Archive for category Best Kitchen Showrooms

The Versatility of a Kitchen Island

Posted by admin in Best Kitchen Showrooms, Countertops, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Remodeling Tips, Modern Kitchen Cabinets on August 30, 2010

Not every kitchen is designed with added purpose or function in mind.   Adding a kitchen island to your room can provide you with useful options.

A well-designed kitchen island can provide extra drawers, shelves and cabinets for greater storage and additional space for preparing your meals.  An island also can serve as  informal dining for kids, or  additional seating for guests when you entertain.

If you’re lucky enough to have a larger kitchen space, adding a kitchen island will provide such useful options as adding preparation sinks, refrigerator drawers, or an  additional cooking area .

So if you thought a kitchen island was just for show, think again.  From greater storage to increased seating, any sized home can benefit from the design of a versatile kitchen island.

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What Makes A Kosher Kitchen?

Posted by admin in Best Kitchen Showrooms, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Remodeling Tips on August 24, 2010

What makes a kosher kitchen? It’s the way the kitchen is used and maintained, rather than the design or materials, although some materials may be preferable. Ritual Jewish law and practice dictates separation of meat from dairy, and this extends to having entirely distinct sets of dishes, silver, cutlery, cookware, sinks, appliances and countertop areas. During the week of Passover dishes are changed again, and it’s clear to see that observant Jews – particularly those with sufficient space – are in the market for additional cabinetry, as well as all of the other accessories that make a kitchen convenient and appealing.

In the real world not every home is large enough to accommodate doubling or tripling of the kitchen space, nor is every customer wealthy enough to handle such a large investment.  Those with severely modest means may have to box up Passover tableware and utensils and store them in closets for the other 51 weeks of the year. Sometimes a double sink will have to stand in for two separate units (even a single sink can be permissible, provided it is not of porous material and is properly cleaned before switching from meat to dairy or vise versa). A single dishwasher also may be acceptable to some authorities provided it has a stainless steel interior and the racks are changed depending on what dishes are being washed.

Under the circumstances, it’s obvious that any kosher customer with the means id going to want to make their kitchen as large and as workable as possible. Other clients may also want large, easy to use kitchens and more than one dishwasher or sink, but for the kosher observant, it is almost a necessity.

One of the more significant differences between a kosher and non-kosher kitchen is that most conventional kitchens are predicted on an invisible work triangle defined by the placement of one sink, one refrigerator and one range.  In a kosher kitchen we have two overlapping triangles and, ideally, two sinks, two refrigerators and two ranges.

There is more to designing a kosher kitchen than just adding extra appliances. Our Urban Homes designers have designed many kosher kitchens, and as with conventional designs, we realize that the ability to make every inch of space count is a highly valued skill.

Accordingly, our designers advise customers to:

  • Eliminate soffits and run cabinets all the way up to the ceiling.
  • Use “magic corner” wire basket drawers to open up dead corners and facilitate cleaning in those corners.
  • Recommend appliances that feature a Sabbath mode. With refrigerators, for example, this means a unit that allows the automatic fan to be turned off from Friday sundown to Saturday night (or to stay in a constant “on” position), thus releasing the residents of a household from inadvertently causing initiation of power usage during the Sabbath period when such activity is prohibited.
  • Recommend stainless steel sinks and steel or granite countertops and work surfaces for customers who can’t or won’t have fully discrete areas for meat and dairy. Make sure that the material is a pure granite or stone. Sometimes they are really composites and cannot be kashered. These surfaces can be used for both, provided that they are thoroughly cleaned and that boiling water is poured on them in between meat and dairy operations.

ccording to Star-K, which provides kosher certification, wood may also be kashered as stainless steel if it has a smooth surface and no cracks. Kosher law does not, however, allow kashering of plastic or materials with plastic components.

When it comes to choosing appliances, whether the kitchen can accommodate two sets or not, it is important to keep kosher belief in mind. Case in point, according to Star-K, kashering a glass, Corning, halogen or electric smoothtop range can be a difficult process, as it is hard to kasher the area surrounding the actual burners. On a gas range the cast iron or metal grates upon which the pots sit may be inserted into the oven after they have been thoroughly cleaned. The grates can then be kashered simultaneously with the oven, making this and easier process (and possibly a better choice) for the homeowner. Of course, if there are any questions that arise during the design of kosher kitchen, we suggest that customers should be encouraged to ask for rabbinic guidance.

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What’s Your Style?

