When starting a River Oak Cabinetry kitchen or bath remodeling project, clients can become overwhelmed with the vast array of countertop products that are offered.  Depending upon the look that the client is trying achieve, utilizing a beautiful, high-quality countertop surface can complete a very attractive design.  Designers can use laminate, solid surface, granite, as well as several other materials.

Laminate countertops are a synthetic product comprised mostly of plastic that is heat-glued on top of a wood base.  The laminate material is made by several different producers, such as Wilsonart, Formica and Pionite.  These tops are manufactured-to-fit, can have loose or one-piece backsplashes and come with a wide variety of edge profiles.  One of this countertop style’s greatest strengths is its cost-effectiveness.  However, laminate tops are not as water, scratch and stain-resistant as many other materials, which should be taken into account in the decision process.

Plastic countertop materials are also available in solid surface form.  These tops are constructed from select plastic compounds and are molded-to-fit any scenario.  Because solid surface countertops are molded, they can offer clients a seamless look throughout the kitchen and bath, including leak-proof sink applications.  Like their laminate counterparts, these tops are available from a wide variety of manufacturers and in a huge selection of colors.  Although solid surface tops are prone to losing their sheen over time, they do have the added benefit of being able to be re-sanded and re-polished to replenish their finish.

If a client is looking for a cleaner, more natural look, granite countertops just might be the answer.  Granite tops are made from stone, likely pulled out from a mountainside, and can be collected from all over the world.  Raw material is shipped to the manufacturer in very large slabs, which can be cut into a few different thicknesses.  For any project, the three centimeter thickness will always outlast the thinner options that some dealers offer. 

Once a slab is selected by the homeowner, it is cut into pieces and polished to a high gloss.  For shipping and installation purposes, most granite countertops will have seams in the final application.  Very attractive, stainless-steel, under-mount sinks can add the final touch to a beautiful remodel project.  Maintenance is a concern for granite tops. If the initial baked-in sealer is not an option for a client due to cost increases, annual sealing is strongly encouraged to help with stain and mold resistance.

Whichever countertop material is selected by a remodeling client, the most important aspect of the project is undoubtedly the installation.  Finding a trusted, licensed installer will ensure that the countertops will be leveled and secured, with any and all safety measures taken into account for years to come.

Arts And Crafts

 One of several interior design styles to gain much ground amongst consumers is a distinct style called arts and crafts.  Within the home, cabinetry, hardware pieces, countertops, flooring, wall coverings and even appliances can boast an arts and crafts feel. 

These design elements pay homage to the early 1900s when quality craftsmanship overtook the once popular, ornate pieces of furniture that filled the home.  Simple, straight lines characterize this style, with rich, dark wood tones and soft painted surfaces dominating its palette. 

Arts and crafts cabinetry, also called mission or craftsman cabinetry, is distinguished by several key fundamentals.  First of all, many of these door styles will have flat, recessed panels, framed with straight, shaker rails.  Mortise and tenon joints will frequently be utilized to construct the solid-wood doors.  What will separate these door styles from many of their contemporary counterparts is the dark, rich wood tones that are commonly used.  In many arts and crafts kitchens, a deep cherry or alder or lyptus wood will comprise the backdrop of the design while a painted island will represent an old-world furniture pieces at the room’s center. 

Inset cabinetry has also taken its fair share of arts and crafts kitchen projects.  The straight lines that accompany the thin, square rails required for inset construction fit very well within the style.

To compliment the cabinetry in arts and crafts kitchen, designers can add a variety of hardware to complete the look.  Hanging latches with square or rectangle back plates are typically used in burnished finishes with heavy etching or distressed surfaces.  Most arts and crafts handles and knobs will be square, which gives the design an old-world feel.

As countertop availability continues to grow and grow, trends will continue to dictate which materials and colors will help to round out an arts and crafts kitchen project.  Deep, rich granite colors can compliment stained wood tones very well.  On a painted kitchen island, using a stained concrete top can also work very well.  Although these tops can be accompanied by a hefty price tag, the end product is stunning.  Concrete tops are produced from a mold, built around the existing island shape, and poured and set into place.  Once the material has dried, it can be stained virtually any color to promote the antique furniture look.

Natural tone paint colors often go very well with these projects.  Designers can rely on beiges, browns and other pastels that will offset the deeper stained finishes on the cabinetry and flooring.

When used properly, these simple suggestions can produce a beautiful, elegant kitchen or bath projects.

In certain situations, layouts can be expanded by removing an existing wall which separates two smaller rooms.  By doing this, walkway traffic can be improved, countertops can be made more accessible and communication between otherwise interrupted rooms can be much more efficient.  If the removal of a wall or barrier is not an option, remodeling professionals turn to layout optimization. 

