A section of the booth we exhibited at Build Boston. Classic white painted cabinetry, assorted door styles and a stunning quartersawn oak piece were all on display.

As 2011 comes to a close, we’re looking back at a very successful fall trade show season.  Most recently, we made an appearance at the 2011 Traditional Building Conference Series in Washington, DC.  A two day event, the conference allowed area architects to get 10 AIA credits while also having the chance to network and meet vendors like Crown Point!

Victorian Designer Series island with soapstone top.

We also exhibited for the third time at Build Boston, allowing us to meet many great new architects, designers and builders.  For the first time, we offered a drawing with a custom island as the prize.  We had a lot of interest, and one lucky show attendee can now call the custom island, from our Victorian Designer Series, her very own!

After the new year, our attention will turn to preparing for three upcoming shows; NAHB’s  International Builders’ Show, The Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference and The Architectural Digest Home Design Show.  We hope to see you at one (or more) of these venues!  Until then, enjoy the holidays!

“A good place to start is to gather magazine clippings with photos of cabinetry that appeal to you.  Usually the photos are similar to one another and can give you some insight into what your eye finds appealing.  From there, I usually ask a handful of questions to narrow the choices down to a select few.

Our Cambridge door style was the perfect fit for this Victorian Shingle Style home in Northern NH

1.  What is the style of the house?

Pay attention to what works with the period the home was built in.  If you live in a Bungalow, for example, you might like our Craftsman door.  If you live in a cottage style home, Hampton, or (you guessed it) Cottage are great choices.

2. Do you prefer a simple, clean look or are you more drawn to an ornate style?

3. Is there woodwork in other areas of the house?

If you have oak woodwork in the living room, it might be nice to tie the rooms together with oak cabinetry.  Choose a door style with similar details to really bring it together.

Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, print out your top choices.  Lay them on a large surface and picture them in your home.  Then ask yourself one simple question: Which one makes you happy?  A lot of these decisions are based on a feeling, and if you just do what feels right, you can’t go wrong!”

Drawing upon years of experience and a background in print ad design, Deb Foster has designed hundreds of kitchens.  She has also had several kitchens and other rooms published in national magazines.  When asked what she enjoys most about her job, Deb says it’s collaborating with clients and professionals to create dream kitchens on paper and see them come to life in the client’s home.

Fantastic install of the new Prairie Line from Crown Point Cabinetry.

In homage to master architect Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie movement, Crown Point Cabinetry is proud to introduce our new Prairie Line!   Our approach to Prairie styling is historically correct yet decidedly unique with innovative design elements that bring custom cabinetry to a whole new level.

This kitchen is the perfect complement to a newly constructed Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home in Central New York.

Strong lines, cantilevered projections and terraced surfaces. All details inspired by the exterior of this Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home.

Our design staff worked directly with the homeowner and architect to utilize many of the signature design elements found in the home.  Horizontal and vertical lines, dramatic brackets and posts are repeated throughout the kitchen.

An example of borrowing design details from the architecture of the home can be found in the island brackets.  They were designed to perfectly mimic the cantilevered second floor terrace.

Crown Point's design patented square channel face frames.

Our patented channel face frame is a foundational element that adds a level of lineal detail and visual interest to the entire kitchen.  To achieve this look, we apply inlays made of the same wood species (in this case, Sapele) which intersect to create a distinct square detail.

This stunning project features the Highland Park and Ellsworth Door styles.

An adjoining bar area features upper cabinetry with our Highland Park door and clear leaded glass.  Lower cabinetry features the Ellsworth door (design patent pending) with its solid wood panel and wood muntins.  Doors within this line are customizable as homeowners can choose from multiple specialty glass options.

The Linea shelving system offers a customizable way to keep your necessities at easy reach.

Another show stopping detail is our Linea Shelving System.  A customizable panel can be installed as a partial or full backsplash, or as is shown here at the end of the island.  Homeowners can choose from a number of useful elements such as clear acrylic, aluminum or wooden shelves, as well as various hooks.  Wall shelf boxes, as shown above in matching Sapele, allow you to conveniently transport your essentials from shelf to counter and back again.

More photos of this stunning Prairie Style kitchen may be found in our Gallery, album number 70!

Crown Point Designers Vanessa Perry and Bob Davis work our 20ft booth at the Remodeling Show

We’re back from a whirlwind trip to the Remodeling Show in Chicago, IL. There was great energy at the show, and we had an impressive turn out at our booth!

We had a chance to catch up with familiar faces such as Chris Wright from WrightWorks and Dimitri Nassis from Tandem Construction.  We were very happy to make new connections with quality remodelers, builders, architects and designers from IL, MN, NJ, OH, IN, MD just to name a few of the states we saw represented!

A new classic line of cabinetry, featuring chrome accents, was a big hit at the Remodeling Show!

While at the show, we introduced a classic line of cabinetry featuring chrome accents.  We were delighted to hear the word “wow!” over and over, as attendees really were drawn to the “furniture jewelry!”

Here's a close up of the chrome accents.

We enjoyed our time in Chicago and made some new friends.  Did you attend the show?  If so, what were your impressions of the show and what did you think of our new display?  Leave us a comment and let us know!

