4 Ways To Design A Family Friendly Kitchen

Raising a family isn’t easy, but, if designed well, your kitchen can help! See some great tips below that aim to bring family organization into everyone’s favorite room!

Two Rooms in One

Blending together the kitchen and family room into one great space creates an open area for everyone to gather. Whether mom and dad are cooking, kids are doing homework or little ones are enjoying playtime or a favorite cartoon…the space becomes multifunctional for everyone to use 24/7.

Get Organized

The recipe to any successful home may just be to minimize the clutter. By organizing your home for each family member, you’ll make things easily accessible. And that in turn helps things run smoothly throughout the day! Consider storing the kids’ things in bottom shelves and drawers for easy reach. You could even have cabinetry made to fit the children’s height with built-in inserts that can serve a different purpose when the children grow. Also, having a dedicated home station for the adults makes a great location for storing paperwork, bills, and the family computer.

Introduce Color

Design a bright, interesting space the entire family will enjoy. Color adds personality outside the all white kitchen. Why not incorporate a funky, vivid colored countertop or eye catching tiled backsplash behind the stove?

Appreciate the Memories

If you’re the sentimental type who enjoys holding onto memories, select items for the home that will inevitably show wear and tear. By selecting porous materials, such as Carrara marble or a maple butcher block, you introduce items that will add an old fashioned, settled appeal over time. These items are meant to embrace imperfections and showcase your family’s history of stains and rings!

(Photos courtesy in order: Houzz & Patrick Sutton Associates, Fresh Home, Dornob and The Grothouse Lumber Company)

4 Simple Bathroom Updates

As homeowners begin to look into a renovation, they may decide a complete makeover isn’t necessary. Or maybe they would like to update just particular feature to enhance a room’s look. For the bathroom, if a renovation isn’t on the table, consider these 4 simple updates to recreate your space.

Update Your Floors

Add value and style to your bathroom floors. Porcelain, ceramic and natural stone continue to be super popular with homeowners and designers. Also you’ll get the most added value with an almost dollar for dollar investment.

Exchange Your Shower Head

Should you sell your home, even the simplest detail plays a role. Therefore, minor updates shouldn’t be avoided. By switching out your shower head, you can turn your shower into an oasis. Consider a rain head for its dollar for dollar return on investment.

Install New Lighting

Lighting makes a huge impact in a room creating the ambience you desire. Instead of glaring, blinding lightbulbs above the sink, install task lighting. These lights can be recessed into the ceiling, or even select a pendant or sconce fixture to help illuminate the mirror. Track lighting also continues to be a wonderful option, providing lights to sit along a track on the ceiling or wall. You can adjust their position to shine wherever you want.

Switch Out Your Sink

With so many tasks taking place around the sink, why not update it for a look that appeals to the eye? Not only can sinks be fun, but also they can introduce luxury into your bathroom. Simple details like a new shiny chrome faucet and porcelain handles can add a lot of value to your home. Integrated sinks, in which there are no edges or hangovers from the countertop to the sink, continue to be a homeowner’s favorite. Also, vessel sinks are a creative way to bring life and uniqueness into the space.

8 Kitchen Renovation Splurges

The kitchen is the centerpiece of a home, so why not give it the love and attention it needs and deserves? For your next renovation, show your kitchen some love with these designer favorites.

Natural Light

Add a feel of cheerful richness into your kitchen with sunlight. Your space will be brighter than ever before. By working through design elements, you can incorporate new windows, skylights or French doors into the kitchen area.

Butler’s Pantry

Fuse old-world elegance and new-world practicality by creating a butler’s pantry. This small area between your kitchen and dining room is great for prepping tableware and food courses.

Custom Cabinetry

Forget store bought and have the kitchen fitted with cabinetry. No kitchen is the exactly the same, so the space will be customized based on your needs. Your room will not only be designed to handle daily functions, but will also look stunning through the years!

Marble

For an elegant and subtle look, marble is a beautiful addition in the kitchen. The material can be used in various areas, including backsplashes and countertops.

Lounge Life

When you design the kitchen to also act as a great room, you have a space that’s truly welcoming. Create an inviting space by incorporating a fireplace, multimedia entertainment system and/or cozy seating area.

Multiple Work Stations

Work where you want by creating multiple work stations throughout the kitchen to extend its versatility and flow. Each area would be fitted with separate sinks, counters and storage.

Walk-in Pantry

Outfitted to house nonperishable food, extra serving pieces, and miscellaneous odds and ends, having a large walk-in pantry is the perfect home luxury.

One of a Kind

Every kitchen should have a distinctive element. Whether it’s a handcrafted stone countertop, Portuguese-tile backsplash or an antique hanging light fixture, incorporate at least one captivating object in your kitchen.

