Framed: Framed cabinetry is what we’ve been building in America since we started calling it America. This construction type is what most of us have in our homes now and quiet literally what our grandparents had in their house. In this type of cabinet construction, the rails and stiles form a 1-1/2 inch face “frame” at the front of the cabinet box. This frame resembles a flat picture frame that is attached to the door front, giving added dimension to the door front.

In framed cabinetry, the cabinet doors are secured to the frame, which gives the cabinet strength and sturdiness. Framed cabinets attach the door hinges to the frame face and shelves, and are usually, but not always, adjustable. Partial and full overlay, as well as inset cabinet doors, can be used with framed cabinets, giving you many design possibilities for creating a customized look for your cabinetry.

Frameless: Frameless cabinet construction is a European way of manufacturing cabinets that has become popular among American homeowners seeking simple, more contemporary cabinet designs. Frameless cabinetry is sometimes called “full access” cabinetry because it offers greater accessibility by eliminating the face frame. Instead, it relies on thicker box construction for stability. Only full overlay doors can be used, with hinges attached directly to the sides of the cabinet box.

In frameless construction, cabinets do not have a face frame attached to the front of the cabinet box. After they have been installed, all you will see are the flat door and drawer fronts, providing a sleek, simple aesthetic that can work with many design themes throughout the home.

Frameless cabinets do not have a center stile coming down in the middle of the two cabinet doors, providing easier access to the items inside, as well as more storage space to work with. The shelves are typically adjustable. Drawers in frameless cabinetry also tend to be larger because of the space saved by not having a face frame attached to the front.

Inset: Inset cabinetry features doors and drawers that fit inside of the cabinet face frame openings. This type of cabinet construction gives a full view of the cabinet frame, with only minimal spacing or gaps between the cabinet components.

Inset cabinetry offers clean lines, flush inset doors and features that can change the look of a standard cabinet with a full overlay door. With inset cabinets, you can personalize the design with either beaded or non-beaded inserts to create your own look and complement your home’s décor. The beaded inset construction is fitted into the cabinet door itself, providing an edge detail that evokes fine craftsmanship.

Inset cabinets can take on a large range of additional modifications, including color and finish options, mouldings and embellishments, enabling you to create beautiful cabinets that celebrate the heritage and simple elegance of transitional styling.

Which type are you most interested in for your next renovation project?

I had the opportunity to attend the national kitchen and bath show (KBIS) in Orlando, FL last month where over 600 manufacturers come together to show the latest and greatest products and trends.

One booth that never fails to wow me is Formica. Yes, you heard me correctly – laminates! Before you roll your eyes, see for yourself. Formica is no longer your grandmothers kitchen countertop.

Even I still agree that laminates aren’t the best option for “lifetime” products that take a lot of wear and tear, like kitchen countertops, but it can still have a spot in the kitchen!

Traditionally, laminates have been used on horizontal surfaces but the sky is the limit when we take them vertically. With literally thousands of finishes to choose from, I’m hard pressed to think of a space that I couldn’t use it in. Wall panels, partitions, even doors! Think about built-ins like a breakfast banquette and living room storage pieces.

Tell us where you think you could use this versatile material in your house!

]]> http://baschwarz.com/product-spotlight-formica-laminate-surfaces/feed/ 0 http://baschwarz.com/elegantly-eclectic/ http://baschwarz.com/elegantly-eclectic/#comments Mon, 20 Jun 2016 01:11:37 +0000 http://baschwarz.com/?p=1232 When I was in design school I learned A LOT about different eras of design and architecture. We learned about movements and revivals and all the nuances that defined each one. As with anything, there are some that I loved and some that I’m happy to do without but one thing that ‘History of Interiors’ did teach me was that every design style deserves respect.

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Where I once would have seen a chair that looked ‘fancy’ I now see that the legs are Georgian where the seat back is Rococo and the fabric seat cushion isn’t period correct. After you’ve literally been tested about furniture, art work, fabric, and even plates – you never really look at them the same. I think this is where my love for an eclectic home began.

