Signature Kitchens & WoodCrafters

New Discovery: Kitchens.com

2010-10-21T16:01:00.000-04:00

The great thing about the internet and blogs is that there is always something new to be learned. For a passionate lifelong learner, like myself, it becomes a joy when I stumble upon a great new website through the referral of a great blogger. Truth be told, this is how I usually find all the blogs that I read - through the referrals of other blogs I enjoy, because there is a level of trust I have with them - if they put out great content and I enjoy reading their blog, someone that they refer is getting at least a click-through, if not follow via Google Reader.

This is how I discovered the Kitchens.com website today. Paul Anater, of Kitchen and Residential Design blog, referenced them in an article that he wrote about one of their new features in helping homeowners research the kitchen process. In going through the website myself, I found a wealth of information that I believe every homeowner who is researching either a new kitchen or kitchen remodel should look into. It covers different kitchen products (everything from flooring to appliances to crown moulding), what to expect when remodeling, and why using a kitchen designer is so beneficial. If you are planning on doing anything in your kitchen, you should definitely check this site out and take the time to read the informative articles that they have available.

What You Can do to Your Kitchen for $1000

2010-09-27T16:26:00.000-04:00

A lot of potential customers come to us not wanting to spend a lot of money on their kitchen. They carry a belief that refacing - or our custom-made product recrafting - is going to get them the kitchen of their dreams on the cheap. But more often than not, we have to break the bad news to them - their dream kitchen is going to cost money. And in fact, it is going to cost you somewhere in between $10k to $20k. Many people don't want to hear that. They don't like to think that there are real costs associated with re-doing a kitchen well - and that these costs are actually extremely fairly priced in today's market.

BUT....there are things that you can do to update the look of your 30-yr old kitchen that don't have to break the bank. Check out the before and after pictures and the project description that our VP of cabinetry worked on for her niece.

THE ISSUES:
1 - The kitchen has 30+yr old cabinets with a white dishwasher and range that were 5+years old and a refrigerator and range hood who's age has yet to be discovered. Needless to say the appliances did not match.
2 - The shelf unit over the peninsula portion of the countertop created a huge division in the sightline and aesthetic flow of the room's space.
3 - The tile countertops were dirty and had missing or broken front edge tiles.
4 - The wall cabinets had an uneven bulkhead above them.

THE SOLUTION:
1 - White appliance paint changed the refrigerator and avocado green range hood to standard white, creating matching appliances throughout the kitchen space.
2 - The dividing shelf unit came down, opening up the space.
3 - The tiles on the front edge of the countertop came off and were replaced with a dark stained 2" wood trim.
4 - Large white crown moulding above the wall cabinets was added to bridge the gap between the ceiling and cabinets and both the trim and ceiling were painted white to match and create a unified sightline.

Water damage had caused the sink base doors to warp and be covered in water stains, while also causing the dishwasher and countertop to be unlevel.

The problems from the water damage were fixed with new birch plywood doors and drawer fronts and a brace that went underneath the cabinets to level the countertop and dishwasher. New hardware was also added, completing the overall change in the look of the kitchen.

Some elbow grease, Murphy's Oil, clear lacquer, and clear poly finishes helped add polish and panache to the rest of the cabinetry. Commercial tile and grout cleaner cleaned up the backsplash and counters. The light fixture, sink, and faucet were all updated as well, creating the finished kitchen. It goes to show just how much the look of a kitchen can change with the details and some cleaners.

And meanwhile, you can save some dollars for when you actually want to design and create your dream kitchen :).

If I Was to Have a White Kitchen...

2010-08-24T12:52:00.000-04:00

...this is what it would be.

Stone & Tile World : Rockville, MD

2010-08-17T13:55:00.001-04:00

Did you know that one of Signature WoodCrafters trade partners is Stone & Tile World? Not only do they supply solid surface countertops for homeowners, but they also help our sister company, Signature Companies, supply homebuilders in the Mid-Atlantic region with solid surface countertops. Based out of Rockville, MD, Stone & Tile World just updated their website with more information and images of many jobs that we have collaborated together on. Stone & Tile also recently helped us update our showroom with new, beautiful granite countertops (pictures to come shortly!).

Thanks to Stone & Tile World for all their help with our showroom and many homeowner projects!

With Kitchens, It's All About Function, Not Size

2010-07-16T14:14:00.000-04:00

This post comes to you from our design intern, Molly Holland....Take it away Molly!

Considering I have been with Signature for almost two months, I decided to think about the kitchens I have experienced so far. I have gone on many clientele adventures with a designer and have looked at various kitchens. Some were extremely small and some were larger than you would even think an owner would need! It made me wonder if they had a crew of cooks and bakers that came in for dinner every night, but I refrained from asking :).

Going on with this idea of kitchen sizes, I realized that both can be very functional. The coziness of the placement appliances and the creative ways people think of storing food and dishes makes me giddy with excitement because of the inspirations I can add to my idea file of endless photos and brilliant suggestions for design.

I found on the Houzz website that people agree with me on the functionality of small kitchens. They offered some great ideas on how to get the most out of your small space:

1 - Tall cabinets that reach to the ceiling increase the storage and add a finished look to the space.

2 - Increasing your countertop depth is another way of increasing storage. Being able to place cooking utensils or showing off your spices can add character to your kitchen and also free up drawers for other kitchen gadgets to be stored.

