Keeping your home tidy can be difficult under the best of circumstances, especially when you have kids. Whether in your front entryway, mudroom or laundry area, custom built locker cabinets can give you the storage you need to keep everything neatly organized without taking up precious space.

Lockers can be created to fit any space in your home where you need a stylish and functional way to arrange coats, shoes and other items. If your home does not have a custom closets Green Bay, lockers can be a lifesaver. Lockers are a great option for coat storage with hanging hooks. This can also double as sports equipment storage for you and your busy children when they get home from practice or a game, or simply to hold your recreational gear that you want easy access to. Whatever your needs, Distinctive Cabinets can create the space perfect for your family.

Having sufficient space in your home, to keep your everyday items organized and to keep clutter to a minimum, is not only a time saver, it can also keep you from pulling your hair our trying to remember where you put something. Creating custom locker spaces within your house can ensure that there is a place for everything, and you can keep everything in its place. No matter the aesthetic of your home, we can create a customized solution that will feel like it was always meant to be there. Whether you are looking for a traditional style entryway with a bench for taking off your shoes, or a sleek modern locker with drawers to keep any mess out of site, Distinctive Cabinets is able to work with you to meet your needs.

Entryway lockers are also a great way to store shoes and boots, especially during the winter months when you do not want to track snow and salt through your home. By creating open cubbies underneath your custom lockers, you can place your muddy or snowy shoes on plastic mats and keep your floors clean. For small children who may not be able to reach the hooks for hanging coats, cubbies underneath can also be a great place to store a small step stool that the little ones can get their outdoor wear without having to wait for your help, making getting them to school in the morning easier on the whole family.

No matter the size of your home or your storage needs, Distinctive Cabinets can help you create a customized space to keep you organized and your sanity intact. Oh, and by the way, we can not guarantee that your kids will actually hang up their coats 🙂

Playroom storage is not only functional, but can be fun and creative as well. There are many options depending on your space, but one thing is sure: keeping an organized play space will make your home feel less like a disaster area.

The first way to maximize your space is to not forget to use the wall space. Customized wall shelves can create storage space that can also grow into decorative space as your children grow. Using bins or baskets to organize items on shelves creates a clean and versatile space that does not take up any floor room.

Corner bookshelves can also give you room for more toy and book storage by utilizing a space that may otherwise be vacant. Consider one that goes up to the ceiling to give you the most room and store items on the top shelves that the kids do not use often. However, if you are using tall furniture, consider wall anchors to make sure that there is no hazard of it tipping.

A way to create both seating and storage is to take wooden storage cubes and add casters to them. This not only adds to your storage, it creates mobile seating to move around as necessary. If you have more space to work with, consider an ottoman or bench that also has storage inside.

An activity table built at children’s height can also create a functional space for activities. Side cabinets built into the table can hold items like coloring books and crayons. Using a countertop instead of wood on the top can make art project cleanups easier, along with making the table more durable for the long run.

Turn your child’s playroom into a room that the whole family can enjoy by creating a space that is fun and functional.

When planning a kitchen re-do or just a facelift, one thing that needs to be considered is the style of countertops you’d like. However, there are several types, each having their own unique characteristics. Below we’ll break down the basics of different materials for countertops to help you better decide what is best for your home, budget and lifestyle.

While there are a plethora of other surfaces such as tiled, concrete and wood, we will focus on the “main” styles: marble, granite, quartz and solid surface.

Marble

Marble is a natural stone that occurs in several parts of the world, each region having its own specific traits. Marble tops come in large slabs, with no two being identical. Veining of colors through marble is common and can create a nice contrast to the normal 90° lines you’ll find in most kitchens. This also makes each countertop unique giving your kitchen a customization that cannot be matched.

As with all natural stone, it has properties that can be both good and bad in a kitchen environment. It is a porous stone that can lend itself to staining and also scratching. Also, due to its chemical makeup, it is susceptible to etching from acids (though there are steps to prevent this).  It is however hard enough that it is chip resistant, can be polished, and is heat resistant. You can get it in several finishes depending if you want highly polished or a more matted look.

