The Abode model home features Crown Point cabinetry finished in Barn Red Milk Paint, and a beautiful island handcrafted from Antique Heart Pine

Abode, a local full-service green home building company, is holding a Green By Design Open House this Saturday featuring a talk by Crown Point Designer, Nina Jordan!   Joining Nina will be several of New England’s top green experts in architectural, interior and landscape design, giving attendants a useful overview of green building and energy efficient living.

With Milk Painted Crown Point cabinetry as her backdrop in the model home, Nina will give a quick presentation about our family history, our philosophy, and our newest offerings in green cabinetry for your home.  Highlights of her speech will include the benefits of our eco-friendly Farrow & Ball finishes and details about our responsibly reclaimed Antique Woods.  She’ll also take the time to answer any questions you might have about our cabinetry, so feel free to ask!

The Plymouth New Hampshire Abode Model Home at dusk

The Abode Model home, located at 568 Tenney Mountain Highway, Plymouth, New Hampshire, will be open to the public on Saturday, October 10th from 1:00pm-4:00 pm.   Presentations will go on throughout the afternoon while a BBQ and entertainment round out the day!  We hope you can make it!

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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!

Say Hello to Jeff Stowell, Creative Director

In the Say Hello section of our journal, we profile a “Crown Pointer,” giving you a glimpse of their contribution to the cabinetmaking process.

Jeff takes a break from photographing a beautiful cherry Arts and Crafts Designer Series Crown Point kitchen in Massachusetts

Jeffrey Stowell, the eldest son of Crown Point founders Norm and Deanna, has been working for Crown Point Cabinetry since 1980.  At that point, the company consisted of Norm, Jeff and two of his younger brothers Brian and Scott.  Together, they handcrafted the finest period style custom cabinetry in a small workshop in Newport, New Hampshire.  Almost 30 years later, Jeff is an even greater asset to the company, working as the Creative Director. He designed and built the Crown Point website and continues to maintain it on a daily basis. In addition, he is a professional photographer and has photographed over 60 Crown Point kitchens now featured on our website.
In your 28 years of working at Crown Point, you’ve gone from Cabinetmaker to Marketing Manager.  How many other positions have you held over the years?

Somewhere between four and four hundred. In a family business, especially in the “early days” with all seven of us kids working here, when there was a need, it got filled!
What does a typical day entail for you?

I feel very fortunate in that my typical day is anything but typical! I may be on a photo shoot, doing my best to capture some of the loveliest kitchens I’ve ever seen, or I could be working on our latest series of ads, or updating and enhancing our web site. (And yes, I am a self-confessed and obsessed Mac computer geek) In all aspects of my job, I get to work closely with a diverse group of people with different needs, but with the same passion for what we create!

Jeff photographed this Early American Crown Point kitchen in 2004 and has used the images in several Crown Point print advertisements

Which aspect of your job do you enjoy most and why?

There’s something special about being able to talk to clients in their own homes, and listen as they praise their cabinetry. I think about how much work and effort goes into every job, and seeing and hearing how happy the client is…well, it makes me very proud!
Forgive the impertinence, but c’mon, you sound like a salesman!

I know, I know, but you have to understand: This is more than a business or job. My family and extended family at Crown Point  work very hard building amazing cabinetry, and an amazing company. Come to our facility, talk to anyone, and I mean anyone, and you will see for yourself the pride that comes from working here.

In his free time, Jeff races RC cars with his son, Andrew 
  

What do you do in your free time?
In the warmer months, I love to work on and informally race my nitro RC car. (OK, technically speaking, it’s a stadium truck). In the winter, it’s snowmobiling. I also started playing the guitar about five months ago. Make that learning to play. More like “strumming chords badly at a painfully uneven rhythm.”
With my wife, two children, one dog, and three cats,  there’s never a dull moment. Actually, a dull moment sounds kind of appealing!

Crown Point Kitchen featured in Kitchens & Baths Magazine!

The newest issue of Kitchens & Baths Magazine includes a six-page article featuring an impressive Crown Point kitchen

The featured Crown Point kitchen, with cabinetry in Quartersawn Oak, makes great use of every inch of this

A beautiful Arts & Crafts Crown Point kitchen is featured in the latest issue of Kitchens & Baths Magazine! With six pages of photographs, plus commentary from Crown Point designer Lois Horan, readers learn how to achieve an impressive Arts & Crafts look while making the most of a small space.

Lois listened carefully to the client’s needs, adding stylish Craftsman details to handsome, highly functional Quartersawn Oak cabinetry. “I wanted to create a beautiful kitchen using every last inch for added storage,” said Lois. “Now that its finished, everything has its place, and the family couldn’t be happier with their kitchen.”

Click here to read the full online article “Waste Not, Want Not”

The custom range hood is paneled to match the Craftsman door style, and Quartersawn Oak appliance panels conceal dishwasher drawers

The family even found space for a custom dog den, perfect for their two dachshunds

To ensure a place for everything, Lois incorporated several storage solutions. For example, extra deep drawers and roll out can storage in the banquette were essential in keeping the family organized.

The banquette provides the family with a casual dining nook

The printed article entitled “Waste Not, Want Not” can be found in Issue Number 2, 2008 of Kitchens and Baths, a Woman’s Day Special Interest Publication.