advice

The Baker's Kitchen: Design Ideas & Products

With the holidays right around the corner we thought it would be fun to feature some of our favorite design ideas and products to incorporate into the kitchen when working with our clients who love to bake.

1.      Cookbook Storage

Why not show off your love for baking by displaying your favorite cookbooks?  Not only does it add some personality to your kitchen, but it’s important to have those favorite recipes handy when baking during the holidays. 

Check out this Houzz article highlighting “mini kitchen libraries” – what a fun concept!

2.      Solutions for Recipe Discovery

For the homeowner who likes to keep their kitchen sleek and simple, there are a variety of products available to help better utilize a tablet in the kitchen for recipe searching.  Check out some of our favorite websites, apps, and products below:

Yummly

This is our favorite websites/apps for collecting and sharing favorite recipes.  Yummly is a multifaceted service that suggests recipes, allows you to save recipes from the web, and even provides a grocery list feature for easy shopping.  Based on your personal taste and dietary preferences, Yummly generates different recipe suggestions for you.   Then you can create different categories, or “collections”, to save your recipes for later.

Example of Rebecca's Profile on Yummly

Example of Rebecca's Profile on Yummly

William Sonoma Smart Tools Kitchen Stand for Tablet

This tablet stand is the perfect tool for many different reasons.  Not only can you support your tablet horizontally or vertically, but it’s also angled perfectly for viewing.  The non-slip silicone is an added bonus during the times when things get a little heated in the kitchen!

Prepara iPrep

This tablet holder is great for those lacking countertop space.  This compact kitchen tool easily folds flat to store away when not in use.

John Boos. & Co. Edge Grain Wood Cutting Board with Tablet Stand

While this may not be as high tech as some of the other options, this cutting board/tablet stand is multi-functional and beautiful. 

3.      Storage Solutions

With Houzz and Pinterest so prevalent in the kitchen design world, it’s so easy to discover ways to efficiently store ingredients and tools for cooking and baking.  Below are some of our favorite ideas:

  • Spices

Pullout Spice cabinets are easily one of the most commonly requested accessories.  The pullout feature allows for quick and easy access while keeping clutter off the countertops.  Spice Drawers are also a great solution.

Kitchen by Robinwood Kitchens (Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry)

Kitchen by Robinwood Kitchens (Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry)

  • Cutting Boards/Sheet Trays

Especially during the holiday season we can become inundated with cookie sheets and cutting boards continually piling up by the sink.  The best way to store these types of items is vertically in a base cabinet or deep wall cabinet (ex. Above a Wall Oven or Refrigerator).

  • Appliance Lift

While the kitchen aid mixer has become a focal point in many kitchens, this solution keeps the mixer accessible without taking up valuable countertop space.  Technically this could work for other appliances as well.  The most important feature to include in the cabinet is an outlet!

4.      Baking Station

Below are some fantastic ideas for baking stations incorporated into the kitchen space.  While some of these spaces could only be accomplished in our wildest dreams, some ideas could definitely be designed into our own spaces no matter what the size!

Popular Baking Station Features Include:

  •  Open Shelving for Easily Accessible Ingredients
  •  Lower Countertop Surface for Functionality (Rolling Dough, Making Pasta, etc.)
  •  Stand Mixer Storage
  •  Different Countertop Materials (Marble, Wood, etc.)

Cabinetry 101: Stock, Semi-Custom, and Custom Cabinetry

Selecting your kitchen cabinetry is probably one of the most important decisions you will make as you begin the kitchen remodeling process.  The style, color, finish, and function of the cabinetry are a reflection of your home and personality. Whether you choose a basic white shaker cabinet or a custom green antique finish – understanding the differences between Stock, Semi-Custom, and Custom Cabinetry is a must when shopping around.

 

Stock Cabinetry

Pros: Affordability, Short Lead Time

Cons: Limited Options, Limited Cabinet Sizes

Lead Time: 2-3 Weeks

*Lead Time may even be less depending on the location of the cabinet company in relation to the job site.

