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 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...
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...
