Archive for the 'Decorative Hardware' Category

Aging In Place Modifications: Practical & Stylish

Published May 10, 2017 Bathroom Remodeling , cabinets , Countertops , Decorative Hardware , Home Design , Household Tips , kitchen cabinets , kitchen design , Kitchen Design Layouts , Kitchen Remodeling Advice , kitchens , Remodeling , Shower enclosures , Uncategorized 1 Comment
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Portrait of happy senior woman cutting vegetables in kitchen

A 2015 Houzz report showed that over 50% of homeowners age 60+ are planning to age in place. As the baby boomer generation begins to enter the golden years, home construction and renovation contractors are seeing an increase in accessibility modifications being made. With more spending power than the younger millennial generation, the boomers are also a large player in the interior design industry; frequently updating their home to incorporate the latest design trends. Combining the need for accessibility with the desire to keep the attractive appearance of the home, these modifications are not only practical but stylish as well.  Read below for some simple yet important modifications to make to your home accessible for any generation.

Continue reading ‘Aging In Place Modifications: Practical & Stylish’

An Open Kitchen Floor Plan Increases Function and Inspires Creative Cooking

Published January 15, 2016 cabinetry , Countertops , Decorative Hardware , Designer Blog , Kitchen Design Layouts , Kitchen Design Trends , Kitchen Remodeling Advice , kitchens , Remodeling , Small Kitchen Design Ideas , Storage Solutions , Uncategorized 1 Comment
Tags: , , , , , ,

Fluted columns, multi-level work areas and mixed materials add to the charm of this versatile kitchen

Re-configuring an undersized floor plan into an open floor plan requires being open to new ideas. Sometimes,  removing a preexisting support wall allows us to expand and combine living spaces. This improves visual sight lines and traffic flow. The new configuration also allows for more countertop work areas and storage space. With the added square footage, you can also add a great deal of fashion to the new space.

In this particular example, fluted cherry wrapped columns conceal the required supporting post. The columns also add additional layers of visual interest to the multi layered work stations in this island. Soapstone along with wood top counters adds a casual inviting atmosphere fusing old world charm with rich detailing and warmth of Brazilian stained cherry wood.

K VChef's kitchen (2)

Here, we also combined materials in the cabinet selections, mixing painted maple in a vintage oyster married with a coffee glaze, which adds additional texture. Once you meld the warmth of cherry wood to the oyster ample, it evokes a versatile timeless appeal.

Custom cabinet lines allows for rich detailing. Using faithfully recreated traditional details can provide instant ambiance and layers of interest. In the example above, the door styles we selected were a traditional classic raised panel beaded inset with 5 piece drawer fronts. For the display cabinets, we chose Prairie-style doors with seeded glass accents and open book-ends. The clipped fluted corners on all cabinet ends amplify the attraction of detailing in this kitchen.

K Vchef 7 (2)

An open floor plan also allows details in the cooking area to be enjoyed by everyone. Here you can see an example in which cooktop ventilation is hidden beneath beaded detailing of the wood hood, mirrored below in the beaded back splash. Architectural decorative legs anchor the cooktop below. A streamlined stainless steel farmer’s sink fuses ideas of yesterday with the materials and clean lines of today. In a space like this, any chef can feel inspired.

Open kitchen layouts allow you to have a space you can organize your life around, with just the right blend of personality and functionality. We can call that “room for living.” One moment, you can be preparing pasta. The next, you’re uncorking a bottle of Cabernet at the seating area. There you can be pouring it with close friends and family without ever actually leaving the kitchen. An open layout adds a social element that traditional closed-in kitchens simply don’t offer.

Function is the new fashion in this open kitchen design

For a chef that loves to cook and entertain, a closed-in space can leave one uninspired. It also leaves out of the social indulgence that an open floor plan offers. The newly designed reconfiguration and combining of two rooms now allows for full family participation. Function is the new fashion.

