4 Things Every Kitchen Should Have

If you’re planning to design the kitchen of your dreams, be sure to keep our designers’ essentials in mind.

Kitchen Island

When space allows, having an island in the kitchen is essential. Not only is it the social center of your space, but also an area to prep food, eat, serve or complete tasks. Islands can also provide additional storage and functionality for maneuvering within zones in the kitchen.

Diverse Cabinetry

Cabinets play an important role in the kitchen for storing dishware, pots, pans, appliances and more. However, you don’t want your kitchen to have only top and bottom closed cabinetry. Add some flavor to the heart of your home with glass door cabinets and open shelves. These features are great for showcasing your favorite items in the kitchen.

A Hook

Every kitchen should have a hook that ties the room together and pulls you in. This could be a backsplash, an ornate oven hood or even a fancy chandelier over the island.

Friends and Family

No kitchen is complete without the people who matter most. Whether you invite your neighbors over for a glass of wine or enjoy a delicious meal with your family, it’s because of them we build memories that last a lifetime!

A Design Upgrade for the Classic White Kitchen

It was June 2011 when the Elarios walked into our CCW showroom. One was a professional photographer and the other a floral designer. They met with our designer Ray and said they wanted a “classic white kitchen.” Those three little words have been mentioned by so many people over the years that Ray has lost count. However, as a few months passed, the Elarios began to expand their vision and Ray saw that they were looking for something quite dynamic.

Ray visited their home and everyone agreed that the kitchen needed a cleaner palette that would reflect the light and the seasons through the expansive windows overlooking the stunning property. Keeping things light and airy, maple wood cabinets with a Nordic white finish were installed. The recessed doors added to the clean beauty of the design that manages to avoid distraction.

For the kitchen island, four solid wood turned legs and wainscot panels anchored the space and provided plenty of seating for a host of sous chefs!

Because the couple had a love for cooking and entertaining, we knew that Sub-Zero would offer superb and functional appliances for their kitchen. The Sub-Zero bottom freezer refrigerator, Sub-Zero under counter drawer refrigerator and the Wolf range with char grill and ventilation hood were beautiful additions!

No kitchen is complete without the details! Ray recommended a subway tile backsplash and exposed stainless steel that would elegantly reflect the changing light throughout the day. Lastly, 15 mullion glass doors were included to complete this modern kitchen.

Ray, as I watched you design this kitchen, I knew you were creating something special! You took a basic request for a classic white kitchen and turned the project into an exciting and fresh space. Bravo!

-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

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