5 Clever Ways To Rethink Subway Tile

Subway tile is a classic choice for covering shower walls or adding an interesting backsplash above kitchen countertops. Typically, subway tile is installed following a running bond pattern where the tile is installed horizontally (much like when stacking brick). While this traditional method is certainly simple and equally as stunning, it’s not the only way to add subway tile to your home. Here are a few out of the box designs that will change the way you think about subway tile.

Go Vertical

Arranging subway tile vertically rather than horizontally is definitely out of the ordinary and adds flair to a modern or contemporary kitchen. On top of being eye-catching this formation will also make your ceilings appear higher — and who doesn’t appreciate the illusion of more space? All you have to do to achieve this look is follow the classic running bond layout placing tile vertically rather than horizontally. Voila! Your bigger and more breathtaking room awaits.

Work a Weave

Following a double basket weave layout will complement a vintage themed bathroom or cottage style kitchen. Simple and sweet, this arrangement does wonders by giving walls an artistic appeal while also saving you money and frustration. There’s no need to go with some fancy, complicated tile installation with a bunch of different sized tiles in a palette of colors. You can just as easily create a fashion forward look by choosing the same size and color tile and executing this updated rendition of an old school basket weave.

Fish for Herringbone

Creating a zigzag configuration is easy with subway tile, and results in a unique and stunning herringbone design. For an up and down finish place tile on a 45-degree angle, offsetting the joints. Eyes will move up, down and around as the horizontal motion invites guests to look around. Similarly, placing tile at a 90-degree angle will create a herringbone (or chevron) design. This approach will give you a boxier look that is perfect for framing a mural or accenting a particular area in your kitchen.

Stack ‘Em Up

It’s easy for a home to become cluttered and chaotic, but you can keep things calm by bringing balance to walls with a horizontal stacked tile arrangement. In this design pattern, tile is evenly aligned from side to side and top to bottom. Is it minimalistic? Yes. Will it serve as the perfect backdrop to your kitchen or bathroom? Absolutely.

Steal the Show with Stripes

While the previous tile treatments could all be achieved using the same color tile, this pattern looks best when two complementary shades are utilized. To create a stripe pattern, you will alternate between a row of horizontal tile and a row of vertical tile. While this look can be achieved using the same color and size, your stripes will be much more apparent with the contrast of two colors. Using colored grout (such as a dark grey) rather than white can also help to highlight your design and make your stripes pop.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your new kitchen. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!

Written by Korrie. Korrie Martinez is a self proclaimed DIY pro with an eye for design and a craft for finding simple solutions to homeowner’s common concerns. Her articles offer tips and trends to help The RTA Store’s customers achieve the home of their dreams on a balanced budget. Follow Korrie on Instagram and Twitter @kokonez or visit her website www.korriemartinez.com.

The Recipe For Creating A Gourmet Kitchen

Are you dreaming of a kitchen fit for a foodie? Before you make your dreams a reality, take some time learn about the must-haves of a gourmet kitchen, whether you are a Master Chef, or a homeowner who just really loves to cook!

Start by thinking about the kinds of dishes you like to prepare. Do you dabble in the art of French cooking? Did your Grandmother pass down her famous family recipes to you? Are you a budding pastry chef or cake decorator? Do you like to invite friends over for a home-cooked dinner, or coffee and some freshly baked pie?

Next, consider your new or current floor plan, what you like about it, and what you want to change. If your family likes to help with meal prep, is there enough room for everyone? What tools and appliances do you need and will they fit in your space? Is there ample room for cabinets, or a kitchen island and the extra countertop it affords? Is there plenty of seating options for guests?

Once you review how you use the kitchen, it’s time to make some important decisions. If you are building a new home, or remodeling an existing space, Willow Lane Cabinetry’s Free Kitchen Design Service can help you along the way, but having a clear set of goals will make sure nothing gets left off the plate.

A Taste Of The Gourmet

A Gourmet Kitchen should be both beautiful and functional, with zones for food prep, cooking and baking, serving, and cleaning up when you’re done. Quality kitchen cabinets, high-performance appliances, easy to clean surfaces with plenty of room to work, storage space for cookware, utensils, and other tools of the trade, plus designated areas to keep important ingredients on hand — all these are necessary in a gourmet kitchen. Here are some key features:

A Professional Grade Range: Gourmet cooks prefer gas ranges, or flat induction cooktops that heat quickly and efficiently.

