No matter which wood type you choose for your new cabinetry, please keep in mind that no two pieces of wood are exactly the same. Stains are likely to exaggerate the difference between open and closed grains and other markings in wood. Grain variation and color change should be expected. As hardwood ages, it will darken when exposed to different types of light. Color differences or changes in wood can also be caused by exposure to harsh chemicals, extreme heat, or other contributing external conditions. Additionally, wood species exhibit other defining characteristics, such as mineral deposits/streaks, knots, sap runs, pin holes and wormholes. These markings make the wood unique and contribute to its beauty.
Common Natural Characteristics:
Bird Pecks – Small marks in the grain pattern caused by pecking birds
Burl – A swirl or twist in the grain of the wood that does not contain a knot
Sound Knot – A knot solid across its face, which shows no indication of decay
Unsound Knot – A circular area that once formed the base of a branch or twig and has a pith center
Wormholes – Holes in the wood ranging in size to 1/16″
Sugar Tracks – Yellowish to dark brownish streaks that run throughout part
Mineral Streaks – Streaks of color ranging from olive to blackish-brown typically following grain pattern
Gum Streaks – Mineral-like streaks of color naturally occurring only in cherry
Heartwood – The mature, usually darker wood, extending from the sapwood to the pith
Sapwood – Lighter colored parts that grow from inside the bark to the heartwood
ALDER: Rustic alder can range from very rustic (heartwood, streaks, pin holes, open knots) to quite clear and unmarked. The color ranges from pale red to reddish brown. A softer wood than maple or cherry, alder offers a stable surface for finishes and stains.
CHERRY: Cherry ranges from tan blonde to deep brown and darkens naturally as it ages, blending hues from golden yellow to deep red. Cherry adds elegance to any décor and can be taken back in history or forward in fashion.
MAPLE: Full of character, maple works well in many styles and finishes. It ranges from creamy white to pale reddish brown and has a subtle grain pattern and smooth, uniform appearance. It may include tiny “bird’s eye” dots and mineral streaks.
OAK: Oak has a very strong, open-grain pattern and tawny patina, from salmon red to dark cinnamon. It may include random worm holes, mineral deposits, knots and wild-grain patterns. Oak is a durable hardwood suited to traditional, casual or rustic looks.
BIRCH: Birch is an even-textured, fine-grained wood with a curly or wavy pattern. Birch is strong and has a high resistance to abrasion. It has a smooth, dense surface texture and a tight wood grain appearance.
HICKORY: Hickory is a smooth, extremely strong, close-grained wood with a flowing grain pattern. Characteristics often include pecks, mineral streaks and burls. Hickory’s even texture welcomes a full range of finishes with ease. This wood species has a dramatic, rugged appearance with drastic changes from light to dark in wood grain.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PAINT: Paint will develop hairline cracks in the finish, most notably around the joints. This is a result of natural expansion and contraction of the genuine hardwoods used in the manufacturing of your cabinetry. Hairline cracks are not considered a defect in the cabinetry or finish and will not be considered a reason for product replacement.
Mack Thorpe
Mack Thorpe, Service & Scheduling was born in Virginia and moved to Colorado in 1998 at a young age and has been here ever since.
He has several years of experience in customer service and account management and currently helps schedule all deliveries, installs and service for Brooks Brothers.
In his spare time, Mack loves being outdoors and soaking up the sunshine whenever he can.
Noel Armstrong
Noel Armstrong, Shop Foreman is originally from Honolulu, HI. He made his way to Colorado Springs in 2016, via Seattle and New York.
Noel started as an install apprentice in 1998. He has spent multiple years as a lead installer, project manager, engineer, shop supervisor and foreman.
Noel is proud husband to Susan Armstrong, father / stepfather to five, and pop-pop (grandfather) to two. Noel is also proud father to two little rescue pups, Molly (dachshund) and Tater (Jack Russell). Noel likes cruising Alaska, the Gulf and the Caribbean on vacations.
Saw this recent article on Houzz, and thought it was worth sharing. Enjoy!
The kitchen is the most popular room of the home to renovate, according to Houzz research, and those who choose to remodel the heart of their home have some definite preferences. After all, the No. 1 reason they choose to renovate this area is no longer being able to stand the old kitchen — can anyone out there relate?
The 2017 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, from a research team led by Nino Sitchinava, Houzz’s principal economist, reveals that homeowners updating their kitchens prioritize changing out countertops, backsplashes and sinks. A majority of kitchen renovators are also choosing a more open feel for this room.
The study surveyed more than 2,700 Houzz users in the U.S. who own homes and are in the midst of a kitchen renovation, have recently completed one or are planning one in the next three months. Read on to learn what people are doing with these important rooms.
