by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | May 30, 2024 | Homeowners, Interior Designers
When it comes to corner-placed cabinetry, the best way to maximize your storage capacity is to install Lazy Susans. Not taking advantage of them will waste precious space and force you to search through the items in front to get what you want which is stored behind. Lazy Susans make access to foods and kitchen utensils safer by bringing the items you need more often within easy reach. Consider them the smart spin on cabinet storage. You can customize your Lazy Susans by choosing one, two and three shelf configurations. They can also be ordered in various diameters to hold small to large appliances. Even small items like spice bottles are easier to separate and organize. No longer just plastic, the selection of materials varies from wood to polystyrene to wire chrome. The next consideration is to choose from the configurations that range from full circle and D-shaped to half-moon and kidney shapes. It depends on what fits best for each cabinet configuration. Deciding how much you want to spend and how visible you want them to be will guide your selection also. Obviously Lazy Susans aren’t lazy, but if being able to reach whatever we need easily makes us “lazy” - so be it. Lazy Susans make kitchen tasks safer and allow us to indulge in all the kitchen gadgets we want without the guilt of where to store...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | May 23, 2024 | Architects, Contractors, Interior Designers
As stated in our previous blog about Shaker cabinets, the trend in cabinet design continues to lean towards beauty, simplicity, and functionality – a perfect formula for this style. Around since the 1800’s, the Shaker profile stays true to its generations-old simplicity. Not surprisingly, it’s as popular as ever today. But what if your client doesn’t follow the crowd? Not everybody wants the same as everyone else. Therefore, we adapt these cabinets to fit modern tastes with some twists. Whether your clients prefer country, contemporary, even an industrial look – the squared off shape easily adjusts to changes using different cuts, finishes and hardware. It starts with the characteristics and styles of the cabinetry itself. Shaker cabinets offer a number of options. Due to the frame and panel profile (also known as rail and style construction), pure Shaker style cabinetry is very plain. Adding a slight beveled finish keeps the cabinets simple, yet gives them an elegant touch. Larger units can be divided into sections with pieces known as mid-rails, mid-stiles…or strips of wood or metal known as muntins. Some clients need lots of storage and using rows of big drawers maximizes storage space. For added flourish, we can include design features such as beaded or raised panels. How to differentiate Shaker cabinets with finishes. Before the introduction of various finishes, cabinet craftsmen relied on the quality of wood…like maple, birch and chestnut. The various characteristics of the grain defined the cabinet’s beauty. In addition, we offer woods like cherry and walnut for an even richer look. When it comes to an antique or simply unique version, we can...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | May 16, 2024 | Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers
As kitchens continue to evolve to more than just the place for food preparation, there’s another way to enhance the social experience. It’s how you use color to set the atmosphere. “Why Universal Design should be incorporated into your kitchen” introduced the advantages of lever-handled faucets and appliance placements. These features make it easier to perform tasks and still interact with others in the room. Ease of use plus colors that resonate with you and your family create that environment that keeps family and friends hanging around. Color makes objects easier to see. Sight-challenged people are defined as those who need glasses or contacts, no matter how young or old they are. Dim lighting challenges even those with perfect vision. Color blocking is a technique that distinguishes one object from another. It doesn’t have to be as drastic as placing red against blue. It means using colors and their tones to show contour. This increases the ability to easily distinguish floor to walls, walls to cabinets, cabinets to countertops and so on. Color blocking also aids anyone who’s busy preparing food and drinks. Along with safety, color blocking is another tool you can use to reflect your taste and personality. This is where Universal Design really upgrades your kitchen by giving it that customized look that really speaks about you. It sounds easy, but one thing about color is that it’s complicated. Colors have undertones that make them bright or muddy. Ever notice how many shades of white or black are available? Pairing the wrong shades can ruin an entire project. One way to get the best color scheme...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | May 9, 2024 | Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers
When it comes to choosing between a modern and contemporary kitchen, it’s easy to confuse the two. Both feature clean, smooth appearances with minimal detail and adornment. Unlike farmhouse and rustic, both modern and contemporary are defined by sleek lines in predominately white and black. But these kitchens don’t preclude color. Color is used to accessorize or accentuate small or minor features. The difference is how each style incorporates it. Here’s what differentiates the two: Contemporary kitchens embrace the latest in technology, materials and trends to create an “of the moment” look. Modern has more emphasis on form and structure by installing smooth surfaces like concrete and steel. You’ll see strong horizontal lines with lots of open space and a strong architecture. Key features to look for in contemporary are: Under mount sinks with minimalist faucets Cutting-edge appliances that include smart kitchen technology Flat-panel cabinetry and creative backsplashes Innovative island designs and waterfall counters Dramatic lighting While modern kitchens are similar, here you’ll find: Concrete for flooring, countertop surfaces and even on the walls Glass sheet or stone slab backsplashes that run continuously Recessed and integrated lighting and if using pendant lights, ones with clean lines Frameless cabinets with flat-panel doors Minimalists faucets in polished nickel, chrome and matte black White is a popular choice for both but is used differently. For example, a contemporary kitchen will have crisp white walls with colorful cabinetry or an eye-catching backsplash. Modern may use the same white but is more likely to include subtle neutrals and black. Here brighter colors usually show up in the form of accessories. Both styles emphasize a...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Apr 25, 2024 | Architects, Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers
Home owners are “personalizing” and turning to placing lights beneath their cabinets for more atmosphere. If you decide to go that route, here are a few things to keep in mind to get the best effect without creating problems. LEDs are the best option for under-cabinet lighting for a number of reasons. They produce the least amount of heat, provide good lighting for activities and come in a variety of colors. Traditionally more expensive, costs have come down considerably recently. This, along with their long life makes LEDs a good choice for the long term. Fluorescent lights are almost as energy efficient as LEDs but they do produce more heat. Another option is Xenon lights that emit some heat but they can be dimmed to create an attractive, warm glow. Halogen lights are still possible but the heat they throw off can affect food or drinks stored above them. When selecting lights to go under your cabinets, determine what kind of effect you want but keep in mind what you plan to store in each of those...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Apr 18, 2024 | Homeowners, Interior Designers
Most often when we think of cabinets, kitchens and bathrooms are first to come to mind. Now that home offices are included in most home designs, the ability to organize and store important items like documents, laptops and iPods is more critical than ever. Whether an official place of work… the room where household tasks such as bill paying take place… or the location where kids do homework… office cabinetry influences both the appearance and function of whatever activity is performed. In spite of how much we do electronically these days; items like pens, paper, paper clips, staplers and staples, scotch tape and stamps still need to be handy. Knee drawers that fit below the desk surface are the ideal place for these accessories. Take it a step farther by adding dividers. Depending on how many files you have to have on hand, you have a choice of cabinets with single or double width drawers. For those who have less paperwork, a single door file drawer with a knee drawer on top may suffice. When it comes to a place to store a brief case or attaché, cabinets with pull-out drawers are ideal plus give you easy access. Built-in dividers allow for multiple items and if papers within are sensitive, the addition of a lock increases privacy and protection. And don’t forget cabinet hardware. Depending on how cozy or formal you want your office to be, knobs and cups versus handles make a difference. Homey offices are made casual with cup drawer pulls or knobs where it’s easy to add a little bling or whimsy. Formal offices might call...
