Timeless Kitchen Cabinetry & Design

Color Palette

2012-01-30T18:40:00.000-08:00

We are finally developing a standard color palette from which our clients may choose their kitchen cabinet finish colors. Up until now, all of our colors have been custom mixed shades of milk paint. We will offer the standard colors offered by The Real Milk Paint Company as well as a few new standards that we have developed based on their colors.

Over the years, we spent many hours of time and used many gallons of milk paint to develop the perfect colors for client's homes. We will continue to do that but hopefully this will simplify the process.

Custom colors will still be offered...but at an additional charge.

Storming the Bastille...with slip-cast metal

2012-01-25T10:11:00.000-08:00

Our friends at Bastille Metal Works have perfected a unique countertop fabrication technique - slip-casting. They are creating countertops (and other products) in zinc, pewter, bronze and copper.

The slip-cast surfaces have the patina and texture for which so many of our clients are searching. The metal is actually cast onto a substrate surface and worked by hand to achieve the desired level of finish sheen and texture.

Bastille also offers countertops made with sheets of metal. The surfaces are finished with a patina that works well with our distressed paint finishes.

Slip-cast zinc

zinc sheet countertop

Talent lost

2012-01-24T05:46:00.000-08:00

Rest in peace, Fred Peltier.

de France

2012-01-22T20:06:00.000-08:00

Not long ago, one of our clients gave us a photo of kitchen island that was a reproduction of a French antique counter made in the Louis XV. We were asked to make our version of the piece. It was a challenge but we welcomed it. The end panels were made in Provence.

Add caption

Moulding opens as drawers

"Drawers open as doors"

End panels handmade in Provence

Photos cou.rtesy of Betsy Barron.

One of our latest....

2011-11-17T05:17:00.001-08:00

We just received these new images from our photographer friend. This kitchen, located in North Penn, PA, was completed last summer. The island allows for seating for four. The countertops are soapstone by Bucks County Soapstone with one section of maple butcher block for chopping. Our cabinetry was finished in a dark olive milkpaint with a contrasting, lighter shade on the island. Click here to see other projects.

2011-10-27T21:30:00.000-07:00

New pieces for the Historic Home Show this weekend in Fredericksburg, VA. Click here for info.
All pieces are available for sale...contact our office for pricing 610 296 2775.

Come see us this weekend in Virginia....

2011-10-24T18:36:00.000-07:00

We will be exhibiting our work at the first annual Greater Mid-Atlantic Historic Home Show in Fredericksburg, VA this weekend, Oct 28-30, 2011. The show will be run in conjunction with the Designer Craftsman Show. If you are planning a kitchen renovation in an historic home (or a home inspired by historic homes) please come by and check out our cabinetry, sink and countertop work. Click here for hours and directions.

Historic Home For Sale with a Timeless Kitchen kitchen....

2011-06-13T04:46:00.000-07:00

One of our early projects was a kitchen listed as "Eclectic Vintage" on our website. The historic home, located in Haverford, PA is now for sale. The home is nicely renovated and the landscaping, including specimen plantings are gorgeous. The property is well sited off of the road to offer maximum privacy.

The kitchen features an Aga range, slate tile floors, Rohl farm sink, concrete countertops, custom-painted pressed tin on walls and of course, cabinetry by us.

Click this link to see further details.....

Chester County Preservation Fair

2011-04-08T05:03:00.000-07:00

ATTENTION Old House Enthusiasts!! Stop by and visit us at the First Annual, Chester County Preservation Fair at Historic Yellow Springs, in Chester Springs, PA. The event will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2011 from 9-5. We expect that it will be an excellent resource for anyone working on or preserving any historic structure.
Click here for directions and and roster of participants.

Unique kitchen seating

2011-02-20T17:01:00.000-08:00

One of our recent clients found a great option for seating at her kitchen island. The Pitchfork Stool by Bradford Woodworking is the perfect complement to the island with a soapstone countertop. With an actual iron pitchfork to support the back and four ax handle legs, the Pitchfork Stool by Bradford Woodworking is the perfect complement to this island with a soapstone countertop. The stool is also available in chair height and with several other options. Bradford Woodworking furniture is known for its "good proportions, honest construction and old-fashioned usefulness". Because of this we think their work pairs well with our cabinetry.

Online resource for Old House folks

2011-01-13T06:10:00.000-08:00

We have recently partnered with an excellent online resource for owners or enthusiasts of old homes. OldHouseOnline.com features articles about structures of all periods and styles. Their product directories will be a valuable source for anyone embarking on an old house project or for those that want to make their new(er) house look old.

Pantry of sorts

2010-12-07T05:05:00.001-08:00

We recently had an opportunity to build this pantry cabinet. There was an existing walk-through to the back door of the home. The floor plan was changed slightly and this pantry cabinet was recessed into the opening. The homeowner requested that we build in a transom in the back of the cabinet to let additional natural light into the kitchen. The result was the look of an antique cabinet but the function of a spacious pantry.

