Custom Kitchen Blog

Where to Place Your Kitchen Cabinetry Hardware

Does it go in the middle of the drawer, on the edge or nowhere at all?

Remodeling a kitchen can be a daunting undertaking. There are so many decisions to make that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. And just when the end of your remodel is in sight, your contractor asks one last question: “Where would you like the hardware placed on your cabinetry?”

It probably never occurred to you that there are placement options for your hardware. Like most design options, placement is based on a combination of tried-and-true design solutions and one’s own aesthetic. Let’s explore hardware placement so that when your contractor comes asking you’ll be prepared.

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Investment in Kitchen and Bath Design

As the housing recovery continues, homeowners investment in their kitchens and bathrooms remains a key focus. Kitchens in particular have solidified their standing as the center of operations within the home. Residential architects also report very healthy business conditions at their firms. Energy efficiency, water conservation, and healthy home concerns are prevalent in the homeowner product choices in kitchens and baths. Likewise, accessibility considerations are often reflected in the planning for these areas of the home.

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October is National Kitchen and Bath Month

During October, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) will celebrate Kitchen & Bath Month by helping consumers enhance the value of their homes with the free downloadable NKBA Kitchen Planner and NKBA Bath Planner. As celebration of the month, the NKBA and its members are donating products to the Storehouse of World Vision, official non-profit partner of Kitchen & Bath Month

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2012 House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the 5th Annual House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year. Located in Rockefeller Plaza (on the North Plaza Block between 50th and 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues), the annual event invites a celebrated industry professional to design a kitchen and see it come to life. This year, the beloved shelter magazine collaborated with a true industry expert, Mick de Giulio.

"Mick is not just any kitchen designer - he is THE kitchen designer with hundreds of projects completed around the globe," praises Newell Turner, editor in chief of House Beautiful. If Mick sounds like a big deal, it's because he is. Designing kitchens for over two decades, de Giulio has become a prized designer and consultant in the industry not only designing luxury kitchens, but also kitchen-related products.

His creation of the 1,000 square foot Kitchen of the Year space was nothing short of sophistication. Revealing inspirations from his own kitchen, his space had life, texture and functionality. The overall design featured two kitchens (both indoor and outdoor), a lengthy kitchen island with hidden storage space (great for a portable office), living area with a glorious fireplace, dining space and more.

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Thermador Selects Kitchen Design Challenge Regional Winners

IRVINE, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 07/18/12 -- After judging some of the most inspiring Thermador kitchen designs in the country, Thermador has selected eight regional winners for its Thermador Kitchen Design Challenge, where two national grand prize winners will receive up to $20,000. Each of the eight regional winners has been awarded a $5,000 prize and an expense-paid trip for two to Southern California for a celebration weekend at the new Thermador Design and Experience Center, as well as a chance to win the national grand prize.

Of the eight regional winners chosen among hundreds of entries, Thermador will select grand prize winners from two categories -- Traditional/Transitional and Contemporary/Modern -- who will receive an additional $20,000 prize each. A pair of runners-up also will be named to receive a $10,000 prize.

"This contest presents the perfect opportunity to showcase some of the foremost Thermador luxury kitchens in the nation, while honoring today's most discerning trade professionals who have helped make the Thermador brand the centerpiece of America's finest kitchens," said Zach Elkin, director, brand marketing of Thermador.

The Thermador Kitchen Design Challenge invites professional kitchen designers, builders and architects to enter their most impressive kitchens equipped with Thermador appliances.

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At St. Martin we take pride in what we do.

St Martin Cabinetry will provide you with a lifetime of enjoyment. It creates the most beautiful kitchen and bath furnishings available in today's market.

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The Developer Behind a $90 Million Penthouse

You can put your spare $90 million into buying 2 million shares of Facebook (FB), or you can spend it snapping up one luxury penthouse apartment in New York. A 10,923-square-foot duplex atop One57, one of the city’s tallest buildings, has sold for that record price tag. While the buyer’s name isn’t public—all we’re told is that the buyer is a family who are not from a former Soviet state—the name of the man behind the luxury development is no mystery: Gary Barnett, the president of Extell Development.

Barnett, a former diamond trader, started his company in the 1990s and soon took on a number of attention-getting projects, including buying Enron’s new Houston headquarters after the company’s collapse and developing the W Hotel in New York’s Times Square. Barnett has conquered a field dominated by family dynasties and REITs to become the second most powerful person in New York real estate, according to the Commercial Observer. “Long considered a lone wolf for his tendency to ruffle feathers of his contemporaries … the developer is beginning to be taken more seriously by his peers,” the paper wrote earlier this month.

One57 is Barnett’s highest-profile project—literally: The 90-story building is 1,005 feet tall. It has a premier location across from Carnegie Hall, just south of Central Park. In a market where developers are layering on extravagance to attract wealthy buyers from Russia and Asia, Barnett gushes about the luxury of One57. “Look at this kitchen,” he told the Observer. ” Where will you find a kitchen anywhere like this? It’s the best, and we have two of them.” The kitchens feature built-in wine cabinets and custom cabinetry from the bespoke British designer Smallbone of Devizes.

