An English Country Kitchen Remodel in Connecticut
By / October 2, 2023 October 2, 2023
When it comes to kitchen design, few styles are as inviting and enduring as the classic English country kitchen. Rooted in tradition and characterized by its timeless charm, this style captures the idyllic beauty found amid the countryside’s rolling hills and picturesque villages.
That’s precisely why the homeowners of this kitchen remodel in Connecticut asked Martha Gargano of AMS Kitchens to create a classic Cotswolds-inspired design for their family home. Here’s Martha’s blueprint for creating the perfect English country kitchen.
Traditional Inset Cabinets
Simple inset cabinets are a hallmark of this design aesthetic. Used widely throughout the 1800s, the cabinet style’s historic roots play a large part in creating the timeless charm sought after in an English country kitchen. The construction method requires more skill from the cabinetmaker than other modern styles, and Kountry Kraft is proud to have provided these beautiful inset cabinets with shaker-style doors for this kitchen remodel in Connecticut.
A Soft Color Palette
Classic English kitchens often feature soft color palettes that create a sense of calm and sophistication. Consider neutrals like creams and pale grays, but also don’t be afraid of soft shades of green and blue that subtly reference the English landscape. This kitchen remodel in Connecticut features both—Skimming Stone, a gray/taupe shade, finishes the main cabinets while Cooking Apple Green adorns the bar. Both paint colors are by Farrow and Ball.
Natural Materials
Truly bring the English countryside into the kitchen design by using natural materials like wood and stone for the flooring and countertops. Live-edge or reclaimed wood open shelves are also a great way to incorporate a little bit of that rustic charm. This kitchen remodel in Connecticut features wood floors and an absolutely stunning soapstone countertop/backsplash combo.
Vintage Hardware & Accessories
Vintage hardware and accessories will ensure your English country kitchen feels authentic and timeless. Schaub provided the perfect rustic hardware for this kitchen remodel in Connecticut that beautifully compliments the show-stopping faucets. The vintage-inspired design of the Smeg gas range and Big Chill fridge maintains the design aesthetic while still offering the homeowners the convenience of modern appliances.
Kitchen Remodel in Connecticut & Beyond
Kountry Kraft is proud to work with a wide array of partners to bring you beautiful kitchen remodels wherever you are! Find a dealer near you to get started!
White and Gray Kitchen in Orange County CA
By / July 3, 2023 July 3, 2023This white and gray kitchen in Orange County, CA is the stunning result of a full remodel by Le Gourmet Kitchen and Bruce Colucci, CKD. Check out how they transformed this 1950s kitchen with a new floor plan and custom inset cabinetry by Kountry Kraft.
Tackling the Layout
The first major step of this Orange County, CA kitchen remodel was tackling the outdated, closed off floor plan. As shown in the “before” photo, the original kitchen used to be much smaller and separate from the dining and living rooms. The removal of several walls completely changed all of these spaces, creating a “great room” for the homeowners to entertain in.
Plus, the kitchen doesn’t just feel larger; it actually is! Opening up the floor plan allowed Le Gourmet Kitchen to expand the size of the kitchen and include the beautiful island that sits front and center in the design.
Designing Custom Cabinetry
While the layout change was certainly transformative, it’s impossible to understate the impact of the custom white and gray inset cabinets by Kountry Kraft. The white perimeter cabinets emphasize the kitchen’s newfound openness while the gray island cabinets play spectacularly off of the stainless steel appliances and chrome fixtures. Not to mention, the inset style brings a touch of timeless elegance to the otherwise modern design.
Committing to Quality
Le Gourmet Kitchen knows that it’s never a good idea to skimp on quality to save a buck upfront because it’ll end up costing more down the road. That’s why they’re committed to only working with trusted, reliable brands. Kountry Kraft is proud to be Le Gourmet Kitchen’s preferred cabinet partner for the last 30 years and to stand alongside their other trusted brands—Sub Zero, Wolf, and Cove; Create Good Sinks; and Vent-A-Hood.
