Kitchen Islands are the
Heart of the Kitchen!
Greetings!

"What is the most desired item in a kitchen?" is a question we get asked by many customers. The answer is... everyone wants an island, and the bigger the better in their mind! Our designers at CHW are here to help you in the design process, and guide you through making all your choices including the size and shape of your new island that works best in your size space. Visit our website's Inspirations Gallery to see some great ideas you can do outside or inside your home. When you are ready, contact us to set up a free consultation to see how we can help you!
Don't forget to Like Us on Facebook for up-to-date information on what the current trends are, as well as information on cool new products and more yummy recipes.
When it Comes to Islands, Raised Bars
are a Thing of the Past!
The kitchen island is one of the most requested elements for homeowners when we're designing a new kitchen. It's a functional addition to the kitchen space giving homeowners a place to prep meals, meet for breakfast, and it's the perfect place for doing homework with the kids. In fact, if the kitchen is the heart of the home, the island is the heart of the kitchen!

With the rise in the trend of open concept living, kitchen design and the island has taken on even more significance. As the kitchen became a part of the home's entertaining space in an open concept, a large kitchen island is a great way to delineate the kitchen area from your living space.

For a while, the two-tiered island became a trend. With an upper countertop installed for bar stool height dining, homeowners also liked the visual shield that the upper level provided between the kitchen and the living area.

But as the trend began to grow, homeowners who had lived with the design for a while began to have some issues. The problem with two-tiered countertop design was that unless you had enough space to create a full-sized workspace, the top shelf often stole space from the prep area on the island. Homeowners also found that they were often left with a long skinny shelf that wasn't really comfortable for dining, and very little usable counter space. Not to mention bar height stools are not very practical for kids or grandchildren to safely use.
Today most homeowners opt for a single level countertop design for its versatility. The island is a key element in the kitchen, and even more so in an open concept home. An island gives you prep space for meals, an eat-in kitchen for quick meals, and a buffet and wet bar when entertaining. It's where you gather to catch up on each others day, and where the kids do their homework while dinner is being prepared.

Whether you choose a new kitchen design or just replace your existing island, make sure you work with a kitchen design professional. Our designers at CHW are here to explain your options and present a variety of materials and cabinet choices. They will make sure that any work performed is high-quality and that if you replace your island, it fits within your current design. If you're planning a complete kitchen remodeling project in the greater Columbia area, contact us . We can help you update your island, or work with you to design your dream kitchen.
Product Spotlight!
Federal Brace offers great products for any island situation. Whether you want a hidden support, or a decorative bracket, they offer a wide variety of choices. They provide the largest selection of designer support brackets specifically crafted for granite and other solid surface countertops, Federal Brace has become a standard in the industry for innovation. Their extensive lines of premium residential and commercial products incorporate strength and durability, addressing client’s needs throughout the home, living areas, or work space, while remaining versatile enough to service a  multitude of design styles . Each product is carefully designed to enhance both residential and commercial environments, and they proudly design and craft everything exclusively in the United States!   Check out their website for all they have to offer.
20% Off Decorative Hardware
with any Federal Brace Purchase
Expires September 27, 2019
Mention the code SUPPORT when you order!
This Month's Feature Recipe
Grab-n-Go Blueberry Oat Muffins
Back to School is upon us! Here is a quick and easy recipe that will fill 'em up with protein and the right kinds of complex carbohydrates so their brains are ready for reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Ingredients
  • 1 cup unbleached flour
  • 1 cup instant oats
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup applesauce
  • 1/2 cup non-fat vanilla-flavored Greek-style yogurt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups fresh blueberries

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 12 muffin cups with cooking spray or use paper liners.
  2. Mix flour, oats, baking powder, and cinnamon together in a bowl. Stir sugar, applesauce, yogurt, egg, and vanilla extract together in a separate bowl. Stir flour mixture into applesauce mixture until just combined. Fold blueberries into batter. Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full with batter.
  3. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 15 minutes.
Miss a past newsletter?
We have them archived on our website so you can go back and see what you missed.
Or maybe you wished you had saved a recipe we shared...
No worries! They are all right HERE!
Carolina Handcrafted Woodworks, LLC .
1819 Two Notch Rd
Lexington, SC 29073
Ph: 803-520-6837