A Double Oven: Because two is better than one when it comes to baking or cooking for a crowd.

A Warming Drawer: A warming drawer allows you keep food warm and fresh until it’s ready to serve with the rest of the meal, so everything is timed perfectly no matter what.

Convection: This option for both ovens and microwaves circulates air around the food to cut down on cook time and ensure an even distribution of heat.

French-Door Refrigerator with Freezer Drawer: The French-door style allows cooks easy access to what’s inside. A freezer drawer offers plenty of space with an ergonomic design.

Dishwasher: A good dishwasher is a must-have for busy kitchens. After all, cooking is way more fun than cleaning.

Countertops: Your countertop is your main workspace. It should be abundant and easy to clean. For durability and stain-resistance, opt for quartz, granite, or stainless steel.

Task Lighting: Both pendant and under cabinet lighting focus on areas where meal prep and cooking happen, so you can see while you work.

Large or Double Sinks: A large sink lets you get all the dirty pots, pans and utensils out of the way while you cook, and simplifies cleanup later.

Tile Backsplash: An easy to clean tile backsplash catches the platters when pan frying, or cooking sauces.

A Kitchen Hood: Functional and attractive, a hood can vent out steam and odors when cooking, and can illuminate the cooktop.

Accessible Spices: Place a spice tray in a drawer near the stove to keep seasonings on hand, or install a door-mounted spice rack for added convenience.

Knife Block: Chefs know knives are their most valuable tools. A trimmable knife block fits in any drawer to store knives nearby for easy access.

Cookware Organizer: Install a hanging pot rack or inside cabinet cookware organizer for all your pots and pans.

Now that you know the recipe for creating a Gourmet Kitchen, let’s get cooking!

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!

Written by Tiffany Buck. Tiffany honed her skills as a writer and editor working in the fast-paced newspaper, magazine, and television industries. Tiffany is also an award winning graphic designer, with extensive experience in the worlds of mass media, publishing, and advertising. As a designer, she also has a strong eye for interior decorating and color. Tiffany has a BA in Communications and a minor in Fine Art. She is a natural cook just like her mother, and rarely uses a recipe. She also enjoys reading, photography, painting—and most of all, spending time with her husband (a skilled DIY’er) and two sons.

How To Make The Most Of A Galley Kitchen

You say small, we say cozy! The galley kitchen, which earned its name after the tiny quarters where food is prepared on a ship, may have once been a hindrance to a home but today that is no longer the case. Transforming a snug kitchen into a free flowing galley design is a popular and functional way to make the most of skimpy square footage. Follow these tips and find out why homeowners with small kitchens are going for the galley.

Keep Things Straight

A galley kitchen is traditionally narrow and runs vertically. The floor plan consists of two rows of countertop with the walkway in between. Appliances are typically installed following a triangular design so that the range, refrigerator and sink are all centralized. Kitchen cabinets can run on both sides or just one, depending if your kitchen opens up to a living or dining room, or if it is enclosed.

Get Creative to Create Space

Just because your kitchen is small doesn’t mean it has to look that way. There are tons of “design hacks” to make a room feel and appear much larger than it actually is. Start with your color scheme, which should be light and bright. Dark colors can confine a room, while light colors open it up. From the paint on your walls and your cabinet finish to the counter tops and backsplash, choose pale shades to give the illusion of more space. Another easy hack is mirrors. If your kitchen is too crowded to hang mirrors, try a reflective or metallic tile instead. The reflective surface will have a similar effect, and tiles can be placed anywhere — walls, backsplashes, floors and countertops.

Let The Light In

Replace the blinds in your kitchen with semi-sheer curtains to allow more natural light to peak in. If you’re remodeling your entire kitchen, ask your contractor if putting in a skylight is an option. Any way that you can increase the natural light in the room will enhance a galley kitchen design. If a lack of windows or red tape is standing in your way, artificial light will have to suffice. Go with bright white bulbs to mimic sunlight as closely as possible, and consider installing under cabinet lighting for extra glow.

