Distressed Finishes Give Cabinetry Charm and Character

Are you shopping for new kitchen cabinets and everything you find looks too perfect?  The shiny, smooth, contemporary choices can be cold and uninviting, and maybe you would rather have cabinetry that gives off a casual, warm vibe.  Whether you're trying to find something that fits in with a century old farmhouse or you just have an eclectic taste, distressed finishes might be the look you're going for.
What is a Distressed Finish?
A distressed finish is a fairly simple procedure that makes cabinetry appear aged.  Normal wear and tear causes finishes to have nicks, blemishes, and edges that are worn from daily use.  A distressed finish allows you to have the benefits of brand new cabinetry, with the aesthetic charm and character of older woodwork.
How Do You Distress Wood?
There are many ways to distress wood.  One way is to simply make some imperfections in the wood with a chain or hammer before finishing the wood.  With painted cabinetry, we simply lightly sand some areas to reveal the wood below, making it look like it has been lovingly used for years.  Using many different shades of paint will reveal layers, giving the appearance of decades of history.  After the perfect result is achieved, the wood is sealed so that the look will hold up for years, and it will give you a smooth surface for easy cleaning.
Distressed wood is becoming a popular choice for cabinetry both in new homes and older remodels.  Homeowners find the distressed look makes their kitchen warm and welcoming, providing a perfect place to relax, whether it's a quiet family night at home or you're planning on entertaining a crowd.
Distressed finishes will look great in your kitchen whether your style is country, traditional, or old world.  The result will be a unique, custom look that you won't regret.  And if cost is a concern, check out our price match challenge.  To get started on choosing your new cabinets, contact us.

Innovative Wine Storage for the Kitchen

Wine bottles can be many things: collectable treasures, sentimental objects, or even just simple refreshments.  But when you incorporate beautiful wine storage into the kitchen, they can also become art.
Built-in wine storage can be stained to fit right in with existing cabinetry, or it can be painted or finished differently to create an accent piece.  Let's look at some examples of different types of wine storage to see the variety of styles being used.
Some homeowners prefer to have their wine storage high up, such as in this traditional kitchen, which is still convenient for adults, but mostly inaccessible for curious children.  The criss-cross design offers a generous amount of bottle storage, and the bright labels add a punch of color to the room.
In this very contemporary kitchen, the built-in storage is lower to the ground, and purposefully does not match the all-white cabinetry that surrounds it.  It helps break up monotone, and also accentuates other decorative wooden elements in the kitchen.
This country kitchen epitomizes the notion that a wine storage can become decorative art in the right space.  The ornate details and geometric design draw the eye right to the wine rack, which matches perfectly with the rest of the elements in the breakfast nook and makes great use of an otherwise under-utilized corner.
These are just a few examples of how built-in wine storage can elevate your kitchen design, while also providing a practical, organized space for favorite bottles.  Contact us to learn more about designing the perfect wine storage for your home!

Designing a Kitchen: Which is the Right Wood for You?

Designing a kitchen is a complex process.  From the floor to the backsplash, the appliances to the lighting, there are a great many style considerations to think about.  But perhaps the most important choice you'll make in designing your dream kitchen is the cabinetry, the heart of your room.
Here are some tips on choosing the right wood cabinetry for your unique design style:

• If you're designing a sleek, modern kitchen, then walnut or dark cherry cabinets are the way to go.  The warm, rich tones of walnut cabinetry will complement a kitchen design that favors clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic, while deep cherry cabinets are a perennial favorite for achieving a luxurious effect, especially when coupled with cream tones elsewhere in the room.
• Maple is a consistently popular choice for a bright, welcoming kitchen.  It's neutral hue makes it a versatile cabinet selection and allows you to incorporate a bold, colorful backsplash.
• For a rustic, country feel, nothing beats hickory.  Its beautiful tones and medium color allow it to match well with a wide array of countertops, including many varieties of granite.
• Colored wood cabinets are making a major style comeback these days.  Of course, white cabinets have long been a favorite in classic, country-style kitchens, but we're now seeing a resurgence in stained or painted cabinets that make a strong design statement.

Edgewood Cabinetry has the experience and skills to turn your vision into reality.  Contact us to see samples of our fine kitchens from around the Triangle area, and for a free quote for your dream kitchen!

Options in Kitchen Appliances

Cooktops; ranges; wall ovens and warmers; grills; hoods and vents; refrigerators and freezers; microwaves; dishwashers; disposals and compactors; there are many, many options to consider when you’re looking into kitchen appliances. The above named are just the major appliances. You also have to decide on countertop appliances such as toasters; blenders and food processors; coffee makers; slow cookers like crock pots; and griddles and waffle makers. The great thing about your kitchen appliances is that they can become elements of the design style of the kitchen, for example stainless steel refrigerator and a oven with dark colored cabinetry creates a modern feel of the kitchen; or can blend in with the cabinetry, such as a hideaway dishwasher and trash compactor.
Regardless of the design style you choose, Edgewood Cabinetry is in the business of building and installing beautifully crafted custom cabinetry, islands, and storage options that will fit any décor and appliances in your kitchen. During the design process, advise the craftsmen of the options you want to implement in your kitchen, whether it be framing for your major appliances and storage for your small appliances, and they will work to bring your vision to life. If you like to shop around, feel free to take on the Price Match Challenge: check a different store to find out the total price of the stock cabinets of your choice, including installation, get a quote for custom built and installed cabinets from Edgewood Cabinetry, and see which option holds more value for you. Contact us for more information today.

Designing an Uncluttered Kitchen

We all know that an uncluttered kitchen is a beautiful one, but by the middle of the week, many of us are staring at a kitchen table covered with yesterday's mail, countertops sprinkled with coffee mugs, and a pantry that looks like a tornado swept through.
But designing and maintaining an uncluttered kitchen is easier than you might think when thought is given to the unique needs of your family.  A custom kitchen island is a fabulous storage solution that doubles as handy prep space for cooking, and the experts Edgewood Cabinetry can install one that perfectly matches the decor of your kitchen.  Kitchen islands are great for storing lesser-used appliances like crock pots, deep fryers, and waffle makers.
If you have an eat-in kitchen, a breakfast nook is another wonderful feature for added storage.  A handsome wooden bench with built-in drawers makes for flexible seating at family dinners, and the storage beneath can be used for anything from holiday decorations to craft supplies.
A custom kitchen bookshelf is perfect storage space for items that get regular use, or pieces that are of sentimental value to your family.  From cookbooks to photographs, antique dishes to tea sets, you can update the look of your kitchen by adding pops of color through the items you place on your bookshelf.  Best of all, we can design and build a bookshelf to fit the precise dimensions and features of your room.
Contact us to learn more about designing the perfect, uncluttered kitchen for your home!