Mr. Jackson
@mrjackson

Cabinetry Throughout Your Home

Custom cabinets are not just for kitchens anymore! They can provide a polished look and efficient storage in any room.  You can choose to keep the cabinetry consistent with the kitchen or mix complementary styles in each space.  Since open floor plans are on trend, dining rooms are often an extension of the kitchen. Use cabinets with glass panels in the dining room to display fine china and collectibles. Create a buffet by joining several cabinets together or use frameless cabinets for a floating buffet. Matching cabinetry to your dining room set adds a refined touch.  Consider installing a wet bar in your living area for entertaining. A mix of open shelving and cabinetry is best. Large cabinets can store anything from ice buckets to beer kegs, and glass racks keep all types of glassware handy. Cabinet doors can be used to cover the wine cooler and microwave for a flawless profile. Cabinets can help control the clutter in your home office, too. Add a custom bookshelf or build in a desk to finish the space. The playroom is another space that can benefit from the neat appearance of built-in cabinets. Floor to ceiling cabinets are not only stylish, but are best for optimizing wall space. Adding drawers, shelving and baskets make for easy toy access and cleanup. Since adults keep their “toys” outside, similar cabinets can also keep supplies and tools neat and tidy in woodshops and garages. Old-fashioned entertainment hutches are bulky and often do not accommodate large screen TVs and updated electronics. Build a state-of-the-art entertainment center in your family room with custom cabinetry instead. Be...

Design an Easy Clean Bathroom

The bathroom is typically the first room people go to when they wake up and one of the last they visit before bed. People want their bathroom to be a relaxing retreat and it’s easy to design for luxury. However, renovations that make a bathroom easier to clean are the smartest investment to save time and make the most of the space. According to lifestyle legend Martha Stewart, a thorough cleaning of all bathroom surfaces should be done once a week. Floating vanities offer better access to the entire floor for mopping. A glazed ceramic vanity top is a modern update that resists staining and also has a high heat tolerance, so you don’t need to worry about accidentally burning it with your hair straightener. Since white bathrooms are the most popular, use off-white or gray grout on larger white tile to make it look less dingy with age and usage. Consider stone slabs or painted glass instead for a beautiful, lower maintenance option. Less is more for cabinetry in the bathroom. Flat-panel cabinets are easiest to clean, but if they look too modern for your taste, shaker-style cabinets are a good fit. To maximize space, a wall to ceiling cabinet is a practical way to store everything that doesn’t fit in the vanity. Make sure that shelving in the cabinet is appropriate to keep things organized. For example, position shelves so that you can store three rolls of toilet paper and a foot-high stack of bath towels on one shelf, and shorter stacks of hand towels and washcloths on the shelf above it. A turntable or wire mesh...

Color your kitchen safe (and beautiful)!

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...