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 17th 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 15th-16th, 22nd-23rd & 29th-30th. The showcase home tour hours are 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Also, be sure not to miss the exciting Chefs “Saratoga Style” at participating showcase homes. These delectable evenings will take place September 14th and 21st!

To purchase your tickets, visit the Saratoga Showcase of Homes website. All 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 61 Granite Street to explore the kitchen CCW designed with Witt Construction!
– Laura

Recently, I had the exciting opportunity to be one of the ten judges for the 2011 Saratoga Showcase of Homes. The event is an annual tradition in upstate New York that allows homeowners to tour exquisite homes and learn the latest design trends. In total, we had to judge 19 homes that were divided into four categories: condos, classic homes, executive homes and luxury homes. For each home, we were given 15 minutes to view and inspect. We were even given plastic booties to wear over our shoes to keep from damaging parts of the home. I won’t lie; I was a little shocked by this, but would hate for anyone to track dirt into my clean home!

My role was to inspect and critique the homes’ kitchen designs, interior decor and master bath workmanship. For the kitchens, I had to determine if the builder matched work within the kitchen with the price of the home. You’ve heard me say it before, but generally the kitchen should cost 10% of your home’s value. When it came to judging the workmanship in the master bath, I had to inspect everything to see if it was finished properly. Were the walls straight? Was additional caulk needed? How was the application of paint and trim?

Overall, this was an amazing experience, and I am thrilled to have been involved. It was wonderful opportunity to meet other designers and builders who are interested home renovations and style. Moments like these truly make me happy to be the designer that I am today.

-Laura

"As the 'heart of the home', your kitchen plays an important role in the lives of your family."

The sentence above was the first I typed onto this blog one year ago today. Over the past year, I have enjoyed sharing design projects from Columbia CabinetWorks’ experienced team and the latest trends in home renovations. To be honest, I was a little nervous about starting a blog. With so many other home remodeling and design blogs online, I questioned if my two-cents even mattered. Now, I look back and am thrilled that our design team has provided the most current styles and trends for homeowners. Whether you’re looking to update your kitchen, create an oasis within your bathroom or design an unique stand-alone piece, you have been my inspiration.

To celebrate our one year anniversary for the blog, checkout the top 5 articles our readers have enjoyed:

– Redefining the Butler’s Pantry
– Designing the Kitchen Backsplash: Part Two
– Tiling Your Bathroom
– Rethink the Bathroom Sink
– Kitchen Hutches

Again, thank you for taking the time to experience CCW’s talented and dedicated team of designers who continue to bring their energy, creativity and passion into your home.

-Laura

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of CCW’s new and improved website! You will still find many of the popular sections like the product gallery, but we have also added some new sections we hope you love as much as we do!

The Resource Center is a super helpful new section as it offers homeowners an opportunity to learn important and interesting insights about kitchen and bathroom renovations. We have also added a section on the Design Process which provides a step-by-step guide to the process from initial consultation through installation!

I welcome you to tour our new site, and please feel free to let us know what you think. Don’t forget to explore CCW’s Design Portfolio to witness our experienced team’s talent and creativity. This may be my favorite section of all!

Columbia CabinetWorks New Website

-Laura

We invite you to come out and visit this wonderful Showhouse next week.  You can purchase tickets for $18 at the door and proceeds will support the Albany Symphony Orchestra!  This is truly a great cause!  Below are the times and dates:

Showhouse Opens May 3, 2011
Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 10:30–5:00
Wednesday and Thursday:  10:30-8:00
Sunday: 1:30-6:30

Visit the Vanguard Designer Showhouse Website

We hope to see you there and will have plenty of pictures soon!

-Laura

Want to help even more? Grab your camera and take a picture of your favorite kitchen or bathroom detail, such as your cabinet handles, your kitchen backsplash or maybe even your bathroom sink.  Once you’ve taken the picture, upload it to our Facebook Page and we’ll donate an additional $5 to Habitat for Humanity.

Our goal is raise $500 for this wonderful organization to help fund home ownership opportunities to low income households. The campaign will conclude May 6, so go ahead…be a “friend” and “like” us today.  It’s quick, easy and we can’t do it without you!

Please share this post with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.  We need your help to spread the word!

-Laura

It’s that time of the year again for the Great Northeast Home Show!  This event is the largest consumer show in upstate New York.  Each year, thousands of homeowners come to browse through products and services for their home. We’re excited to be part of the exhibition and you’re welcome to stop by our arena showroom at the Times Union Center on the concourse.

The Great Northeast Home Show will be held in Albany, NY at the Times Union Center and the Empire State Plaza from February 11-13, 2011. And don’t forget, there will also be helpful informative seminars presented by local and regional experts, including our chief cabinet guy Evan Levey.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Home Show!

Great Northeast Home Show Website

Great Northeast Home Show Schedule

-Laura

As I’ve said before, the kitchen is the heart of the home.  In that room alone, I’m planning to spend many days baking, cooking, eating and, (let’s not forget), laughing with holiday cheer.  I’ve learned that no matter how your family dynamics change, the holidays should be a time spent with loved ones. Your home or their home shouldn’t matter, as long as you can be together making new memories and reminiscing about years past!

Merry holidays,

Laura

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

-Laura

Our CCW Sponge

Also, I have been feeling a little guilty and want to apologize to anyone I didn’t get to speak with last night.  The showroom was just filled with so many wonderful people that even though I tried to circle the room as much as possible, I hope no one was overlooked!

And for those of you who were unable to make it, a special thank you goes out to our designer Justina for carving that extraordinary pumpkin!

The CCW Pumpkin

-Laura