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Working remotely is not a new concept, but recent events brought this option to the forefront of business solutions.  In the past the thought was to devote an entire space to the home office,   but advances in connectivity have streamlined the amount of space needed to work from home.  Whether you are working at home permanently or just as a temporary measure, we want to help boost your productivity and mood with some of our favorite tips.

Define Your Space

You can now achieve your home work space needs with more efficient options.  If noise control is needed for conference calls or concentration, then a place away from household activities will be essential.  But if you can take an occasional interruption, there are more opportunity to tuck a work space into an unused niche or repurpose the kitchen island.

Plato Woodwork, Inc Cabinetry – Design by Joyce Zuelke, ckd – Interior Designer Judy Bethel

Ergonomics

Maintain proper posture with a chair that is adjustable and comfortable.  Pay careful attention to the position of your head and sight-lines to the computer screen or work surface.  Keep  hands and wrists in alignment, your lumbar supported and maintain the ability to place your feet solidly on the floor.   When possible alternate between a seated and standing position with the aid of a standing desk converter.  Keep work tools within easy reach to avoid pulled muscles.

Lighting

Good lighting is a must and should be appropriate for your specific tasks.  If you are working with a computer screen a lower level of illumination is acceptable as long as your work surfaces are well lit.  Whenever possible incorporate natural daylight to keep your energy levels up throughout the day.

 

Multifunctional Magic

Shiloh Cabinetry – Designed by Joyce Zuelke, ckd

When you can incorporate a work zone into another home area there will be cost and space efficiencies.  Think in terms of a rec room or laundry room that can be claimed for work during the day, while transitioning into extra space off-hours for laundry, crafts or homework.

Custom Home by Lowell Custom Homes – Interior Design by Elizabeth Drake

 

Organization

Storage is essential to reduce mental and physical clutter.  If you are sharing your office space with other home activities, gain control with cabinet pull-outs, bins or portable trollies to organize everything you need for peace of mind.

 

Enjoy the Moment

 

Feel a sense of calm instead of isolation by personalizing your work space with pictures, art and humorous notes to remind yourself that you have a unique and fortunate opportunity.  Get up to walk around a bit throughout the day and schedule breaks that include lunch away from your computer and a call to a friend or co-worker.

Explore more of our beautifully designed cabinetry here!

And call us when you need inspiration for storage in every room of your home!

201 Geneva National Ave S

Lake Geneva, WI

262-245-9600

 

 

There are times when we are surprised by which photos go viral.  But not this year!  This crop of our most popular photos on Houzz are only predictable because they are such classic beauties!

We thank Houzz and congratulate our homeowners for having the good taste to make their kitchens or baths the envy of all.

Our projects are among the most popular saved as inspiration by 2.5 million members of the Houzz Community!  We are honored to receive this award that places us in the upper 3% of the professional work on Houzz.  And now, drum roll please . . .

This Luxury Bath is our #1 most popular photo for the year!

See more of our favorite bathrooms here.

 

A Crisp Blue and White Kitchen featuring Shiloh Cabinetry follows close behind!

See the full project here.

 

This kitchen is more popular after we updated it by installing a new generous island.

See more of our favorite kitchens here.

 

And a lovely kitchen collaboration with Lowell Custom Homes uses Plato Woodwork custom cabinetry.

See the details here.

 

This Refreshing Beverage Center takes a top spot.

See the full project here.

 

This Master Bath has double the pleasure and storage while featuring Shiloh Cabinetry.

See more of our lovely bath cabinetry here.

 

Here timeless traditions are beautifully expressed in this kitchen featuring Plato Prelude cabinetry

For more kitchen ideas follow this.

And the Lifetime Achievement Award goes to this kitchen that is on top of our most popular pictures year after year!

See the full kitchen here.

Join in on the fun on Houzz and create Ideabooks for your future home design inspiration.  Then take a minute to subscribe to our future blogs that will feature all of the latest trends and products for your kitchen and bath!

201 Geneva National Ave S

Lake Geneva, WI

262-245-9600

Survive the holidays by planning ahead and preparing your kitchen for the bashing it’s about to take! This doesn’t have to be painful, just follow along and start now!