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I would be at a second hand store and find something that reminded me of a classic style that I love and I would take it home with me. From then on I never really worried about finding pieces that ‘matched’. I pick things up for my own house when I find something that interests me and I worry about where to put it later. The best part about an eclectic style is the more you collect the easier to becomes to introduce it into your space.

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I do follow a few rules when finding pieces to add to my ever expanding eclectic collection.

1. Love it. After years of buyer’s remorse I never buy anything that is just “okay”. I proudly say that every piece in my home is something that I really appreciate and every piece has something that attracted me to it. If it makes me do a double take in the store, there is a good chance it’s going in my basket!

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2. Make it meaningful. The piece needs to mean something to you! Maybe that lamp reminds you of something your grandparents had in their house, or like for me, the color navy always reminds me of my mom. Select pieces that remind you of something cheerful in your life, then every time you see it you have a memory or person to associate with it.

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3. Value quality. It is true that quality pieces CAN be more expensive but if you find something that you really love, spend a little extra and get something that is going to stand the test of time. It is also true that ‘they don’t make it like they used to’ so don’t rule out estate sales and auctions for finding quality pieces that aren’t going to cost you a fortune.

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4. Craftsmanship. I love finding pieces that have handmade characteristics. This is part of the reason that I like needlework art and quilts so much, I enjoy thinking about the person that created it and what they drew their inspiration from.

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5. Opposites Attract. It can be overwhelming to incorporate things with a lot of different colors and styles into a single space. Try positioning things that oppose each other near one another. You have an old wooden book end – try pairing it with a sleek modern lamp. The two pieces create a visual contrast with one another and force the viewer to gaze longer creating more interest.

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6. Repetition. Anytime I find a pair or triplet of something, I buy the set! This allows me to either group them together in a vignette or spread them out within a space to create visual continuity. Using an orange throw pillow on your couch? Try finding a piece of art work that is stylistically different but uses a punch of orange. This will help the viewer’s eye travel around the room identifying common threads that make the space feel both cohesive as well unique.

What is your favorite way of adding personal style into your home?

I just returned back from a spring vacation to Ireland and aside from leaving even more exhausted than when I arrived I also left feeling inspired for spring and summer! When I was visiting Ireland last week they were experiencing their first few ‘warm’ (cold to me!) days of spring and the people and flowers were out en masse!

Here in California we have beautiful weather nearly every day of the year but we don’t see big season changes like other parts of the country so sometimes we have to create them ourselves by freshening up our interiors. Aside from the beautiful architecture, historic relics, and stunning vistas I felt genuinely inspired by some of the colors that I kept seeing repeatedly throughout my trip. It surprised me to find that everywhere from the rural countryside to bustling downtown Dublin I was seeing the same materials time and time again.

I present my ‘Ireland in Spring’ color pallette! So maybe the name needs work, let’s move on.

Navy – From boats in the harbor, beautifully tailored suits, and front entry doors – entire houses even! There is no denying that this island loves the color of the ocean!

Emerald – After its own name ‘the Emerald Isle’ it is obvious that Kelly Green is king in Ireland. I couldn’t throw a rock without hitting something emerald while I was on this trip. From their nation’s flag, to the rolling hills themselves you’ve never seen this colors true potential until you’ve seen it in its natural state.

Gray – Everything from the clouds in the sky to the ocean itself. We all know that Ireland has its fair share of bad weather but even on the overcast days when everything is blanketed in a haze of grey there is beauty to be found.

Wood – Wooden bar tops, barrel vaulted ceilings, modest cabins – the art of woodworking is alive and well in Ireland and some of the pieces that they manage to create are truly awe inspiring.

Gold – I noticed it everywhere from a gate at an English style manor, to the sign for an antique store in the countryside, even a sleek and contemporary handrail in a popular restaurant downtown. Brass is back in Ireland!

White – Sheep dot the green countryside like white fluffy clouds dot the sky. In a place where white picket fences are balanced with white linen table cloths, pale white-toned neutrals help balance the contrasting jewel tones.

I had a wonderful time on my trip and I’m going to relive those memories each day by introducing this color pallet into my own home this spring and summer. When thinking about a remodeling project remember that inspiration can come from anything, don’t worry so much about what is in style right now. Instead, go with something that is going to make you feel happy, relaxed, and refreshed – it’s your house!

