With an ideal location in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, this dated Victorian residence had "beautiful bones" but had been sitting on the market for a year before being purchased with plans to revitalize the interior. Interior designer, Noel Han, explained, "Historical Victorian homes in this area often have beautiful architectural elements that I aim to preserve, but the floor plan and layout tend to be stuffy, not live-able and not light filled. Modern families want bright, light-filled, spacious rooms that take advantage of outdoor views and living spaces, and function well for storage, meals and entertaining." Preserving the architectural integrity and special features of the home was one of Han's goals but at the same time, she re-designed the space, moving walls and adding windows to create an open floorplan that flowed easily between the kitchen and outdoor living spaces. Where the range once stood in the original design, now an entire wall of windows provides panoramic views of the outdoors and fills the kitchen with light. Below the windows, Han designed a long bank of base cabinets with drawers to provide plenty of storage and work surface. Light now pours into the space even on foggy days. The range was moved to the opposite wall so that beautiful window views could be added to the kitchen. Han selected a palette of finishes with an eye toward creating a "soft color aesthetic". "White painted finishes are very popular right now but would have felt stark and cold in this space," she explained. "The French grey paint from Dura Supreme was a perfect complement for this vintage Victorian home, to create a classic color scheme". "This beautiful home already had hardware elements with a vintage brass finish, so I carefully selected antiqued, brushed brass hardware, plumbing and metal finishes to blend with the original elements," said Han. She continued, "The La Cornue French Range adds modern function with a French antique look." "I appreciate working with Dura Supreme cabinetry because of the quality of the cabinetry, fast delivery and the custom options. I'm able to create beautiful architectural details like the pull-out columns on both sides of the range and the curved mullion doors on the furniture hutch, and they offer a stunning palette of finishes and styles," explained Han. For the bath cabinetry, Han created a similar palette of finishes and styles to create a complementary look throughout the entire home. Product Details: Perimeter: Dura Supreme Cabinetry shown in the St. Augustine door style and Mullion Pattern #15 door style with a “Zinc” painted finish. Kitchen Island: Dura Supreme Cabinetry shown in the St. Augustine door style with a Clove stain and Black Accent finish on Cherry wood. For more information about Noel Han, Interior Designer, click to her website here www.atelnoel.com. For more information about Gilmans Kitchens and Baths, click to their website here www.gkandb.com. Photography by: Ned Bonzi www.nedbonzi.com. Request a FREE Dura Supreme Brochure Packet: http://www.durasupreme.com/request-brochure

Dan Farmer, Seattle Home Tours
Elegant kitchen photo in Seattle

Large tuscan great room photo in Other with beige walls

Proving that every home can be beautiful, regardless of size, style or budget...this master bedroom used carefully selected products from budget-friendly sources. Bold colors and use of texture create an inviting and beautiful bed, all without breaking the bank. The ample use of color helps reflect the youth of the couple, while the tailored and structured styling of the bed and tufted chairs add sophistication and a casual maturity. Tall ceilings were accented with the use of tall mirrors behind the nightstands and through floor-to-ceiling red drapes (in production during photos). Although there is ample natural light, there was no ceiling lighting. A modern ceiling fan with a drum-style light kit was added. The mirrors also serve to amplify the side lamps in the evening. A sitting area for relaxing, reading, and retreat was added with an area rug to balance the room with color and scale.

When you see the before photos of this kitchen, the finished product is nearly unrecognizable! This is because the original kitchen was 10x10, and wall separated the kitchen area from the eating area. Opening up the 2 spaces was exactly what this new kitchen needed! Since the dining area was directly adjacent to the family room, the designer at Advance Design created a low wall of matching decorative book case cabinets with a granite top to create separation needed between the spaces. This bank also eloquently held a beautifully wood appointed supporting column necessary for the structural ceiling load. The focal point of the new kitchen is the hand-painted backsplash centered under a wooden hood in the chef’s special cooking area. A completely functional island now has space for several stools, and even has a decorative touch with the shelving unit facing the eating area. The space next to the refrigerator became an efficiently organized bill paying area for the lady of the house, complete with pull out file drawers hidden behind matching kitchen cabinets. Replacing the “black hole” of a pantry; pull out shelves grace the interior of new pantry units suitable for the family of five busy people. Existing hardwood oak was repaired and refinished on the entire first floor. A light patterned gold granite works effortlessly with the tumbled marble backsplash that enjoys hints of weathered iron looking details that coordinate nicely with the cabinetry hardware. What makes this kitchen special is how elegant it appears despite the rustic feel of the knotty alder cabinetry. Clean design lines lend an air of sophistication to the otherwise “rustic” looking materials. Now this active family can enjoy the open space, cooking and hanging out together is now an enjoyable pastime.

