Designing a French Country Farmhouse Style Kitchen

As most of you may already know, we have been thrilled to be a part of the Saratoga Showcase of Homes this year. We have enjoyed working with Witt Construction on the award winning bathrooms, but also in the kitchen. Yes, we were thrilled to also design the kitchen in the home at 61 Granite Street! Set in Saratoga Springs, NY, the kitchen was planned with a French Country farmhouse theme. Anna designed the kitchen with a balance of masculine and feminine styles to match the area known for its beautiful Victorian architecture. Although the home is a completely new construction, it looks like it could have been built a century ago in the historic city. Anna made it her mission to ensure that the design would fit the architecture of the home, the rich history of Saratoga Springs and the needs and wants of the client. Since the kitchen has gorgeous high ceilings reaching 115”, Anna planned to use stacked cabinetry with small windows in the upper layer of cabinets for display. The client fell in love with Wood-Mode cabinetry’s copper chicken wire inserts, so the material was used in the windows instead of glass to create a homey farmhouse feel. To play up the farmhouse details, we also used a 3” wide beadboard in the backs of the open display cabinet over the refrigerator, the bookcase cabinet to the right of the refrigerator, and the back of the island. Anna was smart to incorporate a gorgeous black soapstone countertop (a product that was used quite a bit in the Northeast a hundred years ago) which elevated the Victorian feel. We also chose to use a medium stained glazed maple finish on the main kitchen cabinets, complemented by a large distressed black island that gives the space an unfitted look and also helps ground the tall space with the dark color. The worn through corners and edges on the island perfectly match the color of the rest of the maple cabinets in the kitchen. To continue with the rustic elements in the kitchen, Witt Construction planned and built a gorgeous stucco hood as the centerpiece of the kitchen. To add some elegance to the space, we planned an oversized crown moulding around the tops of the wall cabinets and the custom stucco hood. We also added hand carved onlays on the repeated columns on either side of the range and also on all four corners of the island. Anna’s favorite details were these columns because they actually opened to reveal custom tray, cookie sheet and cutting board storage. I also loved the mail center on the right of the refrigerator. The bottom base drawers are file cabinets and the upper section is perfect for showing off the client’s large collection of cookbooks.

We also used some repeated elements from the architecture of the home. The arch over the refrigerator was custom designed to match Witt Construction’s arch for the pass-through into the dining room. To help tie in the chicken wire from the upper cabinets, the birdcage handles and knobs were installed. The beadboard detail was carried into the beaded frame of the inset cabinets, the bead around the opening of the arched display cabinet over the refrigerator, and the bottom of the crown moulding detail. Lastly, Anna chose traditional mouldings in various sizes to create some interest and allow the eye to move up to the large crown moulding at the ceiling. You should also note the rustic farmhouse pendants that hang over the island. Our client found them at Barnyard Lighting, and I don’t think she could have chosen better! Again, we have enjoyed working on this stunning project. Anna, the work you accomplished in this home has been superb! Remember there’s still time to tour the home as the showcase runs this Saturday and Sunday from 11am-5pm each day. Hope to see you there! -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

Kitchen Design: Determining Your Kitchen’s Hook

Several years ago, there was a commercial for Kohler that had two homeowners ask a prestigious designer to build their home around a polished chrome faucet. I’m sure you have seen the ad before, but you can refresh your memory with the video below.

What I love about this ad, is how the designer is challenged to create a home around one single item. The ad also showcases how vital it is for homeowners to determine the hook in their home. And like the home, every great kitchen should have one unique element that pulls you in. The options are endless, and could be anything from a hood to a sink. If you are in need of a little inspiration, explore some of these eye-catching features.

Colorful Kitchen Tiles

Your kitchen backsplash is the perfect location to grab someone’s attention. Be creative and use a variety of colors and shapes.

Stainless Steel Appliances

Whether it’s a refrigerator, dual range oven, or double drawer dishwasher, showoff your shiny high-tech appliances with today’s latest features.

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.

Wall Decor

Have a empty wall? Consider decorating the space with everyday objects, like picture frames, decorative plates, or floating shelves for extra storage.

Pop of Color

Bring the wow factor into the kitchen by diversifying your cabinetry’s color scheme around the island or stove top areas.