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1. Trash / recycle cabinet: I know it is hard to find space for everything, especially in smaller spaces, but if you utilize any of these accessories that I mention make it this one. The last thing you want to do is spend a small fortune on a kitchen remodel and then have the first thing your guests see is a cheap trash can. Getting an integrated unit allows for both trash and recycling in a single cabinet and it also helps with odors.

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2. Tilt-out tray: Sometimes we have to face the fact that some not so fun things happen in the kitchen. A tilt-out tray at the sink allows for sponges and scrub brushes to have a designated area that is out of sight and easily accessible. The trays are often dishwasher safe so no need to worry about keeping them clean.

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3. Tray divider storage: Utilizing the space above your refrigerator or wall oven is a perfect spot to install tray dividers for things like cookie sheets, cutting boards, and serving dishes. These cabinets are typically 24” deep so you can utilize the entire cabinet and you won’t even need a step stool.

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4. Corner lazy susan: There are lots of different ways to address a corner in your kitchen. A few common ones include shelves, lemans systems, and corner drawers but my favorite way is using a lazy susan. Typically two rotating shelves that allow you 360 degree access with a quick turn. These cabinets are perfect for storing baking supplies, canned goods, and even pots and pans.

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5. Roll out trays: When I design spaces I typically use a combination of shelves, drawers, and roll out trays. Shelves give you the maximum amount of storage in a cabinet but can be hard to access. Drawers are great for staying organized but they are set heights and don’t offer a lot of versatility. Roll out trays are both adjustable in height and easily accessible with a pull out system making it the most flexible cabinet in your kitchen.

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6. Spice pull out: Everyone uses spices in the kitchen and if you are anything like me and my house we use a lot of them. We do love our hot food! Finding a place to store all of those individual containers can be a challenge for even the most organized home chefs. Utilizing a spice pull out allows you to store a lot of spices in just twelve inches of space, something even the smallest kitchens can accommodate.

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7. Base utensil organizer: I see a lot of kitchens and finding one with an organized utensil drawer is few and far between, even for me. Growing in popularity the base utensil organizer keeps all of your stove top necessities at arms reach while keep the countertops free and clean.

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8. Peg drawer: With kitchen trends continuing to push for a more contemporary design aesthetic we see less and less wall cabinets closing in our spaces. This is also changing how we use our base cabinets where things that are traditionally stored in wall cabinets begin to travel south. Peg drawers are great for things like plates, cup, and storage bins and you can rearrange them as often as you like.

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9. Under sink mat: My final accessories is really a necessity in every kitchen. The under sink mat is something you hope you never need but you might be thrilled to have. For everything from spilled cleaning products to a leaky sink, be sure not to skip this one.

What are some of your favorites?

Last week we spent a few days at the 2016 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show / International Builders Show (KBIS/IBS) in Las Vegas. The show is meant to exhibit all of the latest and greatest products, manufacturers, and my favorite part–trends for the coming year! It basically serves as the home builder’s fashion week. While we did have a little fun, it is Vegas after all! We are back and here are the highlights! 

The king of the jungle this year was surfaces. Everything from cabinet fronts, countertops, metals, tile, even laminates (seriously!). The industry is focusing on how to use existing products differently and creating new products (yay science!) that are more durable, lighter, versatile, and affordable.

Cabinet fronts are seeing engineered textures that allow for a variety of different looks. Want bleached barn wood cabinets without the splinters? No problem with new rustic textured laminates. Or perhaps you prefer a bold color in a high gloss finish? New acrylic doors are stronger than ever so they look good even after life happens. Metal and glass doors are also gaining in popularity. 

Countertop materials like quartz are making huge strides and really starting to change the game of surfaces. Thinner than ever these materials that have previously been limited to horizontal spaces are now climbing the walls! 

Being able to create almost any combination of colors and patterns I find I’m using natural stones like granite and marble less and less. Features like waterfall countertops, although around for several years now, will definitely continue to grow in popularity.