Posted by admin in Best Kitchen Showrooms, Countertops, Eco-Friendly Kitchen Ideas, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Remodeling Tips, Modern Kitchen Cabinets, Tiles on August 19, 2010

Whether you’re a homeowner or looking to become one,  chances are you know how overwhelming choosing cabinets to suit your taste and lifestyle can be.

Well, you’re not alone.   Many are confused or unsure about what their kitchen style is or might be.  So read on before you begin to remodel.  It will make the process much easier for you and for your designer!

Victorian – Usually characterized by steeply pitched roofs, pointed-arch windows, elaborate trim along roof edges, high dormers, lancet windows and other Gothic details. Light fixtures range from chandeliers, kerosene and electric lamps to astrals, and sconces. Cabinets are usually weathered looking and made of heavy, real wood with chrome pulls and knobs.

Modern – Modern styles change from year to year. Most recent designs include sleek, straight and clean lines. Less is more, such as less accessories, visible appliances and details. Common materials include stainless steel, marble, granite and frosted glass. Basic geometric shapes and bold, bright colors such as reds, blues and yellow, black and white are prevalent.

Contemporary - Your tastes include the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired. Your sensitivity to materials and a natural setting meets with a contemporary bent in home styles like Mission, Prairie and Arts & Crafts. When making your cabinet selection, consider birch as a clean and modern wood species. Choose details like geometric forms, art glass, contrasting textures and lines, and forged and wrought iron pulls.

Southwestern – A lot of detail and craftsmanship. Natural materials such as stucco and hand-painted fabrics are very common, as are wood, quarry tile, ceramic tile, earth tones and vibrant accessories. Colors usually reflect the nature of a desert such as warm oranges, greens, tans and browns. Southwest kitchens usually incorporate ceramic materials and terra cotta elements.

Traditional – Plays up architectural details such as crown moldings, raised wood paneling and rich, deep colors to enhance the mood and ‘traditional’ feel. Dark stains, honey tones, semi-opaque paints, wicker baskets and oak cabinets add to the usually more formal feel than country style.

Eclectic – A mix of old and new features combined for a harmonious look.  This style is not characterized by a particular color palette, patterns, style or material but is a mix of extravagant decorations from numerous eras including hand-me-downs, second-hand items and other recyclables. Kitchens and bathrooms range from modern appliances mixed with antique decorations to the complete opposite.

Country – Rustic, weathered look creates a warm, cozy feeling in a country style home. Common colors range from muted hues to earth tones. Exposed beams, pine paneling, brick and barn boards are elements used to express this style. Fabrics and patterns are a sure way to create a ‘country’ feeling, as is the use of wallpaper and baskets.

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The History of the White House Kitchen

Posted by admin in Best Kitchen Showrooms on August 16, 2010

From the early days of President George Washington to our current President Barack Obama, the White House Kitchen has played an important role in U.S. history.

Time magazine takes a look at the history of this famous kitchen in an interesting photo essay.

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The Kitchen of Today

Posted by admin in Best Kitchen Showrooms, Countertops, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Remodeling Tips, Modern Kitchen Cabinets on August 11, 2010

The kitchen is not just another room in your house.  Today’s kitchen has become “the” room — the living space in which you want to cook, gather,  and entertain. Your kitchen design should not only  invite you to prepare meals,  but should enrich your everyday life spent with family, friends and invited guests.

The recipe for a well-designed kitchen is equal parts funtionality, beauty, and sustainablity.  To create a well-designed kitchen you need to mix beautiful, sustainable solid wood cabinetry with a cup of your intended use. Blend it well with your own sensibility — be it traditional or contemporary — and top it off with aesthetically-pleasing non-toxic finishes.

Once all these ingredients are mixed together well,  you will have created the ideal living kitchen architecture for the perfect meals of a lifetime.

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About workshop/apd

Posted by admin in Best Kitchen Showrooms, Countertops, Eco-Friendly Kitchen Ideas, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Remodeling Tips, Modern Kitchen Cabinets, Tiles, Uncategorized on July 9, 2010

 

 

workshop/apd was founded in 1999 as a design firm with offices in New York City and Nantucket, Massachusetts. The firm specializes in high-end residential renovations, new home construction, and commercial development with an emphasis on the integration of sustainable methods that can help to identify and solve the challenges of the built environment in the 21st Century. In addition to focusing on sustainable building, the firm also recently launched a custom products line that includes furniture, lighting, and accessories.
workshop’s studio environment benefits from a diverse body of professional experience covering architecture, master planning, interior design, sustainable design, construction management, landscape design, and furniture design. Our approach to design looks beyond the singularity found within current architectural trends and takes advantage of the multiple perspectives that make up our society. This allows for a more intriguing and less predictable relationship between design and its context. Conventional boundaries between adjacent spaces are often transgressed, allowing activities to transition naturally across fluid thresholds. This results in performative spaces that collapse the form of function into the function of form. Furthermore, we are committed to reducing the ecological impact that the built environment has on our natural world while making sure that the social, environmental, and economic needs of our clients are met.

