What’s Your Flavor?

Of course we are a custom woodworking company and we love designing and building anything wood, but kitchens are a favorite. The kitchen truly is the heart of a home and creating high functioning, beautiful kitchen cabinets is a real treat.

We have seen a lot of lovely kitchens over the years (and some pretty awful “before” kitchens too). Since wood is our area of expertise, we can gladly assist in the selection of species, stain color, and hardware selection. We know how to achieve certain looks and we know how to make a kitchen all it can be.

Once the bones are there – the important stuff like storage and workflow handled – it is time to add your personality to the space. If you aren’t overly concerned with resale and plan to be in your home for years to come, this is the time to have some fun. We are commonly asked for input on countertops and backsplashes. Two items that can really pull a kitchen together.

While granite has recently lost some of its must-have appeal, it is hard to think a natural solid surface will ever truly go out of style. Our advice is typically to make your selection based on how you use your kitchen. If you’re someone who loves to bake your needs will be different from someone who only microwaves. There are several high quality solid surface choices these days, so look for a surface that best meets your needs. As for color…well neutral sounds boring, but it doesn’t have to be. Quality countertops are an investment, so avoid trendy colors.

The backsplash is where you can have a little more freedom in our opinion. Again, if you’re staying put in your home, have some fun in this area. If you have always wanted a red backsplash go for it. This area is not one you want to re-do on a regular basis, but if the time came to change it up it isn’t the worst project around.

Houzz has a quiz to help you determine which material is right for you. Take the quiz to see what it suggests. Take the quiz here.

It can be a fantastic project to tackle yourself. If you’re considering a tile backsplash visit a Tile Shop location. They have tons of tile choices and vignettes to check out. They also offer a useful class for people interested in doing their own tile project. Yes, there are countless YouTube videos on how-to tile and even good old-fashioned books on the subject, but it is nice be able to ask questions and get real advice.

Warning: tile showrooms are known to cause confusion. The variety of choices may overwhelm you, so it may be helpful to look at some magazines or pictures on Houzz beforehand to see what you gravitate to. It is a bit like picking a flavor of ice cream at the ice cream shop. The most popular flavor of ice cream is vanilla, so you may end up with neutral – but we think it is good to branch out a bit…even if it is just to cookies and cream!

 Tile Shop classes

Grilling season has official begun. The internet is loaded with more recipes than one could ever hope to try. Pinterest is the perfect place to find some grilling inspiration…and waste a couple of hours. We love to grill and don’t let the snow or the mosquitos keep us from cooking outdoors. One of my least favorite household chores is cleaning the grill. I use the nifty ammonia in garbage bag method, which does work, but still it is a task I’d rather skip.

Nonetheless, this past weekend I cleaned our grill as part of my spring cleaning ritual. With the season of goo removed I feel motivated to keep it clean and cook some fantastic stuff on it at the same time. Enter in Pinterest. Two pins I’m going to try: while the grill is warming up, but not yet hot run a sliced onion across the grates. Apparently, people have been doing this forever and it works to keep food from sticking. Another pin with the same goal is a rag soaked in olive oil and stored in a baggie in the freezer, run the rag over the grates prior to placing food on. Both tips are simple and got favorable feedback.

I’m always on the lookout for simple ideas that make cooking easier and food tastier. A few other grilling hacks caught my eye. We love kabobs at our house, but it never occurred to me to double skewer the food to stop it from spinning. Seriously, such a simple solution. How about using a small cooler as a warmer to store cooked corn on the cob or baked potatoes until it is supper time. Huh, why have I not been doing this?

Last time I looked lemons are cheaper and tastier than cedar planks, so why not grill fish on top of sliced lemons. Yum. Maybe hot dogs are more your thing, take 30 seconds to spiral cut the hot dogs. Not only will they look fancier, they will provide more caramelized crunch – which is of course the best part.

When most people think cooking on the grill, meat is what comes to mind. Grill up some veggies and save yourself the trips in and out of the house while cooking. We like to cook up cubed potatoes, sliced carrots, and onions with olive oil and seasons wrapped in foil. Easy and tasty. Many veggies grill up nicely with some olive oil, but if you’re looking for something a little more out of the ordinary try wrapping asparagus in bacon. So good.

Dessert is often overlooked on the grill, but it really shouldn’t be. Few things better than grilled pineapple, but don’t stop there. Cut up some bananas and strawberries, mix together with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips, scoop into waffle cones, wrap in aluminum foil, and grill until melty. It won’t take long for this cone of goodness to become your favorite campfire treat.