When you see the before photos of this kitchen, the finished product is nearly unrecognizable! This is because the original kitchen was 10x10, and wall separated the kitchen area from the eating area. Opening up the 2 spaces was exactly what this new kitchen needed! Since the dining area was directly adjacent to the family room, the designer at Advance Design created a low wall of matching decorative book case cabinets with a granite top to create separation needed between the spaces. This bank also eloquently held a beautifully wood appointed supporting column necessary for the structural ceiling load. The focal point of the new kitchen is the hand-painted backsplash centered under a wooden hood in the chef’s special cooking area. A completely functional island now has space for several stools, and even has a decorative touch with the shelving unit facing the eating area. The space next to the refrigerator became an efficiently organized bill paying area for the lady of the house, complete with pull out file drawers hidden behind matching kitchen cabinets. Replacing the “black hole” of a pantry; pull out shelves grace the interior of new pantry units suitable for the family of five busy people. Existing hardwood oak was repaired and refinished on the entire first floor. A light patterned gold granite works effortlessly with the tumbled marble backsplash that enjoys hints of weathered iron looking details that coordinate nicely with the cabinetry hardware. What makes this kitchen special is how elegant it appears despite the rustic feel of the knotty alder cabinetry. Clean design lines lend an air of sophistication to the otherwise “rustic” looking materials. Now this active family can enjoy the open space, cooking and hanging out together is now an enjoyable pastime.

Photo of a modern landscaping in New York.

When you see the before photos of this kitchen, the finished product is nearly unrecognizable! This is because the original kitchen was 10x10, and wall separated the kitchen area from the eating area. Opening up the 2 spaces was exactly what this new kitchen needed! Since the dining area was directly adjacent to the family room, the designer at Advance Design created a low wall of matching decorative book case cabinets with a granite top to create separation needed between the spaces. This bank also eloquently held a beautifully wood appointed supporting column necessary for the structural ceiling load. The focal point of the new kitchen is the hand-painted backsplash centered under a wooden hood in the chef’s special cooking area. A completely functional island now has space for several stools, and even has a decorative touch with the shelving unit facing the eating area. The space next to the refrigerator became an efficiently organized bill paying area for the lady of the house, complete with pull out file drawers hidden behind matching kitchen cabinets. Replacing the “black hole” of a pantry; pull out shelves grace the interior of new pantry units suitable for the family of five busy people. Existing hardwood oak was repaired and refinished on the entire first floor. A light patterned gold granite works effortlessly with the tumbled marble backsplash that enjoys hints of weathered iron looking details that coordinate nicely with the cabinetry hardware. What makes this kitchen special is how elegant it appears despite the rustic feel of the knotty alder cabinetry. Clean design lines lend an air of sophistication to the otherwise “rustic” looking materials. Now this active family can enjoy the open space, cooking and hanging out together is now an enjoyable pastime.

When you see the before photos of this kitchen, the finished product is nearly unrecognizable! This is because the original kitchen was 10x10, and wall separated the kitchen area from the eating area. Opening up the 2 spaces was exactly what this new kitchen needed! Since the dining area was directly adjacent to the family room, the designer at Advance Design created a low wall of matching decorative book case cabinets with a granite top to create separation needed between the spaces. This bank also eloquently held a beautifully wood appointed supporting column necessary for the structural ceiling load. The focal point of the new kitchen is the hand-painted backsplash centered under a wooden hood in the chef’s special cooking area. A completely functional island now has space for several stools, and even has a decorative touch with the shelving unit facing the eating area. The space next to the refrigerator became an efficiently organized bill paying area for the lady of the house, complete with pull out file drawers hidden behind matching kitchen cabinets. Replacing the “black hole” of a pantry; pull out shelves grace the interior of new pantry units suitable for the family of five busy people. Existing hardwood oak was repaired and refinished on the entire first floor. A light patterned gold granite works effortlessly with the tumbled marble backsplash that enjoys hints of weathered iron looking details that coordinate nicely with the cabinetry hardware. What makes this kitchen special is how elegant it appears despite the rustic feel of the knotty alder cabinetry. Clean design lines lend an air of sophistication to the otherwise “rustic” looking materials. Now this active family can enjoy the open space, cooking and hanging out together is now an enjoyable pastime.