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INTERVIEW: Workshop APD’s Sustainable New Orleans

Posted by admin in Best Kitchen Showrooms, Countertops, Eco-Friendly Kitchen Ideas, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Remodeling Tips, Modern Kitchen Cabinets on July 9, 2010

INTERVIEW: Workshop APD’s Sustainable New Orleans

by Jill Fehrenbacher, 11/29/06

Back in late August, Global Green and Brad Pitt announced the winners of the Global Green Sustainable Design Competition For New Orleans. The winning proposal, titled GreeNOLA and submitted by Matthew Berman and Andrew Kotchen of Workshop APD, calls for six houses and two multifamily units which employ energy-efficient appliances, solar power, and recycled building materials, as well as providing social services like child care and a community garden. Workshop APD’s proposal is designed to cut pollution and decrease operating energy use by 50-60 percent, compared to traditional homes. The success of the GreeNOLA design is its seamless integration of cutting edge green technology with the traditional building wisdom of the region. This combination creates healthy and affordable new residences for displaced residents of New Orleans. Groundbreaking of the new complex starts this January.

I sat down with the two architects to discuss their winning design proposal for rebuilding in New Orleans….

JILL: So tell me about your design proposal for the 9th ward in New Orleans

Andrew: It started with researching the 9th Ward and the Holy Cross area, where our site is. In our research of the greater context we wanted to propose new ideas for how to redevelop the area by bringing commercial, bringing in retail, revegetating the landscape, creating more of a linear park across the river and then begin inserting our ideas onto the site. Our focus was to achieve a greater understanding of prefabricated modular construction – these pieces end up evolving and becoming three-dimensional elements and then getting assembled in an infinite configuration and through a series of selection processes you end up with a structure.

Jill: So there’s a market and community center on the lower level of the site?

Matthew: The idea is that this whole open corner would be the farmer’s market and public area as it reaches out into the rest of the community. Then you come into the interior of the site: parking, day care, children’s play space, market with the community food production area; again it’s sort of buffered by the other buildings. This is the bridge. It’s a community bridge that pulls you in from the rest of the community right through the middle of the site and up onto the levy. The idea is that the residents can control access to the site. We were intentionally trying to activate the site by pulling the community through it as opposed to walling off the site and creating an interior that’s only for residents.

Jill: Is it specifically designed to be affordable or lower income housing?

Matthew: It’s intended to be affordable housing, not necessarily lower income housing. It’s trying to be affordable housing through its sustainability. For example it was designed as a net zero site so that all of the energy production happens on site, and it’s done through affordable tax and more efficient systems that reduce the load- the energy load- so the idea is that nobody would have an electric bill.

Andrew: Net zero is the sewer waste and water, it’s all cisterns, we reclaim water, reuse gray water and recycle the water through the site. The idea is that nothing goes out and nothing comes in to the site.

Matthew: It’s also intended to be affordable through the design options. A lot of these single family houses are set up and it works well with the typical New Orleans prototypes, the shot gun house and the Creole cottage, but most of these houses have either out buildings or internal apartments that can be rented out and that’s how a lot of people maintain the affordability. So there were different ways of thinking about affordability.

Jill: So lets talk about the climate down there and the systems for heating and cooling. I know it’s really humid in New Orleans and people tend to use air conditioners. Is it possible to use passive design elements in this sort of climate?

Andrew: In New Orleans the humidity averages at 75% throughout the year so it is impossible to cool spaces without mechanical cooling. So it can’t just be passive ventilation and breezes blowing through – so we’re using a geothermal system that is combined with a Z-coil dehumidification system, which is essentially a pumped-up air conditioning system with a few other modules put onto it that’s more efficient.

So there is a form of mechanical cooling, which is supplemented by a geothermal drawing from the earth’s temperature and circulating it back up through the structures. And we’ve oriented our buildings so that they can get maximum cross ventilation. That’s why everything has this shotgun effect. We have louvers systems at either end so that at certain times of the day you can open and close them to minimize heat gain, but open them for breezes to come through. All these strategies have been in use for 30 or 40 years. We’ve just packaged it together in a place that’s never heard of or seen it before.

