by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Oct 2, 2025 | Uncategorized
As stated in our previous blog about Shaker cabinets, the trend in cabinet design continues to lean towards beauty, simplicity, and functionality – a perfect formula for this style. Around since the 1800’s, the Shaker profile stays true to its generations-old simplicity. Not surprisingly, it’s as popular as ever today. But what if your client doesn’t follow the crowd? Not everybody wants the same as everyone else. Therefore, we adapt these cabinets to fit modern tastes with some twists. Whether your clients prefer country, contemporary, even an industrial look – the squared off shape easily adjusts to changes using different cuts, finishes and hardware. It starts with the characteristics and styles of the cabinetry itself. Shaker cabinets offer a number of options. Due to the frame and panel profile (also known as rail and style construction), pure Shaker style cabinetry is very plain. Adding a slight beveled finish keeps the cabinets simple, yet gives them an elegant touch. Larger units can be divided into sections with pieces known as mid-rails, mid-stiles…or strips of wood or metal known as muntins. Some clients need lots of storage and using rows of big drawers maximizes storage space. For added flourish, we can include design features such as beaded or raised panels. How to differentiate Shaker cabinets with finishes. Before the introduction of various finishes, cabinet craftsmen relied on the quality of wood…like maple, birch and chestnut. The various characteristics of the grain defined the cabinet’s beauty. In addition, we offer woods like cherry and walnut for an even richer look. When it comes to an antique or simply unique version, we can...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Sep 25, 2025 | Uncategorized
As kitchens continue to evolve to more than just the place for food preparation, there’s another way to enhance the social experience. It’s how you use color to set the atmosphere. “Why Universal Design should be incorporated into your kitchen” introduced the advantages of lever-handled faucets and appliance placements. These features make it easier to perform tasks and still interact with others in the room. Ease of use plus colors that resonate with you and your family create that environment that keeps family and friends hanging around. Color makes objects easier to see. Sight-challenged people are defined as those who need glasses or contacts, no matter how young or old they are. Dim lighting challenges even those with perfect vision. Color blocking is a technique that distinguishes one object from another. It doesn’t have to be as drastic as placing red against blue. It means using colors and their tones to show contour. This increases the ability to easily distinguish floor to walls, walls to cabinets, cabinets to countertops and so on. Color blocking also aids anyone who’s busy preparing food and drinks. Along with safety, color blocking is another tool you can use to reflect your taste and personality. This is where Universal Design really upgrades your kitchen by giving it that customized look that really speaks about you. It sounds easy, but one thing about color is that it’s complicated. Colors have undertones that make them bright or muddy. Ever notice how many shades of white or black are available? Pairing the wrong shades can ruin an entire project. One way to get the best color scheme...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Sep 21, 2025 | Uncategorized
How to Get the Latest Trend with a Timeless Look But what if you want more than what’s trendy today? At Cornerstone, our experience and expertise guide you to the look that says “NOW”; yet stays current well into the future. Shaker cabinets offer one of the best options to refresh your kitchen and keep it timeless. Around since the 1800s, the Shaker profile stays true to its simplicity. It’s adaptability to modern tastes is what makes it so classic. Whether you prefer country, contemporary, even an industrial look – the squared off shape adjusts to changes using different finishes and hardware. So let’s review some of the characteristics of the cabinetry itself. What Defines the Shaker Cabinet Due to the frame and panel profile (also known as rail and style construction), pure Shaker style cabinetry is very plain. A current popular trend is to add a slight beveled finish to give it another dimension. Larger units can be divided into sections with a piece known as mid-rails, mid-stiles or muntins (strips of wood or metal). Rows of big drawers, not uncommon in kitchens these days, create a repetitious look and Shaker cabinets fit right in. How to Differentiate Shaker Cabinets with Finishes Before the introduction of various finishes, cabinet craftsmen relied on the quality of wood… like maple, birch, and chestnut… to define the cabinet’s beauty. Today, woods like cherry and walnut add an even richer look. But you don’t have to limit yourself to one type of finish. If a distressed or burnished appearance suits your style, we customize your cabinets to fit your vision. Thermofoil, or...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Sep 18, 2025 | Uncategorized