3 - Roll-out trays in bottom cabinets were one of the best things invented (at least for right now :)) in the cabinet world. This not only goes for small kitchens, but for any size area. Roll-out trays allow for organization and easy access to those hidden food boxes or rarely used cooking trays. These roll-out trays come from Cardell which Signature carries!

While these are just a few ideas for smaller kitchens, visit the Houzz website for more ideas and let your dream kitchen prosper!

The Roy G. Biv of Kitchen Colors

2010-06-09T12:13:00.002-04:00

Today we have a guest post from one of our new design interns, Molly Holland. Molly is a recent graduate from Virginia Tech from their Bachelor of Science, Apparel, Housing and Resource Management program.

In the kitchen design world, it's not just about what cabinets to place in what area of the room. I like to think it's designing an area where you can feel comfortable in and plan to keep for (hopefully) a lifetime. Now with saying this, I don't mean that people are strictly forced to stick to one wall color or even one door style (ahem, Recrafting is done here at Signature WoodCrafters! :)). People are allowed to change whatever they wish to, but right now, I have recently learned about the new trends in colors for kitchens.

While opening up my browser today at work, MSN.com flashed upon the screen with an article in the lifestyle area about the colors of the modern kitchen. Since I'm a connoisseur of design and trend literature, I decided, why not give this article a read through? To my disbelief, I realized that people are using crazy colors! This plethora extends from bright, grass greens inspired by modern European sensibilities to plain, stark white English country kitchens. These colors are endless throughout the slideshow of vibrant kitchens (as seen below from the article).

What I found so interesting, though, was the fact that people are now using bright colors for the insides of their cabinets, then placing glass on the doors. What an intriguing idea...which makes me wonder, why didn't I think of that? Then again, that's how life goes in the design world, but now I am inspired to see that kitchens are no longer just natural wooden picturesque model rooms. Oh no, they are painted with a never-ending rainbow of colors that obviously are the trend these days. But before going down this route yourself, do remember one thing...how many coats of paint will it take to cover that grass green in three years? Or do you want to start saving now for your next kitchen replacement! :)

Need Design Ideas? Check Out These Reads!

2010-06-02T14:46:00.000-04:00

One of the greatest things about the web is how accessible information and inspiration can be to regular people. Here are some great and fun design blogs that I have run across lately...

AtticMag - A great online magazine that is on top of current design trends, especially in the kitchen realm. They offer great tips, pictures, and ideas for all different rooms of the home! My particular favorite is this post about transforming a library into a dining space.

If The Lamp Shade Fits - Raina Cox, the author of this blog, definitely has a point of view and is not shy about it! Hilarious rifting on all types of bad design ideas out there mixed in with posts about designs that she loves (check out this one today about her dream kitchen!).

Kitchen and Residential Design - I referred to Paul Anater's blog in a previous post about changes in kitchen design trends. He's got great stuff going on over there and did a recent series on design boards for cabinetry.

Gold Notes - This is a new blog that I found through reading and scrolling some other blog lists. Focused on kitchen design, Jamie Goldberg (the author of the blog) offers her readers lots of tips and ideas on how to update a kitchen and what good design trends are making the waves.

Though not related to kitchens or interior design in particular, these two blogs - 1,000 Awesome Things and Color Me Katie are two great blogs by artists who both seek to accentuate the positive and light-hearted things in our world and lives. Take a look for great inspiration and smiles!

Dark or Light? : Kitchens, Fairfax, VA

2010-05-26T16:15:00.006-04:00

Custom Kitchen, originally uploaded by lauren_taggart1.

Which do you prefer in your kitchen?

Both kitchens designed and installed by Signature Kitchens.

Staying on Top of Trends

2010-05-20T12:09:00.001-04:00

There's an interesting article from Paul Anater of the Kitchen and Residential Design blog on some new contemporary kitchen design trends coming from Christopher Peacock Cabinetry. Check it out, especially if you like to stay on top of current trends! And as Paul mentioned, the "all-white" painted kitchen seems to be everywhere these days!

Cabinet ReCraft: Herndon, VA

2010-04-19T18:56:00.008-04:00

Kitchen ReCraft: Herndon, VA, originally uploaded by lauren_taggart1.

This was a kitchen recraft job that Signature WoodCrafters completed in Herndon, VA. The homeowners elected to go with our recrafting process versus our kitchen replacement process because they wanted to have their kitchen in use throughout the entire installation process. So they kept their existing layout, revamped the look of the cabinets with our recrafting product, added new countertops, backsplash, and flooring.

Because of the bulkhead above, the homeowners decided that instead of adding the traditional crown moulding that most kitchens opt for, they would add lite rail moulding to the bottom of the cabinets, providing that little extra special detail to the new look of the kitchen. The end result is stunning.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

This picture really captures the detail in the lite rail moulding...beautiful...

Kitchen Remodel: Herndon, VA

2010-04-19T17:41:00.006-04:00

Another View of Galley Kitchen, originally uploaded by lauren_taggart1.

Signature WoodCrafters took a small galley kitchen and transformed it into a beautiful new work of art. We used Century Cabinetry, new granite countertops, and a great backsplash to tie everything together!

Another "before" view...

Kitchen in Process...New Cabinetry installed!

Signature WoodCrafters helped to create some great storage solutions by adding a corner pantry cabinet and above refrigerator cabinets to the existing layout.

