Where the designers are pros, and the views are yours
Visit a Kitchen Views showroom to see and feel the quality of the cabinetry you’re purchasing, an important aspect missing from an online shopping experience. What looks good in a picture can be disappointing when seen in person. Kitchen Views sells quality brands that will impress you when you experience them in our showrooms. The construction quality of cabinetry differs, and you want your investment in this foundational element to stand the test of time with solid construction.
Appliances for a New Kitchen
by Ed Nunes
Image © Kitchen Views
So, you have decided to renovate your kitchen. Congratulations! A kitchen remodel includes not only selecting new cabinetry and countertops. Appliances are usually updated at the same time, and additional appliances are often desired.
Ideally before a kitchen design begins, appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves, wall ovens, cook tops, and range hoods should be selected. Your Kitchen Designer can provide you with “standard” sizes, however for those specialty appliances, where specific cabinet cut-outs, decorative appliance door panels or tight clearances are needed the word standard does not apply.
Microwave:
Available either as a venting unit over the range or built-in into a wall or base cabinet, microwaves are also available as a countertop model. Venting units are equipped with an exhaust blower. They can be either vented directly outside or as recirculating units.
Dishwasher:
Standard dishwasher units are 24” wide. They are typically installed next to a sink and select models can feature a wood door panel to match the cabinetry.
Range Hoods:
Widely used if the range is wider than 30”, range hoods are offered in a variety of materials and finishes. They also feature different size motors to match the needs of your range.
Cooktops:
They provide a clean and stylish look to every cooking area. Kitchen size should be taken into consideration as the oven is often installed in a tall cabinet, reducing the amount of counter space.
Wall oven:
Available in either single or double units, it is mostly used when selecting a Cooktop, or perhaps as a secondary oven. It can be featured in a tall cabinet, easier to access, or below the counter in a base cabinet. If a single oven is selected a microwave can be installed over it (tall cabinet only).
Refrigerators:
By far the most critical unit in any kitchen, ample room should be allowed for the refrigerator doors to open fully. Bins and drawers should also be easily accessible. Please provide your Kitchen Designer with the model selected. He or she can then find the appropriate location in the Kitchen for easy access and use.
It is important that appliance specifications are provided during the planning phases. Prior to placing any cabinet order, it is equally advisable that the appliance list is reviewed to be certain they are current and have not been discontinued or redesigned. Replacement units don’t always have the same dimensions or clearances.
Ed Nunes
Kitchen Views, New Bedford, MA
508-990-8020
enunes@kitchenviews.com
Accessory Options for Cabinetry
by Brandy Souza
If you haven’t explored the world of kitchen cabinetry lately, you may not know about a few interesting options available from some of our cabinet manufacturers. Here are several examples of interesting cabinetry and kitchen accessory options you may want to consider during your next kitchen upgrade.
Schrock Tablet Holder. Image © Schrock Cabinetry, Fair Use
Tablet Holder
Mounted under 12″ deep wall cabinets, there are pull-down acrylic tablet holders which are moveable forward or backward with a slight side to side rotation. Typically, these holders have cut-outs for a charging cord. There are other types of tablet holders that can be mounted under counters, as well.
Schrock Power Pod. Image © Schrock Cabinetry, Fair Use
Power Pods / Charging Station
This pop-up accessory telescopes up from the countertop approximately one foot for access to electrical sockets and USB ports for your electronic devices. It helps eliminate the need for awkwardly placed power outlets and gives you a convenient charging spot for your mobile devices.
Schrock Wall Message Center Cabinet. Image (c) Schrock Cabinetry, Fair Use.
Wall Message Center
This cabinet is only 3″ deep, 12″ wide, and fits at the end of your wall cabinets. It includes a magnetic whiteboard for family messages; key hooks, pencil holder and fixed plexi shelf fronts for your miscellaneous gadgets.
When you start to design your next kitchen with Kitchen Views, consider these accessory options to help organize these modern necessities.