When it comes to choosing between a modern and contemporary kitchen, it’s easy to confuse the two. Both feature clean, smooth appearances with minimal detail and adornment. Unlike farmhouse and rustic, both modern and contemporary are defined by sleek lines in predominately white and black. But these kitchens don’t preclude color. Color is used to accessorize or accentuate small or minor features. The difference is how each style incorporates it. Here’s what differentiates the two: Contemporary kitchens embrace the latest in technology, materials and trends to create an “of the moment” look. Modern has more emphasis on form and structure by installing smooth surfaces like concrete and steel. You’ll see strong horizontal lines with lots of open space and a strong architecture. Key features to look for in contemporary are: Under mount sinks with minimalist faucets Cutting-edge appliances that include smart kitchen technology Flat-panel cabinetry and creative backsplashes Innovative island designs and waterfall counters Dramatic lighting While modern kitchens are similar, here you’ll find: Concrete for flooring, countertop surfaces and even on the walls Glass sheet or stone slab backsplashes that run continuously Recessed and integrated lighting and if using pendant lights, ones with clean lines Frameless cabinets with flat-panel doors Minimalists faucets in polished nickel, chrome and matte black White is a popular choice for both but is used differently. For example, a contemporary kitchen will have crisp white walls with colorful cabinetry or an eye-catching backsplash. Modern may use the same white but is more likely to include subtle neutrals and black. Here brighter colors usually show up in the form of accessories. Both styles emphasize a...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Sep 11, 2025 | Uncategorized
Recently, “less is better” has taken interior design by storm. As a simple, streamlined style it creates a sense of order and calm, especially to hard-working rooms like kitchens. It’s also adaptable to a wide range of decorative styles when it comes to cabinetry. Usually shaker cabinets come to mind and the materials you choose can range from industrial chic to mid-century modern. Currently one of the strongest trends is to work with luxury woods and finishes. Whichever way you go, complete your kitchen by selecting high quality appliances, lighting and hardware. The bare-bones look of minimalism shines a spotlight on every component of the space. That’s why it’s critical to make sure each element can withstand the scrutiny. It may require more thought and planning than other decorative styles and we’re here to help! Renovation projects offer the best opportunity to create a minimalist design that reveals the intrinsic beauty of spaces, materials and furnishing, by stripping away unessential elements. We design kitchens that function best while preserving the cool and serene atmosphere that people desire these days. ...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Sep 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
Home owners are “personalizing” and turning to placing lights beneath their cabinets for more atmosphere. If you decide to go that route, here are a few things to keep in mind to get the best effect without creating problems. LEDs are the best option for under-cabinet lighting for a number of reasons. They produce the least amount of heat, provide good lighting for activities and come in a variety of colors. Traditionally more expensive, costs have come down considerably recently. This, along with their long life makes LEDs a good choice for the long term. Fluorescent lights are almost as energy efficient as LEDs but they do produce more heat. Another option is Xenon lights that emit some heat but they can be dimmed to create an attractive, warm glow. Halogen lights are still possible but the heat they throw off can affect food or drinks stored above them. When selecting lights to go under your cabinets, determine what kind of effect you want but keep in mind what you plan to store in each of those...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Aug 28, 2025 | Uncategorized
Most often when we think of cabinets, kitchens and bathrooms are first to come to mind. Now that home offices are included in most home designs, the ability to organize and store important items like documents, laptops and iPods is more critical than ever. Whether an official place of work… the room where household tasks such as bill paying take place… or the location where kids do homework… office cabinetry influences both the appearance and function of whatever activity is performed. In spite of how much we do electronically these days; items like pens, paper, paper clips, staplers and staples, scotch tape and stamps still need to be handy. Knee drawers that fit below the desk surface are the ideal place for these accessories. Take it a step farther by adding dividers. Depending on how many files you have to have on hand, you have a choice of cabinets with single or double width drawers. For those who have less paperwork, a single door file drawer with a knee drawer on top may suffice. When it comes to a place to store a brief case or attaché, cabinets with pull-out drawers are ideal plus give you easy access. Built-in dividers allow for multiple items and if papers within are sensitive, the addition of a lock increases privacy and protection. And don’t forget cabinet hardware. Depending on how cozy or formal you want your office to be, knobs and cups versus handles make a difference. Homey offices are made casual with cup drawer pulls or knobs where it’s easy to add a little bling or whimsy. Formal offices might call...