How To Host A Fabulous Oscars Party At Home

It’s Hollywood’s biggest night — The Academy Awards. And while you may not be able to walk the red carpet in a designer gown or tux and million-dollar bling, you can host a fabulous Oscars Party at home. From adding a little glitz to your TV room, to creating a sensational spread in your open concept kitchen, we’ll show you how!

The Votes Are In

The first step in planning an Oscars party is creating the guest list. Don’t be afraid to invite family and friends from different social groups, be it neighbors, co-workers, or your closest crew. The Oscars is the perfect time to mix and mingle. Once the votes are in, create an Oscars-worthy invitation, either in print or online.

Comedy or Drama

Be sure to specify the attire for your party. While there is nothing wrong with coming as you are, an Oscars party is the perfect excuse to get all gussied up and add a little drama. Or for a bit of humor, ask your guests to dress as their favorite movie character instead.

Best Supporting Bites

The menu for your Oscars party should fit your theme. If your party is casual, include concession stand items like soft pretzels, hot dogs, and nachos. If your party is fancy, opt for fancy finger foods like Slow-Cooker Party Meatballs and Garlicky Shrimp Cocktail (click here for these and 22 more Oscar party recipes). Also include lots of popcorn for guests, and be sure to stock your bar cabinets with champagne and everything you need to make star-studded cocktails.

Make a Grand Entrance

A fabulous Oscars party isn’t complete without rolling out the red carpet. Adding a red carpet to your entryway is a simple yet spectacular way to get the party started, whether you purchase a $10 runner at your local party store, or an authentic red carpet for around $100. For an extra Hollywood touch, ask your guests for their autograph as they arrive.

Nominees For Best Picture

Set up a photo booth in your open concept kitchen for guests to strike a pose. In the living room, have plenty of comfortable seating around the television for optimal viewing. Add some glitz and glamour to your TV room cabinetry with gold streamers, and red, black and gold balloons.

Hooray For Hollywood

Don’t forget the Oscars is an awards show. At the halfway mark, hand out “Best-Dressed” awards, and set up some Hollywood-themed games to keep things fun through all those long and tearful acceptance speeches. Click here for ideas from HGTV, including Oscar Party Bingo and Academy Awards Scorecards.

And the award for “Best Host” goes to…. You!

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 solid wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

5 Ways To Turn Your House Into A Home

Whether a house was purchased resale or as new construction, all homeowners have a desire to personalize their living space. You don’t need to be an interior decorator to create comfortable rooms that also showcase your unique style. After all, where you reside is a reflection of you! From custom touches and thoughtful details and décor, we’ll show you how to turn your house into a home.

First Impressions

The exterior of your house doesn’t have to be basic and bland. Put your best foot forward and pump up your curb appeal by adding personalization. Start by painting your front door in a favorite color that compliments your brick or siding. To give a warm welcome, add visual interest with a bench or chair, potted plants and a pretty wreath. If your landscaping is overgrown or underdone, add that to your spring to-do list. Research which trees and shrubs grow well in your zone and select varieties that suit your style. Also, take into consideration the amount of sunlight your yard receives when purchasing plants. If you have a green thumb, liven things up with seasonal flowers for a pop color. Add the finishing touches with mulch or stone, and edging. When in doubt, consult a landscape designer or visit your local nursery for advice.

It’s What’s On the Inside That Counts

If the interior of your new home has great bones but lacks warmth and character, it’s time for a makeover. Start by making a list of the features that made you fall in love with your house, and also the elements that spark more disgust than joy. Do you adore the layout of your open concept kitchen but not the dated cabinets? Browse the inventory at Willow Lane Cabinetry and take advantage of our free room design service, complete with a 3-D rendering that works within your unique budget. Custom details like glass front doors and a built-in wine rack will surely add to the aesthetic of your open concept kitchen. If you happen to love your solid wood cabinetry, add natural stone countertops and a beautiful backsplash from Willow Lane Cabinetry to complete the look.