Stock Cabinetry is typically your least expensive type of cabinetry.  The majority of Stock cabinet companies offer a limited range of door styles, finishes, and cabinet sizes.  This allows the company to easily and quickly manufacture the cabinets resulting in a short lead time.  Many times the cabinetry is already assembled and ready to ship once an order is placed.  Typically, Stock cabinet companies will only offer full overlay style cabinetry.  This is something to take into consideration when shopping.  If you’re looking for inset cabinetry, you may need to search beyond Stock and Semi-Custom cabinetry.

by Robinwood Kitchens, 21st Century Stock Cabinetry

by Robinwood Kitchens, 21st Century Stock Cabinetry

Semi-Custom Cabinetry

Pros: Affordability, Some Customization/Personalization

Cons: Limited Cabinet Styles/Finishes and Customization Options

(More Options than Stock cabinetry, Less Options than Custom cabinetry)

Lead Time: 4-6 Weeks

Semi-Custom cabinetry is a step above stock cabinetry in terms of cost and available options.  The majority of Semi-Custom cabinet companies offer 15-30 different finishes and door styles.  Due to the customer’s ability to mix and match, the lead time increases. In most cases Semi-Custom cabinetry is being made to order based on the design of your kitchen (vs. stock cabinetry that utilizes standard sizes).  Depending on the company, they may offer certain modifications/options to customize cabinet sizes (ex. Off standard widths and depths).  This is a major pro for Semi-custom cabinetry compared to stock cabinetry.  However, keep in mind that you still may not be able to replicate that really neat design you saved on Houzz or Pinterest with a Semi-Custom cabinet company.  The “semi” in Semi-Custom means exactly what it implies.

by Robinwood Kitchens, Hanssem Semi Custom Cabinetry

by Robinwood Kitchens, Hanssem Semi Custom Cabinetry

Custom Cabinetry

Pros: Unlimited Options, Complete Customization, Quality and Craftsmanship

Cons: Affordability, Lead Time

Lead Time: 8-12 Weeks

Custom cabinetry is the highest quality that you can use for your kitchen remodel.  A Custom cabinet company will typically offer hundreds of door style and finish combinations.  This allows for a truly personalized and custom experience when designing your kitchen. Beyond their standard offerings, many companies also offer a custom color service in which they can color match almost anything.  Unlike Stock and Semi-Custom, Custom cabinetry has very little limitations when it comes to size and types of cabinetry.  Typically, a Custom company will offer all types of cabinetry from full overlay to beaded inset.  The biggest drawback will be affordability and lead time depending on your budget and time frame.

by Robinwood Kitchens, Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry

by Robinwood Kitchens, Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry

Besides the type and quality of cabinetry that you decide to use for your remodel, the functionality and efficiency of the design is also crucial.  A really good kitchen designer can work with any type of cabinetry to make a functional and beautiful space.  Read our blog post on Plain & Fancy’s website discussing why you should work with a kitchen designer.

Below is a great resource from Plain & Fancy custom cabinetry, which quickly defines and visually explains the difference between Full Overlay, Inset, and Beaded Inset.  That’s another topic for another day!

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Guest Blogging with Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry: Why it's Important to Work with a Kitchen Designer

We've been a dealer of Plain & Fancy custom cabinetry for over 20 years.  We've watched their business grow and expand over the years, so when they approached us few months ago about guest blogging on their website we were thrilled!  Plain & Fancy is a great company to work with and we're excited for the opportunity to further collaborate.

Rebecca wrote this article for Plain & Fancy on the importance of working with a kitchen designer.  Kitchen design, remodeling, and working with customers is our passion at Robinwood.  We find great satisfaction in seeing the joy on our clients' faces as they see their new kitchen come to life.  We're excited to share our opinion on why homeowners will greatly benefit from working with a kitchen designer

Below is the link to Plain & Fancy's website and blog.  Enjoy!

Plain & Fancy Blog: Why it's Important to Work with a Kitchen Designer

 

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