Jill: Have you done any market testing or interviewing of residents of the area, or anything to get a sense of what local New Orleans residents think about your designs?

Matthew: Yes- the second phase for this competition was very intense and very well choreographed. They invited the six finalists down three separate times to New Orleans to meet with design jury members, technical jury members, and community groups.

We made several presentations to community groups over this six-week period — where we would go down initially with our first boards, an hour presentation where we talk for ten minutes and then respond to questions with answers and really try and develop and flesh out what their needs are and their interests are. So we definitely got to know them and develop a really good rapport and understand their needs and desires.

 Andrew: Global Green has set up an operation down there that sponsors of the competition and they’ve done a lot of community outreach where they’ve done several presentations. So, the competition is on the heels of them already being there for about four months and trying really to establish this notion of sustainability.

Matthew: We were very successful at listening to what each of the constituents had to say and filtering it through our own ideas to see, to work those things in so that we felt comfortable with the product we were producing, but we also felt responsible about what it was that we were contributing down there.

We are going back again next week – this is all really exciting for us. We do most of our work in high-end single-family residential custom architecture. This is a larger scale and a totally different opportunity so we just embraced it. Construction should start in the spring of next year.

Jill: So much as I hate to do this, I have to ask: What was it like working with Brad Pitt?

Andrew: He was really nice and seemed to know what he was talking about, honestly. A lot of architects are skeptical about Brad Pitt’s sudden interest in architecture – but I have to tell you that from what we could tell, he seems pretty devoted to the cause of sustainable design, and of course the celebrity interest just helps elevate interest in our project, and we can’t argue with that!

 http://www.workshopapd.com/

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ASTER CUCINE DEBUTS “TIMELINE,” NEW SIGNATURE KITCHEN COLLECTION IN COLLABORATION WITH WORKSHOP/APD

Posted by admin in Best Kitchen Showrooms, Countertops, Eco-Friendly Kitchen Ideas, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Remodeling Tips, Modern Kitchen Cabinets, Uncategorized on July 9, 2010

NEW YORK (July 9, 2010) –  Eurocucina 2010 set the start of the debut of TIMELINE, a new signature kitchen collection from ASTER Cucine, one of the world’s leading contemporary kitchen manufacturers, in special collaboration with New York design studio workshop/apd.

For the TIMELINE kitchen system, Matthew Berman and Andrew Kotchen, design principals at workshop/apd, drew upon the history of craftsmanship and artisanship in centuries past to create a kitchen collection with a “vintage” look and feel for contemporary life.  Familiar but unconventional in a modern kitchen, the epoch collection features exquisite cabinetry, countertops and backsplash accents in the finest selection of materials including Venetian ceruse (a whitening compound used in the 16th century on human skin as well as cabinetry) applied to white oak; wire mesh inspired by French country cabinets, antique mirror glass; oxidized metal, weathered steel, and bronzed glass.  Kitchens also can be “personalized” with art panels by famed Toronto artist Murray Duncan.

“Our Aster Cucine partnership with workshop/apd has produced a custom design kitchen system that yields both an astonishing piece of design and the ultimate in functionality,” commented Jacob Kindler, U.S. managing director of Aster Cucine.” TIMELINE represents as much a work of art as the next generation in modern family living.” 

Having taken its cue from the centuries of craftsmen and artisans who spent time carefully selecting the best materials and working them with precision and skill, the TIMELINE kitchen system reflects the quality of the handmade and the patina of the hard worked, yet it is decidedly modern, clean-lined and efficient.

“Our kitchens, the heart of family life, are now part of our living environments and no longer hidden from view,” say Mssrs. Berman and Kotchen. “They are often times at the very center and should be as welcoming as the rest of the home.”

Available now to consumers in the U.S., TIMELINE will be on display starting in September at the award-winning New York City kitchen and bath design company Urban Homes Inc.

An ideal target for people looking for unique and luxurious design in the kitchen, ASTER Cucine also debuted four other kitchen collections at Eurocucina 2010 in Milan. Included is the new futuristic DOMINA, a trendy Italian kitchen that uniquely features custom cabinetry with end to end curves and without any straight lines.  Other collections include the ease and simplicity of the classic AVENUE, merging the traditional with magical modern twists; the ultra-modern CONTEMPORA, which through strong design makes the most of its beautifully grained Tinoe wood and glossy lacquered surfaces, and the exquisite OPERA HALL, a classic take on the French idea of “Les Plaisirs de L’Isle Enchantèe,” with pieces rich in artistic and cultural references that date from the 1500’s to our present day.