Color Outside The Lines

There’s nothing wrong with straying away from the traditional galley design. Depending on your home, your family and your needs, you may need to make some adjustments to make the galley kitchen work for you. If you can only afford one strip of counter top, a kitchen island might be a close second to achieving the corridor floor plan. Extending to an L-shaped design is okay, too.

Achieve Your Galley Kitchen

Whenever setting out to achieve a specific kitchen style, design is key. Take advantage of Willow Lane Cabinetry’s free kitchen design service, which will get you a custom layout based on your measurements, budget, and style. You will also receive photorealistic renderings so that rather than imagine what your new kitchen will look like, you can see it right before your eyes.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!

6 Metallic Accents To Incorporate Into Your Kitchen

Metallic finishes are one of the top home design trends for 2016, and there are tons of interesting and eye-catching ways to add this stylish element to your kitchen. Here are a few of our favorite ways:

Metallic Backsplashes

A metallic backsplash is definitely a top pick, as well as the easiest way to incorporate this trend into your kitchen. Depending on the layout of your kitchen and how much of a wow-factor you’re trying to achieve, you could tile anything from the small space above your oven to the entire area between your kitchen cabinets and countertops. You will be able to find a wide selection of metallic tiles to achieve the look you want, and can go with either a subtle metallic infused color to complement your current color scheme or a true silver, copper or gold.

Metallic Tile Flooring

There is something incredibly alluring about metallic tile, and it can look amazing when used as flooring within a modern, contemporary, or even traditional kitchen. If you’ve had your mind set on new flooring for a while, consider this unique avenue and choose a tile in a rich color and metallic finish to update your kitchen floors.

Metallic Countertops

If you’re all about stainless steel everything and love industrial kitchen design, go crazy and install a stainless steel countertop. This popular metal is strong, heat and stain resistant, nonporous and hygienic. Plus the sleek look will blend in seamlessly with stainless steel appliances and create an ultra contemporary feel. The monotone color scheme will also leave room for some exciting accessorizing, paint choices, or flooring options. Other metal countertop materials include copper, pewter, and bronze.

Metallic Knobs and Pulls

Replacing the hardware on your kitchen cabinets is a simple upgrade, and a great opportunity to incorporate metallic accents into your kitchen. Cabinet pulls and knobs come in finishes like polished brass, brushed antique brass, satin nickel, oil rubbed bronze, pewter, gun metal, matte black, brushed chrome, and more, so there is a style and color to suit every kitchen.

Metallic Pendant Lights and Seating

Metallic pendant lights can illuminate your kitchen, and come in a large selection of styles and finishes to complement your look. Add industrial metal chairs to a wooden table, or stylish barstools with wooden seats and a metal base to your breakfast bar.

Metallic Hoods and Sinks

A metallic sink is an excellent choice to complete your kitchen. Strong and easy to clean, stainless steel sinks are one of the most popular options today, but copper sinks are a unique alternative that can warm up your kitchen. Although it serves a purpose, adding a stainless steel hood to your kitchen can also give your space an amazing, finished look.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!

Willow Lane Cabinetry’s Top 4 Design Tips For The New Year

Out of all the elements in a kitchen, cabinets are by far the most important. As the main focal point of your space, they anchor the room and should be functional as well as beautiful. With that said, choosing a design for your new kitchen may seem like a daunting task. After all, cabinets are an investment that you will enjoy for many years to come, so you need to choose wisely. To kick off 2016 we’re sharing our top tips and picks for January to help make your decision a little easier.

Have It Your Way

In the past, cabinet manufacturers didn’t leave much room for creativity. Today, companies like Willow Lane Cabinetry are putting more power in homeowners’ hands, and delivering unique ways for them to shop and design their kitchen. From mixing and matching cabinet styles to creating a unique design to accommodate an unusual floor plan, the process is simple. Decide on your dream kitchen, and then find the size and style of cabinets that suits your vision. Our free kitchen design service is available to help you build your kitchen exactly how you want, and take the stress out of shopping for kitchen cabinets and accessories.