 

Organize those spices, line up the labels and alphabetize if you must!   Just be sure you have a surplus of those often used holiday flavors  like cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.

 

Stock the pantry with ingredients for your favorite cooking and baking recipes.  When you have a large walk-in pantry you’ll have plenty of room for precious resources!

Take inventory of your cookware and bakeware to be sure you can accommodate new specialty recipes. We like to use a tall deep pantry cabinet for easy visibility and accessibility.

The same applies to serving pieces.  Gather your large platters into one location now so they are within reach when you’re ready to plate.

 

Be sure you small appliances are in working order, the slow cooker, blender, and mixers are all about to earn their cabinet position.

Make space in your refrigerator and freezer so you will have space to freeze cookies and pre-made dishes.

Plan for clean-up before the party starts with soaps, dishwasher detergent, disinfectants and extra towels.  Now may be the time to treat yourself to that special dishwasher, like the new Cove from SubZero that will clean and sanitize every plate in silence while your entertaining!

Plan your menu in advance to accommodate signature dishes with the most flattering serving pieces.

 

Happy Holiday Wishes

from all of us

at Geneva Cabinet Company!

Explore all of our ideas for organized storage right here!

Then stop in to our Lake Geneva showroom

to be inspired for every room in your home!

201 Geneva National Ave S

Lake Geneva, WI

262-245-9600

Featured Cabinetry is from Shiloh Cabinetry, Plato Woodwork, Inc & Medallion Cabinetry

Photography by Shanna Wolf/S.Photography and Styling

It’s a little luxury with a big pay off!  Beverage bars are a growing home trend that offers a stylish mix of character and convenience.   This element can be located anywhere in the home where a refreshing beverage is appreciated.  (For Beverage Protocol see Sheldon’s list from Big Bang)

Hot or not, a refreshing beverage is appropriate for everything from relaxation to celebration. What better way to accommodate than from a dedicated beverage bar.

The details of the design are entirely up to you.  Start with the thought of streamlining your daily routine and develop to suit your needs.  Here are a few of our favorite ideas!

Keep It Simple & Multipurpose

 

Elaborate with Specialized Refrigeration and Plenty of Storage

 

Place the Beverage Bar in an Active Area

 

. . . but Keep it Away from the Kitchen Traffic Pattern

 

Dedicate a Niche in the Dining Room

 

Add a Sink & Give the Butlers Pantry a New Purpose

Wrap it Around to Serve Morning Coffee or the Evening Wine Tasting

 

Tuck Away a Coffee Bar

Welcome Visitors in the Guest Room

And Don’t Forget the Kid’s Game Room

. . . or the Big Kid’s Game Room

For more of our favorite entertaining ideas click here!

Explore our beautifully designed cabinetry here!

And stop in to our Lake Geneva showroom

to be inspired for every room in your home!

201 Geneva National Ave S

Lake Geneva, WI

262-245-9600

Featured Cabinetry is from Shiloh Cabinetry, Plato Woodwork, Inc & Medallion Cabinetry

Photography by Shanna Wolf/S.Photography and Styling

Gone are the days when a 4″ x 4″ kitchen backsplash tile would dazzle your day.  The backsplash now plays a leading role in establishing the design aesthetic for your kitchen, and even your entire home.   Browse through our top trends and be inspired to make a personal backsplash style statement.

Solid Slab Backsplash

Solid slabs ooze luxury and are available at a variety of price points.   The Installation of these sometimes gigantic stone pieces is not for the faint-of-heart.  Watch this installation video to see how it’s done.

As you can see perfect measurements and strategic planning are a necessity, but the results are worth it!  The streamline simplicity of this look is enhanced when the countertops match.

slab book match marble

 

There is a natural elegance to this backsplash treatment that is appropriate for every area of the home.  Here it is used in a beverage bar adjacent to the great room.

 

On another installation the granite slabs actually glide to reveal secret storage beneath a flawless Raw Urth stainless steel hood.

1 backsplash ka sliding granite Raw Ruth brushed Stainless hood

 

Take It To The Ceiling

The unbroken vertical line of a full height backsplash will visually lift the ceiling and expand the entire space.

slab full height to ceiling Colorquartzs quartz Venatino CQolid surface

 

Similarly the full height backsplash as created with high gloss subway tile will brighten any room.

subway simplicity tiled to the ceiling

 

Pattern Play

Colorful patterned tile is another top trend.  This lively kitchen uses coral concrete tile as a beautiful way to infuse an otherwise neutral space with confident style.

