by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | May 31, 2023 | 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...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | May 17, 2023 | 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....
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | May 10, 2023 | 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...
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 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...
