When flipping through the latest issue of This Old House (one of our many favorite publications to peruse) we came across a trend alert in their Home News section telling us that home libraries are “in” for 2009!  (Bookworms rejoice!)

It seems that “63 percent of homeowners have a library or want one” according to the National Association of Home Builders.  And that’s up by 9% since 2002!

We thought we’d hop on the bandwagon and give you a couple examples of studious family libraries and cozy reading nooks that we’ve created for our clients.

Just envision yourself on a lazy Sunday afternoon enjoying the latest Jodi Picoult novel or perhaps scaring yourself silly with something by Steven King….Either way, sit back and enjoy!

More libraries and book nooks abound at our Office and Other Room pages.

Ok, now I want one!

The holidays are a grand time for cooking, baking and gathering around the chef to sample sweet creations.  This also means more chances for spills, dribbles and blobs of sticky goodness on your cabinetry.  Let us help lower your stress level with the best ways to clean up those holiday messes. (And contrary to what Uncle Buck might say, “let the dog take care of it” is not one of our recommendations!)

For ordinary drips and drops, a damp sponge will get the job done.  We’re talking regular soft sponge, not the two-sided kind with sponge on one side and abrasive pad on the other. We want to wipe up the spill, not sand through the finish. (Yes, again, we’re looking at you, Uncle Buck!) The key here is to make sure there’s no standing water on the cabinetry when you’ve  wiped it clean.

When you need a bit more than elbow grease, try Murphy’s Oil Soap or Scott’s Liquid Gold. We recommend either of these for our clients to use on their own Crown Point Cabinetry. Either product can be found online and at most major department or hardware stores.  Bonus tip: They are also good for an overall cleaning of the interior and exterior twice a year or so to keep the cabinetry looking its best.

Need more info? Our care and cleaning page delves deeper into the maintenance of your cabinetry with tips on dealing with the occasional scratch or ding, seasonal changes in temperature and humidity, and the all important moisture control.

Now, let’s get back to baking those cookies!

Sometimes, it’s just good to take a breather when working on a project. Whether you’re at the research stage, comparing the difference in styles between Shaker or Arts and Crafts, or trying to decide upon a door style or type of finish you prefer, it can be quite refreshing to step back a moment.

While we won’t attempt to get into any new-age relaxation techniques (we prefer the old-school “take a nap” method ourselves!) we recently ran across a blog that, if nothing else, can’t help but make you smile.

By way of introduction, as much as we all enjoy getting a look at a baby animal, the “awwww” factor goes up tenfold when they’re exotic baby animals. If you haven’t seen ZooBorns yet, do yourself a favor, and pop on over.

Don’t worry, we’ll be waiting for you when you get back.

A feature article in the December issue of This Old House Magazine shows readers how to give their brand new home that aged, “lived in” feeling.  On page 40, they feature close-up shots of our skilled craftsmen applying hand mixed Old Fashioned Milk Paint, and then distressing the cabinetry to achieve that sought-after look.

To check out our Milk Paint finishing process in more detail and to see the choices we offer, visit our finishes page.  Or better yet, come visit us and take a tour of our facility to see it first hand!

We know, there’s only about a billion places to search when you’re poking about on the web, trying to stuff as much knowledge as possible into your brain when you’re in “research mode” for your custom kitchen project.

Here’s one you should find useful…

A rather comprehensive catalog (one can never have too many!) exists with the Design Center Sourcebook. (The link will take you direct to the cabinet section.)

It lists sources for all sorts of cool stuff for all rooms of the house, including a discussion on styles of homes. Lots of info on the site, and if so desired, a wonderfully printed and bound version can be purchased.

(Disclaimer: Yes, we are an advertiser in the publication!)

Every so often we interview and spotlight a design professional who has worked with Crown Point on various projects.  Today, we’re proud to introduce  you to Tim Jones of Jones Contracting in West Creek New Jersey!

Tim Jones installed one of the first frameless kitchens by Crown Point Cabinetry in a home on Long Beach Island in New Jersey

Drawing from years of experience as a finish carpenter and project manager, Tim Jones founded his own company, Jones Contracting, in 2000. Since then, he and a hand full of skilled employees have made a name for themselves, specializing in all interior and exterior finish work in oceanfront homes along the southern coast of New Jersey.

What sets you apart from other builders in your area?

My background is in finished carpentry. Working on site everyday brings an opportunity to invent and visualize custom touches that set each home apart from the rest.

How would you characterize the homes you build and remodel?

They are unique with quite a bit of character. We pay attention to details and add things like railing and exterior trim.

What is the greatest challenge for you when building or remodeling a home?

Bringing the project in on time and on budget is always a major focus. You want to deliver a home to a happy client because if they’re not happy, then you’re in trouble!

Beautiful maple cabinetry from Crown Point's Limited frameless line hugs the curved wall of a contemporary beach house on Long Beach Island

What are some of the projects you’ve done with Crown Point?

We’ve done several projects with Crown Point, and we’ve got one in production right now. One of the more interesting projects was a contemporary beach house on Long Beach Island. The cabinetry was maple natural from Crown Point’s new Frameless line. The challenge here was that the kitchen walls were rounded. Crown Point made sure the cabinetry installed perfectly.

What do you like about working with Crown Point?

They’re a joy to work with, and you can’t beat the quality of the cabinets. I’ve installed many kitchens over the years and there’s no comparison to Crown Point. When it comes to details, Crown Point Cabinetry has taken my projects over the top. Because of this, I continue to build fine homes during these tough times.

Tim pauses for a photo with his daughters before heading out on the water for the day

How do you spend your free time?

I spend as much time as I can with my wife and four daughters. We have a small boat, so we like to get out on the water. We also love to go camping in an RV and travel to different places. And, I love watching sports, especially hockey and football.

Custom Cabinetry from Crown Point

Ran across an article on kitchen design the other day and found a couple of interesting points. Different from other usual articles (“the kitchen is becoming the center of the home” – how many years have you read that already?!?) in that it touches on accommodating our aging baby boomers, as well as a point about integrating electronics. (Any sentence that uses the words “electronics” and “integrating” always makes my geeky cells giddy!)

 Top Trends for 2008

(the photo to the left, as well as the rest of the kitchen, can be seen in our Recent Images gallery. It’s album 39.

Adapting and changing is always a part of business. Nothing is ever static. (Well, I suppose it can be, but you can bet your competitors aren’t!)

As part of improving our communication with everyone, we are adapting to a proven blog technology, versus our previous method. (No, it wasn’t like we were hammering it out with chisel and stone, but hey…)

Anyway, we’ve got some great plans, ideas, and even a surprise or two! Come along, it’s going to be a great ride!