designer Fall 2011 the Valerie Stuessi, CKD Mary Maney, AKBD, ASID Carol Kornak NEWS FROM CRYSTAL KITCHEN CENTER Photos by Mark Ehlen 2011 Remodelors Showcase: Kitchen Upgrade Creates Home Sweet Home Designer: Mary Maney, ASID, AKBD A new kitchen led to a new perspective and new appreciation (and maybe even some new culinary skills) for a homeowner in a cozy Plymouth neighborhood. The kitchen in Marian Schrah’s traditional cottage home was more than 30 years old, and Schrah said that “everything!” needed to be updated. CKC designer Mary Maney worked with Marian to create a new layout for better movement and made improvements to update the space while maintaining its cottage charm appeal. Updates included adding painted white Crystal cabinets with a brushed-brown finish to resemble antique furniture, and a new island in a mediumstained knotty alder wood. Marian selected top-grade professional appliances, including a SubZero refrigerator and a Meile warming drawer. A custom-designed hood over the Wolf range with an 2011 Remodelers Showcase Continued on back page BEFORE BEFORE On Trend… Letter from the President... I hope you’ve had a wonderful summer! I want to See recent CKC remodels that incorporate the latest trends in kitchen and bath design. Making a Splash with Tile Designer: Val Stuessi, CKD Not only practical, tile backsplashes serve as a distinctive design element. Val shares several recent remodels that demonstrate unique ways to approach a tile backsplash. • share some highlights from Crystal Kitchen Center Susan Viking and John Kueck from the past few months. The use of horizontal backsplash tiles complements the room’s horizontal lines found throughout the kitchen, from the wood grain of the cabinets to the hardware to the rectangular floor tiles. All elements work together to evoke a calming effect that is synonymous with horizontal lines. • In May, we hosted a Cinco de Mayo party for the Tiffany Circle of the Red Cross, a community of women leaders and philanthropists who invest in their local American Red Cross chapters. This an amazing group of women who support the Red Cross in its mission to serve the American public in times of war and peace with disaster assistance, blood collection, safety training and count- Photos by J.H. Peterson less other community assistance services. We were Dawn and Dave Hill thrilled to celebrate their local efforts with an When Dawn and Dave Hill set out to remodel their kitchen, they sought to source as many local artists and materials as possible—down to the handmade tiles used for a stunning backsplash. Clay Squared to Infinity, located in Northeast Minneapolis, created the red, green and yellow tiles that accent the backsplash area and provide a visual focal point above the range. • event that included a celebrity chef cooking up the flavors of Mexico in one of our model kitchens. Marge and Bob Brown Susan Handley Lynn Sutton We are also very proud of recent accolades for our work including an honorable mention in the Crystal Cabinet Works 2011 Design Contest for the renovation of Byron and Janet Richard’s kitchen in their vacation home in Cross Lake. Linear Mosaics provide the back splash field tile, accented by a Durango Noce and crackled glass feature, subtle and sophisticated, above the induction cooktop. The kitchen/laundry room floors are 18 x 18 porcelain tiles with contrasting accents “clipped” in--compatible yet understated. • Holly Grover and Matt Kucharski Stock glass tiles in 5 colors and 5 sizes added the fun and the punch in this kitchen. Opening a ten foot wall brought in sunlight and views, while connecting kitchen activities to the living and dining rooms. Maple cabinetry with countertops of concrete, quartz and glass supported the artistic impact of this project. • And the fall fun continues at Crystal Kitchen Center with the Remodelors Showcase event, great kitchen seminars and much more – we hope to see Jayne and Randy Jones you soon! Cherry inset-door cabinets, granite counter tops and a marble tile backsplash are complimented by touches of oil rubbed bronze finishes in the decorative tiles and hardware. Custom cherry millwork and a decorative wood hood complete this very custom and authentic design merging old with new. • JoLynn Johnson CMKBD, CAPS [email protected] Photos by J.H. Peterson Lower Level Becomes Luxurious Retreat Designer: Carol Kornak When Anne Jones of south Minneapolis attended 2010 Remodelers Showcase in her neighborhood, little did she know she would soon be transforming the lower level of her own home. The space, which included a stone-front, gas fireplace, felt dark, cramped and unorganized. Lacking adequate lighting and storage, the room needed an overhaul to bring in more light and provide ways to maximize storage. Carol’s