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A new year, a new kitchen design?
If you’ve been dreaming about a kitchen remodel, take advantage of January’s relatively slow construction month to revamp the most popular room in the house.
This year, the open-space trend continues with big kitchens featuring nooks and at-the-bar dining spaces to encourage family and friends to snack, cook and dine together. However, some throwbacks are also coming into style again.
Butlers’ pantries were a must up until early 20th century, but when having butlers and other help became less common, so did their pantries. Now, butlers’ pantries are back in full force, allowing for a segue between kitchens and formal dining spaces where you can store flatware, silverware and other dining accoutrements. Just like plus-sized laundry spaces, butlers’ pantries are experiencing a revival.
Built-ins are also topping dream lists, and they’re no longer just for great rooms. You’ll find built-in china huts, buffets and even kitchen bookshelves to showcase your best cookbooks. Wood craftsmanship is being embraced with either a stain to show off the natural grain, or a paint that’s a light and neutral color to optimize space and light.
You’ll need more than a natural stone countertop to make a splash in 2017 kitchens. Additional touches include waterfall edges, sandblasting, and mixing and matching stone with butcher’s block and cement (especially when the kitchen island features a different material). These are all unique ways to show off your style.
If a massive kitchen design renovation is in the works, consider the space above the kitchen sink. If your sink isn’t on an island, add a window (or picture window!) behind it, particularly if you have a lovely view. Such a move makes doing the dishes a little more palatable, and instantly draws the eye toward your trending farmhouse sink. Upgrade to touchless faucets to marry traditionalism with modernity.
Adding a Dutch door and a “pie-cooling shelf” to your kitchen gives you all the charm of the 1950s, but without the smaller kitchen footprint common in that era. Alternatively, French doors leading into the back yard, outdoor kitchen or patio offer extra natural light and an extra-wide berth when carrying out those platters of goodies.
Add touches to your cabinetry to up the ante, like foregoing toe kicks at the bottom of your cupboards for a flush to-the-floor finish. Not only does this provide a more polished look, it also stops dirt and debris from hiding. Bringing the cupboards all the way to the ceiling is a dramatic finish, or you can opt for the popular staggered cabinet look to shake things up.
Adding frosted French glass doors to all cabinets — or just a few focal ones — is a kitchen design trend that’s here to stay. However, instead of clear glass, the frosted glass (or stained glass) helps you hide clutter and mismatched dishes.
For more kitchen design ideas, contact Swirl Woodcraft today.
Custom cabinetry for the holidays is a gift that will be treasured for years to come.
Whether your loved one wants a new kitchen, bathroom vanity or custom cupboards or bookcases, it’ll take some strategizing to pull this off. Unless you know exactly what the recipient wants, it’s risky to pick wood, styles and finishes for them. Instead, come up with a creative way to let them know new cabinetry is slated to be in their stocking this year.
Talk with your local custom cabinetry experts to help set your budget. Prices vary based on the size and scope of the project, the kind of custom woodwork you have in mind, the type of wood and finishes, and (if applicable) your timeline. A kitchen remodel is pricey, but ordering a smaller, custom wooden piece can be budget friendly.
Custom cabinetry is a dream item for many homeowners. However, if you can’t afford a whole kitchen full of new cabinets, consider an island or a dry or wet bar. Vanities in smaller bathrooms are usually more affordable, too. Your cabinetmaker will be happy to work with your needs.
Custom-carved fireplace mantels are a fitting holiday gift, and you can find plenty of holiday-specific ways to gift them. You can wrap stockings, which will be hung from the new mantel next year, and put an explanatory note inside.
Wine cellars, closets, entertainment centers and tables are other custom woodworking options. Handcrafted, these gifts are guaranteed to become heirlooms.
If you’re sure you want to gift cabinetry, you might not be sure where to get started. Getting custom cabinets is a big deal, but can be even more overwhelming when it’s a gift.
If you want to keep the cabinets a surprise while ensuring the recipient loves them, define your budget before talking to a cabinetmaker to help speed up the process. Your cabinetmaker will know exactly what styles, woods and more fit within your parameters.
You can gift something small that works as a clue, like a single cabinet knob or a quart of wood stain. These will allow the recipient to guess what the real present is. Cutting out photos of gourmet kitchen cabinets also works. If you’re gifting cabinets, you’re probably sure that the recipient wants and needs them.
If the recipient is a spouse, partner or someone else who lives with you, deciding on the details together can be a fun part of the gift. Even better, if you start working with a cabinetmaker right after 2017 begins, the final product will likely be ready by Valentine’s Day. Call Swirl Woodcraft for all your custom cabinet and woodworking gifts.