Kitchen Views
http://www.kitchenviews.com

Treasured Possessions and How They Help Us Define Our Style

Published December 22, 2015 Decorative Hardware , Kitchen Remodeling Advice , kitchens 2 Comments
Tags: , , ,

When you’re remodeling your home, you want to be able to have your own personality worked into the design process. One way to work personal style into the design is to find a way to display treasured possessions. Another way to define your style is to find design elements that compliment those treasured possessions.

For example, you may like to collect beautiful glassware and use decorative picture frames. In that case, perhaps you would like special decorative hardware to accessorize your bathroom. Decorative cabinet hardware is a great way to express personal style. There are a wide range of styles that make the selections nearly endless. From basic handles and knobs to many different sorts of ornate designs, there are options for every aesthetic.

kv-mansfield-carmin-double-vanity-with-chandelier

This feminine bathroom vanity vignette in our Mansfield showroom is an example of personalizing traditional cabinetry with feminine touches, such as the sparkling chandelier and decorative hardware. Imagine adding crystal picture frames and perfume bottles to complete the elegance. If you want a luxuriously feminine vanity, consider Schaub Crescendo decorative hardware, which looks like jewelry.

schaub-crescendo-jewelry

Keep in mind that fancier hardware can add up in price quickly, so be sure to keep budget in mind and not go overboard. It’s also extremely important that style and function go together with hardware. We have plenty of articles concerning how to choose decorative hardware that you can check out for further information.

display-cabinets-open-corner-shelves-next-to-glass-doors

In the kitchen, there are many options for display cabinets to show off fancy dishware and other treasured fragile items. In the Kitchen Views showroom in Mansfield, MA you can see how open corner shelves can display large pottery and a cabinet with glass doors can display glassware.

Glass door display cabinets could be either frosted or colored transparent glass, which can add a degree of mystery, or even plain glass to put items on full display. You could also have shelving in areas that might otherwise go unused, such as in cases where a regular wall cabinet may not fit, or otherwise empty wall space. This sort of shelving is perfect for displaying books or knick-knacks, depending on your personal style.

zompa-wine-display-area-pawtucket

If you’re a wine aficionado, there are many options for open wine cabinets, available from many major kitchen cabinet manufacturers. Some allow you to even show off your wine glass collection. These sorts of cabinets can serve many purposes and if you decide on more custom options, the possibilities are endless.

Whatever your space considerations and how subtle or grand you want your style to be portrayed, try to keep your design choices as timeless as possible. Hardware can typically be swapped out easily, and display cabinets and shelves can be used for just about anything. When consulting your kitchen and/or bathroom designer, be sure to let them know about your favorite things so that they can help you incorporate them into the final design.

Kitchen Views
www.kitchenviews.com

Completing the Ensemble: The Importance of Quality Decorative Cabinetry Hardware by Dennis Serge

Published June 27, 2014 Decorative Hardware , Designer Blog , Kitchen Design Trends , Kitchen Products , Kitchen Remodeling Advice , kitchens , Remodeling , Uncategorized 2 Comments
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Dennis Serge of Kitchen Views

Customers face a great many decisions when designing or renovating their kitchen. For whatever reason, choosing the hardware for their new cabinetry can sometimes be one of the more daunting selections. Frequently, the questions my clients ask me fall into one of three categories:

WHAT COMBINATION OF KNOBS AND PULLS (HANDLES) IS BEST FOR ME?
Some people like the simplicity of using knobs throughout the kitchen. Others, especially in a more contemporary design, will use all pulls. Most folks seem to prefer a combination — knobs on the doors, pulls on the drawer fronts, or vice versa. Also, consider how the pull or knob feels when you pull on it. A pull might look great, but if it doesn’t feel comfortable to you then it will quickly become annoying. One great thing about visiting our showroom is that you can try out the function of decorative hardware that is installed in our inspiring kitchen vignettes. The truth of the matter is that there is no right and wrong here. The deciding factor is what is most functional for your family and looks the best in your eyes.

This drawer pull has crisp features that look great. But delicate hands might find this pull uncomfortable to use.

