1549 South 300 West Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
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Has your bathroom vanity seen better days?
Wood was largely absent from bathrooms from the ’60s through the ’90s — much to the chagrin of buyers and real estate agents. It was falsely believed that a damp environment wasn’t conducive to wood. Wouldn’t it rot? Or harbor dangerous mold? Would you need to keep re-painting or re-staining year after year?
The answer to all of these questions is no. In fact, wood is one of the best choices for a bathroom vanity.
Wood doesn’t rot easily or overnight. Take a look at any construction site, and you’ll see untreated wood getting rained on for weeks at time.
Wood, even in its natural form, can stand up to rainy or wet conditions. That’s why a wooden vanity base and natural stone countertop is such a great combination.
One of the biggest problems with bathroom vanities is how quickly they go out of style.
Along with the kitchen, the bathroom is one of the most commonly remodeled rooms. You can spend a pretty penny here, so you want your remodel to last a while. Whether you choose clean and simple lines for the vanity or something more intricate and flowery, if it’s wood, you can rest easy knowing it’s timeless.
If you ever want to dramatically change the look of your vanity for an affordable price, you can always sand it, and then stain or paint it another shade or color. Going from a wooden vanity with a dark stain to a light and bright painted vanity will completely change your bathroom’s look.
Plus, unlike manmade materials, it’s easy to sand, stain and paint over chips, stains or other blemishes.
Unfortunately, a common complaint with vanities is that the drawers and/or cabinets go off track. This might be from subpar craftsmanship, constant use or a single incident.
With wood, an expert craftsman can relatively easily adjust the tracks and hardware so your vanity is like new again. That might not be feasible with another material (like particleboard) — in fact, the drawer or even the entire vanity might need replacing!
Your bathroom vanity can dramatically increase (or decrease!) your home’s value. Real wood adds beauty to your bathroom. It’s also one of the best materials to work with, and the perfect option for a room that’s often wet and humid, and where oils, creams and other products are often spilled.
Call Swirl Woodcraft today and start creating your very own custom vanity that’s sure to become the focal point of your bathroom.
A kitchen remodel is one of the best, fastest ways to add value to your home. In fact, realtors will tell you that a stunning kitchen and/or bathroom can sway buyers to offer more, pay more and even get into bidding wars.
Kitchens offer endless options for custom woodworking — and every piece will increase your home’s value more than faux wood or a ready-made piece. Even better, you can go a la carte, updating as your budget allows.
Here are some of the best options for woodworking as part of a kitchen remodel, ranked from highest to lowest impact:
1. Cabinets
Whether you like Shaker style, painted wood or a rich stain to showcase a knotty wood, custom kitchen cabinets are a real showstopper. You can extend existing cabinets to the ceiling for a gourmet kitchen feel, or finally swap out those old MDO cabinets for the real deal.
2. Add an Island
An island in an otherwise “mainland kitchen” can dramatically improve your home’s value. Everyone loves an island. Include a bar top for extra seating, and think about what you want on the surface itself. It might be an extra farmhouse sink for prep work, or a stovetop.
3. Butler’s Pantry
Tucked away from the main kitchen, your butler’s pantry is where you can prepare drinks, appetizers and keep extra dishes, like the good China. Unfortunately, a butler’s pantry doesn’t come with a butler, but for busy and crowded kitchens, it provides the extra space and relief you need.
4. A Walk-In Pantry
Maximize your kitchen storage with a walk-in pantry, complete with wooden shelves or custom cabinetry. As more and more people are (thankfully!) cooking at home, those tiny kitchens of yore just aren’t cutting it. Adding a pantry will help you eat healthier by allowing more room for storage while increasing your home’s value.
5. Add a Wet Bar:
A dedicated space for cocktails, a coffee bar, tea bar, or whatever you prefer, is a surefire way to entertain like a pro. No matter what your beverage of choice, if you’re passionate about it, you have plenty of bottles and accoutrements that you don’t want mixed in with your other kitchen utensils. A wet bar complete with wooden cabinetry, shelves and maybe even a horseshoe bar itself is the ultimate focal point for entertainment.
6. Open Shelves
Want to display your favorite vintage cookware? Open shelves can be a fantastic option, especially if you go with reclaimed wood. It’s fast and there’s minimal disruption to your kitchen routine during remodeling. It also costs less than adding more cabinets.
Is your kitchen everything it could be? Call Swirl Woodcraft today and get on the fast track to making your dream kitchen a reality with a kitchen remodel.