Streamlined Style

That modern, European kitchen style that we’ve seen for years overseas has made a home for itself in America as well. Along with the heightened demand for this contemporary kitchen design came an influx in the popularity of flat, minimalistic kitchen cabinets. The streamlined style is complemented by sleek hardware and is serving as a staple in modern kitchens all over the country. While the world might be getting more complicated, kitchen designs seem to be getting simpler!

White Cabinets

White cabinets seems to have a cheery effect, brightening up the room and making the heart of the home a bit more welcoming. And they are here to stay! Our Roosevelt White, which features a raised panel design, is a traditional choice in a modern finish that will accent any home and maintain its relevancy for years to come. You can also shop white kitchen cabinets by visiting our homepage, scrolling down to Shop by Color, and selecting the Light finish option. This will let you easily browse white and other light colored cabinets from all three of our kitchen cabinet series.

Inside Cabinet Accessories

Homeowners are no longer satisfied with cabinets that just look great — they want cabinets that are also functional. From organizational accessories like cutlery trays and peg system drawers to storage savers like pull out pot racks, today’s cabinets offer solutions to almost every kitchen woe. When cabinets can have both a pretty face and brains, it’s no wonder functional cabinets are sought after. Shop our inside cabinet accessories and add functionality to any cabinet!

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!

How To Create Vintage Style In Your Kitchen

Vintage style can complement many kitchen themes, from country charm to modern flair. The key is to find balance by adding just the right amount of retro touches so that the space looks intentional, not tacky. Here are a few of our favorite ways to turn your current kitchen into a vintage masterpiece.

Add color in unexpected ways.

Most kitchens tend to lean toward the traditional side, featuring neutral shades and sleek features. For a vintage style kitchen, color is everything, and there are plenty of fun and unexpected ways to add color to your kitchen. Stay away from typical black appliances, and opt for a bright, colorful stand mixer, toaster or coffee maker to display on your countertop.

Incorporate flea market finds.

Hit up your local flea market or thrift store to score a few antique pieces that can help bring your vintage theme to life. Stools for your breakfast bar or kitchen island, vintage linens, pendant light fixtures, and unique wall art are just a few of the items that should be plentiful no matter where you live.

Choose cheerful cabinets.

If you are in the market for new kitchen cabinets, choose cheerful finishes to complete your look, such as Willow Lane Cabinetry’s Society Shaker Red, Society Shaker Tidewater, or Roosevelt Sage. If you want to give existing cabinets a vintage feel, add a little extra wear and tear by layering paint and using a rag to rough up the surface. Choose a bright color to complement your theme without being too overwhelming.

Utilize open shelving to display theme related décor.

Open shelving not only adds to the rustic, bare ambiance of a vintage kitchen, but it also serves as the perfect solution for displaying décor without creating too much clutter. If you need decoration inspiration, simply use glass jars or enameled canisters to store candy, cookies or baking ingredients to store on shelves.

Find ways to make the room more retro.

At its core, a vintage theme should be an ode to an earlier time. Make sure your room has a few blasts from the past so that it is authentic and eye catching. Retro touches can be as simple as kitsch curtains or a colorful printed tablecloth, or as extreme as a refurbished vintage oven or refrigerator.

Hook in nostalgic items for décor and sweet memories.

Your vintage theme can hold memories of time spent at grandma’s house or the kitchen you grew up in as a kid. Favorite cookbooks on display, a checkered apron hanging from a hook on the wall, framed photographs of family coming together to share a meal — whatever warms your heart from the past is a true complement to your vintage style kitchen.

Create a cozy and casual ambiance.

A vintage kitchen should be the opposite of highbrow. It should welcome guests to come inside, take a seat and make themselves right at home. Warm up your kitchen by installing a window bench accented with plush pillows or circling your kitchen island with comfortable stools.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!

Top 4 Decorating Tips For Renters

Choosing to rent over buying a home doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice personal style. While your rental may be temporary, there are still plenty of creative ways you can decorate the space and make it your own! Here are the top four decorating tips every renter should know.