When you see the before photos of this kitchen, the finished product is nearly unrecognizable! This is because the original kitchen was 10x10, and wall separated the kitchen area from the eating area. Opening up the 2 spaces was exactly what this new kitchen needed! Since the dining area was directly adjacent to the family room, the designer at Advance Design created a low wall of matching decorative book case cabinets with a granite top to create separation needed between the spaces. This bank also eloquently held a beautifully wood appointed supporting column necessary for the structural ceiling load. The focal point of the new kitchen is the hand-painted backsplash centered under a wooden hood in the chef’s special cooking area. A completely functional island now has space for several stools, and even has a decorative touch with the shelving unit facing the eating area. The space next to the refrigerator became an efficiently organized bill paying area for the lady of the house, complete with pull out file drawers hidden behind matching kitchen cabinets. Replacing the “black hole” of a pantry; pull out shelves grace the interior of new pantry units suitable for the family of five busy people. Existing hardwood oak was repaired and refinished on the entire first floor. A light patterned gold granite works effortlessly with the tumbled marble backsplash that enjoys hints of weathered iron looking details that coordinate nicely with the cabinetry hardware. What makes this kitchen special is how elegant it appears despite the rustic feel of the knotty alder cabinetry. Clean design lines lend an air of sophistication to the otherwise “rustic” looking materials. Now this active family can enjoy the open space, cooking and hanging out together is now an enjoyable pastime.

Proving that every home can be beautiful, regardless of size, style or budget...this master bedroom used carefully selected products from budget-friendly sources. Bold colors and use of texture create an inviting and beautiful bed, all without breaking the bank. The ample use of color helps reflect the youth of the couple, while the tailored and structured styling of the bed and tufted chairs add sophistication and a casual maturity. Tall ceilings were accented with the use of tall mirrors behind the nightstands and through floor-to-ceiling red drapes (in production during photos). Although there is ample natural light, there was no ceiling lighting. A modern ceiling fan with a drum-style light kit was added. The mirrors also serve to amplify the side lamps in the evening. A sitting area for relaxing, reading, and retreat was added with an area rug to balance the room with color and scale.

Choosing between American framed cabinets and European frameless renditions often boils down to personal preference.

While the American framed counterpart emerges as an immensely popular choice, classic white European kitchen cabinets exhibit a timeless charm that one can't ignore.

It's pretty easy to distinguish a framed and a frameless cabinet as one pays close attention.

The American framed cabinets typically have wide gaps around the doors showing the face of the wood.

In comparison, the European frameless cabinets have much smaller gaps (less than a quarter-inch or more). Moreover, they also carry a matching edge band which is visible on the cabinet box, when its doors are left open.

Well, that's there with the basics and many more subtle differences that distinguish one kind from another.

In this post, we take a closer look at both frameless and framed cabinet styles, their merits and demerits, and help you make an informed decision to buy one.

The American Style Face Frames

As the name suggests, face frame cabinets dominate the structure of a cabinet and use comparatively thinner materials for the cabinet box.

One can find additional frame pieces (mullions) that rest right between the door and the face of the drawer.

One of the standout features of American framed cabinets is the doors that remain attached to the face frame and carry hinges concealed within. In such structures, the shelves are generally of half depth and can be hung side up or down according to one’s need.

Face frame cabinets are known to sport doors that are not classic or pure square in shape. Also, they use a trim mold for their finish which measures just about an inch, but wide enough to press on the wall contours. Thus, they are nailed right on the face of the cabinet as well as to the sides to even out the gaps following the installation.

In essence, this particular style of cabinetry is geared towards keeping things under budget and allows the makers to work persistently and create a specific line of products.

The European Frameless Style

Taking a different stance from American face frame cabinets, we have the European Frameless style that views the cabinet box as the main structure.

It goes to work with a thin edge connected to the cabinet box matching the exteriors. The material used for the cabinet box is also thicker and carries quite a bit of weight.

Also, instead of the face frame, the glides for the door and the drawers stay attached to the cabinet box itself. The white European kitchen cabinets also use concealed hinges, which is again chunkier compared to its American counterpart.

While such frameless cabinets can be easily ordered by referring to a catalog, most buyers opt for a custom made product.

Another glaring difference between the two cabinetry styles is how the European frameless renditions work with cabinet doors that are perfect squares, and all lines between the drawers and doors are straight, imparting consistency throughout.

Furthermore, the finishing detail instead of using trim molds are scribed and further cut to fit within the walls.

Delightful enough, one can have a European frameless cabinets customized to their liking, mood, and style. White European kitchen cabinets, unlike framed ones, can be made to look rustic, transitional, modern, or traditional, and could be even a blend of any two styles.

How Do You Know Which Is The Right Style For You?