Franklin Drainboard

2010-12-01T05:22:00.000-08:00

We have a few snapshots from our most recent project in Malvern, PA which we will be posting over the next few weeks. These shots shows the Franklin drainboard that is created by hand-working the soapstone. The effect is a very natural drainboard that appears to have been worn into the stone over many years. Bucks County Soapstone offers this and several other styles of convenient drainboards. Click here to visit their website.

Old House Live

2010-11-22T07:17:00.001-08:00

We traveled to West Springfield, MA this past weekend to exhibit our work at the Old House Live Show. Thank you to everyone who came out to meet with us and discuss their kitchen plans.

I had a chance to speak with several influential folks in our industry. Anne Thibeau, president of Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co., stopped in to chat about our milk paint finishes. I also had a chance to meet Kevin Ireton, former editor of Fine Homebuilding magazine, who is also a skilled carpenter and owner of an historic home.

Our next show event will be the Historic Home Show in Valley Forge in February. Our sample kitchen can be seen by appointment at our work shop in Malvern, PA.

Historic Home Show in New England

2010-11-18T16:20:00.000-08:00

Timeless Kitchen Cabinetry & Design will be showing our work at Old House Live! Show in Springfield, MA this weekend. This show runs in conjunction with the Log and Timber Frame Home Show.

Come out and see us! Click here for details.

Hot off the presses...

2010-09-21T07:03:00.000-07:00

The current issue of "Kitchens & Baths" magazine by Women's Day is on the shelf and features one of our kitchens. The article, "Old-Fashioned Update" is on page 70. Thank you to Gridley + Graves for the beautiful images and to editor, Peter Walsh.

"Kitchens" Magazine

2010-08-17T08:01:00.001-07:00

The newest issue of "Kitchens" magazine hits the shelves today. You'll find one of our kitchens on pages 28-32. The article also focuses on the use of soapstone in kitchens. Thanks to editor, Hillary Black and to Scott Seuren at Bucks County Soapstone for a great article.

Photos of the new kitchen where taken by our friends at Gridley + Graves Photographers.

Swedish Inspiration

2010-08-16T06:06:00.000-07:00

I have always been fond of Swedish, painted, antique furniture. Would love to do another Swedish-inspired kitchen.

Hero

2010-08-09T18:07:00.000-07:00

I have the pleasure of working with so many interesting clients. We are currently working with a family in central Pennsylvania. The devoted husband and father of this clan is Dr. Chris Coppola. Chris has recently written a book, describing two deployments as an Air Force pediatric surgeon at the Balad Air Base in Iraq.

Dr. Coppola sent me a signed copy which I enjoyed this summer. The book captures perfectly the individual moments, trials and emotions experienced by a humble man, serving our country on foreign soil. I was thankful that he made a great effort to remove politics from his account since many books on this topic often make strong political leanings. His longing for home, his wife and his young children should remind us all of the great sacrifice made by all members of the military. The book gives an excellent account of the extraordinary medical work completed under extremely difficult conditions.

A few weeks ago I was speaking with Chris in his driveway after a meeting about their kitchen renovation. We were discussing kids and parenting among other things. The subject of heroes came up. It occurs to me now that the real honor in knowing people like Dr. Chris Coppola, and reading their accounts of their experiences, is to stay connected to the heroes of our time.

Please visit this website to find out more about: Coppola: A Pediatric Surgeon in Iraq.
10% of all online book sales will support WarKidsRelief.org and WarChild.org

One-of-a-kind wet bar

2010-08-08T07:49:00.000-07:00

Check out this one-of-a-kind wet bar by Bryce Ritter. The sink is an antique copper candy kettle with wrought iron handles and supports and is ready for plumbing. The piece is made with antique lumber and old doors. A countertop made with reclaimed white pine boards is finished off with tung oil. This piece also sports two pairs of hand-wrought staghorn hinges.

The wet bar is available at UPHOME in Malvern, PA and can be shipped to any location. Contact Linda a UPHOME at lindaritter@comcast.net for dimensions and pricing.

Nantucket Kitchen

2010-07-26T05:36:00.001-07:00

A few years ago we had the pleasure of working with Ann Muhlhauser as she renovated her kitchen on Nantucket. We shipped the kitchen over to the island and her builder did such a great job with the installation....we never actually had the opportunity to go over and see it! This image recently ran in the Nantucket newspaper the "Inq and Mirror" as an advertisement for the annual kitchen tour, organized by the Nantucket Preservation Trust. Ann's kitchen was on the tour last year.

