Extreme Kitchen Makeover: Kitchen Styles and Design Themes

Before remodeling your Arizona kitchen, it's important to understand the current 2011 design trends and styles. The following five kitchen styles are the hottest of 2011, and should help you decide what design to use in your new Scottsdale kitchen remodel!

Modern Kitchen Style

One of the top kitchen design styles of 2011 is the "Modern" design style. This is a simple, clean design resulting in a fresh, crisp kitchen. Typically modern design cabinets are a dark, strong custom-built cabinet. Modern design kitchen countertops are solid granite to work nicely with the rich solid wood cabinetry.

Mediterranean Kitchen Design

The Mediterranean design gives off a vibrant style with aged textures. Soft colors accent the entire kitchen, complementing the rustic hardware on custom or semi-custom cabinetry.

Asian Kitchen Style

Similar to the modern kitchen design, Asian kitchen designs follow a strict clean and simplistic style. The Asian kitchen style features a well-lit kitchen, with natural features like bamboo flooring and custom unique cabinets. Complementing the entire natural design is a simple and warm color palette. (Photo credit to DIYNetwork.com)

Cottage Kitchen Design

The cottage style kitchen can be wrapped up with two words, relaxed and informal. This is a picture-perfect kitchen design, with warm, light colors. Typical cottage kitchen cabinets are custom-built with light or white woods. Flooring is most likely to be tile or dark hardwood flooring.

Vintage Kitchen Style

Imagine a 1960's vintage style kitchen, with ruby reds, yellows, or turquoise colors adorning the walls. Vintage kitchen cabinets are solid white, adorned with stainless steel hardware complementing the stainless steel kitchen appliances. (Photo credit to newphotosgalleries.com)

Are you planning a remodeling project this year? How much are you planning to spend? Call Cornerstone Cabinet Company today at 480-710-7363 for expert consultation on design an projects you may have in mind.

Scottsdale Kitchen Design Trends | Kitchen Layouts Arizona

With the kitchen continuing to be the most important room in the home, we would like to outline the biggest design trends now being seen in kitchen design.

Mix-and-Match Materials

Combining different materials, like butcher block countertops and marble backsplashes, add visual interest and allow for homeowners to play around with certain aspects of different architectural styles. You can determine which wood type, color of wood, style of door and cabinets that are appealing to you and also what fits your budget.

Neutral Color Palette

Whites and other natural colors are truly timeless. They can work with almost any architectural style while allowing other aspects of the kitchen to shine, such as a great granite or butcher-board countertop, recessed LED lighting or Energy Star stainless steel appliances.

Custom Cabinetry

Specialized storage not only adds visual interest, but also keeps clutter from getting in the way of your kitchen's design. Custom cabinets are typically manufactured by local craftsmen, tradesmen with honed skills, and sometimes by expensive automated equipment. Custom cabinets offer you a wide variety of wood species, the biggest selection of door styles, an assortment of options and modern conveniences, and a vast array of stains and finishes.

Sustainable Materials

Kitchens that use materials such as bamboo, sustainably harvested woods and recycled glass not only help keep our planet pretty, but also add style and visual interest to the kitchen space itself. These materials are often manufactured with low- or no-formaldehyde glues, which protect the home's indoor air quality as well. There is a surprising selection of materials, many of which are made from recycled materials. One of the principles of designing green is to buy for durability as well as for the long term.

Floor-to-Ceiling Wood

Natural materials, such as wood, help blur the line between indoors and out, bringing a warm and inviting feeling to the space while seamlessly bringing all aspects of the kitchen together.

Energy-Saving Appliances

Luxury appliances, like stainless steel professional grade stoves and ovens, set the tone for a high-end kitchen with sleek lines and polished look. Even better is the fact that many of these upgraded appliances are now energy-efficient and are great for your kitchen and the environment.

Efficient Floor Plan

Kitchens are the new family room, so opening up the space to allow for socializing and entertaining turns a kitchen into a multi-functional space.

Are you planning a remodeling project this year? How much are you planning to spend? Call Cornerstone Cabinet Company today at 480-710-7363 for expert consultation on design an projects you may have in mind.

Kitchen Remodeling & Cabinetry

Gilbert Kitchen Remodels | Remodeling a Kitchen Paradise Valley

If you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen in Arizona, it is important to stay within your budget and have an appropriate plan before beginning. The most expensive part with any Paradise Valley kitchen remodel will be the kitchen cabinets. Keep in mind the different cabinet types, as well as the option of refacing instead of replacing.

Keeping Existing Cabinets

When your cabinets are still in great condition, it may be best to keep them and just restain or repaint them. This will save you the most amount of money, and is generally used when the remodeled kitchen is putting more emphasis on new countertops or flooring. The cabinets are then restained or painted, or even refaced to match the new additions.