Brandy L. Souza
Assistant General Manager
Kitchen Views at National Lumber
120 Welby Rd, New Bedford, MA 02745
Office: 508-990-8020 x3163
Fax: 508-742-1498
bsouza@kitchenviews.com
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.
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.
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
Kitchen Views at National Lumber enjoyed hosting our first EM NARI Networking event on April 16 along with co-host Allstate Glass. Two of our PRO Force salesmen, who specialize in working with remodelers, were there discussing current building projects.
Steven Kaitz (right), owner of National Lumber at the EM NARI Networking Event in the Kitchen Views showroom, Mansfield, MA
Many demonstration areas were available, including:
• Allstate Glass frameless glass shower enclosures and back-painted glass backsplashes
• Schrock and Dynasty representatives showed our vignettes of their cabinetry products and answered questions
• Häfele introduced their new cabinet lighting that is installed in our two new kitchen vignettes
• One of our Mansfield designers introduced our new cabinet re-facing program
• Closet Factory showed their new finishes for custom closet products
Look for more photos in our Facebook and Google+ albums.
The night was filled with food, drinks and fantastic company. We had big winners too! Nancy from Masters Touch won a gift certificate to Closet factory. Dave from Home Repairs Carpentry in Norwood won a gift certificate to Allstate Glass, and Dave from Miller Construction won a Häfele tool kit and gift certificate for their product line.
But the biggest winner is the EM NARI scholarship fund. Annually, a scholarship is awarded to an immediate family member of an EM NARI member who is a high school graduating senior who has been accepted as a full-time student to an accredited college or university in any program of study. Thanks to everyone who attended we collected $800 for the scholarship fund.
Builders had a chance to see many of the new products going into kitchens now. Many of them feel the market for remodeling is strengthening. Adding these products to any renovation is sure to add value to a customer’s home.
Mike McDole, National Lumber’s Senior Vice President of Sales, speaking to a guest at the EM NARI Networking Event in the Kitchen Views showroom.
We are looking forward to another networking night! We invite you to check National Lumber’s website Events page, national-lumber.com/events, periodically to see what’s coming up.
In the meantime, we invite you to visit a National Lumber location near you to find out about the PRO Force Remodelers program. Feel free to visit a Kitchen Views at National Lumber showroom and speak to one of our designers about your next project.
Brandy Souza
General Manager of Kitchen Views
I enjoyed attending Design and Construction Week February 3–6, the combined 2014 IBS and KBIS show in Las Vegas, with some of our top customers. It was a terrific opportunity to show them the latest products and trends, plus enjoy the fine food and hospitality of Las Vegas.
Style trend to note – most of the displays show flat or recessed panel doors. Raised panel is no longer in demand.
Omega display at 2014 KBIS of TURILLA cabinetry
I want to mention that Omega now has stainless steel inset doors. They are inset into a wood frame which would prevent the doors from sticking during high humidity levels like wood doors.
Omega display at 2014 KBIS of CALDERA cabinetry with some flip-up doors.
We also checked out the flip-up door. It has a mechanical device so that when a button is pressed, the flip-up door automatically closes. This is great for shorter people who can’t close the flip-up door once it is open as the handle is too high.
Masterbrands SOHO Thermofoil Woodgrain Silt and Custom Aluminum Framed Doors
Our time at the show flew by quickly. Since there is so much to see, it helps to have a plan or at least a list of top things to see. If you’re a builder interested in attending next year, you may want to consider going for an entire week so that you can enjoy all that Las Vegas has to offer, and spend maximum time on the show floor. Until then, or for homeowners looking for inspiration, we hope that you’ll visit one of our Kitchen Views showrooms to see our cabinetry vignettes that display a wide range of styles.
Contact Kitchen Views at 1-508-DESIGNS (337-4467) to arrange a personal consultation with a designer who will guide your design journey to a new kitchen you will enjoy for years to come.