Designed by Elizabeth Drake Interior Design and built by Lowell Custom Homes.

coral concrete tiles Kitchen island countertop Drake Interior Design Vicky photograph

 

We employ this technique again to make a statement on a backsplash in a kitchen designed with Plato Woodwork, Inc. Cabinetry.  View the full kitchen here to see how the customer’s  pottery collection inspired the design.

ceramic morocco style tile

Shimmer & Shine

Adding a reflective material to the backsplash area will reduce shadows and introduce a delightfully unexpected note.  Under cabinet lighting can be added to magnify the effect.

mirrored bar backsplash

 

iridescent glass backsplash tile

Shapely Patterns

Simplicity doesn’t mean boring, especially when you achieve it with the use of a lovely shaped tile.   Honeycomb, arabesques, and other hand cut shapes add interesting texture even when used in a neutral color palette.

shapely tile backsplash

shapely @artobrick Stone tile backsplash

shaped handmade tile

Classic Subway with New Point of View

Even with the many beautiful options for backsplash tile, subway remains a leader.  The 3 x 6 shape can be ceramic, porcelain or even a natural stone.  All of the varieties will create a classic and versatile look a variety of price points.

marble subway tile backsplash

In contrast to the standard installation pattern,  the other possibilities will help you customize this appealing look.

subway tile patterns

Laundry craft room potting sink STAINLESS STEEL BY ELKAY brick pattern subway tile

Material Mix Master

Blending different tile patterns can result in totally fresh statement.  Here the classic subway is enhanced with an insert of beautiful artisan tile.

 

Inserts of delicate stone mosaics create an interlacing border in a mesmerizing pattern.

Material mix backsplash design

 

And the selective placement of tile can designates various activity zones within the kitchen.

shape and subway tile mix

 

Make the ultimate statement in your kitchen with a backsplash, countertops and cabinetry that all present a unified design.  Our designers specialize in creative combinations and will customized one to your personal taste.  Learn more about the creative process and your kitchen design right here.

And learn about the options in countertop materials and how they perform here.

Photography by Shanna Wolf S Photography and Victoria McHugh

Explore our inspirational ideas here!

And stop in to our Lake Geneva showroom

to experience cabinetry design and ideas for every room in your home!

201 Geneva National Ave S

Lake Geneva, WI

262-245-9600

 

Inspiration is where it all begins.

The concept for this newly remodeled kitchen started with a stroll through our neighboring tile showroom.   Our customer fell in love with some lovely artisan tiles that complemented their extensive pottery collection.  From there a new kitchen was conceived!   This is often the case.   One exciting element becomes the starting point for an entirely new design.

Inspiration

 

Brainstorming to Develop a Concept

After initial inspiration, the process advanced by defining our homeowners needs.  Organizing all of the possibilities into a general concept  takes teamwork.  Our kitchen designer worked with the homeowner and her interior designer towards a common vision.  Creating a highly functional kitchen with a lighter and brighter aesthetic was a priority.   The cabinet plan and elevations below were developed to combine all of the best ideas for this active family.

Digging Into the Details

It is essential to edit down all of the options in order to stay on track with any design.  There are so many exciting products on the market, click here to see the many lines we carry.   It’s important to keep the final vision in mind.  Choose cabinets, hardware, countertops and appliances that flow smoothly into a cohesive design.  Just as important,  eliminate anything that doesn’t fit.

This kitchen includes display areas for the homeowner’s beautiful collections while meeting their needs for a bright, highly functional design.    We used custom cabinetry from Plato Woodwork, Inc. with contrasting finishes in  Arctic White and Moody Blue.

The inspiration tile from Bella Tile and Stone was taken to the ceiling for major style statement from every angle.

Honed marble countertops with a beveled edge are a lovely and practical decision to delicately support the bold backsplash pattern.

Hardware from Schaub and Company completes the look in a natural bronze finish with an angular counterpoint to the tile pattern.