Love this White and Gray Orange County Kitchen?
Create your own version with custom inset cabinets by Kountry Kraft! Contact one of our design experts today to learn how we can tailor them to your exact space. Follow Kountry Kraft on Instagram and like our Facebook page for more kitchen remodel inspiration!
Two Island Kitchen Madison, NJ by Stonington Cabinetry & Designs
By / March 28, 2023 May 1, 2023This Two Island Kitchen Madison, NJ by Stonington Cabinetry & Designs features custom cabinetry, marble countertops, and so much more. But—as its name suggests—the double kitchen islands are the undisputed showstoppers. Keep reading to learn why this Madison, NJ homeowner decided to go with a two island kitchen layout.
Stonington Cabinetry & Designs | photographed by Chris Veith
Separation of Spaces
Having two kitchen islands is anything but redundant. In fact, it actually allows you to better define the stations of your kitchen. In this Madison, NJ home, the first island located near the stove is used for food prep/serving while the second island is reserved for seating/congregating. This way, everyone can gather in the kitchen without stepping on the cook’s toes!
Stonington Cabinetry & Designs | photographed by Chris Veith
Dedicated Prep Island
Since you don’t have to leave room for legs at your prep island, it can be loaded full of appliances that will maximize the efficiency of your work space. For example, this Madison, NJ kitchen included Sub-Zero and Wolf 24-inch stainless steel refrigerator doors and a 24-inch micro drawer by Sharp in its prep island. However, you could easily swap those out for a dishwasher or wine cooler—whatever makes the most sense for your family!
Stonington Cabinetry & Designs | photographed by Chris Veith
Dedicated Seating Island
With one island kitchen designs, homeowners almost always leave at least one side of the island without seating so that there’s room to cook. But as we just touched on with the dedicated prep island, two island kitchen designs allow you to dedicate an entire island just to seating. This means that stools (and room for legs) can be on all four sides of the island to allow for maximum seating.
Stonington Cabinetry & Designs | photographed by Chris Veith
Two Island Kitchen Madison, NJ
Hopefully you’re no longer wondering, “Why have a double island kitchen?” But, if you find yourself wanting to discuss two kitchen islands a bit further, please contact one of our design experts. They would love to speak with you!
To view more pictures and details of this Two Island Kitchen in Madison, NJ, visit our photo gallery. Follow us on Instagram and like our Facebook page for more kitchen design inspiration!
Why Choose Custom Cabinetry?
By / October 3, 2022 October 5, 2022
Photography by Hudson Creative Productions, LLC | Kitchen Design by Joan Bigg Design, LLC
Even though custom cabinetry comes with a bigger price tag than stock cabinets, a lot of homeowners decide that it’s worth the investment. Let me help you answer the question – why choose custom cabinetry?
Complete Control
For my fellow control freaks and perfectionists out there, custom cabinetry gives you exactly what you want. No compromises. No nagging little imperfections. Nothing but exactly what you envisioned. Gain complete control over layout, materials, style, finishes, hardware—everything.
Photography by Third Shift Photography | Kitchen Design by Evalia Design, LLC
Superior Quality
Custom cabinets are hand-built by master craftsmen using superior techniques that just can’t be replicated with mass production. Whereas you’ll find glue, screws, and nails in stock cabinets, craftsmen will use dowel, dovetail, or mortise and tenon joints. Aka, they’ll skillfully fit wood grooves together for a construction that’s both sturdier and more beautiful.
And, with all the effort that goes into custom builds, you’ll receive top-notch quality materials too. Instead of cheap particle board that will wear in a few years, custom cabinets will be built with quality wood that will last a lifetime.
Avoid Dead Space
Stock cabinets are designed for stock spaces. If your room has any kind of unique characteristic (most do, especially older homes), you’ll probably end up with some dead space if you try to use stock cabinetry. Custom cabinets are built to your exact specifications, so you won’t end up with this so-called dead space. Instead, you’ll be able to make every part of your room useful and functional.
