Enjoy!
Ray

Best in Kitchen Design – Over $75,000
New Construction – Saratoga Springs, NY
Brookhaven I – Frameless Cabinetry
Door: Kitchen – Vista Plus and Pantry – Colony Recessed
Finish: Matte Eclipse on Oak and Alpine White Painted on Maple
Countertop: Kitchen – White Macaubus Quartzite and Pantry – Original  Soapstone

The design of Skyfall flows seamlessly, an organic journey that is magically connected to earth and sky. The central axis solidly anchors the design and it just unfolds from there. The sleekness of the interior selections, especially the kitchen cabinetry, has a very metropolitan feel which plays beautifully off the Cape Cod inspired lines of the exterior of the home. The coolness of the natural stone countertops in both the kitchen and pantry is warmed by the soft white pantry cabinets and rich tones of the rift cut oak kitchen cabinets. The result is an inviting sophistication…a perfect synthesis of urban chic situated in bucolic splendor.

New construction, in particular, allows homeowners to really prioritize what is important to them. Skyfall’s main kitchen, bookending the magnificent great room, is an ideal place to entertain long into the evening, necessitating an uber functional, separate chef’s pantry where all the prep work, cooking and clean-up takes place, out of sight.

Skyfall is a testament to refined elegance.

Design-Best Bathroom Design-Over $40,000
Remodel – Troy, NY
Wood-Mode 42 – Inset Cabinetry
Door: Pavilion Raised
Finish: Vintage White
Countertop: Marble
Designer: Amy Van Wie

The ultimate spa master bathroom; fluffy white towels required!
No detail was overlooked and no shortcuts were taken in creating this oasis of tranquility that is the homeowners’ favorite room in their magnificent home. The completely custom nine foot vanity includes elegant tall wall cabinets. A tailored valance spans the entire length of the piece to cover the mood enhancing task lighting. Plenty of storage drawers and cabinets keep the magnificent marble countertop clutter free. A walk-in steam shower and spa tub complete the experience

Best in Bathroom Design – Under $40,000
New Construction – Halfmoon, NY
Brookhaven I – Frameless Cabinetry
Door: Bridgeport Recessed
Finish: Java on Maple
Countertop: Carrera MarbleA spa bath with a distinctive masculine touch. Plenty of drawer storage allows countertops to remain clutter free maintaining the clean angular lines of the vanity, sinks and mirrors. Plenty of natural light enhances the dark wood and the modern details of the shaker style door and square stepped toe-kick valances add classic refinement to the serene space. The eye-catching cabinetry hardware finishes the project with a bit of fun bling.

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September 20-21, 27-28 and October 4-5
11 AM – 5 PM

Be sure to visit
SkyFall
106 Southard Road, Saratoga Springs

a stunning modern New England home with unobstructed views of the Mohawk Valley and Adirondack Mountains and a custom kitchen, pantry, dining hutch and mud room designed by CCW

For additional information on the Showcase of Homes visit www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com

See you at the Showcase,

Ray

First let’s talk functionality. All the steam, heat and grease around a cook-top are not very friendly towards wallpaper or wall paint. It just makes sense to install something that withstands the humidity and is easy to clean. When considering materials, remember the more porous the tile, the more difficult it is to clean. This is one reason why solid glass back-splash has become so popular. It also looks amazing!

Now for design. In my mind, the most important determining factor for the color and style of your back-splash is your counter-top. For example, if you have any granite surface, other than solid black, I would never suggest a patterned tile. The vein texture and color variation in the granite is interesting enough on its own and will fight any pattern in the back-splash. Different fabric patterns, think paisley and stripes, can work well together as long as the colors blend…not so with tile and counter-top. In most cases, I suggest steering away from patterned tile full stop. It is trendy and can easily date your kitchen. But if it is something your creative juices are insisting on, be sure to pair it with a solid color counter-top.

Probably my favorite option is glazed subway tile. Timeless, easy to clean, classic…it works with just about any style, design and counter-top.

For a more recent trend, consider metallic options. Go ahead and have fun with different shades and finishes from brushed stainless and oil-rubbed bronze, to antique brass and stamped tin.

Back-splash plays an important functional role in your kitchen but also adds a great deal to the aesthetic and design. I just love a warm tiled niche behind the cooking area.

Ray

Enjoy!

