2017 Kitchen Cabinet Trend

In contemporary kitchens, all-white cabinetry has been a popular pick. Homeowners are drawn to white because it’s a neutral color and neutrals are timeless. All-white cabinets are popular because they give the space an open, clean, simple, and practical concept.

This trend will go on for some time while, slowly, another style is emerging in popularity.

All-white cabinetry is being combined with other cabinetry surfaces such as wood grains, steel, concrete, etc.

There are many reasons this is becoming the trend. Connection to the outdoors and uniqueness are just a few reasons homeowners are marrying the two.

Some homeowners like to include natural elements to feel connected to the outdoors.  Each outdoor element has characteristics that convey particular impressions. Wood is natural and organic, concrete is sturdy and heavy, steel is sleek and strong, glass is smooth and light, and so forth.

Collaborating with different colors, textures, materials, and finishes with their white cabinetry will make the space look unique and feel special while maintaining timeless design.

Different surfaces, worktops, accessories, and lighting can make the design more interesting. Leicht offers variations in all those categories.  Check out more designs at  leichtatlanta.com 

KITCHEN WISH LIST

What does your ideal kitchen look like? What would you include in your dream kitchen? The answers are different for everyone, but there are certain features that everyone agrees are must haves.

1. Plenty of storage: The ideal kitchen has plenty of space to store all of your cooking equipment. The best way to add storage if you lack square footage is to go up. Take advantage of all the ceiling height you can by installing tall wall cabinets. If you have a high ceiling you can create a dramatic look with stacked wall cabinets that may have glass in the upper portion perfect to display your favorite decorative pieces.

Get creative with custom cabinet features that maximize storage. A blind corner cabinet, for instance can have one of several devices that make it easier to access items. One is a “magic corner” which is a chrome wire pullout with baskets. Another popular one is the “Le Mans” unit which as two kidney-shaped sliding shelves. Tall pantry pullouts make the most of a narrow space, and rollout shelves in base cabinets make accessibility easy. Don’t forget customized drawer accessories like cutlery trays, spice and knife inserts. Don’t forget to provide special shelving for that cookbook collection.

2. Appliances: You, of course, will want your ideal kitchen to have the latest in appliances. One trend, especially if you entertain a lot, is to have two dishwashers to make clean-up a breeze. A professional-style rangetop with a built-in griddle is a feature most cooks would love to have. Double ovens and a warming drawer are a must when cooking for a crowd. And don’t forget specialty appliances like steam ovens, built-in coffee systems, and extra refrigeration space like under counter refrigerated drawers, beverage centers or wine storage units. An extra ice maker is also handy for entertaining.

3. Lighting: Great lighting can make the difference between a good kitchen and a “Wow” kitchen. Lots of natural light from large windows is a must. Of course, you need general ambient lighting, specific task lighting and lighting for atmosphere. Be sure to include under-cabinet LED lighting, recessed ceiling cans for general lighting and pendants or fixtures over islands. If you have glass-fronted cabinets you will want to have interior lighting to sparkle off crystal and china. For special lighting consider rope lighting above the cabinets as well as below the toekick area. Dimmers on most of the lighting are the best way to create atmosphere and set a mood when entertaining.

4. One feature that most people would include in a dream kitchen is a large island with seating. The island incorporates many functions. The large surface is great for food preparation, it can double as a buffet for serving, and it contains lots of storage. It is perfect for creating a convivial atmosphere for chatting with friends and family and to keep an eye on the kids as they do their homework.

5. Style: Everyone’s idea of what the perfect kitchen looks like is different, but there are some elements that will elevate your kitchen above the norm. The cabinetry you choose is the furniture of the room and sets the mood. Hardware is the jewelry of the kitchen and adds extra flair. Color is essential in creating mood and making the kitchen a pleasant place to work. Add special touches like barn doors for the pantry, open beams, marble countertops or a special tile pattern for the floor to individualize the space.

Whether you are planning to build a new house, or remodel your current one, plan your dream kitchen for comfort, storage, functionality and beauty and make it as individual as you are.

NARI tour 2015

NARI Atlanta Presents its Fifth Annual Tour of Remodeled Homes

The Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, will present its Sixth Annual Tour of Remodeled Homes Saturday, Oct. 24, 2014 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Eight private homes transformed by NARI members throughout Atlanta’s northern suburbs will be open to the public, with the remodeling teams on hand to discuss each project and answer questions.  Proceeds from the tour will benefit CURE Childhood Cancer (www.curechildhoodcancer.org).  The tour is self-guided and will be held rain or shine.  Tickets are $20 in advance, and $30 the day of the tour, and are available at www.AtlantaRemodelingTour.com, along with a downloadable map showing each home location.  CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio will be showcasing a beautifully redesigned home as part of the tour.  We are very proud to be involved in NARI and to help such a worthwhile cause like Cure Childhood Cancer.

