Do your Cabinets need a Face Lift ?

Do you want to improve the look of your kitchen without paying for a full scale remodel?Cabinet Refacing may be for you.  Cabinetry Refacing is a quick and affordable way to drastically improve the look of your kitchen.

When Refacing cabinets the doors are replaced leaving the cabinet box and frame intact. Face frames (the area of the cabinet visible around the door) are re-faced to match the new doors. At KC Cabinetry we use ¼” solid wood material on the face frames to match the new doors, we also provide solid wood end panels to finish out exposed ends of cabinets.

You can choose from many wood species, painted finishes or exotic wood veneer. Update your hardware and install new drawer guides to increase the functionality of your existing cabinets.

Check out photo’s of cabinets we’ve refaced here http://kccabinetry.blogspot.com/search/label/Cabinet%20Refacing

 

How to Work with a Small Kitchen

Not everyone can be blessed with a huge, spacious kitchen that we see so often on tv. Often, we must make do with smaller spaces to cook and make meals. But when the kitchen can be such a focal point in the home, how cope?

Here are some ideas to make a small kitchen seem bigger, better, and a happier kitchen.

Work with your space:

With such a small kitchen, using the space for a myriad of things such as cooking, cleaning, entertaining, and just lounging around may not be wise. Therefore, the kitchen should be used as a space for food prep only, in order to keep out clutter and keep the space from getting even smaller. Consider smaller appliances, or those with innovative storage units.

Storage really matters, so creating a space that can hold all of your wares is key. One option is to create a galley kitchen. If you have a corridor leading to this space, line it with cabinets and cupboards to store all of your things. This will keep the kitchen more open. Deeper counter spaces can help with food prep, or even a pullout/cart counter top that can be put away when not in use.

Another storage Idea is instead of over head cupboards that can feel crowed and limit the space, is to opt for open storage. Pot racks can show off your shiny pans and add some charm, as can shelving, magnetic knife holders, or spice racks.

 Illusions:

Playing tricks on the eyes can very easily open up your kitchen and have it appear to be spacious. If you’re up for the money and time, creating an open floor plan by knocking down a wall or two can seriously help with space issues, as it makes the kitchen not limited to a confined space.

Of course, this plan is not for everyone. Simpler, less expensive ideas include installing floor tiles in a diagonal fashion, in order to make the kitchen appear longer. Placing lights under cabinets and counters can also add to the illusion, as well as creating a more warm and cheerful setting. This can also be achieved with natural light, such as placing a large window in the room, especially over the sink. Not only will this help with dish washing, but it gives the appearance of unlimited space. This can also be achieved with a pass through window or glass doors to another room.

Glass creates negative space, which enhances the feeling of spaciousness. Glass counter tops, tables, or door cabinets can expand this feeling, or even something as simple as reflective glass tile, on the floor or as a back splash.

 Color:

Don’t think that a small kitchen means you can’t have fun. Sure, pastels and light colors, along with white, can reflect light and make the room seem taller, but bright splashes of color can create a fun space for the kitchen.  Even something as simple as a bright red dish towel can create space in the kitchen.

Come in or call KC Cabinetry today to talk about your designing needs!

- Cassandra Cordova, KC Cabinetry Intern

The Other Side of Granite

Now that we’ve covered the positive sides of granite, let’s look at the whole picture.

Granite, first of all, is expensive. When considering your budget for adding a new countertop, granite can take out a huge chunk of your kitchen remodeling budget.

Part of this cost comes from granite itself, the other part comes from the labor intensive installation process. Granite is very heavy, so structural support may be needed to insure a stable counter top. At KC Cabinetry we often install custom hidden steel brackets to help support the top.

Another factor to consider is that granite lasts forever and is extremely difficult to remove. You should definitely love the color and style of granite before installing it. If you want to get rid of it, you will need to also take out the cabinets. It should be noted that each piece of granite is different, so if you are looking for uniformity, granite is not for you. Also, granite is prone to staining unless sealed. Luckily, seals can last up to 20 years.

KC Cabinetry Custom Kitchen

Verde Fuoco Granite

 

 

Now that you have what you need to know about installing granite in your home, come in to KC Cabinetry today and discuss your options for your home.

