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

The Transitional Kitchen

Dine By Design

The transitional kitchen is all about a mix between modern and traditional looks. It’s a wonderful opportunity for homeowners to choose the elements they love, without being locked in to one particular style.

Before Photo

Recently, Ray met with a couple who were looking to update their kitchen. They really enjoyed the seminar that our Chief Cabinet Officer gave at the Home Show last year. (Include link to that blog article). Ray noticed from the start that these homeowners were engaged in and excited about the design process.

The homeowners had been looking to create a kitchen that would have a refined, yet modern country feel. After visiting their home for measurements, Ray knew what needed to be done. He removed the raised breakfast bar which made the space feel much more open. Knowing that the couple wanted a white kitchen, his suggestion for Nordic White on Bridgeport was the obvious winner. The cabinetry would also include framed drawer fronts and be topped with a soapstone countertop.

Lastly, there was one special detail Ray added to this transitional kitchen. He completely custom designed a decorative hood for over the oven area.

Bravo Ray for combining so many stunning elements in this kitchen. Not only was the client thrilled with the renovation, but the customized touches truly enhanced the overall kitchen design!

-Laura

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

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

Why Choose Custom Cabinets

When it comes to home renovations, the big debate is not which refrigerator to buy. The hot topic question is whether or not to hire a designer for the cabinetry. No matter how big or small your renovation may be, custom cabinetry can play a starring role.

Planning

By hiring an interior designer, you can avoid costly mistakes while increasing the overall value of your home. Store bought cabinets will deteriorate over time compared to the extraordinary durability of custom cabinets. Also, our kitchen designers have a trained eye that will maximize the beauty and efficiency of your space.

Wow Factor

Every kitchen should be designed to impress. Designers are trained to think outside of the box and see an overall picture that clients often cannot. When it comes to cabinetry, custom and semi-custom provide a myriad of options and details. These will not be available at the big box stores. By working with a kitchen designer, your space will look more unique and pulled together.

Your Home’s Value

If your home is for sale, you certainly don’t want it to sit on the market forever. By hiring a kitchen designer, you can increase the value of your home by upgrading your kitchen, which in turn should accelerate the sale process. A kitchen upgrade could have as much as a 70% return on investment!

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

Wood-Mode: Decorative Accents and Mouldings For the Kitchen

When it comes to a kitchen renovation, it’s not only the cabinetry and appliances that make a kitchen complete. Designers often use decorative accents or mouldings throughout a space for an overall air of sophistication. They may even be used within a defined space to create a special focal point around a kitchen island, cooking grotto or display area. I just love it when I see Wood-Mode cabinets adorned with hand-crafted embellishments, such as cabinetry legs and feet, trims, mouldings, corbels and more. These accents are always made of quality hardwoods and finished to match your cabinets perfectly.

Let your kitchen tell your personal story, and explore Wood-Mode’s collection of elegant accents that make for an excellent finishing touch.

Corbels

Carved Corbel Pilaster Columns

Classic Arch Drawer Turned Post

Classic Arch Drawer Pilaster Column Carved Overlays

Carved Mouldings

Wainscot Panels Herringbone Venneer Inserts & Lattice Inserts

Carved Mouldings Wainscot Panels

Louis Philippe Drawer Turned Post

Acanthus Carved Corbels

Bun Foot

Cabriole Leg

Flared Legs

Louis Philippe Drawerhead

Queen Anne Leg

Shaker Foot

-Laura

A Kitchen Renovation With WOW Factor!

Cynthia and Nestor Cubides embarked on an ambitious home renovation, having recently purchased a house in peaceful Sands Point, NY. As is often the case, the kitchen quickly became the focal point. Wanting the beauty and durability of Wood-Mode cabinetry, the Cubides turned to CCW. Amy relished the project from day one and began designing a space that would awe family and friends.

An early decision was that kitchen cabinets should be painted Nordic White Maple with accents of Cherry. The countertop along the perimeter of the kitchen is a polished black granite. For the island, Amy introduced the idea of having a 2″ thick piece of countertop instead of the standard 1.25″. This would anchor the space with a substantial, chunky look. We then topped off the island with a piece of Carrera marble around the stainless steel farm sink. Talk about WOW factor!

The Peninsula and the bar area serve as a transition into the living room, pulling both rooms together to create a wide open floor plan. Within the peninsula, there is the double oven and a preparation sink. This serves as another zone in the kitchen without being in the way of the cook top and primary sink. To make sure the kitchen would function as it should, the sub-zero refrigerator was placed between the sink, cook top and the double oven.

Lastly, Amy detailed the bar with mullion glass doors. An appliance garage elevation was then installed to compliment the doors and windows leading out to the terrace. Explore more of the design process below:

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Amy, you did a wonderful job with this renovation for the Cubides. It was great to watch you coordinate with everyone to complete such a complex home renovation! The kitchen not only has many of my favorite features, but expresses the level of design experience you possess.

-Laura

4 Wood Choices for Kitchen Cabinets

When it comes to selecting cabinetry for the kitchen, homeowners should be aware of the different wood options available. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, cherry wood continues to dominate in kitchens. With its rich tones and color, cherry wood sets itself apart from other types of wood. However, since 2010, designers are slowly shifting to other options. Take a look at a few other types of wood that are growing more prevalent in the kitchen.

Maple

Coming close to stealing the top spot from cherry, maple wood is an attractive choice for homeowners. The grain patterns in maple are generally tight and uniform giving them a smooth and consistent appearance. The wood contains mineral streaks that may be fine lines or curling waves. These unique grain patterns become more distinct when stained and increase the aesthetic value of the wood. Also maple’s reputation as a tough wood makes it a great material for kitchen cabinets today.

Oak

Described as the “American Wood”, oak is the hardest of the hardwoods. Its dense grain makes it relatively heavy and damage resistant. With its distinct appearance, the graining patterns reveal different color grades when stained and can appear striped, wavy, very fine or broad. Today, oak has increased in popularity as homeowners enjoy it’s durability to withstand rough treatment. Oak will even resist dents or scratches better than other wood choices.

Hickory

One of the more distinct grain patterns is found in hickory wood. Instead of streaks and waves, the grains in a hickory cabinet are flowing and sweeping. They create stark shades within a single piece of wood. Both designers and homeowners love how easy it is to stain hickory wood. Hickory is perfect for a rustic style kitchen.

Birch

If you’re looking for a softer or more lush beauty, take a look at birch wood. Like cherry, birch stains extremely well and is smooth to the touch. With its subtle waves and flows within the graining patterns, birch gives a warm and cozy charm to any home’s kitchen.