by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jul 19, 2023 | Architects, Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers, Uncategorized
We’ve read about the Great White Kitchen and how white stands the test of time. Whether you opt for white or choose another color, the fact is - color not only enhances the beauty of your kitchen…it makes it safer to use. Here’s why. The percentage of our population with eyesight challenges is probably much higher than most of us realize. Think about this - you don’t have to be blind or have cataracts to be sight challenged. Anyone with glasses, contacts…even corrective procedures like Lasik can leave you with less than perfect vision. This is where color comes in. Color creates contrast. Done properly, color separates objects which help you move around your kitchen with ease. We talked about how lighting adds ambiance along with safety. The same principle applies to color. It distinguishes where floors end and walls begin. It outlines doors and delineates how far cabinets stand out. Good color blocking minimizes the potential to bump into objects when you’re in a hurry to get food on the table! Whether you have perfect vision or even minimal vision correction, paying attention to the nuances of color makes time in the kitchen more enjoyable for everyone who uses it. If you’re not sure how to use white (or whatever color you choose), consider a color consultation with a professional designer. You’ll be amazed at how any color used wisely brings out the best in your...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jul 12, 2023 | Homeowners, Interior Designers, Uncategorized
The kitchen is where family and friends gather for food and fun so it’s always got to look its best. Stop endless dusting, scrubbing and wiping kitchen surfaces and remodel smart instead! Kitchens are both wet zones and high-traffic areas so proper flooring material is key. Ceramic and porcelain tile have moisture resistance that is superior to natural stone or wood. They also rarely scratch or stain. Quartz countertops are the most durable and you can clean them with common household products. A sturdy, lower cost countertop option is laminate. Flat-panel cabinets are easiest to clean, but if they look too modern for your taste, shaker-style cabinets are a good compromise. Dark stained cabinets show fingerprints and dust, and white cabinets show absolutely everything else, so a medium stained finish is the best choice for effortless style. Otherwise, consider satin-painted cabinetry, which is still very resilient. Opt for a rollout pantry to put groceries away quickly without fumbling around in deep cabinets. Its shelves are easier to reach for both organizing and cleaning. Brushed nickel or dark bronze hardware hides water spots and fingerprints well. Stainless steel sinks may develop a chalky residue around the drain due to hard water and they can also scratch, but overall, stainless steel appliances require the lowest maintenance. Use garage door cabinets to hide away appliances or to cover any area that may get cluttered. Consider a glass backsplash because although they are more likely to show grease and food splatters than ceramic and natural stone, they can be easily wiped down due to the smooth surface. Flat sheets of glass eliminate grout...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jul 6, 2023 | Homeowners, Interior Designers
“Rustic” is a beautiful combination of country cottage and farmhouse décor. Rustic kitchens add instant warmth and charm to a home, and are equally appropriate for both large and small spaces. To create a contemporary cozy look, check out these decorating ideas… No ceramic roosters or toile fabric doilies here! Start with exposed wood beams on the ceiling and a muted color scheme where natural materials will dominate. Salvaged wood with imperfections like knots, weathering, and grooves make the kitchen more appealing. Add a rough-hewn plank, tumbled stone or polished concrete floor. Consider an artisan stone oven or a wood-burning stove in addition to modern appliances. Dark wood can be too imposing for smaller kitchens so choose bleached or primitive painted light wood (oak or pine) cabinetry instead. When combining wood finishes, make sure they are complementary to each other. If you paint, stick with country colors like blues, browns, greens or muted reds. Distressing is optional since Type A personalities may not be able to tolerate intentionally chipped paint. Custom cabinets can also be created to mimic barn doors and a vibrant Shaker-style island can become the room’s focal point. Matte metal and industrial hardware are most appropriate for rustic kitchens because bright and shiny would clash badly. Exposed brick can be a great backsplash or accent wall. Install open shelving to display baskets and kerosene lamps as well as a hanging pot rack for showing off period copper or iron cookware. Add a farmhouse table, metal bar stools or a rag rug to complete the look. Be sure to blend old with new for a rustic space...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jun 29, 2023 | Homeowners, Interior Designers, Uncategorized
The laundry room is often small and supposed to be entirely functional, but doing laundry doesn’t have to feel like a chore in a beautiful, organized space. Laundry rooms are now an extension of a home’s living area, so they often have windows, furniture, and pendant lighting to make them more appealing. Cabinetry is more thoughtful as well. Laundry sinks differ from other sinks due to their wide, deep basins that are perfect for hand-washing delicate clothing, bathing small pets, and cleaning large household tools. Around them, it’s best to have a combination of closed cabinets and open shelving… and maybe a few long bars for hanging wet items. Open shelving over the sink, with or without trendy storage baskets, are great for easy access to soaps, disinfectants, sponges, and containers. Closed overhead cabinets work well for keeping cleaning agents out of the reach of children. Long storage cabinets near the room’s corner can hold brooms, vacuums, and an ironing board. Open shelving underneath the sink can accommodate laundry baskets and buckets. Some laundry rooms also have built-in pet stations with a low pull out drawer for food and water bowls, higher cabinets for pet food storage, and shelving for pet toys (A countertop can even be extended to make room for a cozy pet bed or crate underneath). For all cabinetry, choose simple, functional hardware. Whether you prefer cups, knobs, or handles- larger, easy-to-grasp hardware makes tasks faster when your hands are wet or soapy. Any style of cabinetry can work well in the laundry room and be sure to consider bold colors for a fresh look. Cornerstone...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jun 22, 2023 | Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers, Uncategorized
Increase your home’s value and make your bathroom a stylish sanctuary with some easy updates. Bright, open spaces make your bathroom look larger so be sure to add windows for a natural glow. Add LED lighting to cabinets and vanity mirrors for task lighting. Choose white or neutral finishes on walls and cabinets that reflect the light. For a more fashion-forward option, metallic wall tiles or paint also give the illusion of more room thanks to their eye-catching and refractive qualities. The indoor/outdoor bathroom is the bravest trend to open up a bathroom. A large glass wall with privacy glass, the coverage of plants and trees outside or retractable shades can allow you to bathe at one with nature! Boxy angles are out while beautiful curvy shapes are becoming more popular. You don’t have to add curves to the entire bathroom — pick two or three elements for balance. Faucets and fixtures that are more rounded are on trend. Your main vanity can have a curved countertop or be half-moon style. Skip floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and opt for open shelving or a floating vanity to maximize the bathroom space. Integrated (the same material as the bathroom counter) or undermount sinks add minimalist clean lines. A free-standing tub and glass shower doors are both luxurious and contribute to the light, airy concept. Consider bringing your favorite music into your bathroom with waterproof built-in speakers and Bluetooth technology. An Amazon Echo Dot or other SmartSpeaker can allow you to control the music and lighting level with your voice for a true spa experience. Lastly, to keep your renovated bathroom looking great longer,...
by Cornerstone Cabinet Company | Jun 15, 2023 | 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...
