Mr. Jackson
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The Easiest Way to Add Elegance to Your Kitchen

by | Nov 21, 2024 | Homeowners, Interior Designers

When it comes to dressing up your kitchen, you’d be surprised at how important your cabinet hardware is. Often seen as a small detail, hardware has a huge impact on the overall picture. So how do you make the most of it? One option is to go large. Another factor is to choose hardware that’s timeless. C and D-shaped hardware give you both, plus another advantage… ease of use. Starting with large hardware, designers have long understood the effect of placing large handles on cabinet doors and drawers. Both C and D-shaped hardware come in different lengths and depending on the size of your cabinets, feel free to go as big as 7-8 inches from end to end. Going long creates a ‘designer look’ with a relatively small investment. This hardware is also timeless. While cup pulls and knobs may customize a current look, just like complicated patterns in floors and walls; they tend not to stand the test of time.  With C and D-shaped hardware, you have multiple styles and metal types to create your current custom look plus adapt to future changes and upgrades. The benefit least talked about but most important is the ease of use. If you haven’t heard about Universal Design - you will in the future. Our aging population is demanding it, yet it’s not just for seniors. People with mobility issues, especially arthritis (which inflicts over 50 million today) need to have easy access to stored items.  And even if you and your family are in perfect health; think about times when your hands are wet, greasy or soapy. The ability to...

Smart Storage

by | Nov 14, 2024 | Homeowners

Concealed customizations for kitchen necessities can make life better without ruining the clean lines of a modern design. Go to the head of the class with some genius storage ideas. Keep organized and never forget what you need at the grocery store when you add a pegboard to the inside of a cabinet. Not only is it handy for lists, it can be used for holding small kitchen tools and is an innovative way to let kids be creative without refrigerator magnets to display their artwork.  A pegboard can be purchased and sized to fit inside a cabinet door, or a thin piece of wood can be affixed to the cabinet and accessorized with various types of hardware. When searching for a storage solution to keep kitchen items both handy and neat, think retractable. Retractable drawers under the sink can keep cleaning products handy and neat. A sliding hanging rack hidden inside a cabinet can keep pots and pans easily accessible without putting them on display. Vertical shelving units for cans and jars can be created to pull out of kitchen counter spaces…. It’s especially on trend to add these sliding shelves near the refrigerator or stove. Using the side of a counter or kitchen island is also an excellent way to hide away food, glassware, towels, or utensils. Open shelving is an option here, but consider baskets or wooden boxes for twist on the traditional. Sealed plastic bins are a great choice to keep cereal and pasta fresh while displayed neatly, too. Cornerstone Cabinet Company partners with innovative companies like Hafele and Rev-A-Shelf for the best quality cabinet...

Different Materials Customize Farmhouse Sinks

by | Oct 31, 2024 | Homeowners, Interior Designers

Different materials customize Farmhouse Sinks In  “Farmhouse sinks gain popularity“, we mentioned how this sink is a great way to create a custom kitchen look and feel. Now let’s talk about how to customize the sink itself. Once the province of white porcelain and fireclay, farmhouse sinks are currently as unique as your cabinets, island and appliances. Starting with the traditional materials, here’s a list of other options with some pros and cons of each. Fireclay and Porcelain Sinks Heating and curing clay above 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit produces Fireclay.  This treatment makes a surface that’s hard, durable, and dense. In fact, the density often requires a professional installer to modify the surrounding counter and cabinets to support the extra weight. However, the high heat is what gives Fireclay its high shine and ability to resist scratches and chips. Porcelain, also a ceramic material, is heated to high temperatures, but not as high as fireclay. Similar in looks, it’s more prone to chipping and discoloration. It’s also a little less costly. Copper Copper adds an elegant touch and with time, develops a beautiful patina. If you want that aged look immediately, buy a hammered sink where the manufacturer applied a colored patina. Stainless Steel A more contemporary look that’s affordable is Stainless Steel. Cooks like its durability and how easy it is to maintain and clean. Modern Style You can find a number of variations including different sizes, colors, and mountings. Although traditionally installed as an under mount, it’s possible to get a top-mounted version that eliminates the risk of water finding its way down the sides of the sink....

The Kitchen Island

by | Oct 24, 2024 | Homeowners, Interior Designers

When it comes to kitchen design, islands add style, personality, function; and come in multiple configurations. Is the client’s kitchen big enough for a stand-alone island, or will it only accommodate a peninsula? Do they want it built-in, or mobile?  So many choices can confuse homeowners making it crucial to ask them questions before anything goes on paper. What Clients Need (Or Just Want) From Their Kitchen Island The number one issue is function. Is the emphasis on food preparation, socialization, or a combination of the two? Will it house appliances? Sinks, under-counter refrigerators, and stove tops influence placement of other appliances to maximize activity flow and efficiency.  If a sink is embedded in the island, there needs to be room for a dishwasher on either side. If it’s the stove, they’ll need either a top mount or down-draft vent. The amount of food preparation influences the amount of storage needed. What and how many utensils need to be nearby and easily accessed? A number of factors determine counter-top height - starting with seating and what types of bar stools are desired. Is this a place to snack, or will it replace the kitchen or dining room table? Do they prefer one or multiple counter-top heights? Since kitchens are not static, traffic flow needs to be adequate. Architect Thomas Ahmann suggests three feet on either end and at least 42 inches on the working sides. Another consideration is passage when cabinet or appliance doors are open. How should it be lit? Pendant lighting is popular but some feel pendants interfere with the view. If the island has a stove, anything...

The Trend Toward Open Kitchens Remains Strong

by | Oct 17, 2024 | 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...