Timber Ceiling Beam

June 4, 2016 ~ sandyconnolly

Installing a Timber Ceiling Beam

We have been looking forward to adding this single timber beam to our home for more than 3 years! With the addition of our great room, which features decorative timber beams, the kitchen dining area really needed to join the club.

How hard could it be? Rule #1 – Don’t under estimate working with timbers. RESPECT.

This timber beam is going to be installed over the 2 1/2″ drop down support beam between the kitchen and dining room. First thing Buddy did was measure everything out, well, mostly everything. The width of the space, the height needed to cover the drop and the area for a 2ft return wall.

Beam is dry and straight and ready to be cut into. All seems good.

We even purchased a specialty Irwin Hand Saw just for this project. Continue reading →

Budgets

August 26, 2015 ~ sandyconnolly

Budgets…every project has one and it’s important to understand what is realistic for you. Then the decisions you make will be good ones (in theory)!

Overall budget = all the bits and pieces needed to make your project happen + all the unseen = usually doesn’t equal. Compromise? Potentially, here we come.

Let’s look at building a house. Perhaps you have always wanted a timber frame home, but, it doesn’t fit into the budget. Compromise here is EASY, easy for us at least, go with a hybrid. Combine timber framing and conventional framing, trust us, it’s still wonderful. If you can’t build the big house you want now, be sure the design is friendly to an addition later on. We recommend going with a CAPE.

Continue reading →

Frameless or Framed Cabinetry

April 6, 2013 ~ sandyconnolly

This post was originally written for HomeCentrl Frameless or Framed Cabinetry | HomeCentrl. Sharing it here as well, with a few minor changes. Enjoy!

Frameless or Framed…How do you prefer your cabinet?

Frameless or Face Frame

For the longest time, I really thought framed cabinetry was the way to go…and not only that…it had to be inset. Inset was better, more traditional, more beautiful, more this, more that and typically, more expensive. Is it better? I guess that depends on your opinion. And framed overlay? Why? What’s the point?

Recently, I’ve been exposed to the frameless way of cabinetry and I do see some pros…mainly because you gain some storage space. In my opinion, it’s still a strong cabinet box without the face frame using ¾ plywood. Less going on and great for contemporary designs. Perhaps a bit cheaper, depending on other upgrades.

But, if you love the framed INSET should you pay a little more, if need be to get it? I say yes, it’s your kitchen.

Style, preference and of course budgets do play a role and really should be reasons why you choose one over the other. All should be discussed with your designer, they can help with these very important decisions.

Framed

Framed inset, shown above with an exposed hinge, very traditional. Concealed hinges are available, with soft close. (LOVE the soft close).

Frameless overlay, offering the concealed hinge with soft close by BLUM

Actually, if it’s a quality cabinet in a functional design, I’ll appreciate it, no matter the style. Put that beautiful kitchen in a timber frame home and I’m sold on all counts.