by Chris Boulton | Jul 2, 2026 | Cabinets 101
Common Design Myths Debunked Many of “rules” do not make much sense at all. Whether you plan to build or remodel, it can become a taxing and difficult project. There are decisions, most homeowners would never think to ask. Then, of course, those complicated rules! Rules that could cost you efficiency in your kitchen. Or rules that destroy the design and look you had hoped for. So let’s take a look at a few of the most common so called rules I come upon. The amount of space between the island countertop and other countertops needs to be more than 36”. I prefer 48” when possible and it is is a must for a two-cook kitchen. If you have a single cook kitchen then plan for at least 42” of space. Many people feel the dishwasher should be placed in conjunction to whether you are right or left handed. Not true. Dishwashers can be placed into your kitchen design where it works best for you. Since humans are creatures of habit, it won’t take long to become comfortable with the dishwasher location. Stop and think about how often you actually look out your window when washing dishes. Exactly! Why be forced to put the sink under the window then? In the early days of kitchens, the sink was needed at the window to toss out the used water! In our present day kitchens, we are free to design the kitchen sink where it works best for you. Even though the rules would allow a tiny island in the kitchen, why? You might have a small landing space while...
by Chris Boulton | Jun 25, 2026 | Cabinets 101
Traditionally we have all love to gather in the kitchen. The popularity of an open plan kitchen is in vogue more now than in past years. At Cornerstone Cabinet Company, we purposely plan for no separation between the kitchen, living, outdoors and dining areas. This encourages ideal interaction as it allows your guests plenty of room to move freely. Our kitchens are designed to fit the needs of our present day lifestyles. With the many small appliances and gadgets we have, the design is much more important today. As we plan for multiple cooks, school homework and parties, it is very important to bring the design together in a good work flow. There can be challenges in creating your perfect social kitchen. So we will look at a few ideas to help you build the benefits into your perfect entertaining kitchen. Create Life Action Areas When entertaining, an area for preparing and serving beverages is a must. A custom beverage hot spot stocked with all the needs for your bartender is a must. Warming drawers will be another consideration to give the host and hostess more time to enjoy their guests. Appropriate refrigeration units placed in your kitchen is also an important part of your entertainment open kitchen. An open layout with room to roam throughout makes a more pleasant atmosphere for your family and guests. Be sure to plan several sitting areas for your guests to sit down to chat and eat. Of course you can easily boost your hosting scores with your great looking appliances. Not to mention their fantastic function. Get with your kitchen designer...
by Chris Boulton | Jun 20, 2026 | Uncategorized
With the kitchen continuing to be the most important room in the home, we would like to outline the biggest design trends now being seen in kitchen design. Mix-and-Match Materials Combining different materials, like butcher block countertops and marble backsplashes, add visual interest and allow for homeowners to play around with certain aspects of different architectural styles. You can determine which wood type, color of wood, style of door and cabinets that are appealing to you and also what fits your budget. Neutral Color Palette Whites and other natural colors are truly timeless. They can work with almost any architectural style while allowing other aspects of the kitchen to shine, such as a great granite or butcher-board countertop, recessed LED lighting or Energy Star stainless steel appliances. Custom Cabinetry Specialized storage not only adds visual interest, but also keeps clutter from getting in the way of your kitchen’s design. Custom cabinets are typically manufactured by local craftsmen, tradesmen with honed skills, and sometimes by expensive automated equipment. Custom cabinets offer you a wide variety of wood species, the biggest selection of door styles, an assortment of options and modern conveniences, and a vast array of stains and finishes. Sustainable Materials Kitchens that use materials such as bamboo, sustainably harvested woods and recycled glass not only help keep our planet pretty, but also add style and visual interest to the kitchen space itself. These materials are often manufactured with low- or no-formaldehyde glues, which protect the home’s indoor air quality as well. There is a surprising selection of materials, many of which are made from recycled materials. One of the...
by Chris Boulton | Jun 15, 2026 | Cabinets 101
OakCraft Elegant Cabinetry has been committed to serving and satisfying their customers’ needs for more than three decades, supplying natural, real wood cabinets throughout Phoenix, Arizona and the western region of the United States. With numerous options for your bath, entertainment center, kitchen and home office cabinetry, the possibilities are limited only by one’s imagination. OakCraft is also committed to conserving and respecting the environment in the conduct of their business and operations and earned the Environmental Stewardship Certificate Program (ESP) certification from the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) in 2007. OakCraft consultants can produce any shape of natural wood cabinet door for your home design needs, including raised and recessed panels, with arch, square, or shaker style, as well as other miscellaneous styles. You also have 9 different and beautiful wood species to choose from to compliment your home and paint styles. As a dealer for OakCraft, Cornerstone Cabinet Company can help you choose the perfect natural wood species to show off your preferred stain or paint job. Benefits of OakCraft Elegant Cabinetry Phoenix Valley homeowners can be assured that when they go with OakCraft, they can expect the utmost standard of quality in product and installation. OakCraft natural wood cabinets are a paragon example of rugged strength and style, and will keep their beauty intact much longer than a typical home cabinet installation. These cabinets are constructed of a hard natural wood that will resist scratches and dents for years to come. There are added environmental benefits of choosing OakCraft wood cabinets, as well. The company’s award-winning environmental track record is outstanding, and goes a long way...
by Chris Boulton | May 30, 2018 | Cabinets 101
There have been major recent advances within the home cabinet industry, in terms of how cabinet door hinges operate, the most recent of them being the soft-close hinge. This innovative product slows the closing process of a cabinet door, to the extent that instead of the traditional slamming sound we have all come to associate with a cabinet door closing, there is naught but silence, even when the door is closed with force. Soft-closing hinge attachments need only be added to one hinge per cabinet door, or two units per door in the event that you have a larger pantry-style door. Benefits of soft-close cabinetry Whether you want to eliminate slamming cabinet doors, lower the wear and tear on your cabinets, or just make a safer environment for little fingers, installing the soft-close attachment is a great addition to your cabinets. You’ll be surprised at how much they can contribute to a noiseless environment in your kitchen, and how they make cooking more relaxing and enjoyable by removing the “thunk” of a slamming door from the hustle and bustle of a busy cooking experience. Soft-close cabinetry installation Our design consultants can walk you through the process of learning which design of hinge your doors currently have installed, and then will help you decide how many hinges to purchase for your unique home kitchen. After you have completed this initial step, we can have one of our professional techs install the soft-close mechanisms for you with diligence and efficiency. Before you know it, you’ll have a quiet and safe kitchen for you and your family to enjoy. Why choose soft-close...
