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...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jul 30, 2025 | Uncategorized
“There are plenty of reasons why a dark, bold black kitchen has become trendy. Applying a black paint has become a sleek cabinet trend that’s making kitchens look more modern because it adds a chic tone to any kitchen and can make other features, like white marble countertops or colorful tiling, pop. Plus, black tends to pair well with a bunch of other colors, leaving for plenty of opportunity to further decorate a kitchen with black cabinets. However, there are some downsides to the increasingly popular matte black cabinet trend, like making a kitchen feel a little too dark, or the fact that a dark black surface can show off fingerprints a little too much. Opting for a charcoal cabinet paint over black is a new trend that could be the perfect happy medium. “ Click here to continue...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jul 24, 2025 | Uncategorized
Because kitchens are so complex, even minor changes redefine its appearance. It’s why mixing metals, glass and lighting are such good tools for a custom look. Even relatively small details establish a kitchen “aura” that’s distinctly your own. For example, when it comes to hardware, mix finishes such as satin nickel, polished chrome or nickel, and oil-rubbed bronze for faucets, cup and bar pulls. To get started, consider using different metals to complement different cabinet types. This mix now opens more options for the hardware around your sink. The same applies to lighting. Whether you prefer chandelier, drop down or ceiling mounted lighting, there’s no reason why you can’t incorporate more than one style. The goal is to have enough light while creating an atmosphere the whole family can relate to. Our network of resources gives you access to hundreds of vendors and manufacturers world-wide. There’s almost no limit to what can be done to make any kitchen the best it can be. Use the Cornerstone Cabinet Company experience and expertise to find the right combination for...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jul 23, 2025 | Uncategorized
“When we talk about trending kitchen styles, we often refer to the year ahead, or even those from the past we wish we could forget. But what about the future? In particular, what will our kitchens look like in the next decade?” Click here to continue...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jul 16, 2025 | Uncategorized
“Interior designers know that there’s a world of options to consider when it comes to kitchen cabinet paint colors. However, some shades hold a special place in designers’ hearts and are ones that they keep coming back to time and time again when decorating kitchens. Here, we’re sharing four shades the pros are absolutely loving lately—and surprisingly, none of them are white!” Click here to continue...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jul 10, 2025 | Uncategorized
For the most part, home owners choose kitchen styles that fit with the local geography. Here in the Southwest, it’s not uncommon to see farmhouse and rustic as a throw-back to territorial days. Modern and contemporary are also popular but they fit in anywhere. Around Arizona, you really can’t go wrong with any of these styles. But what if you love a style normally found by the sea? Homes located by large bodies of water tend to reflect a nautical theme which includes beach and Mediterranean style kitchens. They do have distinct differences but you might be surprised at how many features they share with farmhouse, rustic and contemporary kitchens. For example: Reclaimed wood is a feature of rustic, farmhouse and Mediterranean kitchens. Rustic is the most rough and worn while farmhouse is characterized by distressed wood. Mediterranean also uses wood, usually a dark rich wood such as walnut. The differences come with how much texture and color the woods display. What distinguishes Mediterranean from the others are colorful tiles, curving arches and natural fibers that include leather. It also incorporates materials with patina such as brick, stone and reclaimed wood. Both contemporary and modern kitchens use a lot of white. As defined in “What distinguishes modern from contemporary kitchens?,” both feature clean, smooth appearances with minimal detail and adornment. Some of the same applies to beach which is also a bright, open style. What differentiates beach are the natural textures like jute, sea grass and rattan; plus nautical themes for lighting. In today’s customized world, home owners bring the style they prefer to wherever they live. Since so...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jul 9, 2025 | Uncategorized
“As Country Living’s Senior Homes & Style Editor, I’m always nose-to-the-ground, sniffing out the next top design trends of kitchen design. (Kitchen islands? Who needs them! The kitchen triangle? Is it really relative anymore?) So, as someone with very strong opinions on kitchen hardware, I’ve been intrigued by seeing the return of nickel finishes in the various kitchens that find their way to my inbox almost daily. If the groundswell in support of silver is indeed here, it begs the question: Is it time we say goodbye to unlacquered brass and embrace the cooler side of things? Let’s investigate.” Click here to continue...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jul 3, 2025 | Uncategorized
No matter how big or small your bathrooms are, your cabinetry is widely considered to have the most impact on the room’s overall appearance. The good news is how many options you have. Trying to get the right cabinetry for both looks and function can be daunting. That’s why the first step is to understand how you use your space. For example, if you like to soak in the tub, a linen tower with a shelf to hold a TV may be in order. If the room is small, you may want to install an over-the-toilet unit to preserve space and still supply the storage you need. Floating cabinetry creates a less cluttered ‘sleek and modern’ look. The clean lines make even a small bathroom appear more spacious. Another advantage is how they provide additional storage space beneath that is typically lost by the toe kicks of traditional cabinets. All of these features are why this type of cabinetry is gaining popularity. Overall, when it comes to bathroom cabinetry, you’re looking at three categories. First is the stand-alone vanity which contains a sink or two and provides countertop space. The next group consists of all the other cabinetry including linen storage and built-in hampers. The third category is the set of cabinets called ‘suites’ that are typically designed to match your fixtures and other design features. Bathrooms are often more complicated to design than kitchens because almost everything you touch has either water and/or electrical issues. They also tend to be smaller and are where most falls in the home occur. Because even a couple of inches can make...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jul 2, 2025 | Uncategorized
“Doing laundry is a relatively boring task. But it doesn’t have to be done in a drab, boring room. With a few strategic changes, even a small laundry room can become a space that’s appealing to be in and can double as a room for other activities too.” Click here to continue...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jun 26, 2025 | Uncategorized
The idea of Universal Design tends to confuse homeowners because people think it’s only for those with special needs. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only does Universal Design adapt homes to residents, it makes homes beautiful. Technology - like faucets with lever handles or touch sensors - allow anyone at any age and capability to get the water they need to drink or cook with. New, elegant designs fit in seamlessly with every style kitchen to complete that up-to-date look. It also places appliances in more convenient locations to operate. Instead of microwaves up over the stove, new cabinetry designs with pull-out drawers make them easy to reach with enough room to operate. When not in use, they can be “tucked away” to create a clean overall look. Not only more convenient, it’s much safer than reaching over potentially hot burners when heating or thawing food. Universal Design also recommends raising the dishwasher at least eight inches off the floor. This reduces stooping over to load and unload those items on the bottom rack which tend to be the heaviest. It also creates a different level counter top to accommodate taller adults or to store items out of reach of the children. New designs in cabinetry also help homeowners keep their balance by opening access to all items, even those stored in the very back. Cornerstone Cabinet Company partners with companies like Rev-a Shelf who specialize in designs that include levers and springs that gently lift, pull down or pull out shelves. They bring whatever you need right to your fingertips, make use of every inch...
