Quartz vs Granite Counter Tops; How Do I Choose?
One of the most popular questions that I hear daily in our showroom is; “what kind of counter would you choose in your kitchen Tim, quartz or granite?” It’s really an easy answer when you break it down to these questions. Is it important to you to have a counter top that has no maintenance? Are you aiming to be as green in your kitchen as you can be? How important is color? If you answer no to the first 2 questions then the third question is answered. Color has to be important so that is how I would decide…
How to Choose the Right Cabinetry for Your Remodel
Through the 39 years that I have been in the Cabinetry business, I have heard many different opinions on how and what cabinets should be made out of. Cabinets like any products come in a variety of materials, mainly to accommodate different price levels for different buyers. I like to divide them into 3 levels; Stock, Semi-Custom and Custom. Stock cabinets were introduced in the 1960’s. They were designed for the price conscience consumer. Typically they are massed produced in a large factory in materials such as particle board and solid wood. The frames, doors and drawer fronts are made…
Dream First; Getting it Your Way
Excuse me for sounding like a Burger King commercial but when it comes to designing your kitchen, looks is not the only thing to focus on. I know that it is very important to get the right look but it is equally important to get the position of storage ideas exactly where you will need them while you cook, work and entertain in the space. I find that most people want to rush this process or that they are working with someone who does not focus on this important design segment. This is such an integral part of our process to unravel the…
How Do You Say Goodbye?
I sit here on this July Friday morning in a sullen mood. I know most people that know me think I am always smiling and in an up mood but sometimes events can sway our feelings. I had one of those events this morning when a long time associate and good friend came up the stairs of our offices here at Wood Palace and said good morning to me for the last time at work. As of the end of today, my partner in crime, my friend, associate and my right arm will retire after 18 years with our company….
The Evolution of the Baby Boomer
It is increasingly more popular for all of us Baby Boomers to purchase a new existing home and update the kitchen within a few years of move in to match our new lifestyle. It is also prevalent to me at this age that my life has evolved so many times according to the changing events of children and life in general. I can remember like it was yesterday when my daughter Gina was born. We really didn’t do much of traveling or going out like we were used to before she was in our lives. I have to assume that…
Food For Thought
Food has become an obsession in America. From TV food shows, the over-loading of restaurants to the multitude of food websites, it’s no wonder that we have a problem with weight in our country. I’m also always amazed at all of the diets that I hear about from friends and family to curb their weight problem. There seems to be a new one invented every month. No carbs, only protein, shakes, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem and the Paleo diet, each one promising the Holy Grail of results. It’s enough to make one crazy. Our yearn though for good food is off the…
Picking The Perfect Kitchen Sink For Your Custom Kitchen
A major part of any kitchen renovation is choosing the right sink. A kitchen sink needs to do more than just look nice. It has to stand up to years of use and wear. Kitchen sinks are made in a variety of different materials to fit virtually any style and any budget. Below are a few examples of the most common styles of sink being used today. Installation Methods Kitchen sinks can be installed in a variety of ways, but they mainly fall into two different camps: drop-in and undermount. Their names are fairly self-explanatory. Drop-in sinks fit into a…
Mother’s Day, Probably the Most Important Person in Your Life
Mother’s Day has to be one of my favorite days of the year. It’s that one special day that we get to celebrate the moms in our lives and to show them how much we appreciate them. Granted, we can show them how much we value them in our lives every day, but this one day makes it that much more special for them. It’s a great day to look at how much our mothers really mean to us and how much they contributed to the person we are today. OK, so what can we learn from this day? Maybe…
Transformational Design
When I look back at this project for this month, transformational was the first word that popped into my mind. I can still remember my first meeting with the Fullers at their home in Seekonk. I asked my typical questions to get an idea what they were thinking and dreaming about. After all of my questions were answered, Mary Ellen and Bob specifically told me that they were game for any ideas or thoughts from me. Those words are what every designer dreams to hear from their client when starting out with a new project. Well, let me tell you…
The Corner Sink Kitchen; Waste of Space or Not?
Having been in the kitchen industry for 40 years now and a designer for 37 of those 40, I have found the corner sink in the kitchen to be a tough sell. I have to admit, though, it has been easier in the last 15 years or so. Why is that you might be asking? It all comes down to change, and change is a hard thing to swallow for many. It also applies to the fact that we are programmed to accept what is normal in life. The kitchen sink has been under the window on an outside wall…