Rebirth of the Butcher Shop

2010-05-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

At Timeless Kitchen Design, we are kitchen people but we are also FOOD people. Someone recently sent me this link to a new butcher shop concept.....well, not really new. In many parts of the country, the traditional butcher who operates a small butcher shop is a dying breed. I actually have relatives in central Pennsylvania that still run a thriving butcher shop and have a great appreciation for access to good quality meats.
Vadim Akimenko is launching a new venture in the Boston area. As stated on their website: "Akimenko Meats strives to bridge the gap between the city dweller and our local farmers. Our commitment to our neighbors is to bring in local, organic, and sustainable products while supporting the local agricultural community, building customer awareness, and ultimately aiding our local economy."

We think this is an excellent concept that could be matched in other areas of the country. This is just one more way to grow the slow food movement in America as consumers become more closely connected to the producers of our food.

Back to the garden

2010-04-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

Springtime is finally here in the northeast and many of us are getting ready to back to the garden. I posted something about this great site before but it is worth mentioning again. Veggietrader.com is a site where you can swap your home grown produce, seeds or garden plants. Inevitably, we all grow more than we need in our gardens. Who needs 24 eggplants in one week, really? The site needs to grow to be more useful.....so spread the word!

New article in "Kitchens and Baths" Magazine

2010-03-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

Be sure to pick up "KITCHENS AND BATHS" magazine, a special interest publication by Women's Day magazine. The current issue features one of our kitchens on page 71, "Past Perfect". Thank you to the folks at Woman's Day for an 8-page spread!!

Thanks also to our photographer friends, Anne Gridley and Gary Graves for taking such beautiful shots.

Unfortunately the article does not appear online. However, the kitchen shown in the article is on our website portfolio - click here.

Vintage Lumber

2010-03-08T05:55:00.001-08:00

Recently, at the Lancaster Historic Home Show in Lancaster, PA.....we discovered a new source for vintage lumber. Keystone Vintage Lumber displayed an impressive timber frame structure as their booth, along with samples of flooring milled from antique beams and other sources. Cousins, Sheldon Martin and Eldon Dieffenbach operate Keystone Vintage Lumber in Myerstown, PA but will supply to most areas of the mid-atlantic region and New England. Click here to visit their website.

As a side note....I did ask the guys if they had considered "Sheldon & Eldon's Vintage Lumber" as a name for the company.....just in case.....anybody.....wondered. Check them out!

Spring Fever

2010-03-07T17:36:00.001-08:00

Many of us in the northeast have spring fever after this warm weekend. If you are still in a cool climate and haven't come down with spring fever yet.....take a look at these photos of tulip fields in Holland. Yes, they are real. Spring is on the coming soon!

Lancaster Historic Home Show

2010-02-25T18:27:00.000-08:00

Despite forecasts of a "snowicane"......we will be exhibiting at the Lancaster Historic Home Show this weekend in historic Lancaster, PA. The new convention center is beautiful and we have decided to participate in this inaugural show. Click here for details.

Great Paint

2010-02-10T11:54:00.001-08:00

So we are in the middle of our second wallop of snow this week and I may one of very few folks that made it into work today here in Chester County, PA....at least of the folks that don't have a snow plow on the front of their vehicle.

Took a little time to check out what some of our friends are doing these days. I found this amazing cupboard by Dan and Marlene Coble. They are true artists in painted furniture. This is a one door painted cabinet. Click here to see more of their work on their website.

Help us add locations on our map!

2010-02-05T11:22:00.001-08:00

So I stumbled upon this new revolver map gadget to add to our blog page. I'm always fascinated to see how folks find out about us. Please tell a few friends about this blog so we can add to our map.

You can click on the map to see the revolving earth image from Revolver Map.

Last Call for Locals!!

2010-01-29T19:20:00.001-08:00

We will be at the Greater Philadelphia Historic Home Show in King of Prussia, PA this weekend. Come on out and see us! Click here for hours and directions.

Wet bar....revisited

2010-01-26T06:21:00.000-08:00

So we made a trip up to the showroom at Bucks County Soapstone yesterday and I snapped a few additional photos of the wet bar we made for them. The piece can also be used as a kitchen island.

Notice the runnels in the upper countertop that drain into the sink and the soapstone "beadboard" on the vertical backsplash.

Our Facebook Page

2010-01-24T17:56:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION FACEBOOK USERS!!!!

Don't forget to become a fan of the Timeless Kitchen Cabinetry & Design Facebook page. Please become a fan and feel free to post photos or links of your kitchen projects or ideas.

Click here to join!

Authentic Brickwork In Your Kitchen

2010-01-21T05:47:00.000-08:00

Choosing a material for a kitchen floor and backsplash can often be as difficult as choosing cabinetry. At times, the backsplash is only considered after all other elements have been chosen. Many of our clients have used brick on their floors and backsplashes....not heavy, standard-sized pavers, but authentic, hand-made brick tile from Inglenook Tile.

Julie Good-Kruger, founder of Inglenook Tile, "a family owned brick veneer manufacturer inspired by a love of history, antiques, architecture and the natural beauty of hand-made building materials." Read the story of its founding.

...and if you do use Inglenook brick tile on your floor....don't forget to put radiant heat under it. You may be actually be tempted to curl up on your kitchen floor on a cold, winter night!