This drawer pull has crisp features that look great. But delicate hands might find this pull uncomfortable to use.

WHAT HARDWARE WILL CONTRAST WELL WITH MY NEW CABINETS?
Beyond the obvious observation that a highly stylized, contemporary hardware will tend to look out of place on very traditional, raised panel cabinetry, consider what style is currently popular and see if you think they are a good match for your cabinets. Plain chrome and polished brass hardware can look nice on certain styles of cabinetry, but for the most part they have given way to finishes like brushed chrome, oil rubbed bronze, and other weathered type finishes. These should remain popular for years to come, and are not a “trendy” choice like some glass hardware, hardware with inserts, and other styles that a customer might tire of a few years down the road.

This cabinet pull with curved shape and textured surface works well with traditional or contemporary cabinetry.

This cabinet pull with curved shape and textured surface works well with traditional or contemporary cabinetry.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I EXPECT TO PAY FOR MY HARDWARE?
Here the old adage applies, “you get what you pay for”. Don’t be afraid to ask if the hardware you are considering is solid metal or an alloy, of if there is a warranty on the finish. If the hardware is too inexpensive or poorly made, it can literally begin to tarnish in just a few months. Hardware is the finishing touch on your new kitchen, and it can be a focal point that enhances or detracts from the overall appearance you are trying to achieve. As an example, imagine if you will, watching a glamorous actress stroll down the red carpet in an exquisite designer gown, and then seeing that she is wearing obviously cheap dime store costume jewelry. It ruins the whole ensemble. It’s much the same with cabinet hardware. Don’t make the mistake of skimping on the hardware to save a few dollars at the end of the project.

The finishing touches make all the difference.

Dennis Serge | Showroom Sales & Design
Kitchen Views | 71 Maple St, Mansfield, MA
dserge@kitchenviews.com

Fighting Germs With Decorative Hardware From Häfele

Published June 13, 2014 Bathroom Remodeling , Bathroom Vanities , Decorative Hardware , Household Tips , Kitchen Design Trends , Kitchen Remodeling Advice , Uncategorized 2 Comments
Tags: , , , , , ,

Who doesn’t want to have a healthier home and/or work environment? Parents of young children are familiar with those long stretches of time when a cold or other virus sweeps through the whole family. Office workers try to keep their hands washed to avoid catching whatever is going around the office. Now Häfele declares they have decorative hardware that can help fight the ongoing battle against germs.

Where health and hygiene are important considerations, pulls & handles with antimicrobial finish are now available in a choice of six distinctive pulls and handles.

Häfele Antimicrobial Collection of decorative hardware

Häfele Antimicrobial Collection

Häfele’s Antimicrobial Collection starts with exceptional craftsmanship and contemporary style. Then a durable, powder-coated antimicrobial finish is applied that reduces the possibility of developing “superbugs” or other strains of bacteria. With today’s health and hygiene concerns, this collection offers new possibilities for residential, commercial and institutional applications.

Whatever your decorative hardware priorities, Kitchen Views offers a wide selection of brands to complement your cabinetry, your style and your budget.

 www.kitchenviews.com

By Boat, RV or Expo – Kitchen Views Goes The Distance For You

Published September 27, 2013 Bathroom Remodeling , Bathroom Vanities , cabinetry , Countertops , Decorative Hardware , Design Guides , Green Products , Kitchen Design Trends , Kitchen Products , kitchens , News , Remodeling , Storage Solutions , Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

NKBA Boston Harbor Dinner Cruise aboard the Spirit of Boston ship September 10, 2013

“Where the designers are pros, and the views are yours.” That is our motto here at Kitchen Views. We are here to design for you with integrity and the highest quality products possible.

This summer, we hosted an open house style RV showroom displaying counter materials from Cosentino. They drove to Mansfield and parked their RV in our lot and were there to meet with designers, builders, and homeowners about their different product lines. Most recently, the KV designers met with various vendors to see what is trending for 2014. Here are a couple of examples from the evening.

