Endless Possibilities

There really are endless possibilities to make your space more functional than ever before in Kitchen and Bath Design. In fact it is a little like being in a candy store trying to get your control back since you just cannot have it all!

Since storage is always an issue for all of us I want to begin with food storage or pantry cabinets. Sometimes a home has the square footage to dedicate an entire "walk in space " with shelves for everything you can possibly need. It is more likely not the case, so creative thinking helps. The second choice has been Tall floor to ceiling cabinets for years. They work very well and are offered from 84" to 96" high . However, food can get pushed back becoming hard to see in a 24 deep dark cabinet. It is possible to request they be more shallow, however , the best solution is Roll Out Shelves. You will love the convenience of pulling out the shelf to access every item stored on it.
Some even have added door storage with guarded shelves similar to your refrigerator's door shelves.




Do you like the drama of tall columns? How about a beautiful focal point in your kitchen composed of one of the 30 to 36" wide Pots and Pans Drawer.

Picture it framed with two tall Pull Out Pantry Cabinets which range in width from nine to twenty four inches?


A stunning back splash between the Pots and Pan Drawers and a wall cabinet of the same width above is equivalent to jewelry setting off your best outfit! We gals LOVE that! The wall cabinet above could be used as more storage with solid doors. You might get a thrill making it stand out with glass doors revealing a matching stained interior with lighting that displays your favorite dishes and glassware or special mementos.














Let's not forget spices! They really are the "Spice of Life" as we create our favorite meals for family and friends. Pull Out Pantry cabinets are also manufactured as base and wall cabinets. It can be as simple as adding a Drawer Spice Rack internally of one of your base cabinet drawers near your cooking area.
                       
Other excellent choices are a Drawer Knife Holder or Two Tier Wood Cutlery Tray.
The latter has space for knives in the bottom with a second top tray to hold spatulas, wooden spoons, and any other kitchen tools you want.
        

One of my favorite cabinets, especially in our quaint New England homes are Apothecary Drawer Cabinets. I love them. They seem impractical. However, allowing myself to say yes taught me they are actually very practical. They are typically six inches wide. That width next to the cooking or sink area allows you to store so many necessary items in a very organized way. Each cabinet has five drawers. Mixing and cooking utensils fit perfectly. One of my favorite uses next to the sink is for prescription medications, vitamins, or tea in boxes. It really is so convenient!




Another option for the wine connoisseur are Base, Wall, or Tall wine racks which are available in six inches for single bottles to eighteen inches wide for double or triple bottle storage.
           


                         



Let your self dream unedited. Take a look at these pictures.  Write down your ideas and questions. There are no wrong questions, so come see us and tell us your vision. Next week I am going to take this to an even higher level with one of the most stunning trends utilizing wall and base Pull Out Pantry cabinets combined with a matching wooden hood cabinet over your stove or cooktop! Sheer drama and efficiency all rolled into one!

Making Life Easier in Your Kitchen

We live in an age devoted to convenience, organization, and every possible way to save us time.
If your current kitchen has been in your home for longer than fifteen years, there are numerous options, accessories, and newly designed cabinets available to make your time in the kitchen so much more efficient.

There are some exceptions to my statement above. For instance, a Lazy Susan inside base and wall corner cabinets have been available for longer than fifteen years. However, the quality and smoother functionality has improved dramatically. Better cabinet lines mount quality wood revolving shelves right on a wood shelf base. Years ago, a Lazy Susan was either composed of metal or plastic shelves spaced on a center pole and installed into the top and bottom of the cabinet. Upgraded units like the old ones are still available as interior accessories after the fact. However, the new wooden rotating Susans are deeper and wider providing more storage space than ever.

Pots and pans used to be stored in the bottom drawer of a stove or even worse in the "blind corner cabinet" next to the stove's location. This cabinet becomes a big black hole swallowing anything unlucky enough to be stored there. You have to be a contortionist to access needed items or call for one of your smaller kids to crawl in to retrieve it. The good news, those days are over too. We have been rescued by numerous options. New corner cabinets have special shelving units that can be pulled out in front of their door allowing a shelf deeper in the cabinet to slide forward. No space is lost and accessing anything you need is at your fingertips.
               

My favorite pots and pan cabinet is a 3 Drawer Base Cabinet. These cabinets are available in widths from twelve inches up to thirty six, maybe even into forty inch units. Twenty four to thirty six 3 Drawer Bases are most popular for this application. The two deep bottom drawers will hold all your pots and pans other than truly deep stock pots. The shallow top drawer is perfect for pot holders, spatulas, spoons, ladles, and pancake turners. Anything you need to cook on your stove fits perfectly in this cabinet. If you prefer a cook top rather than a stove, the shallow top drawer can serve as the mounting area for the cook or range top.

