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4 Basic Knives Everyone Should Keep In Their Kitchen

Without a doubt, knives are the most important tool in your kitchen arsenal. Whether you’re an avid foodie or a novice home chef, here are the basic knives everyone should keep in their kitchen. Be sure to store these essentials safely within a knife block, conveniently located inside a drawer of your custom cabinets and close to all the cooking action!

Bread Knife

Bread lovers, rejoice! As the name implies, a bread knife is the ideal tool for cutting bagels and baguettes and slicing loaves of bread. This specialty knife is long and has a serrated edge that can cut through the crusty outer layer of a loaf of bread or sandwich without damaging the soft inside. Unlike straight-edged knives, a bread knife can also be used to cut through delicate tomatoes and tough melons alike.

Paring Knife

This essential kitchen knife is small but mighty. Perfect for delicate tasks that need a precise hand, a paring knife is the perfect tool for deveining fresh shrimp, removing the tops of strawberries, peeling and paring fruit, and intricately removing seeds from jalapeno peppers and lemons. Look for an all-purpose paring knife that is around three and a half inches in length and has a comfortable, durable handle.

Carving Knife

A carving knife (also known as a kitchen knife) is a home staple, especially around holidays. This large knife is used to carve and slice meats, such as ham, poultry, beef, and pork. It’s extra-long length and ultra thin blade allows you to make precise, thinly sliced cuts of meat. Look for a strong steel carving knife with a narrow edge. A tapered, sharp point is best for cutting through bone or fileting, while a rounded tip is a good choice for slicing and serving tender turkey and roasts.

Chef’s Knife

This kitchen mainstay is perhaps the most important knife on this list, thanks to its ample size and versatility. According to Good Housekeeping, “if you invest in one cooking tool, this should be it.” A chef’s knife is indispensable and can be used for slicing meat, dicing vegetables, and even finely mincing fresh herbs. A chef’s knife needs to be super sharp and durable. When shopping, test how it feels in your hand before you buy.

Of course, this is just a sample of the many knives available for home cooks to try. In addition to a drawer knife block for your custom cabinets, invest in a quality sharpener to keep your knives cutting with ease, whether it’s a simple steel honing rod or a top of the line electrical model.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, TV room or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free, plus all the accessories needed to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

Mix and Match Interior Design Secrets

Perhaps the trickiest of all current home design trends, mixing and matching can be simply stunning when done correctly — and downright disastrous when not. Whether you are pairing prints in the bedroom or an open concept floor plan, or choosing complimentary custom cabinet finishes for the kitchen, here are the design secrets to creating successful mix and match interior spaces.

Pairing Prints

When working with multiple prints, decide what interior design style you are going for and don’t stray too far from that theme. For example, delicate florals and French toile patterns would not be suitable for a modern aesthetic, just as animal prints and bold geometric patterns would look out of place in a traditional or country home. Here are some perfect print options for wallpaper, fabric and upholstery, from the classic to the contemporary. Use this list as a guide when decorating your unique space.

Classic:

Stripes (Pin, Ticking, Rugby)
Floral
Greek Key
Damask
Brocade
Toile
Plaid (Tartan, Buffalo Check, Gingham, Argyle)
Houndstooth
Jacobean
Chinoiserie
Fleur-de-Lis
Trellis & Quatrefoil

Contemporary:

Chevron & Herringbone
Polkadots
Ikat
Paisley
Ogee
Faux Animal Prints
Geometric Shapes
Harlequin
Swirls & Squiggles
Abstract
Crosshatch

When working in an eclectic or transitional theme, feel free to pull from both lists. Regardless of your personal style, stick with no more than three complimentary patterns and include a few large-scale solids for balance. Keep in mind that throw pillows and drapes are easy to swap out in contrast to costly elements like sofas and area rugs. You should also take color into careful consideration when decorating with more than one pattern. Choose a palette of one or two hues in varying shades for pattern and anchor the room with a neutral base.

Customizing Cabinet Finishes

Mix and match cabinetry is right on point in high-end kitchen design. When opting for custom cabinet finishes, select two contrasting colors in the same door style, for example, timeless white Shaker cabinets paired with a dark Shaker kitchen island as pictured here. For a more modern approach, alternate sections of dark and light all wood cabinetry for a high-contrast look.