-Cassandra Cordova, KC Cabinetry intern

New Sinks From Kohler Jonathan Adler Collection

Check out these new colorful sinks from Kohler!

http://www.us.kohler.com/us/KOHLER-Colors-Featuring-Jonathan-Adler-for-the-Kitchen/content/CNT14600013.htm

Silestone

In the past years, cancer has become one of the leading causes of death in America. It has affected millions of lives, and even with the current technology, the “big c” still strikes fear in people. But there is hope. The amount of research that is conducted to cure cancer has helped us understand the disease, and hopefully, with enough time and effort, a cure can be found. That is why Silestone created the LOVE2YOU countertop series. A proceed of their sales goes towards “the fight to eliminate cancer as a major health problem through prevention, research, education, advocacy and service”.

These bright quartz countertops will make your kitchen renovation vibrant and beautiful. Not sure if color is right for you? Check out our blog on color in the kitchen to understand why some color can bring a fun edge to your kitchen. In Colorado we like select materials for kitchen remodeling that not only make the room pop and be the centerpiece of your home, but in this case we can help find a cure for cancer.

kccabinetry.com

- Cassandra Cordova, KC Cabinetry intern

“Different Wood Species” Alder

Throughout the next months, we will be discussing different types of wood that one can use for flooring or kitchen cabinets. This section of blogs will be part of the “Different Wood Species” series. The first “Different Wood Species” wood will be Alder hardwood.

Alder goes by many names, such as Western Alder, or Oregon Alder When it is first cut, the wood is white, but as it is exposed to air it darkens slightly anywhere from a pale yellow to a reddish-brown color. It is very consistent in color, though it can lighten with age and exposure to light. The grain is soft and straight, and can have small knots (1/4″ diameter). It is very smooth and when it is stained, it takes the color very well. It is a good working wood, though it is a softer hardwood and therefore easy to dent. Nails stay in with relative ease and therefore make it a good wood to use for flooring.

The lighter Alder gives the room a rustic look. It is perfect for rooms that you are trying to give a casual / country look. The darker alders have a classier appeal to them, and are great if you want to have cherry wood in your home but want a better value.

Knotty Alder, as the name suggests, has larger, but secure, knots throughout the wood. It has the same qualities as regular alder, but the knots are partially filled with black resin in order to secure it. The knots are not excessive, but have a classy appeal to them. The look furthers the rustic feel of the wood, and works very well with doors and cabinets.

KC Cabinetry offers many different brands of alder for you and your home. If you are thinking about a kitchen remodel contact KC Cabinetry today to learn more about it!

- Cassandra Cordova, KC Cabinetry intern

American Lighting Under-Cabinet Lighting

KC Cabinetry, a kitchen remodeling showroom, in Littleton CO. now carries American Lighting Products for under-cabinet lighting! American Lighting was founded in 1989 and prides itself in innovative products and high quality customer service. We use their products in any under-cabinet lighting that your home might need.

Priori Plus LED

One of the products offered is the Priori Plus LED lighting. This sleek lighting system comes in dark bronze or white and is less than an inch thick. Like all LED lights, this product has a long life (over 50,000 hours), which saves money in the long run. These are also dimmable, which means that you can lower the lights for a romantic evening or make it bright for a fun party.

Priori T2 Under cabinet lighting

American Lighting also offers Priori T2. It is also a small lighting system (less than an inch!) and comes in bronze, brushed steel, and white. It produces 30% more light than other products while saving 75% more energy than incandescent lighting. The Priori T2 comes with a 3 year warranty as well.

Priori Xenon

The Priori Xenon comes with the same colors and height as the Priori T2, but has some other qualities as well. It has magnetic clips that won’t bend or break like other clips or tabs, and they require no transformer. These dimmable lights can last up to three times longer than halogens, and the tempered glass lenses reflects light evenly.

120V Xenon Under Cabinet Lighting 

The last under-cabinet lighting system offered by American Lighting is the 120V Xenon. Similar in colors to the Priori Xenon, this lighting system produces a white light that is perfect for workstations. It is dimmable and can offer up to 80,000 hours of light life. It is safe and easy to change the xenon light bulbs with the hinged lens, and sits just over one and a half inches in height.

When you start looking into kitchen remodeling contact one of KC Cabinetry’s kitchen planers they can help you select all of the products you will need for your custom kitchen. www.kccabinetry.com

-Cassandra Cordova, KC Cabinetry Intern

The Stone-It-All: Travertine

We will be introducing a new topic of blog posts this week called “The Stone-It-All” which will inform our readers about the different types of stone that can be installed in the home. This week’s stone is travertine. Many of our homeowners select travertine for their Colorado kitchen and bath remodeling projects.