Some people like to add wooden internal accessories to these three drawer bases to separate their knives, spices, and cooking utensils. You can also add special holders to secure plates in the drawers.

                                        
Recycling is the norm now. Most of us have never liked having the trash can visible in our kitchen even though it had to be. New cabinet design includes cabinets designed to pull out with your trash can installed inside. Very popular are the combo trash and recycle cabinets. Generally a eighteen inch cabinet is average. However, if space is at a premium, a fifteen inch one with one barrel would suffice.

  
Next week I will continue telling you even more goodies that you can add to make life simpler. have a wonderful week. Come see us in the showroom. We can show you many of them right here.

Compromise: Resolving Typical Conflicts in the Remodeling Process

I realize I am sailing into a tricky area with this post. Here goes!

You may not realize that your typical Kitchen/Bath Designer/Sales Person has to employ many skills the average sales professional does not need. What am I talking about?  Intuitive and emotional intelligence is just as important as the creative, computer design expertise, strong math ability assumed to be the qualifications for the position. I have found myself  in the position of being a conflict resolution professional working with couples as they make decisions.
Every couple that visits a show room represents two people with different opinions about what is needed in their new project. They are usually not agreed on cabinet styles and finishes either.
My experience supports the following opinions ( generally speaking):

1. Men and women  prefer different door styles and finishes.
2. This extends into other selections and details for their new project
3. One or the other needs to compromise a little more than the other

Living and functioning in your kitchen over the years gives you plenty of time to experience what you like about the current space. It also magnifies what you do not like and want to change.

Usually, the chef of the family is the first one to want a new kitchen. Function is critical for a sense of peace and happiness in your kitchen. The more hands on the cook/chef is, the more true this fact is.
The family is being fed and nurtured as they connect to enjoy the great meals prepared by Chef Mom or Dad. Not always but many times, this person holds the trump card for obvious reasons.

Months ago, I blogged about starting your " Design Vision Folder ". This blog post is going to remind you of that and explain why it is important. Let's face it, this new space is important to the entire family. Many events and memories will take place in this heart of the home for years to come.
That said, I think it is wise for both of you to share your preferences and opinions. Looking through magazines, watching HGTV and taking notes about what you like is a good idea too. Approach it as a fun creative adventure. Do not edit your favorites at first. Clip away and stuff that folder. Make notes about what you like and why you selected a particular picture. Trust me , if you don't, you will not remember! Set up some "Dream Dates" when you look at each other's clippings. Share what you like, why, and how it will help make the space more functional and beautiful. As you share, you will begin to understand each others tastes and preferences. You may be surprised to find yourself won over by a great idea you had not considered!

Based on experience, let me guess the female loves sophisticated painted cabinets with glaze, or a fine grain wood species like maple or cherry also glazed. Lots of interior accessories are a necessity to keep the kitchen drawers organized.

The male either loves very sleek contemporary lines or  loves texture. He may gravitate to the Metro City Slab Door style. Perhaps in stainless steel or sleek laminated high gloss finishes of bright colors.
If his taste is for wood cabinets, I would bet money his choice will be highly textured wood species, like oak, hickory, or bird's eye maple. The more pronounced the grain in the natural wood the better!

Lots of color in the wood grain just adds to the drama. as he imagines his fresh caught fish or wild game being prepared deliciously fills the house with mouthwatering cooking aromas! She loves the counter back splash coordinated but stepped up a little to contrast similar to sparkling jewelry she would wear with a special outfit. He prefers more wood or very textured granite accented with a neutral stone back splash.  

Fortunately, a more recent trend bridges some of these differences in preferences. Since kitchen islands replaced peninsula u-shaped kitchen plans, two finishes in one room have become quite common. This can be perfect for the couple who realize making both of them happy is a great idea.
Selecting a cabinet door style with stained wood blends excellently with an island constructed of
a beautiful painted with or without glaze. It can also be vice versa. Adding the contrasting island finish to the crown molding, light rail,and perhaps one featured cabinet carefully placed as a focal point in the room accomplishes a perfect compromise. Another idea is to design the base cabinets in wood stain and the wall cabinets above in a painted finish. There are always creative solutions we are happy to help you discover.

Guys, as to her desire for the internal accessories. They really are a great idea. They speed the cooking and cleaning process up. Function , after all is the key ingredient in a kitchen. Get ready to enjoy some awesome meals!
  