To see how these mix and match cabinetry options would look in your kitchen, browse Willow Lane Cabinetry’s wide selection all wood cabinetry and take advantage of our free room design service. The secret to getting that magazine-quality look is just a few clicks away with a custom layout and photorealistic renderings.

How To Transform a TV Room Into A Home Theatre

Microwave the popcorn, grab the blankets, and cuddle up. It’s movie night! And how much more fun would it be if watching the big screen in your TV room felt just like going to the theatre?

Whether you love watching the Oscars during award season or your kids are always down for a Disney movie marathon, everyone wins with this TV room transformation.

From new custom cabinets to frame your television to the best seating in the house, here’s your one-stop guide to designing the home theatre of your dreams.

Pick the perfect room.

When deciding which room in your home will serve as the TV room, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Darkness: If possible, avoid a room that has windows. While natural light is normally a desired feature, it is not ideal in a home theatre. To have the best viewing experience, and recreate that true movie theatre effect, you will want the room to be very dark.
Shape: Did you ever notice that movie theatres are rectangular in shape? This is because sound projects much better in rectangular rooms than square.
Walls: Your typical drywall is great for a home theatre. No need to do more. But if you’re transforming a basement surrounded by concrete, you’ll have to make some adjustments. Just install studs and drywall. Sound absorption panels can also be added to reduce echoing.
Flooring: We know you love hardwood floors, but the TV is room is one place in the home you should opt for carpet. Carpeting absorbs ambient sound better than hard surfaces.

Finalize the layout.

Once you have the room picked out and your foundation formed, you can move on to the layout of your home theatre. Plan to put your custom cabinets and TV on one of the shorter walls in the room. As we mentioned before, the benefit of the rectangular room shape is that the sound will project better, but this only works if your TV and speakers are on the shorter wall.

Even if you want surround sound, the majority of your speakers and subwoofer should be placed in front with your TV. The typical set up is three speakers in front and two behind your seating (one on each side).

For the best TV placement, you want the center of the screen to be at eye level. That means our all wood cabinetry should be customized with your display size in mind.

If you need support sorting through our all wood cabinetry and finalizing your layout, feel free to contact our design team. We offer free room design services — and that includes TV rooms. From the initial design stage to putting together an itemized price list, our team is here to help every step of the way.

Find furniture that is functionable.

Comfort should definitely be the driving force when making furniture decisions. Your home theatre is a place to relax and unwind, so keep that in mind when shopping for your couches and any other furniture.

Many homeowners prefer the luxury theatre approach and opt for recliners. This allows your guests to sit up or lay down without disturbing their neighbors. You can easily find standard three or four seat recliner sofas. But if you prefer divides between each seat, look at seating specifically designed for a home theatre or media room.

The Secret To Designing A New Kitchen With Timeless Elegance

When investing in your forever kitchen, you hope that the design you choose will stand the test of time. No one wants to install beautiful all wood cabinetry and stone countertops only to replace them a few years later.

Do you want a dream kitchen that won’t become outdated? Here are our secrets for designing a kitchen with timeless elegance.

Steer clear of new trends.

Most trends eventually go out of style, so don’t risk your investment on a fleeting new design craze. Stick with enduring trends that are tried and true.

It can definitely be exciting diving into the latest and greatest thing — but if longevity is your goal, maintain tunnel vision and don’t get distracted by hot new trends.

If you like to experiment with new trends, do so with your decor. Less permanent and expensive, kitchen decor is much easier to replace from time to time.

Create a neutral color scheme.

There is a new “color of the year” every year. Unless you want to repaint your custom cabinets and change out your backsplash with the constantly evolving color trends, stick to a neutral palette.

White, gray, tan and cream are ageless hues that will always be relevant. Put together a color scheme that is predominantly neutral and ensure that the color of your kitchen doesn’t become an interior design faux pas next season.

Stick to classic cabinet styles.

Some cabinets are ultra traditional while others have clear contemporary vibes. When designing a timeless kitchen, it is best to choose custom cabinets with a classic style.

