We all love outdoor spaces during a Cape Cod summer. Often when we replace dilapidated cottages with new homes on small lots, outdoor entertaining space can shrink a bit. Making the most of limited space for casual dining and relaxing is very important to many of our Customers. We have developed special treatments and creative ways to maximize a back or side yard, providing a quiet space with shade and “elbow room”.

Here’s a great article on creating really livable spaces in tight quarters. Some inventive ideas for creating an age old desire: space to relax.

Optimize your small outdoor space on Cape Cod

Optimize your small outdoor space on Cape Cod

Many of our projects begin to come to life this time of year. Most of our Customers want to use their Cape Cod homes as sum retreats, so we have them built, ready and clean before the Memorial Day weekend. Here’s some video I took this morning of one of the Custom Homes we are building on Cape Cod. This one has a spectacular kitchen with a million-dollar view of Cape Cod Bay.

Check out the video:

REEF built home overlooking Cape Cod Bay

REEF built home overlooking Cape Cod Bay

Which kitchen design works best for your Cape Cod home? Here are the 2013 Finalists, and you can vote for your favorite!

Bright and white? Warm and cozy? Open and airy? Perhaps a grand space to entertain all your friends. Whatever your idea of the best possible kitchen space, REEF can build it. Here are some great ideas to get your creative juices flowing.  

Kitchen Design Finalists for 2013

The kitchen is the heart of your Cape Cod home, and even though it may be your Cape Escape cottage, it’s our job to ensure that your home design has access to the latest and greatest. Each year, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) surveys its members to identify the latest design and specification trends in kitchen and bath design. This year, more than 300 NKBA member-designers participated in the 2013 NKBA Design Trends Survey, reporting the materials, product types, and styles that they specified in their kitchen and bath designs over the final three months of 2012. New products - like this touch-activated faucet - new ideas, great reading!

2013 Kitchen Design Trends

“The party’s in the kitchen.” It seems the kitchen is where we frequently end up with friends. It’s our favorite place, near the food, full of comfort, and relaxed. Collectively people spend much of their time in the kitchen, which is why we put so much effort into making sure it’s just right for our customers. We’re constantly looking for new ideas. Here’s a bunch of different treatments and ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Ideas like these are great to have on hand when you’re thinking about your new space. Frequently our customers will bring in lots of photos, articles and ideas, for us to include in their Cape Cod kitchen design. Enjoy! 

25Wonderful Kitchen Design Ideas

The kitchen island is the focal point of any home design, combing functionality for cooking and food preparation, with the style and taste of the homeowner.  A Kitchen Island is a great way to express your style, and could be considered a more a piece of furniture than a conglomeration of cabinets.  When designing your Cape Cod kitchen, take the time to look at all of your options, from size, style, lighting, countertops etc. In many of our Cape Cod Homes, we have sen trends towards a kitchen island that is a different color or style than the rest of the cabinetry. If you are planning to Remodel, Renovate, or Build a Custom Home on Cape Cod, a stunning kitchen island is definitely something to consider.  To see how REEF can help you design your next project, please CONTACT US today.

Here is an article from Decoist.com with some ideas that just might inspre you: Kitchen Island

   Today, when people think of countertops for their New Kitchen or Bathroom project, they think of Granite, Corian, or other solid surfaces.  Formica and other laminates are really a thing of the past, and the variety of styles, colors, and options available with solid surfaces provide unlimited potential.  So what are the next trends in countertops? How about things like recycled glass, reclaimed wood, stainless steel or even pewter.  Freshome.com has put together a top 10 list of the latest and greatest countertop materials that you might want to consider for your New Home, Renovation, or Remodeling project.  Click Here:  10 Hottest Countertop Trends

    Every year, kitchen design trends change and new and fresh ideas are presented. We found this great gallery of inspiring kitchen ideas from Housebeautiful.com that covers everything from Colors, to Cabinets, to Kitchen Appliances.   If you are thinking of Building or Remodeling your Cape Cod Home, keep these ideas in mind!

http://www.housebeautiful.com/kitchens/tips/design-your-dream-kitchen-0511#/category1

   As a Custom Home Designer,  Builder, and Remodeling Contractor on Cape Cod, REEF is always watching trends in design and finishes. We came across this report from the National Kitchen and Bath Association about the top 5 trends in kitchens for 2012.  The NKBA surveyed 350 of its members about these trends and they came up with some interesting information.  From Kitchen Cabinet Styles, to Backsplashes, to Faucets, this article provides some insight into the current trends in kitchen design.

