Mr. Jackson
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Why The Cabinets Around Your Sink Are So Important

by | Jan 4, 2018 | Uncategorized

On September 6th we reviewed the trends in laundry (or utility) rooms and their versatility. Like garages, laundries are now an extension of a home’s living space - and options are plentiful when it comes to re-modeling.    Instead of just a nook to do wash, laundries now have windows, décor…even furniture…and cabinetry is the key to setting the atmosphere. Here are some ideas about the cabinets around your sink.    A Sink Is Only As Effective As The Cabinets Surrounding It Laundry sinks or tubs differ from other sinks due to their large size. With wide, deep basins, they’re perfect for a number of tasks such as hand washing delicate clothing, bathing small pets, emptying the mop bucket, even cleaning garden tools. For the all-purpose sink, it’s best to have a combination of closed cabinets and open shelves for easy access to soaps, disinfectants, sponges and baskets. Closed, overhead cabinets work well for storing cleaning agents out of the reach of children. Open shelves placed on either side or underneath accommodate laundry baskets where kids can toss in dirty clothes and bathing suits. Keep Maintenance As Easy As Possible Since this is a busy area, the best way to maintain a clean, orderly appearance is to keep it simple. Shaker cabinets, time tested and always popular - are a great choice around the entire laundry. For those cabinets immediately around the sink…think of simple, functional hardware. Whether you prefer cups, knobs or handles – larger, easy to grasp hardware makes more sense when your hands are wet or soapy. Regardless of whether you have lots of space or...

How Customized Closets Can Add A Hour To Your Day

by | Dec 19, 2017 | Uncategorized

How Customized Closets Can Add A Hour To Your Day How often do you rummage through your closet to find the right items? Maybe it only takes a couple of minutes…sometimes it’s much longer. Either way, it’s frustrating. Professional organizers tell us the answer is to keep your closet organized. But that’s easier said than done…and it still takes up time if the closet doesn’t fit your specific needs. The key is to customize. Why customization is better than “one size fits all” Customizing your closets means having the proper space and configuration for what you need most.  If your job requires business attire, you need room for suits. If you have a shoe fetish, keeping shoes together and organized eliminates searching for the mate of the ones you want to wear. For those who buy the basics and ‘create’ different outfits with accessories, it’s important to arrange scarves, ties, belts and jewelry to quickly pair with that days attire.   For some, closets hold more than just clothes. Travel for work and there’s nothing like having the suitcase in the same place as the clothes to be packed.  Participate in sports and your closet is home to everything from rackets and balls to those special accessories necessary to play. They’re also the place to tuck away a safe if you need some private room for personal items. Other closets are for stashing the kids’ toys or treasures like the family china. Whatever you want to have around but out of sight, a customized closet keeps things organized and accessible. Having what you need at your fingertips saves time We...

Farmhouse Sinks Re-gain Popularity

by | Nov 29, 2017 | Uncategorized

A sink that’s been around for hundreds of years is once again on the rise. In March, we wrote “Farmhouse Sinks — This Time In Color” because we know they add pizzazz to modern kitchens. With more and more firms like Annie and Oak offering farmhouse sinks, we’d be very surprised if you didn’t find a design online that you liked. Farmhouse sinks originated at a time when there was no running water. Since water had to be carried in from outside the house, the sink was large, deep and close to the body for convenience. Now in a number of sizes, colors and materials, their appearance and function fit today’s active cooks. Old Concept – New Trend The National Kitchen and Bath Association, along with remodelers and interior designers – agree the trend in kitchen design is back to basics. Clean lines, neutral colors and clever storage make farmhouse sinks a natural addition to complete the environment. Their traditional design - deeper than the modern top and under-mount sinks - allows users to stand directly in front of the basin with no countertop or cabinet in between. In the “old days,” it worked well for women who prepared food, washed clothes (sometimes even the baby!) in the sink. Today, cooks love the extra space to clean large pots, big baking sheets, oven trays and large items like barbeque grills. Before You Purchase Consider this before you start shopping: It’s easy to incorporate a farmhouse sink in new construction… but you may have obstacles with remodeling. Unless you’re replacing all the cabinetry around the sink, you’ll probably need to...

Cabinet Hardware – Jewelry for Your Kitchen

by | Nov 21, 2017 | Uncategorized

Even if you’re a consummate shopper, by the time you get to hardware for your cabinets and drawers, you may be experiencing that ‘deer in the headlights’ feeling. If so, here are some tips to note when deciding what style and size to use for those finishing touches. Knobs, Cups, Drop Handles or Pulls Recessed pulls are built into cabinet facings. They’re great for active galley style kitchens because they won’t snag or hook clothing. Just be sure they’re something you can live with because they can’t be converted to another style. Sometimes hardware choices depend on who uses the kitchen the most. Easy-to-use Bar Pulls are favored by designers trained in Universal Design. The ability to get your hand through the pull to open the drawer or cabinet makes this optimal for elders and anyone with arthritis-like conditions. Larger sizes are more expensive but easier to use, and for wider drawers, they eliminate the need for two pulls. Just be aware that chrome, brass, or any shiny finish shows scratches more easily. Drop Handles consist of two pieces with a dangling pull hanging from a mounted piece.  They make built-in cabinets look more like furniture - but can be harder to use. Some like them because they give toddlers more difficulty, but that also goes for anyone in a hurry. One drawback is over time; they can nick and scratch the cabinet finish. Cup Pulls (or Bin Pulls) are upside-down cups that give the kitchen a minimalist, vintage feel. They go well on Shaker style cabinets to create the clean, understated Nordic appearance that’s popular today. Knobs offer...