Kitchen Design by Stonington Cabinetry & Design
Takeaways
Yes, custom cabinetry is an investment, but they are the better value for money in the long run. What’s most impressive to me is that people I talk to still stand by their decision that custom was worth the investment, even years later. Did I help you answer the question – why choose custom cabinetry?
If you’re interested in learning more about custom cabinetry, please contact us and one of our design experts would be happy to discuss how to translate your vision and needs into reality. Follow us on Instagram and like our Facebook page for more design inspiration!
Cabinet Upgrades During Renovation
By / July 6, 2022 May 23, 2022
Did the halfway marker for 2022 sneak up on anyone else? I feel like the year has flown by! On the bright side, we now have enough dataㅡgraciously collected and reported by the 2022 US Houzz Kitchen Trends Studyㅡto discern the year’s hottest kitchen trends. The big takeaway? 65% of renovating homeowners replaced all their kitchen cabinets. Let’s explore these cabinet upgrades during renovation.
Replace Kitchen Cabinets
About two in three homeowners replaced all of their kitchen cabinets. Compound that with 29% of homeowners choosing various degrees of partial cabinet replacement and the result is that 94% chose to upgrade their cabinets as part of their kitchen renovation.
That’s a staggering number, but not wholly unexpected. Kitchen cabinets are one of the biggest visual elements of a kitchen design, and arguably the most important functional element too. It makes sense that homeowners gave them their due attention.
Going Custom
With so many homeowners deciding that replacing kitchen cabinets was worth the investment, it makes sense that they made sure they got exactly what they wanted. 43% of homeowners chose custom cabinetry, with an additional 35% selecting semi-custom cabinets so that they fit each unique space perfectly. Only 21% chose stock or ready-to-assemble cabinets.
Replacement Styles & Color
Trends in style and color didn’t change much in 2022. Shaker style doors dominated again with 64% of homeowners selecting this style. White was also clearly the favorite cabinet color again, bringing in 41% of the vote. An interesting note though: if you combine the wood tones, they make up 19% of the vote, meaning nearly 1 in 5 homeowners opted for wood cabinets.
2022 Isn’t Over Yet
There’s still time to start your 2022 kitchen renovation and get in on these trends! Replacing kitchen cabinets and countertops is a big deal, so visit a Kountry Kraft dealer near you and our experts will help walk you through the design process. Follow @kountrykraftcabinetry for more kitchen design inspiration.
Kitchen Designs with Full Overlay Cabinets
By / May 4, 2022 March 1, 2022
It’s no secret that choosing cabinetry is one of the biggest decisions to consider when making selections for a kitchen design. Many homeowners are unaware of just how many options there are available with custom cabinetry, including the cabinet door and cabinet style. In today’s blog, let’s explore kitchen designs with full overlay cabinets – what they are, the benefits of incorporating them, and the design effects they have.
A Quick Definition
Full overlay cabinets represent one of three cabinet styles when it comes to installation (the other two being inset and partial overlay). Full overlay means that the doors are made extra-large so that they sit on top of the cabinet frame, hiding it completely.
The Benefits
Full overlay is one of the cheaper installation options because it requires less skill, but by no means does it skimp on beauty. It also gives you the most storage space because the door sits on top of the frame instead of inside it. (I know we’re talking a matter of inches here, but sometimes they can make all the difference.)
Design Effects
Full overlay cabinets are the most popular style for modern kitchen designs. They achieve a smooth, clean look that you just can’t get with partial overlay cabinets. How modern you want to take that look is totally up to you. Go ultra-modern with a minimalist slab door or recall a touch of tradition with more ornamental doors. Check out our wide selection of full overlay kitchen cabinet door styles here.
Feeling Inspired?
Check out our gallery of kitchen designs featuring full overlay cabinets. If this piece has indeed left you feeling inspired, find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you to start the design process with one of our experts! Follow @kountrykraftcabinetry for more kitchen design inspiration.