Bathroom vanities need to look good and function well, so you can be organized and efficient.
No matter how big (or small) your bathroom, if it seems like you always need more space, your bathroom vanities aren’t doing their jobs.
For starters, make sure you have the right wood for your needs.
You can craft bathroom vanities out of a variety of materials, but cabinetmakers will tell you wood is best. Ideally, choose a wood that’s highly durable, since a bathroom is a busy area of your home. Homeowners increasingly want woods that are sustainable and local to their regions, and a good cabinetmaker will help you identify matches. A finish coat seals the wood, waterproofing it and adding more protection.
Bathroom Vanities from the Inside Out
Quality cabinetmakers have an eye for design, but with a utilitarian perspective. For example, some bathrooms have a wraparound vanity to make the most of that corner section. Installing a Lazy Susan is a great way to maximize space — it gives you easy access to the far corners of your bathroom. Installing toe kicks below the vanity lets you get closer to the mirror to apply makeup, shave and perform other grooming tasks.
Soft-close cabinet doors are a must for many people, especially if you have children in the home. What you want your interior cabinets to look like, from size to custom storage and spacing, is up to you!
Some homeowners want tall cabinets with minimal (or removable) shelving because they stock up on economy-sized shampoos, cleaning products or toilet paper. Others prefer smaller drawers with customized spaces for their big makeup collections.
Talk Out Your Fantasy Bathroom
Some people have never thought about their dream bathroom vanity. You’ve probably always moved right into a home that already had a bathroom vanity. However, everyone uses their bathroom vanities differently.
Some need more cabinets, others prefer drawers and everybody has different products stored in the bathroom. Talking to your cabinetmaker about your daily primping routines can help you design the ideal bathroom vanity.
The hardware and stain or paint you choose can also make a big difference. For instance, some hardware is tough to use if you have big hands. And if you’re prone to getting hair dye or eye shadow all over the bathroom, you might want to stay away from light stains and paints!
Think about how you honestly use your bathroom vanities, and make notes well before you meet with your cabinetmaker. You’ll get a good idea of the kind of bathroom vanity you really need.
Working with a local cabinetmaker who listens is the key to bathroom vanities you’ll love. Call Swirl Woodcraft today, and schedule an appointment to discuss bathroom vanities, or any other cabinet or wood project you have in mind!
Custom bookcases are popular, whether you’re a certified bibliophile or haven’t read a book for pleasure since Ramona the Pest was the hottest story in the schoolyard.
Books are innately calming and provide elegance and intimacy to any room. Every book is unique, and you can arrange them by color, genre, author or however you like. Unfortunately, many bookcases aren’t nearly as unique, which is why so many homeowners are asking for custom bookcases with character that still serve a utilitarian purpose.
A custom bookcase can be a “built-in,” which can seriously up a home’s value, or it can be a stand-alone piece that you can move around the home or take with you should you ever sell.
Arranging a bookcase can make a huge difference. It can look cluttered, or it can look like it belongs in a home design magazine. However, it all starts with the bones (or, in this case, the bookcase).
Custom Bookcases as a Foundation
Choose a high-quality wood, and a stain or paint that will really make your books pop. A light-colored stain or paint in the white spectrum provides a contrasting frame for books. Light colors are clean, bright, and can make a room look larger while also complementing baseboards and crown molding, since they are commonly white.
Alternatively, a dark, rich, wood stain harkens back to those luxurious home libraries of yore.
If you’re creating an actual library in your home, sometimes you need to indulge your inner book geek and go with a mahogany or deep cherry wood stain. These also frame your books and make a room look more intimate and cozy. Add in a custom fireplace mantel and you’ll make your entire book club jealous!
Styling Your Bookcase
Dress up the back of your bookcase with a gorgeous wallpaper/shelf liner or custom paint job. Just because the frame of the custom bookcase is a classic color doesn’t mean you can’t play with the back! Wallpaper is relatively easy to swap out, so go ahead and use that daring pattern or color.
Your bookcase is a layer — the back and frame are on two different planes, and your books and your tchotchkes are the final, top layer. Complementing instead of matching colors (flavors) is best.
Stack your books in various ways, put them side by side, arrange them by size or color-coordinate them. No matter how your books are aligned, try to keep the stacks to no more than seven books. Any more and it looks like they’re being crammed onto any available shelf space.
Let Your Bookcase Breathe
Many people are tempted to fill up a custom bookcase, and that’s a mistake. Space is paramount, plus it lets you show off your bookcase.