If you are planning a kitchen remodel or new kitchen...contact us today for a complimentary kitchen design consultation - TimelessKitchenDesign.com

Historic Home Show

2010-01-18T05:44:00.000-08:00

Come see us at the Greater Philadelphia Historic Home Show in King of Prussia on January 29, 30 & 31. While you are there, don't miss the Designer Craftsman Show of Philadelphia.
These shows are a great resource for owners and builders of historic or period-inspired homes.

Stop by our booth to say 'hello' and let us know you saw this post. Thanks!

A brand new year.....

2010-01-17T10:55:00.000-08:00

So as we say goodbye to 2009, I guess one of my New Year's resolutions should be to make more blog posts. I'd have to say that I am glad to be starting a 2010 and saying goodbye to 2009. In my personal life, we had a great 2009 as we welcomed a baby boy to our family, but in my professional life, we struggled in a poor economy to maintain a custom kitchen cabinetry business. So what does Timeless Kitchen Cabinetry & Design have in store for 2010?

Two of our kitchens will be featured in "Kitchens and Bath" magazine, a special publication of Women's Day magazine.
Later this year we will be building a wonderful kitchen for a family in Danville, PA. One member of this family has recently written a book about his incredible experiences as a medical doctor serving in the military in Iraq. Hopefully, with his permission, we be able to blog at length about his story.
We will continue our partnership with Bucks County Soapstone as we offer the best in soapstone countertops and sinks. Last year we collaborated on a gorgeous web bar and plan to offer additional pieces this year.
We will be adding a laser cutter to our workshop. Stay tuned for a post on this!
Within the next few months, we will build a sample kitchen at Uphome in Malvern, PA. Watch for cooking and food and wine events this year at Uphome!

So come on back to the blog as we keep our friends, clients and fans updated on the "goings on" at Timeless Kitchen Cabinetry & Design. We welcome your thoughtful comments on our postings as we stay in touch with other enthusiasts of "cabinetry, kitchen design, food, life....."

Great new concept....bringing local foods to you kitchen

2009-11-12T08:27:00.000-08:00

Recently we found about about Kelly Geary and her venture, Sweet Deliverance. As founder and head chef, she prepares seasonal meals using the best "local ingredients and her boundless culinary imagination".
We think this is a great new concept as she prepares meals for busy families, by using local ingredients, grown by local farmers.
Watch this video about Sweet Deliverance.

The Farm-to-Table Chef for Busy New Yorkers: Sweet Deliverance from SkeeterNYC on Vimeo.

Kitchen sink

2009-11-06T06:32:00.000-08:00

Many of our clients opt for a soapstone sink but when that is not an option....there is another favorite. The Shaws Original by Rohl is an impressive, fireclay sink - "crafted over one hundred years using time-honored, traditional methods and materials". The apron-front, farmhouse sink is offered in several sizes and configurations, including a spacious 36-inch model. Another bonus to this sink - its recyclable and environmentally friendly. Pictured above is a Shaws Original 30-inch sink housed in one of our kitchen islands and paired with a particularly figured slab of soaptone from Bucks County Soapstone.

Click here to visit our website at Timeless Kitchen Cabinetry & Design

Vintage lumber

2009-10-27T05:53:00.000-07:00

As the green revolution continues, a popular choice for flooring is floor boards resawn from antique beams. We work closely with a company that disassembles old homes, barns and factories. The structural timbers that are pulled from these vintage buildings is often old growth lumber. The lumber is then "sliced" into floor boards.

Click here to check out the Waltz family's operation.

While they specialize in resawn flooring, they are also a great source for antique flooring, beams for timberframing or fireplace mantels and custom sawing.

For a full list of our other partners, see our links page on our website.

New Jamie Oliver show

2009-10-25T18:05:00.000-07:00

I design and build kitchens but I also like to cook....and above all, I like to eat. I'm a big fan of Jamie Oliver and just read about his new show that will air on ABC during prime time this winter. While the focus seems to be educating folks so that they can cook healthier meals for their families, there is no doubt that these meals will be quite tasty if Jamie is doing the cooking. The "teach a man to fish" focus is also very encouraging.

Read about it here:

Who wants one?

2009-10-22T06:39:00.000-07:00

I REALLY want to make an "antique" kitchen island like these.....

Reinventing the wet bar or kitchen island....

2009-10-20T05:51:00.001-07:00

I KNOW! I KNOW!..........These are terrible photos but I can't resist posting them because we are so pleased with this new concept. A huge faux pas for a good blog but I don't know when I will get quality images of this piece.

After a recent trip to Bucks County Soapstone, we were invited to create a wet bar for the Philadelphia Suburban Home Show. They left the cabinet design to us and we left the sink and countertop design to them. The result was this grand, 8ft long piece to serve as a wet bar or kitchen island.

