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

Latest Bathroom Trends

Bathroom design has been heading in a new direction this year. With more homeowners deciding to personalize the space, the bathroom is beginning to be decorated with the same care as other rooms in the home. I feel that people are thinking of the bathroom as more of a haven and not just a place to shower and shave. It’s the perfect space that allows homeowners take refuge, to relax and unwind. Now is the time to make the bathroom cozy and to move away from the standard bath, sink and toilet combo.

Enhance the Space

Bring your own personal style to the bathroom through colors, tiled floor patterns and decor accents. Don’t be afraid to show your personality because you’ll create a room that will make you happy and comfortable.

Separate Zones

Today’s bathroom layout has shaken up designs of the past by creating individual zones. Anything and everything that needs to be done in the bathroom will have its own location. Homeowners are increasing their square footage to allow space dedicated to dressing and makeup areas. We’re also seeing an increase in the water closet which is a side room containing the toilet. Also, several clients are opting to install separate shower and bath areas instead of the combo.

Minimalism

Bathroom design continues to move in a more minimalist direction. It’s all about a clean look that is fresh and inspiring. Even features, such as sink faucets, are beginning to decrease in hardware with hidden and built-in handles.

Focal Point

The bathroom vanity is still the centerpiece within the room. Once you decide the look you want, your designer can help create a piece that will offer storage and one-of-a-kind beauty. The vanity is all about the details, so craft a piece that will bring the wow factor to your bathroom.

-Laura

Redesigning the Parlor Room for the Vanguard Showhouse

Last week, the Vanguard Showhouse finally opened its doors to the public. As I walked through the newly renovated rooms, I was amazed by the transformation that had taken place within this historic home.  In October 2010, Anna and I visited the showhouse for the first time.  I remember walking into the parlor, and seeing how desperate this room was for an upgrade.  Below, you can see how the parlor looked before the renovations began.

For this renovation, we were teamed with Blairhouse Interiors Group, an interior design firm in Latham, NY. Our role was to design cabinetry within the parlor. After measurements and designs were drawn, we were inspired to create a Chippendale piece to match the interior around the home.  And of course, the cabinets would be made within the Wood-Mode family, Brookhaven.

Finally, after months of designing and working with our installation team, the room was completed.  The cabinets were designed to maximize storage and act as a media console for the home.  Also, glass doors were installed to showcase possessions and to bring a sense of comfort to the room.  Along with Blairhouse Interiors decorating expertise, the room is not only modern, but also a space you will never want to leave.

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Working with the Vanguard Showhouse was an amazing experience for CCW and one I will never forget.  Being involved with the project allowed us to work with so many wonderful people, including Nate, the owner of the home. As I look back through all of the planning that went into the renovation, I am proud to be a designer.  The home is absolutely beautiful and is a place I wish I could live in forever!

-Laura

Vanguard Designer Showhouse: Cabinets!

As some of you may know, CCW is part of the Vanguard Designer Showhouse, scheduled to open in May 2011.  We are very excited to be designing the cabinetry for the Media Room and our Chippendale inspired piece has arrived.  The Brookhaven cabinets were delivered to the Vanguard house in Loudonville, NY a few weeks ago.  Only a few more finishing touches to the room and we’ll be installing the cabinets!

I’ve included several photos below to show how custom-made cabinets are delivered to a home.  It always makes my day when I see the Wood-Mode truck coming up the road.

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-Laura

Kitchen Hutches

When is a cabinet more than a cabinet?  When it comes to your kitchen renovation, stand out from the neighbors and create a kitchen hutch.  Kitchen hutches are great because they provide additional storage space and add a unique look to the room. Hutches are eye-catching and can be designed to match the woodwork in your home.  Check out these designs to see which would be great in your kitchen:

Freestanding hutches are the most popular and can be designed to fit the aesthetic in your room.  Its design replaces built-in cabinets and still offers plenty of space to store things.  You can even move it to another room or area if desired.

Consider having a kitchen hutch that serves two purposes.  Include an office workstation, with or without a computer, and have the room to store cookbooks or work on the bills.   

For a vintage style, consider installing glass doors to display china and other objects.  You could also illuminate the shelves to spotlight specific pieces.

A built-in hutch is considered the best option for your kitchen.  This design provides maximum space and hides any clutter that may build up over the years.

Going for a more unfitted kitchen?  This hutch was designed to stand out with its finish in a Matte Antique White and an Espresso Glaze on maple.  See how it softens against the rich glazed cherry cabinets that surround it.

A hutch makes an amazing pass through from the kitchen to the dining room.  By keeping the middle of the hutch open, you can easily pass dishes and food between the rooms.  This creative design brings accessibility and retains an open feel while separating the rooms.

Multi-Functional Library

Bob and Kathy Cavanaugh were looking to design a space that would function as a work environment, while providing kitchen storage.  The goal was to create a decorative piece that would be multi-purpose without having a kitchen feel.  Our designer Amy was onboard for the project and completed some renderings for the Cavanaugh’s to finalize their design.  The Brookhaven cabinets in maple went best in their home and a cider finish was added for accent.  In the top glass cabinets, lights were added to provide a warm ambience to the room.  For Kathy, the bottom cabinets were installed with roll out trays for additional kitchen storage.  The library was also constructed to display treasured ceramics and store books.

From the renderings to the completed project, checkout the pictures below:

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-Laura

Saratoga Showcase of Homes

So this past weekend, the Saratoga Builders Association presented their 15^th Annual Showcase of Homes.  This was CCW’s first time being a part of the showcase as we teamed up with BCI Construction to design the master bath in Natalie’s house.  For those of you who are not familiar with the Showcase of Homes, the event celebrates the Capitol Region’s finest builders and allows people the opportunity to tour the finished homes. It’s a great way to check out design ideas and possible contractors for renovations you may be considering.  Also, if you’re in the market to buy, each home is up for sale. 

Brookhaven Vista Cherry with a Bistro Stain

The Elms was the home we worked on.  Although we didn’t design the house, we did assist with the master bathroom. Unlike many of the master baths in other entry homes, ours was smaller in size. After careful consideration to detail, measurements and renderings, we were able to design the master bath Natalie had envisioned.  For the final product, the cabinetry used in the home was Brookhaven Vista Cherry with a Bistro Stain. The finish was selected because it blended well with the furniture in the adjoining master bedroom. 

As part of the showcase, Chef’s Night took place last Friday to give people the chance to explore the homes, see designs and taste the delicious foods cooked by chefs in the Capitol Region.  As people jumped from home to home, everyone had great things to say about The Elms, especially the master bath.  Natalie’s interior decorations and design ideas definitely paid off.

The night before was the awards banquet and BCI was recognized for 6 awards!  Our master bath didn’t win, but we were against competition that had larger scaled rooms.  All in all, I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with BCI and am happy that the night ended on a positive note. 

And special thanks to my old classmate Steve Van Zandt for being a wonderful comedian during the awards banquet.  I had heard he would be entertaining everyone for Thursday’s event and told him I would be attending.  Well, who knew that when it came to announcing the awards for best kitchen that he would bring up my name?  I can remember what he said, “Thinking about kitchens, my old friend Laura Naughton is in the audience.  She works over at Columbia CabinetWorks. Stand up Laura.” After standing upon his request, he then concluded, “And she promised me 50% off cabinetry!” Steve Van Zandt, you haven’t changed.

-Laura