Month: February 2017

Join Our Team: Interior Designer/Project Planner

Schrader and Company Construction Services is a Burnt Hills based upscale home remodeling, cabinet making, and custom home building company seeking to add a talented, creative, passionate Interior Designer/Project Planner to our team of industry professionals.

Who will succeed in our company? A person who…

is passionate about interior design, space planning and home renovation/construction
has extensive interior design and space planning aptitude and talent
is looking to be crucial in our company’s transition to providing expert design services to our clients
is strong in the use of computer aided design (CAD)
has a strong sense of client service and professionalism
our clients would trust and enjoy working with
has a strong work ethic and will work productively and efficiently
is a problem solver with a “can do” attitude
is energetic and optimistic
enjoys working with others, but is also self-motivated when working alone
is a good communicator, specifically able to communicate design ideas, budget, process, etc, to clients.
is looking to enjoy a meaningful and rewarding career with a great company

Sound interesting? Here is what you can expect from us:

A competitive compensation package with opportunities to advance
- A combination of salary and incentive compensation, health insurance program, paid time off, holiday pay, cell phone, etc.
Encouragement and support of the advancement of your design skills through training, seminars, trade shows, etc
The challenge of designing and planning high-end, complex home renovation projects
Access to a truly custom cabinet shop for virtually limitless design and fabrication
Use/management of a well-crafted showroom to express your design recommendations and enhance client communication.
Working in a dynamic industry with an energetic and innovative company
A truly family culture where the average 18 year employee tenure is a result of care for each other and mutual respect
A culture that encourages excellence through high standards and continuous improvement.
The pride of being a part of a company with a stellar reputation for over 43 years

If we have your interest, tell us why you would be successful in our company! Please fill out the form below, and include a resume and references.

Our hiring process: 1) resume review, 2) phone interview 3) in-person interview, 4) real world design challenge, 5) assessment, 6) final selection

3 Kitchen Trends We Love in 2017

Matte Surfaces

Glossy surfaces have been popular in kitchens for years, now it’s time to switch things up a bit by introducing matte texture into the mix. You can play with this trend as much, or as little as you want. Go big and choose a matte finish for your cabinets or countertops. Or dabble in the trend by adding small touches of matte finish here and there, thinking countertops containers or maybe a hang a small chalkboard.

Quirky Personal Touches

Have a little fun with your kitchen and give it a touch of your personality. Brightly colored vases or other ceramics can add a bit of whimsy to the heart of your home. Just look at how the funky ceramic cactus in this example gives a very sleek and modern kitchen a touch of warmth.

Quartz Countertops

Resistant to scratches, burns, and chips, quartz countertops are the most durable material on the market. Quartz countertops come in a variety of colors and styles. You can get the look of a granite countertop without the cost, or the hassle of annual maintenance.

All about Cork

By Cazalla Montijano, Juan Carlos – Instituto Andaluz del Patrimonio Histórico, CC BY-SA 3.0,

Cork has been gaining in popularity over the past few years. This natural, renewable material is incredibly versatile and has many applications. From flooring to home decor you can add a little touch of warmth and coziness to your home by using this material.

Harvested from the bark of the cork oak, cork is considered to be a sustainable material because trees are not cut down to acquire the bark. Cork bark has many great properties to offer; It is resistant to mildew and mold, termites, fire and more. You can also stain and finish cork to fit your style preferences.

Take a look at a few different ways to incorporate cork in your home

4 Ways Cork Decor Can Make Your Home’s Interiors Pop
Interior Trend You’ll Be Loving in 2017: CORK IS COMING BACK

Dos and Don’t of Cabinet Care

Ever wonder how you can ensure a long and beautiful life from your cabinets? Well even if you haven’t we’re going to share with you a few do’s and don’ts for taking care of your cabinets.

DON’T

Drape wet hand towels on your cabinets – The prolonged exposure to moisture will damage the finish of your cabinets over time.
Apply a finish on dirty cabinets – Remove dust and dirt prior to application.
Spray glass cleaner directly onto glass doors – It overspray can damage the cabinet finish. Also make sure to to use a glass cleaner that is ammonia free.
Neglect to care for scratches and gouges – Cover up and protect surface areas that have been damaged using a touch up kit.

DO

Clean up spills and food residue immediately – Use a lint free cloth and a mild cleaner, dry the surface after cleaning.
Use your cabinet hardware – Protect your cabinets from dirt and oil that are on your hands by using the hardware on your cabinet doors. If you don’t have any cabinet hardware, consider adding your own.
Regularly dust cabinet surfaces – Use a dry lint free cloth or microfiber towel and dust in the direction of the wood grain.
Protect your cabinets from direct uv light by using window coverings – Prolonged exposure to UV light over time can lead to discoloration and dried our surfaces.

With these tips you can keep your cabinets looking great for years to come.

Who picks the “Color of the Year”?

The 2017 Pantone Color of the year is “Greenery”, who decided that?

Every year there are forecasts made as to what color palettes will be most popular in the year to come. These predictions are made by numerous institutions and style agencies, the Pantone Color Institute and Dulux are the two most prominent and well known of these institutions.

How are these colors picked?

Groups like the Pantone Color Institute are made up of correspondents and color experts. Correspondents, located all over the world, gather and report information from several sources. Fashion runways are a big source of information, and color experts who analyze and experiment with colors. Color palettes are then announced and from there.

Should I follow these color forecasts?

Short answer, no, you don’t have to. Color predictions will influence the goods and advertising images that will be presented to consumers. In the end, it is up to you, the consumer, to decide if you like something. Color trends come and go, but you’re the one who has to live with it.

If you’d like to read more about the 2017 colors of the year, check out the links below.

Pantone Color of the Year
Dulux Color of the Year

An enjoyable Client Appreciation Event and fundraiser for a great cause

On Tuesday, February 7th we will gather with our valued customers for another fun Client Appreciation Event. We look forward to hosting these gatherings. It gives us a chance to reconnect and celebrate the unique relationship we enjoy with the families who entrust us with the improvement of their homes, and who are such a vital part of our success.

This year we will gather at The Cock N’ Bull Restaurant in Galway, and enjoy a wine tasting with food pairings created using delicious locally sourced ingredients.

We will also be fundraising for an extraordinary cause, and supporting a local family who are pushing past barriers to achieve mobility for their son, and for children everywhere. Ainsley’s Angels of America is a national organization that defines their mission as striving to ensure that everyone can experience endurance events, including those in the special needs community. They aim to build awareness about America’s special needs community through inclusion in all aspects of life, by promoting awareness, providing education, and participating as active members in local communities.

Here in our own community, the Evans family is doing their part. In 2015, Shaun Evans and his son Shamus, who has cerebral palsy, ran 3,200 miles across the Unites States, from Seattle to New York City on behalf of Ainsley’s Angels. They were supported in their journey by their family and pit crew, mom Nicole and younger brother Simon. Along the way, the Evans family presented over 30 running chairs to other children, so that they too could participate in endurance events and experience the freedom and joy of rolling in the wind.

This summer, Team Evans will once again run to provide the gift of mobility to children and their families, this time journeying along the Mississippi River, a distance of over 1,700 miles.

We are thrilled to lend our support to the Evans family and Ainsley’s Angels in this worthy venture. It is sure to be a special evening.

To learn more about how you can support Ainsley’s Angels of America and “Power to Push” (the Evans Family Team) click here for information, visit them on their Facebook community page or their website.