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Caesarstone Makes a White Hot Debut at EuroCucina 2012

VAN NUYS, CA — Caesarstone made a first-time appearance at EuroCucina 2012 in Milan, Italy April 17-22. The world-renowned event, EuroCucina, the International Kitchen Furniture Exhibition, is the only international kitchen tradeshow, and is known for bringing the biggest and best names in kitchen design and innovation together to showcase the latest in kitchen products, furniture, and accessories.

One of 150 stringently selected exhibitors, Caesarstone -- who was the only surfacing company in attendance -- showcased a remarkable and fully functional kitchen gleaming white with the embossed, textured surface, White Crocodile -- part of their Motivo line. At the heart of the kitchen, which was the main attraction of Caesarstone's nearly 1,000 square foot booth, was a massive 30-foot long island equipped with touch screen functionality which allowed for the three countertop surfaces and 12 massive drawers to slide open, revealing more space, and other functional aspects of the kitchen. Behind the island was the custom cabinetry made up of nine sliding doors all covered in White Crocodile.

"The kitchen accomplished so much more than simply functional yet elegant design. The technology built into the kitchen was truly innovative. With the press of a button you could reveal the sink and stove, as well as create a bar on the other side. All the drawers and cabinets were covered with 4mm thick Motivo White Crocodile using a technique which involved slicing a 2cm Caesarstone slab to 4mm thick pieces. EuroCucina really gave us a chance to shine. To show how far we've come as a global company and that we are leaders in innovation," said Maggie Amir, Brand Manager, Caesarstone USA, Inc.

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One Kitchen Fits All

What makes a good kitchen? Space, easy reach, great accessories, etc? Ruth Dsouza Prabhu has a few tips on what to keep in mind while planning the perfect kitchen.

If there is something that binds together the typical Indian family, it is the kitchen. Irrespective of which part of the country you come from and what the reason may be, food is the one thing that can bring together a warring family, herald some good news, break the monotony of bad weather and much more. It is therefore natural that the kitchen be designed so that it takes care of every aspect of your family’s requirements.

“Preparing three fresh meals a day takes a good six hours for the Indian home maker, a full day’s job! By designing a customized and functional kitchen to meet the needs and lifestyle of that family; there is a conscious effort to reduce the time spent in the kitchen by the Indian home maker,” says Vasu, Director, V3 Engineers, a company that also specializes in kitchen design.

Kitchen design

Naturally quizzing the home owners on their way of life is how a kitchen designer will be able to determine the kind of kitchen to put in place.

This will be based on a deeper understanding of the space that the designer has to work with, the prevailing environment in a home and the lifestyle the family has. “For example - neighbours in an apartment block, the same floor and the apartment kitchen space being identical - One home has four adults and two children and another two adults with no child.

“The kitchen design, the colour, the glamour can be the same for both kitchens but the functionality of these similar looking kitchens is specific to that family, based on their cooking frequency, cuisine, food habits, buying patterns etc.

“One feature to consider - if the family buys provisions only once a month, the storage space needs to be more and in the case of a weekly purchase lesser,” explains Vasu.Knowing what the design process involves and understanding the different modules available for functional kitchens will help you answer the designer’s probing questions in a better way. Giving them a good basis on which to work will ensure that you will have a kitchen that suits the kind of cooking enthusiast you are. Vasu provides some general design inclusions for various scenarios typical to an Indian home.

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In rocky housing market, stone countertops still reign

Even in a weak housing market, consumers still prefer countertops with the look of luxury. A recent survey of potential home buyers found that granite or another natural stone was the most preferred material, with 20 percent of the respondents saying it was essential and another 53 percent who deemed it desirable.

Very few potential home buyers surveyed dreamed of having tile countertops, according to Stephen Melman, director of economic services for the National Association of Home Builders, the trade group that conducted the survey. Realtors tell us the look is outdated and the grout is hard to keep clean. Our tough countertop tests show that the grout between the ceramic or porcelain tiles stains, even when sealed, and can also mildew. Chipping is another problem with tile countertops.

In our tests, we stained, sliced, scratched, scorched and nicked 14 materials from leading brands. We found big differences in materials, but little variation among brands. That's why our Ratings are by material, and that brings us back to stone. Our tests include granite, soapstone, limestone and marble, and of course, engineered stone or quartz. Granite and quartz performed similarly, but marble and the other natural stones weren't as resilient and some need to be sealed to resist staining. Use the results of our tests to find a material that will hold up well over the years.

At $50 to $150 per square foot, marble is the most expensive. Granite and quartz were comparable in price at $50 to $100 per square foot. Tile, of course, costs less ($5 to $30 per square foot) but if you have to replace your counter more often, that's no bargain.