Ray

This was a very special project and a very special home with a magnificent open floor plan and sweeping view of Saratoga Lake. Natural stone and reclaimed wood were used to bring the beauty of the surroundings into the home and the heartwood maple of the cabinets was finished with a lightly distressed matte brown with black glaze. This spectacular kitchen/great room truly defines the casual elegance of modern family living.

CCW is proud to have partnered with these builders and designed the mill-work throughout both these residences.

For additional information on the Parade of Homes:

http://www.capitalregionparadeofhomes.com/

See you at the Parade!

Laura

#2 Gray is the new white. Warm gray hues are the new neutral of choice.

#3 Man-made quartz is the new granite. It isn’t natural and it may be a bit more expensive but it looks great and is easier to care for.

#4 Revamped triangle. Once considered the only way to lay out appliances with the sink, refrigerator and range on the triangle points, kitchen designs have evolved beyond three standard directions.

#5 Wood is still the engine of the WOW factor. Painted, stained, glazed or natural, you just can’t beat it.

#6 Green is key. Green materials, energy saving appliances, manufacturers with green factories, LED lighting….do your part. It matters.

#7 Charging Stations. Desks consume too much real estate and seem like dinosaurs with all the mobile devices. Have your designer figure out a cool looking charging station instead.

#8 Destination Islands. They are becoming bigger, prettier and more functional. The anchor of the kitchen/great room.

Happy renovating,

Laura

Ray’s grand château inspired kitchen won for Best Kitchen Design Over $75.000. This special project was the subject of one of my previous blogs: http://ccabinet.wordpress.com/2014/03/27/baronial-splendor/

Justina’s serene, Zen-like spa master bath won for Best Bathroom Design. The light maple stained cabinets with storage drawers seem to just float on a beam of light against the main wall. A beautiful bubble pendant hangs between the two vanity sinks and their mirrors give the impression of raindrops. The Kohler sink sits right on top of the Pental Quartz counters, leaving more storage in the cabinets below. A full glass shower is parallel to the vanities and has minimal detail besides an accent strip of soft gray glass tiles. A serene oasis indeed!

Congratulations to Ray and Justina and thank you CRBRA for hosting such an enjoyable evening!

Laura

I love the work Justina, one of our creative designers, did in the kitchen and bath of Unit 1E.

The kitchen in Unit 1E is facing the North end of the building, which meant the space could feel a little dark. The semi-custom cabinets from Brookhaven were chosen in one of the new designer paint collections: Slivered Almond. This beautiful soft off-white finish brightens the space gracefully. The Caesarstone quartz countertop in Wild Rice compliments the rich chocolate wood floors that connect the large great room with the kitchen. Oil rubbed bronze pendant lights and the hardware on the cabinets enhance the design with warmth. A simple subway tile backsplash in a creamy green tone adds a hint of color, but doesn’t take away from the beautiful mural and glass tile focal point above the gas range.

The kitchen was inspired by the traditional feel of The Loudon House’s building, pulling a bit of French Country with the warm hints of Oil Rubbed Bronze, gold within the backsplash, mullion glass display cabinets and the off white cabinetry. It also has the sleek feel of the Stainless Steel appliances and the easy to maintain Caesarstone countertop. Hints of old world and new are played up in the space to attract both young and old, in this timeless beauty.

CCW would like to thank the other trades that helped create this beautiful space:

Interior Design

Custom Designs Associates, Mary Korzinski, Clifton Park, NY

Countertops

Caesarstone Quartz, Carmine Petti, Capital Stone, Schenectady, NY

Tile

Best Tile, Sara, Schenectady, NY

Appliances

Frigidaire, Earl B. Fieden’s, Latham, NY

Lighting

Murray Feiss, Wolberg Electric, Albany and Saratoga Springs

The Vanguard Designer Showhouse runs from April 29 – May 18, 2014. Please stop by and meet Justina on the special Designer Days from 12:30-2:30

Saturday, May 3

Wednesday, May 7

Tuesday, May 13

For more information, please visit http://www.vanguard-aso.org/

See you at the Showhouse,

Laura

The magnificent hand carved corbels and accents throughout add intricacy while the custom drop down ceiling panel over the island and custom wood hood add a baronial flair. There are two islands as well as a wine bar which accommodate their guests very comfortably. In keeping with the home, the overall effect is one of grandeur, but at the same time modernized to feel accessible and welcoming.

Until next time,

Laura