Shaker cabinets are definitely one of the most timeless and versatile styles. Featuring recessed panel doors, clean lines and a simple design, it is easy to see why Shaker cabinets have remained a top choice in kitchens for over 100 years.

In addition to their classic look, ever-popular Shaker cabinets also work well with a variety of themes. From Farmhouse to more modern, this is one cabinet style that does not exclude.

Prioritize quality first.

Whether purchasing all wood cabinetry or a major appliance, always prioritize quality first. It can be convenient to just go with the best deal or a familiar name but sometimes a cheap decision can cost you more in the long run.

When designing a forever kitchen, really focus on the materials, craftsmanship, and the warranties offered. Your goal should be to design a kitchen with a strong foundation and quality materials, so that the interior lasts as long as its timeless exterior.

Opt for natural materials for flooring and countertops.

Natural materials like stone and wood are very grounding and timeless. These materials have been around forever and they aren’t going anywhere fast. But while stone is ideal for countertops, and all wood cabinetry is essential, hardwood flooring isn’t the best choice for wet areas like the kitchen.

Thankfully, ceramic wood-look tile is a realistic alternative that is more suited to the kitchen, and will retain its beauty for years to come. In regards to countertops, 100% engineered options are inadvertently more modern and often result in a more current and trendy design. Quartz, which is natural stone that has been engineered, provides an adequate compromise. When in doubt, natural materials like granite and quartzite are always solid choices.

Balance is a good word to keep in mind as you make decisions throughout the design process. If you do select an engineered material or another modern element like stainless steel appliances, offset it by making a more timeless decision next.

Countertop Options For A Contemporary Bathroom Design

There are many different materials that can be used for the countertops in your contemporary bathroom design. From unique patterns only found in nature to nonporous surfaces that block bacteria and stains, each material has its benefits. With so many possibilities, it’s important to weigh your options before making a final decision. Here are four countertop options from Willow Lane Cabinetry for contemporary bathroom vanities and some key information about each.

1.Quartzite

Quartzite originates as pure sandstone and is a metamorphic rock. Since it is a natural stone, it offers a unique variation in design for a truly one-of-a-kind look. If you love marble but find it to be too much maintenance, opt for quartzite. The swirling white and grey color mimics marble, and is certainly one of its favorite features. It is also scratch, stain, and heat resistant. Since many contemporary bathrooms tend to be predominantly neutral and monochromatic, this material is excellent for complementing those popular white or grey custom cabinets. All of the quartzite countertops from Willow Lane Cabinetry also come pre-sealed, so there is no maintenance sealing required.

2. Acrylic

Acrylic is a solid surface and 100% man-made. It’s great as a countertop (especially in high-traffic areas like bathrooms and kitchens) because it is non-porous, which means bacteria and stains cannot penetrate the surface. It is also extremely easy to clean and considerably low maintenance. If you prefer contemporary bathroom vanities that feature an integrated sink, acrylic might be the best countertop option for you. Solid surfaces like acrylic are the only countertop materials that can create that seamless appearance in your custom cabinets.

3. Quartz

Some homeowners consider quartz to be the best of both worlds. It is essentially an engineered stone, made of natural and man-made materials. Quartz countertops are composed of more than 90% quartz, but the addition of polymers, resins, and other types of pigments makes it non-porous and greatly increases its durability. This combination is very appealing to some homeowners, because it combines the beauty of nature with the efficiency of science.

4. Granite

Last but not least, let’s take a look at granite. This breathtaking natural material boasts a brilliant array of speckles and swirls that can truly awe. Each design is unique, and you will find granite in a range of tones from black to white. Granite can be porous and may require more maintenance than some of the other materials. However, with sealing, granite becomes more durable and resistant to scratches, stains and heat. While some granite countertops require routine resealing, granite countertops from Willow Lane Cabinetry come pre-sealed and never have to be resealed!

Tips For Designing A Warm And Inviting Home Office

A home office space may sometimes feel cold and lonely, especially during the winter months. Whether you need to consult with clients in person, or you spend your days working in quiet solitude, a warm and inviting environment can have a huge impact on your overall outlook, productivity, and success. Here are some of our best tips for designing a warm and inviting home office.

