kitchen conversations

Tangerine Tango has been named the new “it” shade by global color authority Pantone.

“Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.”

Susan Palmquist, CKD, with Sawhill Custom Design in the Twin Cities, helped a client revive their 1970’s kitchen with the warm, fun color that the homeowner felt complimented food and her mood.  Tangerine was very big in the 70’s, and it fit with her artwork and blended nicely with the brick on the fireplace wall opposite the kitchen.

We used Holiday Kitchens Cucina di Festa line of custom cabinetry to achieve the retro-color and high gloss look.

The home also features dark woodwork that paired very nicely with the tangerine color.  The kitchen is on the north side of the house so we decided on a sheen level that reflected light (hence the shiny finish).

Estab­lished in 1971 as a fur­ni­ture design com­pany, Sawhill Cus­tom Kitchens & Design has evolved into a pre­mier provider of kitchen and bath design and cus­tom cab­i­net build­ing ser­vices for clients in the Twin Cities, Upper Mid­west and beyond.

Earth Day is a great time to take a look around your home and reflect on how you can make your life more earth-friendly.  A great place to start is the kitchen.  Eco-friendly cabinets, countertops, energy-efficient food preparation and cleaning habits, and dodging toxic chemicals are important if you want to have a truly healthy and green kitchen. Fortunately, making the right choices for your well-being is also good for the pocket and the planet.

Eco-friendly Kitchen Cabinets – Earth-friendly products are available in a wider range of styles and costs than ever before, letting you go any shade of green you desire. If you’re going green in the kitchen, considering hiring a professional kitchen designer to guide your way. Not only can they help you get the best design, they’ll also be able suggest products and keep your budget on track. For Holiday Kitchens, it’s not just what we say – it’s how we act. It’s a matter of envisioning the future in every present action. Live Green.

Our fine green kitchen cabinetry products:

• Conserve natural resources
• Avoid volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions
• Contribute to a safe and healthy indoor environment
• Are more durable, thus having a low impact on the environment
• Are produced with minimal waste stream and pollution
• Are created within a low-energy environment

Recycled Kitchen Countertops – If you’re replacing or updating your countertops look for sustainable materials like bamboo and cork, which come from plants that re-grow quickly from the same source or recycled content like Vetrazzo, which uses recycled glass for countertops.

Vetrazzo Recycled Countertops

Energy Efficient Appliances – These are fairly easy to choose — just look for the Energy Star label and the energy rating number, which ensures they are 10 percent to 50 percent more efficient than standard models. Outside of heating and cooling, the refrigerator is the main energy hog in the home.  The higher the energy rating number, the more efficient the appliance. Energy Star ranks appliance efficiency — any appliance with the Energy Star label is in the top 25 percent of energy performers.

Water-Saving Features – Choose faucets with aerators, which inject air bubbles into the water stream to achieve the same pressure with less volume. Recirculation pumps keep hot water at the tap, saving hundreds of gallons per year by eliminating the need to run the tap while the water gets hot.  Look for motion-controlled faucets — much like a faucet in a public restroom, they won’t turn on unless something is in front of it. Step away from the sink, and it’ll stop the water flow, therefore conserving this precious resource, as well as cutting down on your water bill.

Keeping it Clean and Green – Forgo harsh cleaners that claim to be antimicrobial/antibacterial or disinfectant. They often contain chemicals that can irritate your lungs, eyes, and skin, and some have been found to contain carcinogens. Instead, mix 1 part white vinegar and 9 parts water as a general cleaning solution that will wipe out nearly all germs. For a glass cleaner, mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part water, and spray.

Eco-Friendly Kitchen Accessories – Go from plastic containers to glass, which are manufactured once, are used a lot until they break and then they’re recycled. Plastic has a much shorter lifespan than glass. More and more studies are connecting certain plastics to health problems, with No. 3 (PVC) and No. 7 plastics that contain bisphenol A (BPA) raising the most warning flags. Teflon and other nonstick pots and pans contain PFOA, perfluorinated chemicals that some studies have linked to fertility problems. If you already have this type of cookware, cook things on low heat, avoid scratching it, and when it’s time to buy replacements, look for unseasoned cast iron, stainless steel, or glass products.

