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:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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.