Transformed! New countertops, backsplash, cabinets, and flooring all flow together in a beautiful piece of design work. Cabinetry has been extended to the ceiling to create more height and storage space in the space.

Haymarket Food Pantry Drive

2010-03-10T15:54:00.000-05:00

We are having a food drive over the next two weeks for the local food pantry here in Haymarket, VA. If you would like to help us out by bringing some food items, please drop them off at our showroom, 6612 James Madison Hwy, Haymarket, VA 20169!

Capital Home & Garden Show!

2010-02-19T12:10:00.000-05:00

Next weekend is the bi-annual Capital Home & Garden Show. Get ready for spring projects by visiting the show at the Dulles Chantilly Expo Center. The show runs from Thursday February 25th to Sunday February 28th. You can view the show hours and an exhibitor list at www.capitalhomeshow.com. Signature WoodCrafters will be exhibiting two booths this year - one in the North Hall, Booth #2709 and one in the South Hall, Booth #1148. We look forward to meeting and seeing people there!

By the way if anyone wants a free ticket to the show, please contact us at info(@)signaturewoodcrafters.com with your name and we will put your ticket on will call!

Support for the Haiti Disaster

2010-01-14T08:54:00.000-05:00

In light of the disaster that occurred in Haiti, we are posting a link to the American Red Cross for any donations that someone would like to make. What these organizations need most right now is money and any little bit will help! Please consider making a difference and help relieve the suffering of fellow men, women, and children who are living in utter devastation right now.

What Can I do to my Kitchen for $1000?

2010-01-13T12:55:00.000-05:00

Want to make an improvement to your home? Try starting with the kitchen. Any upgrade made to your kitchen increases the overall value of your home (just try Googling "Kitchen Upgrades Add Value to Home" and see all articles that pop up!). While upgrading your cabinetry adds the most value, not everyone has $10,000 for new, good quality cabinetry. So what can you do with a fraction of that amount? Check out some of these ideas, courtesy of Shine From Yahoo!, on how to update this room inexpensively:

1. Small Change
Instead of everything but the kitchen sink, how about just the kitchen sink? Replacing a dated faucet does wonders for overall style.

2. Surface Value
The whole kitchen will get a lift if you fit the island with a new marble or granite top. It’s far less expensive than refurbishing all the countertops, but adds a very high-end element to the kitchen.

3. Less Is More
Tiling an entire wall or backsplash can be a dollar-draining proposition. Instead, create a fancy medallion with clearance tiles that will pop on the existing wall color.

4. Soft Touch
Cover kitchen windows with basic cafe curtains instead of pricier blinds or layered treatments. A flounce or a valance up top and a half-curtain hung at the middle of the window frame is just enough for a kitchen.

5. Lighten Up
Adding new fixtures above an island or counter not only adds style, it improves lighting over key prep areas. Don’t be afraid to mix and match; just keep pieces unified with one consistent element, like a color or finish.

6. Quick Contemporary
Fake a modern makeover in three steps: Strip down old window treatments and leave windows bare, paint walls and woodwork a fresh trendy hue, and ditch stained wood barstools for plastic or metal seating.

7. Splash of Color
Try a focal wall painted in an unexpected hue to add a modern touch for under $20—you’ll only need a quart of paint! No-cost idea: Ask friends or neighbors if you can dip into their stashes of leftovers from their recent projects.

8. Bits & Pieces
Add color and texture with high-impact accessories. A new table runner, fruit bowl or set of countertop storage canisters can be an instant, low-commitment update.

Kitchen Design Trends for 2010

2010-01-12T11:08:00.000-05:00

Wondering what the next big thing in kitchen design is going to be? Check out this latest press release from National Kitchen & Bath Association on their thoughts for what the year 2010 holds!

Kitchen Remodel: Arlington, VA

2009-08-24T14:49:00.002-04:00

Kitchen Remodel: Arlington, VA, originally uploaded by lauren_taggart1.

This is an excellent example of an out-dated, problematic kitchen and the creative solutions our design team came up with to give it both an updated, beautiful new look and much greater functionality.The original design of the kitchen was a typical condo unit with laminate countertops and cabinetry. Storage space was lacking & inefficient, and the sink faced a wall.

To remedy these problems, our designer, Erin Watson, moved the sink to a new location on the free-standing part of the counter, allowing for the addition of more cabinet space on the wall where the sink used to be. Part of the counter next to the entry door was shortened, making room for a new floor-to-ceiling pantry. The cabinets were also re-configured around the refrigerator to increase usable storage space, and one of the floor cabinets next to the new sink was replaced by a stack of large drawers.

The homeowners selected a raised-panel door style in Mocha Maple and Blue Pearl granite countertops.

Stair Remodeling: Woodbridge, VA

2009-08-12T16:31:00.003-04:00

Before Stairs, originally uploaded by lauren_taggart1.

One of the areas that most people don't think about the impact of for their homes are their stairs. When a person walks into a foyer or entrance of their house, the stairs are kind of an afterthought, just a method of getting up and down between two floors of a house. However, the impact becomes quite more noticeable when a boring old staircase becomes transformed into a stately piece of furniture....

The difference is amazing! The railing system has been cut back to allow for the installation of a bullnose with a volute. The railing system was changed from a basic post-to-post pre-assembled rail to an over-the-post railing system with a volute and continuous handrail that goes around the bend in the wall and continues up the stairway. The end result is a beautiful, polished look for the entrance foyer.