While the economy continues to challenge those looking to remodel, River Oak Cabinetry clients are seeking to utilize their existing spaces versus expansion to create additional room.  Designers are challenged to maximize the present footprint’s capability through creative design options within the layout’s restraints.  Of late, sleek, streamlined designs have helped homeowners turn disorderly drawers into strategic storage, and the like.  Many of these desired enhancements can be reached through interior organizers such as roll-out shelves, vertical tray dividers and pull-out pots-and-pans units, tucked away behind a beautifully finished cabinetry door. 

Another step consumers can take towards organization is by installing an organizer in their pantry.  These systems come with a variety of shelving options and will aid in keeping soup cans, boxes of cereal and bags of flour in orderly, accessible spots. 

Using a single-bowl sink instead of the typical two-bowl model and a more compact sink base cabinet can save up to six inches of countertop space and allow for more functional storage in adjacent cabinetry. 

For additional cooking storage and organization, something as simple as a spice rack installed on the back of a cabinet door will give homeowners a great solution for an otherwise jumbled mess of cooking spices. 

Cabinetry can also provide another very valuable function for a high-traffic work space such as a kitchen-seating.  When considering a remodel project, factor the large family-sized table often located just off the kitchen into the plan.  Can seating be allocated for at the kitchen island, allowing the larger table to be down-sized, if not eliminated?  Designers can utilize cabinetry and countertops to create a wide variety of island shapes, many of which can truly give the appearance of an antique piece of furniture.  Designing a countertop overhang will provide room for several kitchen chairs, saving huge amounts of space that once took the place of traffic paths.  In most cases, this is one of the most valuable, space-saving enhancements that can be done in a kitchen.

When considering the look of the doors and drawer fronts for a client’s home, designers must factor in the pros and cons of how the doors and drawer fronts are created.  Some manufacturers elect to produce lines with natural wood veneers.  The veneers are then wrapped around a particleboard door and assembled with the cabinet box.  As these are fabricated from real wood species, they will give your client a look that is very comparable to an all-wood door, but at a fraction of the cost. 

Another option for homeowners seeking a contemporary look is cabinetry constructed from man-made veneers.  This style of veneer is produced from a variety of materials, such as wood particles, fibers and adhesive, and assembled like the natural wood cabinetry.  However, the large advantage this style has over its counterparts is the incredible grain pattern consistency that these doors and drawer fronts possess.  Also, this method allows for a huge number of wood species and colors to be created, compared to traditional cabinetry companies that may have limited space in their production facilities for so many offerings.

As many homeowners are in search for household products that have a “green” touch, many contemporary cabinetry manufacturers will offer several different “green” advantages. 

First of all, the natural wood veneers are use far less new material, in comparison to an all-wood door style.  Additionally, man-made veneers use even less new material and, often, incorporate recycled matter for production.  Moreover, these substances are far less costly to collect and produce into finished cabinetry than many other options.  This means that smaller companies, in smaller production plants, with a much lower carbon-footprint, can produce them in less time.

Green!

No matter the industry, Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness continue to be two of the most sought-after qualities in products for the home.  It seems that the initial blitz of marketing campaigns that flooded our magazines and televisions has taken a serious hold on the marketplace and its consumers.  This has proven, time and time again, to be true for kitchen and bath remodeling professionals such as River Oak Cabinetry & Design.

Of the many areas in a kitchen to incorporate Eco-Friendly, recycled resources, cabinetry offers a wide variety of green products.  Wheat board has been recently introduced as a material substitute for the sides, backs, tops and bottoms of cabinet boxes.  It can be produced at a much lower cost, and the wheat can be harvested with much less strain on the soil in which it grows.  When combined with a beautiful wood species and finish for the exterior of the cabinet, this material will be equally sturdy and reliable when compared to a particle board or plywood constructed cabinet.

As species go, beech, birch and lyptus woods are among the easiest to harvest and grow at incredibly fast rates.  This means a smaller amount of land needs to be dedicated to tree farms and much less damage is done to the soil in which the trees grow. 

Once the cabinetry has been installed, kitchen and bath professionals have a huge array of countertops from which to select.  Although granite has continue to prove its dominance over the marketplace, options such as recycled glass and recycled marble give homeowners a chance to extend their Eco-Friendliness throughout their kitchen.  Recycled glass tops can be made from many different “themed” materials, such as condiment bottles or select alcohol containers.  This little detail can help to complete the story of any green kitchen.