 

 About ASTER Cucine

Established in 1983 in Pesaro Italy, Aster Cucine is one the European leaders in innovative modern and kitchen design. Deeply pervaded by a “service oriented” philosophy, the company has developed a comprehensive company-product-distribution system geared to meet fully the aesthetic and functional requirements of each individual customer. www.astercucineusa.com

 About Urban Homes, Inc.

Urban Homes is an award-winning kitchen and bath design showroom that offers “one-stop shopping” with talented in-house kitchen designers as well experienced installation crews. The company features a wide variety of custom and semi-custom cabinetry as well as numerous countertop, flooring, appliance, light and hardware products. By combining outstanding service, extraordinary craftsmanship and sensible pricing, it has built a reputation as a firm that builds relationships first. The Urban Homes Showroom is located at 325 West 16th Street, (between 8th & 9th Avenues), New York, NY 10011.  212.246.7700  www.uhny.com

About workshop/apd

With an emphasis on sustainable practices that directly affect how we live, workshop/apd specializes in high-end residential renovations, new home construction, and commercial development.  Since its inception in 1999, the workshop brand has grown and now extends to custom furniture, lighting, accessories, products, and kitchen systems. This year the company also launched RightFrame, a technology firm that automates home design to change the face and the carbon footprint of the suburban landscape. It combines serious, modern style and responsible living in a moderately-priced well-designed house.

With offices in New York City and Nantucket, MA, workshop/apd is headquartered at 555 8th Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10018.  Tel: 212.273.9712.  www.workshopapd.com

Media Contact for Aster Cucine, Urban Homes, workshop/apd:

Lisa Hanock-Jasie, Director of Communications

212.273.9712 office OR  646.764.4959 cell

lhj@workshopapd.com

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Jesco Lighting Group

Posted by admin in Best Kitchen Showrooms, Eco-Friendly Kitchen Ideas, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Remodeling Tips, Modern Kitchen Cabinets on July 9, 2010

 

Jesco Lighting

JESCO LIGHTING was founded in 1998 and is a New York City based company with its headquarters in Glendale, New York; with a distribution center in the City of Industry, California. The company started with a basic line of track and downlighting, and served the local lighting market with great success. Today, we are one of the nation’s fastest-growing lighting manufacturers offering a comprehensive selection of contemporary, architectural, energy-efficient lighting fixtures for a broad range of commercial, institutional and residential applications.

We have since formed the Jesco Lighting Group that comprises of three companies – Jesco Lighting, Jesco LED Lighting Solutions, and Bleu Lighting.

In the past 2 years, the Jesco Lighting division introduced nine new product catalogs that includes two lines of track lighting namely the Low Voltage Monorail System and a collection of Metal Halide track lighting; three Recessed Downlights catalog including the Modulinear Directional Luminaires, and recessed downlights ranging from 3”, 4”, 5” and 6” Aperture; as well as two Specialty Lighting catalogs – one is our award winning Sleek Plus Mini Fluorescent line; and the second, a Display Lighting Solutions collection. We also released two collections of beautiful decorative fixtures under the Envisage I and II brand.

Our LED division released an impressive array of nine product catalogs, offering the latest in energy-efficient high-performance LED lighting fixtures ranging from Indoor decorative linear lighting, undercabinet/shelf lighting, cove lighting, miniature recessed downlights, surface mounts and pendants, to commercial Outdoor die cast adjustable and regressed wall washers, surface mounted adjustable accents, as well as commercial/residential recessed, in-ground and wall, path and garden and wall mounts.

Jesco Lighting is aggressively working on three more lines of track lighting, three decorative lines to be branded under the Envisage Collection, a complete and comprehensive undercabinet/shelf lighting solutions, and a full line of LED products and more. We are committed to bringing you innovative and attractive products using the latest technology that minimizes energy consumption to limit our impact on the environment. Our entire line of products may be viewed in our showrooms in Dallas, Manhattan NYC, and the third to open June 2008 in Las Vegas.

We are very proud of our record-breaking growth in the past 3 years. We attribute our success to our leadership, the experience and skill-set of our design and engineering teams and the dedication of all of our employees and support staff, as well as our strategic partnerships with reputed companies in Asia, Europe and Mexico.