It is an ageless look that many high-end kitchens opt for, but it is likely the most expensive option. However, if you are looking for something special to go with your kitchen cabinets, marble is a great choice.

Granite

Also a natural stone, granite is a harder material than marble, meaning it is scratch resistant. Again, each slab is unique, but granite is available in a much wider variety of colors, ranging from nearly pitch black to white with many colors in between. Also, due to granite’s structure it is low maintenance in comparison to marble making it easier to care for. Spills can simply be wiped up and it is resistant to most chemicals.

This is very popular choice for kitchens both modern and classic as there are many choices for colors and veining. The ability to choose which slab or slabs you want for your counters is particularly attractive without the price-tag of marble.

Quartz

Although quartz countertops are made up of natural quartz stone, they are human engineered. Quartz stone is ground and mixed with resins and coloring to make a natural looking product but with more consistency. This allows you to use the material throughout your kitchen and even in other parts of your home all while keeping your look the same. The resins not only make the top scratch resistant, it also makes it non-porous. This means that the top does not need to be sealed unlike natural stone countertops.

Quartz comes in a variety of colors, finishes, patterns and even styles such as metallic flakes. You can now get quartz tops that mimic the looks of marble and granite, and is typically similarly priced to granite.

Solid Surface

Unlike stone countertops, solid surface countertops are completely man-made. This means that they come in a huge variety of colors, patterns, shapes and can be 100% customized to your home. Each piece is molded to fit the specific shape, and can even have a backsplash seamlessly molded with it. This eliminates any gaps where crumbs or bacteria can hide causing mold or bacteria growth. Solid surface is also the only material that can integrate a sink seamlessly.  Due to it being man-made, there are options of patterns that mimic wood, marble, granite, and solid and patterned designs, giving you choices for complete customization. Solid surface does not need to be sealed, is non-porous, and is stain and moisture resistant making it very low maintenance.

However, due to the nature of the material, it is also not as scratch- and heat-resistant. Also, the typically acrylic material can give it a “plastic” feeling that is not as high-design as natural stone options. Depending on the brand, options and style you prefer, price ranges can vary greatly. This is typically a middle of the road pricing option, but can be equal to granite with all the bells and whistles.

 

Take time to think about your daily routine in the kitchen before choosing a surface material. Design, budget, daily usage and your willingness to perform maintenance are all factors in what type of countertops are right for you and your family.

Green Bay is blessed with fertile soil and 4 beautiful seasons, but with the onset of winter, it’s time to harvest your gardens and get the last of what you can from the Farmer’s Market. However if you have a plentiful bounty, you may not be able to eat it all before it starts to spoil. Canning is a great way to preserve your fruits, vegetables, sauces and jams. Follow these steps to end up with a pantry or root cellar chock full of gorgeous jars of fresh produce that will last you through the winter and then some!

Types Of Canning

There are two main types of canning, and which method you use will depend on what it is you are preserving. As a rule of thumb, pressure canning, which uses a pressurized canner, is used for vegetables. For fruits, jams, pickles and sauces, water bath canning is preferred. Always consult your recipe to see what it recommends for pressure canning or water bath, times, and pressure.

Fresh Produce

You always want to start with the freshest picked produce for canning. This will give you the best flavors and textures. If you’re canning sauces or salsas, be sure to can as soon as you are finished making your creation.

Equipment

• Pressure canner/cooker
• Canning jars
• Lids and rings for jars
• Jar lifter
• Towel/Pot holder
• Other pots

Pressure Canning

In order to start pressure canning, you’ll want to fill your pressure canner with 3 quarts of water. You do not need to fill nearly as much as you will if water bath canning as this method is about building up the pressure for heat. You just need enough water to make sure that it does not boil dry. If you have a recipe that calls for long pressure canning you may want to add more water.