Tile has made some significant advances in depth and texture specifically. Everything from tufted leather to wood patterns so real you have to touch it to be sure. As usual, tile brought beautiful patterns and heavy geometrics that pack a bold punch. 

Laminate products from companies like Formica and Wilsonart aren’t giving up either, with cheaper alternatives than stone products and 100 years of engineering under their belt. These products still have a place in the american home, even if it isn’t the kitchen countertop. We love laminates for mud room spaces, offices, and even wall coverings. 

Appliances were a huge part of the show this year featuring more than just the fancy touch screens. Interactive displays with bluetooth technology allows you to have a professional chef in your kitchen every night of the week. Appliances are also no longer limited to stainless steel: bold color choices were on display from Bertazzoni and my particular favorite, the Barbie pink range from La Cornue. We are also seeing a heavy push for “the new stainless steel” and “black / charcoal / carbon fiber” looks like it is the next big thing. Almost all of the big appliance manufacturers are in the prototype stage and we believe we will start to see it roll into projects in the coming years.

The biggest question I get as a designer is “what’s hot?” and there are some clear trends progressing already in 2016. The pantone color of the year is actually two colors for the first time ever. Rose Quartz (blush pink) and Serenity (light blue-ish / purple) are setting the stage for our pops of color this year and we couldn’t be happier about it. Pink was EVERYWHERE at the show this year, cabinets, tile, and soft goods like sofas and window treatments. Even hardware has taken on a blush finish with light coppers and french brass finishes. Blues also made an appearance in every version of the color this year! 

As far as the overall design style for the coming years there are a few things we noticed. “Transitional” style has dominated the market for years now and that certainly isn’t going anywhere but we are starting to see it shift slightly. Cleaner contemporary European styles are definitely supporting roles in 2016. Whites and grays are beginning to take a back seat to more “natural neutrals” that are still bright but with warmer undertones. We are now seeing warm rustic wooden floors paired with high gloss acrylics to create a style that is “approachable contemporary”. Mixing all of the neutral tones is still vastly popular as the primary color palette creating a polished yet comfortable living space. For fellow color lovers, do not fear! The simple color palettes leave lots of room for bold pops of color that can easily be switched out as you grow tired of them.

What are some of your favorite colors for 2016?

For those of you that don’t live in the Bay Area, let me give you some back story. Joseph Eichler was a developer in the 1950’s-60’s who built modern tract homes that were famous for their architecture. Eichler felt inspired by the Frank Lloyd Wright home that he lived in and what he created from that laid the groundwork for the “California Modern” style.

Drawing inspiration from Wright and even, my favorite, Mies van der Rohe, Eichler took a familiar modern design and infused it with the calm lifestyle of the west coast to create these unique spaces. 

Typically Eichler homes are A-Framed concrete slab construction and feature glass walls, atriums, skylights, and a surprising amount of privacy from the busy street. When you walk into one for the first time you feel as if you have walked into a secret garden.

For me, Eichlers represent a modern oasis. They have a private feeling of home while still being connected with the outside world and nature. They are the perfect contemporary picture frame for viewing our beautiful mother earth.

In case you haven’t noticed, Silicon Valley real-estate is more insane than the line of basic girls waiting for a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte right now. So, until we have a few million dollars to drop on a house we will continue to crawl over each other while getting ready in the mornings in our 450 sq. ft. rental. My city dweller friends can back me when I say things can get a little crowded when living in close quarters and it’s a constant battle to figure out ways to make your small space feel more open.

The illusion of more space is all about the lighting. You want to introduce as much natural light into your room as possible and one of the best ways to do that is by adding mirrors.

One of my favorite things about using mirrors is that they are appropriate for literally all design styles, you have to work to mess this up, y’all. From the most contemporary and industrial spaces to over the top frills that Elton John would say no to, mirrors are the little black dress of your house.

When looking at mirrors for your space try not to limit yourself to something above a fireplace or an entry hall decoration. I am in love with mirrors as oversized works of art, wall to wall installations, and even furniture pieces. I would be embarrassed to say how many mirrors I have in my TINY house – twelve. I think it is the finishing touch to every room and I love finding new ways to incorporate them into my designs.