Floating shelves balance the space and offer display area for collections.  The lighting plan includes options for under cabinet, in cabinet, recessed and pendant illumination.  A farmhouse sink and faucet from Kohler complete the look.

And of course since a kitchen is all about storage, we designed for this homeowners specific needs by including a special area for all of the specialty small appliances.  No clutter on these countertops!

One inspirational element transformed this kitchen into a centerpiece for the entire home!

Featured in this Kitchen

 Interior Designer by Mary Myer in Lake Geneva, WI

Cabinetry by Plato Woodwork, Inc.

Kitchen design by Natalie Spiniolas

Hardware from Schaub and Company

Appliances from Subzero-Wolf,  Vent-A-Hood

 

Visit our Inspiration Gallery here.

And then stop in to our Lake Geneva showroom to explore stunning cabinetry and design vignettes for every room of your home!

201 Geneva National Ave S

Lake Geneva, WI

262-245-9600

Often overlooked but impossible to ignore, a laundry room is the workhorse of any home.  It is usually  assigned the standard treatment with a washer, dryer and maybe wash tub, but it deserves better.  Take your laundry area from mundane to multifaceted with our laundry room design tips.

Where should you put your laundry room?

Convenience is the key to efficiency for this space.  There are two ways to approach the placement of your laundry.  

  1. Keep it close to where you spend  most of your time.   In the floor plan above not only is it adjacent to the kitchen, but can easily be reached from the center of the home or while coming and going through the garage and outdoor exit.  
  2. Position the laundry where the clothes are, as in the bedroom wing of your home.

Before deciding on a new location be mindful of the noise levels produced by your brand of washer and dryer.  Adding extra insulation will help soundproof and reduce noise from vibrations during your spin cycle so everyone can sleep through early morning or late night wash emergencies.

How much space do you need?

 

Lifestyle factors and home size will help decide whether you should have a dedicated laundry or multifunctional room.  We like to start every cabinet design project with an evaluation of your space, family members and daily routine.  This is when we determine the minimum space requirements and offer ideas that will help you breeze through the laundry.

Often size restraints complicate the natural flow for these common tasks.

  • sorting
  • stain treatment and soaking
  • hand washing delicates
  • washing bulky items
  • drip drying
  • hanging
  • folding
  • storage

Ample work space allows you to complete each task in one area without lugging baskets of clothing from laundry room to kitchen or bedroom for special care.   At first glance expanding the laundry may seem like an indulgence but when designed with versatility, it is a multitasking dream.  Some of our favorite combinations add a laundry zone to these active areas.

  • mudroom
  • home office
  • adult and children craft zone
  • rec room
  • gardening space
  • homework station
  • workshop

Be open to the idea of borrowing space from an adjoining room.  Once freed from a confining closet, laundry tasks easily integrate into your daily routine.  That expansive work counter can be used for all types of projects when laundry is finished.

The use of a pocket door or sliding barn door is another space saver we love to completely access to the entire work zone without the interference of an awkward door and door swing.

Ultimately it’s about the caring for your clothing, which can be quite an investment even if you avoid designer labels.

Special Amenities

Are you all about the drip dry or do you love to press in a sharp crease?  Whatever your talents,  laundry space should be there to support you.  Here are some of our favorite features.

Drip Dry Rods & Valet Hooks

 

Rev-a-Shelf Fold Out Ironing Board

 

Pull-Out for Laundry Supply Storage & Laundry Bin

 

Open Shelving for Easy Access & Storage

 

Multiple Bins to Sort-As-You-Go with Ventilation to Reduce Odors

 

Double Your Leisure

There is a nostalgic appeal to the laundromat where you can load up several washers and dryers to finish in 1/2 the time.  But multiple units at home allow you to be the head honcho of your own laundry universe without pockets full of change.  This is a productive solution when you have a large family, frequent guests or an active crew with lots of sweaty workout clothes and uniforms.

You can even tuck in an extra set of stacked washer and dryer units in the master closet, in the bedroom hall, or near any indoor-outdoor activity area.