Our goal is to become a one-stop solution for the residential, retail, hospitality and commercial markets. Jesco Lighting is dedicated to providing the best products in the best prices with the best possible service levels you have come to expect.

www.jescolighting.com

JESCO LIGHTING is available at:

Urban Homes, Inc. – Innovative Design for Kitchen & Bath

325 West 16th Street

New York, NY 10011

www.UHNY.com

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Crossing the pond: Part II

Posted by admin in Best Kitchen Showrooms, Eco-Friendly Kitchen Ideas, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Remodeling Tips, Modern Kitchen Cabinets on July 1, 2010

Posted by Alice Liao

 

Launched in 1983, contemporary kitchen manufacturer Aster Cucine is a young’un in the world of European kitchen cabinetry. And sometimes it takes young people, or a young company, to want to do things a little differently and to look for inspiration in, say, youth. Which is kind of what happened at this past Eurocucina, where Aster Cucine, of the “Old Country,” showed TIMELINE, a new kitchen collection designed by U.S. design firm Workshop/apd, of the “New World.” If Workshop/apd is sounding kind of familiar, you may have heard its name in connection with Brad Pitt and Global Green USA. The firm, which has offices in Nantucket, Mass., and New York City, came up with the winning plan in the organization’s competition to design affordable sustainable housing in New Orleans. Headed by principals Matthew Berman and Andrew Kotchen, the firm specializes in high-end residential renovations, new home construction and commercial development.  

 Immagini 007_prv

For TIMELINE, Berman and Kotchen have drawn on a history of craftsmanship and artisanship to create a contemporary kitchen collection that is clean in look yet rich in feel. It includes a modern spin on the classic inset door and incorporates a variety of materials, many of which are evocative of those used in earlier times and lend a sense of warmth and softness to the line. 

 Immagini 013_prv 

There is, for example, Venetian ceruse—a whitening compound used in the 16th century on human skin as well as cabinetry—applied to white oak; wire mesh inspired by French country cabinets; antique mirror glass; oxidized metal; weathered steel; and bronzed glass. Extremely versatile, the collection offers a wealth of possibilities. And if you want that individualized touch, you can even specify cabinet doors adorned with art panels by Toronto artist Murray Duncan. 

Immagini 016_prv

For more information, contact Aster Cucine USA.—Alice Liao

 http://kbbcollective.com/crossing-the-pond-part-ii.html 

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Urban Homes, Inc. introduces new cabinetry lines: Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry & Brookhaven Cabinetry

Posted by admin in Best Kitchen Showrooms, Eco-Friendly Kitchen Ideas, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Remodeling Tips, Modern Kitchen Cabinets on June 22, 2010

For over 60 years, Wood-Mode has been widely recognized for excellence in cabinet design, material selection, construction and finishes. Much of the credit is due to the many hand steps executed with pride by our dedicated craftspeople, using only the finest materials, woodworking skills, and the most advanced technology. The result is the highest quality cabinetry with an impressive range of styles, colors, woods, laminates, moldings and hardware, so your design choices are virtually limitless.

It all starts with lumber processing at Wood-Mode’s highly integrated manufacturing facility. Wood-Mode’s own kilns perform an intensive lumber drying process that achieves the optimum moisture content required for the necessary stability of its custom cabinetry, furniture and architectural elements. Age-old craftsmanship is combined with the precision and accuracy of modern technology to provide meticulous control throughout the manufacturing process.

The finest woods are selected to ensure superior quality—

Cherry: A richly elegant hardwood, characterized by a close grain pattern, gum streaks and subtle color variations. Cherry tends to darken with age—a natural process that enhances its warmth and charm.

Knotty Cherry: All of the natural character of Cherry, including knots and checks, gives it a true rustic Cherry Look.

Maple: A finely grained hardwood favored for its distinctive burl patterns.

Heartwood Maple: The rustic natural beauty of Maple, including its mineral streaks, checks, and heavier burl, is usually found in the wood that comes from the center of the tree.

Oak: A hardwood valued for its resilience and prominent grain, beauty and strength.

Pine: A warm softwood with swirling grain and random knots, purposely distressed to give it a softened antique quality.

In addition to the above wood species, decorative rattan, herringbone, olive ash burl, and bird’s-eye Maple veneers are available as inserts.

The next step in achieving outstanding durability is choosing the just right components for each specific function. For example, while solid wood is the ideal material for raised panel doors and frame faces, it isn’t always best for sides, tops, bottoms and shelves where strength, stability and warp resistance are essential.

The company produces two full lines of customized cabinetry under the Wood-Mode and Brookhaven names, each with a multitude of storage options. Both feature solid wood doors and multi-step finishing processes, and both are available in traditional framed construction—where the door is mounted on a front frame—and contemporary frameless construction—where there is no face frame so the door is mounted on the cabinet case itself.

