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

Great Northeast Home Show 2012 Seminar

With the Great Northeast Home Show just one week away, we’re excited to announce that our very own chief cabinet officer, Evan Levey, will be presenting a seminar on kitchen renovations Saturday, February 11th at 12 PM. Evan will be discussing how to outline components of a kitchen renovation from timeline to budget, from environmental concerns to functionality. Attendees will gain an understanding on how the priority of these components play into critical decisions a homeowner needs to make throughout the renovation process.

We hope you all will attend CCW’s seminar on February 11, at 12PM, at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Home Show!

Evan Levey’s Bio

-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

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