Vintage Farmhouse

The Hinrichsens, a family of four and a pet dog named Cleo, were in need of a kitchen renovation. The kitchen in their old farmhouse had become a bit claustrophobic and was far too modern for their vintage home. The previous remodel had been completed 10-15 years prior. With experience in historical preservation and a love of antique style homes, Anna was thrilled to work with the family to design their dream kitchen.

When renovating older homes, you have to work within a certain frame of dimensions. In this particular project, the ceilings were very low at 88”H and the structural beams on the ceiling were 6”H. This would mean that the wall cabinets could only be 28”H. We decided to create an “unfitted” kitchen with three different door styles and finishes. The island and the refrigerator area would each look like pieces of furniture that were added to the kitchen over time. The island looks like an old loved and used Shaker table, while the refrigerator and pantry look like an old built-in closet or cupboard. For the main kitchen wall and base cabinets, Anna recommended a soft white washed finish called Vintage Country Linen to make the space feel larger and more airy. The inset cabinetry door style, Madison Raised, was selected to match the detail of the wainscot panel already underneath each window. Each piece of hardware – from the exposed barrel hinges, to the cup pulls that look like they had once been painted but time and use had worn most of it off, to the HL hinges and entry door handles on the refrigerator – were carefully selected to help recreate a vintage look in the kitchen, with a blend of American country that the Hinrichsens desired.

Since the ceiling height came to 88″, it would be difficult to find an integrated built-in refrigerator that accepts custom door panels. Fortunately, we discovered the French door Liebherr refrigerator. The pantry was matched to the refrigerator exactly, which meant a custom overall height, special sized drawers, and an oversized upper door. We used a custom 6”W beadboard on the side of the unit which would have been common on an old built-in cabinet from the 1800s. We then repeated the 6”W beadboard on the backsplash of the L-shaped kitchen to add continuity.

The clients knew that they needed a large family-sized microwave in the kitchen, so it became a challenge to find a location that would make sense functionally and aesthetically in the space. The solution was to create a hutch next to the new windows. The microwave was located in the center of the kitchen so it could be easily accessed, and mounted at the perfect height to be easily used.

To complete the vintage look, Anna included many details that would compliment the kitchen. She noticed the original ceiling beams had a small bead on the bottom of each side of the beam and used that as the main repeated detail throughout the kitchen. It was incorporated around the frame of each inset door and drawer, the bead board backsplash, and the bead along the bottom of the crown moulding mounting board at the tops of the wall cabinets. The main kitchen counters were topped with a gorgeous waxed soapstone highlighted by the large white farm sink and the cross handled gooseneck faucet.

Lastly, every kitchen needs a stunning focal point…in this kitchen, a large walnut edge grain butcherblock island countertop! The worn edges of the distressed black island cabinets pick up on the rich wood color, making the table style island the centerpiece that a farmhouse kitchen deserves.

Anna, this may be one of my favorite kitchens you have designed. The level of craftsmanship, detail and creativity in this renovation is just spectacular! Go Anna!

-Laura

Kitchen Countertop trends in 2012

From wood to natural stone to stainless steel, countertop materials are more diverse than ever before. Homeowners have moved beyond the original Formica and laminates, and enjoy the unique selection of today’s surface materials. With so many choices, it’s important for homeowners to choose the countertop that will be best suited for their needs and kitchen’s aesthetic. As a growing trend in the kitchen, marble is booming in popularity. Marble has been popular in Europe for years and has finally made its way to America. Homeowners love the veined look it provides over the spotted, granular look of granite. Also, people are interested in materials that aren’t too shiny and have a satin finish. Originally, people wouldn’t have considered marble for their kitchen because of its tendency to stain. Fortunately, homeowners are warming up to the material and love the beauty it provides within a space. What we enjoy about marble, is how beautiful it looks in contemporary kitchens, especially when the rest of the house is a traditional style. Marble helps to tone down a contemporary feel and introduces a bit of classic elegance into the kitchen. Marble isn’t the only surface material popular in kitchens. Carrera continues to be a quintessential choice for homeowners. Also, various types of soapstone are desirable due to their dramatic veined look. When you oil it properly with a plain mineral oil, it becomes very durable. Available in numerous shades, soapstone may be the perfect fit for your home. Remember, choose the countertop material that is best for you and your family. It’s a decision that should be thought through carefully, because more likely it will be the countertop you live with for decades. Learn more about countertop materials by downloading our guide on “The Down and Dirty on Countertops” today! -Laura

Luke’s Favorite Things for the Kitchen

As the newest member of CCW, Luke has been an excellent addition to the team. And no, I’m not just saying that because he’s my son. Luke has been extremely eager to assist the team with their design needs and was very excited to share his favorite things for the kitchen!