So Many IMPORTANT Things to Consider

Being invited to estimate a home remodeling project is a privilege. Being awarded the project is an exciting reminder of the commitment to excellence our team always has on each and every project. Your home is typically the biggest financial investment made. Yet, it is so much more. Our dreams for the future of ourselves and our family reside together. At Apple Wood, we take this truth to heart. Although we have been building homes or improving existing homes for decades now, we never forget yours is unique. Your home is your castle in so many ways. We respect the love you have for your home as we come along side to make your ideas and dreams a reality for years to come.  

We value your trust and faith in us. To be referred to a friend or family member who also wants to begin a project is what we thrive on at Apple Wood! A very high percentage of our new business is born from our client's referrals. There is no better compliment!

One thing is for sure, your project is going to be an adventure. Like all adventures, there are truly great times. There can be some trying times as well. Having your daily life upset with designers, craftsman, plumbers, electricians, and installers in your home daily for weeks can be stressful.

Working with one "go to" project manager who you communicate well with is essential.
Be sure to do your due diligence. Talk to your family , friends, or neighbors about their experiences.
Listen carefully and interview the legitimate professionals who pleased them. We all realize we jell well with some personalities and maybe less with others. The choice you make will impact you and your home's environment for months, perhaps years.

Here are some considerations. Do you enjoy their personality? Do you communicate well?
Do they "get" your ideas or push their own on you? What do they commit to regarding daily cleanup to keep your home as organized and peaceful as possible during the construction process? These are the issues where the rubber meets the road that end up making a huge difference in your peace of mind as well as the finished product!

Our Apple Wood team pride ourselves on listening to your ideas and questions. It helps us discover your design style and living habits. All of these components are part of the process. I think a reminder of an old expression is appropriate here. How many times have you heard or said, "You get what you pay for"? I know it is true from personal experience. You?

Well, in the remodeling industry, it is not only true, it is critical. Sometimes, trying to save a few dollars by being your own project manager or hiring the least expensive sub contractor becomes a nightmare. It can result in poor workmanship or poor quality fixtures, cabinets, or other materials needed in the project. Worse, is being taken advantage of by an unscrupulous amateur that is all talk and takes your money, then abandons the job as they run away with your deposit. It all happens, unfortunately.

I mentioned in earlier blog post starting your "Design Wish Folder". When you begin collecting pictures or articles about the features and styles you like, your vision begins to form. Sometimes it is so consistent it is easy to determine the exact design style you resonate with. Sometimes, you find many different styles you like or a more eclectic look. If the couple find each of them has different ideas and taste that need to be negotiated to find the middle ground, the stress level accelerates.

We enjoy getting to know you and your families preferences are important to us. We are experts helping couples compromise. It is a little like being a marriage therapist. Typically, men love wood with lots of grain and texture. That rugged NH look. The ladies typically prefer a more refined look. Many prefer the sophistication of painted cabinets with glaze. Yes! This is a common conversation in our showroom and consultation appointments. Guess what! We succeed helping every one compromise with the final result of both parties being happy! I bet you did not know we are magicians too!

There are basics that all projects share. However, having the opportunity to help each couple and our clients explore their taste, their dreams and hopes and discover the perfect balance is so rewarding!

We value educating you to learn design trends and ways to balance both tastes in one project. You will be happy and excited to see how we can integrate them into a beautiful new room addition, kitchen, or bath.  My next blog will be filled with ideas on how we make this magic happen! You are going to love it!

Having Your Own Spa at Home

Our culture keeps adding the pressure to do more and do it faster. When will we be able to slow down and really enjoy life! Here at Apple Wood we are devoted to making your house a home that brings you great joy and satisfaction!

The need for two incomes to finance family life today adds considerable stress. It takes up the majority of both adults hours daily. Plus, our kids playing outside with friends for hours has been replaced with organized activities which force parents to become taxi drivers on the way to all the other destinations that make up their day! Wow, how do we do it?

Even the gift of coming home to relax after a busy stress filled day has transformed. Another 60 to 90 minute appointment at a spa for some "down" or "me" time is the new norm for those lucky enough to find the time and resources to enjoy the luxury.

As new home and remodeling contractors, we here at Apple Wood  are experiencing couples who are tired of the hamster wheel. More and more, our clients, realize the wisdom of creating a spa of their own with a new bath project. Manufacturers of  cabinetry, tubs, flooring, high end plumbing fixtures, and numerous accessories have stepped up the options considerably.

I have always loved the free standing claw foot bathtub of yesteryear. However, my home is not a Victorian or turn of the century Craftsman style house.  I assumed my only option was a built in tub with a surround and shower head enclosed by a shower curtain or glass sliding doors.

