by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Nov 9, 2023 | Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers, Uncategorized
Universal Design is an interior design that adapts homes to homeowners, not the other way around. The goal is to make the entire home safe and easy to use. When it comes to kitchens, here’s one design tip that adapts your kitchen to your needs plus transforms it into a dining area with ambiance. You’ll be amazed to see how one small addition to your cabinetry can make such a difference. When it comes to base cabinets, most manufacturers include an indentation to make room for your feet called the toe kick space. Typically 3 inches deep and about 3 1/2 inches high, this space allows people to stand closer to the countertop so they don’t have to lean forward. Standing closer puts less strain on the back, shoulders and arms and minimizes discomfort, posture issues and chronic pain. The addition of light to this space adds both safety and ambiance. Here’s how. First, it clearly defines the break from floor to cabinets. Especially advantageous at night, you minimize the possibility of bumping into things. This definition also aids early morning and evening meal preparation. Another advantage is that lighting placed within the toe kick can’t cause a glare. One goal of Universal Design is to balance lighting. It doesn’t matter if you have 20/20 vision, wear glasses or have a family member with sight issues; too much light is just as dangerous as too little. Foot level lighting balances overhead lighting and the combination eliminates shadows. Finally, toe kick lighting sets the ambiance of a kitchen. The soft glow creates an atmosphere that makes your meal more relaxed…...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Oct 19, 2023 | Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers
There was a time when “kitchen islands” consisted of sturdy tables set in the center of the room and… only in kitchens large enough to accommodate them. In the 1930s, Frank Lloyd Wright brought kitchen islands to suburban homes with his “open plan” living space. They have continued to evolve ever since. Currently, the island has literally become the hub of our homes for doing more tasks than just cooking. They’ve become the center for socialization. If you’re looking to modify an island already in place or add one to your kitchen, it’s best to work with a professional to draw up a floor plan. An island should have about three feet of space around it. If it’s too large, the kitchen becomes crowded. Too small and not only does it not look good, it may not fit in with the normal workflow. Bottom line, it shouldn’t be too close to doors or other countertops but you don’t want it to be standing off by itself. The next consideration is how you want to use it. Islands can be strictly functional by providing additional countertop space and storage. But as suggested above, islands are where people interact. While the cook is chopping tomatoes, he can talk to family about their day, help the kids do homework, and just show off a little as guests nibble on appetizers as dinner is prepared. This brings up the question of how many people do you want to be able to sit around it? And do you want one level or two? Take a look at our Projects to see what we can...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Sep 14, 2023 | Architects, Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers
We know some things in kitchens never change. Appliances may be sleeker, materials improved and color palettes may be broader. But let’s face it, the kitchen continues to be the heart of the home where most of the hard work takes place. Probably the biggest change we’ve seen over the years is to open the kitchen up to the rest of the house. And for good reason… After all, who wants to be isolated from company or the rest of the family while preparing food? Now the question is whether or not open kitchens are here to stay. According to Sam Cochran of Architectural Digest, “Kitchens will continue to be the gathering spaces, with dining nooks and multipurpose work surfaces where you can both roll your dough or type on your laptop. But it’s no longer a universal truth that a dream kitchen must be an open kitchen. “ In fact, many high-end homeowners are adding a second kitchen to serve as a working kitchen. It’s especially popular with those who entertain a lot. Second kitchens or “backstage workhorse kitchens” allow the “social” kitchen to serve as the gathering space. This way the kitchen continues to be the place to hang out without getting in the way of food preparation. For those who have the space, two kitchens provide room for unhindered food preparation while maintaining the social kitchen we’ve come to...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Aug 31, 2023 | Architects, Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers
With the trend in adding a “work” kitchen to the “social” kitchen, let’s look at where kitchen appearance and function is headed. Last February, the Kitchen and Bath Show in Las Vegas showcased a plethora of new views. Many kitchen designers now incorporate fashion-forward features like glass fronts and LED lights on refrigerators. Appliances and cabinetry have chic leather and metal hardware. Back-splashes now feature unusual finishes like shagreen, metal, raw wood and artful murals. Tech is also the buzz and smart kitchens are definitely going digital. Currently Smart-touch faucets turn on and off with just a tap. Refrigerators feature integrated cameras that allow people to check their groceries from both inside and outside the home. Induction cook tops save energy with technology that changes heat settings instantaneously. Now think of dishwashers responding to voice commands and appliances that could communicate with each other to create shopping lists, meal recommendations and cooking instructions. Not only futuristic, these features dovetail with the trend towards Universal Design – the approach that makes living at home easier for everyone at every age. This is why experts believe innovations for the sake of technology alone will be weeded out. They see the market moving towards technology that not only looks sexy, but improves kitchen function and ease of food...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | May 25, 2023 | Contractors, Homeowners
“Hinges for kitchen cabinets? I can understand your thoughts. You’ve spent a lot of time selecting everything from the right color of stain or paint to the right kind of wood and the right design for your cabinets. Presently you want to stress over pivots, as well? It sounds irksome. Perhaps somewhat burdensome. In any case, it’s valid. You absolutely need to consider your hinges. If you don’t choose the right soft closing kitchen cabinet hinges, you’ll be wasting your time and money in the long run. However, there is good news. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to pick the right hinges, and the other options you’ve already chosen will help you do so quickly. Therefore, despite the fact that you really cannot ignore the selection of the appropriate hinges, you should not lose sleep over the issue either. When looking for the ideal hinges for your kitchen cabinets, there are a few things to keep in mind.” Click here to continue...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Apr 19, 2023 | Architects, Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers, Uncategorized
Shaker cabinets have been the most popular way to refresh your kitchen and keep it timeless for the past several years. Shaker cabinets are defined by five-piece doors with flat recessed panels and no bevel on the frame. They are typically made of quality hardwoods like birch, maple, pine, chestnut, cherry, ash, hickory, oak, and poplar. The hinges are usually hidden. The simple construction also referred to as rail and stile, is a clean, classic look. Shaker style was developed by members of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, an 18th-century Christian sect who fled to the American colonies. They were called “Shaking Quakers” because of their overexcited behavior during worship services, but they lived a simple life which included making all of their own furniture. Utility and attention to form and proportion marked Shaker craftsmanship. They were the first to regularly integrate cabinetry into architecture. Because Shaker style is adaptable to many design schemes, the squared off rectangle shape cabinetry can accommodate most finishes and hardware. Although white paint or natural stain is on trend for a moderate, transitional style, Shaker pairs well with the marble countertops of traditional kitchens and can be painted in the most modern pop colors for contemporary enthusiasts. Shaker cabinets can also be everywhere you can imagine. They can be built not only in the kitchen, but the laundry room, living room or bathroom. Shaker doors can be easily combined with matching five-piece drawer fronts or simple slab drawer fronts for maximum storage capacity in a full wall unit. Cornerstone Cabinet Company uses only top-quality manufacturers like Oakcraft and...
