Setting a New Design Standard for Our Country’s Wounded Warriors

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 01/11/2012 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

We recently teamed up with Clark Realty Capital, Michael Graves & Associates and IDEO on a project to support injured military members with homes that offer easier living for service members and veterans with debilitating injuries. Through the Wounded Warrior Home Project at Ft. Belvoir, Va., Merillat has provided cabinetry for two concept homes that set new standards for accessible or universal design.

Both homes include Merillat cabinets designed for ease-of-use in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room. We installed adjustable height countertop surfaces that allow access to anyone, regardless of age, height or mobility. These include deep toekicks that better accommodate wheelchair access and height differences.

Pullout and rollout drawers and shelves eliminate the need for the homeowner to reach into the back of deep cabinets, while larger hardware made knobs and handles easier to grasp – important in designing for all needs. Our local dealer partner, Reico Kitchen & Bath, pitched in to install the cabinetry in the homes.

We’re always considering new ways to incorporate universal design, while increasing functionality and maintaining style. For more information, visit www.Merillat.com.

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How to Design a Cottage Kitchen

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 12/19/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

What makes cottage kitchens so charming? Is it the relaxed feel? The cozy sense of space? The invoked memories of cookies in the oven or a big pot of soup on the stove? Whatever it is, the cottage look never goes out of style, and it’s not as hard to achieve as you might think. Here are a few tips for getting the cottage kitchen look.

Go white.

Many, though certainly not all, cottage kitchens are built around white cabinets. White is traditional, looks fresh and clean, and gives you maximum flexibility for changing up accessories either seasonally or whenever the fancy strikes.

Details matter.

Plate racks, glass doors or open cabinets and shelves that show off bright dishes and heirloom treasures add color and a sense of history. Cabinets are often accented with corbels and crown molding, and hardware is more likely to be door pulls rather than knobs.

Gather around.

Even the tiniest cottage kitchens often have a breakfast nook or a couple of stools pulled up to an island or peninsula, because cottage style is all about welcoming friends and family.

Incorporate nature.

Because cottages are on the small side, cottage life often extends to the outdoors with patios and flower and vegetable gardens. Bring the outdoors in with fresh flowers, houseplants, dried herb bouquets or bowls of fruit.

Layer comfort.

Rag rugs or other floor coverings add color and warmth, as do curtains or Roman shades. Top chairs and barstools with cushions, and prop a pillow in the breakfast nook or windowseat.

 

That’s all it takes to start your cottage kitchen makeover! Leave a comment and let us know what you love about cottage style.

 

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Can I Buy Merillat Cabinets Online?

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 12/12/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

Good question! In fact, this is one of the most frequent questions we get asked. The short answer is “no” but the long (and more helpful) answer is “here’s why” and “what you can get online.” Here’s the scoop.

Merillat cabinetry is sold through a nationwide network of dedicated cabinetry professionals and builders. Among the factors critical to the success of a pleasing design and a flawless installation are proper measurements, detailed mechanical specifications, and construction know-how. That’s why we sell our cabinets through professionals who have the skills and tools to design, order and install cabinetry with the utmost of accuracy. They are dedicated to helping you find the right solution for your home, whether you are remodeling an entire kitchen or replacing a few parts.

So instead of selling cabinetry online, our website is dedicated to providing (free) product brochures you can download and planning tools and photo galleries that will get you thinking about what goes into a successful kitchen or bathroom remodel.

That said, we do sell a limited number of accessories online that you can use to retrofit your existing cabinetry. Our drawer organizer kit, cutting board kit, spice tray insert, Lazy Susan revolving shelf kit, vanity hamper rollout, touch-up kits, and hardware are among the items available in the Shop section of our website.

For the rest, we encourage you to use our handy Find a Dealer tool to contact a skilled professional. Thanks for asking, and keep sending the great questions our way!

 

 

 

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6 Steps to Planning a New Bathroom

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 12/05/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

Designing a bathroom is a fun challenge. Most of us have a few ideas about what we’d like, but we’re not sure how to get started. To help you find your way, we broke down the process into six steps.

Merillat's Step-By-Step Bathroom Planner

Step 1: Setting initial parameters

Is this your master bathroom, shared hallway bathroom, guest bath or powder room? How many people will use this bathroom every day? Will you be bathing children or washing the dog, for example?

Step 2: Finding your inspiration

Is your design style more contemporary or traditional? Look at online photo galleries, visit your favorite design blogs, and save magazine articles with ideas you like. These will help you make decisions as you continue through the planning process.

Step 3: Choosing your vanity

The bathroom vanity and mirror or medicine cabinet are central to the layout and design, so you’ll want to decide how deep your vanity should be and if you need room for two sinks. Maybe think outside the box a bit, too. Floating vanity cabinets and vessel sinks (the bowl-shaped kind that sit on the vanity top) are growing in popularity.