Flooring also gives homeowners a chance to use Eco-Friendly products.  Bamboo, cork and eucalyptus are all harvested from rapidly-replenishing sources and are available in many attractive finishes.  Of these, cork has seemed to take a good share of this market segment, likely because it comes in numerous colors, will dampen sound and is soft underfoot.

When considering a floor plan for a kitchen remodel project, another green aspect to consider is the flow of the work space.  Although massive stacks of cabinets and jaw-dropping, custom countertop materials can look great on display, these design elements will cause additional time cleaning and the products used to keep them looking spotlessly clean.

French Country Kitchens!

When clients stop in for remodeling consultation at River Oak Cabinetry, they likely will have already built a framework in their minds for their project.  As far as kitchen remodels go, many clients today are looking for a “French country” kitchen.  These homeowners have a beautiful picture in their heads; this picture may strongly resemble a stone-constructed home along a French channel, with the warmth and community of an aged winery.  Designers have many tools at their disposal to help folks achieve this look, from paint colors to flooring choices, and everything in between.

When considering cabinetry choices in a French country kitchen, painted finishes with heavy distressing are likely candidates to accomplish this style.  Antique white, mint green, taupe and yellow paints, especially when used in conjunction with each other, will promote this look very well.  Rub-through corners, worm-holing and other distressing effects will add to the aged quality that many stylish homes in the French countryside possess. 

Glass is also used quite often in this style.  Leaded glass offers homeowners a very clean look, in a variety of lead insert colors, that pays homage to hand-crafted inserts of old. Islands often resemble old, wooden workstations that have been passed down through the generations.  Many of this style of island make up for their lack of extra storage with beautiful turned legs, ornate decorative elements and open-shelf space.

As far as countertops are concerned, limestone seems to be the material that most homeowners are seeking out.  This top is unmatched in its look and is available in a huge selection of finishes.  Although limestone is very porous when compared to solid surface or quartz tops, it boasts fewer veining and variation than marble and a much less speckled consistency then granite.  Lighter tones, typically beiges, can off-set the more vibrant cabinetry colors and can tie the room together very nicely.  For island countertops, all-wood pieces can give an aged furniture feel to any kitchen centerpiece.

Seating is also an important detail when designing a French country kitchen.  If possible, designers can include built-in bench seating on either side of the kitchen table, likely comprised of trim materials made to match the kitchen cabinetry.  Again, as with the island, the little ornate details included in these seating areas are what can really set a kitchen layout apart from other unsuccessful imposters.

Cabinetry Construction!

Like any other product offered in the marketplace, consumers can select from a wide variety of cabinetry products, from a huge array of manufacturers.  Often times, one of the most evident differences between products and manufacturers is how the cabinetry is built.  Different levels of quality equate to different price levels and this basic theory is very likely to influence a client’s decision when it comes to the kitchen or bath cabinets he or she might select.  When it comes to cabinetry for the home, you truly do get what you pay for.

Cabinetry materials can range from particle board or plywood sides, poly-coated, side-mount or stainless-steel, under-mount drawer guides, oil-based lacquer or ultra-violet reactant top-coat sealers.  Here, the focus will remain on the construction of the cabinet box.

Manufacturers provide a wide array of wood species that can be used for face frames, doors and drawer fronts.  Once a client has selected a species, it is very important to inform them of the natural characteristics that the chosen specie possesses.  Whether maple or cherry or birch, this wood will then be produced into the “face” of the cabinetry.

As far as the cabinet box is concerned, most manufacturers utilize particle board or plywood construction.  Particle board offers cabinet makers a less expensive option, which they can then pass onto the homeowner.  This material, although it will not create as strong of a cabinet, can be purchased very cheaply by the producer and has a very long shelf life in the factory before going into production.  In contrast, plywood will make a very sturdy cabinet box.  When stood on end, plywood is one of the strongest natural materials available, making it an excellent candidate for cabinet box sides.  That being said, an all-plywood cabinet will cost the client anywhere from ten to fifteen percent more at the design showroom.

However, some producers offer alternatives to those materials, when necessary.  Amish cabinetry, which has grown substantially in popularity over the past few years, typically follows an all-wood assembly method.  Face frames, as well as sides and backs and bottoms, can be cut and sanded into longer, larger, one-piece applications.  This method allows for fewer seams.  As beautiful as Amish cabinetry can look, clients must consider the high costs and long lead times that accompany this style.

Clients, no matter the size or cost of the job, have a large task in deciding what kind of cabinet construction to select.  Designers, too, must make sure that they are aware of the different options in the marketplace and which of those options are the best fit for each and every project.