Buy Local, Organic, and Fresh – To keep the safest choices on hand, choose organic whenever you can. Pesticides commonly used in conventional agriculture contain about 180 hormone- disrupting chemicals that studies have linked to diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, developmental problems, and even cancer. Buying organic also means you’re not putting genetically modified food on the table.

Actions do speak louder than words. At Holiday Kitchens, green isn’t just a color, it’s a culture.

Kitchen design is one of the most critical components in a renovation project. Most homeowners get overwhelmed when thinking about all these decisions and don’t know where to even start.  Here are some suggestions:

Gather, Gather, Gather

This step is all about finding your style using every resource possible, including design books, photos, magazines, and blogs. Gather as many different elements of style and color without thinking about why you like it, the more ideas to plan with the better!

See, save and share your custom kitchen

Having choices to create your custom kitchen is a good thing. Not being able to keep track of them is not. At Holiday Kitchens, we make it easy for you. See something you like? Save it in your workbook. Share it with others. See if it fits your budget. Send it to a Holiday Kitchens dealer to learn more.

Kitchen Showrooms

When planning a new kitchen your local kitchen and bath showroom is a great resource.  Kitchen showrooms typically feature several different kitchen styles and incorporate lots of different features and benefits that you might not even thought of.  They will have samples of materials, styles and colors available for cabinets, countertops, tiles, etc…   Most kitchen showrooms offer very talented kitchen and bath designers to help you make the best of the space and products available.  You may visit a number of kitchen showrooms and see many styles and designs before you finally decide on the kitchen that suits your lifestyle and budget.

Kitchen & Bath Distributors in Bellmore, NY

KitchenEncounters - Tallahassee, FL

It will be time and effort well spent, as there are many things to consider:

• Cabinetry construction type, door-style, storage options, finish and color
• Countertop material
• Appliances
• Sink(s) and faucet(s)
• Light fixtures
• Flooring
• Backsplash
• Decorative hardware
• Paint colors
• Trim profiles
• Furniture, bar stools, etc.

Planning a new kitchen is very exciting but keep in mind that nothing is more disruptive in a family’s lifestyle than a major kitchen renovation. An experienced kitchen designer will work with you to minimize the disruption of the new kitchen installation as much as possible and on a tight deadline.

Redesigning a new kitchen is a process but before you know it – your piles of ideas and inspirations will transform into your dream kitchen!

“In 1912, an incredible gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees was bestowed on Washington, DC by Tokyo, Japan. Rooted strongly and surviving outside elements, the trees have withstood the test of time – and nearly a century later, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is preparing for an unprecedented and once-in-a-lifetime celebration from March 20 – April 27, 2012. ”

In honor of one of our nation’s most beloved treasures we are celebrating with a cherry recipe.  It might not be as beautiful as the cherry blossom trees but it tastes delicious!

Ingredients

• Cherry Pie Filling 1 can
• White Cake Mix 1 box
• Butter (sliced) 1 stick

Method

• Pour the cherry pie filling into the baking pan.
• Spread the filling evenly, so that it covers the entire pan.
• Pour dry cake mix over the cherry filling.
• However, do not break the lumps and leave them intact, as they are going to form the “crust” of the cake.
• Place slices butter on top of the dry mix, but do not mix it.
• Bake the cake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, until the cake is golden brown in color.
• It will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes, but different ovens may require different time.
• Remove from the oven, cool for about 30 minutes and slice it evenly and serve warm.

Robin Wilson will be presenting “Kitchen & Bath Trends” at  the 2012 Architectural Digest Home Show on Saturday, March 24, 2012, which is sponsored by The New York Times.  She will discuss the latest trends in kitchen & bath design and will feature frameless custom cabinetry by Holiday Kitchens; an affordable, sustainable product with a lifetime warranty, and made in the USA!

Based in Manhattan, Robin Wilson Home is a nationally recognized eco-friendly design firm that helps clients create an eco-healthy home lifestyle with affordable, practical interior and exterior pieces that are sustainable, reusable, recyclable and non-toxic.  Robin is known for design work on projects including; the White House Fellows office, President Clinton’s Harlem office, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s private residence, and the Good Housekeeping Showhouse.

The new Robin Wilson Home Collection is inspired by classic architecture and sophisticated spaces from her decade-long interior design business.  The collection will feature stylish bedding with colors, prints and texture. Rounding out the collection will be comforters, duvets, shams, hypoallergenic pillows and mattress covers, bath robes, bath rugs, towels, shower curtains and bath accessories.