3 More Ways To Turn Your House Into A Home

In the living room, add warmth with throw pillows, blankets, window treatments, and area rugs. Make it an inviting space to gather by installing TV room cabinetry. Add comfortable furniture that cohesively fits your design style. Avoid matching sets and suites. After all, your home isn’t a furniture showroom. Take time to choose thoughtful pieces that reflect your style and have meaning to you.

Make the kitchen the heart of your home by including plenty of seating around the kitchen table and island, and warm touches like a table runner, fresh flowers, and pottery canisters. Add inside cabinet accessories for organization and to cut down on countertop clutter. Upgrade light fixtures to illuminate your space while adding a decorative touch.

Create a welcoming entryway with a doormat, baskets, and a hall table or bench. In the Bathroom and laundry room, add solid wood cabinetry for warmth and added storage space. Last but not least, craft comfortable bedrooms with cozy bedding, and décor that reflects the personal style of the unique family member each room belongs to.

How To Decorate With Red The Right Way

Often, homeowners have a grand vision for the interior of their home but feel hesitant to take the plunge. Decorating with a bold color like red is definitely one of the top concerns. You see some dreamy room on Pinterest or in Better Homes & Gardens and think, “I’d love to bring that look into my home,” but you’re afraid it will be too overwhelming or over the top.

These feelings are understandable — but decorating with a vibrant hue is not an impossible feat. Whether you want to spice things up in your open concept kitchen or add a touch of romance to your master bath, these tips will help you decorate with red the right way.

Add an accent wall.

You might not be fully committed to the idea of a room with red walls — but how about one? Painting an accent wall in a bold color is a great way to incorporate an interesting shade without overpowering the room. In an open concept kitchen, this could also come in the form of a stunning red tile backsplash or a red finish on your solid wood cabinetry. Mixing and matching cabinets to create an accent wall is a modern approach that works well with a variety of kitchen styles.

Don’t underestimate the power of a shade.

Like most colors, red comes in many different shades. When decorating a home, especially with a bold color, it’s important to know that even the slightest variation in shade can facilitate a shift in mood. Before selecting which shade is the best fit for your walls, solid wood cabinetry or décor, take two things into consideration.

The theme of the room. Primary red can add an excellent pop of color to a modern or contemporary room, but it might feel off with a traditional or country theme. The room’s theme and color palette will play a huge role in finding your perfect shade of red.

How the color makes you feel. We encourage homeowners to take a color for a test drive before they sign the papers. Whether it’s a throw blanket on your couch or a fabric sample pinned to the wall, be sure to invite the color inside before making any final decisions. You might find that cherry red brings you joy while crimson induces anger or rage.

Let red highlight the room’s greatest attributes.

Red is an eye-catching color, so it is often the first thing guests will see when they enter the room. Use décor like lamps, picture frames, or pottery to highlight the elements of the room that deserve the most attention. In your home, that might be your beautiful TV room cabinetry or the natural stone countertop on your kitchen island.

While red can help you highlight the room’s greatest attributes, it can also help you hide your not so favorite aspects. Use red décor to create a distraction from that old coffee table you’re eager to replace or the slew of small appliances you have lined up in your kitchen. If you’re still not ready to take the plunge, start small by adding a pop of red with throw pillows, art, or or an accent chair.

How To Build A Better Home Bar

Is your bar sitting in a dark corner, collecting dust? It might be time for a makeover. From sleek bar cabinets to integrated technology, here are a few ways you can build a better bar in your home.

Step 1: Seek some assistance.

Build a bar that you and your guests will love by working with one of Willow Lane Cabinetry’s complimentary designers. From choosing which bar cabinets will look best in your open concept kitchen to sending you photorealistic renderings of your finished design, our team will be by your side every step of the way. To get started, just fill out this form.

Step 2: Make it your own.

One of our customers was a huge a wine lover — but you would’ve never known it by her home bar. It lacked the features and functionality to enhance her wine drinking experience, so it went completely unused. When remodeling her kitchen, she was concerned this would happen again. We recommended installing a wine cooler and hanging a few wall-mounted wine glass racks. Her abandoned home bar is now her favorite part of her open concept kitchen. A few small touches can turn a basic home bar into something truly special.