Kitchen Views Assistant GM scheduling a meeting with a cabinetry vendor.

Cabinets – The designers at KV joined cabinet dealers to take a look at new product on the NKBA‘s Boston Harbor Cruise. Cabinet vendors showed the designers the new textured doors and rich grays that are available cabinetry swatch showing textured veneer finishfor 2014.  Kitchen Views stays ahead of the curve by making sure new product is available to customers right away. Contractors that work with KV enjoy the fact that their customers are getting the most current products on the market.

Counters – Countertop material has changed dramatically in the marketplace. New finish processes prevent staining more than ever. The designers tested the new SileStone Suede finish by attempting to scratch and stain it.

Kitchen Views designers speak to Cosentino vendor about new line of counter top materials and quality

Each designer took a different approach to test the material to make sure customers were going to be satisfied with overall durability. Some attempted to scratch it with glass, knifes and tile. Others tried to stain it with cherries, red wine and soda. The product performed exceptionally well and KV will be displaying the new product in the Newton store next month. These types of meetings give the designers a real trial of how these products will perform in the field.

20130910_allen-turner-cosentino

KV Designers John Allen and Lee Turner converse with Jim and Merry from Cosentino about the quality of their new product line.

It is our duty to those we service to research various products and find those that consistently match the quality we expect to deliver to our customers.

If you would like more information on how our designers can assist you, or if you have questions on the products we carry, feel free to visit or call a Kitchen Views showroom closest to you, or visit our website at kitchenviews.com.

Brandy Souza | Kitchen Views Assistant General Manager
Kitchen Views  | 120 Welby Rd., New Bedford, MA 02745
View Brandy’s portfolio

Berenson’s 3 Steps to Choosing the Right Cabinet Hardware

Published June 21, 2013 cabinetry , Decorative Hardware , Design Guides , Kitchen Products , Kitchen Remodeling Advice , kitchens , Remodeling 2 Comments
Tags: , , ,

Berenson's 3 Steps to Choosing the Right Cabinet Hardware

You don’t want to rush your decision on cabinet hardware. It may seem like a small thing, but your choices will affect the everyday usability of your cabinetry and influence future changes.

Decorative hardware runs the gamut from simple knobs and pulls to unusual shapes to antique reproductions. Understated, stylish or attention-grabbing—it’s all a matter of finding the look that fits your personal style, and the shape that will fit your needs.

You may want to consider how much use a cabinet knob or pull will get. How will it feel each time you pull on it? Read more on our website.

Kitchen Views recommends Berenson decorative hardware for their huge selection of hardware in materials, finishes, sizes and styles to enhance the appearance of cabinets and furniture. Berenson recommends narrowing hardware into a manageable selection, which is crucial to the decision making process.

STEP 1 | Identify the Project Style | When it comes to choosing decorative hardware the number of options can be overwhelming. Their design style segmentation is extremely helpful. Click below to find more about these styles:

Berenson Transitional Style decorative Hardware

Classic Comfort: Casual, Refined, Transitional

Berenson Modern Style decorative hardware

Uptown Appeal: Sleek, Modern, Contemporary

Berenson Traditional Style decorative hardware

Timeless Charm: Formal, Balanced, Traditional

Berenson Artisan Style decorative hardware

Artisan Inspired: Detailed, Craftsmanship, Artisan

Step 2 | Request Samples | It can be very difficult to choose hardware without physically seeing it in person. Photos may not always accurately represent the size and color of a piece of hardware. Kitchen Views showrooms have a wide selection of decorative hardware. You can also ask the designer to order a special sample.

Step 3 | Confirm Your Hardware Choice | The ultimate way to confirm a hardware decision is to place the hardware directly on the cabinetry within the actual design space.

Berenson sample clip for decorative hardware

A complimentary sample clip ships with every Berenson sample request. Use this innovative clip to slide hardware samples directly onto your cabinetry to get an early look at the final product before the commitment of drilling holes.