To get started on your own custom bookcase design, contact Swirl Woodcraft, and team up with an expert.
You’re deep into your kitchen design, and know you want French doors with wood frames. Or maybe your heart is set on traditional shaker cabinets, or a one-of-a-kind etched design.
What all high-quality cabinet doors have in common is their wood frames. However, how do you know which woods are the most durable and suitable for your environment?
Genuine wood (as opposed to bamboo or manufactured wood) make the best kitchen cabinets because they’re sturdy and moisture resistant, much like trees in nature. With so many high-quality woods suitable for kitchens, part of the decision is a personal one.
For example, if you love the look of dark wood but your kitchen is on the small side, lighter woods can make the room appear bigger. Your home’s theme (such as rustic versus modern) also can dictate wood choices, because a knotty alder works better in a traditional home than a contemporary one.
And you can always paint wood so that the natural grain, knots and color are moot points!
“Wood” You Rather …
The most popular cabinet woods are maple, hickory, oak, cherry and pine. Oak has maintained its status as the most popular for several years, but all five of these options are abundant and readily available. Oak is a favorite because it’s the simplest to finish or stain and comes in a variety of natural colors, from light beige to dark chocolate. It also offers a variety of pronounced grains, so it’s a natural statement piece in your kitchen.
Cherry is a little softer, but still more than tough enough. It’s more versatile than oak, but does come with the highest price tag. The myriad natural colors, including the famous deep red, along with the fine grain, make it a popular pick for many homeowners. It fits in well with many styles, including mid-century and contemporary, and can even work in rustic environments, providing warmth to any room.
Maybe Maple for Kitchen Designs
Two primary types of maple are used often for cabinets, including soft and hard. Soft options come in silver and red, similar to cherry. Darker maples in this category are from sugar or black maple trees, and offer a harder wood. Dark maples are similar to oak, but lighter in color. However, maple is easy to stain and will turn just about any shade while still letting those natural grains shine through.
Hickory is by far the toughest American wood, and offers a wide range of colors from white to deep brown. It stains well, and multiple species are abundant.
Pine is a soft wood that can dent easily, but many homeowners fall in love with its knotty look. It’s perfect for cabins, and it’s the most affordable option.
To customize your cabinets and achieve the kitchen design of your dreams, contact Swirl Woodcraft today.
Bathroom vanities take a lot of abuse, from scalding hot curling irons to staining hair dyes. Water, hair-care products and self-tanners all can do damage.
Wood is one of the most popular, luxurious and in-demand materials for cabinets in the bathroom, but how do you keep it safeguarded?
With a number of sealants and high-grade paints and stains to choose from, one of the best habits you can adopt is wiping up water as soon as you notice it on the wood. Right after washing your face, taking a shower or bath, or otherwise getting liquid near your vanities, do a quick check for any spills.
If you’re remodeling your vanity and have the option, a generous countertop overhang can dramatically help keep the wood protected.
A Clear Coating
Both countertops and cabinets alike should be covered with a good sealant. Natural stone countertops always should be sealed against porousness (manmade materials are often naturally stain proof and waterproof).
Wooden cabinets should be safeguarded with a water-resistant paint and/or clear coating. This provides much-needed protection from warping and discoloration.
For those who prefer the beauty of natural wood, it’s much simpler to sand away any stains or small areas of damage before re-staining. In some cases, if you want to rescue older wooden cabinets, this is the best approach to simultaneously modernize them and protect them. It could be a DIY project, but if that’s your approach, make sure you talk with your local home improvement store for the best sealant and stain for your type of wood.
It’s What’s on the Inside that Counts
Sometimes it’s not water that causes the damage. If you overload your drawers and cabinets with potentially damaging products, you increase the odds of a spill that might take months for you to notice. Keep all products in waterproof containers (the dollar store is an excellent source for reliable and affordable options).
Aim to keep your vanity as a storage place solely for items you really need. Except for a first-aid kit and supplies, if you haven’t used a product in the past year, you probably won’t.
Lining your bathroom vanities with shelf paper is an easy way to keep the insides protected while also personalizing your space. Maybe you really wanted a bright pink and gold bathroom vanity, but knew you might get sick of that scheme and that it likely wouldn’t increase your property value. However, you can easily swap out the quirkiest of shelf liners as you see fit.
For more tips on sustaining your bathroom vanities, contact Swirl Woodcraft today.
If your kitchen cabinets have water damage, it’s probably right below the sink.