Step 3: Step outside of the kitchen.

Your kitchen isn’t the only place to install a bar. The TV room, dining room, and backyard are just a few other options. Sometimes the place that makes the most sense isn’t the most common. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and step outside of the kitchen with your bar design.

Step 4: Add some seating.

One reason a home bar gets banished is lack of seating. If you find yourself making a drink in the kitchen and heading straight for the couch or dining room table, it might be time to expand the area around your home bar. From a simple high-top table to a comfy side chair, the possibilities are really endless. See if some seating can increase the foot traffic to your home bar. Not only will this make your bar more appealing to you — but your guests as well. A home bar can be a great asset when entertaining. Seating can make this part of your home more welcoming and will increase your hosting clout.

Step 5: Make your home bar more like your favorite bar.

What’s your favorite bar like? Some may describe a quaint hotel lounge where the seats are made of velvet and the whiskey is served over ice. Others may rave about the sports memorabilia hung from the walls in their hometown pub where they played darts in college. Rather than just build a basic bar, think of memories and establishments that have personal meaning to you. It is so easy to bring parts of your favorite bar into your home and create something that has true meaning and character.

Interior Design Tips For Adding Visual Warmth To A Cold Bathroom

It’s the middle of winter and your cozy bathroom suddenly reminds you of the chilly outdoors. Whether it’s a lack of color, cold tile, or an overall yearning for summer, you’ve decided it’s definitely time to heat things up. Read on to discover five interior design tips that will help you add visual warmth to a cold bathroom.

Swap out some of those white and bright elements. When it’s summer, the idea of a monotonously white bathroom seems sunny. Crisp, clean, all-white bathroom cabinets? Yes, please! But when the temperature drops to freezing, your color scheme might start resembling a snowstorm more than a day at the beach.

If your color scheme is giving you icy vibes, switch out some of the white elements, so that your bathroom can transition more seamlessly with the seasons. For instance, white vanities can be replaced with ivory, gray or khaki bathroom cabinets to maintain that neutral look but gain a little warmth.

Welcome in the color.

If your bathroom is lacking color, that could be the cause of its cold demeanor. The easiest way to change that is by adding color to the walls with paint, wallpaper or a backsplash. This quick addition can have a great impact on the overall feel of the room, and help you add some much needed warmth. Click here to learn about the top interior paint colors of 2019.

Add a big, fluffy rug to offset the overwhelming amount of tile.

If your floors aren’t heated, the thought of tile might put a chill down your spine. This time of year, walking barefoot in your bathroom just isn’t an option. To keep feet warm and add some cozy layers to your bathroom, consider adding a large rug to the room. When we think of bathroom carpets, we tend to gravitate towards the standard bathroom mat. While functional when exiting the shower and bath or standing at the sink, they don’t provide much in terms of visual warmth. Replace individual bathroom mats with one larger rug that runs down the center of your bathroom floor.

Incorporate natural accents to melt away any frostiness.

If your bathroom feels icy and distant rather than warm and inviting, Mother Nature can give your bathroom some heart. From solid wood cabinetry with a natural finish to natural stone flooring and countertops, there are plenty of permanent additions you can incorporate into your bathroom.

Greenery can also bring down the chill factor in a cold bathroom. Consider using potted plants as décor, hanging eucalyptus in the shower, or creating a living accent wall. If fresh plants are too high maintenance for you, good artificial alternatives can create the same visual effect without the extra work.

Rethink bathroom lighting.

Bathroom lighting doesn’t have to be over the top and bright as can be. If your bathroom lighting is harsh and drastic, grab inspiration from your living and dining room. In these rooms, we tend to rely on subtler lighting in the form of chandeliers and pendants. These varieties of lighting have a softer effect and can also make the room feel more like home. A few well-placed candles can also help you create a warmer ambiance.

Shared Spaces: How To Design A Home Office Built For Two

What could be better than having your own home office space? How about sharing that space with someone you love? When it comes to dual working arrangements, being in close proximity doesn’t have to mean being too close for comfort. Here, we’ll discuss how to design a home office built for two, complete with enough office cabinets and functional features to keep you both productive and organized.

