Capital Home & Garden Show!

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!

What Can I do to my Kitchen for $1000?

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.

Thinking Outside the Box

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

I Love HGTV

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 Kitchen Remodeling Tips

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