“I am inspired by a lifestyle focused on wellness. This collection brings a beautifully designed aesthetic with hypoallergenic qualities and provides consumers a designer touch within a practical price point,” says Robin Wilson.  “The collection translates across the home from bed – to bath – to kitchen.”

The inaugural Robin Wilson Home collection is available online at Bed, Bath and Beyond and previews eight bedding looks and hypoallergenic textiles.

They’re beautiful, elegant, hypo-allergenic, and eco-healthy.

We are proud of Robin and honored that together we can offer an eco-friendly customized full access cabinetry line that features:

Smart Space. Over 10% more usable space. Easier to clean. Eco-healthy!

Sleek Silence. Standard soft-close drawers. Come home to your retreat.

Clean Lines. True European – full access. Expansive space.

Choices. Endless options from classic to modern in a full color palette.

Sustainable. From bamboo to coconut palm to stainless to reconstituted
veneer, to hardwoods. Customize to your style.

Accessories. Ergonomically-friendly accessories from drawer organization to door pulls.

Robin wants every home to be healthy and happy!

Over sixty five years ago, Mastercraft Industries, Inc. – home of Holiday Kitchens – was little more than three brothers starting a millwork business as a result of the post-war boom. Today, Holiday Kitchens is one of the largest custom cabinet manufacturers in the U.S.A. with 150,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 200 employees. Since the founding, Holiday Kitchens has invested in its future — and the quality of its product – with better equipment, satisfied employees and modern manufacturing principles. The end result? An exceptional product enjoyed in thousands of homes for over 65 years.

Rebuilding Our Economy
We believe by buying, using and promoting U.S. made products and services we can be part of the solution to rebuilding our economy. ABC’s Good Morning America’s anchor, Diane Sawyer, began a “Made in America” pledge in 2011, saying if every American spent an extra $3.33 on U.S.-made goods; it would create almost 10,000 new jobs in the country.

As the US manufacturing ability fades, future generations of US citizens will be unable to find relevant jobs. By buying American made products you help keep your friends and neighbors, and even yourself-earning a living wage.

Houses Truly “Made in America” Anders Lewendal is building a home in Bozeman, Montana that he hopes will be a blueprint for creating jobs in America. Lewendal is an economist turned builder and is constructing a house made entirely from 120 American-made products from more than 33 states. Currently, the all-American home is running only 1 to 2 percent more than a foreign-sourced house.  Lewendal is convinced that if every builder bought just 5 percent more American materials it would create 220,000 jobs.

We love to hear about people who are doing these types of amazing projects and we are hoping others will follow suit. But it doesn’t have to be building a brand new house American-made house.  A recent article in Business Week shows that there is a revival in residential remodeling.  If you can’t sell your house, turn your current home into your dream home and do it with American-Made products!

How many products in your home are truly Made-in-America?  If you own a Holiday Kitchens’ kitchen, rest assured that it was proudly crafted in the USA!

HomeTech Renovations, Inc. of Fort Washington PA, was awarded the 2012 Meritorious Award in the Contractor of the Year Awards competition in the residential kitchen remodeling category for a  kitchen renovation valued over $120K.  The winning project was for a client in Bucks County, PA and features Holiday Kitchens custom cabinetry. The awards are part of an annual competition held by the Bucks/Mont Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), nationally  headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois.

The Contractor of the Year (COTY) AWARDS IS WIDELY CONSIDERED THE PREMIER COMPETITION OF ITS KIND THROUGHOUT THE REMODELING INDUSTRY.  Preliminary judging took place  in Montgomery County in January 2012, and included a panel of six distinguished judges with extensive knowledge of design and construction.  To be considered, a company must be a NARI member and adhere to the NARI strict code of ethics.  NARI members represent an exclusive group from the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. identifying themselves as premier remodelers and builders within the industry.  

Holiday Kitchens is proud to be a certified member of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer’s Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP).

“In 2006, the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) created the Environmental Stewardship Program to help cabinet manufacturers demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability and help consumers easily identify environmentally-friendly products. After meeting certification requirements in areas of air quality, product and process resource management, environmental stewardship, and community relations, cabinet manufacturers can display the ESP seal on their products. The ESP seal helps you identify cabinets and cabinet manufacturers who are committed to protecting the environment. Nearly a hundred fifty cabinet manufacturers have already earned ESP certification and more are on their way to completing the review process.”