Emphasize Lighting

Lighting sets the tone in your space, and makes a huge impact. Find floor and table lamps that brighten your room, while adding to your aesthetic style. Or hang a pendant lamp to create a pop of color in an otherwise beige area. Battery operated under-cabinet lighting is a great addition to any kitchen, and is easy to install.

Dress Windows

Consider taking down generic vertical blinds or hiding them under curtains, but remember not to toss them out! You’ll need them again when you move out to get your security deposit back. Make sure you measure the width and height of your window before shopping. In addition to providing privacy and décor, many drapes have thick liners that will help insulate your rental’s heating and air – meaning lower utility bills. For smaller rooms, long curtains will give the illusion of taller ceilings, while sheer or linen curtains allow more light to enter a darker room. Choose decorative rods to complete the look.

Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize

If your landlord will allow you to paint, create a strong color scheme throughout and find accessories to match. Paint is inexpensive and is the easiest way to change the look of a room. If painting is prohibited, add color and personalization with beautiful throws, pillows, and decorative objects to match your style. Using a few consistent pops of color around the room helps to unify the space, and keeps the focus on the areas of your rental you can control. Complete your design with artwork to tie it all together.

Little details make a big difference, so be sure to replace pulls and knobs in the kitchen and bath to update existing cabinetry. Remember, you can take them with you, so save the old in case you decide to move.

Invest In Area Rugs

Finding the right rug is worth the investment: go for a sturdy rug with natural fibers, or thicker rugs with rubber backing. Not only will your rental appear more stylish and pulled together, but also the rug will help with the noise level if you’re on the second or third floor.

Renters have plenty of options when it comes to decorating. With a little creativity and personalization, your rental will start to feel like home!

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!

Top 7 Kitchen Design Trends for 2016

Have you have resolved to update your kitchen in 2016? Check out these top kitchen design trends for the New Year:

Clean Lines

The dominant trend in cabinetry for 2016 is clean, subtle lines. This simple, modern style is just gaining steam and should be popular for years to come, making it the ideal choice for those looking to upgrade their kitchen cabinets. The Society Shaker Series from Willow Lane Cabinetry is right on trend for the upcoming year, in attractive finishes like Dove Gray, Steel Gray, Black, Khaki, and Society Shaker White.

Semi-Custom Personalization

With numerous styles to choose from today, many homeowners are passing on expensive custom cabinets and opting for more affordable semi-custom cabinets instead. With free online kitchen design services, the designers at Willow Lane Cabinetry work with you via email or phone to create the perfect kitchen for your unique home.

Neutral Colors

Along with clean lines, white kitchen cabinets are still all the rage. But other neutral colors like gray, beige and “greige” — the newly coined combination of the two — are quickly gaining steam. These warm, understated hues work well in any part of the home, including the kitchen. Neutral colors are also in when it comes to countertops. Choose light colored granite in tones of gray, beige, and white.

Black and Blue

Black stainless steel is quickly becoming the hot new trend in kitchen appliances. Slightly darker than stainless steel but lighter than the traditional black appliance options, black stainless is an elegant alternative for any kitchen. And while black is back in 2016, an all black kitchen would be overwhelmingly dark. Pair touches of black with lighter colors, such as white, or a light grayish-green. Blue tones are also in this year, and a great choice for kitchen walls.

Functionality

Functionality is just as important as style when it comes to your kitchen. Smart homeowners use every inch of storage space available by installing inside cabinet accessories like pullout waste containers, door mounted spice racks, and cookware organizers, just to name a few. You will also see the Lazy Susan making a comeback in 2016.

Hard Wood Floors

Hard wood is the top choice in kitchen flooring for 2016. Currently more popular than tile, hardwood is especially nice in an open concept home (also on trend this year), seamlessly blending living spaces. The most popular hard wood finishes include white washed, dark espresso, blond, gray, and light brown.

Contemporary Farmhouse Style

Transitional kitchens are hot, incorporating classic elements with up-to-date convinces. With that in mind, the Contemporary Farmhouse Kitchen by far takes the cake this year — when done correctly. Skip the country kitsch, and focus on timeless farmhouse style with open shelving, a butcher-block kitchen island, a white ceramic or copper apron sink, and tasteful vintage accents.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!