When you think of your room as a blank canvas, anything is possible.

Nevermind the desk clutter covering your countertops, the poor traffic flow, and the lack of a cohesive look. When you think of your room as a blank canvas, virtually anything is possible. You just need to take that first step.

Start by browsing the all wood cabinetry selections at Willow Lane Cabinetry. We offer a vast selection of styles and finishes to suit your personal taste and occupation — from rich and traditional to bright and contemporary. By shopping our online store, you will get custom cabinetry with premium construction, while saving over 30-50% over the big box stores. So you don’t have to spend entire paychecks to create a more comfortable, functional, and stylish work space.

Once you select a style and finish of all wood cabinetry for your home office, take advantage of our free online room design service. Our team of experts can help to design a custom home office that suits your needs and makes the most of your space. You can even see the true color, quality, and details of your new cabinets before purchasing by ordering cabinet door samples. Simply pay a small deposit that is refundable once your cabinet door samples are returned!

The design choices you make can make all the difference.

Once you have a strong foundation with all wood cabinetry and a functional layout, it’s time to begin transforming your cold home office into a warmer and more inviting space. Remember, the design choices you make can make all the difference. Before your all wood cabinetry arrives, give the walls a fresh coat of paint. Stick to soothing neutrals with warm undertones, or be inspired by these 18 interior design colors for your home office from Elle Decor.

Fill the open shelving of your home office cabinetry with collections of trade books and vintage finds that speak to your field, whether it’s classic cameras, model cars, or antique clocks. Freshly potted plants bring a touch of nature to a room, and can help to liven the space. Wood look tile and a plush area rug can help to create a sense of warmth and elegance to your home office — think wool or a natural fiber rug that is high on texture. Finish your new workspace with artwork, a comfortable chair, and rich window treatments.

How To Upgrade Your Laundry Room For Winter Weather

Winter can be a dreary time of year. When you’re out shoveling snow in the freezing cold, it’s all too easy to miss that bright sunshine of summer days gone by. And while you might not be able to find the warmth you crave outside, you can certainly add a touch of cheer to your home’s interior. With that said, be sure to include your laundry room on your winter home renovations checklist.

When was the last time you looked around and thought your laundry room could use some storage cabinets or a fresh coat of paint on the walls? If your Pinterest board is filled with magazine-quality laundry rooms, now is the time to make that much-needed change. After all, winter is the perfect season to upgrade your laundry room and utilize it to its fullest extent.

Here are a few ways to make your laundry room a warm and more functional space this winter and a spot in your home that’s an actual pleasure to be in.

Add Custom Cabinets For Storage

In the winter, you need to store a lot more than just laundry detergent, fabric softener, and an iron. When your laundry room also serves as a mud room, it becomes a place for keeping winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and boots, too!

Adding custom cabinets to your laundry room allows you to neatly store these essentials behind closed doors for a tidier and better organized space. Visit Willow Lane Cabinetry online to s elect a finish and style, and let our team of expert designers help you create that magazine-quality laundry room of your dreams.

Install a Hamper Top Mount Cabinet.

Speaking of custom cabinets, this top mount hamper is like a secret compartment to hide your dirty laundry. When you add smart storage solutions to your home renovations checklist, you get a space that is well organized and free of clutter.

Give Your Room A Pop Of Cheerful Color

You may find yourself spending more time in the laundry room when the temperature drops outside. Custom cabinets and freshly painted walls can go a long way in making laundry seem less of a chore. Color most definitely influences your mood, so it only makes sense to choose a soothing, cheerful hue for your laundry room upgrade. Better yet, install a wall of colorful and easy to clean backsplash tile and beautiful tile flooring.

Imagine a warm and inviting laundry room that is not only stylish but also much more functional than it ever was before. Add your laundry room to your winter home renovations checklist, and let your beautiful new space provide that metaphorical ray of sunshine when you need it the most.

How To Add A Touch Of Fall And Winter Warmth To Your TV Room

The nights are getting colder and all you want to do is get cozy on the couch with your favorite snacks and a holiday movie. Whether it’s Hocus Pocus in October or A Christmas Story in December, you’ll want your TV room to be movie night ready all fall and winter long. Add these touches to prepare your TV room for a season of binge watching.