Our extensive selection of more than 85 standard wood finish colors, two standard finish sheen levels and 30 standard laminates satisfies a broad range of decorating tastes and lifestyles. In addition, Wood-Mode will custom match unique finishes to customers’ specifications.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

For more than sixty-five years since its founding, Wood-Mode has maintained a firm commitment to sound environmentally-protective policies and practices in the manufacture of its custom cabinet products.

The company has taken pride in producing the industry’s highest quality cabinetry in a manner that demonstrates its genuine concern and care for the environment.

Wood-Mode has been certified by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) as meeting the standards for its “Environmental Stewardship Program” (ESP).

This program was created to recognize industry manufacturers who use environmentally friendly materials and production processes. To qualify for and maintain certification, manufacturers are evaluated annually on compliance in five categories, including air quality, product resource management, process resource management, environmental stewardship, and community relations, as well as energy conservation and recycling programs.

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL

As far back as 1989, Wood-Mode installed and began operating its Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO) for the destruction of emissions generated in the cabinetry finishing process.  Operating at a combustion chamber temperature of 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit, the RTO destroys 99.4% of captured Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). In addition, under optimal conditions, the RTO operates in a self-sustaining mode and does not need any fuel (natural gas) input, a significant savings in energy.

PROTECTING AND CONSERVING OUR WATER RESOURCE

Wood-Mode complies with all local and state regulations for the discharge of any waste water, as regulated by the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Steam condensate is recovered and re-circulated back to the boiler systems to reduce the amount of un-treated water necessary to produce more steam.

PROTECTING OUR LAND THROUGH EFFICIENT WASTE MANAGEMENT

Sawdust and wood scrap are ground into particles which are then used as fuel to heat the factory and provide steam to operate the dry kilns, as well as heat, air condition and
humidify the Wood-Mode office and factory. Particle collectors remove wood fly ash from
any air emissions.

Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry and Brookhaven displays will be introduced in August 2010. Both cabinet lines are available for purchase now. Please visit Urban Homes website: www.uhny.com

Urban Homes, Inc. – Innovative Design for Kitchen & Bath

325 West 16th Street (Between 8th & 9th Avenues)

New York, NY 10011

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Eurocucina 2010 sets the start of the new collaboration with the prestigious New York design studio

Posted by admin in Best Kitchen Showrooms, Countertops, Eco-Friendly Kitchen Ideas, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Remodeling Tips, Modern Kitchen Cabinets, Tiles on May 25, 2010

Timeline by Workshop/apdEurocucina 2010 sets the start of the new collaboration with the prestigious New York design studio Workshop/apd Timeline is both an idea and a project, the result of a special collaboration with the prestigious New York design studio Workshop/apd. More than architecture, more than a trend, more than design, more than time itself. Andrew Kotchen and Matt Berman are two of the most innovative designers of their generation. Together they set out to prove that intelligent architectural concepts can be translated successfully into responsible real world projects. Matthew Berman “We don’t believe in architectural trends. We do believe in designing places that reflect their surroundings and society. We are committed to reducing the ecological impact that building has on our environment. And we want to ensure that our designs meet the social, environmental and economic needs of our clients.” Sustainable design is, in short, good design. In 2006, actor Brad Pitt and Global Green USA recognized the intelligence of building green—and Workshop/apd won the group’s competition to design a 120-occupant, eco-friendly model housing block for hurricane-ravaged New Orleans. Building broke ground in 2007 and is currently under construction. The Workshop brand has grown and extends to furniture, products, lighting, accessories, and now kitchen systems. This year, we also launched RightFrame, a technology company that automates green home design to change the face and the carbon footprint of the suburban landscape. Architecture is not static. It has political, social, economic, and cultural ramifications, and each building is different. They are part history, part art, part science, part travelogue, and part politics. Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future www.workshopapd.com/home

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Showroom Offers Circular Experience

Posted by admin in Best Kitchen Showrooms, Countertops, Eco-Friendly Kitchen Ideas, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Remodeling Tips, Modern Kitchen Cabinets on May 4, 2010

New York — Most people don’t enjoy walking in circles, but at Urban Homes, that is the ideal way for clients to find their high-end kitchen or bath product.

Derek Zylewicz, the third-generation owner and president of the kitchen and bath design firm, based here, explains: “The showroom was designed by Matthew Berman and Andrew Kotchen from New York, NY-based Workshop/APD and Urban Homes. They worked with Mirko Del Prete, the managing director of Aster Cucine and Renee Pecquex of Van Nuys, CA-based CaesarStone to create unique displays that feature distinctive kitchen cabinets, pull-out islands and LED lighting, all with a floating ceiling design.”