Proactively Preserving the Kountry Kraft Legacy
By / April 13, 2022 April 11, 2022Dee Hurst-Funk, CFO, and Elvin Jr. Hurst, CEO, of Kountry Kraft, are proactively preserving the Kountry Kraft legacy by welcoming Dave Riebe as President.
In his role as President, Dave will preserve the longevity of Kountry Kraft by running the company on a daily basis under the guidance of Dee and Elvin Jr. Dave has immersed himself in Kountry Kraft by working with every employee in every department. From delivering a kitchen in Annapolis, to assisting in finishing and order processing, he rolled up his sleeves to become familiar with every part of the company.
“We’re excited about the fresh vision Dave brings to the business. He comes with knowledge and experience in manufacturing that will enrich the legacy and longevity of Kountry Kraft.” – Dee Hurst-Funk, CFO
About Dave
Dave brings a fresh vision to the business with over 25 years of experience leading organizations and developing teams in diversified manufacturing companies. He is recognized as an executive whose personal leadership style effectively balances a pragmatic management approach with strong creative and innovative abilities.
Prior to Kountry Kraft, Dave worked at Carlisle Construction Materials as Director of five different businesses, he was President of Pennex Aluminum Company, and he held various positions at Danaher Corporation (Kollmorgen) with increasing responsibility; most recently he was Vice President and General Manager, and he also served in general management, product marketing, and manufacturing roles. Mr. Riebe has also provided management consulting to senior business leaders, and he spent the first five years of his career in engineering positions at General Motors Corporation.
Dave has a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University, a Master of Science in Mechanics from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University.
“We sell an experience… the experience of feeling at home in the kitchen. The experience of being together. That to me is what the business is about – providing that experience for families, for generations, for life.” – Dave Riebe
2022 Kitchen Cabinet Color Trends
By / January 5, 2022 March 18, 2023“It’s time to flip the script on kitchen cabinet color.” – 2022
We’re predicting that colored kitchen cabinets are going to explode in the coming year. After all, what better way to make your cabinets stand out than to color them against a neutral wall? Keep reading for the 2022 kitchen cabinet color trends and paint colors to keep your eye on.
Mother (Nature) Knows Best
It’s no secret that earthy, nature-inspired colors have skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years. But now, these shades are traveling off the walls and onto kitchen cabinets.
PPG and Glidden paint brands have declared two different shades of green as their top paint color of 2022 and, really, it’s not hard to see why. Green is a great choice for kitchen cabinets because it’s light enough to help open the space but still bring that warmth that can be lost with white cabinets.
Design by AMS Kitchens featuring Farrow & Ball “Cooking Apple Green” | Allie Fackler Photography
In addition, Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2022 is October Mist, Evocative of the stem of a flower, this gently shaded sage anchors and uplifts. Sherwin Williams announced their 2022 Color of the Year is Evergreen Fog SW 9130 – a versatile and calming hue, a chameleon color of gorgeous green-meets-gray, with just a bit of blue.
The forest isn’t the only source of nature designers are drawing inspiration from. Behr traveled to the beach to find its top paint color of 2022, Breezeway, a light, silvery green that mimics sea glass. Also look for cool ocean blues that bring a pop of color while still invoking the relaxing, beachy vibes.
When Life Gives You Lemons…
Paint your kitchen cabinets to match. There’s been a huge trend towards homeowners expressing their unique personality in their kitchen design, and we are HERE for the bright, joyful, bubbly person that wants their kitchen to reflect them. My advice? Go for a bright citrus shade like yellow or green that will exude positive energy.
A Nod to White
The all-white kitchen hasn’t entirely lost its hold. However, expect to see a shift towards warm, creamy whites in 2022 Kitchen Cabinet Color Trends instead of whites with cool undertones. With cool whites, it’s just too easy to miss the mark and leave your kitchen feeling cold and sterile. By choosing warm whites and incorporating other warm elements into the design, like a butcher block counter or raw edge shelves, it will make your white kitchen feel like a home again.