Install an entertainment center so that every seat is a VIP seat.

With custom cabinets, you can create the perfect entertainment center for your TV room. There will be no more fighting over the best seat in the house, because every seat will be the best seat. Custom cabinets can be fitted for your big screen television for perfect viewing throughout the entire room. Everyone will feel like a VIP when their seat is front and center.

Spark some inspiration for your TV room by browsing our selection of all wood cabinetry. From traditional walnut finishes to sleek modern grey cabinets, we have a style for every room and theme. Willow Lane Cabinetry also offers free room design services. Reach out to our team for support in picking the perfect all wood cabinetry for your TV room.

Upgrade your sofa for comfort and durability.

Just like with custom cabinets, you are able to create the dream sofa for your home. If you are looking for a specific color or dimensions, many retailers offer the option to personalize your purchase so that it is exactly what you want.

As far as comfort and durability, you want to choose a sofa that is both easy to lounge in and easy to keep clean. Deep seats tend to be more comfortable, as do couches and sofas made with plush down filling rather than polyester.

Leather and natural fabrics tend to look nicer, but some are more difficult to clean or require a little extra TLC. If you want a kid-friendly option, polyester fabrics are stain-resistant and durable. If you really love the look of leather but don’t want the maintenance, there are really good faux options out there that don’t require any upkeep.

Stock up on all the cold weather essentials.

Comfort is key when watching a good movie. During fall and winter, that means you’ll need blankets. Wool blankets tend to be the warmest, but some people find them itchy. Cotton fleece or cashmere are good alternatives. Both of these materials will keep you warm and are softer to the touch.

If you are someone who is always cold, consider investing in a heated blanket. This can be a game changer in winter months when you feel like nothing can warm you up. You’ll find cordless options that don’t even need to be plugged in. They use a rechargeable battery, so your blanket will stay warm wherever it goes.

Keep blankets in the drawers of your custom cabinets, or place them in a basket or storage ottoman for easy access. Who wants to run around the house looking for blankets right when your movie is getting to the good part?

Glass-Front Kitchen Cabinet Doors – Pros, Cons and Are They Right for You?

Glass-front kitchen cabinet doors are appealing to homeowners on many levels as they can make it easier to find things, elevate what’s inside to home décor status, make a smaller room look larger… you get the idea.

And wouldn’t you know it—there are a few different types of glass cabinet doors to choose from, offering a number of ways to utilize them in your space. Let’s take a look at the different types of glass cabinet doors, their pros and cons, and when they may be the perfect fit for your home.

Types of Glass-Front Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Glass-front kitchen cabinet doors just happen to come in many styles. A few of the most popular include:

Clear, Full-View Glass Cabinet Doors:

Balancing function with looks, clear cabinet doors mean one thing – goods on display. This, in itself, can be a great thing; however, it can also be limiting, depending on needs and style.
Fluted/Reeded Glass Cabinet Doors:

Slightly blurred, the contents behind fluted-glass doors will be somewhat obscure, yet still seen.
Frosted Glass Cabinet Doors:

While glass, these cabinet doors are more opaque and cloudy, almost completely blocking the view of what’s inside the cabinets.
Seeded Glass-Front Cabinet Doors:

Different size “bubbles” give a wavy appearance and look like vintage, hand-blown glass.
Leaded-Glass Cabinet Doors:

Used to achieve a dramatic look, leaded-glass is much more decorative and often comes as a theme or specific style. These are popular in built-ins and hutches.

Pros and Cons of Glass-Front Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Adding elements of elegance and luxury to any space, glass-front kitchen cabinet doors have really become a popular trend with many homeowners. There are both pros and cons to this style of cabinet door, and depending on your lifestyle, you’ll either love them or decide to go a different direction. Let’s delve.