Kitchen Remodel/Recraft: Warrenton, VA

2009-08-07T17:53:00.002-04:00

Before Picture of Kitchen: Warrenton, VA, originally uploaded by lauren_taggart1.

This kitchen was a standard 14-yr old builder grade kitchen from 1994. The cabinets were a gold flat panel oak and the oak wood veneers on the side of the exposed ends had faded from exposure to the natural sunlight, which is very typical in such an old kitchen. The laminate countertop was also the same countertop that had been in the house for 14 years, and while it had held up extremely well for all that time, it was time for a new, updated look.

The kitchen after being recrafted by Signature WoodCrafters. The cabinet boxes were kept in place, but the existing face frames, doors, and drawers were replaced with custom-manufactured Natural Maple Raised Panel doors. The exposed ends, which used to be covered in wood veneers, were replaced with finished door panels. Crown moulding and a valance were added to give a polished, continuous look to the top of the cabinets. The old white laminate countertop was replaced with a Baltic Brown granite countertop. The end result is a stunning difference.

Before

After

Cabinet ReCrafting/Refacing: Fairfax, VA

2009-08-07T17:06:00.003-04:00

This video explains the how-to of how Signature WoodCrafters installs its solid hardwood refacing/recrafting product. Enjoy the show!

Kitchen ReCraft/Refacing: Rockville, MD

2009-07-30T14:59:00.003-04:00

Kitchen ReCraft: Rockville, MD, originally uploaded by lauren_taggart1.

One of the things that I love about our Recrafting product is the moment of final transformation of a kitchen. When you see a kitchen go from looking drab to unbelievably gorgeous, you feel an acute sense of pride and accomplishment knowing that you have played a small part in bringing beauty into a person's life.

This kitchen that we recently recrafted in Rockville, MD was worked on by our designer Devonne Yankey, who helped the homeowners go from the original 20 yr. old cabinetry to a Franklin Shaker Natural Maple door complete with glass doors and contemporary mullions. The homeowners had already updated the look of their kitchen by installing new granite countertops and were looking for a way to complete the transformation. They contacted us, and well, you can see the final results up above!

Our recrafting product is best suited for homeowners that have already made an investment in their kitchen, be it their countertops or floors. Recrafting allows the installers to not cause any damage or disruption to the countertops or floors because our product is custom-manufactured to fit the existing face frames of the original cabinetry. By not disrupting the countertops or flooring, you get the same custom cabinetry that you would get from a full kitchen replacement, without causing any possible damage to the investment that you have already made.

Costs of ReCrafting

2009-07-27T16:41:00.004-04:00

A lot of people have the misconception that Cabinet ReCrafting (Signature's own solid hardwood refacing product line for cabinetry) is cheaper than a cabinet replacement. This assumption is actually pretty false. Recrafting/refacing can actually cost just as much as a full cabinet replacement because the cost of most cabinetry is in the new doors and drawer fronts installed on the existing cabinet frame. There is a great article that talks about refacing and the appropriate costs to have in mind when considering this project. Check out the article on cabinet refacing over at Furniture Reviews by Rissla for more information and expectations on the true costs of refacing!

Kitchen Remodel: Fairfax, VA

2009-07-23T13:06:00.002-04:00

Kitchen Remodel: Fairfax, VA, originally uploaded by lauren_taggart1.

Doesn't this look gorgeous? Signature WoodCrafters' Erin Watson completely redesigned this kitchen, adding beautiful details like this corbel on the new kitchen island. Details will be coming soon about an open house to be staged for this kitchen in the fall!

New Beginnings

2009-07-17T13:04:00.002-04:00

Signature WoodCrafters recently took on a new intern for the summer, Alicia Beck. Check out Alicia's thoughts about the working world versus college and all that she's learned so far!

Transitions and New Beginnings:

Happy Friday everyone! My name is Alicia and I began interning with Signature WoodCrafters last month after graduating from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in May. Go Hokies! I just wanted to share a little of my experiences so far while working here. We all have been there. The day approaches when we say to ourselves, “What’s the next step in our lives?” It’s a scary thought after all those years of school, and now it’s time to take that step and join the ranks of the working class and the long joyous rush hour traffic that northern Virginia likes to bring us (anyone else become a fan of books on CD?). I majored in Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management: Housing Option where I was part of an accredited program of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. There I learned many things, from hours and hours dedicated to drafting homes and different kitchen layouts to the new technology that different appliances now have. When I left college, I knew that I wanted to be involved with remodeling and luckily, the wonderful company of Signature Woodcrafters decided they wanted me to join their team. So began my new journey in the world of remodeling.

Knowing different terms is vital within the remodeling business. As you probably know, Signature’s major remodeling areas are kitchens, baths, built-ins and stairs and a vast array of terms comes with those areas. Bullnose, Over-the-Post, Post-to-Post, Loose Parts, and Pre- Assembled are just a few terms that I learned and that’s just stairs! No worries here though. The employees here are extremely helpful and I soon found myself saying “I can do this!” I have even found myself looking in my own home at the stair configuration and kitchen layout and saying to myself what they would be classified as. I learned a lot about the ReCrafting process here and in my opinion it’s a great thing they’re doing. Taking ¼” solid wood instead of just a thin veneer gets the homeowner that great quality that they may be looking for. Also the designers are fantastic. Talking about knowing your stuff, these people are on the top of their game. The best part is seeing the before and after pictures. Amazing! Well that’s just a few of my observations that I wanted to share with everyone. Have a fantastic weekend

Stair Recraft: Warrenton, VA

2009-06-16T17:10:00.001-04:00

Stair Recraft: Warrenton, VA, originally uploaded by lauren_taggart1.