Find Your Shade
If the prospect of picking out your perfect paint shade seems a bit daunting, our Kountry Kraft experts are here to help! Click here to find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you.
White Kitchen Cabinet Hardware Ideas
By / October 6, 2021 January 26, 2022White Kitchen Cabinet Hardware Ideas
So often, we get swept up in the “big picture” of kitchen design. Cabinets, countertops, and backsplashes get all the attention while smaller details fall to the background. That’s why today, I want to shine a spotlight on white kitchen cabinet hardware ideas.
Think of hardware as your cabinets’ accessory. In the same way that jewelry can change an entire look, so too can your cabinets’ hardware. Do you want to go bold or minimal? Modern or rustic? Let’s use the clean palette of a white kitchen design to explore my favorite kitchen hardware looks.
My Favorite Finishes
- Brushed Brass Hardware: The golden tones of this finish will help lighten and add warmth to the sterile white of your cabinets. A great way to add a little glam to your design.
Design by Martha Gargano of A Matter of Style | Photography by Allie Fackler - Oil Rubbed Bronze Hardware: This finish is perfect for rustic designs and will give you that vintage, weathered look. And the dark tones will be striking against your white cabinets.
Design by Martha Gargano of A Matter of Style | Photography by Allie Fackler - Polished Nickel Hardware: The classic. The silver color of the hardware paired with the white of the cabinets will create a sleek, modern look. Bonus: it easily pairs with stainless steel and black appliances.
Design by Stonington Cabinetry & Designs | Photography by Chris Veith Interiors
Different Styles
First question: cabinet knobs or cabinet pulls? A good rule of thumb is to use knobs when working with detailed or ornate cabinets, so things don’t get too busy. But, if you have a simpler style of cabinet, like shakers, it just comes down to preference. You can even try mixing and matching the two.
Second question: what style of knobs or pulls? Smooth, tubular pulls, or simple knobs complement the more modern look of brushed brass or polished nickel. Alternatively, if you chose oil rubbed bronze, your design is probably a bit more rustic or traditional. An antique style knob or pull with some finely detailed elements can build on this look.
Looking for More Inspiration?
Follow us on Instagram @kountrykraftcabinetry for more kitchen cabinet hardware ideas. Find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you to start designing!
A Case for Green Kitchen Cabinets
By / September 8, 2021 July 30, 2021A Case for Green Kitchen Cabinets
With more and more people looking to bring the relaxing feel of nature indoors, green kitchen cabinets
are skyrocketing in popularity. It makes us feel like we’re surrounded by lush greenery, even if we don’t
have the green thumb to keep houseplants alive. Bonus: it’s super easy to design with because it goes
with other natural elements like wood, stone, and metal.
Green in the Kitchen
A lot of people will jump on board to paint their kitchen walls green, but many will balk at the idea of green
kitchen cabinets. Why? If you love the color, why not paint the most prominent feature of the kitchen
green? If we’re using green, I say use it to its full potential. I say, go with green cabinets.
Green or Green?
Deciding on green kitchen cabinets is only step one. Step two: picking a shade.
With Kountry Kraft’s completely custom cabinets, every shade of green under the sun is available for you
to choose from. If you’re going for a softer, subtler look, consider something like a washed-out sage or
light mint color. That’s what we did for this AMS Kitchen, using Farrow & Ball’s “Cooking Apple Green.”
Or, make a statement and go bold with a deep forest green or warm olive. If you’re drawn to light and
dark shades, have the best of both worlds by going with dark green bottom cabinets and light green upper
cabinets.
I Can’t Decide!
A great tip for choosing a paint shade is to display large paint swatches against your existing cabinets so
you can get a feel for what the color will look like in that space with that lighting.
And, as always, our Kountry Kraft experts would be happy to help you find the perfect shade, whether it
be green or otherwise. Our custom cabinets offer every shade, but also every shape and size to give you
exactly what you’re looking for. Click here to find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you!