How have you used a mirror to help brighten up a space?

I had the opportunity earlier this week to spend a few days at a national cabinetry manufacturer where we talked design, construction, and trends! I wanted to give you all a peek inside to what those design trend meetings look like for a team of designers. We look to the runway, industry partners in paint and home furnishings, and leverage thoughts from designers all across the country. So what did we come up with? 

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The “Light Industrial” style is sweeping up designer’s hearts in droves across the nation. This is a design concept that is the love child of the ever popular “Restoration Hardware” look, the familiar elegance of the all white kitchen, with a hefty dose of ruggedly handsome utilitarian elements. 

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In order to achieve this look effectively, it is all about texture! Designers rely heavily on all of the different textures being unique in their own right yet complimenting one another in the space. Using focal pieces made out of metals, woods, glass, and paints allows the space to be multidimensional without being the hodgepodge that it might first appear to be on the surface. Once you start to examine a space you realize that the true design elements are all hidden in the details. 

So what are a few pieces that you can incorporate into this design style? Be on the lookout for things like antiqued glass elements (even backsplashes!). Detailed light fixtures. Layers of texture. Metal, metal, and more metal. Rich yet cool brown wood tones. The rise of, I can’t believe I’m saying it, OAK! Designers are drawn to its heavy wood grain but, look for it to have a fresh face with a quarter sawn grain pattern. 

We have just gotten our customers adjusted to the idea of having a two tone kitchen and we designers are now asking for even more! Tri-tone spaces are on the rise for key trend cities and are predicted to grown in 2016. What are your thoughts on the industrial-light movement? Do you like your spaces to pack a hefty punch of texture or does it feel too busy? As for me, I can’t get enough. 

I am not sure if you are familiar with the San Jose, California housing marking but it is absurd to say the least. As many of my other design friends can attest to, this is a job you do because you love it, not because you make great money. With that said, I live in a cottage that is a whopping 475 square feet. If you are not aware, that is about the size of a shoe box or perhaps one of your closets. When given the opportunity to take a remnant, leftovers, or yes, even sometimes garbage–I am all over it. Recently, at our showroom, we were updating some cabinet samples and the old cabinets were going to be thrown out. As a lover of wood and an avid DIY’er I couldn’t bring myself to toss these solid cherry, alder, and maple cabinets into the dumpster. Instead I made it my mission to come up with as many alternative uses for them as I could think of. As mentioned before, when you live in 475 sq. ft. there isn’t a whole lot of room to put in extra cabinets so I had to get a little creative. I did take two of them and build myself a new dresser (pictures coming soon as it is still undergoing its makeover). Here are a few of the ideas so far.

First up: these awesome little breakfast/computer trays. These are just the doors from a few of the cabinets. This works great if the rest of the cabinet was damaged during removal or if you find a single cabinet that might not match other things in your space. This was an easy one. I found some hardware (also acquired from the dumpster doomed cabinets), drilled the holes, found some screws and ta-da! I will admit though, this one I borrowed from another designer friend who came up with the idea a few years ago (Hi Melissa!).

This next one took me a little longer. We had a large pantry unit that had a solid cherry door that stood over five feet long. I thought about it for about an hour before I said toss it, I can’t think of anything. Literally as it hit the inside of the dumpster I realize what I could use it for. Go ahead and cringe, I went in after it. The bed we had been using was old and rickety and there in the dumpster was my new solid cherry headboard. To hang it I just used several of those double sided Velcro strips and slapped it right to the wall.

This last one is my personal favorite so far. I had been trying to figure out a way to get some more storage in my cottage and the old saying rang true–if you can’t go out, go up. I got some old crown molding, had a contractor friend miter the corners for me (I wish I could take credit for this part but that is a lesson for another day) and just like that I not only had a home for my shoe collection but also some drop dead gorgeous art!

I have more ideas in the works like a message center and a coat rack that I look forward to sharing with y’all. If my pesky full time design job would stop getting in the way of my true love–DIY’ing! What cool ideas would y’all like to see implemented in a trash to treasure challenge?