Justina, a designer who recently returned from a short stay out West, creatively solves kitchen space issues, dreams of a bathroom to die for and shows her flare with a fun and dramatic addition to any living room. Here goes:

For kitchen: roll-out island or kitchen cart used for extra storage and work surface, because living in a small apartment with no work space at all is a real hassle when cooking for the holidays

For bathroom: Japanese soaking tub with a view.  Need some relaxing and who wouldn’t want a view like this!!!

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/118648/Ellis-Residence—master-bathroom-contemporary-bathroom-seattle]

For Living: the West Elm Everett Armchair & ottoman in their performance velvet. It’s a nod to mid-century and the velvet finish is so lush and fun in any setting. 

Forget the Trends

With a renovation, think long term when it comes to color. Neutral colors are the best option as they can work with different color schemes. You want to select colors that compliment one another. Add a pop of color with smaller appliances like the mixer or toaster. Remember, when you select darker hues you create the feeling of a smaller space. Choose soft and light colors to create a more spacious kitchen

Add Excitement to a White Kitchen

If you’re a fan of white kitchens, forget about flat whites as they add little excitement. Introduce shades of cream or even light gray to elevate your color scheme. Think about a gloss finish. Consider adding in glass tiles, veined marble, bamboo shades or linen fabrics to lift an all-white palette from boring to beautiful. You can even add darker shades or gray and black that will fit perfectly your white kitchen.

Contrast

Are you in love with your cabinetry? Then paint your walls a contrasting color. This will make your wall cabinets and island pop. Pull it together with accessories and art. However, if you’re not a fan of your cabinetry, select a similar wall color to blend the two elements.

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

In 2012, 67% of kitchens completed in America were white painted or stained cabinets according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association. As one can tell, the look is a popular choice for most homeowners. A white kitchen is clean, fresh and sophisticated. The look provides a bright, cheerful feel as it reflects sunlight throughout making small kitchens look large. And while the modern style in white has been a favorite cabinetry choice, we can’t help but notice a new trend in design: Wood Minimalism.

So what is wood minimalism? Well, for homeowners looking for a contemporary style kitchen, many feel that they want something more distinguishable than white. A popular alternative is stream-lined cabinets in a warm tone of wood that’s cozy. If you’re worried that wood toned cabinetry may be too folksy for you, think again. The look is very upscale and not your grandmother’s ranch style kitchen from the 1950s.

A few of the designer options come in a wide variety of wood choices, including oak, walnut, larch and cherry. However, the wood textured cabinets alone won’t complete the minimalist look within the space. Your selection of hardware, flooring, lighting and kitchen backsplash are key.

In love with the trend? Be sure to visit our showroom to meet with a kitchen designer who will work with you to capture wood minimalism at its best.

Don’t Be Boring

A kitchen is more than a room with cabinets and appliances. It’s a space where you should entertain and show off your personality. Add in elements that introduce spirit, such as a creative backsplash or colorful accents & decor.

Don’t Showoff the Stainless

Stainless appliances are an excellent choice for the kitchen, but their shiny surface could hurt your overall look. Create a warm and inviting space by covering appliances with panels that match your cabinets. The look brings balance and harmony to the space.

Don’t Go Cabinet Crazy

Your kitchen should have an adequate amount of cabinets, but there’s no need to fill the entire space with them. Doing so will make the heart of your home look cluttered and claustrophobic. A good layout is a balancing act between storage, function and aesthetics. For starters, add room to breathe by keeping the area above the sink clear. You can also mix things up with open shelves and glass door cabinets.

Don’t Forget Quality

A kitchen renovation isn’t something a homeowner wants to do annually. The result is meant to last for years to come. Choosing cheaper materials from cabinets to hardware may cause deterioration early on after everyday use. Get materials that are strong and attractive, preferably with lifetime warranties.

For more information on kitchen don’ts, visit our resource center for “25 Most Common Mistakes.”

What a day it has been! Let me just start out by saying how happy and trilled we are to have won the 2013 Parade of Homes Pinnacle Homes – Best Kitchen Award!

Last night, we heard the wonderful news about the kitchen we worked on with Witt Construction at 51 Granger Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Congratulations Amy for designing this award winning kitchen that is simply stunning!

If you didn’t have the opportunity to explore this beautiful space, be sure to check it out on our blog!

-Laura

-Laura

Create the Look

Kitchen cabinets can be simple or ornate. They can be modern or traditional. Whatever your style is, cabinetry will set the stage in the kitchen. If your home is more traditional, dark woods are a great option, while neutrals and colors create a more eclectic feel. The look you go for should follow the theme or architectural style within the kitchen.

Hardware as an Accessory

Once your cabinetry has been selected, you should begin considering the hardware you would like. There are a variety of materials and styles to choose from, including nickel, brass, copper or bronze. You can even select wrought iron or glass. Another option could be to have handleless cabinets that offer indentations for hands or pop open doors.

Mix and Match

In the past, cabinetry would always match throughout a space. However, in recent years designers and homeowners began doing something different by mixing and matching woods, colors and styles. The idea is to design a kitchen that is interesting and cohesive…so often the island wood and finish varies from the wall cabinets. This variety adds just enough spice without losing the integrity of the whole.

Mark your calendar because the Parade of Homes returns in June! The event celebrates and recognizes the area’s most exceptional homes built by the finest builders in the Capital Region.

For more than 13 years, the Parade of Homes event has displayed the latest in building techniques and products for the home. It’s the perfect opportunity for homeowners to explore beautiful custom constructed homes, high-quality furnishings and fixtures from the area’s top interior designers.

There will be two weekends to join the parade tours: June 1st-2nd and 8th-9th from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Be sure to visit the Witt Construction homes on 51 Granger Avenue in Saratoga Springs and Retreat on Pond Hill, 38 Indian Pipe Drive in Wynantskill to explore the kitchens, baths, pantry and laundry room designed by CCW.

Visit the CRBRA online to learn more!

-Laura

Let me just start off by saying that this has been one extraordinary week for CCW! From exciting projects underway to our most recent award, we have a lot to celebrate. CCW was recently honored to win the Best Kitchen Remodel at the Capital Region Builders and Remodelers Association’s (CRBRA) first annual Best in Building Awards!

So which project was the winning kitchen remodel? Well, it was a previously shared project designed by Ray and featured on our blog: A Design Upgrade on the Classic White Kitchen. This space is simply incredible! The CRBRA was impressed by how Ray took a simple classic white kitchen request and added excitement, beauty and functionality all in one amazing kitchen.

A few of the well received details included the kitchen’s maple wood cabinetry with a Nordic white finish and Rockport Recessed doors. Also, who could forget the massive island featuring four solid wood turned legs and wainscot panels that truly anchors the space. This feature alone paved the path for casual dining and ample seating when hosting family and friends.

Ray had been extremely excited for this project from the first day he met with the homeowners and we couldn’t be more proud of the final outcome! Thank you so much CRBRA for recognizing our talented team!

-Laura