Office Cabinets Galore

When designing a home office to share, having enough storage space is vital. Office cabinets help to cut down on desk clutter, and should allow each of you to stay better organized and on task. Select a solid wood cabinetry style and finish that compliments the rest of your home. And be sure to add functional touches, like open shelving for Wi-Fi routers, paper and printers, and other necessities. If square footage is tight, install wall cabinets that take advantage of the vertical real estate you have.

Dynamic Desk Duos

If you have two open walls, adding a desk to your office cabinet design is a smart way to save space — whether it’s side-by-side in an L shape, or across from each other on opposite walls. Another option would be to purchase a table and place it in the center of the room with facing chairs. Make sure the table is deep enough to accommodate two computers, task lamps, and anything else you both might need to get the job done. Take available space into consideration, as well as work styles, before making a decision. Side by side, or facing desks, encourage interaction and collaboration of ideas, while placing desks on opposite walls allows for more privacy.

A Matching Set

The last thing you and your working partner wants is to fight over who gets the comfortable chair. Mismatched furniture also disrupts the overall aesthetic of the room, creating visual clutter that will only add to the tension. When shopping for chairs, select a comfortable style you can both agree upon and buy two. Here are a few features to look for:

Ergonomical design
Lower back support
Head support
Armrests
Height adjustable (to fit individual proportions)

Working from home has its perks, but it certainly can get lonely. If the thought of spending time working alongside a loved one sounds ideal, sharing a home office may just make the workday a little brighter — as long as you design a comfortable space with both your needs in mind. Take advantage of Willow Lane Cabinetry’s free room design service, and let us help you design a beautiful home office built for two.

The Best Flooring Choices For Winter Weather

What could be more cozy than enjoying a mug of hot cocoa while watching snowflakes fall from the windows of your open concept kitchen? Winter is uniquely beautiful, as freshly fallen snow blankets the lawn and glistening icicles form on the trees in your backyard. And while you’d love to stay forever, all warm and toasty inside, occasionally you’ll have to venture out into the cold.

You bundle up in your winter coat and boots, grab your hat and gloves, and head out the front door. When you finally arrive back at home a few hours later, the same snow that looked so beautiful through the window has been tracked indoors, and is now a slushy, wet mess. There are dirty footprints and puddles dotting the hallway, and instead of feeling happy to be warm and toasty again, you’re worried about the damage all this water is doing to your beautiful hardwood floors.

If this scenario happens all too often, it may be time to consider replacing those hardwood floors with a better option for winter weather. Even if you live in a region that hardly ever sees snow, these flooring choices are also ideal for rainy spring and autumn days, and trips to the beach and pool come summer.

Wood-Look Tile

If you adore the look of hardwood floors but hate the maintenance, you don’t have to compromise style for practicality. It’s hard to distinguish Willow Lane Cabinetry’s wood-look tile from the real thing, and while both are beautiful, only once is impervious to water. Wood-look tile is durable and easy to clean, and is the perfect flooring choice for open concept kitchens and high traffic areas.

Ceramic wood-look tile comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Color options include Carolina Timber Gray, Carolina Timber White, Carolina Timber Beige, and Sonoma Driftwood. Or select frost-resistant porcelain wood-look tile for both indoor and outdoor applications. Porcelain options include Wheat, Espresso, Cottage Brown, White Oak, Sand Dune, Barnwood Gray, and Walnut wood-look tile.

Porcelain Tile

In addition to wood-look tile, there are many other porcelain tile options offered at Willow Lane Cabinetry. Many mimic the beauty of natural stone, like our Eden Statuary porcelain tile, and come in a wide range of sizes and colors to compliment your solid wood cabinetry. As we mentioned earlier, porcelain is waterproof and completely frost-resistant, making it an ideal choice year-round, but especially for winter weather

Vinyl Plank

This luxurious tile is not the same vinyl flooring of yesteryear. These rigid core vinyl planks offer the beauty of hardwood and the low-maintenance durability of ceramic and porcelain tile, all at a great price point. Vinyl plank flooring from Willow Lane Cabinetry features realistic texturing and a ten-year residential warranty. Perfect for wet areas of the home, like the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room, this easy to install floating floor will pleasantly surprise even the most discerning homeowner.