Some of us are a little too aggressive when we wash our hands, dishes or when we’re throwing away wet containers. Even the highest quality wooden cabinets need a little extra support to prevent water damage, especially if the area is consistently damp over several years.
Water damage can have many symptoms, from severe warping to a washed-out finish. Blistering, peeling and a dull sheen are all signs of possible water damage.
Sometimes water damage can be a sign of weakness in the finishing process of cabinets. A good varnish or lacquer can prevent water damage, but not if it isn’t applied correctly. Some manufacturers only apply two layers (3 millimeters of thickness), but about 5.5 mm is recommended, and you can only achieve this with a minimum of three layers. The end grain of a cabinet door and the joints are especially prone to damage when lacquer isn’t thick enough.
End grain (the frame of a cabinet that holds the panel in place) has a lot of open pores that need to be filled with finish—otherwise they’ll get filled with water! Water can get trapped in wood well below the surface, condensing below the finish in a way similar to what can happen with skylights.
Eventually it will blister through, exposing raw wood that’s even more prone to water damage. It’s a vicious cycle.
Water also penetrates where the panel and frame meet at the cabinet door bottom where water can trickle down and sit on the edge. The droplets settle into the frame groove, get absorbed into the raw wood below and cause the same blistering problem. Even if you have a nice, thick lacquer, always wipe up water immediately just to play it safe.
Investing in brand-new cabinets? Prevent damage by making sure your cabinet maker uses a spray lacquer, paste wax or varnish. Wax goes on the easiest, but needs to be re-applied twice per year. Only paste wax should be used. Sprays and varnishes last much longer, but are tricky to apply and must be done outdoors for safety.
A cabinetmaker should readily offer this service and build it into your quote for custom cabinets.
Old and/or damaged cabinet doors require a spray finish to complete their restoration. Coating them first with special paint thinner, and then drying, sanding and spot staining in the case of raw spots might be necessary. A final staining/painting followed by a spray finish completes the job.
If this sounds like a lot of work, it is! That’s why most home renovators prefer to have a professional take care of cabinet door damage.
For all your custom cabinet needs, whether you’re building, renovating or want your kitchen cabinets restored to their glory days, call Swirl Woodcraft to connect with a local cabinet expert.
Cabinets make a big statement in your kitchen, and “going French” isn’t for the faint of heart.
There are many options for this open feeling, from etched glass to clear, traditional white painted wood to a rich stain, and even smoky or stained glass. Some homeowners go truly bare-faced and put no doors or glass on their cabinets at all! But is that a wise move?
Traditional French kitchen cabinets are truly timeless, particularly when featuring clear glass. Keep in mind that many colored glass and etched designs might be trendy right now, but could date your kitchen in a few years. But the catch with clear glass is, most homeowners feel obligated to keep their cabinet innards clean, organized and grouped by color.
Winning at Showcasing Interior Cabinets
You might also feel the need to paint or re-paint cabinet interiors, add wallpaper or hide some necessary but not very pretty kitchen supplies. The idea of a junk cabinet goes out the window (fortunately junk drawers can stay). French cabinets with clear glass provide an excellent platform for showcasing beautiful serving collections, fine china, pretty foods in glass jars, and the like.
It may serve you well to look in your current cabinets and imagine how easy it would be to “pretty them up.” There’s no rule that you have to store only high-end, attractive, quality items in French cabinets. Grouping together bright boxes of cereal in complementary colors, canned foods or your good pots and pans can all look great behind French doors.
Shabby vs. Shabby Chic
Remember the kitchen in Friends? It had no cabinet doors whatsoever, but the look jived with the rest of the apartment, which epitomized shabby chic. The brightly painted wood of the cabinet frames, exposed brick, hanging pans, and 1950s style fridge brought the entire look together. However, doing shabby chic right (or “French country” in today’s trending lingo) takes a special touch.
A great cabinet maker will work with you to design an open, airy, shabby chic feel that works with the architecture of your home and current kitchen style. However, do keep in mind that many homeowners appreciate having opaque cabinet doors (glass or otherwise) so they don’t have to worry about keeping yet another part of their home neat and tidy 24/7.
Upgrading Your Kitchen
Another point to keep in mind is that traditional French country cabinets with glass inserts can increase a home’s value. It’s classic, high-end and appeals to many home buyers. Going a little off course with no cabinet doors might not be as appealing. If you plan to sell your home soon, you may want to think twice about baring it all.
There’s also a cost associated with glass inserts, and you will likely pay a premium for French cabinets. Talk with Swirl Woodcraft experts today to find out which option is best for your style, your home and your budget.