Zylewicz, who runs the firm with partner Jacob Kindler, explains: “The floorplan shows the various rooms and products in a circular pattern revolving around a central kiosk. Visitors can move in a circular pattern and see [everything] on display.”

Visitors to the showroom include designers, architects, builders and consumers, and they can view products from a variety of lines, including appliances from Viking, quartz countertops from CaesarStone and cabinetry from Aster Cucine. Also featured arecustom cabinetry from Urban Homes, tile selections from Daltile and kitchen fixtures and fittings from Blanco America.

“Our mission at Urban Homes is simple,” reports Zylewicz. “We are dedicated to providing our clients with personalized service and innovative design solutions using premiere products and technology.”

The firm played host to hundreds of architects, builders and clients in March, in celebration of its official grand opening. Featured were culinary dishes prepared by Viking Range Corporate Chef Trish Sebben-Krupka, as well as commissioned art, which turned the showroom into an art gallery for the event.

Space Saver

The goal of the 4,000-square-foot, two-level site was simple. “The showroom was designed to be a showplace for the urban cabinet market, a space to showcase these products,” Zylewicz remarks.

To achieve the look, the maximizing of space was paramount, Zylewicz continues. “The concept is based around a centralized piece that ties the space together,” he explains. “[We wanted a] space that would replace a two-dimensional portfolio and could showcase samples of the products that would be used in clients’ homes.”

The showroom features 12 displays, including eight kitchens. Five bath vanities, office displays and a living room and dining room setting are also included in the showroom.

“We have one full working kitchen, and this kitchen will be used to host events, seminars and cooking events and classes,” he reports.

Screen Grabs

Technology plays a featured role within the Urban Homes showroom. AutoCAD is used to create room plans and designs.

A plasma television is also featured to showcase project possibilities to visitors.

But, the firm’s forward thinking isn’t just reflected in the hottest gadgets. Urban Homes also takes pride in the fact that it offers the recycling of materials and green design options, particularly through its kitchen cabinetry offerings, Zylewicz adds. The showroom also features LED lighting for all of its undercabinet displays in keeping with its green initiative.

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Eurocucina 2010 sets the start of the new collaboration with the prestigious New York design studio Workshop/apd

Posted by admin in Best Kitchen Showrooms, Eco-Friendly Kitchen Ideas, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Remodeling Tips, Modern Kitchen Cabinets on April 2, 2010

Timeline is both an idea and a project, the result of a special collaboration with the prestigious New York design studio Workshop/apd. More than architecture, more than a trend, more than design, more than time itself. Andrew Kotchen and Matt Berman are two of the most innovative designers of their generation. Together they set out to prove that intelligent architectural concepts can be translated successfully into responsible real world projects. Matthew Berman “We don’t believe in architectural trends. We do believe in designing places that reflect their surroundings and society. We are committed to reducing the ecological impact that building has on our environment. And we want to ensure that our designs meet the social, environmental and economic needs of our clients.” Sustainable design is, in short, good design. In 2006, actor Brad Pitt and Global Green USA recognized the intelligence of building green—and Workshop/apd won the group’s competition to design a 120-occupant, eco-friendly model housing block for hurricane-ravaged New Orleans. Building broke ground in 2007 and is currently under construction. The Workshop brand has grown and extends to furniture, products, lighting, accessories, and now kitchen systems. This year, we also launched RightFrame, a technology company that automates green home design to change the face and the carbon footprint of the suburban landscape. Architecture is not static. It has political, social, economic, and cultural ramifications, and each building is different. They are part history, part art, part science, part travelogue, and part politics. Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future www.workshopapd.com/home

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In collaboration with Aster Cucine, Workshop/apd to launch a line of signature cutom Kitchens in early 2010

Posted by admin in Best Kitchen Showrooms, Eco-Friendly Kitchen Ideas, Kitchen Design Ideas, Modern Kitchen Cabinets on March 27, 2010

In collaboration with Aster Cucine, Workshop/apd to launch a line of signature custom Kitchens in early 2010. The designs will target an American audience and will be adaptable to a diverse range of living environments. The new partnership will take advantage of  today’s most innovative fabrication techniques while fulfilling the need for good and efficient design within the home.  This exclusive line of kitchen cabinetry will be available at Urban Homes, Inc. – Innovative Deisgn for Kitchens and Bath located in the heart of Chelsea at 325 West 16th Street, NYC.

www.uhny.com

Read more about Aster Cucine…

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