Carrara Marble

If you’re looking for a uniquely beautiful flooring option, Carrara marble tile comes in a variety of patterns, from herringbone and basketweave, to hexagon and the classic subway style. This natural stone tile flooring is water-resistant, and features the trademark delicate veins that make marble such an elegant choice for the home.

How To Design A Dreamy, Romantic Kitchen

Is the way to your heart through your stomach? Celebrate your favorite indulgence with a kitchen as dreamy and romantic as your love for food. Filled with inviting elements and heart-warming features, these design tips are sure to make you fall in love on Valentine’s Day or any other day of the year.

And if you need help putting together your dreamy, romantic kitchen, remember we are just a click or call away. Send us your information and we’ll have one of our designers contact you to get started with your free kitchen design.

In the meantime, here are a few of our favorite ways to transform your kitchen into a fairy-tale dream come true.

Hang a Chandelier.

There’s nothing more captivating and charming than a chandelier. Give your kitchen a splash of sparkle and shine by hanging this decorative light fixture in the center of the room. If you have an open concept kitchen, that might be above your dining room table or kitchen island. Find a place where overhead lighting is functional — but also where you want to make a statement. A chandelier is definitely eye-catching, so you want people looking somewhere special.

Add some Old-World charm.

If your idea of romance is that classic, coveted love, add some traditional elements to hone in on that nostalgic vision. Dark espresso cabinets embody that Old-World charm, and can help you create the chivalrous and idyllic image from your favorite love stories.

If your romantic utopia is tender and poetic, a light, airy kitchen may better encompass your dream. Antique white cabinets can perfectly represent the excitement of new love and serve as the foundation for a whimsical design.

Shop all of the options from Willow Lane Cabinetry to find the missing piece to your fairytale renovation.

Choose curves instead of harsh corners.

If the utilitarian vibe of your kitchen is taking away all of the fun and flirt, try to soften the edges. A circular kitchen island countertop or curved light fixture can create a flow in the room that reminds you of welcoming arms.

Stock your kitchen with items that spark a fire inside of you.

Bring joy into the kitchen by including the things you are most passionate about. If you love to cook, make sure you have the tools and appliances you need to express your inner chef. If a glass of wine is what helps you wind down, incorporate a wine rack or cooler into your solid wood cabinetry. Knowing your kitchen is ready for you to create, gather, and enjoy will make it instantly more appealing to you.

Be ravishing in red.

Red is the color of passion and including it in your kitchen is a sure way to turn on the heat. From solid wood cabinetry with warm red undertones to red brick accents, homeowners have many options for adding a splash of romance to their kitchen design.

Fresh flowers for the win.

Nothing says I love you like a bouquet of fresh flowers. Turn this special occasion into a staple in your dream kitchen. Decorate your countertops or dining room table with a beautiful vase that will encourage you to keep flowers in the kitchen all year long.

5 Cabinetry Collections That Will Warm Up Your Home This Winter

The holiday season has come and gone, and a new year has just begun. If you’re suddenly feeling the winter chill, perhaps it’s time to make a change for the better? Willow Lane Cabinetry offers a large selection of fully assembled, premium solid wood cabinetry, from bright Aspen White bathroom vanity cabinets to Regency Espresso kitchen cabinets. With that said, here are a few of our favorite cabinetry collections to warm up your home this winter

Legacy Teaberry

The unique finish of our Legacy Teaberry solid wood cabinetry makes this a standout choice, and the ideal addition to any home — from traditional to contemporary. Its deep, dark finish will enhance the beauty of your kitchen, laundry room or bath, and provide that coveted warmth and sophistication you’re craving. These cabinets feature a full overlay design and soft close drawer glides, with solid maple doors and drawers.

