One of our senior designers, Amy Van Wie, got to work with Rob and Paul on the kitchen. She designed a clean and simple layout in keeping with the open floor plan of the house. The cabinets are sierra on maple veneer. The refrigerator and dishwasher are paneled for a sleek, sophisticated look and who wouldn’t love to prepare a meal on their 48” Wolf?

Owl’s Nest is a one-of-a-kind property, something very special indeed.

When it’s cold outside, nothing feels better than a warm, snugly towel. Would love this towel warmer: http://www.trendir.com/archives/skope-towel-warmer-glascia-1.jpg

Missing those summer night barbecues in the dead of winter…go ahead and bring the grilling inside! http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/all-indoor-grills.html

On a long winter’s night, nothing is cozier than curling up under a luxurious throw. This one from Pottery Barn seems perfect!

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/cozy-cable-knit-throw/?pkey=e%7Cblankets%2B%2526%2Bthrows%7C31%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C22&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Sku_Top_Marketing_Rule%7CThrows-_-

Mark your calendar because the Saratoga Showcase of Homes returns this September! The showcase celebrates and recognizes Saratoga County’s most exceptional homes built by the finest builders in the Capital Region.

Now in its 18th year, the event will display the latest in building techniques and products for the home. Homeowners can also explore beautiful, high-quality furnishings and fixtures from the area’s top interior designers.

There will be three consecutive weekends to join the showcase tours: September 21st-22nd, 28th-29th & October 5th-6th. The showcase home tour hours are 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Also, be sure not to miss the new and exciting Showcase Chefs “Comforts of Homes” at participating showcase homes. These delectable events will take place September 20th!

To purchase your tickets, visit the Saratoga Showcase of Homes website. Proceeds from the event will benefit Rebuilding Together Saratoga and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. Be sure to grab your tickets and visit the showcase home on 96 Oak Street to explore the kitchen CCW designed with Witt Construction!

-Laura

I recently got married and as my lovely wife Marissa’s birthday approached, I wanted to make the occasion perfect. What she wanted was to invite a few couples over and cook a celebratory dinner to share. As our NYC apartment’s galley kitchen might have been too cramped, we decided to go to my family’s week-end house for the festivities!

But here was the problem…and a problem is certainly something you don’t want on your wife’s birthday. Although the kitchen in my family’s week-end house has a footprint more than enough to accommodate the eight of us, the kitchen was designed a few decades ago and the layout is not conducive for friends to gather together, help cook, or just enjoy some appetizers and a glass of wine. We made it work and the evening was a success, but it sure got us thinking about what we want from a kitchen as we begin to think about our first house.

Like many of you, Marissa and I love to entertain in a fun and casual way, getting everyone together in one space to cook, converse, eat good food and drink even better wine. Gone are the days of the “formal” dinner party where the guests only see the living and dining room. The kitchen has morphed from a room to prepare for a party to the space at the heart of the party. Basic kitchen chairs have been replaced by comfy window seats and easy access bar stools. The classic kitchen table has been replaced by multi-functional islands…perfect for chopping AND chatting.

As we begin to house hunt, one thing we know: whatever we have to sacrifice…a dining room, an extra study…our kitchen will have a layout for today’s entertaining!

Evan

Natural Light

Add a feel of cheerful richness into your kitchen with sunlight. Your space will be brighter than ever before. By working through design elements, you can incorporate new windows, skylights or French doors into the kitchen area.

Butler’s Pantry

Fuse old-world elegance and new-world practicality by creating a butler’s pantry. This small area between your kitchen and dining room is great for prepping tableware and food courses.

Custom Cabinetry

Forget store bought and have the kitchen fitted with cabinetry. No kitchen is the exactly the same, so the space will be customized based on your needs. Your room will not only be designed to handle daily functions, but will also look stunning through the years!

Marble

For an elegant and subtle look, marble is a beautiful addition in the kitchen. The material can be used in various areas, including backsplashes and countertops.

Lounge Life

When you design the kitchen to also act as a great room, you have a space that’s truly welcoming. Create an inviting space by incorporating a fireplace, multimedia entertainment system and/or cozy seating area.

Multiple Work Stations

Work where you want by creating multiple work stations throughout the kitchen to extend its versatility and flow. Each area would be fitted with separate sinks, counters and storage.

Walk-in Pantry

Outfitted to house nonperishable food, extra serving pieces, and miscellaneous odds and ends, having a large walk-in pantry is the perfect home luxury.

One of a Kind

Every kitchen should have a distinctive element. Whether it’s a handcrafted stone countertop, Portuguese-tile backsplash or an antique hanging light fixture, incorporate at least one captivating object in your kitchen.

With a new year already underway, I’m excited to announce that our Chief Cabinet Officer Evan Levey will be guest writing for our blog. Evan is a phenomenal guy whose knowledge about design and functionality in the kitchen, especially cabinetry, makes him a real go-to resource here at CCW. I hope you enjoy his first article today. You can expect his articles to appear quarterly, so be on the lookout for them. I know I will be!

Laura

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a great holiday season. As things became mercifully still over the final weeks of the year, I began reflecting on what the number one trend in kitchen design is today. My conclusion agrees with many experts who are writing on the topic in publications ranging from Architectural Digest to the Wall Street Journal. The number one trend is the kitchen is no longer just the kitchen and is taking up more square footage in the home than ever before.