Liven up your kitchen as you cook and entertain with the Bose Wave Stereo with SoundLink. This wonderful device allows you to listen to music wirelessly from your computer or Bluetooth. What Luke loves most about the system is its proprietary waveguide speaker technology that enables full-bodied sound, especially in lower registers, for more natural sounding bass and percussion instruments.

DuPont Corian Solid Surface Countertops

Solid surface, best known in DuPont Corian countertops, is a great solution for your kitchen or bath counters. Unlike granite or quartz, solid surface is workable with regular woodworking tools. It needs no sealer coat which means stains, blemishes, and scratches can be easily wiped or sanded away. To add to it, Corian is non-porous and can have an entirely seamless look when properly installed.

Wolf R486G 48″ Pro-Style Gas Range

Wolf has perfected the form, function and sheer durability of our gas ranges. The stainless steel exterior finish of the Wolf R486G 48″ gas range offers 6 dual brass open burners and 4.4 cubic feet of convection main oven. It’s definitely a great option for large families and those that like to entertain. Don’t forget, Wolf gas ranges are available in natural or LP gas.

Open Space Kitchens

Blend the look of your kitchen and living room into one open floor plan. Today, the kitchen is no longer just a place to cook, but also to entertain, work and unwind. For smaller kitchens, consider adding a small sofa in a nook for watching TV, reading or homework.

Double Glass Sliding Doors

Connect the kitchen to the outdoors with double glass sliding doors. These smooth sliding and functional doors make it easier to transport dishes and food to your outside deck or patio. They also help bring natural light into the kitchen which can help you save on your electric bill.

Don’t miss our final article tomorrow with Ray sharing his favorite things for the bathroom!

-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

Should You Paint the Kitchen Cabinets?

Recently, our chief cabinet officer, Evan Levey, was advising some homeowners about a kitchen renovation. The homeowners felt the cost of new cabinetry was out of their budget and chose to look into other options. They were curious about painting their somewhat dated and tired wood cabinets. Evan advised them that, although it is a quick fix, painting your kitchen cabinets will not look right and can show more smudges and fingerprints than other finishes. The process involves a lot of work and expense to prep and paint the cabinets for a small result, especially if you hire a professional who must strip your cabinetry. Some homeowners opt to do the project themselves, but you run a risk of over-sanding or accidentally damaging your cabinets.

Evan and I both agree that painting your cabinets, whether by spray or brush, is a bad idea. And while paint can improve the look of your cabinets, it cannot hide all faults. Also, the paint will begin to chip over time and can lead to more upkeep than the average homeowner expects. One of the biggest reasons to not paint your cabinetry is that it can be a turn off for potential buyers. If you are trying to resell your home, it can diminish the overall value in the speed of a brush stroke.

If your cabinets are structurally sound and not to displeasing to the eye, we would recommend new countertop. Remember, once the countertop has been installed, you won’t want to change the cabinets anytime soon, so be sure they are structurally sound. You could also change the hardware on the cabinets. With a variety of wonderful countertop and hardware options, you can give your a kitchen an effective and beautiful makeover.

-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.

Unique Surface Materials

When it comes to a home renovation, there are various surface options for homeowners to consider. From flooring to tiling, enjoy the benefits these unique materials will bring to your home.

Ceramic Tile

As a natural, energy efficient and renewable material, ceramic tile has been a popular choice for many homeowners. With a multitude of colors and uses, people enjoy its durability, beauty and easy to clean properties. Many homeowners opt to install ceramic around their fireplaces, woodstoves and kitchen stoves since the material is non-flammable. Another great benefit is the material’s perceived value and how it can increase the appraisal of one’s home. I really like how the tile’s thermal mass outshines wood as it absorbs heat during the day and then radiates it back into the home at night.

Cork

If you’re looking for a durable material, you will love the benefits of cork. The material can stand up to heavy foot traffic and is perfect for floors, walls and countertop. What I really enjoy about the material is how easy cork is to maintain and repair. Moreover, cork is a popular choice for its ability to act as a natural insulator, with the added value of terrific sound absorption. With a variety of beautiful colors to choose from, you’ll love bringing this soft, earthy material into your home.

Resin

Available in a variety of colors, resin is a liquid that hardens onto materials as a hard lacquer or enamel-like finish. As a natural material from plants, it provides an excellent component as a varnish or fabricator to protect applications from cracking and osmosis. Consider using the material on counters, sinks and bathtubs.