SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

Wanting an 'old' look but also wanting modern cabinetry features like soft close doors and adjustable hinges? We can do that! Not only can we achieve an 'old' look with the finish and texture of the wood cabinetry itself, but have you ever thought about faux hinges?

Exposed hinges are gaining popularity, especially with the farmhouse, vintage looks that many are trying to achieve. Wouldn't it be nice to achieve this look, but have the strength and features of modern hinges?

Take a look at the cabinetry in these pictures. They show examples of exactly what we are talking about. You can see the feature of the exposed hinge, but when opening the door, voila, a modern day hinge is actually the one doing the work!

Call us if this is something you'd like to learn more about! Turn something old into something new with our help! 

WAIT...WHAT?

So you pick out the perfect countertop for your kitchen…and then you get asked one more question, “What kind of finish are you wanting?”

 

Wait…what? There are options?

 

When you picked out your tops, you probably were drawn to a specific look, whether the look of marble, a gorgeous natural stone with dark veining, or maybe a solid color. But did you know you had options on how that countertop is finished? Not only does the type of countertop (granite, quartz, etc.) you choose for your home affect your overall design, functionality, and maintenance, but so does the finish!

 

The options that people most often hear about are polished and honed (or matte). So let’s do a quick run-down of these two.

 

Polished - This is the one people most imagine in their minds when they think of a finished kitchen. The light reflecting off of the surface not only helps to enrich the color of the countertop, but the reflecting light can help make the room appear larger than it is. Polished finishes tend to be less porous, which lends to less of those kool aid - or wine ;) - stains. They tend to also be easier to clean and do not require the homeowner to seal as often, or at all when it comes to quartz. You still need to be mindful of a few things that come along with polished tops. In order to keep it shining, you must stay on top of cleaning and make sure to use the right cleaning agents for your specific countertop (which can be found at any local hardware store). You don’t want to diminish or etch out that shine! Also remember that these polished countertops are known to steal the spotlight! They will be a main focal point in your home, and if you are wanting another feature to take center stage, this is something to consider.

 

Honed - Let’s talk about the lesser talked about, but a very up and coming popular finish. A honed (or matte) finish is a smooth, satiny - just plain cool look. Instead of reflecting the light, it absorbs light, which gives off an incandescent feel that will add rustic, casual charm to your home. With it not being as reflective, there are some major perks. You won’t notice scratches or marks as easily, as well as any imperfections in the natural stone itself. With a honed finish, the countertop color will be more muted, as well as a bit more porous, which could lead to the top being more prone to staining (requiring more frequent resealing).

 

Suede - Another finish gaining in popularity is suede (also called leathered). A suede/leathered finish brings out the natural characteristics of the stone, resulting in a textured appearance that looks like..you guessed it…leather! Each type of stone will result in a different texture depending on the stone's composition. The end result of this look is rustic and natural.

 

Options are nearly endless when it comes to your countertops. But be for certain, that your choice of putting in a new countertop puts so much value into your home. It adds the obvious monetary value, but most importantly, it can up the value of your life. Cleanliness, functionality, and just plain being in love with your countertop is enough to make anyone happy!