Rutt's New Morgan Series

Rutt HandCrafted Cabinetry has added a new door style to their Regency Series.  Called Morgan, it is a clean-lined classic Shaker style—but with a difference.  Not just a door style, but a complete system of cabinetry, Morgan blurs the line between frameless and framed cabinetry.  Horizontal and vertical members do not meet on the same plane creating shadow lines and an interesting layered effect.  With specially designed components unique to Morgan, such as soffit and base rails, light rails, and end panels, this system is a complete concept.

Understanding the Kitchen Remodeling Process

At the Build, Remodel and Landscape Expo this weekend, January 26-27, 2013, Tom Strott will present a seminar called "Understanding the Kitchen Remodeling Process."  He will walk you through the ins and outs of making changes to your kitchen that will transform it into one that you truly enjoy and will increase the value of your home.  He will discuss the benefits of remodeling, whether you should do-it-yourself or hire a contractor, the steps involved in the process and current kitchen trends.

Rutt HandCrafted Cabinetry Comes to CSI!

CSI has exciting news!  We have just signed an agreement to represent Rutt HandCrafted Cabinetry in the Atlanta area!  After an absence of several years from our market, we are pleased to be the only dealer of this high quality exclusive custom line of cabinetry in Georgia.

 Rutt is made the old-fashioned way--hand crafted by skilled artisans in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  Here are just some of the features that go into the craftsmanship of Rutt cabinets:  Woods are hand selected; grains are hand matched; drawers and accessories can be crafted from cherry, mahogany, poplar or walnut; mullion doors are hand made with individual panes; finishes are oven-cured and protected with clear varnish; many paint and stain finishes are available--or you can request a custom finish.  Styles range from contemporary to traditional with hundreds of combinations of door designs, wood species and finishes. 

Rutt makes exquisite cabinetry in traditonal and contemporary styles.

Curved cabinets and custom mulllioned doors are possible with Rutt.

  And, of course, Rutt belongs to the KCMAs Environmental Stewardship Program for cabinet manufacturers that adhere to high standards of safety, environmental responsibility, recycling and sustainability. 

We will have samples and displays soon, but in the meantime, please visit the Rutt website at www.ruttcabinetry.biz and www.ruttregency.com. 

Cool New Sink from Blanco

The new Crystalline sink from Blanco is especially designed for small kitchens to maximize the work area, but it makes a great prep sink too! 

The cool thing about the Crystalline sink is the safety glass top that slides over the sink when not in use.  This extends the work surface and doubles as a cutting board.  The sink is designed with Blanco's MicroEdge technology to fit flush with the countertop. 

It also has a pop-up strainer button so you can empty the bowl without putting your hands in the water.  How cool is that?

Makeover of the Month-July 2012





Before the remodel

 Our makeover of the month for July is a great kitchen project that we did for a wonderful couple in Kennesaw.  They wanted an updated look, new appliances and flooring.  They also had a couple of architectural challenges that we had to take into consideration in the design.  One was a structural column that supported the ceiling at the juncture of several angles.  This could not be moved.  Another was a relative lack of wall space. 

The column had to be integrated into the island.  We designed a large multi-level island that includes the sink, dishwasher, trash pullout and lots of storage.  One end of the island has a raised bar that also functions to hide clutter in the sink area, and the other end integrates a table for quick snacks. 


After the kitchen remodel

Wall space was gained by removing a pair of corner windows and a small closet.  We placed the 42" Miele gas cooktop and large hood on an angle in the corner.  Glass cabinets line the wall to the right of the hood, and tall units (refrigerator, built-in microwave and warming drawer and pantry) are to the left.
The Parker door style from Schrock was chosen for the cabnetry for its traditional ambiance.  We used cherry in a light stain for the "L" of the kitchen, and maple in a glazed finish called Toasted Almond for the island.  Beautiful countertops in Excalibur granite top the cabinets.

Travertine tile makes an elegant statement in the backsplash, and the dark-stained flooring give depth.  The homeowners love the transformation of their kitchen!

European Kitchen Design Trends

Eurocucina, the huge biennial trade show held this year in Milan, showcased the latest trends in contemporary kitchen design.

The trend continues for the increased integration of the kitchen with the living room to promote family togetherness and to function as an open, multiple-use space.

A major theme of exhibitors was the use of natural woods for kitchen cabinetry.  Oak was especially dominant in dark and natural finishes with sharp, crisp edges.  The look is very natural with the wood treated as simply as possible.  Integrated handles were used extensively for cabinetry rather than traditional applied handles.  Open wall shelving was also seen as a dominant trend with most exhibitors.

Another big trend noted was the return of white and black for appliances.  After years of the dominance of stainless steel, white and black are now seen as more sophisticated.  If stainless steel is used, it is in a matte finish or one that is treated to resist fingerprints.