Custom bookcases can increase a home’s value and provide personalized solutions for bibliophiles. Why go custom when you can find bookcases in all sizes and colors ready-made in stores?
The same reason custom kitchen cabinets are better than ready-made: The bookcases are created just for you, your space, your style. The odds of finding a French oak bookcase in just the right dimensions with the correct shelving distances are slim to none.
With ready-made bookcases, the best you can do is “close enough,” and even that can require some DIY additions (like painting or staining). Bookcases with adjustable shelving can help, but many times these setups are either unstable, low-quality or both.
To really show off your collectibles, whether it’s books or other treasures, only custom will do.
Where to Book It
Some homeowners are fulfilling a fantasy of having their very own library with floor-to-ceiling shelving, a cozy chair and maybe even a rolling ladder a la every British period movie you’ve ever seen. Others want a custom headboard bookcase designed to fit their space.
You can get really adventurous with round bookcases, hidden bookcases and more. That’s the great part of custom — you can let your imagination run wild.
Discuss your needs with your cabinetmaker to ensure the shelving will be ideal for your collection. For instance, some people collect children’s picture books or art books, which are often oversized and/or oddly shaped.
Some books are heavier than others and require additional support. Custom bookcases can come with adjustable shelving too, which looks worlds better than any ready-made option.
Built-in or Moveable?
A trend is re-emerging with new and custom homes: built-ins in the great room/living room and den. Tour an older home and you’ll find built-ins galore. These features used to be prominent in great rooms, butlers’ pantries and formal dining rooms.
In recent decades, homes became bare-bones, and homeowners had to haul in their own bookcases, display cases, hutches and buffets.
If you really want to increase your home’s value, built-ins are a great way to do it. They give character and depth to any room. Couple them with custom wood window frames, ornate crown molding and thicker wooden baseboards to really make an impression.
Built-in bookcases also pair perfectly with wainscoting and coffered or recessed ceilings.
A Library Just for You
Showcasing your books ensures you’re surrounded by beautiful words you love. It shows off your taste, personality, and is a great conversation starter. Plus, the smell of old books is an aroma that’s irreplaceable. Books make any room instantly intimate and warm.
Start building your custom bookcase or built-in today with the help of experts who have every imaginable wood and style at their fingertips. Call Swirl Woodcraft today for a free, no-pressure estimate on custom bookcases, vanities, cabinets and more.
Is hiring a cabinet maker on your to-do list?
If so, you don’t want to leave out any crucial questions. Hiring a cabinet maker is like hiring an employee (well, technically a contractor). The right questions can help you pinpoint the best professional for the job, and steer you clear of red flags.
One of the first questions should always be whether they’re licensed, bonded and insured. Once you decide to hire someone, get a copy of all his or her licenses for your own records.
It’s always a great idea to start out with recommendations from family, friends and online sites, but remember that just because a cabinet maker worked out for Uncle Bob doesn’t mean the same will be true for you.
Here are a few more questions to ask as you go through the interview process:
It’s not vital to hire someone with decades of experience. You can find some quality cabinet makers that are new on the scene and who might have a contemporary style that matches yours. Still, experience does count for a lot.
Cabinet making will always have some contingencies; that’s just the nature of the beast. However, good cabinet makers will be able to give you a reasonable price range and stick to it. They should break down the costs for material and labor so you know exactly what you’re getting.
You’re not the expert on cabinet making, they are. Cabinet makers should be able to clearly explain, in laymen’s terms, their process so you can understand it. If they can’t, then they won’t be able to communicate clearly on anything else either.
Like price, there may be some contingencies here. Since the kitchen and/or bathroom is a high-traffic area, you want the job done as soon as possible. In some cases, homeowners temporarily move out if they’re renovating all bathrooms and kitchens since it’s not 1) feasible to live there or 2) necessarily safe if you have allergies. A fast turnover is a must, so you don’t want to hire a slowpoke.
You need to actually follow up on these references, and always ask if the person gave permission to be a reference. A solid cabinet maker will have core group of satisfied customers. However, these are easy to fake, and therefore it’s crucial to actually make that call.
Materials and the cabinet maker him or herself should come with both guarantees and warranties. There’s no standard for warranties, but you’ll be able to tell what’s normal after you talk to a few cabinet makers. If they won’t stand by their work, that’s a big red flag.
Hiring a cabinet maker isn’t overly time consuming, and is the only way you can pursue quality craftsmanship. Call Swirl Woodcraft today and talk to a professional cabinet maker about your upcoming project.