There are runnels in the upper bar that drain into the sink for those mishaps that may occur during late night festivities. The bar area in the back, sports a comfortable foot rail. One admirer commented that it looked like it was "pulled out of an old tavern".

We are offering these free-standing bars as shown or customized.....SHIPPING NATIONWIDE.

Our latest work...

2009-09-16T18:35:00.001-07:00

We are very pleased to have finished another beautiful kitchen. This historic home is located in Trexlertown, PA. We haven't sent in our favorite photographers yet so I can only share these snapshots for now.

Bucks County Soapstone provided the countertops, backsplash and the roomy 36" block sink. The brick tile on the floor (with radiant heat underneath) was made by Inglenook tile.

If you have plans to remodel a kitchen in your historic home, contact us today for a free kitchen design consultation.

Seaching for unique kitchen cabinets

2009-08-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

Today, the term "custom cabinetry" is used to refer to many types of cabinetry that most of us really wouldn't consider custom. Most stock cabinets are available in 3" width increments but is really custom? Why does a kitchen layout include "fillers" - you know those wasted spaces between cabinets that are merely designed to cover gaps? A better solution is to produce a truly custom cabinet. We do not have standard sizes and we do not need fillers.

While we operate a small, niche cabinet shop - we still keep up with the trade magazines and kitchen trends. I am always struck by the lack of options in affordable kitchen cabinetry - so many of these kitchens are beautiful and well designed but the cabinetry all looks the same.

Our clients are searching for something unique. They want kitchen furniture, something less typical.....something unexpected.

One of our clients suggested we build a 12 ft island that incorporates a 5 ft antique sink from France with a honed granite island. Another client challenged us to build a piece that integrated a massive antique butcher block. This is custom cabinetry.

If you are envisioning a kitchen by Timeless Kitchen Cabinetry & Design -

How to trade your garden surplus

2009-08-12T07:21:00.000-07:00

In the northeast, our gardens are bursting with fresh produce. If my fellow gardeners are enjoying a massive surplus of certain vegetables - we found a solution!: VEGGIETRADER.COM

Who actually needs 80 cucumbers and no matter how tasty they are....who can eat 10 Cherokee purple, heirloom tomatoes every day?

This website connects you to other gardeners in your area with extra produce so you can arrange a swap. It is free and incredibly easy to use. The site is still in its infancy so spread the word so more people will participate.

Great new countertop idea!

2009-08-04T05:56:00.000-07:00

One of my clients challenged me recently to develop a way to integrate a piece of butcher block into an island we were building. She wanted it located on the corner but wanted soapstone countertops on the island. The kitchen isn't "camera-ready" yet but here is a snapshot of the nearly finished island. We love it - anxious to try it again. The block is convenient to the range - easy prep area.

Visit us at timelesskitchendesign.com to see more of our work.

Barefoot Contessa gives common sense advice on kitchen design....and we agree

2009-07-21T18:16:00.001-07:00

House Beautiful has posted this short video of the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten sharing a few of her thoughts on kitchen design. Click here to view it.

Catch the House Beautiful Kitchen of the year, designed in part by Ina Garten. Click here to view the photos.

The kitchen is beautiful...even though it isn't quite our style. We really agree with Ina's comments. As you can see from our portfolio we keep it simple and "unfussy" too. There are very few over-designed, "mantels' above cooking ranges in the kitchens we build.

Take a refreshing look at kitchen cabinetry at TimelessKitchenDesign.com

The skinny on new kitchen floors.

2009-07-16T07:11:00.000-07:00

Many of our clients have a difficult decision to make when they choose to replace their floors. I've heard many people warn against using wood on the kitchen floor....nonsense. Well, I guess it depends on the species, the finish and the type of use the floor will get. If you have a 20 kids who all wear tap shoes or metal cleats then....not a good idea.

One of the most beautiful wood floors, and the type many of our clients choose....a floor milled from reclaimed lumber. Todd Waltz mills beautiful floor boards out of 100 -200-year-old beams of oak, chestnut or heart pine. Visit their website for more information - click here.

Timeless Kitchen Design and the Waltzes have partnered on many past projects. Visit our website to find out more about our work.

Kitchen Tour on Nantucket includes one of our kitchens

2009-07-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

The Nantucket Preservation Trust will host its Fifth Annual Summer Kitchens Tour will be held on Thursday, July 16 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and will highlight kitchens in the historic Fair Street neighborhood. The home of one of our favorite clients has been featured and so hundreds of folks will be seeing our work in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Visit the NPT site for more information on historic Nantucket. Click here for tour information.

Apartment Therapy discusses our milk paint finishes

2009-06-30T05:44:00.000-07:00

Last week, yet another blog has discovered our work and discussed the use of milk paint on kitchen cabinetry. "Apartment Therapy" posted an article that sparked a small debate on the comments posted after the article. Click here to read the post.

I weighed in on the issue.... couldn't resist....

