February 2022 | GNH Lumber & Home

Tell Your Home’s Story with Cultured Stone

Posted on February 6, 2022January 6, 2023

Whether you’re moving into a new space or adding onto your current home, improving its aesthetics is key. It’s important to end up with a look and style you love, but it all has to tell your home’s unique story!

Simplistic spaces evoke calm feelings, but the opposite approach has its own benefits. One of the hottest trends in home design nowadays is “Maximalism”. From a design standpoint, it means more is more!

Mastering Maximalist design involves more than using quirky art or wild colors. But incorporating this style lets you get bold and creative as well! Your own design journey should be personal and evocative.

If you’re looking to add a touch of Maximalist metro mojo, using Cultured Stone is a great place to start! These cleverly crafted cultured stone veneers are a great way to give your home an impressive and stylish look.

Make Your Home Your Own

When you start designing, the first thing to consider is what you want the finished product to look like. What inspires you? Are there important details that you wish to display? What tells the story of your life and your creativity in the most elaborate way possible? The beauty of Maximalism is that it allows your space to be as unique and expressive as you are.

This is your chance to add those interesting design ideas that you’ve dreamed about! You’ve always wanted a cheetah print couch and a funky cobalt blue accent wall? Do it! This style works at its best when you combine traditional elements with funky pops of color. The end result is a room that is the personification of “you”!

Creating Trendy Together Spaces

There’s something magical about the communal component of urban living – no matter where. It’s time for your fireplace surround to soar like a within a historic brownstone home. Your wall between the den and the kitchen can function as an indoor window. There are many little touches that can bring any space together in a modern and stylish way. Cultured Stone makes it simple to recreate any urban and trendy looks! Even better, these manufactured stone veneers can be colored to match whatever the tone of whatever room you’re adding onto.

Embrace Your Outdoor Space

Whether your home has a rooftop escape or not, you should make the most of your outdoor space too. In addition, you can do it with any sort of space – even if it’s shared with neighbors!

You can spruce up your outdoor space with floral arrangements, in pots if needed. We also recommend adding murals or other artwork that reminds you of city parks. You can even add strand lights to help enhance that hip metro feel. If your backyard isn’t shared and you have extra space, you have an even better option. Try building a secret garden to give you a “private” feeling to remind you of other secluded gardens. Personal walkways or garden walls with Cultured Stone are the perfect final touch!

Don’t forget to make sure your outdoor space is fit for entertaining guests! A backyard getaway or rooftop escape is the perfect place to gather after sundown. Make it great for an evening under the stars by creating a conversation space. Be sure to equip it with lovely seating options around a Cultured Stone firepit or firebowl. With all the sizes and styles available, you can craft your own magical space to make lifelong memories!

Wherever you call home, whether it’s urban, suburban, or something more – it should match the needs of you and your family. By adding onto your home with Cultured Stone, you can create a warm and personalized space for anyone. Contact our talented team today to learn how we can help improve your home!

Source: Cultured Stone

How to Measure for Kitchen Cabinets

Posted on February 1, 2022February 15, 2024

Measured Decisions

If you’re installing kitchen cabinets, one of the most important steps is taking measurements. Since your cabinets are one of the main features of the kitchen, it helps to take your measurements right. Having the proper measurements beforehand means you won’t buy cabinets that don’t fit. Also, with accurate measurements, ordering and installing your cabinets is a breeze. So, before you start looking at brands, you should know how to measure for kitchen cabinets.

Tools and Preparation

Before starting your measurements, you’ll need the right supplies on hand. For this, we recommend using the following tools:

Tape measure
Pencil
Planning grid/scratch paper
Calculator
Step stool or ladder
Level ruler (to help determine if additional work is needed)
Laser measuring tool (optional, but useful to double-checking measurements)

This is also a good time to draw out your rough sketch of the kitchen. Every appliance, window, door, electrical line, plumbing line, and vent should be included. This sketch doesn’t need to be perfect, but it should be easy to understand.

Taking Horizontal Measurements

Now you can begin taking horizontal measurements. Measure the current cabinets to start, and if you’re overhauling an entire space, measure the whole wall. This will let you know how you can reconfigure the cabinets within the space. Be sure to go from wall edge to wall edge to get the total space. For openings like doors or windows, your measurements should be from one underside of the trim to the other underside. Remember to write your numbers clearly, and round to the nearest 1/16^th of an inch.