Travertine can often be called travertine marble or travertine limestone. It should be noted that travertine is not from the marble family, and while it is very similar to limestone, it is in fact its own rock. This rock forms from geothermal springs and has a distinct porous structure that comes from the water evaporating and depositing different layers of minerals. It has been used for centuries, most notably in Rome’s Colosseum, which is the world’s largest structure built from this stone. Today, it is often used in modern architecture, such as the lobby walls in the Sears Tower.

Today, travertine is used for flooring, walls, countertops, and backsplashes. Because of its porous structure and it’s lack of strength, it shouldn’t be used for flooring high traffic areas. It must be properly sealed if it’s to be used in the kitchen or bathroom, and will need to be sealed yearly. Some sealer can bring out the color of the stone. If you don’t like the holes in the stone, they can be filled with fillers, most are available in the same color.

Travertine is a beige natural stone, and therefore the color can vary. The color might consistent within the same lot, but it can also be very different. Overall, travertine is an excellent choice for adding color and texture to your home.

KC Cabinetry has numerous travertine samples and displays in their Littleton remodeling showroom. kccabinetry.com

Buds Warehouse

When renovating or remodeling your kitchen, you may wonder what we do with your old cabinets. They are most likely in good condition, and while they may not be the style you like (hence the renovation), it may seem wasteful to just throw them away or recycle them.

At KC Cabinetry, – a Litttleton CO kitchen remodeling showroom, we’re committed to not only helping you design a kitchen remodel as unique as you are, but we also strive to create a community and world that helps others and is sustainable. When we renovate a kitchen, we make sure to carefully remove the kitchen cabinets so there is little to no damage and donate them to Bud’s Warehouse.

Belay Enterprises started in 1995 with the mind-set of helping those in need and giving them the chance to start over again. In their mission statement, they strive to “partner with area churches to develop businesses to employ and job-train individuals rebuilding lives from addiction, homelessness, prison, and/or poverty, to strengthen families and neighborhoods”. They created Bud’s Warehouse, which stands for Building Unity and Dignity through Service, in order to emphasize their mission statement through a not-for-profit job training program. They employ those that are in need: the poor, the addicted, the homeless, and give them the skills through their job training that will help them to continue to succeed in life.

Bud’s Warehouse sells home improvement supplies that are donated to them through business such as ourselves and homeowners. They sell them at bargain prices, and the profits go towards helping those in needs.

As this is a donation, the cabinets and other house building materials such as windows and interior doors that we take out are eligible for tax deduction. You will receive credit for this donation as well as photo documentation.

Want to know more about Bud’s Warehouse and what you can do for those in need? Visit them at http://budswarehouse.org/, or come into KC Cabinetry today and we can let you know how renovating your home can create a better life for all.

www.kccabinetry.com

- Cassandra Cordova Highlands Ranch CO , KC Cabinetry intern

“Different Types of Wood” Cherry

We’re back again with our “Different Types of Wood” Series, this time introducing the beautiful Cherry.

This wood has been used for centuries, dating back to the ancient Greeks. They used this wood for furniture making, and found that the longer the wood was in the sun, the darker the hue became. Cherry can range from yellowish white (its sapwood counterpart) to a deep reddish brown (from the heartwood), though it is usually known for its darker hues that grow darker as they age. It has very distinctive markings that come from the tree’s gum streaks and sometimes pin knots. Usually, one wants to keep the finish for Cherry light or natural. Anything darker would take away from the wood’s natural beauty! Luckily, this wood takes finish very easily. It has a smooth texture as well, which adds to the sleek, elegant feel of the wood.

Cherry is a moderately hard wood with a very tight and closed grain. It is a great wood to work with, however it shouldn’t be used for the entire flooring, since it is not hard enough to withstand a lot of foot traffic. However, Cherry is excellent for accents, decorations, and of course, cabinets.

It should be noted that while Cherry is a beautiful wood, it is much more expensive than many woods used for cabinets and kitchen remodels. The craftsmanship used to create the furniture or cabinets is what makes the wood so expensive. However, the price should not deter you from purchasing such a beautiful wood. Come into KC Cabinetry today and we can help you decide the perfect type of wood for your home.

- Cassandra Cordova, KC Cabinetry intern www.kccabinetry.com