Good news! Modernized claw foot bath tubs are still available to satisfy the design tastes of  someone who loves to live in a historical home or "Painted Lady" Victorian. If you do not and still want a free standing tub, most manufacturers have expanded their lines to include contemporary sleek lines. For example, the sculptural Escale or Reve Collections by Kohler are a pure work of art with geometric lines to complement a modern taste in decor. Both choices have pieces in their collection for every necessary item needed in your bathroom. That means your pedestal or vanity top mounted sinks match the tub. The toilet will as well.

Why is it important for the plumbing fixtures to match? Most homes do not dedicate a large part of the square footage of the home to bathrooms. The Master Bath is an exception. Some can be wonderfully expansive, but most are not. The eye naturally interprets the room as larger when there are less differences to look at or changes in the room. Glass shower walls and matching lines in the plumbing fixtures flow better. They give an illusion of  continuity. Color choice and simple lines add to the same calming effect. Selecting matching tile for the shower that is repeated in the flooring adds space visually.

We can make your bath beautiful so it "looks" like a spa. We can also make your bath a spa!

There are no limitations these days for a home spa environment. Remember the freestanding tub?
Instead of jacuzzi jets requiring a tub to be against the wall dropped into a framed box with a deck hiding the pipes needed to create the water motion, air jets within the unit itself creates the bubbles.
The tubs are heated within as well. Your water never gets tepid or cold as it can recirculating in a jacuzzi style tub. You can relax and drift away  in the same temperature of water as long as you like.
Stepping out of the tub onto a heated tile floor is heaven too as you reach to grab a big fluffy towel off the heated towel bar.

If you prefer and have the room for both a shower and a tub configured on a wall or in a corner, picture this! You are relaxing in your bathtub looking at your bath fireplace with a fire glowing just past your feet. Perhaps your Master Bath is on the second floor which allows you to enjoy your magnificent view from the large window next to your tub since no one can look in. The beautiful glass walls and door of your shower allow you to gaze at the " jewelry" accent tiles you added to the stone or porcelain tile shower walls you selected. They are the same tiles used elsewhere in the room, which visually expands your space. You may never leave your new spa!

If you are shower person rather than a bath person, you have even more options.  Most Master Baths can accommodate a shower and bathtub. If not, the biggest trend these days in Master Baths is removing a tub completely to expand the shower into a two person piece of heaven. You do not have to give up having the air jet tub if your Master Bath does not have room for both. One can still be available by upgrading an existing tub in another bathroom in your home.

One way of finding square footage for a double shower, other than removing the tub,  is to access closet space in a bedroom next door to the bath. To be legally called a bedroom a closet must be in the room. However, a current closet can be reconfigured, made a little smaller so that the master bath shower can be expanded.

Spa showers can combine so many luxurious elements. Dual shower heads are the basic component.
Two people can shower, wash their hair and enjoy getting ready for the day in a more timely manner.

If relaxing after your work day is your goal, think about these spa options. Benches to relax on and sit awhile slow you down almost as much as soaking in a bath tub will. Shampoo, conditioner, shaving products, and your skincare products all have a home conveniently created into the wall of the shower. Steam jets turn your shower into a steam room that draws out the tension of your day.

Handheld wand shower heads are only part of high end accessories for shower controls these days. There are panels that include specially designed and positioned pulsating jets to massage you. Do you enjoy music and soft lighting? Both are available for your home spa experience in your shower or bathroom as you relax in your freestanding tub.

We would love to listen to your needs and your dreams to make your house the home you have always wanted. Please stop by our showroom or give us a call. We are here to make your dreams a reality!

 
 

  

New Color and Materials Trends

We will be leaving for a wonderful family vacation to the West this week. We will reopen Wednesday, July 15th. We wish you, your family, and loved ones a wonderful 4th of July holiday!

We have covered many new ideas to get your creative juices flowing to design the best new bath possible in your home the past few weeks. Today I am going to write about a few basics every homeowner has to make decisions about in their bath remodeling project.

The same wood species stained, perhaps glazed, cabinets used in kitchens are also built in vanity and tall linen cabinets. Painted cabinets are as well. Since painted cabinets are generally constructed with major parts being MDF, they are very popular in baths. Let's discuss the differences in a bath environment.

Have you ever had trouble opening a wood door on a rainy day? Since wood is a natural product, it is reactive to temperature and humidity in a room. It can swell when the air is moist. Then it shrinks when the air is dry. This can be especially annoying with drawers and with mitered door styles. Drawers may be hard to open until the air dries out. Mitered doors made out of wood may gap showing an unstained surface which contrasts with the stain you selected. It is temporary and does not bother some people. However, this attribute can truly bother some.