This is a Pre-Assembled Over the Post Wood Railing System, comprised of newel posts, balusters, handrail, and wood plate. It was converted from a Post-to-Post System with builder-grade balusters.

Isn't a Railing just a Railing?

2009-06-16T12:57:00.002-04:00

When you walk up and down your stairs, most likely you have a railing on one or both sides that your hand holds on to, in order to steady yourself as you walk on the stairs (which is great for people like myself who suffer from an unsteady depth perception from time to time!). But I bet you don't think about all that goes into the railing that you hold on to, or the different parts that make up the railing, or even what kind of railing system you have! Because a railing is just a railing, right?

Of course not! Like most all things out there, this piece of your stair that you don't normally think about is way more complicated than you would ever think. Over the next couple of posts, I'll explain all the different aspects, nuances, and parts that go into a railing system. But for now, just to get a feel for the complicated nature of railing systems, take a look at this diagram.

Railing Diagram, originally uploaded by lauren_taggart1.

So, It's Been a While...

2009-06-12T15:49:00.002-04:00

Wow - How does time fly so fast?? I can't believe that the last time I posted anything here was back in March - and it is now firmly the middle of June. Incredible.

But maybe that is what happens when you become really busy! Which is a good thing!

We've had a lot of great successes recently at Signature WoodCrafters - lots of kitchen recrafting, stair recrafting, and railing replacements going on. The staff have been busy with lots of new customers and consumers, which is a welcome respite from the past couple of months.

But all that being said, we'll be getting back to regular posts about our products and services shortly, as well as sharing some of the before and after pictures of our successes! I'm looking forward to communicating with everyone again and hope to provide some useful information to all who have questions about our products and services.

If you have any questions that you would like answers to, please leave a comment!

~Lauren

(Be sure to follow us on Twitter, @sigwood_lauren)

Going Green

2009-03-06T17:42:00.004-05:00

Signature WoodCrafters parent company, Signature Companies is a stair and rail manufacturer (as well as cabinet provider) for home builders in the Mid-Atlantic region. We supply stairs and rails for all kinds builders, from the big guys like K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Centex, D.R. Horton, and Winchester Homes to smaller custom home builders.

Signature Companies was recently mentioned in an article post by Sarah Yaussi of Hanley Wood's Big Builder Online publication. Sarah had gone to Hovnanian's Landover Group home that they are building in conjunction with the Department of Energy. This house is a test home for new energy-conscious building products. I can personally attest to Khov's Landover Group's dedication to going green and participating in both the regional and national dialogue in regards to what "Going Green" means in the building industry.

The stair system that Sarah mentions in her article is called the Ultimate Tread, and is actually very similar to our Stair ReCrafting product. You can check out Signature Companies website and click on the Downloads portion of the site to view more about the benefits of using the Ultimate Tread in new construction projects.

In the meanwhile, check out the Big Builder article!! Thanks again to Sarah for mentioning us!

Thinking Outside the Box

2009-03-04T19:25:00.002-05:00

This article was written by one of our very own designers, Kris Forness, who is a C.K.D. Check out her thoughts on new uses for cabinets, and check out her own blog, http://krisforness.wordpress.com!

Thinking outside the box….or in this case, outside of the kitchen.

Manufactured kitchen cabinets are made in standard sizes-usually 3”increments in width, limited heights and standard depths for the wall, base and tall cabinets.

These sizes work well in most kitchens and bathrooms, and have been a standard in designing these rooms for years.

But, have you thought about using these same standard cabinets in other ways? Clear your mind of the preconceived uses and get creative with these well-constructed boxes.

Here are some ideas for unusual uses for kitchen cabinets.

Tall oven cabinet = Coat Hook Cubby.

Manufactured double oven cabinets are usually 27, 30 or 33”in width, 24”deep and 84”, 90” or 96”high, The cabinet comes with a large open space for the oven installation.

Instead, finish the interior of the opening with paneling-a beaded look is nice- install coat hooks on the back wall, a finished platform at the bottom and voila, you have a perfect place for coats, backpacks, and sports gear. These cabinets usually have a deep drawer on the bottom which will provide additional storage. Install the cabinet in a mudroom or entryway for an attractive and useful addition.

Deep wall cabinet= a bench or window seat

Wall cabinets for the area above the refrigerator are made deeper, at 24” and are from 12” to 24” in height. Take this same cabinet down to the floor and you’ll have a great bench and storage unit. It would be best to build a platform or add decorative “feet” to raise the bench to the proper seat height for your installation. This will guarantee clearance for the doors to open, as well. Reinforce the top with a piece of finished plywood or wood countertop, that rests on the frame of the cabinet. This will strengthen the bench. Add a cushion or pillows and you have a cozy spot for taking off your boots or reading a book by a window. This bench could be installed next to your Coat hook Cubby that you made above, or center it in your walk-in closet. It would also provide great toy storage in your child’s room.