Pros of Glass Kitchen Cabinet Doors:

Give the illusion of more space, allowing for an open and airy feel (similar to the appeal of open shelves) while still providing a protective door
A showcase for statement pieces
Busy chefs will always know where to find everything (unless doors are frosted glass)
They’re gorgeous, modern and knock-it-out-of-the-park chic

Cons of Glass Kitchen Cabinet Doors:

Get out the window cleaner – these cabinet doors need to be cleaned often
Possible viewable clutter – depending on space and contents
Susceptible to cracks and breakage (not always kid-friendly)
If dishes don’t match and styles run the gamut, they may not be a fit

Are Glass-Front Kitchen Cabinet Doors for You?

Glass-front kitchen cabinets make a statement and bring a stunning balance to a room full of wood, tile and metal. So, unless you have mix and match dishware, you’re prone to slamming doors and tap, tap, tapping on glass, we say go for it!

Things to consider in your decision:

Only choose glass-front doors for upper cabinets; if your kitchen needs a little more light, but you’re not sure how to do this, installing lights inside your cabinets and adding glass-front doors can do the trick.

If you’re still indecisive, a fun, trendy idea is to blend – have a mix of glass-front cabinet doors and traditional cabinet doors in your kitchen. This way, you can hide away those items you don’t want to be seen—but still have them within easy reach—and showcase your statement pieces.

How to Mix Open Shelving with Your Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchens that feature a combination of open shelving and closed cabinets are becoming increasingly popular. If you don’t like the idea of hiding all of your kitchen items behind closed doors or having to clutter your counters, then mixing open shelving with your kitchen cabinets may be the perfect design solution for you.

Not only does this mix add a fresh look, providing some open spaces and additional areas to display your unique style, but it’s also practical for storage and creating additional space.

Open Shelving Kitchen Ideas

Would you love to use open shelving in your kitchen but aren’t sure how to best incorporate them with your cabinets so that your kitchen has a uniform, polished look? Check out the open shelving kitchen ideas below to inspire your creativity.

1. Add Shelving in Select Spaces

To incorporate some shelves, you can remove some upper cabinets and replace them with shelves. Shelves are also great to place in otherwise hard-to-reach areas, making them more accessible.

You can also install an open shelf across a window. This will enable you to create additional storage space without having to give up the coveted natural light that comes through the window.

2. Place Items You Use Daily on Open Shelves

Keeping items you use frequently on open shelves provides easy access to them when you need them and also makes it easy for guests to grab what they need without having to search through cabinets.

For example, bowls, plates and mugs are ideal for storing on shelves, while items that aren’t used often, such as vases, can be kept in cabinets or on the tops of cabinets.

3. Mix in Decor Items on Your Shelves

Have fun mixing in some of your favorite objects on your open shelves as well. Display cherished accessories, art and framed photos to add some personality and color to your kitchen’s overall design.

4. Match Shelves to Your Kitchen Cabinets

Matching shelves to your kitchen cabinets provides a cohesive and uncluttered look. For example, if you have all white kitchen cabinets, you can choose to go with all white shelves and if you have slate grey cabinets (as pictured above), slate grey shelving provides a rich look.

However, if you want to add in pops of color in an elegant way, you can go with colored shelves that complement your cabinets and seamlessly blend in with the rest of your kitchen decor. Or, stick with one color for both cabinets and shelves, and be deliberate about displaying colorful items on your shelves. For example, colorful mugs, bowls and accessories will add beauty, color and personality to your kitchen in a subtle way.

5. Add Fun Design Elements

Open shelves provide the opportunity to add interesting design elements to a space. For example, you can paint the wall or use decorative wallpaper behind the shelves to add color or incorporate a fun pattern. You might also want to accessorize the shelves with different types of brackets and hanging systems to blend in other design elements.

The combination of open shelves and cabinets is ideal for kitchens but also works beautifully in other spaces, particularly mud rooms and bathrooms! If you need help designing a mix of open shelving and cabinets in your kitchen or another area of your home, use our free online room design tool to get started creating a modern, functional space with storage solutions that work best for you.

Types of Glass-Front Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Clear, Full-View Glass Cabinet Doors:

Fluted/Reeded Glass Cabinet Doors:

Frosted Glass Cabinet Doors:

Seeded Glass-Front Cabinet Doors:

Leaded-Glass Cabinet Doors: