Kitchen Transformation

This particular kitchen was made for two registered architects. So, one of the reasons we wanted to show you this kitchen was because of its beautiful mix of painted cabinets and natural cherry cabinets, done in a sort of a different way.

The Project

One of the favorite features of this kitchen is the selection of granite countertops, and this particular color and pattern absolutely works well with the beautiful custom cabinetry, and to tie it all together the clients picked a stunning ceramic backsplash with a beautiful glass feature strip. The nice part of custom cabinetry is that you can sneak storage into different places, like this spice rack which is just a thin, cabinet pull-out, convenient to the cooktop, and uses the space in a perfect way.

The other thing to notice is that when you have a hood in between two spaces, it’s good to keep it sleek and not have it be an obstruction, so having a beautiful hood with some glass doesn’t obstruct the view to the other space that you’re connecting to.

This kitchen has a tremendous of natural light, and it’s already bright to begin with, so one of the ways we accomplished all of that natural light is to add a skylight as well as a large window over the sink; the more natural light the better because it really brightens up the space. When you have a lot of lighter colors, a nice contrast is to add a darker floor and in this particular case, we put in a wood plank tile.

The last feature to see is the lower cabinet. This home had a mudroom on the other side of this wall that really needed more shoe storage, so instead of using this cabinet for the kitchen, we had this lower cabinet service the mudroom, which the clients were thrilled about and we think it’s really cool.

We hope you enjoyed seeing this kitchen.

Happy building and happy remodeling!

Stairway to Heaven

Sometimes it’s necessary to think outside of the box to achieve the best possible results.

Such was this case in this “Project Spotlight”, where in order to renovate a kitchen, dining area and bathroom, an existing basement staircase had to be relocated.

The homeowner had a few specific goals for their space. She wanted a larger kitchen, a stronger connection between the kitchen and dining room, an updated bathroom, and to dramatically improve the overall flow of the home’s first floor.

This was clearly a complex design challenge, but one that the Schrader team saw as an intriguing and fun opportunity. Creative thinking on the part of the project planner identified the basement staircase as being the key to the whole project. By re-locating them, the other design elements fell into place.

 

The relocation of the stairs made it possible to maximize kitchen space and install an island. Removal of a wall between the dining room and the kitchen also opened up the flow between those two rooms, and helped to create a more open first floor feel, just as the homeowner wished.

This renovation called for a complete reconfiguration of the space, and it takes creative planning and thinking to be able to see the possibilities, and a skilled team to execute them.

“The client was fantastic,” says Schrader and Company President Ben Cangeleri. “She had a high level of trust in our team, and was thrilled with the final outcome. That’s always our end goal, and there can be no higher satisfaction for us as professionals than to know we’ve left a customer happier in their home.”

What are the best materials for outdoor kitchens?

We’ve talked about what you should consider before beginning your outdoor kitchen project. Today we’re talking about the best materials for you to use in your outdoor kitchen.

An outdoor kitchen in upstate New York is going have to hold up to our winter weather, the freeze and thaw cycles of spring and fall, and summer heat. In addition to being able to weather the elements, materials should be able to withstand high temperatures from the grill, be easy to clean up spills, and withstand general kitchen abuses.

Countertops –

Avoid porous countertop materials such as limestone in favor of materials such as a cultured granite with UV stabilizers. Granite should still be sealed on a regular basis to keep the countertops looking fresh and new.

Other suitable options for outdoor countertops include marble and stainless steel.

Engineered countertops and quartz countertops are not suitable for outdoor kitchens.

Cabinets –

Stainless steel is a great choice for outdoor kitchen cabinets. Good stainless steel cabinets should be rigid, and have welded corners for structural stability.

If you love the look of wood, consider teak cabinets. Teak wood is known for its natural resistance to rot and decay. Cabinets made from teak will still require regular maintenance (sealing with a waterproof finish) to keep it looking it’s best.

Cabinets made from marine grade polymer make for a quick and easy clean up. Marine grade polymer cabinets are water tight so you can just hose down your kitchen space if needed.

Floor–

If you outdoor kitchen is not being built on a pre-existing patio area you’ll need to pick out a durable flooring material. Just like the kitchen inside your home, expect that the flooring will be heavily trafficked and abused (falling pots, food spills etc.).

With that in mind Natural stone like slate, sandstone, marble are great options for outdoor kitchen flooring, but keep in mind they may absorb oil and stain.

Concrete is another great flooring option, to prevent cracking from out freeze thaw cycles look for a formula that has an additive base that will help the concrete withstand temp changes without becoming damaged.

Thinking about getting an outdoor kitchen?

Outdoor kitchens are showing up everywhere now. Before you jump on the trend here are three questions to ask yourself.

Do you have the space?

Even if you already have a deck or patio attached to your home, you may have to make some changes to accommodate your new kitchen. Your current deck may require additional support in order to hold the weight of the outdoor kitchen island. You may also need to build out from your current deck to make room for the kitchen, do you have the space on your property for that? Can you build upwards easily in order to create a shelter from the weather?

What features are you looking for?

Outdoor kitchens run the gamut from the most basic of basic to the all out outrageous. So what do you want in your kitchen (and don’t forget it all adds up!). At minimum an outdoor kitchen should have some sort of work surface, a grill, and a gas line if needed.

An outdoor sink isn’t necessary, but it can be very convenient. However Installing an outdoor sink can become expensive depending on your water lines. Would you be able to make due without a sink or is a must have?

Outdoor fireplaces, smokers, pizza ovens, tiki bar, your imagination (and budget) is the limit when it comes to building your outdoor kitchen. Which brings us to our next question…

How often will you use it?

Are you already a grilling enthusiast? Does your family love to dine al fresco? Chances are an outdoor kitchen would be a great investment for your home and lifestyle. If you’ve never grilled before and you cringe at the idea of sharing your eating space with bugs and all things creepy crawly, it would be a good idea to hold off on adding an outdoor kitchen to your home.

While the outdoor kitchen is becoming more and more popular, the addition of an outdoor kitchen may not boost your home value as much as other home renovations might.