Keep in mind that when refacing kitchen cabinet, 60-70% of the cost of the cabinet is in the doors. If you are going to be refacing too much, it may be best to look at the next option, new custom, semi-custom, or stock cabinetry.

Custom, Semi-Custom, and Stock Cabinetry

Custom cabinets are made exactly how you want them. Wood types, finishes, and cabinet accessories will all be custom chose how you like. In turn, this will be the most expensive option of the three.

Semi-Custom cabinets can be adjusted to your kitchen’s specific size requirements, but may require spacers to fit. The wood types and finishes will not be as broad as custom cabinetry, the price will be lower.

Stock cabinetry, also known as modular cabinetry, is the least expensive of the three. Because stock cabinets in Phoenix are mass-produced, they may not fit in your kitchen exactly how you wanted. However, don’t let the word stock get you down. Many of these cabinets are still made of quality, real solid wood and will look great in your kitchen.

Kitchen Cabinet Accessories

Whether you’re refacing or replacing kitchen cabinets, you’ll still be able to add accessories. These may include pull-out pots and pans drawers, a lazy Susan, spice racks, or special pull-out cabinets for garbage cans. Don’t forget to add special custom hardware, like handles and knobs, to make your dream kitchen remodel a reality!

Are you planning a remodeling project this year? How much are you planning to spend? Call Cornerstone Cabinet Company today at 480-710-7363 for expert consultation on design an projects you may have in mind.

Is it Time to Remodel your Kitchen?

Is it Time to Remodel your Kitchen?

The National Kitchen & Bath Association offers advice on when and why to update.

Many homeowners think their kitchen is outdated from the looks of their worn cabinets, dated appliances and crackled countertop. What they may not realize is that there are many other reasons, more important than cosmetic, why a kitchen needs to be remodeled.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) offers the following tips to help homeowners evaluate the current condition of their kitchen and decide if the time is right for a remodel.

Adequate space:

Are you satisfied with the amount of counter space, cabinet space and floor space in your kitchen? The position of your refrigerator or shape of your counter may be taking away useful workspace. According to the NKBA Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines, when replacing a countertop or changing the shape of your kitchen, keep in mind that a total of 158" of countertop frontage, 24" deep with at least 15" of clearance above, is needed to accommodate all uses, including landing area, preparation/work area and storage.

Traffic flow:

If there's more than one cook in your household, you may want to consider making more room around the main workspace. If you enjoy entertaining, you may want an open plan kitchen that allows for more social interaction between the kitchen and other rooms. According to the NKBA Kitchen Planning Guidelines, the width of a walkway should be at least 36" and the width of a work aisle should be at least 42" for one cook and at least 48" for multiple cooks.

Children:

Depending on whether or not you have children, and their ages, your kitchen may need to be remodeled. Dated appliances and the design of your kitchen can be hazardous for young kids. If you are in the process of extending your family, you may want more room for cooking larger meals and lower cabinets for easier access to children's food. Based on the NKBA Kitchen Planning Guidelines, microwave ovens should be installed 3" below the principal user's shoulder but no more than 54" above the floor to avoid accidents. The NKBA also suggests avoiding sharp corners on countertops with kids around.

Efficiency:

If your appliances are dated, they may be costing you more money than you expect. New technological advances with dishwashers, disposals and refrigerators could save you a considerable amount of money and may be well worth the investment. For example, purchasing a dishwasher with low-energy consumption, delay timer and economy cycle or half-load button will result in saving water and money.

Universal Design:

Is your kitchen accessible to individuals with disabilities? Will you be able to use your kitchen safely as you get older? Considering these issues is vital in a kitchen remodel. Employing Universal Design techniques in the remodel will help assure that the space is as accessible to or useable by all people, regardless of age, size or physical ability without the need for adaptation or specialized design later on.

Location:

Thinking about adding a deck to the side or back of your house? Incorporating a door into the layout of your kitchen would be a great convenience for outdoor entertaining. You also may want to rearrange the position of windows to allow more or less sunlight or to watch your children play in the yard. When rearranging the layout of your kitchen, according to the NKBA guidelines, the clear opening of a doorway should be at least 32" wide, which would require a minimum of 2'10" door. Keep in mind that a cooking surface should never be located under an operable window.

Are you ready for a kitchen remodel? If you read through this and feel that it is the appropriate time to begin planning to remodel your kitchen, please give Cornerstone a call at 480-710-7363 to discuss your options! We'll help turn your old, dated kitchen into the beautiful kitchen of your dreams.

