Design Studios

630.455.5600 847.291.7701
Request An Appointment

What is Design Build?

See Our Work

Make a Payment

site-logo-mob
630.455.5600 847.291.7701

Make a Payment

Request An Appointment
CLOSE MENU

Let’s get started!

To request an appointment please call 630.455.5600

    Month: May 2018

    Professional Design Tip: Mixing Stained and Painted Cabinets in the Kitchen

    Posted on by normandy

    Pale blue kitchen cabinets with stained wood accentspaneled fridge and hickory island in white kitchenBlue kitchen island paired with white cabinets and walnut cabinetsAsk almost any Normandy Designer and they’ll tell you there are plenty of scenarios where it makes sense to mix stained and painted cabinetry in your kitchen. You can opt for a painted perimeter and a stained island or vice versa. Either way, it can give a fresh look in your kitchen and your home.

    Together, painted and stained cabinetry can add interest and style. This can be executed in a variety of ways – your island and perimeter are only the beginning. You can opt for different base and wall cabinets, or you can choose a contrasting color for a hutch, a coffee bar, or another furniture-type piece to help set it apart.

    White painted cabinets are extremely popular, however, many suburban homes weren’t built with white cabinetry in mind. Many of these older homes have stained baseboards, doors, and trim; while other homes are furnished with pieces in the warm tone family. Adding a stained island or built-in cabinetry to an all-white kitchen can help blend the warm and cool tones beautifully in a traditional home.

    If you have children or pets, island color is especially important to think about. Painted cabinetry probably isn’t the best choice, because it can easily be kicked and scuffed. A wood stain is easier for hiding spills and smudges.

    At the end of the day, there are plenty of paints and stains to choose from. Set up a time to plan your kitchen remodel, including how to coordinate your cabinetry colors. You can also visit the Normandy photo gallery or follow Normandy Remodeling on Facebook and Instagram for ideas, too.

    eclectic kitchen with brick backsplash and a distressed island  White painted kitchen cabinets with stained hickory island

    Getting the Look of Marble Countertops without the Maintenance

    Posted on by normandy

    Marble is beautiful. But, let’s face it… It can be a hassle. So much so, that it’s not really recommended in a high traffic kitchen. Why? You need to be sure you keep up with the periodic maintenance of applying a stone sealant.  It’s porous so if you do not regularly apply a sealant and you spill red wine or splatter pasta sauce on it, you are in trouble… Don’t worry though, we have you covered. Here are our suggestions for how to get the look of marble without the maintenance.

    The look of marble is in right now, but it’s a commitment. It requires periodic maintenance and the surface is very porous, meaning it will soak up stains like a sponge. And once a stain is set, it can be pretty hard to remove, even with the help of a professional.

    To combat this issue, many homeowners are opting for Quartz. It’s a very durable material and manufacturers have been doing a great job of mimicking the look of marble and other natural stones.

    Long, white kitchen takes advantage of the space with two islands, each with their own purpose

    What exactly is quartz? Let us explain. Quartz, also used interchangeably with the term engineered stone, is a material comprised of natural quartz bound together by a mixture of pigments and resins. This is what makes it non-porous and easy to care for.

    Quartz doesn’t need to be sealed and it is non-porous, which means it does not stain easily. However, it’s important to note that it’s not indestructible. You still need to use trivets and cutting boards.

    quartz that mimics marbleNow that you know what Quartz is, let’s talk about getting that marble look. There are a variety of styles that can provide the same soft tone of marble, down to the veining. Some options are so close that we dare say you might not even notice a difference.  Here are a few examples from Caesarstone, a popular quartz manufacturer. These should help explain what we are talking about…

    Frosty Carina – This mimics the classic gray and white of Carrera marble.

    Calacatta Nuvo – This mimics the fine, feathered veining of classic Italian Calacatta marble.

    There are even more options that we’ve mentioned above, but it’s a good starting point when gathering ideas. Set up an appointment with one of our Designers to discuss your kitchen remodel and get into even more detail about marble and quartz countertops. You can also gather more design ideas by visiting the Normandy photo gallery or by following Normandy Remodeling on Facebook and Instagram.

     

    Explore More

    Schedule an Appointment