Wall Cabinets=Coffee Table or Nightstand

The same deep wall cabinet mentioned above can be used as a coffee table. Many styles of decorative feet are available-bun, tapered, Queen Anne style-or add casters for mobility. Simply turn the cabinet upside down, install corner blocks diagonally for stability and attach the feet or casters in the 4 corners.

Usually the back of the cabinet is unfinished, so paneling will need to be applied to finish it. Add some molding or a decorative embellishment for detail. The top of the new table can be wood or a beautiful piece of granite.

Or, you can create a shadowbox effect. The cabinet usually has a 1”-1 ½” recessed area on the top. Stain this space or cover in a dark fabric and place your mementos or artwork in the recess. Have a ½”piece of glass cut for the cabinet top. You’ll have a personalized and useful furniture piece.

This same idea can be applied to a narrow, 30” high wall cabinet. We are often left with a narrow space bedside, leaving little room for a nightstand. Use a 12” or 15” wall cabinet, install feet and a wood top and you’ll have the perfect spot for your alarm clock.

Drawer Bases = Bedroom furniture

The depth and strength of kitchen drawers make terrific clothing storage. If you have the space, a three drawer, 24” deep kitchen cabinet can hold quite a bit more than the standard bedroom dresser. Many manufactured cabinets now have full-extension drawer glides which give you full access to the drawer contents, as well. Install 2 cabinets, side-by-side, add a wood countertop, some decorative bun feet or corbels and you’ll have a lovely, functional furniture piece.

Wall cabinet = Powder Room Furniture

There are some beautiful contemporary bathroom furniture pieces available, however their price can be beyond the budget, or size not right for your room. To get a similar look, use a deep, 21”-24”, wall cabinet, hung at vanity height. If it’s a wall to wall situation, secure the cabinet at the sides, as well. If a freestanding look is wanted, attach table legs to the 4 corners. Depending on the look you’re after, the legs can be a simple square, or an intricately turned shape. You’ll have to cut into the top of the cabinet for the sink and plumbing. Install your countertop of choice. This application works well with the vessel sinks that are popular today. For added stability, storage and aesthetics, you can add a finished shelf below the cabinet, between the decorative legs.

So many ideas, so little time…..more to come

To Remodel or Not Remodel - that is the question

2009-01-26T16:21:00.002-05:00

If you click on the Title of this post, it will take you to an informative article on the benefits of remodeling in a slow market. It seems that 70.9 percent of the investment that you make in your kitchen is recouped when it comes time to sell (if you even want to sell after redoing the kitchen). Our Kitchen ReCrafting product line is perfect for a beautiful update, at a low price. The quality that you receive for the money that you spend is bar-none. Take a look at our portfolio page on our website, www.signaturewoodcrafters.com, to see what I mean!

The things you notice...

2009-01-05T16:50:00.004-05:00

I notice that every time I learn something new, I usually carry it with me wherever I go. Everything that I see gets filtered through this new knowledge.

The past year, I have learned a ton about the nuances of stairways and railing systems. I never knew that there was so much that goes into a staircase and how complicated a railing system can be. But with the stuff that I have learned in 2008, I now find myself walking into people's homes and automatically analyzing their staircases. Or when I'm watching a movie, I notice a Box Newel Post or an old staircase that they are walking on. So the other day, when I was flipping through Pottery Barn's newest catalog edition, I saw this picture and found it unique because of the stair's configuration.

This particular staircase would be termed as an open stairway in the stairbuilding industry. It is considered open because the actual stair steps are not enclosed by a kneewall, typically called the stringer (the structural supporting diagnol part of the stair). Instead, the stair treads are attached on top of the stringer.

The thing that I found interesting in this photo, is that usually with an open staircase, the railings are attached directly into the stair step/tread, with a loose parts railing system. But in this particular case, only the newel (the supporting post) is attached directly into the tread. The railing is in fact a rake pre-assembled railing system, that runs perpendicular to the rise, or diagnol, of the stringer. A rake pre-assembled railing system means that this railing system was manufactured and then assembled at the plant, versus on site by a rail installer. Pre-Assembled railing systems are easier to install than Loose Parts railing systems, which have to be assembled and installed by an experienced carpenter on site.

This photo of the Pottery Barn stair is interesting because it just isn't very typical. While there are examples of open stairs with old pre-assembled rake iron railing systems (what I term, porch rail), I had never seen an open stair with a pre-assembled wood rake railing system. Unique, to say the least!

First Impressions Are Everything

2008-12-16T16:06:00.001-05:00

Everyone knows the saying that first impressions are everything. This is why we take pains to groom ourselves with extra care for first dates, interviews, meeting the significant other's family for the first time. This is also why, when it comes to our home, we make every effort to clean it when expecting company (or apologize when it isn't!).

A first impression that not many people think of though is the first impression a person gets when walking into your home for the first time. Half of HGTV's shows these days are all about this though. "Designed To Sell" and "Get It Sold" both are about the art of how a simple transformation can drastically improve the impression of real estate buyers.

The main staircase often gets overlooked as a potential makeover piece because people don't realize how dramatic the effect can be when it is completely redone. The stair treads, risers, and railing system of a gorgeous house can often look dinky in comparison to the rest of the beauty that is around you. If just the initial newel and fitting are changed, it is incredible the amount of impact you get for your buck. Take a look at these Before and After pictures to see what I am talking about.