Renovation Junky blog

2009-06-24T05:05:00.000-07:00

This week we were contacted by the folks at the Renovation Junky blog. They had admired our work and requested some "before and after" pictures. We had a few "before" shots of our Gladwyne, PA project and of course you have seen the "after" shots in previous posts.

Click here to read their story on the project as well as some good advice for your kitchen remodel.

New Website from Bucks County Soapstone

2009-06-17T13:12:00.000-07:00

Our friends at Bucks County Soapstone are launching their new website at lovemysink.com

We think its a beautiful site but we may be a bit biased after seeing a few shots of some of our kitchens. Contact Scott at Bucks County Soapstone for soapstone countertops and custom soapstone sinks. Don't miss their block sinks - solid block sinks carved out of a solid piece of soapstone.

New Sample Cabinet

2009-06-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

We recently built this new, free-standing cabinet to serve as a sample in our showroom, even though I am dying to put this in my own house. I love the look of it. The details are inspired by some french country pieces that I've admired recently. The custom color is a gray/green and the chamfer detail is in a rich salmon color. A spare piece of soapstone completes the piece.

This kitchen furniture could be used as an individual piece or an entire kitchen.

Click here to see more of our work or contact us for an estimate or complimentary consultation.

Uphome Event Under the Tent - recap

2009-06-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all of those who came out last weekend to the Event Under the Tent at Uphome. We enjoyed seeing so many of our friends and customers. If you missed it, contact Uphomeltd.com to get on the mailing list for future events.

These photos show work by Around the Bend Willow Furniture, D.R. Coble and Co, painted decorated furniture and by Bryce Ritter, painted furniture. To contact these artists see our past post.

We met several folks that are embarking on new kitchen renovation projects. Check our website and this blog for updates on those projects and give us a call if you want to start one of your own!

Bloggers notice our work:

2009-06-05T08:48:00.001-07:00

Recently I was contacted by the Best of Remodeling website after they found our website and admired our cabinetry. Best of Remodling is dedicated to the homeowner and the home afficionado who enjoys "spectacular remodeling jobs".

The featured project this week is one of our kitchens in Wayne, PA just completed in late 2008. Click here to see the article and photos.

Not too late to plant!

2009-06-02T06:29:00.000-07:00

The number of folks growing their own fruits and vegetables risen this year. A few articles I've read about the subject point to the poor state of the economy as the reason for this. We are growing our own because we enjoy it and, well.....what could be better than a freshly picked heirloom tomato and a handful of fresh arugula and basil out of your own yard? Ok, yes, it is cheaper than buying the highly priced, tasteless varieties at the supermarket.

This year we found Seed Savers Exchange, a non-profit, member supported organization that saves and shares the heirloom seeds of our garden heritage. They sell seeds of many varieties of heirloom fruits and vegetables that still have that home-grown taste; unlike much of the store-bought varieties that have now been grown and selected for appearance and shipping durability - not for delicious taste. Here in the northeast, its not too late to start a few mid/late season beds of spinach, arugula and a many other types of garden crops.

Nothing says summer like tossing that beautiful basket of fresh garden produce down on the massive slab of gorgeous, soapstone countertop in a brand new "vintage" kitchen. Check out Seed Savers at seedsaver.org and visit us a timelesskitchendesign.com for that new kitchen.

JOIN US!

2009-05-28T18:36:00.000-07:00

Come on out and join us at the Event Under the Tent - a small gathering of artists and craftsmen on Friday and Saturday, May 29-30 at UPHOME in Ludwigs Corner, PA - on Rt. 100 just north of the Rt. 401/Rt.100 intersection.

Check out the rare finds in Uphome and visit the guest artists:

Bryce Ritter - Painted Furniture

Around the Bend - Willow Furniture

Dan Coble - Painted Furniture

Debbie Rodgers - Sculptor

Helen Howard - Folk Artist/Painter

Lisa Goodrich - Painted Bowls

..........and of course, Timeless Kitchen Design

Visit the Uphome website for more details....

More Press

2009-05-22T06:28:00.000-07:00

The April Issue of Old House Interiors features an article entitled, "Furniture Quality Kitchens". We spoke with the editors for this article and they have included some of that conversation and a photo of our work in the article. Click here to view the article on our website.

(...and just for the record, I did not quote Duke Ellington in the last paragraph....and I actually disagree with that. A kitchen isn't good because it looks good. It is good when it looks good, is designed well AND functions well.)

Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day Weekend.

Blind corner solution

2009-05-06T08:05:00.000-07:00

What to do about that blind corner in the kitchen? You know, that vast cavern in the corner of the base cabinets? Increasingly, our clients are opposed to the good ole' Lazy Susan. I've always wondered if Susan was really that lazy. I guess she must have been for the name to stick around after all of these years....but I digress.