—Kimberly Janeway

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Thermador's Built-In MicroDrawer(TM) Microwave Redefines Kitchen Innovation and Flexibility

IRVINE, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 05/15/12 -- To deliver cutting-edge installation and design while incorporating best-in-class size and cooking capabilities, Thermador (http://www.thermador.com) introduces its new Thermador Built-in MicroDrawer" Microwave, which gives culinary enthusiasts the ability to combine luxury-class cooking power with Thermador's industry-leading innovations in perfect flush design.

Thermador's new Built-in MicroDrawer" Microwave boasts several best-in-class features for the luxury segment, such as a generous 1.2 cu. ft. cavity space and 10 cooking modes. The new drawer also features a perfect flush installation capability for a standard depth cabinet that eliminates the need for an additional installation kit while providing superior access and ease of use, with the appliance placed at a convenient height. The Built-in MicroDrawer" Microwave also incorporates microwave sensor technology that helps eliminate the guesswork often involved with cooking and reheating.

"Along with having the largest cavity space in the luxury segment, the new Built-in MicroDrawer" Microwave also combines Thermador power and sophistication with ease of use, thanks to the perfect flush installation that eliminates cluttered countertops to enhance culinary enthusiasts' cooking experiences," said Zach Elkin, director, brand marketing for Thermador.

The Built-in MicroDrawer Microwave" falls in line with Thermador's refrigeration columns and warming drawers, reflecting the company's focus on perfect-flush design and installation. The appliance also features a luxury-segment-best 10 cooking modes, as well as easy-to-use touch controls and sensor technology that erases the need to remove the dish from the oven to check, stir or turn the food.

Additionally, a large viewing window results in a sleek, sophisticated appearance that is ideal for any luxury kitchen d�cor. It is available at a MSRP of $1,649.

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Sinks and Faucets

What should you ask yourself about sinks and faucets?

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Stock Cabinets, Semi-custom Cabintery, Custom Cabinetry

Choosing new kitchen cabinets can be a difficult decision for many homeowners. Stock, semi-custom, full custom, local custom. What does it all mean?

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J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers that Highlight Brand Value Through Both Process and Appeal Are Best Positioned to Satisfy Customers

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- While aesthetics and functionality are important to consumers when choosing new kitchen cabinets, brands that differentiate themselves throughout the shopping and purchase process are best positioned to satisfy customers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Kitchen Cabinet Satisfaction Study(SM) released today.

The study, now in its fifth year, measures customer satisfaction with kitchen cabinets by measuring five factors: design features (such as the variety of cabinet colors/finishes and range of sizes and shapes available); ordering and delivery (including ease of ordering, condition of products at delivery and timeliness of delivery); price; operational performance (including smoothness of drawer slides and sturdiness of cabinet joinery); and warranty.

The study finds that one-third of customers rely mostly on the retailers when shopping for kitchen cabinets, placing heavy emphasis on the in-store product displays, sales staff recommendations, and retailer website.

"With the majority of customers indicate purchasing their kitchen cabinets through a retailer and not directly from the manufacturer, a key opportunity for manufacturers to differentiate their brand is through their in-store displays," said Christina Cooley, senior manager of the home improvement practice at J.D. Power and Associates. "Manufacturers have the opportunity to communicate their brand value to potential customers by showcasing the brand's function and style offerings."

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In SoHo, Kosher Rules Get New Twist

By SUMATHI REDDY

The plans for Jezebel look like many other SoHo restaurants aiming to draw a hip, downtown crowd.

The difference is in the details: A gold-plated shofar will serve as the door handle. Art work will include familiar pieces but with different faces (Woody Allen in a commissioned re-creation of "The Last Supper"). And an Orthodox Jewish overseer will keep a close eye on the kitchen at all times to make sure all's kosher. Literally.

"We're looking to change the norm of where the bar for kosher is," said Menachem Senderowicz, 34 years old, one of Jezebel's two owners. "We think we can take it up more than two notches and bring it to a whole new level."

"We want to become the kings of kosher," interjected co-owner Henry Stimler, 32.

Messrs. Stimler and Senderowicz are stylish, fast-talking former finance types who plan to open Jezebel in June. It is the first restaurant for their group B&Y Hospitality (British and Yiddish, since Mr. Stimler is British and they both speak Yiddish), and they've hired James Beard Award-winning chef Bradford Thompson in the kitchen and Nick Mautone, formerly of Gramercy Tavern, to design the drink program.

The duo, who grew up Orthodox but now classify themselves as "modern Jews," say the kosher aspect of the restaurant is almost an afterthought, albeit a carefully planned one that will include prepaid Shabbat dinners (and special ovens to keep the food hot) and unpasteurized kosher wine, which can only be handled by observant Jews.

The owners say there is an unmet need for a cutting-edge restaurant for the Jewish demographic that is populating the likes of the nearby SoHo synagogue, where Torah cocktail parties and a Hamptons services are among the offerings, according to the website.

But they insist they are not aiming for a predominately kosher or even Jewish clientele.

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