Brandy L. Souza
Assistant General Manager
Kitchen Views at National Lumber
120 Welby Rd, New Bedford, MA 02745
Office: 508-990-8020 x3163
Fax: 508-742-1498
bsouza@kitchenviews.com
“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.
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 
for 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.
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.
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
With our great nation’s holiday now behind us, did you take time to pay special attention to your cooking habits as we suggested in our last blog post? Cooking, at any time and for any occasion, is a necessity that is as simple or as extravagant as you wish to make it.
Having a well-planned space, enough storage and decent work areas to prepare meals makes any cooking experience more efficient and enjoyable. Your countertops are also an important factor in how you use your kitchen for meal preparation. Do you slice and dice fruits and veggies right on the counter or do you use a cutting board? Using a cutting board will protect your countertop from scratches and stains, especially if your countertop is made from porous materials such as granite, marble or a laminate material that can be damaged from cutting.
Take extra care to prevent stains and scratches on your countertop
Do you tend to make big splashes when you’re cooking? Something to consider if you like making your own homemade tomato sauce, turkey dinner or roasting a delicious prime rib with an au jus sauce, is the possibility of splatter, drips and spills. This is where having a solid design plan for the specific needs of your future kitchen will make a world of difference. Like cabinetry and decorative hardware, countertops also come in a wide variety of material, colors and textures, styles and capabilities.
Some of the most beautiful and decorative countertops are granite and marble. Both are natural resources and offer an abundant array of visual aesthetics with their color striations and patterns created by the environment over time. One caveat with these materials, however, is the fact that they are both porous and can absorb elements that will leave a stain on your counter. Be sure to take extra care during your kitchen activities to avoid damaging your countertop.
A great alternative to the natural beauties mentioned above is engineered stone known as quartz. The engineering process includes natural materials and man-made materials. The colors and patterns can be bold and vibrant for a fun and active kitchen, or more neutral for a space that is more traditional in caliber. Quartz countertops are becoming more widely known for durability against heat, stains and scratches. SileStone has just expanded their product line and now offer more vibrant colors and new collections that more closely resemble true granite. Speaking of scratches, solid surfaces, such as products made by Corian can be renewed if they are damaged.
Let our professionals here at Kitchen Views at National Lumber help you decide what type of countertop will work best for your home, your budget and your family!
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:
Classic Comfort: Casual, Refined, Transitional
Uptown Appeal: Sleek, Modern, Contemporary
Timeless Charm: Formal, Balanced, Traditional
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.
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 you know what vital part of a kitchen remodeling plan is often overlooked? People try to do without consulting an experienced design professional. It’s fun to watch experts on television making everything come out perfect in an hour, and you can get some great ideas. But all the televisions shows and online research can’t take the place of a trained kitchen design professional.
You figure out a budget based on the most you think you can afford. But when your finances don’t offer a lot of wiggle room for unexpected developments, working with an experienced designer will make a huge difference in the outcome. When you start opening walls to work on the plumbing or electrical, you might be surprised by what you discover. Even if your favorite home remodeling show includes problems found behind the walls, somehow many people think “That won’t happen with my house.” You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches and expense by having experienced guidance. Find someone who has the ability to anticipate possible obstacles and the know-how to work on reevaluating your budget to overcome the problems. Such a designer will prove to be an invaluable resource.
Today’s economy, although improving, still has a majority of homeowners in a conservative spending mindset. Luxury and wish items take a backseat to the must-haves. Our fondness for home remodeling television shows and online videos has also raised our expectations of what we “must” have in a new kitchen. Also, people are putting more thought and planning into the overall sustainability of the new design. One way that I try to stretch my client’s budget is to recommend cabinetry that isn’t painted or highly customized. Veering away from items such as appliance cabinets and appliances that take matching panels may save a substantial amount of money.
As an experienced designer, I find creative ways to include all the necessities and sometimes even a wish item. The best piece of advice I give my clients is to never be afraid to like what you like. Your kitchen should meet your needs and reflect your style so you enjoy it for years to come.
Lee Turner, Designer
Kitchen Views' Blog 