Cabinet Refacing Phoenix AZ | Cabinet Refacing Scottsdale AZ

Reface or Replace?

The term refacing infers to the process of changing the face, or look, of your Phoenix, Arizona home office, entertainment center, bathroom and kitchen cabinets by installing new doors and drawer fronts, and changing the appearance of the face frames of the cabinets to a new stain, and quite often a new wood species. Cabinet refacing is generally more ecologically sound than full scale kitchen remodeling, since the amount of debris put in the landfill is generally cut by almost three quarters. Ecologically sound materials such as bamboo can be selected to replace the outmoded hardwood or laminate doors and fronts.

Most companies here in Phoenix, Arizona that perform a refacing service use thin layers of wood veneers, PVC plastics, or laminates to put on top of your existing cabinet frames to give it a new face or appearance. The work is very similar but you need to understand which technique they plan to use before you agree to have the work done. The process of refacing, using veneers etc. is very labor intensive and has many limitations, such as a substantial amount of cabinet preparation that needs to take place in order to properly reface your cabinets, a limited amount of stain or color choices, and a limited amount of wood species available. The plastics and laminates used do not look exactly like wood and quite often do not match very well with the new wood colors.

Real Wood Refacing

However, a new way to reface cabinets has been developed that eliminates many of the limitations that cabinet refacing companies have faced in the past. The newest and best way to reface cabinet face frames is by using real wood.

To self-described cabinet experts like Cornerstone Cabinet Company, who are located in Phoenix, Arizona, using real wood on the face of existing cabinets to go along with the real wood doors and drawer fronts makes perfect sense. The wood stains better, lasts longer, is much easier to apply, and has a more natural looking finish than the veneers that are currently being used. We have refaced using veneers, the old traditional method, and trust us, using real wood products is better in every sense than using wood veneers, or laminates. Being in the Phoenix, Arizona cabinet industry for 20 years has given us the opportunity to see thousands of jobs, many of them refacing jobs.

Getting Started

In summary, if your cabinets are old and out of date, if you are tired of the same look day in and day out, or maybe you have nice countertops and fixtures that you don't want to tear out, consider refacing your cabinets instead of replacing them.

You should look for a cabinet company that is diversified in the industry and specializes in refacing as well as new cabinetry. Moreover, if your choice is to reface your cabinets, then the obvious choice is using real wood on the face of your cabinets. Here in Phoenix, Arizona there is only one place to go for cabinet refacing and/or new cabinets, and that is Cornerstone Cabinet Company.

Cornerstone Cabinet Company is Phoenix, Arizona's premier cabinet refacing company. We can use the old methods of refacing your cabinets, using nothing but veneers and laminates, or we can introduce you to the Cornerstone advantage, and take you "Beyond Expectations" by using real wood products on your cabinet refacing project. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

Soft-Close Hinges - Scottsdale Cabinetry

Soft-Close Hinges: An Advancement in Cabinet Door Technology

There have been major recent advances within the home cabinet industry, in terms of how cabinet door hinges operate, the most recent of them being the soft-close hinge. This innovative product slows the closing process of a cabinet door, to the extent that instead of the traditional slamming sound we have all come to associate with a cabinet door closing, there is naught but silence, even when the door is closed with force. Soft-closing hinge attachments need only be added to one hinge per cabinet door, or two units per door in the event that you have a larger pantry-style door.

Benefits of soft-close cabinetry

Whether you want to eliminate slamming cabinet doors, lower the wear and tear on your cabinets, or just make a safer environment for little fingers, installing the soft-close attachment is a great addition to your cabinets. You'll be surprised at how much they can contribute to a noiseless environment in your kitchen, and how they make cooking more relaxing and enjoyable by removing the "thunk" of a slamming door from the hustle and bustle of a busy cooking experience.

Soft-close cabinetry installation

Our design consultants can walk you through the process of learning which design of hinge your doors currently have installed, and then will help you decide how many hinges to purchase for your unique home kitchen. After you have completed this initial step, we can have one of our professional techs install the soft-close mechanisms for you with diligence and efficiency. Before you know it, you'll have a quiet and safe kitchen for you and your family to enjoy.

Why choose soft-close cabinets with Cornerstone Cabinet Company?

Cornerstone Cabinet Company has diversification in the industry when it comes to installing and remodeling home cabinets, and is second to none in terms of quality and dependability. Cornerstone Cabinet Company is a dependable and quality cabinet one-stop shop in the West Valley and Phoenix areas. If you are interested in looking into soft-close hinge attachments in your home entertainment center, bath, kitchen, or home office, please contact us to schedule an appointment with our design team today!