Why should you hire a cabinetmaker instead of buying a ready-made vanity, bookcase, headboard or other piece of furniture in a store or online? That’s like asking why you would have a birthday cake custom made instead of picking up a generic one at the local supermarket.
Yes, that generic cake might taste all right, and it might even have “Happy Birthday” scrawled across the top, but is it exactly what the birthday boy or girl wants? Is it the right flavors, was it made fresh and does it have that personal touch that makes it special? Of course not.
The same goes for cabinetry and other woodworking. Plus, the best cabinetmakers have some tricks up their sleeves that may surprise you. Here’s why you should depend on a cabinetmaker instead of a ready-made piece:
A lot of people assume custom cabinetry is going to be a lot more expensive than a ready-made piece. That’s not necessarily true. Custom cabinetry can be surprisingly affordable, but it all comes down to the materials and details you choose. However, the same is true of a ready-made piece. Get a quote from a local cabinetmaker, and you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised.
Do you have a unique space, a troublingly angled kitchen, or other special needs? Getting a perfect fit with a ready-made piece will be difficult — that’s just how it goes. However, you can get the exact shape, size and customization you need with custom cabinetry.
One of the first features home shoppers and realtors notice is custom cabinetry. Custom cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom, built-ins throughout and other permanent features of a home add immense value. Who doesn’t want a home that appraises for a higher price, whether you plan to sell or not?
You want a bathroom vanity that features an exotic wood and your name prominently carved into each cabinet? You got it — as long as you have a custom cabinetmaker in your corner. For those with unique or eclectic tastes, the only way to get just what you want is to go custom. If you don’t, you know you’re settling.
Have you been having trouble finding a certain kind of wood for an affordable price, or hardware that matches what you’ve dreamed up? Custom cabinetmakers have some serious connections, and they’re more than happy to go above and beyond to give their customers what they want.
There’s no comparison between custom cabinets and ready-made options. Get started on your dream project today by calling Swirl Woodcraft, your local custom cabinetmakers who have seen it all, made it all, and are eager to take on whatever project you have in mind.
Custom bookcases-turned-headboards provide a unique place for you to store books, display photos or keep your most-used items. Do you need a bookcase headboard? If you’re short on space, looking for something new or simply looking to blend art with purpose, the answer is yes. Check out these reasons a personalized book-geared headboard is a must.
If you’re a bibliophile, you’re always picking up new books. Don’t miss out on the huge expanse of bare wall that’s right above your head. Choose the most beautiful or most prized books from your bookshelf and transfer them to the headboard. This frees up more space for those stacks of books on the floor or crammed under the coffee table.
Books are more than an escape and a passion. They are also stunning pieces of art in their own right. Your first editions, signed copies and childhood favorites hold a special place in your heart. Consider arranging the books in your headboard by color to create a stunning rainbow above your head that puts the artwork you have there now to shame.
Most headboards don’t really serve a purpose and are the lazy person’s way to take up wall space. Unless you live in a sprawling mansion, space for most people is limited. Bedside tables don’t provide much room in those single drawers, so look (literally) above and beyond. A bookcase headboard gives you plenty of space to keep bed-centric items like smartphones and alarm clocks.
Remember that these are also a great options for kids’ rooms where there’s no such thing as too much storage. Stuffed animals, those oversized picture books and extra blankets easily can be grabbed from this perch. Kids also can reach items themselves more easily when they’re stored on a headboard, which can promote self-sufficiency. It’s also a great transitional piece for Junior’s first “real” bed, when parents still need to keep lotions and pacifiers within easy reach.
The great thing about bookcase headboards is that they’ll never go out of style. If you get tired of what’s on the shelves, simply switch it up. Handcrafted furniture is high-quality, solid wood that can easily be stained, painted or finished to match new bedroom decor. Unlike some of those other trendy headboards, this is an affordable investment that will never go out of style.
Getting that customized bookcase headboard is simpler than you think. Compare styles with ease when working with a woodcrafter, and consider just how many items you have that need shelf space. It’s much easier to start designing the right headboard when that stack of un-homed books is right at your feet.
Call Swirl Woodcraft today and begin designing your very own custom bookcases that double as headboards.
Custom bookcases go with autumn like pumpkin pie goes with whipped cream. Now that the weather’s cooled down, it’s the perfect time to curl up with a stack of books next to a roaring fire and a gorgeous custom bookcase. There’s no such thing as too much (book) storage, and having a space to feed a reading addiction encourages everyone in your family to read more, stare at screens less and enjoy the thrill of book collecting.