Step 4: Selecting storage and accessories

Do you want a rollout wastebasket or laundry hamper built in to your vanity? How about drawer dividers or towel cubbies? Will you want or need a cabinet above the toilet? This is your opportunity to organize all your daily necessities for the most convenient access.

Step 5: Planning your layout

Take basic measurements of the room and jot down your preferred placement of toilet, vanity, shower, etc. Will you be making major structural changes, moving plumbing or electrical lines or just replacing fixtures?

Step 6: Adding your finishing touches

What paint colors do you love? What flooring material will look and work best in your space? Think about crown molding, corbels and other accents that can really bring a room together.

These steps will get you started designing a new bathroom. But for more assistance, try our Step-by-Step Bathroom Planner. This online tool will walk you through these details and more, and when you’re finished you’ll have a mood board you can email or print. Enjoy!

 

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How to Design a White Kitchen

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 11/28/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

White kitchens are popular again, and why not? They look fresh and are easy to keep clean. They’re the perfect backdrop for colorful dinnerware or linens. And they’re easy to update anytime a new decorating idea takes your fancy.

The key to keeping a white kitchen vibrant and not boring is to pay attention to texture and color variation in your design. Here are a few tips:

1. White is a range, not a color.

There are hundreds of shades of white, from cool to warm. Don’t go for the exact same white on your walls, cabinets, and ceiling. Instead, select coordinating whites for added depth.

2. Focus on texture.

If your cabinets have a smooth finish, use a rustic white tile for the backsplash. If your white cabinets have more of a vintage look, play them up with sleek subway tiles. Many of Merillat’s door styles are available in Dove White and Vintage Dove White finishes, both of which are perfect for an all-white kitchen.

3. Warm it up.

Warm up all that white with a ceramic tile floor in gray, or tiles that mimic wood flooring (real wood is not recommended for kitchens and bathrooms because of the potential for water damage). Hang wooden or bamboo blinds or shades. Install a pair of floating shelves or an island end cap in a contrasting wood finish.

4. Bring in spot color.

Add pops of color with a stand mixer, vibrant cachepots with kitchen implements, window valances, rugs, dishtowels and art. Pile a bowl with apples or other seasonal fruit as a centerpiece for your island or peninsula. Put a colorful collection of dishes on display in a plate rack or cabinets with glass inserts.

Visit a certified kitchen designer to get more ideas for how to build or remodel a beautiful white kitchen!

 

 

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Kitchen Island or Peninsula? How to Choose

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 11/21/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

When it comes to kitchen planning and design, a big question is whether you want to include an island or peninsula. An island or peninsula can dramatically increase the storage space and work surface in your kitchen, but it also takes up some of the available square footage. So how do you decide what’s best for your new kitchen?

1. Understand the differences between an island and a peninsula.

An island is a freestanding workspace that is not connected to a wall, and usually sits near the center of the space. It breaks up a kitchen into work zones and offers storage, extra countertop space, and a cozy place to gather around the cook. A peninsula offers the versatility and space management of an island, but takes up less floor space because it is connected to a wall at one end.

Both islands and peninsulas can be large scale or small scale, can be installed with sinks and cooktops, and can be used for everything from rolling out pie crust and peeling vegetables to paying bills and eating breakfast.

2. Use online planning tools to visualize your options.

Merillat offers a number of planning tools designed to help you design your space. Our Work Triangle and Kitchen Layouts pages will help you think through your potential layout options in relation to the cooking, cleaning and food storage “work triangle.”  Our Island and Peninsula section includes inspirational photos showing variations on size, design style, and storage options. Our Start Your Floor Plan tool creates a sketch of your dimensions and layout that you can print. And our Step-by-Step Kitchen Planner saves all your favorite door styles and hardware, plus your input about your cooking style, whether you have pets in the kitchen and more, so you can print out a scrapbook of preferences and favorites to take to a designer.

3. Consult with a certified kitchen designer.

After you have done the research above, set up a consultation with a certified kitchen designer who can walk you through the decision process. A designer has the training to help you measure your space, make recommendations based on desires and your square footage, and help you design a space that’s both beautiful and functional.

Leave a comment and let us know if you found these tools useful in planning your dream kitchen!

 

 

 

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5 Ways to Create a Welcoming Guest Bathroom

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 11/14/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

Are you expecting guests over the holidays? Whether they spend a week or just a day, make them feel welcome by taking a few minutes to spruce up your guest bathroom. Clean the room thoroughly, and then incorporate a few of these ideas.

1. Set out a stack of fluffy towels on the bathroom vanity or elsewhere in a basket. Top it with a package of monogrammed hand soaps tied with ribbon and a tag that says, “Welcome!”

2. Be sure your guests have a hook or two to hang towels, robes or pajamas. If your guest bathroom doesn’t have enough hooks or towel bars, temporary hooks can be applied to walls or doors without damaging paint.

3. Create an attractive place for storing extra toilet paper where it will be visible to guests, like a basket on the toilet tank. Or stock up the vanity cabinet and let your guests know where to find it so they don’t have to ask you later. Include a box of tissues, too.