 

Style to Smile

Once you’ve created a highly functional laundry, it’s time to tackle it from the standpoint of style.  Interesting cabinet doors, bold hardware, colorful appliances and an attractive backsplash will infuse your space with character.  You are spending anyway on new tile, cabinets and hardware, why not have a little fun in this space.  There is little to no price difference in choosing cherry red over white.  Have some fun in this room with the basics or be sure to add art.

 

Photography by Shanna Wolf S Photography and Victoria McHugh

Explore more of our inspirational ideas here!

 

And stop in to our Lake Geneva showroom to explore more great cabinetry design and ideas for every room of your home!

201 Geneva National Ave S

Lake Geneva, WI

262-245-9600

 

 

 

 

Clutter is part of life, but having new cabinetry and an organized system is like being born again.  Our designers tackle every kitchen project with their eye on the prize, complete order with impeccable style.  It starts with the realization that we have a lot of stuff, and sometimes it gets in the way.  The secret is to have a place for all of it to go.

The first step is a palette cleanse. In this case the existing cabinets were in great shape so we helped the homeowners with a donation to Habitat for Humanity Restore Milwaukee.  On hand is our Project Manager Mike Jeffrey to uninstall the old and remodel the space before installing brand new cabinetry.

 We will take you on a walk-through of your daily kitchen routine in order to analyze where you are wasting space and effort.  Also a realistic look at what you are storing, and why, will be helpful. Then we get to work on the cabinet layout.
before and after kitchen design drawings

This new design features an essential work triangle customized for easy flow, in, around and through the space.  We specify the type of cabinets needed and interior features to best store each kitchen’s content.

kitchen cabinet plan perspective drawing

 

Fluidity is key; refrigerator to sink, pantry to countertop, squirrel watching window to water bowl . . . .

Kitchen cabinet design before and after

When it’s time for filling those cabinets, we encourage a new approach to the traditional system.  Consider grouping items you use most often together in an easy to access cabinet location.  Breakfast items like toaster, waffle maker, and fry pan should be near your breakfast prep area.   This could mean that your cookware is stored according to frequency of use rather than type.  Apply the same thought process to china and serving pieces.  Don’t waste valuable real estate on things that are only used occasionally.

pice pull out cabinety

Spices are the exception, they should be stored together on pull-out racks for easy assessment.

cabinet design coffee bar

And a designated coffee or beverage bar will energize you at the start of each day.

before and after cabinetry with countertop organization

KitchenAids and cookbooks go together like wine and cheese, so stage your countertop with attractive items that are useful in order to save cabinet space.

kitchen cabinets with drawers below counter

And remember that drawers offer the most organized easy to access storage.

 new cabinery with large storage cabinets as island base

We like to group large cabinets together out of the work zone to accommodate medium appliances, serving pieces, Costo-sized supplies and that 50 lb bag of dog food.  Here we used double door base cabinets on the front side of an extra-large island for a furniture like appearance.

artistic backsplash to encourage tidy habits

Finish off your new kitchen with an artistic backsplash.  This one from Bella Tile and Stone is the perfect backdrop for an orderly life.

This kitchen features

Medallion Cabinetry with a Craftsman Style Door

Hardware by Top Knobs

Pendant lighting from Old South

Design is by Joyce Zuelke, ckd with installation by Geneva Cabinet Company Project Manager Mike Jefferey

Photography by Shanna Wolf S.Photography and Styling

Stop in to our Lake Geneva showroom to explore more great kitchen and bath looks!

201 Geneva National Ave S

Lake Geneva, WI

262-245-9600

So you want to remodel your kitchen, but hate the idea of wasting the existing cabinetry?  We have a solution for you!  Donate your old cabinets and usable appliances to a good cause like Habitat for Humanity!  We are at your service to make it happen with no extra effort when you do a kitchen or bath project with Geneva Cabinet Company!

Project Manager Mike Jeffrey meets with Jake Weiler from Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity Restore.

This location is one of many home improvement stores around the country that gladly accepts new or gently used furniture, appliances, cabinetry and other building components like windows and doors.  You donations are sold and the proceeds go to your local Habitat  effort to provide affordable housing.

For this project our team did a great job of deconstructing the beautiful cherry cabinetry that was unfortunately not working for the homeowners.  Our team had the cabinets, countertops and lighting ready to go for Habitat Milwaukee.  You can contact them directly to schedule your own pick up or ask for our help during the planning phase of your project.