Books, like people, come in all shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, standardized bookcases don’t bear this in mind. If you have a penchant for oversized coffee table books or children’s picture books, standard bookcases might not be deep enough. Prefer smaller paperbacks, perfect for traveling? Some bookcases might be needlessly deep for these, or the shelves might be too far apart, wasting space.
The Perfect Harvest Gift
Autumn and winter have you staying at home more often, preferring lazy weekends inside reading, unlike raucous summer weekends spent out and about. You should always aim to create a peaceful, welcoming home space — but it’s even more vital in the winter. Adding a customized wine cellar or kitting out the kitchen with custom cabinets adds great value to your home (as well as an excuse to entertain). However, if you want a special treat just for you and your family, nothing trumps a custom bookcase.
As an added bonus, bookcases are relatively affordable, especially compared to a wine cellar or new cabinets. You can handpick the type of wood, design, stain or paint to make this heirloom piece of furniture your own. Go contemporary with a sleek glossy finish, a little wacky with slanted shelves and bright colors, or vintage chic with a distressed finished, thick, solid wood.
A Bookcase of One’s Own
Books are personal, beloved items. Shouldn’t your custom bookcase reflect that? Each room is a prime spot for a bookcase, and you can’t have too many of them. Design a slender model for the kitchen, perhaps with doors to protect your favorite cookbooks from grease splashes. Create a complete library in your spare bedroom, with space leftover for a pullout bed. Bookcases look fantastic in every room, from the dining room to your office.
Customized bookcases are also a great gift, and right in time for the holidays. Give the bookworms in your life the ultimate present: even more space to store their collection. Take it to the next level and accompany the bookcase with a first edition of their favorite book or author. Ready to get started? Call Swirl Woodcraft today for custom bookcases and all your additional woodworking needs.
Using a custom kitchen design can create a seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors. The days of clearly distinct kitchen and patio areas are no more, and it makes sense, considering many people have yards and gardens that they rarely get time to enjoy. And you don’t even have to wait for a warm, sunny day to enjoy fabulous outdoor space when you have a fire pit for s’mores, a pergola or a hot tub.
Homeowners are seeking a merging between the back door and the patio, and they want it to look natural and be attractive. Outdoor living has been touting luxury digs for a few years — lavish, covered areas feature draped mosquito netting during the muggy season, and the furniture looks like it should be inside, but is designed to withstand a range of temperatures.
Taking the Kitchen Outside
A big trend is outdoor pizza ovens. You can enjoy a truly handmade pizza, served on a stone, from a personal oven. Outdoor fireplaces and heat lamps are also getting more popular, allowing for a fantastic change from another family dinner at the kitchen table.
Back yards have long been a mecca for meals, but they’re no longer restricted to the occasional summer barbeque. Some homeowners are growing edible gardens that make it easy to grab a handful of strawberries or herbs to add to a home-cooked meal. That’s taking local and organic to the extreme, and it also saves you some money at the grocery store.
Utilitarian Purposes
Most luxury outdoor living spaces feature stone flooring. This makes cleaning up a breeze, and helps keep the actual indoor space more pristine. It might seem like a simple perk, but it’s a huge time saver (especially for large families).
Simply getting outside is becoming more and more difficult these days, but there are more benefits to it than just getting fresh air. When you’re outside, you’re often naturally more relaxed. Some deluxe patios feature outdoor TVs that are made to withstand plunging temperatures. However, an electronics-free zone is still desirable, too.
Use What You Have
Many families are short on space. Remember that you have the entire property. Your yard is more than just an option for Fido late at night or the place you host one barbeque per year. Enjoy your space and live in it, because that’s what it’s there for.
When you encourage your family to enjoy the entire property, you’re also getting rid of routine. Do you really want another night of ordering out and piling up on the couch to watch TV? That can be great some nights, but spread out and see what’s literally right in your back yard. Contact Swirl Woodcraft to help you with your innovative custom kitchen design.
A kitchen remodel makes the biggest impact on a home’s value. If you can only remodel one room, the heart of the home should be it. However, just like any trend, kitchen trends can come and go. What’s in store for 2016? And if a remodel or upgrade is in your future, how can you stay ahead of the curve?
Bowl sinks had a good, long run, but slowly, apron sinks are becoming the choice du jour for kitchens. Granite countertops are stunning, but now people are realizing quartz is just as gorgeous while also being maintenance-free. However, it’s the wood products in the kitchen that are really stealing the show.