4. Place a pump of hand lotion next to the sink. A light scent is nice, but consider that your guest may have a fragrance allergy so avoid anything too strong.

5. Leave a new toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste, and a small bottle of mouthwash inside the medicine cabinet, with a note that reads, “Help yourself!”

Your guests are so sure to feel welcome, they might even clean the bathroom before they leave!

 

 

 

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6 Steps for Organizing Your Pantry for the Holidays

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 11/08/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

6 Steps for Organizing Your Pantry for the Holidays

Turkey. Cornbread stuffing. Pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving will soon be upon us, ushering in the holiday cooking season. Which means that now is the time to get your kitchen—and especially your pantry—organized! An hour spent before the cooking flurry begins will save you many more in the weeks ahead. Follow these steps for a clean and well-organized pantry.

  1. Clear the countertop closest to your pantry area of any small appliances or other items.
  2. Remove the contents of your pantry cabinets and stack everything on the countertop.
  3. Gently wipe down the cabinet doors first and then the insides of the cabinets. Use a damp cloth with mild soap or a cleaning product designed for wood furniture. Dry with a clean towel or rag. (See a previous blog post for more information about how to clean your Merillat cabinets.)
  4. Reorganize the space by thinking about how often you reach for each item. Designate one area or shelf for baking supplies and another for soups and vegetables. A corner cabinet with Lazy Susan may be a good place for cereal and breakfast items. If space is at a premium, install a spice rack on the inside of a door. Group together any items you use only for holidays, like Christmas cookie sprinkles or cupcake liners.
  5. Assess each pantry staple as you move it to its new home. Check expiration dates on spices and canned goods and toss anything old. Empty any half-full bags of pasta or flour into a canister to consolidate space and to keep them from spilling.
  6. Make a shopping list of any supplies that are low or out, especially those items you’ll need for your holiday recipes. Be sure to leave room for these items in your newly organized pantry so they can be put away as soon as you return from shopping.

All that’s left to do is wipe down the countertop and take out the garbage. Your pantry is ready to tackle any cooking the holidays bring!

Just for fun: what’s an item found in your pantry only during the holidays? Leave a comment and let us know.

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Expand Your Design Possibilities and Meet Today’s Trends with Merillat Masterpiece®

Posted by: Paul Radoy - Senior Designer on 09/16/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

We are excited to announce the expansion of Merillat Masterpiece®, our premier line of semi-custom cabinetry, giving homeowners new design possibilities to create intelligently beautiful kitchens. Introducing four new door styles, 24 new finish, paint and glaze options, and even more new accessories and hardware options to make your kitchen a masterpiece!

We have taken the latest styles and trends and put a Merillat twist on them.  Our new door styles reflect the emerging design trends toward Heritage, Modern Farmhouse and Soft Modern decorating styles. These three trends come to life in the Merillat Masterpiece line and are customizable to fit every homeowner’s needs.

Merillat Masterpiece® Temora™ door style with a Cherry Kaffe finish.

Heritage

A Heritage style home is one where homeowners enjoy the finer things in life and might choose to entertain guests with fine food and wine. Embellished with details, the home is classically elegant and tailored. Heritage door styles commonly have heavy frames and molding, mitered corners and raised panels that can be accentuated with a luxurious glaze and other finishes to create a traditional, high-end look

Perfect for a Heritage style home, the new Merillat MasterpieceTemora™ door style offers a “flat edge” on the stiles and rails.  Notice the clean and elegant lines here that give this traditional look a modern twist.

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Merillat® Cabinetry Lends a Helping Hand

Posted by: Merillat Marketing on 09/09/2011 | Permalinks | Trackbacks

By Charlie Fiedler – Merillat Sales Account Manager

I was recently honored to work on a very special project with Midwest Living magazine along with one of our dealers, Sunderland Brothers Company; a project that will benefit hundreds of families in need each year.

L to R: Doug Year (Sunderland Brothers), Ronald McDonald, Charlie Fiedler (Merillat Account Manager), Ron Bauer (Sunderland Brothers) and Joe Williams (Williams Remodeling) celebrate the grand opening of the Midwest Living Idea Home at the Ronald McDonald House.

As a sponsor of the 2011-2012 Midwest Living Idea Home, Merillat cabinetry provided cabinetry for the complete renovation of the Ronald McDonald House Charities® Des Moines, Iowa home.

For Merillat cabinetry this was a perfect fit.  Why? Merillat strives to make life in the kitchen easier; and if we can in anyway make life easier for these families, we consider that a privilege.

I attended the unveiling of the project at an Open House party in late August. The party was open to sponsors and local residents, and included a ribbon cutting ceremony and a tour of the completed home.

During the tour, one thing was clear, the room designs were inspired by the families living there; especially the rooms with Merillat cabinets including the media room, library, bathrooms, and of course the kitchen.

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