Showing posts with label cabinets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cabinets. Show all posts

Wednesday, 5 February 2014

Kitchen Trends of 2014

At the London Lifestyle Homeshow, two of our talented designers took the stage to talk about Kitchen Trends of 2014.

In case you weren't able to attend, or wanted a re-cap of the presentation, see below!
































Friday, 9 November 2012

Not Red and Green Again!

It's that time of year! Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.
Yes, you know of which I speak:


CHRISTMAS!


Time to:
- Pull out the knitted stockings with Santa and Frosty the Snowman faces gleaming in all their glory.
- Unravel the garland and twist it up on the oak stair railing.
- Hang up the red and green plaid bows on the mantel.

Image courtesy of:  http://titus8.com


No.
This year it's about time to do the Holiday Season differently.

For starters... why do Red and Green have to be the colours of Christmas every single year?

 Some may be worried that without their trusty red and green, it might not feel cozy enough.
And Christmas has to be cozy. Agreed. Christmas is a time of egg nog, hot mulled apple cider, warm gingerbread cookies, roasted turkey and buttery mashed potatoes, a radiant fire crackling in the fireplace, and large oversized knitted sweaters and Uggs. That is comfort to the max.

But, you can be cozy without resorting to Red/Green colour schemes.
For instance, have a look at this centrepiece:
Christmas Decorations on Budget
Image courtesy of:  http://www.interiorholic.com
The branches give a natural, organic feel, and bring the outdoors in, without the chill of Old Man Winter. The crystals dangling from the branches add a hint of glamour and imitate the look of ice.The white flower round pendants add a touch of fluffy snow and soften the look. Then, a pop of fuscia with the silky bow. Gorgeous. This could very well be a easy, and affordable DIY project!

Photo courtesy of: http://www.kitchendecoratingideas4u.com


What about a white on white palette? What is more Christmas than glistening white SNOW?
This space really plays up textures, which softens the coolness of a white palette. It's very fresh and crisp, like freshly fallen snow on a Saturday morning. The Christmas Tree really speaks for itself in such a neutral space. It becomes a focal, with its evergreen needles decorated with a blend of white ornaments. Lovely, soft, and serene.

Photo Courtesy of:  http://www.kaboodle.com


Gorgeous wreaths such as this one can jazz up the traditional green wreaths with a red bow that are on everyone's doors. The crystal look instantly adds glam and will sparkle whether on your front door, or above the fireplace inside. This type of wreath can be found locally at Green's Galore.


Needless to say, don't be afraid this year to get out of the red and green mindset and try something new and fresh for this year's Christmas Holidays!
Merry Christmas!

Photo courtesy of:  http://www.countryliving.com  
Photo Courtesy of:  http://inspirationforhome.
Photo Courtesy of:   http://www.marthastewart.com


Beach Christmas Decor
Photo Courtesy of:  http://www.laurabielecki.com


Wednesday, 29 February 2012

The Backsplash Woes

The Backsplash Woes. Everyone will catch it at least once in their lives, and it can be hard to cure.
Some common symptoms include:
- anxiety
- tension
- frustration

and even:
- slight dizziness due to thousands of options and uncertainty


Photo courtesy of JustBeMagazine.com

But... this is not something that needs to be medically diagnosed by any means.
All we need is a little bit of guidance when it comes to choosing the right backsplash. Yes, it can be a very daunting task, because most of us have come across one of those kitchens that could be so nice, if it weren't for that awful backsplash with little painted roses on every other tile.





There is a right and a wrong in this situation:

1. The wrong backsplash is overpowering and draws attention away from your beautiful, new (or aged) kitchen cabinets.

2. The right backsplash accents and complements your kitchen cabinets, finishing off the look.

But, here's when things get tricky - some of you may despise your cabinets and due to that fact, are on the hunt for some gorgeous tile to steal the show.



Well, when it comes to shopping, there is a large quantity of materials, colours, finishes, sizes, and what have you, that you may have to rummage through.
To ease that pain, we have come up with a few guidelines. 
This should help you discover what backsplash your kitchen is hungry for.

First of all:  Think about your kitchen. Is it traditional? It is clean and contemporary? Are your cabinets dark or light? Do they have a lot of detail or are they sleek? Are they so awful you just want to put up the nicest tile you can find so you can look at something else while cooking? Write down a list of words that describe your kitchen.



Secondly: Before you even open that front door, plop yourself behind the computer and do some research. If you have no idea what you like.. this is your chance to discover something about "you".
Type in some words that you've used to describe your kitchen and add backsplash to the end of it. After doing this, researching "Types of Backsplashes" will allow you to visual different materials, styles, and colours. A great place to do this is: houzz.com



Thirdly: When it comes to materials, there are plenty. But occasionally, at the local tile store, you find yourself in the backsplash section saying, "Is this it?".
Well, yes it is, if you're looking for the standard glass, mosaic, or ceramic tile backsplashes that come in small sizes.
But, there are many more options if you open up your mind: for instance, using floor tile has become very popular, and provides a very sleek, and clean sort of look.
- Stainless Steel backsplashes are stunning, either as your entire backsplash or just behind the range    (easy to clean off grease splatters).
- Glass backsplashes are also very nice, either in one slick piece (which gives a seamless, clean look), or glass tiles which can add interest.
- A newer product is back-painted glass in which one can choose from thousands of automotive finishes... such as BMW Pearlescent, or Ferrari Red! Amazing.  (Note: available at GCW!)
- Some other backsplashes include: stone slabs, granite, quartz, wallpaper, concrete, drystack stone, travertine, marble, beadboard in MDF or Wood, Chalkboard Paint from Benjamin Moore, Whiteboard Paint, mirrors, and the list goes on!





Fourthly: Durability is a huge factor. As much as something can be aesthetically appealing, sometimes there are materials that just shouldn't be used. Wallpaper as a backsplash, for example, can look so unique, but splatters of grease could ruin the paper, as well as the humidity from the stove cause the paper to start peeling off.
Rough Stone, such as a Drystack Stone, also can look very sharp but when it comes to cleaning - can you imagine trying to clean grease off of a brick wall?
It depends who you are, though, and what your lifestyle allows for...




If by now, you are still lost in the world of backsplashes, it doesn't hurt to involve a professional just for some advice!
If you are seeking an expert, take a trip to Scherba's Great Floors in Strathroy, ON. They are the experts and can help you find the perfect backsplash to complement your kitchen!
Here at GCW, we would love to help you with your backsplash questions, and our showroom is always available for inspiration and to give you ideas.
Come by and visit us any time!