This is the starting newel in my parents' house before they had their railing replaced and steps recrafted. They had a standard oak post-to-post starting newel, with a pre-assembled rake rail. The oak had faded over the years due to the exposure from the sun that comes directly into the main foyer.

In this picture you can see how the railing has been changed. The system has been changed to an over-the-post railing system, but keeping the rake pre-assembled railing system design. Looks completely different, eh? Stay tuned for some more pictures later on of how changing your stair and railings can change the look of your home.

Congratulations to our Stair Division

2008-12-12T14:59:00.003-05:00

American Stairs & Cabinetry is the stair division of Signature WoodCrafters. Please see the press release below recognizing it's recent award.

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

American Stairs & Cabinetry Receives 2008 Best of West Jefferson Award

U.S. Local Business Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement
WASHINGTON D.C., December 12, 2008 -- American Stairs & Cabinetry has been selected for the 2008 Best of West Jefferson Award in the Stair Builders category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).

The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2008 USLBA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USLBA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA)

U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USLBA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USLBA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Local Business AssociationCONTACT:U.S. Local Business AssociationEmail: PublicRelations@USLBA.netURL: http://www.USLBA.net

New Enhancements to our website

2008-12-02T13:46:00.003-05:00

We made a few changes to our Kitchen ReCrafting page on our website, www.signaturewoodcrafters.com. Check it out from this link!

Also, if you still don't quite get what ReCrafting is, think of it as a high-end cabinet refacing or kitchen refacing product - except our product runs laps around our competitors in terms of the quality of our ReCrafting product - for the same price!

The transformations have been pretty incredible and you should check out some of the slide shows on our Sample Projects page on our website. I will post some more later on! Stay tuned!

We'll also be posting more relevant and informational blurbs shortly - and if anyone has any ideas for posts, please pass them on!

I Love HGTV

2008-11-19T10:59:00.003-05:00

I have recently become enamored with HGTV and all of their various shows. From following first-time home buyers to people in desperate need for a kitchen makeover or general room makeover, it is a channel rife with creative and handy people. However when I am watching these shows, I often find myself wishing I was there with the homeowners to help them avoid the pitfalls/give them other options for the products that the various designers want to use - particularly when it comes to kitchens. I also believe that the designers ignore one of the biggest pieces of furniture in the home - the staircase - as a means to improving a home's appeal. But I believe that is because they don't have the stair knowledge of my company as well as our innovative stair recrafting product.

There was particularly one show that kitchen designer Lauren Lake did this past weekend that I was just yelling at the TV! She made these homeowners choose between a kitchen of cherry cabinets (!) with a dark stain versus a retro kitchen with cream-colored painted cabinets. I believe the homeowners should have been given an option to go with maple cabinets instead of cherry, because of the cost savings associated with maple v. cherry - choosing a cherry cabinet means you are choosing one of the most expensive cabinet wood options out there. Plus, Ms. Lake designed the kitchen with an optional wine cooler - why? I know a wine cooler appliance is "cool", but I really don't think that it would add that much more value to the home (maybe HGTV should get the "My House is Worth What?" people to assess!).

And in terms of the stairs - I believe that most of these designers just don't even want to touch stairs because of the fear of how costly it is to renovate stairs - which is a valid fear. A complete tear-out and renovation of a staircase would be very costly. But using our Stair ReCrafting products cuts out a third of this cost and adds a lot of value to a home, for only a few thousand dollars. Maybe HGTV needs a show that is all about stairs?

What about you? Are you addicted to HGTV? What's your favorite home improvement show?

Some Helpful Stair Terms

2008-11-12T18:22:00.004-05:00

In the stair and rail world, there are some common terms that we identify stairs by. You may think a stair is a stair or a railing is a railing, but there are specific terms for each of these parts. I will update with some more terms later, but to get started, here are a few basics.

BALUSTER - a vertical member which helps support the handrail. Usually referred to in colloquial terms as a "picket", "spindle", or plainly "railings". This is the most visible part of a railing system.

HANDRAIL - the horizontal or "rake" member of a balustrade (read, railing) system. It sits on top of the balusters and is supported by newel posts. It basically is the part of the railing system that you hold on to when climbing a set of stairs. In some Open Stair or Curve Stair ReCrafting jobs, homeowners are fine with their handrail and want us to save it, which we can do.

NEWEL POST - the major support for a balustrade (railing) system. Newels are larger than balusters and are located at the bottom and top of a stairway or at a turn in the handrail. In some cases, for a balcony rail, there are intermediate newels, depending on the length of the handrail. Newels can come in all shapes and forms, from a sturdy Box Newel to a delicate Pintop Model. If you replace your rails, you can choose from a variety of newel systems to enhance the look of your home.

TREAD - the horizontal component of a step upon which one walks. Prefinished, solid, hardwood oak treads are the hallmark product of Signature WoodCrafters Stair ReCrafting process. Unfinished treads can be bought at a Home Depot or Lowes, but the nosing for the tread does not come included and you will have to buy additional wood materials to making that nosing. Our treads come with the nosing already attached, for a simple slide in fit on top of your current stair's substructure.

RISER - the vertical component of a step which, along with the stringers, supports the treads. Commonly comes in a white finish or stained to match your prefinished oak treads. Most people think that they can get away with painting the wood substructure when they take the carpet off and put on a tread from Home Depot. What they fail to realize is not only are they two different types of wood with different grains, but you also change the height of the stairs when you fail to include a riser with your tread. Prefinished treads and risers solve that problem.