In this case we are working with incredibly generous homeowners who even donated appliances that were like-new!  A special thank you to them and all of the volunteers at Habitat who made the entire process so rewarding!

In the meantime, our designer Joyce Zuelke, ckd has been hard at work designing the new kitchen layout.  With her trademark ingenuity, the new kitchen will feature a fresh open concept with increased storage and new Medallion Cabinetry.

Stay tuned for the big reveal, it will look a little something like this!

Our designers would love to help you with your kitchen, bath and storage improvements!  Our cabinetry is beautifully made in the USA to the highest standards.  Stop in to our Lake Geneva showroom to browse for ideas or call us today!

262-245-9600

201 Geneva National Ave. S

Lake Geneva, WI 53147

There is only so much you can do with a toilet and sink, but cabinetry will transform the style of your bathroom.  Don’t let the design of this room be an afterthought.  Browse the cabinetry and design ideas below and choose your favorites to elevate the style of your bath!

Double vanity double duty bathroom cabinet by Medallion Cabinetry

Double your pleasure

Storage is an integral part of functional design, and an absolute necessity in the master bath.  This Craftsman inspired cabinetry provides ample storage for each partner as well as duplicate lighting and mirrors for no crowding during the morning rush.

 

Shiloh cabinetry with open shelving above tub

Just Shelve It

Open shelving expands your storage without closing in the room with more cabinetry.  This has become so popular because it pairs storage with convenience at eye level. Just add bath salts and towel rolls,  you’re done!

 

Bathroom cabinetry sleek modern dark stained finish

Making It Modern

A long expanse of concrete-style counter with trough sink and wall faucets will make a modern statement.  The deep finish on this floating vanity recedes to expand your visual space and simplifies cleaning day.  Bonus opportunity for mood enhancing undercabinet lighting at night.

 

Neutral bathroom cabinet with interesting textured tile surround

Overcome Pattern Shyness

Those who say neutral is boring obviously don’t know about blending pattern and texture. This bath keeps the finish and color selections on the light side while injecting pattern luxury with name-dropping (Ann Sacks) wall and floor tile.

 

DRAMATIC READING room with furniture inspired vanity

Dramatic Reading

It may be the only time of day you have any privacy, so enjoy.  The rich eclectic design of this powder room creates a true statement.  And the furniture inspired vanity lends a sophisticated feel to the space.

 

Shiloh cabinetry designed to fit hi low height

Designed to Fit

Logic and simplicity drove the design of this clever hi-low cabinet.  The comfort height of the vanity would have run smack into the window.  But a slight modification by our designer allowed us to extend the cabinetry for additional storage.

 

Shiloh u-shaped cabinet drawer

We also like the efficient u-shaped drawer design in this driftwood inspired vanity.  It works around pesky pipes to make the most of space.

 

Medallion bathroom vanity with open and closed area

Open and Shut Cabinet Case

Closed storage paired with an open bottom shelf offers quick and easy access to towels or supplies that can be stored in small hampers.

 

Plato Woodwork open shelf bathroom vanity cabinet

Here we do it again in natural wood with the addition of a towel bar.

 

Classic black and white contrast cabinet and shower tile

Black and White and Style All Over

It is a classic color combination that features high contrast and endless attraction throughout all periods of design.

Lowell Custom Homes Shower tile

And just for fun, note the way designer Elizabeth Drake played with the black and white concept for the various showers in this home but by Lowell Custom Homes.

 

Finally in the 1-Hour Project Category . . .

Cabinet organization basket

This cabinet idea has gone viral on Houzz since we originally posted it in 2013. You can install a hair styling center or use the door mounted basket for shampoos and soaps.  We have even seen it done with command hooks to be removable.

The best design ideas are at your fingertips when you browse through our past blogs and the product section page of our website.

And of course, we are always here to assist!

 

262-245-9600

201 Geneva National Ave. S.

Lake Geneva, WI 53147

 

Featured Cabinetry is from Plato Woodwork, Inc.,  Shiloh Cabinetry, and others.

Photography is by Shanna Wolf S.Photogaphy and Styling and Victoria McHugh Photography

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