by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Dec 14, 2023 | Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers
More than just expanding cabinet storage and countertop surfaces, kitchen islands have evolved into a gathering spot where family and guests hang around. Island design and comfort now draws cooks and visitors together to increase functionality, aesthetics and socialization. Along with food preparation and meals, kitchens are more open. Kids do homework and adults take care of paperwork. Additional activities like these promote family time as meals are prepared. For those whose children have moved away from home, this time goes to enjoying a glass of wine with guests before dinner gets to the table. And dinner is more likely to stay at the island with more comfortable seating. Still used for storage and counter space, islands also accommodate appliances like stoves with downward vents. And don’t forget about sinks where approximately 90% of the time is spent. The convenience of doing multiple tasks in one place shortens steps and work time. The ability to socialize more makes everything feel easier. Universal Design further expands function with varying countertop heights. This enables anyone at any height, especially children, to participate in food preparation and other activities without having to climb stools or reach overhead. Incorporating different materials from the rest of the kitchen adds even more appeal. One way is to use fabrics for surrounding stools and chairs. Fabrics contrast well with hard surfaces to soften the overall look. As a result, islands stand out as design objects and look more like furniture that seamlessly blends into the living room. The future will see more variation in island shapes and heights. Seating room will be expanded and rather than...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Dec 13, 2023 | Homeowners
Sometimes a kitchen renovation means different floors, all stainless steel appliances, and swapping out pendants for recessed lighting. But if you want to make a strategic update, one of the most reliable and affordable renovations is the use of color. It can brighten or darken a room, make a space feel cozy, or make it feel spacious. As part of a house-wide renovation, Dave and Jenny Marrs, co-hosts of HGTV’s “Fixer to Fabulous,” found a gorgeous blue-gray color to take the kitchen cabinets from dated to eye-popping — yet the color is still subtle and not at all overbearing. Click here to continue...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Dec 7, 2023 | Homeowners
No one disputes the higher cost of installing custom cabinets. But if this new kitchen or remodel is going to be the kitchen you’ve always dreamed of, consider the advantages of going custom over typical stock cabinets. For one thing, true custom cabinets fit perfectly into every space to give you the best use of corners, spaces between windows as well as the height or length of every wall. No matter how big or compact your kitchen is – even a couple of inches changes how well it functions. Custom cabinets also achieve looks that stock cabinets can’t. You may have features like a banquette seat, a kitchen island or more than one food preparation station. Seamlessly integrated custom cabinets will draw attention to those spaces you want to highlight. And here’s where even a couple of inches makes a difference. If the goal is to have a clean, modern appearance - stream-line your cabinets with appliances such as refrigerators, ovens and stove tops. Now when it comes to sinks, some styles also stream-line well with the surrounding cabinetry. But whether you choose this style or one that overlaps, finding stock cabinets that securely fit around the sides and bottom could be difficult. Again the best bet is to go custom to guarantee a good, secure fit. Deep drawers are a surprisingly affordable upgrade to the more typical three-drawer models because some companies build deeper drawers at around the same cost. This cabinet style is not new, but the variety of divider systems now available makes them a popular alternative to traditional lower cabinets. For example, interiors can be...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Dec 6, 2023 | Homeowners
“The family bathroom isn’t exactly the most relaxing space in the home. Typically characterized by a clattering of brightly colored plastic toys and associated with the stress of dreaded bathtime, these spaces so easily become cluttered and unruly. But if your family bathroom has spun out of control, you’re not alone. To reintroduce a bit of serenity and harmony to the space, take a step back and reconsider your bathroom design. ‘When designing a family bathroom, it’s essential to create a space that is functional, comfortable, and accommodating for all family members,’ says Houston-based interior designer, Nina Magon. The best modern bathrooms for families ideally require these eight things to function seamlessly, according to the designers. How many do you have?” Click here to continue...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Nov 30, 2023 | Homeowners
As discussed in “How to draw more natural light into your kitchen,” there are a number of ways that floor to ceiling cabinets can change a kitchen. While it’s hard to argue the advantages they offer, it’s important to understand how best to use them. You see, placing items too high or too low can be hazardous to your health. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In our quest to live in beautiful homes, it’s easy to overlook safety and function. The best home design incorporates both. This is the goal of Universal Design (UD) which adapts homes to everyone’s capabilities without sacrificing appearance. When it comes to cabinetry, it’s important to minimize the number of times you have to reach up or bend down to retrieve items, especially those used most often. Not only inconvenient, it can put you off balance. This might seem counterintuitive to floor to ceiling cabinets… but there’s no reason not to have them. The following tips show the best ways to access all your kitchen cabinets: Store frequently used items where it’s most convenient – preferably from waist to shoulder height. Light weight items are best stored on top and bottom shelves. Medium weight items should be kept between knee and eye levels. Heavier items should be stored between mid-thigh and shoulder height. These guidelines help homeowners retrieve everything they need quickly and easily without challenging their balance. It’s one reason why Universal Design is gaining momentum. But here’s the best part. Well designed homes built and remodeled with Universal Design principles are beautiful, therefore, you don’t have to hesitate to...