Discuss your decorative hardware needs and desires with your Kitchen Views designer so that this personalized finishing touch will make you happy for years to come.

Kitchen Views | Where the designers are pros and the views are yours

Do It Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro

Published May 1, 2013 cabinetry , cabinets , Countertops , Decorative Hardware , Kitchen Design Trends , Kitchen Remodeling Advice , kitchens , Remodeling Leave a Comment
Tags: , ,
Image of woman's thought bubbles dreaming of a new kitchen.

Want your dream kitchen without the nightmares? Hire a pro.

How many times have you ever thought about remodeling or changing something in your home, but felt a little intimidated? It seems the more you talk about your project idea to friends and family, you get a rainbow’s wide spectrum of “You can do that yourself,” to “I can help you with that,” or “Call so-and-so. They do that kind of work, on the side. You’ll save some money.”

While you may be feeling ambitious and confident with the DIY advice you’re hearing, take time to really think about the scope of the work that will need to be done to complete your project perfectly, as well as the budget you’re going to set aside for it. Everyone offering you suggestions will have the best intentions for you and share your excitement, and will undoubtedly be as anxious to see the finished project as you are to show it.

Hiring a reputable, professional contractor may offer you peace of mind while you are in the midst of your project, and save you money, in the long run. You will need to consider the ability of those you choose to help you, whether it is a professional contractor or someone else. Choosing to forgo hiring a professional contractor may end up more costly than you expected. Click here to read this article from Cultivate about how just purchasing a new stove created costly turmoil for this homeowner.

We, here at Kitchen Views and National Lumber, sell more than just building supplies. In fact, our professionals help you plan out your project and, perhaps, alert you to issues you may not anticipate. We have everything in building materials PLUS the services you deserve!

Top Knobs Hardware: New Passport And Sanctuary Collections

Published September 25, 2012 Decorative Hardware Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , ,

Top Knobs Hardware - Passport Collection Great Wall

Top Knobs recently introduced a unique concept in cabinet hardware with the Passport Collection, which is inspired by world-renowned destinations such as the Great Wall of China, Australia’s Sydney Opera House, London’s Tower Bridge, the ancient Egyptian city of Luxor, Africa’s Victoria Falls and Rome’s Trevi Fountain.

Each of the Passport Collections offer many different finishes, including Brushed Satin Nickel, Polished Chrome, Polished Nickel, Pewter Antique, Tuscan Bronze, German Bronze and Light Bronze. Each collection includes exquisitely shaped knobs, pulls, handles, appliance handles and more, offered in a wide variety of sizes and designs.

Top Knobs Hardware Sanctuary II Collection

Top Knobs Sanctuary II Collection

This year, Top Knobs released their new Sanctuary II collection of decorative hardware. This collection was designed  to meet a growing demand for contemporary and transitional styles, featuring clean, sophisticated lines. The Sanctuary II line is available in six finishes including new white, aluminum and stainless steel pieces. All thirty knobs and pulls are designed to be mixed and matched, making for many different unique combinations.

These and many other cabinet hardware possibilities are available from Kitchen Views.

Kitchen Views
www.kitchenviews.com

Amerock Candler Collection Knobs and Pulls

Published July 10, 2012 Decorative Hardware , Kitchen Products 2 Comments
Tags: , , ,
amerock-candler-hardware

Amerock’s Candler Collection in Caramel Bronze (photo courtesy of blog.edirecthardware.com)

If you’re looking for high style for a low price, Amerock has a great new collection that could satisfy you. Amerock’s Candler Collection of knobs and pulls are now offered in a new finish called Caramel Bronze, giving you the look of bronze hardware for under $10 per pull! The Candler Collection is also available in three other finishes: Satin Nickel, Oil-Rubbed Bronze, and another new finish, Antique Silver. If you’re looking for a timeless design option that also gives you a classy look for a great value, this collection is certainly worth checking out!

Visit the Amerock website to see the complete Candler Collection in all finishes.

Kitchen Views
www.kitchenviews.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 4,813 other subscribers
%d bloggers like this: