3 Colors for 2013

The year is fresh and new, so you are probably considering ideas on how to update your home. In addition to renovating your kitchen or bathroom, color is a simple way to revive a space and add personality. Explore these three colors designers are excited about in 2013.

Olive

Relaxing yet bold enough to make a statement, olive is the perfect shade of green that can be used in any room. The color pairs well with cream and brown tones. We personally enjoy this color for the living room accented with brown leather furniture.

Rose

Create a welcoming escape in any nook with this pink hue. The color is perfect for the foyer or even in a dining area. Rose goes well with a variety of colors creating a lush and rich feel. Incorporate the color in spaces where guests will gather due to its inviting nature.

Charcoal

The grey family may have some of our favorite tones. When you use colors like charcoal in the home, you can juxtapose your most eclectic pieces in style and color. Accent colors can be a breath of fresh air in rooms of neutral colors, so get creative. Bring in pieces that will pop, such as a red sofa, bright tufted benches or funky art.

Your Cookware Guide to a Better Kitchen

Being a good cook takes more than just delicious recipes. Homeowners need to be certain they have the right equipment. I personally enjoy using nonstick pots and pans in my home, and would recommend Calphalon or Anolon types. Before you make your final decision, take a look at the numerous cookware products many stores offer.

Copper

Copper is a very luxurious kitchen product that heats quickly and evenly. Before you consider this elegant cookware, be aware that copper may be hard to handle and is high-maintenance. Frequent polishing is needed to keep it looking pristine, and regular use will eventually cause the tin lining to wear through, leaving you susceptible to copper poisoning. To avoid that, the worn pan will have to be re-tinned by a craftsman.

Nonstick

Nonstick pans are easy to clean, but will be damaged when used over heat that is too high. Overheating may also release toxins. I highly recommend not to clean these with abrasives You should also avoid metal utensils, which can scratch.

Cast Iron

Whether the cookware is enameled or not, iron warms slowly but distributes heat evenly. I love how cast iron lasts forever. But keep in mind that it’s quite heavy and that non-enamaled pieces need to be regularly “seasoned” with cooking oil to control rust and provide a nonstick cooking surface.

Aluminum

Aluminum heats well and resists corrosion. The material is also lightweight. If you choose to go with aluminum, make sure you buy pots and pans with a protective anodized coating. Uncoated aluminum reacts with acidic ingredients, such as tomatoes and peppers, which will pit the metal that may seep aluminum into your food.

Clad Stainless

Clad stainless steel is a layer of heat-conducting copper or aluminum coated with stainless steel. It’s one of the easiest cookware materials to care for. Another plus is that many manufacturers now make dishwasher-safe pieces.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel, which is often used for woks, heats very quickly. Unlike cast iron, it needs to be seasoned to reduce sticking.

Enameled Steel

Enameled steel is lighter than enameled cast iron, however, it is not ovenproof. The material is also easy to clean, resistant to sticking, and heats quickly and evenly.

-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

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

Paint Color Trends for 2012

With spring upon us, many homeowners will begin to make design changes to their homes. This could be anything from a complete kitchen makeover to updating your bathroom’s sink. Whatever renovations you consider, be sure to freshen up your space for the new season.

One simple way to update any room is to paint the walls a new color. By adding a coat of paint onto the walls of your living room, dining room, or bedroom, you instantly redefine your space. The Paint Quality Institute has established the palettes that will be most popular this year. Today’s paint hues are drawn from the American landscape and bring the colors of the great outdoors into your home interior.

Explore these three popular color options for your home that will brighten up any room.

Blue

Blue isn’t only the color of the sky, but a beautiful option suitable for living spaces. It’s a color that has grown in popularity since 2011. As a natural soothing color, there are a variety of shades to select. Consider a turquoise dining room or a dark, strong cobalt blue for your library or study.

Green

As a color of many vegetables and plants, green allows homeowners to bring the comfort feelings of the world outside into the world within. Green is a popular hue for spaces that are natural spots, like the kitchen or dining room. It’s also a great palette choice for family rooms and bedrooms.

Violet

With its harmonious feel, violet combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. The hue provides a luxurious ambience, and can even add vibrant energy into any room when used as an accent color. Violet is a wonderful choice that can be a dominant color in a bedroom.

Kitchens in Red

This Valentine’s Day made me reflect on the power the color red can bring to a home. As a designer, red is not the first color I may recommend for homeowners to consider in their kitchens. But today, we love how people want to express themselves throughout their home, especially in their kitchen. Depending on how you use it, red can add a sense of heat and interest to your kitchen design.

Red grabs our attention like no other color. It reminds us of love, desire, speed, and strength. As a versatile color, red can be elegant, nostalgic, trendy or retro. Red will make a statement in your kitchen, for sure. With a variety of design options, you can introduce the color into the heart of your home through custom cabinets, painted walls, or accented decors.

Installing red cabinets makes a huge statement in your kitchen. The color is powerful and fits well into modern decors. If you are designing a space that has a cozy, cottage feel, have a kitchen hutch customized with the eye-catching shade.

Today, kitchens are all about layering, and homeowners are wanting a wide variety of finishes to break up the room and add warmth. Consider adding a bold color to diversify your kitchen with a red kitchen island. The red will go well with a white and black color scheme.

Break up the traditional look of your kitchen with an accent wall. The red will draw attention to a particular section, such as a corner banquette or kitchen backsplash. Just be sure you choose a shade that will compliment the other walls.

Dare to be different and incorporate the enticing color into your countertop. I know we have some lovely options for red in quartz, granite, soapstone, corian, and glass CT.

-Laura