by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | May 3, 2023 | Architects, Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers
Several of our blogs talk about how the kitchen is the heart of the home. More and more families want to encourage interaction using multiple islands, banquette seating and more space. This means taking down non-supportive walls and removing big over-the-island hoods. It utilizes cabinets designed to both maximize storage and integrate with the rest of the home. Nearly half of current remodel projects make kitchens more open to adjacent spaces and it requires more thought to how finishes and materials for the added rooms work together. Again, cabinetry is the key to function and appearance. We discussed changes in cabinetry in Remodeling trends for kitchen islands in 2020. One way is to contrast island cabinets with perimeter cabinets using different shades of one color; or a different color altogether. Another is to make cabinets more colorful as stated in the latest styles and color for kitchen cabinetry. Kitchen lighting is also seeing a change. While recessed lights are still popular; pendant lighting along with under-cabinet and toe-kick lighting works together to create a warmer atmosphere. This combination eliminates glare and shadows. And don’t forget the rooms the kitchen opens up to. Whether a dining room, living room or great room, it takes more planning to pull the entire area together. One way is to have square and rectangular cutout shelves in the adjacent room echo the shapes of the kitchen cabinet panels. Another small but important detail is hardware. Matching - or better yet – using complementary finishes for door and drawer handles throughout is a great way to pull the rooms together. Because open kitchens are more...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Apr 26, 2023 | Contractors, Interior Designers, Uncategorized
According to Houzz, the most popular kitchen cabinet modification for the past several years has been the pull-out garbage/ recycling bin. Storing trash under the sink is “over” as is leaving bins out to clutter your kitchen and entertain your pets. Another timeless option is a tilting tray (a cabinet panel on hinges) next to the sink bowl. It can store sponges and scrubbers that would otherwise take up your kitchen counter space. If you want to have a new coffee maker in your kitchen and been looking at reviews of coffee makers on sites similar to this website, it may be worth linking into planning to have a coffee station in your kitchen. it would be worth you considering adding a “garage door” cabinet modification, which consists of a wooden panel that tilts up. With this custom feature, your coffee maker and all of its accessories stay hidden behind a door that blends seamlessly with your design while keeping the caffeine easily accessible. Today’s upscale kitchen islands should have a built-in mini fridge for wine or other cold drinks. Cabinetry can be installed around a glass door unit to complement it or wooden panels can hide this appliance completely. Vertical racks either inside cabinets or integrated between cabinets can make extra room for plates or baking pans. This idea is especially helpful for smaller kitchens. Kitchen cabinet modifications are also no longer limited to above or beneath countertops. If there is a tall, thin space next to the refrigerator or extending into a neighboring living area, creating a floor to ceiling tower cabinet is an excellent way to...
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...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Apr 6, 2023 | Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers, Uncategorized
Choosing a kitchen countertop isn’t all about looks! Durability, maintenance and cost are all factors. If you select a favorite and it doesn’t fit your lifestyle, chances are that there is a similar style in another material that will work. However, regardless of whether it is granite or concrete, you must care for it appropriately to maintain its beauty. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, granite is the top choice in kitchen countertops. It is available in a wide variety of colors and no two pieces are ever exactly alike. Granite can be polished to darken and shine the stone or honed to make it soft and matte. Similar natural stone materials, like marble and limestone, are softer than granite and require more delicate use. Quartz, a combination of mineral, color, and resin, is not cheaper than natural countertops, but is a durability superstar. Hot pots, serrated knives, abrasive pads, and most stains are no match for quartz. All natural stone countertops must be sealed periodically to keep them looking great, but quartz does not require sealing. Concrete countertops are gaining popularity because they can be completely customized with pigments. Concrete is available in several different finishes: trowel (smooth), ground (sanded to expose the sand aggregate) and pressed (a tool is used to reveal marble-like veining). Extreme changes in temperature may cause concrete to warp or curl, damp sponges left on the countertop can cause discoloration, and acidic spills may mar the surface. To keep concrete countertops in shape, seal them four times per year and wax them with a paste every two to three months. Wood...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Mar 30, 2023 | Architects, Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers, Uncategorized
Make the best of your cabinets by selecting a finish that enhances your kitchen style. Painted finishes come in a wide variety of colors. Paint can be used to accent or fully cover the cabinetry. It works best for maple cabinets because the wood is smooth and uniform, but be aware that the natural grain often shows slightly through the paint. Paint finishes chip, hairline crack, and rub off in high use areas. Adding a tinted varnish to natural wood cabinets can create a look that is similar to painted cabinets, but shows more wood grain and is more durable. Staining enhances the wood pattern, but always has a slightly irregular look. Although the variations seem noticeable on individual pieces, when the cabinets are installed, the total effect is complementary and brings extra depth to the design. However, here are fewer choices in stain colors and finish types. Glaze is a finish type that has some color, but glazes are transparent or semi-transparent, so the color is lighter rather than opaque. Glazes are brushed on over paint or stain, then rubbed off by hand so the color remains in the corners, recesses, and imperfections of the wood. Glazing creates a unique look, but it can be expensive. Most cabinet manufacturers finish all of their natural cabinets with polyurethane varnish to make them harder and more corrosion-resistant. Polyurethane varnishes create a glossier appearance. Some green manufacturers now offer a water-based, ultra-violet (UV) cabinet finish that contains virtually no volatile organic compounds, and emits no toxic fumes or chemicals into the air. The look is basically the same as polyurethane and...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Mar 9, 2023 | Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers, Uncategorized
There are some cabinets that never go out of style. Shaker cabinets are a prime example. Certain types of glass cabinet doors are another. Glass is so versatile! Open shelving can soften the overall appearance. “Push-door” mechanisms on glass door cabinets keep that sleek, clean appearance. But if rustic, farmhouse and more traditional looks are what you’re seeking, glass really shines. Glass doors give you a way to decorate with dishes, decorative items and even some greenery. Glass doors add softness with back lighting. These cabinets are the perfect compromise between solid cabinetry and open shelving. For beautiful dishes or favorite decorations, they let you display everything with the additional advantage of keeping out dust. You also have a lot of variation based on the type of glass you choose. Transparent glass is the most common and the most versatile as it suits all types of kitchens. The biggest drawback is how easily it shows fingerprints. Frosted glass is blasted with sand or grit. Frosted is not the same as opaque. It hides little details but the silhouettes of items are still visible. It can be even be etched with custom patterns and designs. Additional options include molded or embossed glass to produce textures. These include rain, ribbed, pebbled, grooved or beveled glass. These options aren’t as susceptible to showing marks or fingerprints. What’s important is that you love the texture you pick. Some designs become outdated quickly. Seeded and leaded glass add an artistic look but again, any specialized choice needs to be personal as these looks are subject to outdating. Glass door cabinetry has the ability to...