As mentioned earlier, choosing a particular style of cabinetry is all dependent on your personal preference. However, there are a few merits and demerits to each style.

For instance, the white European kitchen cabinets are extremely high in demand and can offer a rich look and elegant feel to any space.

Even if you go for any other color other than the classic ones, it is the flexibility, the visually stunning appearance, and precise carpentry that goes in its favor.

Come-of-age cabinet makers have a wide range of white kitchen cabinets for sale to choose from. Cabinet DIY is one such professional and passionate cabinet maker that has helped many homeowners pick the right piece for their place. One can order from their website and get it shipped to their doorstep.

It's only evident why this carefully cut and sculpted cabinetry finds its place across leading home decor magazines and websites around the world.

The American face frame cabinets can seldom claim to match the elegance and timeless beauty of white European kitchen cabinets. Also, given the choice, European frameless cabinets have multiple doors and wide drawer banks offering adequate room for storage.

Most importantly, the hardware that goes into the making of a frameless cabinet has everything attached to the cabinet box which promises more longevity, compared to face frame renditions. While the former is more likely to stay the same over several years, the latter is prone to cracks appearing in places now and then, with slides and hinges fitted with screws.

Nevertheless, one of the standout reasons that might give American face frame cabinets an upper hand over European frameless cabinetry is budget.

American framed cabinets using much thinner finish material attributes to lower pricing. Also, given the fact that there isn't much room for exquisite designs, the budget is often an overpowering factor for many buyers.

Wrap up

For anyone who would like to order a cabinet that is aesthetically pleasing and promises endless customization and longevity will side with European frameless cabinets.

In doing so, it is quite probable that pricing won't be a hindrance as one wages the investment for the value the furniture adds to a living space. Something that American face framed cabinets can't seem to match up.

Designed by : TOC design – Tania Scardellato Construction by: TOC design & construction inc. Photographer: Guillaume Gorini - Studio Point de Vue Cabinet Maker : D. C. Fabrication - Dino Cobetto Counters: RocArtz A small kitchen table and 3 comfortable chairs from Structube gives color and character without busting the bank.

Photo by Brian Yungblut Photography, St. Catharines, Ontario Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Tobi Brockway Interiors. For information about our work, please visit www.tbinteriors.ca