There are a few modern contraptions that we have used recently with success. The units consist of a two (or three, if you like) tiered shelf system that pulls with a very simple and effortless mechanism. Click here to see a brief video clip. Please don't be fooled by the jazzy tune and contemporary details of the example cabinet. We tucked away one of these units in a blind corner cabinet in one of our recent kitchens. Our goal is to use modern hardware for all interior applications while creating antique surfaces on the cabinet faces. Have a look:

For my fellow coffee addicts...

2009-05-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

OK, sorry....I know that this is a kitchen cabinetry and kitchen design blog but most of my clients seem to include a coffee "area" into their layouts - so I have to share this.

I recently became aware of Crop To Cup, a company based in Chicago, that sells family farmed coffee directly from growers in Africa. The farmers receive a 20% premium over the market price, 5% of every coffee purchase and 10% of company profits. A portion of coffee sales also goes back to the areas in which the coffee is grown to fund local project.

The buyer (and drinker) gets a tasty cup of joe and the chance to see for yourself the economic, social and environmental impacts of your purchase.

It is inspiring to see private enterprise at its best...order online.

Add An "Antique" Island To Your Kitchen

2009-04-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

If a complete remodel of your kitchen is not in the cards - consider adding one of our kitchen islands. We design each island according to the unique needs of each client. In the kitchens that we design and built, our focus is to create kitchen cabinetry that looks more like furniture so integrating an island - with different paint finished, hardware and countertop surface than the rest of your kitchen - helps us acheive that. Some of our islands are table construction as seen in the small photo.

Occasionally, a client will bring us a photo of an antique piece of furniture and ask that we recreate the piece as an island for their kitchen. We welcome these challenges.

The island in the photo above can also be seen House Beautiful.

Custom Paint Finishes

2009-04-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

I snapped a quick shot of the top of a work table a few weeks ago as I was working up the first of what seemed like several hundred shades of blue for a discerning client.

All of our paint finishes are achieved with milk paint. We have many standard finishes but we often mix custom colors to match an existing interior paint color or a favorite antique piece. Finish samples are created after a design has been accepted and after on order has been placed.

We take pride in our unique finish that has been developed by my family and evolved after 20 years of trial and error. It is one of the many details of our work that sets us apart from the rest.

Mudroom

2009-04-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

We have had several requests to build cabinetry for laundry rooms and mudrooms recently. This photo shows cabinetry that was built for a laundry room earlier this year. The free-standing piece was designed using the client's suggestions and requirements. The seat is made from antique pine flooring. The opposite wall (not shown) includes a soapstone laundry sink with integrated washboard and a tall, narrow cabinet storing vacuums and brooms etc.

Click here if you are considering Timeless Kitchen Design for your mudroom or laundry room project!

New Kitchen Photos - Part Deux

2009-04-10T08:58:00.000-07:00

These images are from the second set of photos taken by Gridley+Graves photography. Our client was inspired by the colors and textures of french country kitchens but needed a layout to work for a busy family of 5. The seating and tables are by my dad, Bryce Ritter and can be purchased (along with the great lighting above the island) through Uphome . We partnered once again with Bucks County Soapstone and with Metallo Arts on an amazing, distressed copper backsplash.

Click here to visit our website for more details about our cabinetry.

New Kitchen Photos

2009-04-09T08:03:00.000-07:00

We spent the day with our photographer friends, Anne Gridley and Gary Graves last week - taking some shots of two of our recent kitchen projects. We will be adding new images to our portfolio on our website soon so please take a look. This kitchen was completed last fall in Gladwyne, PA. On this project we partnered with Bucks County Soapstone on the countertop and fantastic sink and with Metallo Arts on the backsplash. Feel free to contact us through our website for details on this project.

Invest in your home

2009-03-05T18:59:00.000-08:00

As we find our economy drifting into a recession, many small businesses are actually thriving. Many homeowners we have spoken to recently are deciding to invest in their homes. As other investments decline, they have found that renovating their kitchen, bathrooms or other areas of their home – will add value to their homes as the real estate market turns around. Another comment I heard last week: “Well, at least I can invest in something I can enjoy now”.

Contact us for a complimentary consultation if you would like to learn more about our cabinetry.

York Historic Home Show

2009-02-22T17:56:00.000-08:00

We will be displaying our work at the York Historic Home Show next weekend - Feb 26 - March 1. Please see the website for show times:

http://www.goodrichpromotions.com/york_historic/index.html

Come on out and see us if you are in the area!

Greater Philadelphia Historic Home Show 2009

2009-01-12T18:43:00.000-08:00

Timeless Kitchen Design will be showing a new kitchen display at the Historic Home Show in King of Prussia, PA this weekend. Visit the official show website at http://www.historichomeshow.com/historic_home/index.html

We will have a few new pieces at the show as well as a new countertop material by our friends at Metalloarts and some new paint finishes. A few surprises can also be found in a few cabinets - state-of-the-art interior hardware we have discovered recently. Email us at our website for complimentary passes. See you at the show.