Tuscan Walnut

Our Tuscan Walnut cabinetry showcases classic detailing and a rich glazed finish. These cabinets will make an elegant addition to your home while still making it feel warm and cozy — whether it’s your kitchen, home office or TV room. Beautifully crafted with plywood box construction and solid birch, no detail is too small, including dovetailed drawers with full extension glides that can support up to 50 pounds, and recessed panels doors with a stylish beveled doorframe.

Midtown Walnut Shaker

The clean lines of our Midtown Walnut Shaker collection have a contemporary feel, while the warm pecan stain offers a touch of the traditional. Perfect for transitional home designs, the Midtown Walnut Shaker collection is just right —not too dark and not too light, but oh so inviting. Plywood box construction ensures that quality is something you never need to worry about!

Oxford Merlot Glaze

The Oxford Merlot Glaze collection features a rich Sherwin Williams finish and raised door panels in a traditional style. Crafted from solid birch with dovetailed drawers and concealed soft-close hinges, these cabinets are classic choice that will last for generations. Whether it’s a bar room or bathroom, further enhance your space with features like glass doors, decorative moldings and elegant accessories to tie everything together.

Regency Espresso

If you love espresso kitchen cabinets, our Regency Espresso collection offers rich style in an extremely affordable kitchen. Well-crafted with a price that can’t be beat, these cabinets are known for being economical but glamorous at the same time! Let our expert designers help you create a custom layout with 3D renderings that work within your budget.

Have A Shiny New Year With Shimmering Backsplash Tile

For a truly shiny New Year, why not consider installing a backsplash of frosty, shimmering tile in 2019? Whether it’s an elegant shower surround in a master bath, a fireplace surround in a TV room, or a stunning accent wall in an open concept kitchen, Willow Lane Cabinetry has a large selection of glass and natural stone backsplash tile to compliment our stunning, solid wood cabinetry. Here are just a few of our glistening favorites.

Arctic Ice Glass

Arctic Ice Glass Subway Tile is absolutely elegant, made from crystalline, icy white glass with a slightly transparent background. Sized in the classic 2” x 4” subway tile format, this subtle, sparkling tile is easy to install and easy to keep clean, which makes it an ideal choice for an open concept kitchen or large master bath. As pretty as freshly fallen snow!

Frosted Icicle Glass Subway Tile

Frosted Icicle Glass Subway Tile features a white crackled glass finish with high sheen, creating a stunning, light reflecting backsplash for your kitchen or bath. Suitable for a wide array of design projects including countertops, accent walls, showers, and backsplashes, this 3″ x 9″ glossy glass tile pairs beautifully with our solid wood cabinetry finishes. Best of all, it’s neutral enough to complement a variety of design styles, from traditional to modern.

Metallic Gray Glass Subway Tile

These handcrafted, glazed ceramic tiles have modern flair, thanks to their crystalized, mid-tone gray hue. The glossy, high sheen finish reflects light throughout the room, adding visual interest and providing a soothing backdrop to a contemporary TV room or master bath. Pair 4” x 12” Metallic Gray Glass Subway Tile with brilliant white solid wood cabinetry for the contemporary, high-contrast style that’s trending in 2019.

Metallic Gray

Subtle hints of silver and slight variations in tone compliment the deep gray color of our 3” x 6” Metallic Gray Subway Tile. With a glossy smooth, crystallized finish and a fine metallic shimmer, these versatile glass tiles create a sophisticated backdrop in the home, with understated appeal. At 8 mm thick, they are ideal for any number of residential projects, from the walls in an open concept kitchen to the floors of a modern master bath.

Chapagne Bevel

Our 2” x 6” Champagne Bevel Subway Glass Tile has a warm brown tone and beveled edges that add depth and character. These beautiful, light-reflecting tiles are mesh-backed, allowing for easy installation as a kitchen backsplash, garden tub surround, and even a fireplace wall. They are also completely frost resistant for outdoor applications. Take advantage of our free room design service to see just how lovely they will look in your home.

Have a happy, shiny New Year from Willow Lane Cabinetry!