This article is posted here with the consent of the author. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, view, or opinion of Crestron Electronics, Inc., or of any of its employees. Crestron Electronics is not responsible for, and does not verify the accuracy of, any of the information contained in this article. By Jeff Singer The “smart” revolution began several years ago with smartphones (a.k.a phones) and has extended in recent years to thermostats, doorbells, alarm systems, and kitchen appliances. Smart devices are so ubiquitous that the term “smart” is overused to the point that it is almost meaningless. Companies are eager to jump on the bandwagon and claim their products are “smart,” and consumers proudly claim they have a smart home because they have lighting control. Misconceptions about smart homes are prevalent and create confusion in the marketplace. This can have deleterious effects on businesses and underserve consumers. Here are seven of the most popular misconceptions about smart homes: 1. Apps are smart Apps are convenient and easy to use. Yes, it seems there’s an app for everything. People expect to be able to download an app and do just about anything. App developers and many companies do not disavow consumers of this myth. On the contrary, they promote this idea with carefully worded descriptions. The promise of having the world at your fingertips for $1.99 is very enticing. Although it sounds too good to be true, it is also too good to pass up for many people. This leads to undervaluing home control and disappointment when the apps don’t work, which undermines confidence in our industry. The fact is that apps are not smart. They do not control anything. They must connect to and communicate with a control system or cloud service that processes, prioritizes, and executes commands. That’s the real magic and what most people do not understand. 2. Smart devices work together With so many smart appliances and devices on the market today, it’s understandable that the average consumer might think that they actually communicate and work together. This is simply not the case. Smart devices are not that smart. They are designed and manufactured by different, often competing, companies. There are no national or industry standards governing these products. Even if they all operate using Wi-Fi® communications, that doesn’t mean they work together. Some companies promote a home control platform, which unites different devices from different companies – in theory. The platform is yet another third-party software totally dependent on other companies developing APIs and writing control modules for their hardware to run on that piece of software. The devices are not independently compatible. Also, when updates are made to either the hardware or the software, functionality may be affected for some period. That’s a nice way of saying the device or system won’t work and there’s no way of knowing for how long. 3. It’s a DIY project Which brings us to the next myth, which is that the average person can do it themselves. Unless you are a skilled professional, I would not advise taking on a smart home project. You want to make a light turn on and off with your Alexa® or Google Assistant™ virtual assistant software, go for it. A smart home takes much more planning and expertise. I have no problem changing a light bulb or hanging a light fixture in my dining room; however, I am not going to rewire my house. I may change the flush valve in my toilet, but I’m not going to replace the pipes in my house. You get it. Integrating devices and systems, establishing different zones, creating scenes, designing the UI with a balance between control, feedback, and simplicity – all takes experience and skill. 4. Need a programmer to make changes Early adopters may have experienced the pain of trying to make a simple change or update to their home control system. Years ago, if the cable provider changed the channel line-up, the homeowner would have to call the dealer or programmer to make an appointment for them to come out to the house to reprogram the system. The system wouldn’t work as expected until it was updated, which often took several days and beaucoup bucks. Not anymore. Technology has evolved so now it’s easy for system owners to change favorite channels, create scenes, rename buttons, update images, and more. While a professional is needed for the initial installation and setup, the system is easy to manage once it’s up and running. This makes life so much easier for both dealer and customer. 5. Tech becomes obsolete quickly Similar to updating the UI, updating firmware or hardware used to be a stressful process. A smart home should be intelligent enough to update itself. Apps don’t become obsolete. Updates are constantly pushed out from the cloud, making them better all the time. The same is true for a good smart home system. New features, functions, and device support gets added in the background consistently, so the system you installed (or purchased) yesterday gets better over time. Swapping out decorative elements, such as keypads, dimmers, and touch screens is also seamless. When a new device is added, all the settings are pulled down from the cloud and it just works. No system interruptions. No sunk costs. No imposing house calls. No surprise bills. 6. Lighting control saves energy and money Lighting control is one of the most popular smart systems, but it takes more than just one system to make a home smart. On the surface, it makes sense that if you dim the lights ten percent, then you save ten percent of energy costs. If the shades are raised during the day to take advantage of sunlight so the lights don’t need to be on (or at least not 100%), but that causes the room temperature to rise a few degrees, which triggers the air conditioner to run longer and more often, was energy usage (or cost) reduced? A smart home integrates all the various systems and technology to optimize comfort, convenience, safety, and sometimes energy. 7. Home technology is easy to hack Security is at the forefront of people’s minds these days. Personal identities are stolen; email accounts hacked; private photos publicized; and more. A smart home must outsmart those who don’t respect privacy. Crestron control systems adhere to the strictest security standards. The same Crestron control system that goes into a home is also installed in secure government and military facilities, global banking institutions, hospitals, and other mission critical applications. When installed correctly by a trained professional, a Crestron smart home is the gold standard for security, comfort, and convenience.

Proving that every home can be beautiful, regardless of size, style or budget...this master bedroom used carefully selected products from budget-friendly sources. Bold colors and use of texture create an inviting and beautiful bed, all without breaking the bank. The ample use of color helps reflect the youth of the couple, while the tailored and structured styling of the bed and tufted chairs add sophistication and a casual maturity. Tall ceilings were accented with the use of tall mirrors behind the nightstands and through floor-to-ceiling red drapes (in production during photos). Although there is ample natural light, there was no ceiling lighting. A modern ceiling fan with a drum-style light kit was added. The mirrors also serve to amplify the side lamps in the evening. A sitting area for relaxing, reading, and retreat was added with an area rug to balance the room with color and scale.

"We had HLC fabricate a 3.5' x 10' x 1 3/4" alder bank for our family dining table. It came within a reasonable time, and exceeded expectations in workmanship and quality. I finished and built the base on 100 year old recover oak beams. She's a beauty. The proof of HLC's products and service and we just order a 5' x 5' x 1 3/4" blank for our kitchen island! I highly recommend HLC products!" John

ADM Flooring Design TITAN GREY- European Oak Engineered Hardwood Floor Add rustic beauty to your interior design project, without having to break your bank. Made with bio materials in an eco-friendly production process, our products are designed to withstand years of use and still look like new. You can request flooring samples today!

Proving that every home can be beautiful, regardless of size, style or budget...this master bedroom used carefully selected products from budget-friendly sources. Bold colors and use of texture create an inviting and beautiful bed, all without breaking the bank. The ample use of color helps reflect the youth of the couple, while the tailored and structured styling of the bed and tufted chairs add sophistication and a casual maturity. Tall ceilings were accented with the use of tall mirrors behind the nightstands and through floor-to-ceiling red drapes (in production during photos). Although there is ample natural light, there was no ceiling lighting. A modern ceiling fan with a drum-style light kit was added. The mirrors also serve to amplify the side lamps in the evening. A sitting area for relaxing, reading, and retreat was added with an area rug to balance the room with color and scale.