plan included the following: Lighting Solution: A new egress window floods the room with natural daylight, and the stone on the exterior window well now matches the fireplace. Recess lights in the ceiling, glass door cabinets with energy efficient LED lights and under-cabinet task lighting complete a remarkable transformation. BEFORE BEFORE Storage Solution: New knotty alder cabinets, stained to match the existing wood paneling, now line three walls. The sweeping lines of the cabinetry now draw the eye around the room. Open and closed storage units provide a variety of storage options. Organization Solution: The homeowner loves the additional storage. Computer equipment, books, magazines and household records all have a new organized place, so she can work, watch TV and relax in her fantastic new retreat. “The room is not only more functional but it actually looks much bigger, and I can’t believe how much of a difference the new lighting makes,” Anne added. “I also can't believe I waited this long to make a change, I use my new space almost every day and have to remember to try to use other rooms in my house.” • Introducing Rik Lalim Crystal Kitchen Center is pleased to announce the addition of its first marketing director, Rik Lalim, who will promote our work through a variety of avenues including the media and special events. Rik previously owned his own marketing consulting company, Rikochet, where he had extensive experience in working with designers, architects and builders. Happenings... Kitchen Remodeling Seminar: “Fall Seminar: Top 10 Common Kitchen Design Mistakes” Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 and Saturday, Oct. 15 2011: 9a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Located at Crystal Kitchen Center Showroom, 3620 Winnetka Ave N, Crystal “We are excited to tap Rik’s knowledge of marketing and his relationships within the industry to generate more exposure for Crystal Kitchen Center,” said JoLynn Johnson. • This popular seminar includes design experts discussing how to avoid common mistakes in kitchen design. They will also share NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Assoc.) guidelines for kitchen design, including code issues on electrical and ventilation and the latest cabinet accessories, universal design, green design, appliances, outdoor kitchens, signs of quality in cabinetry, warranty, services and latest trends. • Continued from front page Call 763-544-5950 to reserve your space. Seating is limited. Seminar fee: FREE 2011 Remodelors Showcase: Kitchen Upgrade Creates Home Sweet Home Introduction to Kitchen Remodeling ornate moulding adds to the cottage charm while soft shades of cream in the artisan-carved backsplash complement the Shalimar Gold granite counter top. Marian is thrilled with all of the updates and upgrades: “This kitchen was 30 years old, so it really needed upgrading – and it looks fabulous! I love the new hood over the range, the lit cabinets, the spiffy high-end appliances and the way they were able to fit everything so nicely into my small kitchen. Now I have to start cooking!” In addition to the kitchen remodel, CKC also revamped the bar in the family room by adding a bar sink and repurposing the granite countertop from the kitchen. The large screen TV now fits nicely into the bookshelves, thanks to a redesign. In the laundry we upgraded the cabinetry to match the kitchen. • Visit the home during the Remodelers Showcase Hours: Friday, Sept. 30: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served on Friday Sept. 30 from 4 - 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1-2: noon to 6 p.m. Address: 605 Holly Lane N., Plymouth Directions: Hwy. 394 west of Hwy. 494. Right on the Central Ave/101 N. exit. Right on 6th Ave N (left to stay on 6th). Corner of 6th and Holly Lane. Monday, September 19, 2011: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Located at Kitchen Window, 3001 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis 55408 In this helpful seminar, JoLynn Johnson, CMKBD, CAPS of Crystal Kitchen Center will discuss how to design a functional kitchen while avoiding common mistakes. She will share ways to improve the kitchen you have and how to update it with new countertops, a tile backsplash and appliances. She also discuss whether it makes sense to reface your existing cabinets or install new ones and how to make smart choices to make the most of your budget and timeframe. • Call 612-824-4417 to reserve your space. Seminar fee: $30 In the Media June 2011 Kitchen and Bath Design News, Val Stuessi was featured oncreating a laundry area that serves multiple purposes, showing pictures of the Pinto laundry room • Keep up on what’s new at Crystal Kitchen Center Friend us on face book. www.crystalkitchen.com