Kitchen Remodeling Scottsdale AZ | Kitchen Remodels Scottsdale

An Artist's Palette: Knowing Your Kitchen Remodel

The majority of your Arizona kitchen remodeling budget by far will be spent on materials. New kitchen remodeling ideas in the past ten years have incorporated unique, innovative, and beautiful cabinetry made from a huge range of woods, synthetics and recycled materials.

Your available options when choosing to remodel your kitchen include:

Cabinets

Cabinets are the most important consideration for most Arizona kitchen remodeling projects. Since they usually line every wall in the room, your custom cabinetry can set the tone for your entire room. Cabinet retailers around the country have developed designs that range from traditional to chic and modern styles, in any color imaginable. Cabinets can be made from wood, bamboo, laminate, and even stainless steel.

Countertops

Countertops are best implemented when they coordinate with cabinets. There is a limitless array of styles in materials that range from stoic granite to enchanting and unique recycled glass. A natural look can be used, or perhaps a daring vision can manifest with bold, bright colors. Tiles are a fantastic countertop material and they can be incorporated into retroactive kitchen wall tile designs that add to your Arizona home's décor.

Lighting

Lighting is usually most under-estimated component when planning a kitchen remodel. Lighting, when artistically crafted, can set a sublime mood, give you the best environment for preparing food, and add an artistic flair. Contractors in the know are able to find lighting that matches your overall décor, and which is as functional as it is beautiful.

Flooring

A design plan for a kitchen remodeling project isn't complete without addressing the flooring. Flooring choice should not only coordinate with a project's overall theme of décor, but it should also add a dimension of comfort to the room. The care that each type of flooring requires is also a crucial consideration, since the kitchen floor requires more cleaning than any other area of a home.

Windows

Windows add the most important element to any room: natural light. Kitchen windows can bring the natural beauty of the outdoors inside, creating a room that is tranquil and inviting for your family to spend time in.

Appliances

Today's appliances can be aesthetically pleasing and more efficient than ever before. You and your family can use these implements to both enjoy your kitchen and protect our planet. When you create your design plans for kitchen remodeling, be sure to include appliances you've researched for their beauty and efficiency.

Cornerstone Cabinet Company is Phoenix, Arizona's premier cabinet refacing company. We can use the old methods of refacing your cabinets, using nothing but veneers and laminates, or we can introduce you to the Cornerstone advantage, and take you "Beyond Expectations" by using real wood products on your cabinet refacing project. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

How to get the most out of your kitchen remodeling project - Time is Money

Kitchen remodeling projects, especially those taking place within new and old Arizona homes alike, are major contenders amongst the many options within the field of home improvement. They are a task that, while full of fun and excitement as you have newer things to explore and assemble, can cost you a considerable amount of time, money and effort. Home improvement can often be decribed as a bonding process that brings the family together within a new outlook within a fresh and modern space, but at the same time, a project that lasts too long or goes over budget can put strain on the already arduous task of changing your kitchen for the better.

A kitchen remodeling assignment may consist of total rebuilding, complete replacement, or some partial modifications that are made to countertops, kitchen cabinets and kitchen appliances. A Scottsdale or Chandler remodeling project may require handsome investment for this task. However, an expertly crafted kitchen remodel results in an enduring sense of fulfillment, and means of bonding for family members, especially a reason to eat together, and most importantly a way of making cooking easier and more accessible to all members of your desert home.

We at Cornerstone Cabinet Company would like to help you, the homeowner, by disclosing certain key points that can make this daunting task much more manageable and will help you grasp the entire situation at hand and assist you in running it smoothly without any unnecessary steps or procedures.

Important factors to consider when planning a home kitchen remodel are:

1. Decide the needs, wants, and overarching objectives of your specific kitchen remodel.


2. Make a remodeling plan that lists, in detail, the major areas that need to be changed or replaced.


3. Estimate the required duration that the remodeling project will take with respect to each and every task.


4. Plan a preliminary budget that covers how much to spend, and where to spend it.


5. Ask for the references from your friends, family, or a trusted contractor who can help you with cheaper and more efficient solutions.


6. Settle on the kind of cabinets and countertops you want to have in your ideal kitchen setting.

Are you planning a remodeling project this year? How much are you planning to spend? Call Cornerstone Cabinet Company today at 480-710-7363 for expert consultation on design an projects you may have in mind.

Hansen Family Kitchen Remodel Gilbert AZ

The Hansen Family called Cornerstone Cabinet Company to do a beautiful kitchen remodel in Arizona. The job included semi-custom cabinetry, as well as beautiful countertops.

Here are some pictures from that full kitchen remodel in Gilbert, AZ for the Hansen Family home! Enjoy! :)





Is it time to remodel your kitchen? Read more about how you will know when you're ready for a full kitchen remodel.