Again, just a couple of terms from the stair world. More to come soon!

Watch This Video!

2008-11-11T20:05:00.003-05:00

Take a look at this video we made about our Cabinet ReCrafting product.

Curved Stair ReCraft

2008-11-10T16:47:00.001-05:00

Check out this Curved Stair ReCraft and Rail Replacement project that we completed in Woodbridge, VA. The original handrail was kept for the project...

Some Kitchen Remodeling Tips

2008-11-10T16:41:00.003-05:00

Are you thinking of remodeling your kitchen? Take a look at this article about a few tips before you start your remodeling project, and then visit www.signaturewoodcrafters.com to learn all about ReCrafting your kitchen!

by Leroy Calstard

Does your kitchen need a change? Are you ready to update the room where family and friends tend to spend the most time? Then go ahead and do it! A kitchen renovation is a great way to give your home an entirely new look and even...
Tips for Planning Your Kitchen Remodeling Project - http://wallys-workshop.com

Transforming a Renaissance Home Kitchen

2008-11-07T16:06:00.001-05:00

Where Has the Time Gone?

2008-11-07T15:34:00.003-05:00

Before you know it, it is almost time for the holidays and Thanksgiving is right around the corner! It has been a while since I update this blog, for which I apologize to everyone. But there have been many exciting things going on at Signature WoodCrafters, it has been hard to remember to stay in touch!

We participated in three home shows this past fall. One located in Germantown, MD, another at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, VA, and our final show was at Upper Marlboro, MD. We met many interested homeowners who seemed to be very interested in our products and took a lot of our literature, so hopefully that bodes well!

We also have completed a wide range of installs over the past months of kitchens, stairs, and rails and the results are frankly stunning. It is amazing to see some of these kitchens go from such eyesores to genuinely beautiful places. The stairs are even more amazing - you have no idea how such a transformation can completely change the appearance of your home! I will be publishing a few of these slideshows shortly so that people can see our beautiful products.

We have also made many updates on our website, www.signaturewoodcrafters.com, including our Sample Projects page. This page has turned into our best sales tool because of the fact that we list pricing estimates directly on the page. There are more enhancements that we need to do, as the kiss of death of a website is for it to remain static, but we are off to a fantastic start!

Stay tuned for some truly stunning before and after pictures!

Stair ReCrafting - Converting a Carpeted Foyer Staircase with a Post to Post Railing System to New Hardwood Foyer Staircase and Over the Post Railing

2008-06-12T18:04:00.003-04:00

ReCrafting? What is that?

2008-06-11T16:08:00.003-04:00

The hallmark product of Signature WoodCrafters is our exclusive ReCrafting technique for both Kitchens and Stairs.

This technique allows the homeowner to experience beautifully crafted products within their home for a fraction of the cost of complete replacements, remodels, or tear-outs. And not only is it a fraction of the cost, but it also takes less time to install than any of those home-improvement options.

Stair ReCrafting is a process that places solid hardwood treads and risers over the current sub-structure of your staircase. You can also replace the railings if you want, and it is actually recommended that if you have an open or curved staircase with the balusters sitting on top of the stair tread, that you do replace the railings.

Kitchen ReCrafting is comparable to the more common known techinque of kitchen refacing. Most homeowners that are happy with the layout of their kitchen, but want to update the look of their kitchen often choose to reface their kitchen. Refacing typically consists of changing the cabinet doors and drawer fronts with brand new doors and drawer fronts and applying a laminate tape veneer on all exposed face frames, both exterior and interior.

Where ReCrafting differs from refacing, is that we do not apply a cheap laminate veneer that will chip and fade over time. We use solid 1/4" hardwood moldings on your exterior face frame, while also replacing your cabinet doors drawers with solid hardwood doors and drawer fronts. For the same amount of money that you would consider spending on having your kitchen refaced, Signature WoodCrafters can provide you with a much superior product. A ReCrafted kitchen will typically take 1 to 2 days for installation, unless you include a countertop replacement, at which the lead time increases to 3-5 business days.

For more information on the benefits of ReCrafting, visit our website, www.signaturewoodcrafters.com!

Welcome!

2008-04-28T17:11:00.013-04:00

Welcome everyone to the new Signature WoodCrafters blog!

It is only fitting that the new consumer-direct division of Signature Companies should have a voice that reaches out to its consumers - hence, this blog. We are looking forward to advancing the communication lines between us and our customers, and sincerely hope that this will provide a forum to do so. A bit of information about us:

As the tag line of our blog states, Signature WoodCrafters is the new consumer-direct division of Signature Companies, a 25-year old company that supplies cabinetry, stairways and railings, built-in cabinetry, and countertops to the Mid-Atlantic region. We are home of the new Stair and Kitchen ReCrafting - two products that separate us from your normal, run-of-the mill kitchen refacing/remodeling companies, and flooring companies that inadequately supply you with a hardwood solution to your carpeted stairs.

We have had some incredible success so far, participating in three home shows and launching several marketing campaigns throughout the Northern Virginia area. Check out these Before and After pictures from a couple of our completed jobs and contact us today at info@signaturewoodcrafters.com to find out how you can get a free, no-obligation estimate for our ReCrafting services! Be sure to visit our website also at http://www.signaturewoodcrafters.com/ for more information about our products!

STAIR RECRAFTING

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KITCHEN RECRAFTING

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