-Laura

The Modern Traditional Kitchen

When it comes to renovating a kitchen, some homeowners may be torn on which style to choose. Some enjoy a modern kitchen for its wide range of sexy and sleek elements. However, some homeowners prefer a traditional kitchen that can feel classic, cozy, and warm. Today, it has never been easier to blend modern and traditional looks to reinvent the heart of your home.

For more than a year, the “modern traditional” look has been on the rise. It generally incorporates two cabinet colors; often one is white and the other is either black or a dark rich wood. Many designers like to use sleek modern cabinets either in a flat slab door style or a simple recessed panel, and pair it with highly decorative mouldings or carved architectural elements.

You can continue to make this style work in your home through lighting. The lighting should revolve around neutral tones like silver metals, white shades, or hanging crystals. If you really want to bring personality into the kitchen, hang a giant traditional crystal chandelier over the island. You can then use other spaces to install geometric modern hanging pendants.

The main trick to designing a modern traditional kitchen is to keep the colors neutral in shades of white, black, and brown. The effect will be classic, chic, and sophisticated; and surprisingly comfortable and soothing considering two of the most different design styles will be combined in one space!

-Laura

Amy’s Favorite Things for the Kitchen

Since being given a Barbie mansion as a child, Amy has grown passionate about combining colors, textures and objects together in her designs. With her creative edge, checkout these beautiful items she recommends for any kitchen.

Belle Foret Pot Filler Faucet

When it comes to the kitchen, create an innovative focal point to the open area behind the stove with a pot filler. You’ll love this one from Belle Foret as it makes your life easier to fill large stock pots right at the cooktop.

Wood-Mode Pull-Out Chopping Block

No matter the size of your kitchen, there never seems to be enough space. With Wood-Mode’s pull-out chopping block, you’ll enjoy it’s convenience and ease of use. Amy recommends installing the chopping block above the trash unit ,so that you can just wipe what you don’t need into the trash below.

Sub-Zero Built-In Refrigerator and Freezer

Simplicity is the new trend in the kitchen and hiding your appliances has never been easier. With Sub-Zero’s built-in refrigerator and freezer, you’ll enjoy it’s seamless decor and that the hinges and grills are not visible. Sub-Zero is one of the only refrigerator manufacturers that designs a completely concealed unit. This model has two distinct temperature zones which ensure the freshest food and energy efficiency.

Windows and Natural Light

It’s always a great idea to use windows in the kitchen to introduce natural light into your space.

Built-In Microwave Cabinet

Sometimes the microwave can be a real eye sore in an amazing kitchen. Consider installing your microwave in a built-in base cabinet that allows you to save space and hide it from your sight line.

The Details in Kitchen Lighting

When it comes to the kitchen, lighting is as essential to the room as the refrigerator. Therefore designers are always looking to layer a lighting scheme within the kitchen to help homeowners create an intimate space and aid in efficiency. Lighting is different from room to room, so checkout the unique combinations that can be added to your kitchen:

Contrast is Good

Create drama by layering the lights throughout the space. It’s a good idea to divide your kitchen into separate zones to determine how each area should be illuminated. This scheme allows your to mix various types of fixtures throughout the kitchen. Install task lights over the sink and prep area to help with cooking meals. Then illuminate the dining space with a decorative fixture that will provide ambient lighting for meals.

Ceiling Spotlights

As one of the most versatile sources of light in homes, recessed fixtures offer a layer of general lighting that seamlessly blends into any room’s decor. Here, these recessed fixtures have been used for the ceiling spotlights, which are generally the main source of light for most kitchens. Spotlights help illuminate a large amount of space and can be discreet within the ceiling.

Undercover

When installing undercabinet fixtures, you provide illumination over otherwise shadowy counter surfaces. These lights make it easier for food prep and can easily be hidden. These undercover lights come in three forms, including strip, puck and mini-track. Strip is most common; these linear shaped bulbs offer lots of evenly diffused, shadowless task lighting. Puck, or disc lights, cast pools of light onto counters. The light is softer, which can be more aesthetically pleasing but less beneficial for task purposes. Easy to install track systems consist of miniature low-voltage halogen or xenon bulbs and can be spaced according to the desired effect.

Green Scheme

Keep your home green by incorporating more windows into your open plan layout. By combining windows, you allow in ample natural light while capturing views from the outdoors. Therefore, sunshine is the main source of light in the kitchen. At night, you can then utilize the interior lighting scheme that has been installed. Don’t forget to use windows that offer maximum UV protection from interior damage and fading.