The Woodmeister Blog

Get ready for the 3rd Annual Architectural Symposium on May 5th in Newport RI!

By Chris Komenda, Marketing Manager, Woodmeister Master Builders
March 30, 2012 in Millwork, Building Trends, Custom Building, General, Community Relations

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Woodmeister Master Builders has once again teamed up with the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum as a presenting sponsor for the 3rd Annual Architectural Symposium in Newport RI on May 5th. This year's featured architect is Horace Trumbauer: Residential Architecture.

This one-day symposium is a unique opportunity to examine the architect and his influence on Newport's historic homes. The event will feature lectures by architectural historians and tours of three magnificent Trumbauer buildings:
 
Miramar – is a private home in the French neoclassical-style on historic Bellevue Avenue.
 
 Miramar - Newport RI
 
Seaweed – another private home, "Seaweed" is a spectacular oceanfront estate situated on Newport's famed Cliff Walk and overlooking Bailey's Beach.
 
Seaweed - Newport RI
 
Rough Point – a gilded age mansion and the former home of heiress Doris Duke. 
 
Rough Point - Newport RI
 
Horace Trumbauer was a prominent American architect of the Guilded Age who produced more than 1,000 building during his career, ranging from hotels and commercial building to private homes, museums and libraries. He is best remembered for his residential designs which included Tudor, Regency, Georgian and French Classical architectural styles.
 
Woodmeister is proud to the presenting sponsor for this event. For more information and to purchase tickets contact the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Musuem: http://www.tennisfame.com/news-events/2012-architectural-symposium

Make Way for Laundry

By Chris Komenda, Marketing Manager, Woodmeister Master Builders
February 20, 2012 in Millwork, Building Trends, Custom Building, General

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Let's face it.  We all have dirty laundry. No, not the dirty laundry of some secret scandal lurking in the closet, but rather, I'm writing about those piles of unclean clothes that seem to accumulate and what to do about it. Not to mention the baskets of clean clothes to be ironed, folded and sorted.  ­Hopefully, this blog post will get you thinking about the possibilities of what to do with handling laundry and some creative ideas for laundry rooms.

Dirty laundry quite often gathers in many rooms of the house – bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, and finally ends up in an unceremonious heap in front of the washing machine.The washer and dryer are usually banished to the basement, far from the bedrooms and bathrooms.  Making the chore of 'doing laundry' literally a haul.  And the din and racket coming from the whirring machines sound more like a fleet of helicopters than seems necessary for the act of cleaning.

Today, washers and dryers look as sleek and sophisticated as a sport car, are whisper quiet, and are much more water efficient than in the past. There are also so many creative solutions available to help organize and manage the flow of clothes – from dirty to clean – that it might even bring a smile to your face.

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Introducing the 'mortgage button' - a tradition from the past that is very much alive today!

By Chris Komenda, Marketing Manager, Woodmeister Master Builders
November 15, 2011 in Millwork, Building Trends, Custom Building, General

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When you embark on a remodeling or new construction project it is often the little details that make a difference. Customizing your home with personalized touches and whimsical features, not only add striking spots of beauty but also make for very interesting conversations!

Take for example the mortgage button. Long known as a Nantucket tradition, this little scrimshaw button was mounted atop a stairway’s newel post as a symbol the mortgage was paid off and there were no liens on the property. 
 
Mortgage button 1     mortgage button 2
 
Legend also states the actual deed was ceremoniously burned and the ashes put inside the drilled out newel post and sealed with the button. Since no evidence of ashes or even hidden mortgages have been found in salvaged newel posts, the actual burning may really turn out to be a myth. But the buttons survive today and remind us of a nostalgic tradition from the past.
 
Even if you don’t own a home on Nantucket, you still can add these decorative buttons to your custom stair project. Each mortgage button is distinctly different and can be carved on ancient elephant ivory, whalebone, and even the traditional sperm whale ivory.  Whether you decide to burn your mortgage or save the deed inside the newel post is up to you. Adding a custom mortgage button however, is a classic detail that will be lovingly caressed every time you use the stairs!

Is hardwood being used more often?

By Roy Berthiaume, Purchasing Agent, Woodmeister Master Builders
September 21, 2011 in Millwork, Building Trends, Custom Building, General

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Recently, we’ve noticed an increase in the use of hardwood lumber for kitchen cabinetry. Hardwood kitchen cabinets are classic choices that offer not only a distinct look to homes but also provide the durability to stand up to the extreme use and conditions typical of kitchen spaces.

It seems, after a few years hiatus, cherry is making a comeback as a popular choice with either a stain or clear finish. Cherry is a great choice for cabinetry. It is very durable and maintains a rich, lustrous finish that only improves with age.
 
We also recently did a kitchen that was made from Macassar Ebony. Macassar Ebony with its distinct striped patterns of blacks and rich dark chocolate browns is a striking choice when matched with a full fill high gloss finish. 
 
Some new projects that are coming up that utilize hardwoods are several nice custom stairs. These stairs will be created with quarter sawn white oak. Quarter sawn white oak is particularly sought after for its grain pattern. Quarter sawn oak has very distinct stripes or "medullary rays" going across the board. These stripes are a unique feature of oak and the wood is very strong, less prone to checking, warping & splitting – a perfect choice for fine furniture, cabinetry and stair components.
 
All-wood cabinetry and millwwork is a versatile option that is perfect whether the design is traditional or contemporary and combined with glass, metal, stone and other materials. Style and trends may change over time but it’s nice to see hardwood making its way back into many new projects and homes.
 
We’d love to hear how you are using hardwood in your projects!

Five things you need to know before hiring a Custom Cabinetry and Millwork company.

By Chris Komenda, Marketing Manager, Woodmeister Master Builders
August 24, 2011 in Millwork, Building Trends, Custom Building, General

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Include Brackets and Corbels in your Architectural Statement

By Chris Komenda, Marketing Manager, Woodmeister Master Builders
July 27, 2011 in Millwork, Building Trends, Custom Building, General

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Teak Decking Color Changes Explained

By Roy Berthiaume, Purchasing Agent, Woodmeister Master Builders
May 6, 2011 in Millwork, Building Trends, Custom Building, General

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Now you See it – Now you Don’t

By Chris Komenda, Marketing Manager, Woodmeister Master Builders
April 13, 2011 in Millwork, Building Trends, Custom Building, General

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Thank you Audio Video Design for coming to Woodmeister and showing our team these terrific new products created by Trufig.  For discerning homeowners looking to conceal or have smooth surfaces, Trufig creates flush-mounted solutions for electronic devices (switches. power outlets, speakers, touch panels etc). Electronic devices can be flush or hidden mounted into most surfaces – drywall, stone, and wood - then faux finished for an almost invisible appearance. 

Trufig was recently awarded “Most Innovative Product” by the ASID’s 2011 Top Pick of the Year.  Designers and Architects will love the clean and aesthetic look this product will bring to their projects!

 

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Dramatic Impact

By Chris Komenda, Marketing Manager, Woodmeister Master Builders
March 17, 2011 in Millwork, General

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"Dramatic Impact", featured in the Mar/Apr 2011 issue of New England Home, showcases the beautiful Vermont home of Seldom Scene Interiors', Wendy Valliere.

Her stunning 'lipstick red' kitchen is the collaborative work of Woodmeister Master Builders.

Check out photos of this inspirational home and to read the entire article - http://www.nehomemag.com/article/dramatic-impact

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Bathrooms on Facebook!

By Chris Komenda, Marketing Manager, Woodmeister Master Builders
August 19, 2010 in Millwork, Building Trends, Custom Building

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