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

Subway Tile

Subway tile has been making a comeback with homeowners. The trendy design can work with any look from vintage to modern. Consider crisp-white color tiles or even make a bold statement with color. Color is becoming a popular request in the bathroom.

Multi-Head Showers

A multi-head shower introduces luxury and functionality by misting you from different angles. It definitely adds something special and new to the space.

Radiant Heat

Coziness and warmth are what radiant heat will provide. The in-floor heating is a wonderful union of practicality and comfort. Not only is it more cost-effective than many heating methods, but it feels great on those cold winter mornings.

Framed Mirrors

“Move over medicine cabinet.” Adding furniture-style elements continues to be a hot trend in bathroom remodeling. A framed mirror is a simple and effective way to accomplish the look.

Designer Lighting

Update your lighting and bring glamorous, unexpected fixtures into the bathroom. If you don’t have a spacious area, add a small crystal chandelier for the touch of elegance you need.

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

Two Rooms in One

Blending together the kitchen and family room into one great space creates an open area for everyone to gather. Whether mom and dad are cooking, kids are doing homework or little ones are enjoying playtime or a favorite cartoon…the space becomes multifunctional for everyone to use 24/7.

Get Organized

The recipe to any successful home may just be to minimize the clutter. By organizing your home for each family member, you’ll make things easily accessible. And that in turn helps things run smoothly throughout the day! Consider storing the kids’ things in bottom shelves and drawers for easy reach. You could even have cabinetry made to fit the children’s height with built-in inserts that can serve a different purpose when the children grow. Also, having a dedicated home station for the adults makes a great location for storing paperwork, bills, and the family computer.

Introduce Color

Design a bright, interesting space the entire family will enjoy. Color adds personality outside the all white kitchen. Why not incorporate a funky, vivid colored countertop or eye catching tiled backsplash behind the stove?

Appreciate the Memories

If you’re the sentimental type who enjoys holding onto memories, select items for the home that will inevitably show wear and tear. By selecting porous materials, such as Carrara marble or a maple butcher block, you introduce items that will add an old fashioned, settled appeal over time. These items are meant to embrace imperfections and showcase your family’s history of stains and rings!

(Photos courtesy in order: Houzz & Patrick Sutton Associates, Fresh Home, Dornob and The Grothouse Lumber Company)

Dine By Design

The transitional kitchen is all about a mix between modern and traditional looks. It’s a wonderful opportunity for homeowners to choose the elements they love, without being locked in to one particular style.

Before Photo

Recently, Ray met with a couple who were looking to update their kitchen. They really enjoyed the seminar that our Chief Cabinet Officer gave at the Home Show last year. (Include link to that blog article). Ray noticed from the start that these homeowners were engaged in and excited about the design process.

The homeowners had been looking to create a kitchen that would have a refined, yet modern country feel. After visiting their home for measurements, Ray knew what needed to be done. He removed the raised breakfast bar which made the space feel much more open. Knowing that the couple wanted a white kitchen, his suggestion for Nordic White on Bridgeport was the obvious winner. The cabinetry would also include framed drawer fronts and be topped with a soapstone countertop.

Lastly, there was one special detail Ray added to this transitional kitchen. He completely custom designed a decorative hood for over the oven area.

Bravo Ray for combining so many stunning elements in this kitchen. Not only was the client thrilled with the renovation, but the customized touches truly enhanced the overall kitchen design!

-Laura

Glass Backsplash

If you’re in love with modern design, installing glass tiles can be a great option for your kitchen backsplash. There are an array of colors and shapes to choose from that will create an ultra-sleek look. Another bonus is that glass is super easy to clean.

Glass Cabinets

Do you have dinnerware or collectibles you wish to show off? If so, having your cabinet doors installed with glass may be for you. The look will certainly enhance your kitchen by making the room feel larger and lighter. You could also install lighting inside the cabinets to illuminate special pieces.>

Glass Countertops

Design something unique for your home. Glass countertops made from recycled materials can create a one-of-a-kind focal point in the kitchen. Also, the glass holds reflective properties that can bring in light from surrounding rooms as well as any natural light.

Decide a Look

Hewn wooden ceiling beams are accented by a weathered-wood farm table.

Do you want a cozy look and feel? Then select woods, plush fabrics, woven surfaces and natural fabrics for the floors and surfaces to add texture to a room. However if a streamlined look is what you want, then introduce lacquer, plastics, metals and glass. Just remember that balance is key. The best rooms have a perfect mix of both.

Introduce Nature

Thick, twisty tree branch and vase filled with freshly cut winding twigs.

Nature can play an interesting role in the home. It’s the perfect place to draw inspiration. Try using shells, stones, horns, feathers, and the unexpected, like cotton blossoms and birch branches, as decorative objects.

Make it an Accent

Leather Ceiling Tiles

Replace your accent colors with textures and surfaces. Texture can be used in place of color in a monochromatic scheme. And don’t forget the walls. Whether you include high-gloss paints, shell, leather wall tiles or Venetian plaster… walls are a great surface to play up texture.

Adjust the Lights

Relaxing Den

Your lighting scheme is just as crucial as the textural surfaces you add. Be aware of the materials and objects that reflect light or create visually interesting shadows.

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.

Bathroom designers and suppliers are producing more diverse products. The industry is constantly improving and refining the manufacturing processes and materials without forgoing style. Every fixture has endured some change for the modern bathroom. Wooden bathroom furniture can now withstand the steam-filled rigors of daily life. By pre-treating the furniture with a moisture resistant coating, you enhance the performance and durability of the product. Manufacturers have been using higher quality materials, such as acrylic and resin, for tubs and showers that retain heat. These products are also easier to clean and are stain/scratch resistant. Lastly, improved technology provides better control of water temperature flow rate for faucets and shower heads.

With 60% of water usage taking place in the bathroom, it’s important for manufacturers to discover ways to reduce the home’s impact on the environment, and also your utility bill. To reduce water consumption, dual flush toilets and ceramic disc technology hare two great developments. Also cabinet manufacturers, including Wood-Mode, have become industry leaders in developing greener products and processes for the home.

The modern bathroom isn’t financially out of reach as you may think. You can certainly find the special products you desire to design a space without forgoing reliability and durability.

Neutral colors continue to win over the hearts of homeowners. They’re the perfect choice for smaller kitchens as they create the illusion of more space. We love the look of white cabinets which help extend the height and width of your walls. For your minimal accessories, try incorporating greens, browns and grays into the space. Choose black accents and outlines to pop against the white. Also, a burst of red will add a refreshing, modern feel.

If you’re looking to create a contemporary feel, then stainless steel appliances are the way to go. These appliances give a sleek look that’s sharp and clean. What’s so great about stainless steel is how well they blend into neutral kitchens.

Now, our favorite design feature for a modest kitchen is the backsplash. Serving as the focal point of the entire space, kitchen backsplashes are a great decorating element for small spaces since they are clutter free. There are numerous material options to select from, including tile, wood, stone, granite and porcelain. We love the burst of color and shine that comes from a chic glass backsplash, or a creative mosaic made from tiny tile pieces.