The kitchen today plays a host of functions from a place to prepare meals to an entertaining space, from a spot to work on homework to an extension of the living room. Our clients have been working with our designers on ways to integrate their lifestyle into the room that they love. In a recent project, a client wanted an island where he could be cooking and guests could be enjoying wine and hors d’oeuvres. The trick was to maintain a clear distinction between the cook and the guest sides of the island while at the same time making everyone feel they are together. As the kitchen becomes more and more a “living” space, paneling appliances, seating areas and entertainment nooks are becoming even more popular.

The size of the kitchen continues to grow and is taking up more square footage of the first floor than ever before. Additionally, our designers are coming up with more and more creative ways to design an open floor plan, where the kitchen appears to melt into surrounding rooms but maintains its unique identity.

Finally, although the kitchen is playing a host of roles, its primary function is still connected to food and the kitchens we design need to be ready for all different types of chefs. Whether someone enjoys preparing gourmet meals for friends, simple comfort food family dinners or warming up Chinese take-out, the kitchen needs to be properly designed and equipped.

Please be in touch with any projects you are considering. We would love to make a difference in your home.

All the best for a happy and healthy New Year,

Evan
Columbia CabinetWorks

LLumar Windows

When it’s winter, the sun sets early, the winds are cold. There are days when you just want to be snuggle under a blanket indoors. However, we all still crave natural lighting and lots of it! With LLumar Windows you can keep your home lit naturally and safely. Their products block more than 99% of all UV rays which helps preserve the color of your furnishings, fabrics, curtains and other materials. Also, you’ll save up to 40% on your energy bills while enjoying the outdoor views.

Pumpkin Cranberry Nut Bread

Is there anything better than the smell of fresh baked bread throughout your home? Here’s a tasty recipe from Epicurious that will put any fruitcake to shame. This bread is the perfect combination of flavors for the holidays. It’s even better when you share with your friends and neighbors!

Vintage Kitchen Aid Mixer

Has there ever been a better kitchen appliance for the home? These rare, yet exquisite, vintage mixers from Kitchen Aid are built to last. They’re the perfect tool for baking cookies, cakes and more. With its strong motor and classic beehive glass bowl, this mixer looks great in either an industrial or farmhouse kitchen.

Liebherr SBS 246 Refrigerator

Innovative is the word to describe this refrigerator. Liebherr is recognized worldwide for their refrigeration and freezer technology. From its stainless steel finish to LED lighting, this model sports features that will have you staying in your kitchen more often! Our team loved the built-in wine cooler for storing our favorite Pinots and Chardonnays.You’ll enjoy the Biofresh feature that provides the perfect climate for keeping foods fresher while retaining more of their nutritional value. Food can actually last up to three days longer. What makes this appliance even better is that it is Energy Star efficient!

Open-Plan Kitchen

The unity of cooking and living flourishes in the New Year as more homeowners are opting for a seamless transition between rooms. This trend makes entertaining crowds a breeze, as guests float between the kitchen and living/family room.

Glass

High gloss abounds, from cabinets to appliances, but nowhere is this more striking than in the rise of back-painted glass backsplashes. It’s easy-to-clean and the reflective surface adds a beautiful polish to the space. Instead of a single glass sheet, glass mosaic tiles offer an option for an impressive design.

Modern Appliances

Today, we are beginning to live more like the Jetsons than the Jones’s thanks to smartphones and tablets. The kitchen is more mobile than ever and can be controlled through multiple devices. Expect to find more professional style appliances in the home. Go-to designs will be professional gas ranges and induction cooktops that will make any neighbor green with envy.

Transitional Style

According to the National Kitchen And Bath Association, the “traditional” kitchen design was dethroned by the “transitional” style in 2012. The kitchen is moving in a more modern direction, but still contains many elements of traditional style. Think more simplified lines, chandelier lights and big, open spaces made for entertaining.

Plain or Colorful

Appliances: expect to see more colorful options from kitchen manufacturers in the New Year, but don’t say farewell to stainless and paneled options just yet!

From everyone here at CCW, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

-Laura

It was June 2011 when the Elarios walked into our CCW showroom. One was a professional photographer and the other a floral designer. They met with our designer Ray and said they wanted a “classic white kitchen.” Those three little words have been mentioned by so many people over the years that Ray has lost count. However, as a few months passed, the Elarios began to expand their vision and Ray saw that they were looking for something quite dynamic.

Ray visited their home and everyone agreed that the kitchen needed a cleaner palette that would reflect the light and the seasons through the expansive windows overlooking the stunning property. Keeping things light and airy, maple wood cabinets with a Nordic white finish were installed. The recessed doors added to the clean beauty of the design that manages to avoid distraction.

For the kitchen island, four solid wood turned legs and wainscot panels anchored the space and provided plenty of seating for a host of sous chefs!

Because the couple had a love for cooking and entertaining, we knew that Sub-Zero would offer superb and functional appliances for their kitchen. The Sub-Zero bottom freezer refrigerator, Sub-Zero under counter drawer refrigerator and the Wolf range with char grill and ventilation hood were beautiful additions!

No kitchen is complete without the details! Ray recommended a subway tile backsplash and exposed stainless steel that would elegantly reflect the changing light throughout the day. Lastly, 15 mullion glass doors were included to complete this modern kitchen.

Ray, as I watched you design this kitchen, I knew you were creating something special! You took a basic request for a classic white kitchen and turned the project into an exciting and fresh space. Bravo!

-Laura