Taking Vertical Measurements

Start by measuring the distance from the floor to the ceiling in each corner and at the middle of every wall. This ceiling height will determine the preferred height of your upper kitchen cabinets. If your kitchen has soffits (a little wall that hangs down from the ceiling above doors), they must be measured as well. You can measure these by going from the floor to the bottom of the soffit. For reference, most older homes have ceiling heights of 8 feet, and 9 feet in newer homes. But accurate measurements are still encouraged – you want those upper cabinets to fit.

Measuring Existing Fixtures and Cabinets

Unless you’re changing the entire kitchen layout, you should measure the existing fixtures and cabinets. Everything from the oven to the sink must be considered. You’ll need to find their center point to get the best measurements. This can be done by starting at the end of the appliance closest to the wall. You then measure back until you come to the middle of the appliance. If it’s located in an island, start your measurements at the end of that island. For any electrical, gas, or plumbing lines, measure from the wall to the center of the line/pipe.

You’ll need to measure the height, width, and depth of your existing cabinets as well. This will give you an idea of what size will work for your project. Depending on the cabinet’s design, it might have extra features that add extra space. These include toe kicks, oversized countertops, or frameless doors. If you’re only replacing your cabinets, this will determine if your new cabinets fit or not.

Standard Cabinet Measurements

With your measurements in hand, it helps to know some standard ready-to-assemble cabinet sizes. Base, or lower, cabinets are usually 24” deep from the wall and 34 ½” high. They often have a 3” inset for the toe kick at the bottom. Upper cabinets are usually 12” deep and are available in 30”, 36”, or 42” heights. These choices account for different ceiling heights, and whether you want space above them. Pantry cabinets come in 84”, 90”, or 96” heights and are 24” deep. The width of cabinets varies so getting the most accurate measurements is crucial.

With the right measurements, your DIY kitchen cabinet installation is sure to go off without a hitch! Get in touch with us today for help designing your kitchen or selecting the best cabinet!

Best Kitchen Cabinet Styles for Your Remodel

Posted on February 1, 2022July 26, 2023

Cabinets Keep Your Kitchen Together

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, it’s always a great idea to start with your kitchen cabinets! Even the oldest kitchen can look brand new with a new set of cabinets. But the trick is in picking out the right cabinet style for your kitchen. With so many options out there, you need to ensure the style fits your budget and preferred final look. If you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed – don’t worry! We’ve selected five kitchen cabinet styles that are affordable and versatile.

Shaker-Style Cabinets

These are one of the most popular cabinet designs, and for good reason. Shaker-style cabinets have a simple, timeless look that complement many different kitchen designs. Shaker-style cabinets have clean lines and a flat surface with a recessed panel in the center. They are available in all kinds of tones and materials, and from many manufacturers. They also blend in seamlessly with many different kitchen styles. One of the best things about shaker-style cabinets is their customizability. Shaker-style doors are compatible with most cabinet pulls and knobs, so get creative!

Flat-Panel or Slab Cabinets

For a more modern look, your best choice is flat-panel (AKA slab) kitchen cabinets. These consist of one flat piece of wood and look fantastic in a minimalist kitchen. You can opt for no pulls or knobs, or choose sleek hardware on your cabinet doors. This creates a stylish look that matches your appliances perfectly. Flat-panel cabinets are easy to clean and install. Plus, they are usually less expensive than other cabinet styles.

Beadboard Cabinets

Beadboard cabinets are a great way to add a textured look to your kitchen! This style of cabinet is defined by its vertical slats of wood pieced together. This is one of the most versatile styles of cabinet available and works with countless kitchen styles. Rustic, beach-inspired, contemporary, and traditional styles all work with beadboard. While beadboard cabinets can help your kitchen feel warmer and more vibrant, they are harder to clean. Dirt can build up in the ridges, so just be vigilant if you add these to your home.

Raised Panel Cabinets

Like the name says, raised-panel cabinet doors have a slightly raised center panel. This gives them an amazing three-dimensional look. These are perfect for kitchen remodels, as they offer a classic look. Raised-panel cabinets can even be ordered with an arched center panel or with decorative moulding to give it that special touch. If you’re looking to get creative with your kitchen remodel, raised-panel cabinets are the way to go!

Glass-Front Cabinets

Glass-front cabinets are the perfect choice for displaying any of your eye-catching collections. These can include glasses, plates, or other items in the kitchen. The glass on these cabinets can be plain or etched with a unique design. Glass-front cabinets can also be used as an accent cabinet with other solid cabinet doors. You can even include an in-cabinet light to showcase your pieces!

Ready to start picking out your dream cabinet? Get in touch with us today – we can help you find the perfect cabinets for your kitchen!