Sink: Before and After

2009-01-04T18:49:00.000-08:00

We recently completed a project in Broomall, PA in an historic home. The old cabinets and stainless steel sink and countertop was replaced with our cabinetry and a fantastic custom sink from Bucks County Soapstone. See the before and after images:

Historic Home

2008-12-18T07:28:00.000-08:00

Many of our clients own the most beautiful and historically significant homes in this country. We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to see these dwellings so I thought I would share a few images from a recent trip to Maryland (near Antietam).

Family Tradition

2008-12-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

Timeless Kitchen Design was created as a line of kitchen cabinetry based on my father's furniture. Bryce Ritter continues to operate today, making vanities, kitchen tables and all other types of furniture for the home. Visit him at bryceritter.com

Part of our design philosophy is to include the use of free-standing cabinetry in our kitchen layouts. Bryce and I partner on many projects as he furnishes the kitchen with custom cupboards, tables and seating.

And the family tradition continues at Uphome, a fantastic shop operated by my mother, Linda Ritter. The store offers unique home furnishings from the US and abroad as well as jewelry and other perfect holiday gifts.

Before and After in Gladwyne, PA

2008-12-10T11:26:00.000-08:00

Recently we completed a kitchen in a beautiful home in Gladwyne, PA that was in need of a an "update". Please see our before and after shots. The kitchen isn't quite complete - Valley Tin

Works will soon install a backsplash and the homeowner is still adding a few finishing touches.

In Print: "A Kitchen Worthy of the House"

2008-12-07T12:20:00.000-08:00

The Winter 2008 "Early Homes" magazine by Old House Interiors features a great article titled "A Kitchen Worthy of the House" by Mary Ellen Polson. The article discusses several schools of thought regarding kitchen design for old homes - including a few of my own thoughts. Mary Ellen interviewed us about our approach to kitchen design and featured a few beautiful shots of our work. I always thought this was a beautiful magazine. It is a great resource for anyone interested in period homes or "period-inspired" homes.

MetalloArts Rangehoods

2008-11-20T18:44:00.001-08:00

Visit our friend Chris Plummer and his team at MetalloArts for custom range hoods and panels at metalloarts.com .

Check out their Range Hood Builder application on the website to design your own custom range hood.

Their other company: Valley Tin Works offers a wide range of tin panels perfect for your kitchen backsplash - valleytinworks.com

Perfect Countertops

2008-10-02T10:47:00.000-07:00

Looking for the perfect countertop material for your kitchen? Check out Bucks County Soapstone. We partner with with them on most of our kitchen projects and are continually impressed by their workmanship and their product.

This photo was taken this morning when they delivered and installed a sink and countertop in Gladwyne, PA. The soapstone shown here is the natural color of soapstone before it is oiled.

Check back for updates as this kitchen is completed.

Find Bucks County Soapstone online at: buckscountysoapstone.com

Real Vintage #1:

2008-09-15T07:33:00.000-07:00

Vintage is a commonly used term today as it applies to interiors - but this kitchen is truly "VINTAGE". One of our "potential" clients recently purchased a stately old home with many original details intact. We may be designing and building a new kitchen around many of the old fixtures.

The stove is still functional though it leaks. The new homeowner is considering having it restored and using it. The old icebox refrigerator was used up until recently. Original built-in cabinetry has been well cared for and will be left in place. An old gas lamp still stands next to the range. It is a great space....check back for updates.

For anyone that is interested: The range and icebox may be available for sale - please contact us through our website if interested.

Kitchen Untouched for 100 years.....

2008-08-20T18:50:00.000-07:00

OK, I've been a slacker. Time to be more diligent about my postings.

Today I had the chance to see an incredible home that was recently purchased by a potential client. The house, located in suburban Philadelphia, has been well maintained but relatively unchanged since the turned of the century...the last century.

As kitchen specialist, I was blown away by what I saw in the kitchen.

Check back for updates. I will be posting photos as the project proceeds.

Beautiful Hardware

2008-06-19T06:20:00.000-07:00

Great cabinetry needs great hardware. This is why most of our hardware is made by hand by local blacksmiths in Pennsylvania. Our standard hinge is a "butterfly, rattail" hinge shown on this image. We also offer custom pulls and handles for appliances. We offer all hardware for sale - please contact us for current pricing.

Hide that refrigerator!

2008-06-06T18:21:00.000-07:00

The inventive folks at Subzero design the 700 Series refrigerators so that they can be fully integrated into the cabinetry. This allows us to create face panels and enclosures so that the refrigerator appears to be an antique armoire, pie safe with punched tin panels or even an old-fashioned ice box. Period or reproduction handles complete the illusion. Visit the Subzero website for details: http://www.subzero.com/IntegratedRefrigeration/700TCRefrigerator

The new blog....

2008-06-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

Obviously, we are still under construction at the moment. We hope for this blog to be a place where we can discuss our current projects and other kitchen design issues. Please check back as we complete our blog design.