If you never plan to sell, feel free to remodel your kitchen as you see fit. It can include shag carpeting and ditching the island if you never use it. However, most homeowners want to beautify their kitchen while ensuring a bolstered home value. Here are some of the hottest trends coming up, and why you should consider adding them to your kitchen:
1. Natural, No-Frill, Wooden Cabinets Reaching to the Ceiling
Natural products always trump manufactured alternatives. The best upgrade you can make is with solid wood custom cabinets soaring all the way to the ceiling. Choose a sustainable material, such as bamboo (technically not a wood, but within the family) with clean lines for staying power. You can re-sand and stain or paint them to your heart’s content.
2. Built-ins
Built-ins dramatically improve the beauty and value of your home. In the kitchen, you can add a built-in dry or wet bar, secretary desk, butler’s pantry and more. Add a built-in bench in the breakfast nook, or opt for a built-in bookcase to hold your cookbook collection.
3. Kitchen Fireplaces
Who wouldn’t want to enjoy a romantic dinner fireside? Eat-in kitchens are functional, space-saving and becoming more in demand than formal dining rooms. Complete this part of the kitchen with a fireplace, perhaps dual-sided if there’s a bedroom or family room on the other side. A customized mantle completes this feature.
4. An Accompanying Wine Room
No cellar? No problem. If there’s space for an add-on pantry, wine room or liquor room, this is a great addition for those who love to entertain. Choose a window-free area and have a personalized shelving system installed to perfectly suit your specific bottles and accoutrements.
5. Custom Dining Table
Nothing’s a bigger scene stealer than a solid wood, custom dining table crafted to perfectly fit into your nook or dining room. It’s an instant heirloom, a gathering place for loved ones and is surprisingly more affordable than many homeowners imagine.
In 2016, kitchen trends are pointing toward being all about natural beauty and bringing everyone together. Wood and natural stone products are a great way to achieve this. Connect with Swirl Woodcraft today to start discussing kitchen remodeling trends you’d like to incorporate.
Fill your custom bookcases with whatever strikes your fancy, from first editions to graphic novels to beloved paperbacks with sentimental value. Any bookworm knows that every book is unique — and the same should be true of your bookcase. Maybe you have a penchant for oversized coffee table books and need deeper shelving designed to fit unorthodox sizes. Maybe you envision a specific finish or shape that you haven’t been able to find in pre-constructed bookcases. Perhaps you just want to create an heirloom that showcases your love of literature.
Custom bookcases are exactly what they sound like: fully personalized shelving that reflects who you are as a reader and as the designer of your home. There are no limits when it comes to materials, size, shape, shelving and color. Working with a professional cabinetmaker can make what seems like an overwhelming process a truly enjoyable one.
Is this the year you’ll add custom bookcases to your home? Consider the following specifics involved in choosing a bookcase:
Building a custom bookcase is a fantastic gift to yourself or for a loved one. It celebrates something close to your heart: books and all they entail. Call Swirl Woodcraft today and get started on your own custom bookcase — then start filling those shelves.
You’ve identified a cabinet maker with a great portfolio and reviews, but what next? Cabinet makers are part artisan and part contractor with various skills, specialties and levels of customer service. New cabinets in the kitchen offer some of the best ROI compared to other home upgrades, so make this investment count. Cabinets come with endless options for design and features, and are easily the costliest part of your kitchen. Make the most of them by asking your potential cabinet maker the following key questions.
Finally, don’t forget to ask about installation being included. It’s not a given. This hidden cost might put you way over budget.
For local, superior cabinetry, depend on Swirl Woodcraft. Contact their cabinet makers today to discuss your project and get on track to bringing it to life.
You’ll see kitchen design remodels, renovations, updates and tricks on nearly any HGTV show you watch. After all, the kitchen is the central nervous system of the home, and the place where a lot of great memories are made. It’s where you make holiday cookies, create delectable dishes, work on homework, unwind and cook a meal for your promising paramour. You can show off your skills here and your tastes — it’s no wonder kitchen remodels are the first stop for any designer.
For a relatively small space (although they are getting bigger!), kitchens pack a lot of punch. Considering the amount of real estate involved, some kitchen design updates can be quite costly. In fact, cabinets are an expensive item in any home. They can also instantly transform a kitchen, making it look dated if the wrong design, color or hardware is chosen. When you’re updating your kitchen, you want a design that gives you the most bang for your buck.
Here are the most impactful kitchen design remodels for the highest return on investment:
Your kitchen design tells your guests who you are. For a customized look on any budget, contact Swirl Woodcraft and let the kitchen design experts go to work for you.
