When building or remodeling a kitchen, the cabinetry door style largely determines the look of the space.  And, if you’ve had a chance to scroll through our options, you’ll see we offer 58 standard styles.  So, how do you decide? Crown Point Designer Deb Foster breaks it down in today’s Designer Tip:

“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.

It’s time to catch up with the Edsons!  Part Four of our video series, The Edson Project, updates us on the framing, electrical and insulation work that has been done in preparation for bringing in the kitchen cabinetry!  Take a look…

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

When our photography crew travels to shoot installed Crown Point kitchens, we often encounter family pets who are quite curious about us and our equipment.  This inspired us to create a new segment of our blog called “Crown Point Critters.”

Speedo lounges in the kitchen

Today’s critter is referred to lovingly by his family as “Speedo.”  He is a well-traveled feline, living partly in this home on Lake Winnipesaukee NH, and partly down in Virginia Beach, VA.  He was more than happy to have his picture taken in his Crown Point kitchen!

Do you have a Crown Point Critter?  Send a photo of your pet posing with your Crown Point Cabinetry.  We just might feature your furry (or scaley, or feathery) friend on the blog!

Send us your email!

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!

We appreciate all of our clients, and a special thanks goes out to those who are able to share their beautiful homes and cabinetry with us. Our photo crew ventures out regularly to bring back stunning images for use in our website, blog, advertisements, brochures and more.

Here’s a behind the scenes look at what happens on a Crown Point photo shoot.  Enjoy!

In our 3rd installment of the Edson Project, Gutting the Kitchen, George will walk us through the gutted space, now ready for framing and new windows.  He’s also prepared some show and tell, with a glimpse of the tools he used when building the old kitchen back in 1969.  Take a look!

Missed parts 1 and 2 of the Edson Project?  See them here and here, or visit Crown Point’s YouTube Channel to see all of our videos!

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

As promised, below is our second installment in the Edson Project: The Transition Begins!

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!

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!

Our friends at Yankee Barn Homes recently highlighted a Crown Point Kitchen on their blog, Post And Beam Living! In part two of a posting series they’ve dubbed Homes I’m Loving Right Now, the entry features a stunning timber frame New Hampshire home, with an overall shot of the gorgeous kitchen!

We thought now would be a great time to share our own detailed photos of the kitchen.  Here are a couple more shots for your viewing pleasure!

The range area is made even more beautiful with a New England style hand-painted mural.  The mural is by Christina Neuser, owner of the Urban Crayon, and a commissioned artist for clients throughout New England.

This is a handsome Yankee Barn model home, open for tours by appointment.  You can contact Yankee Barn Homes for a tour, or contact us to help design the cabinetry for your own dream home!

A great way to raise funds for charity is to organize a kitchen tour, opening up a handful of well-designed kitchens to the public for a small entry fee.  Several times a year, Crown Point kitchens are featured in tours like this around the country.   Most recently, the stunning kitchen above was featured in the 5th Annual Palace Theatre Kitchen Tour.  Proceeds from the tour benefited youth programs at the Historic Palace Theatre in Manchester, NH, and we were happy to be a sponsor!

Voted “Best Kitchen Tour in NH” in 2008 by NH Magazine, the tour just completed it’s 5th year of highlighting some of the finest kitchen designs in the area.  This year’s tour was a success, featuring seven homes and welcoming 350 visitors to check out the innovative kitchen designs.

The happy homeowner of this beautiful Bedford home was thrilled to have her kitchen in the tour.  And, our own Christine Dunleavy, designer of the featured kitchen, was on hand the day of the tour answering any questions and sharing kitchen design advice with attendees.

Kitchen cabinetry is Maple finished in Burnt Umber, with a painted island in Antique White for a nice contrast.  And just look at that view!

Charity kitchen tours are always a lot of fun, and this one was no exception.  It was a wonderful event, for a great cause!