In countertops, quartz, glass and wood are favored materials. Textured and matte finishes emphasize a natural look to go with the natural cabinetry.  Thicknesses were explored as well with both extra-thick and extra-thin materials used.  Also waterfall countertops were used for a more contemporary look with the countertop material extending to the floor as a leg.

A fun trend is the integration of indoor gardens into countertops.  With proper lighting, one could grow herbs and snip them when preparing a recipe.  What could be fresher?

Miele's New Dishwasher Series

Miele has reintroduced their Classic and Crystal Series of dishwashers.  Not only can you get the most dependable dishwashers on the market (highest ranking dishwashers according to J. D. Power), but they are at new, lower price points!

The trend in Europe is away from stainless steel and towards black and white, believe it or not, so Miele has added black and white models to the Classic and Crystal Series to join their famous Clean Touch Steel and integrated models. 

And, not only do Miele dishwashers have the Good Housekeeping Seal which will refund or replace a machine found to be defective within the first two years, but Miele offers a 90-day money back guarantee.  As Miele says, "Forever Better."  http://www.mieleusa.com/

Miele Dishwashers Win Good Housekeeping Seal

Miele dishwashers have won the prestigious Good Housekeeping Seal.  This means that they have undergone rigorous testing at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute.  The limited warranty reflected by this Seal means that if a product with the Seal is found to be defective within the first two years of purchase, Good Housekeeping will replace the product or refund the purchase price.  Now that's quality assurance a consumer can be confident about!

Jay Rambo's New Color Choices

Jay Rambo Co., our custom line of cabinetry, has just launched a number of exciting new finish colors! For alder wood, clear or knotty, new finishes include Buckskin, Diplomat Grey with Glaze, and Tuscan. For maple, Diplomat Grey with Glaze is also offered, as well as Warm White, and Wyndham Cream. Perfect Brown is as the name implies and is offered on cherry or walnut woods.

Come visit our showroom soon to see samples of these beautiful new finishes!

Open House

Many thanks to our clients, Shirley and Eddie Griggs of Stone Mountain, who graciously opened their home to their friends and neighbors to view the kitchen and bath that we remodeled for them. They were very pleased and excited and happy to share the results. Everyone had a wonderful time and enjoyed some great food. Enjoy the pictures!

National Kitchen and Bath Month

Did you know that October is National Kitchen and Bath Month? The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) started this program in 1982 to raise awareness of the kitchen and bath industry.

As real estate agents will tell you, remodeling your kitchen or bathroom earns the greatest return on your investment when it comes time to sell. Home buyers are favorably or unfavorably impressed by the condition of these rooms and they can make a big difference in how quickly a house sells--or perhaps if it sells at all. Even if you aren't planning to sell soon, don't you deserve the pleasure of working in a great remodeled kitchen?

Take a good look at your kitchen (or bathroom) and think about what you like about it and what you don't. What needs improvement? What looks outdated or worn? Are there appliances that don't work as they should--or are not energy efficient? If prospective buyers were to look at it today, would they like what they see? Make a list and discuss your ideas with a kitchen and bath specialist. They will inform you of the latest trends and tell you how to plan your project to get the most from your remodeling budget.

Schrock's Huge Product Launch

Schrock Cabinetry continues to make substantial additions and changes to their product lineup. Their recent launch was one of the biggest ever!

One of the biggest changes is that Schrock has combined its Value styles into the Trademark group to give more options to the Value doors. Now colors that were only available in Trademark are available on a wider selection of door styles.

I love the beautiful new colors Schrock has introduced! These are colors inspired by nature and work well in combination with other colors. There's Honeysuckle, a soft painted yellow finish; Tidal Mist, a pale dusty blue; Portobello, a sophisticated neutral painted finish; Oasis, a blue-green painted finish; and Havana, a warm earthy brown stain. The "Heirloom" technique can be added to any of these colors for a worn, antique look.

Have 8' ceilings? As you know, usually when ceilings are 96" high, the cabinets rise to 90" and you are left with either 6" of open space above the cabinets or 6" of soffit board and crown. Well, Schrock has added a new 93" overall cabinet height so that only 3" is left to fill at the top. This maximizes storage space and still leaves room for crown molding to finish off the look.

Speaking of finishing touches--new legs, corbels and furniture feet give you more options than ever to create the look you want--whether contemporary, Arts and Crafts or traditional!

Schrock is well-known for its SmartSolutions™ storage features. New additions include a pantry storage unit with pots and pans pullout, an "X" shaped wine storage cabinet, a base "magic corner" swingout, and a full height trash can unit for larger trash cans.

Visit CSI's showroom soon to learn more about the flexibility and choices you have with Schrock for your new kitchen!