“I’ve got my room sketched out, complete with walls, doorways and windows…where do I start on this blank slate?!?”

When you’re at that magical starting point, it’s common to want to make it perfect, especially the first time out. However, take a deep breath, and realize it will more than likely require more than one pass to get to “that’s perfect!”

Here’s a simple way to start: Sketch in your appliances first, then add the cabinetry. You’ll find it much easier to plan your workflow and create your work zones.

Have a design tip that will help others? Send us your tip!

Crown Point Cabinetry has long been known as the premier custom cabinetmaker for period style kitchens.  More recently, we’ve delved into the world of frameless cabinetry for our clients looking for a clean, contemporary look.  But what about those who want a touch of vintage style, and also long for a modern feel?

The answer is Crown Point’s Transitional line; a beautiful blending of both vintage and contemporary elements to create the perfect look for any style home.

Fred Puksta, the Product Designer here at Crown Point, spearheaded the development of this line, even using his own kitchen as the prototype (the resulting masterpiece is pictured above).

“We wanted to introduce a totally customizable line that allowed for the modular substitution of design components to create a kitchen unique to the individual,” said Fred of the new line.  “It would be contemporary frameless construction with the option of adding vintage details such as valances, doors and feet, influenced by Victorian, Cottage, Arts & Crafts, Shaker and Early American styles.”

After months of designing, installing, uninstalling, redesigning and final installation, the Transitional Line was born!  For more details, and to check out our offerings in this line, visit our New Transitional page!

Fred was recently interviewed on this subject for a story on HGTV.com.  His tips and tricks to achieving the look can be found in “Guide to Creating a Transitional Kitchen.”

Because we love before pictures, below is a shot of Fred’s kitchen before it was revamped!  Wow!

If you’re looking to inject some personality into your kitchen, a good place to start is the backsplash. By adding bright, eye-catching tile in this space, you’ll get a pop of color without disrupting the simple, classic beauty of the cabinetry.

We’ve got three examples here that bring our point home. These clients were nice enough to not only provide us with photographs, but they also dished about where they got their tile, the inspiration behind it, and why they love their Crown Point kitchen!  Enjoy!

“I knew I did not want the over-done, cliched ‘country kitchen’ look, so I became determined to achieve something my Crown Point Designer, Christine and I started to call “updated farmhouse,” which would have elements suggesting a rustic kitchen in materials with a modern edge. The backsplash, a Pennsylvania Dutch-inspired “quilt” made of tile, was the perfect culmination of that aesthetic. It was a real thrill to experiment with tile colors, textures, and finishes from Pratt and Larson, using schemes that complemented the “mustard” milk paint of my new Crown Point cabinets. I love the finished result, and credit my Crown Point cabinets for calling out for–demanding, really–something special in a backsplash.”

Homeowner-Belmont, Massachussetts

“The color scheme for this kitchen was determined by a beautiful palette in Trikeenan Tile’s Brickbond line called Random Blue Blend.  From there, the homeowner selected Crown Point Cabinetry in a complementary soft blue finish.  She and I worked directly with our Crown Point Designer, Karen, to come up with a design full of pull-outs and space saving features that were exactly what she was looking for!”

Interior Designer for Home in Bondville, Vermont

“In designing the remodel of our kitchen, we wanted to pay respects to the history of our house, a 1928 colonial with some Spanish colonial accents (such as arched doorways and nooks, and original wrought iron chandelier and banister). Our wonderful Crown Point designer, Lois, worked with us to pull together a great and harmonious kitchen plan. We used frameless cabinets, but achieved a more traditional look with Victorian style trim, moldings and toekicks. To pay homage to the Spanish accents (and our love of Mexican handpainted tile), we decided on a bright backsplash using Mexican Talavera tiles we found through an online tile importer, Tierra y Fuego. We couldn’t be happier with the result-we love our classic combination of white cabinetry with the soapstone countertop and the way they’re set off by the vibrant backsplash!”

Homeowner-Chevy Chase, Maryland

One of the most visually rewarding ways to “go green” in your kitchen is to choose antique woods for your custom cabinetry. These are timbers and boards that have been carefully and responsibly reclaimed from old barns, factories and mills otherwise destined for demolition.  Giving these timbers a second life not only preserves their historic beauty, but it helps to reduce the number of trees that are otherwise harvested.

Here at Crown Point, we’ve partnered with the great people over at Carlisle Wide Plank Floors in nearby Stoddard, NH to offer our cabinetry handcrafted with FSC Certified antique woods from all over the country.  The folks over at Carlisle seek out these inoperative buildings and skillfully recover the lumber that has proven its strength and durability over centuries of use.  Our cabinetmakers then select the individual timbers with the most character (think knots, nail holes and such) and repurpose them into one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture quality cabinetry!

A client in Fairfield, Connecticut recently fell in love with  Antique Heart Pine.  She worked closely with Crown Point designer Lois Horan to design the stunning hutch and island (pictured above and below) as the perfect complement to her soft yellow painted Crown Point kitchen. Naturally distressed, strong and durable, the Antique Heart Pine adds an element of timeless beauty to this lakeside cottage home.

Crown Point offers eight different antique wood species (Antique Elm, Chestnut and Hickory to name a few).   More in-depth information about these reclaimed woods and the responsible way they are obtained, can be found on our Wood Species page, or over at the Carlisle Wide Plank Flooring website.  Tell them we say hello!

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!