Hopefully you are motivated to try something new on the grill – even if you have to clean it first!

Here are a couple of links to websites with more tips:

http://www.people.com/people/greatideas/gallery/0,,20839733_30193816,00.html

http://food-hacks.wonderhowto.com/how-to/14-food-hacks-you-need-know-for-grilling-season-0156039/

Reclaimed wood is quite popular these days. The trend of repurposing items is a great way to go green and add character to your home at the same time.

During the recent Parade of Homes the Dream Home in Stillwater was a prime example. This home showcased reclaimed wood in several places. The kitchen’s large center island was covered with reclaimed wood, but reclaimed wood was found in several other places as well.

The kitchen’s cabinetry was white with the exception of the island, which was a weathered grey. The island not only contrasted in color, but also texture. The reclaimed wood was much rougher than typical cabinetry. Similar wood was used as the ceiling finish in several rooms and on the walls of the stairway. The lower level bar was entirely rustic in a much darker reclaimed wood.

It is hard to match the warmth and character that old wood provides. If you’re interested in adding some vintage character to your next project there are a couple businesses around town that specialize in reclaimed wood. In the case of the Stillwater Dream Home the wood came from Manomin Resawn Timbers in Hugo. (http://www.mrtimbers.com) Minnesota Barnwood in Lonsdale is another great resource. They have an impressive collection of barn wood. Both places offer it in timber, siding, and board form.

Minnesota Barnwood  (http://www.minnesotabarnwood.com) is deceiving at first, it looks like a little place that couldn’t possible sell large lumber. However, they have a large selection that is very organized. You can look for a certain color or wood species. Say you are looking for white barn wood and don’t see any, they will check to see if they have a barn take down on the schedule. Often they can tell you when they will have what you’re looking for. They can also tell you where the wood came from. It is fun to have the look and know at least a bit about where it came from.

If this look is what you love, their websites are good places to browse. In addition, Houzz, Pinterest, and Etsy all have an abundance of ideas for reclaimed wood. Prepare to fall in love and feel overwhelmed! Save photos of what you like best. As always we encourage our customers to get what they really want. It is your home and we are custom woodworkers. We enjoy incorporating unique requests and materials into projects. So if this is a look that you love let us help you bring it to life.

Reclaimed wood can be used for cabinetry, paneling, and ceilings as mentioned, but it can also be used to create custom furniture. Reclaimed timbers can make great mantels. This more rustic look has long been popular in cabins and lake homes, but if it is the look you love why not enjoy it every day? The use of reclaimed wood instantly adds personality and warmth, but it also is a responsible choice. This wood may have already been of service for over a hundred years and now can be given new purpose in your home.

Plants for Pollinators

It is finally getting to be the time of year when Minnesotans head out outside. For some that means working in the garden, some it means planting or buying flower plants to enjoy during the warmer months. Most of us it seems, make some connection with growing things over the summer. If we don’t personally partake in growing fruits and veggies we likely visit a farmers market or get a tomato or two from a neighbor.

It is easy to lose touch with the basics of the growing process and the critical role that bees play in pollinating. Without that, our food system faces collapse as we know it. If you and your kids haven’t watched The Bee Movie, you really should. It makes the process relatable and teaches the importance of bees.

Consider growing plants that will attract pollinators. There are some flowering plants that bees love.

This isn’t a sacrifice, these plants are colorful and attractive. Think snapdragons, sunflowers, lobelia, and more! For a helpful list visit The University of Minnesota’s Bee Lab.

http://www.beelab.umn.edu/prod/groups/cfans/@pub/@cfans/@bees/documents/article/cfans_article_451478.pdf

Being mindful of your use of pesticides and planting with bees in mind are just a couple of things you can do. Last April Rhonda Hayes of the Star Tribune posted this list of things we can all do to help the bee population.

Bee Friendly Practices

1. Use native plants in your landscape.

2. Tolerate dandelions, creeping Charlie and other helpful weeds.

3. Plant an herb garden and let a portion of it bloom.

4. Provide a safe water source.

5. Consider planting a bee lawn.

6. Leave some bare soil and garden debris in your yard.

7. Support local beekeepers/buy local honey.

8. Avoid pesticides/apply responsibly only when absolutely needed.

Visit a local garden center for more tips. They can help you select plants that will provide the needed pollen and nectar to bees. They can also help to select plants that will help butterflies, who are also in need of habitat. Perhaps surprisingly, bees and butterflies do have some different needs when it comes to flowers.

Both will result in a yard full of color and activity. As the bees buzz and butterflies flutter about know you have played a part in a much larger initiative. Happy gardening!