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    Author: Kristina Ferrigan

    Liquor Cabinets for Style, Storage and Entertaining

    Posted on by Kristina Ferrigan

    An integrated liquor cabinet including arched doors with clear glass panels and vintage-inspired door pulls.Modern kitchen design is all about maximizing function, and that includes making the most of your kitchen’s hosting potential. One clever way to balance both is by integrating a dedicated liquor cabinet right into the layout. The goal is to create a natural gathering hub where guests can mix drinks and socialize without getting under the host’s feet.

    According to Normandy Designer Jackie Jensen, kitchens with integrated liquor cabinets reflect a growing trend. “Clients are asking for a cabinet like this when their space may not allow for a full bar or beverage center,” she says. While not every floorplan has room for a sprawling wet bar or an expansive beverage center with extra appliances, people still want hosting amenities. “A curated liquor cabinet offers the perfect compromise, providing a high-functioning hospitality zone with a compact footprint,” notes Jackie.

    Unlike a traditional beverage center – which demands space for countertops and specialized refrigeration – a liquor cabinet easily tucks into smaller areas and doesn’t require cooling. “More people are leaning towards a hutch-style cabinet versus open shelving, giving them flexibility to hide things away a bit more,” Jackie says.

    Beyond daily utility, a liquor cabinet is a fun canvas for creative expression. Because it sits slightly apart from the main workspace, it offers a special opportunity to add personality to your kitchen design. “A liquor cabinet can be an unexpected eye-catcher,” Jackie says. “Not only does it provide useful storage and functionality, but depending on the design and the contents within, you can really make a liquor cabinet a visual standout in the space.”

    It is the perfect place to experiment with sophisticated colors, unique stains, interesting door treatments, and vintage hardware – details that might feel overwhelming if applied to the entire kitchen. “A hutch is ideal because you have the option to make it feel like a separate furniture piece, or you can make it blend into the kitchen cabinetry,” Jackie says.

    If you are considering a liquor cabinet, keep one practical challenge in mind: visibility. Opting for glass doors transforms the cabinet into a permanent display piece, meaning careful selection of your glassware and bottles is essential. Thoughtfully executed, however, a kitchen liquor cabinet becomes far more than simple storage – it can be a beautiful design statement and an expression of your home’s hospitality.

    The award-winning designers at Normandy Remodeling offer thoughtful design solutions and stress-free renovations that will make your house feel like it is a genuine reflection of your personal style. Reach out for an appointment, find inspiration in our photo gallery, or see the latest tips and trends on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.

    The curated modern kitchen features an integrated bar area entertainment hub with custom textured melamine cabinetry, gunmetal cabinet hardware, glass shelving, quartz counter and concealed column refrigerator and freezer.  Modern farmhouse kitchen island features a baking center with a pull-out bread drawer, warming drawer and mixer lift.  This liquor cabinet includes spaces for wine bottles and hanging storage for wine glasses.

    White kitchen and stained bar with cabinet storage for wine, spirits, glassware and more.  Dry bar next to the stairs includes cabinet storage for wine, spirits, glassware and more.  Ivory painted kitchen cabinets with stained walnut island

    Shiplap: Beyond The Accent Wall

    Posted on by Kristina Ferrigan

    Green range hood with shiplap cladding and walnut wood trim, white geometric hexagonal tile backsplash with backsplash shelf, sconces, inset walnut spice shelves in range alcoveIf you’re looking to add architectural interest and dimension to your home, one option is a type of wall cladding called “shiplap.” This wall treatment found a resurgence in popularity thanks to home renovation shows, but its versatility and understated texture have earned its place in a wide variety of today’s design styles.  

    “Shiplap is similar to beadboard, but more modern and less cottage inspired,” notes Normandy designer Bryan Brisky. Unlike beadboard, which has tight interlocking joints, shiplap is characterized by a nickel gap between the planks of the boards. This produces the crisp, clean lines that give shiplap its distinctive look.  

    While the essence of shiplap is fairly straight forward, changing the width of the planks can impact how it feels in a space. “Shiplap planks are available in a variety of widths, commonly between 3” and 6”, but the nickel gap between the boards remains consistent,” says Bryan. 

    The recent surge in shiplap’s popularity has it showing up as a full wall treatment in kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and living spaces. It can be a fantastic way to create subtle texture on a blank wall.  

    But wall cladding isn’t just for walls.  

    Natural stone white countertop at kitchen island, stacked stainless steel oven and microwave, light green cabinets, green hood with walnut wood trim, white geometric hexagonal backsplash with backsplash shelf and sconces on either side in range alcove with inset walnut spice shelves, stainless steel rangeAs a relative newcomer to the popular applied wall detail options, you can minimize the potential for shiplap to feel trendy by using it sparingly in targeted spaces, rather than covering an entire wall. 

    In a recent kitchen remodel, Bryan found a unique place to use shiplap: on the front of a custom range hood. 

    “Applying a shiplap look to a kitchen range hood can be a fantastic way to invite linear design and texture into the space,” says Bryan. “This particular hood was going into a very Craftsman-style house with lots of character, a flat panel running across such a large span would have looked out of place.” 

    In this instance, Bryan took inspiration from the cladding on a barrel ceiling in an adjoining room. To capture the feel of the ceiling, he applied shiplap to the hood and finished it with a stained walnut edge detail. 

    “We already had a lot of linear details in the kitchen, such as the inset cabinets, faux farmhouse sink, and wood stain drawer fronts,” Bryan noted. “The hood reinforces them.” 

    Accents like these can be the difference between a ho-hum space and a room that really wows. Set up a time to talk with Bryan about your remodeling ideas and uncover what unique and thoughtful details would be right for you. If you’re on the hunt for inspiration, sign up for our newsletter or check out some of our other projects. You can find us for a daily dose of design inspiration on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest, or your preferred social media platform.

    Shiplap provides subtle texture on the wall behind this breakfast nook.   New enclosed porch area with steps going up the kitchen table and coffee bar. Shiplap wall cladding used to create separation between the two spaces.   Hickory vanity and shiplap walls in a hall bathroom.

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