Just finding our video series today?  Start from the beginning with the first, second and third installments of the Edson Project!

This Crown Point kitchen is featured in the Fall issue of Small Kitchen Magazine!

A delightful Crown Point kitchen is featured in the Fall Issue of Small Kitchen Magazine!

Cabinetry in the kitchen is bright and inviting, hand painted in Farrow & Ball’s Wimborne White.  The homeowners worked with their builder and their Crown Point Designer to incorporate existing appliances into the new design.  In fact, based on the homeowners’ wishes, we built the custom island to fit the existing top.

Previously empty, the opposite wall now features cabinetry built floor to ceiling with wine storage, counter space, display shelving and a small sink; perfect for entertaining!

Download a pdf of the article to find out more about this beautiful space!

See more photos of this kitchen in our gallery, album 63!

Stay tuned for a Before & After blog entry featuring this Crown Point kitchen!

The details for each are as follows:

The 45th Annual Seashore Open House Tour

10:30am to 4:30pm

Long Beach Island, New Jersey

“Tour seven exquisite homes that capture the history of Long Beach Island and its renowned architecture. Featuring houses chosen for the unique style, lush landscaping, dynamic interior décor, and sustainable building practices, this tour should be not missed! This year’s tour is composed entirely of homes on the north end of Long Beach Island and is one of our best tours ever!”  All proceeds benefit the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, “a vibrant community resource dedicated to providing arts, science and recreation programs to the members, residents and visitors to the area.”

2011 Merryspring Nature Center Kitchen Tour

10:00am to 3:00pm

Camden, Rockport and Lincolnville, Maine

“Come visit seven uniquely-designed kitchens and enjoy tastings from area chefs.  All proceeds benefit Merryspring Nature Center, a non-profit, privately owned park and educational center in Camden and Rockport with nature trails and gardens open to the public every day.  This member-supported organization offers talks, classes and workshops throughout the year.”

Follow George through the partially gutted space as he explains how the layout will come together.  Also stay tuned toward the end as George gives us an inside peek at a clever tradition he has kept up since he started building.

Didn’t see the first installment?  Click here to catch up!

Hankering for more? Part three in the Edson Project: Gutting the Kitchen will be posted shortly!  Also, visit Crown Point’s YouTube Channel to check out our growing video library!

**Update 8/15/11: Watch the third installment in The Edson Project: Gutting the Kitchen!

**Update 10/13/11: Watch Part 4 of the Edson Project: Framing, Electrical and Insulation: Oh My!

We are excited to join forces with OldHouseOnline.com to bring you a free webinar: Approaches to Classic Kitchen Design! Join us Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 8pm ET.  Sign Up Now!

Patricia Poore, editor-in-chief of Old House Journal and Arts & Crafts Homes, will lead the 45-minute webinar.

From the comfort of your own home, (PJs anyone?) you will learn about the different approaches to period kitchen design, the hallmarks of specific periods, which elements to avoid and much more!

As an added bonus, one of our Crown Point Designers will be on hand after the webinar to answer any of your period style design questions in an open Q&A!

Sign Up Now!

The Greenfield, NH kitchen before the Crown Point remodel.

This small, dated kitchen in Greenfield, New Hampshire had long worn out its welcome when the homeowner contacted Crown Point about a remodel.  After waiting more than a decade, she knew it was time to go for it, and to do it right.  As the day approached for her cabinetry to arrive, she was apprehensive, wondering if the wood, paint and appliance decisions would all come together. And, would an island really fit in her kitchen?

Throughout the process, her Crown Point designer, Tamara Raymond, assured her that “it will be a beautiful fit.”  Today, in her own words, the homeowner lets us know how it all turned out:

The Greenfield kitchen after the installation of Crown Point Cabinetry. The kitchen is now an open and inviting space.

“I am happy to say, Tamara was absolutely right.  My new Crown Point kitchen transformed the look of our home and our relationship with cooking.  The room is spacious (with the removal of only one 4-foot wall), convenient (with space for everything), and serenely beautiful (my friends say zenlike).”

“I chose Crown Point’s Barnstead door style, with square inset cabinetry.  The upper cabinetry is hand-brushed with Farrow & Ball’s ‘Pointing’(a neutral cream paint).  For the base cabinetry, I chose Quartersawn Oak with a Mission Brown finish and Shaker style toekicks.”

The addition of an island creates more work and entertaining space.

“When the cabinetry was installed, I knew the wood/paint combination was right immediately.  The light paint and clean lines of the upper cabinetry gave the small area an open feel.  The warm brown of the base cabinetry made the kitchen blend beautifully with the open living and dining room areas.  The addition of the island transformed the room’s flow and made entertaining guests fun!”

“Working with Crownpoint was a 5-star experience. From the original computer drawings of what our kitchen would look like to the final adjustment of each cabinet door, our needs were always carefully considered and courteously met. Everyone remarks about the solid look, fine craftsmanship, and smooth operation of our cabinets. I’ve learned, there really is no need for angst when you decide on a Crown Point kitchen. Thank you, Tamara, and everyone at Crown Point.”

You are very welcome!  We hope you continue to enjoy your Crown Point kitchen!