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Aug 21, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Home Office Trend Is To Customize Space For The Entire Family There was a time when the ‘home office’ applied solely to corporate executives. Traditionally defined by wood-paneled walls, large oak desks and leather-bound chairs; this space was dedicated to the head of the household as his “office away from the office.” With the explosion of remote employees and work-from-home businesses, this once ‘exclusive’ room is now used by any family member. More than employment, it’s the family place to do everything from paying monthly bills to homework assignments. Custom cabinetry is the best option to increase both safety and efficiency. Let me explain… Safe and Secure, or Open to All? The business office: How cabinets are placed for security is more important than ever. They may need to be high enough to stay of children’s reach, or come equipped with locks for sensitive documents and files. To maximize efficiency, office cabinets can be customized with built-in file dividers and holders…and have as many drawers as needed for whatever ‘tools’ the work requires. Some businesses decide to use an electronic filing system instead of having paper files as they can be easily organized and accessible. That way, it doesn’t matter if you run out of space in your filing cabinet as it is all done on your computer. By checking out a company such as FilecenterDMS can offer an alternative solution if you start to run out of space in your cabinet. The family office: Where the home office is multi-functional; parents and kids may share the same space. Here’s where cabinets with open shelves, glass-paned doors and...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Aug 14, 2025 | Uncategorized
With families spending more time in the kitchen together, it can get a little crowded! One way to be together without bumping into each other is to install a coffee station. From grinding beans to making specialty coffees to simple coffee pods - it adds convenience and style to your kitchen. You just have to decide how you want it to look. If your coffee maker always ‘sits’ out in the open: Add open or closed shelves directly above the maker to store everything from colorful cups and saucers to coffee syrups. Consider floating shelves for a modern look or mount coffee crates on the wall for a little whimsy. Add a pull-out shelf beneath the countertop for more preparation surface. Want to hide the station while not in use? Stash the coffee maker and all accessories behind pocket doors. For a station tucked in a corner or located above the countertop, small appliance garages have cabinet doors that lift up and out of the way to make more room. How about drawers instead of doors? Pull-out drawers are best placed at a height where preparation is comfortable, usually the space that falls between your waist and elbow. Accompany it with a second pull-out drawer to store the accessories. For coffee stations that include or only use a pod style brewer, it’s easy to add a custom coffee pod holder to the inside of the cabinet door. Another feature is to incorporate a water faucet and small sink to rinse cups and pot in the same place. Finally, no matter where your coffee station is located, under-shelf lighting allows...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jul 31, 2025 | Uncategorized
In “Farmhouse kitchens are more popular than ever” we discussed how reclaimed wood, wrought-iron accessories and a pallet of neutral colors define the farmhouse look. But what if you want to get even closer to nature? Rustic style kitchens share many of the same characteristics and it’s not unusual to confuse the two. In spite of their similarities, there are enough differences that if mixed together – you’ll come out with a confused appearance. Both styles cater to home owners who seek a country-like appearance that evokes a homey and comfortable nod to the past. They also use natural elements like exposed beams, stains to enhance wood finishes and incorporate marks or “flaws” by design. What’s important is to know which style really appeals to your taste. If you’re looking for a rougher essence, then rustic is the answer. This means the wood should be more natural looking and could even be unfinished. Cabinets and furniture will have a “thick cut” appearance and the joints are usually exposed. The idea is to create more of a woodsy feel using darker colors and totally natural wood grain. Farmhouse is also traditional but has a fresher feel. Instead of totally natural wood, kitchen elements more often use color and the designs are more complex. This is where “distressed” cabinets and furniture shine. Chairs may have spindle backs while the other elements are smoother. Colors tend to be lighter with a solid feel. What’s most important is that you don’t have to live in the country or Midwest to play with either design. It just takes working with a few basic elements...
