Anna’s Favorite Things for the Kitchen

You may not know it, but our designer Anna has a background in historic preservation. With each of her designs, she mixes that background with her passion of the fine arts. Together, she designs a space that is truly spectacular. Below, see what a few of Anna’s favorite things are in the kitchen.

La Cornue French Cooker Range

If you ever want to perfect Boeuf Bourguignon, this is the one range you will want. La Cornue is an unrivaled French range that is still only produced to order, and is individually hand-made with patience and pride. With only a few hundred produced a year, you’ll appreciate the quality use of cast iron, steel, solid brass, nickel and enamel used to build longevity into the range. You’ll also love the charm and the power of these gorgeous and luxurious French ranges.

Light and Dark Cabinetry

Many of today’s kitchens have homeowners selecting a mix of both white and dark colors within the space. For Anna, she recommends to incorporate dark islands, furniture pieces and accents into your white cabinet design. The white cabinets create an elegant and clean feel while the dark woods are rich and traditional.

Large Kitchen Windows

The use of sunlight in the kitchen is as essential as the refrigerator. Incorporate huge windows that will flood the room with light. Also, a huge window will allow the space to open up and not feel confined.

Chippendale Mullion Glass Inserts

The use of glass door cabinets in kitchens makes a space feel more open and spacious. They also reflect the light within the room while adding a bit of luxury and style. If using glass doors in your kitchen design, incorporate Chippendale style mullions. These mullion glass inserts provide a sense of 19th century furniture and a classic timeless feel. For a slightly less formal version, keep the windows divided with a basic “X” mullion.

Statuario Marble Backsplash

There’s nothing more decadent that having a solid marble backsplash behind oven ranges. Keep the look luxurious and frame within a large mantel hood. What Anna loves about Statuario marble is the gorgeous striking vein pattern that becomes an instant focal point.

Don’t miss tomorrow’s article to see what Amy recommends for the bathroom!

-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

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

The Modern Traditional Kitchen

When it comes to renovating a kitchen, some homeowners may be torn on which style to choose. Some enjoy a modern kitchen for its wide range of sexy and sleek elements. However, some homeowners prefer a traditional kitchen that can feel classic, cozy, and warm. Today, it has never been easier to blend modern and traditional looks to reinvent the heart of your home.

For more than a year, the “modern traditional” look has been on the rise. It generally incorporates two cabinet colors; often one is white and the other is either black or a dark rich wood. Many designers like to use sleek modern cabinets either in a flat slab door style or a simple recessed panel, and pair it with highly decorative mouldings or carved architectural elements.

You can continue to make this style work in your home through lighting. The lighting should revolve around neutral tones like silver metals, white shades, or hanging crystals. If you really want to bring personality into the kitchen, hang a giant traditional crystal chandelier over the island. You can then use other spaces to install geometric modern hanging pendants.

The main trick to designing a modern traditional kitchen is to keep the colors neutral in shades of white, black, and brown. The effect will be classic, chic, and sophisticated; and surprisingly comfortable and soothing considering two of the most different design styles will be combined in one space!

-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

The Beauty Behind Maple Cabinets

Cambridge Maple Cabinetry in a Vintage Finish

One of 2012′s hottest trends in kitchen design, maple is becoming an increasingly popular material choice for homeowners as they renovate their kitchens. Maple wood has been used for generations for its traditional and warm appearance. People are aware that cabinets can last a lifetime, so maple’s timelessness is important.

Heartwood Maple Cabinets in a Stain Finish

Maple is a versatile material, and looks great in a wide variety of decors. Whether you want your kitchen to be contemporary or traditional, maple can fit right in. It is also durable, especially in the kitchen where high temperatures and heavy moisture are a factor. When you choose maple for your kitchen cabinets, you’ll get a sturdy wood that can resist almost anything.

Sturbridge Cabinetry in Maple Wood with an Heirloom Finish

What I love most about maple wood is how flexible the color and stain options are for homeowners. With a little imagination, you can create natural, light maple kitchen cabinets, or maybe even the look of rich cherry.

With maple, you can truly create your dream kitchen.

-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

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

Christmas in the Kitchen

With Christmas day soon approaching, I have been thinking about a kitchen our designer Anna completed. I remember it specifically because not only was it beautifully detailed, but she and I had visited the homeowners to help decorate their “heart of the home” for the holidays.

To capture the traditional look the homeowners desired, Anna designed the kitchen cabinetry with Wood-Mode’s Barcelona Recessed in Antique White. She then suggested an Edinburgh Burnished finish on cherry for the island and buffet to bring an extra layer of beauty to the space. It was really a great choice as you can see how the center of the room pops as you walk in. The refrigerator also has matching cabinetry panels installed over the doors, in keeping with the clean look the homeowners desired to achieve. Anna was very clever to also match up the fronts of the refrigerator and pantry area to look as if it were one complete unit, skillfully disguising the fact that the depths of each cabinet and refrigerator were all different. She also installed a corner kitchen hutch with glass windows to keep with the traditional and antique look within the room. The glass windows are always a wonderful option to display china other treasured objects.

Throughout the kitchen, you can also see the beautiful small details Anna introduced. One of my personal favorites is the lattice inserts in the wall cabinets and buffet. She also incorporated columns and stacked crown moulding throughout the space.

Anna really did a wonderful job designing this amazing kitchen. Feel free to checkout her designs and get in the holiday spirit with these festive pictures below…I know I am! Joyous holidays to all!

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-Laura