Owner Bryan Brooks talks about when it’s time to consider a kitchen remodel and where to start on KKTV’s Moms Everyday:
Looking for ways to streamline and organize your day-to-day? Let’s start with your closet. With just a few alterations to your existing space, you can transform your closet into a beautiful, functional area. Designer and Owner Bryan Brooks discusses some of the ways you can organize and refresh this area of your home to maximize impact.
“When designing a closet, the first thing that needs to be addressed is what’s going in it? Get an inventory of what you already have. That’s a really good place to start. A good depth for hanging is 14”. This leaves enough room for the pole without the clothes hitting the back wall and allows for 24” of space. Some accessories that I traditionally put in a closet are: drawers of various sizes, a hamper, a mirror, a valet rod, a tie rack, a belt organizer and a jewelry tray with a lock. With larger closets, an island is a really nice addition with a place to sit and put on your shoes.”
Share your needs with your designer and we’ll translate them into a personalized solution.
The 2016 PARADE OF HOMES kicks off August 3rd and runs through August 21st.
This year, Brooks Brothers Cabinetry has four homes in the parade. Come out and see us!
The kitchen is an area of the home where we all tend to gravitate and should reflect your family’s personal style. Selecting door styles, finishes and working with your designer to craft the perfect design is an important step toward realizing your ideal space. Being conscious of industry trends is a safe way to add personal flavor while maintaining style longevity.
Designer Jen Casey pinpoints some of the stronger trends she’s seeing for 2016:
“People want increased functionality in their cabinets. This can come in the form of accessories and inserts or technology. I’m getting requests for hook ups in the cabinetry for a notebook or I-pad to view recipes or seeing requests for building a television right into the countertop that can be raised and lowered. I’ve noticed that the color palettes are pretty neutral and that whites and grays have maintained their popularity. Door style preferences are trending toward slab or shaker styles as opposed to decorative raised panel and the more ornate designs.”
Have a question you’d like answered by a member of our design team? Send us a message via our Facebook page and we’ll post the question and answer in our next “Ask a Designer” post!
Moving forward with a kitchen remodel can be a busy, exciting time. The realization that you may be living without a kitchen for weeks however, can quickly turn that excitement into dread without some preparation.
To keep you sane and get your through the construction phase, create a makeshift kitchen in advance of the project launch.
Designate a dust-free space as the temporary kitchen
Equip it with a microwave, coffeemaker, toaster oven and refrigerator (mini or full-size.)
For meal prep use a smaller, portable table.
Use paper plates and cups to minimize dishes and clean up.
If you do have to wash dishes, designate a space or ask the contractor to setup temporary plumbing and a utility sink.
Cook meals on a grill outdoors if weather allows.
Have lots of non-perishable snacks on hand.
Chances are you’ve been thinking about this for a long time so don’t allow poor planning to sap your joy! Your dream kitchen is right around the corner.
Spring is a time of renewal… a time for dusting off the ‘old’ and ushering in the ‘new.’ A time for breaking out the shorts and blasting those pasty whites with some much needed sunshine!
If it’s also a time you find yourself considering a bathroom remodel, here’s a great article on Houzz that breaks down what to expect and what to budget for:
If you don’t know where to start when it comes to selecting a G.C. ask your designer! We all have contractors we’ve been working with for years with proven track records. If you’d rather forge out on your own consider the following while going through the vetting process:
Look for someone who is well established in the community and has been around for a long time.
Look for their BBB rating and someone who can provide references…then CHECK THOSE REFERENCES!
Look at their portfolio or website to see a gallery of their work.
Make sure you’re dealing with someone who can handle the scope of work you’re looking for. You want your G.C. to handle ALL aspects of the job and not leave you having to hire or manage some of the other sub trades.
Do your homework and ask a lot of questions. There are a ton of resources available, ensuring you walk into that initial meeting confident and secure in your choice.
Have a question you’d like answered by a member of our design team? Send us a message via our Facebook page and we’ll post the question and answer in our next “Ask a Designer” post!
After starting a remodel and finding it difficult to communicate their vision and locate professionals, a couple based out of CA started ‘Houzz.’ Houzz connects homeowners to local professionals for various home projects. It’s also pretty addictive due to the MILLIONS of photographs of home projects from all over the world!
If you find yourself at the mercy of parameters for a smaller space in your home, don’t despair!
To maximize the appearance of areas like smaller kitchens and bathrooms, consider installing lighter cabinetry that can make the room appear larger.
Glass front door styles can also assist by giving the appearance of additional depth.
Optimize the height you have available and consider floating shelving.
Have a question you’d like answered by a member of our design team? Send us a message via our Facebook page and we’ll post the question and answer in our next “Ask a Designer” post!
Mack Thorpe, Service & Scheduling was born in Virginia and moved to Colorado in 1998 at a young age and has been here ever since.
Noel Armstrong, Shop Foreman is originally from Honolulu, HI. He made his way to Colorado Springs in 2016, via Seattle and New York.