The ESP is designed as a framework for manufacturers to highlight environmental business practices concerning: product and process resource management, air quality, environmental management policies and systems, and community relations.

Manufacturers must earn a minimum of 80 points based on compliance with stringent criteria to be awarded ESP certification. The criteria for ESP 04-11 include, but are not limited to:

• Manufacturers must demonstrate their commitment to protect the environment as evidenced by a written policy statement.
• The use of CARB ATCM compliant low-formaldehyde-emitting panel products is mandatory and mus tconstitute 80% of all particleboard, medium density fiberboard (MDF) and plywood used in the cabinets.  These products also must be certifeid by CARB approved third-party certifiers to meet low formaldehyde emissions standards.
• 80% of particleboard and MDF used in the cabinets contain 100% recycled or recovered fiber content
• Chain of Custody (COC) Certification of the manufacturer throught a recognized sustainable forestry program is encouraged.
• Hardwoods, softwoods and plywoods purchased are certified through a recognized sustainable forestry program
• A documented energy conservation program is in place
• A written Environmental Management System is encouraged
• An active recycling program for process wastes is in place
• All federal, state and local environmental requirements are observed and manufacturer agrees to report any violations to KCMA.
• The manufacturer demonstrates community involvement and leadership through service or charitable organizations

If you are interested in learning more about Holiday Kitchens green line of cabinetry, please visit our website or give your local Holiday Kitchens dealer a call.

Recently recognized as one of the nation’s top kitchen and bath showrooms, DCI Home Resource is Charlotte, North Carolina’s premier source for cabinetry, appliances, plumbing, and award-winning kitchen and bath designs. DCI’s designs have been featured in multiple nation-wide magazines such as Kitchen & Bath Design News, Betters Home and Gardens, and Signature Kitchen and Baths.


By:  Kaity Slaughter
Our clients wanted to incorporate 21st century technology and maximize their storage space with minimum alterations to the home’s existing historic 1916 character.  It was very important for them that they retain the exact footprint of the original kitchen, as they are avid preservationists and very detailed.  The husband is an architect and the wife is a realtor.  They are a small family (husband, wife, and 2 young boys), who entertain often in their 1,400 square foot bungalow.

Photo Credit: Thinkstill

Photo Credit: Thinkstill

Photo Credit: Thinkstill

Requests/Challenges

1.   Maximize storage while retaining the exact footprint of the original kitchen.

Solution: Double stacked wall cabinets that extend to the 10’ ceiling and a rolling ladder for easy accessibility.  This significantly increased the amount of storage without increasing the footprint of the kitchen.

2.   Maximize the amount of natural light entering the kitchen (especially in the morning).

Solution: A triple window replaced the original single window on the exterior side elevation and a northwest facing skylight (hidden from view) added to the center of the kitchen allows the maximum amount of light to enter the space

3.   Create visual and audio connectivity between the kitchen, dining, and living rooms while still having the ability to isolate the kitchen in the event of formal dinners.

Solution: Added a 4’ opening with pocket doors above the sink and between the kitchen and dining room allowing light, sight, and sound to travel to and from the kitchen.  These doors can also be closed to create a more formal setting.

Photo Credit: Neffworks

Custom Cabinetry
They needed a functional layout finished with the right materials to achieve their goal.
Holiday Kitchens Cabinetry
-  Traditional Framed and Full Overlay
-  Petersburg Square door with 850 edge profile
-  Snowdrift paint and Suede Brushed glaze
-  Custom trim, decorative feet and hutch brackets

Photo Credit: Neffworks

Additional Products
-  Reclaimed pine hardwoods, finished to match the original wood flooring throughout the home
-  Natural John Boos maple butcher block countertops, brushed nickel hardware by Top Knobs, and Viking stainless appliances help to create the utilitarian feeling that a 1916 kitchen may have had
-  Viking appliances including a 42” built-in refrigerator and a 36” gas range with griddle provides “professional style”   cooking capabilities
-  Rohl faucet in satin nickel and Kohler Smart Divide sink in white


Kaity Slaughter is a lead designer and project manager for DCI Home Resource and has been with the company for eight years.  She received her undergraduate degree in architectural design and her MBA.