Our Sister Company Celebrates 20 Years of Remodeling in MetroWest!

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Terry Wiese

Sherborn Kitchens + Bath serves as The Wiese Company‘s official showroom. The note below is from the founder of the company, Ray Wiese:

Ray, 1992

20 years in business has left a couple of gray hairs on this remodeler (well, maybe more than a couple).

I opened our doors in 1992 during an election year when incumbent George Bush Sr. faced unknown Bill Clinton and the first serious (did I say serious?) 3rd party candidate ever Ross Perot. The country was still trying to pull out of a recession that seemed to linger on… based mostly on a housing bubble crash (with a minor banking crisis). I guess this is a “full circle” story.

With each passing year we have seen some of the country’s best and worst economic times. Hard to believe some of our most challenging times were at the height of the boom! You may have experienced the same issues I did-tradesmen that were too busy to return calls, human resource issues at their peak and the out of control price of goods.

As we move forward past the recent economic climate, I am grateful for what that GREAT recession has proved to me:

  1. The most important part of our business is customer service.
  2. By hiring like-minded people, our staff jumps right in to take their share of the project on with equal fervor and care.
  3. Committing to quality and value creates happy customers who will refer us to their friends and family… just like in 1992.

I can hardly express the gratitude and satisfaction of working on your homes and with your families… here’s to another 20 years!

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This Kitchen is Designed to Cook

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Terry Wiese

Today we design kitchens for lifestyle as equally as we do for ergonomics and safety. Beware only thinking about the former, and dismissing the latter. We believe that paying close attention to key functions of the kitchen will allow you to have a space that works great for cooking as well as for everything else.

For example, your lifestyle items may be that “the kids like to do their homework at the island every day” or “my sister and her family often visit and we all cook together.” These lifestyle requirements may require an extended island to keep the olive oil off the homework or an additional sink for those extra helping hands in the kitchen.

In this edition’s featured kitchen, our client’s 2 teenagers are often using the kitchen as the rendezvous point at the beginning and end of their day. The family addressed the lifestyle needs by making sure they used a large farm table as a place for family time at meals as well as Sunday morning websurfing.

You’ll notice we featured an open space for bowls stored below the island and for a pot rack above. The client often cooks from scratch after returning home from her day job and likes everything “tout proche” (French for “near at hand”). As the client’s husband boasted, “My wife is an excellent cook — everything she makes is fresh. Her soups and stews are incredible.”

As a planning note, knowing your daily cooking habits should dictate the amount of prep area along with adjustments for their location as well as the choice of appliances. This client belongs to a CSA Crop Share so they selected a Sub-Zero refrigerator that has higher humidity levels that keep vegetables fresh for about a week longer than typical refrigeration.

Thanks to Andres and Liz of Newton for another fun and unique kitchen project. Bon appetite!

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Paint Color Trends for 2012

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Terry Wiese

One of the most frequent questions our design team is asked is what’s new in paint. Good news, The Paint Quality Institute recently identified the hot paint colors*  for 2012.  And according to Debbie Zimmer, color expert, the 2012 paint palette will draw heavily upon the natural colors in the American landscape.

2012 Paint Color Trends

1.     Blue, the Jewel of the Sea

Blues gained popularity in 2011 and continue to in 2012. “From sparkling sea-glass blue to colonial blue-grey, blues are suitable for all living spaces, being a naturally soothing color that is loved – in one iteration or another — by almost everyone,” says Zimmer.

2.     Green, From Farm to Forest

Greens, ranging from celery and asparagus to fir and fern, allow homeowners to bring the comforting feelings of the world outside into the world within. According to Zimmer, dining rooms and kitchens are the “natural” spots for in vogue greens, but the hue is also at home in family rooms and bedrooms.

3.     Violet, Majestic Purple Mountains

“A harmonious combination of patriotic blue and red hues, violet can add ‘punch’ to any room when used as an accent color, or serve as the dominant color in a bedroom,” says Zimmer.

Natural hues aren’t the only news. Zimmer also predicted that three paint and decorating trends will gain prominence next year:

4.     Patterns

In 2012, patterned paint will take center stage, with increased interest in hound’s-tooth finishes, lacy designs, and bold color blocking techniques. “In some cases, pattern will be the main decorating feature in a room; in others, it will provide a subtle, textured backdrop for fine furnishings and artwork,” says Zimmer.

5.     Black and White

You’ll see much more of black and white, from contemporary apartments to historic homes, says Zimmer. “The pairing is a great way to freshen an interior with something smart and stylish,” she says.

6.     Exterior Paint Combinations

On the home exterior, shutters colors will begin to shift away from the traditional look of high-contrast green, red, or black to a more monochromatic palette. “You’ll see more shutters that are painted just a shade darker than the siding,” says Zimmer. “Owners of homes with stone exteriors can get in on things by matching the shutter color to the dominant color of the stone.”

*source: The Paint Quality Institute, Oct. 6, 2011

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Expanded Showroom Hours

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Ray Wiese

We are happy to announce that we have expanded our showroom hours. Our new hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday:  9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday, Thursday:  9:00 am to 8:00 pm (expanded evening hours)

Saturday: 10:00 am-5:00 pm

Stop by to check out our cabinet, vanity, hardware, fixtures, knobs and countertop product lines and samples.

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Signature Stone Collection by Antolini of Italy Features an Exciting Leather Finish

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Ray Wiese

Signature Stone Collection by Antolini

Looking for a change to the traditional granite countertops? Not a fan of the glossy finish or the problems with honed material? Then you should consider a leather finish on your stone. Leathered granite brings a unique look to your countertops yet continues to give you all the benefits of a granite surface. Plus, this new leathered effect can minimize the muck marks and fingerprints you typically see with a glossy finish.

Leather granite has a stylish matte finish and can provide a more textured feel and softer organic look depending on the color and style you choose. The actual leathering process gives the stone more color and texture consistency, and makes it pleasing to the touch. Like traditional granite, it’s able to withstand hot and cold, allows you to cut on it, and is resistant to stains and chips.

Come by our showroom in the center of Sherborn (28 North Main Street) to see samples of this great new look!

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