Since there is so much moisture in any bathroom every day, painted cabinets are perfect. Painted cabinets are made with MDF instead of original wood. MDF does not react to moisture in the air. Stained wood cabinets are often installed in bath projects. They work fine especially with full overlay doors. Just keep in mind, wood is a natural product that will adapt to moist or dry air, heat, and cold.
Before making a decision please consider and compare a painted door for your bath project.

Probably the most popular vanity is white or off white. It looks sharp in a traditional or contemporary style. A new neutral has arrived on the scene and is gaining popularity. Gray, all shades of grays, add sophistication while offering the light and bright feel the whites always have. Gray cabinets are stunning when combined with classic Carrara Marble!  Our customers love a clean crisp look in general, which offers longevity. To have  another choice of  subtle designer hues of gray has proven very welcomed. If a truly dramatic look is desired, a medium to dark gray hue does the trick.

Gray also lends itself to inexpensive updating as often as you want. Since gray is a mix of hot and cold colors on the color wheel, accessories, towels, and bath mats in either spectrum of the color wheel blend amazingly. Right now yellows and oranges are the trend. However if you decide to buy some new towels and accessories in blues, greens, teal, red, or purples for a change, you will enjoy a completely new look for very little investment. Of course, you can do the same with the whites, but there seems to be a more powerful statement made when your cabinets are in one of the gray tones available.

Lighting is the next necessary and expressive choice to make. The days of  the horizontal bar of Hollywood dressing table big bulbs are gone! The size of the bath determines scope and scale of every design feature. A small bath may still have one light over the vanity sink area. However, a larger bath my incorporate chandeliers, sconces, drum shade lights, and LED lights. LED light minimize heat and the use of electricity while creating bright light. Recessed or canned ceiling lights are still used. However, there is a trend away from them to designer lighting touches that complement the design style the client wants in the bath.

For instance, a beautiful chandelier over a luxurious jetted soaking tub invites you to linger in the opulence. It is like adding the perfect jewelry to your outfit. matching sconces in the vanity area carry the theme beautifully through through the room.  If your design style leans towards simplicity you will love the drum shade pendant lights. Lighting of an Asian flair is another choice if contemporary is your favorite happy place. The choices are endless.

Remember the Design Wish Folder we told you about weeks ago. Start filling it with pictures and notes of what your dream bath looks like, Call us for an appointment. Bring  your folder and ideas with you so we can help your dreams come true. We are here to help you!    

The Calming Effect of Seamless Glass in Baths

The days of metal framed sliding shower doors sitting on your bathtub are gone. They have given way to large walk-in showers surrounded with frameless glass sides and doors. These make the shower appear much bigger. Some showers are designed without doors. The shower walls prevent
 the water from escaping.

Rooms seem larger and expanding when the eye sees past the surfaces. Being able to extend the beauty of featured porcelain tile and trim on the shower surface out to the flooring will cause the square footage of the bath to visually expand. Selecting a beautiful complementary stone counter top adds to the spacious feeling.

A new trend is zero thresholds for entering the shower. The uninterrupted floor makes the shower easily available for handicapped or aging homeowners and guests. They have no need to lift a wheelchair or step over a typical shower curb encasing the shower pan. Do not worry. The water will stay in the shower. This is accomplished with a linear drain placed where the shower floor subtly allows any water to roll down and drain naturally at a slight angle. It is so subtle you do not feel the slope as you stand in the shower.

Entering a smaller Master Bath with a solid door blocks light and makes the space feel cramped. A new solution for this is a frosted glass door. If there is a frosted centered section surrounded by a clear glass top and bottom section there is plenty of privacy. Being able to see through the clear glass on the bottom and top sections creates visual expansion into the space behind the door.

A comfortable bench, even two, in a larger shower is a luxury that adds to your spa experience.
Trending amenities include large niches for storing shampoo, etc. Matching the lines of how the tile's grid is set opens up the space. It is uninterrupted and clean, complementing the tile's rectangular format.

There is no need to join a gym to enjoy a sauna or steam room. Steam is becoming a popular request. Rain Shower heads and Water Fall Shower heads add the exotic touch. Standing under both allowing the water to caress you is heaven. More decorative choices include Shower Pipe based accessories to the rain shower head. A hand shower can also be attached to the pipe. Panels with massaging jets to hit your tense muscles can be as well.

Light dimmers add to the relaxing atmosphere. Bright light is not needed for many reasons you
use your bath for. To relax soaking in your tub or surrounded by steamy water in your shower is heaven when enhanced with soft low light. You might fall asleep standing up!