Here is the full article:http://www.housingzone.com/design/5-kitchen-design-trends-2012

Top Five Cape Cod Kitchen Renovation Must-Haves

If you have a kitchen remodeling project in your future and are looking to get the most out of your new space..., we have five features you won’t want to exclude from your home renovation. Compiled by a team of expert home remodeling contractors in Raleigh, NC, our Top Five list is sure to send chefs of all abilities into a joyous tizzy thinking about these sizzling kitchen remodeling must-haves.

Must-Have #5 – Undercounter Sink

A kitchen remodeling upgrade that has come to be expected with most home remodeling projects these days.  Undercounter sinks come standard with most natrual stone (granite) and engineered stome (quartz)countertops.  Though integrated sinks in solid surface products like Corian and cultured marble are used often, they don't hold quite the same interest with buyers when it comes to a remodeling upgrade.

Kitchen Remodeling Must-Have #4 – French Door Refrigerator

Appliances always compete with upgraded countertops, as the most appealing part of a kitchen remodeling project, and of course, the refrigerator is the King Pin. As the appliance that will be used the most frequently and by the most people, the refrigerator must be functional and flawless to win your renovation a home remodeling award. A fridge can easily lure or deter potential buyers, and something about seeing those shiny side-by-side handles covering an expansive and easy-to-access chiller seems to call for extra dollars from buyers. A home improvement upgrade that doesn’t even need a kitchen renovation project to be implemented, French Door refrigerators are an easy and must-have upgrade that simply cannot be excluded if you are undertaking a kitchen remodel.

Kitchen Remodeling Must-Have #3 – Custom Tile Backsplash
Whether it’s natural stone, colorful or decorative patterns, your kitchen backsplash is a blank canvas that offers an opportunity for you to flex your artistic muscles and bring color, life and remodeling design to your space. Don’t let the opportunity to introduce interest to your kitchen remodeling project pass you by by overlooking your backsplash; instead, get creative and bring life to the most functional space in the house! Showing attention to this artful area will grab buyers’ interest and is sure to wow your guests…and you won’t get the most out of your kitchen remodeling project from buyers if you exclude an upgraded tile backsplash from your list.
 

 Kitchen Remodeling Must-Have #2 – A Free-Standing Island

Adding a free-standing island not only brings functional work and eating space to your project; it also means you’ve got a roomy kitchen that can accommodate a large fixture, which is a second great reason for potential buyers to love your kitchen. If you’ve ever turned on HGTV and watched shows featuring the best of kitchen remodeling projects, you’re sure to notice the award-winning remodels all include free standing islands (complete with pendant lighting & often a built-in cooktop…see above and note how our list has come full circle). It will offer additional storage and workspace, give the kids a comfortable and casual spot to pull up and enjoy their snacks, and help define your kitchen area if you’re lucky enough to have an open floor plan.

Kitchen Remodeling  Must-Have #1 – Quartz Countertops
Natural Stone Countertops are a popular choice of material when remodeling. Now, the latest and definitely greatest product on the market is engineered Quartz, which incorporates natural material with manmade products and results in the strongest and most durable countertop material on the market. With more variation in a slab than Corian but less than most granite products, engineered Quartz is a clean, contemporary and easy-to-look-at product that is winning over kitchen remodelers across the country. It is far less fragile than granite and won’t chip or fleck, and won’t scratch, stain or scar the way Corian or other solid surface countertops will. It’s practically indestructible and, for hearty cooks  everywhere, is the remodeling material of choice.

--Engaging our Services

adapted from GreyHouse Inc.  http://www.greyhouseinc.com/news/1/24/