Always start with clean jars and lids. Either hand wash with warm soap and water and rinse well, or run through the dishwasher on a hot cycle. When pressure canning you do not need to sterilize since the pressurizing process will do that for you.

Next step is to keep the jars and the seals hot so that when you’re adding the ingredients in, you do not cause dramatic temperature changes. If you washed them in the dishwasher, keep them in with the heated dry on. If you hand washed, place the jars upside down in a large pot with 2 – 3 inches of water, bring to a boil, and then remove the pot from heat. Leave the jars in the water until ready to use each one. If you’re using this method, you must also keep the seals warm. You can use another, smaller pot to heat the seals.

After you have prepared your recipe, fill your jars, using a funnel if necessary. After your jar is filled, wipe the rim of the jar with a clean cloth or tea towel to make sure everything will seal properly.

Place your seal and then ring on the jar and just finger tighten. You do not need to over tighten as they will seal themselves.

Your pressure canner should have a rack on the bottom. Cans should never sit directly on the bottom of the pot, and never be touching one another. This may take some time to get everything situated properly but it is necessary for the circulation of water and steam.

After everything is set, place your lid on your pressure canner, but with the steam vent/gauge hole open. Bring the water to a boil and let it steam for 10 minutes. After that time, close the vent or add your gauge weight and let it come to pressure. Once it comes to the pressure that the recipe calls for, that is when you start your timer. In order to maintain the pressure called for, you will need to adjust your heat, so don’t walk away from the kitchen! You do not want the pressure to dip below what is called for in the recipe you are making.

When the time is up, turn off the heat. Do not vent or try to cool or open. You want the pressure to drop to 0 by itself. This will take some time but it is a necessary part of the canning process to make sure your food will be safe to cellar.

Once the pressure is at 0, you can open the canner. Using your jar lifter, pull your jars and either set on a towel or a wooden cutting board.

This is when patience sets in, but you can finally leave the kitchen. Each jar needs to stay still to cool on its own. As they all cool, you will hear the “pop” of the lid sealing. This means your jar is sealed properly! If, after several hours any jars have not sealed, the food is still safe to eat if you refrigerate it right away and eat it within several days, depending on what the product is.

After everything is cooled to room temperature, make sure to label label label! While you may know what everything is right now, that may not always be the case. Either on the lid, bottom, side, or wherever works best for you, write the contents of the jar and the date.

You’re now ready to store!

Water Bath Canning/Boiling Canning

Most of the steps are the same as pressure canning, however it is used for delicate products such as apple sauce or pickles, that cannot handle the high heat or pressure canning.

As before, you always want to start with clean jars and lids and keep them warm in the same manner. One difference however is that you may need to sterilize your jars. If the recipe you are preparing calls for less than a 10 minute boil, then your jars will need to be sterilized beforehand.

To sterilize your jars, place in a large pot of water (always with a rack on the bottom), cover with water by two inches, and boil for 10 minutes. Turn the heat off and leave the jars in the water until ready to use each one. Empty the hot water just before filling with your jams or fruit.

Once your jars are filled and sealed, place in the canner or a large pot with a rack on the bottom. Add hot water until the jars are covered by 2 inches, again making sure the jars are not touching.

Bring the water to a boil, then start your timer for as long as your recipe calls for. Check occasionally to make sure your pot is maintaining a boil. Once finished, let the water cool for a few minutes, then remove the jars from the water, again placing on a towel or board.

The cooling process is the same, waiting for them to cool, pop, return to room temperature, and label. Now you have beautiful fruits for over ice cream or for pies!

Ideas For Wisconsin Fall Canning

Canning end of summer and fall vegetables means you have fresh tasting produce on your hands all winter without having to pay at the store. Some of the easiest and most abundant ideas for a Green Bay fall garden are:

• Apple Sauce
• Apple Pie Filling
• Tomato Sauce
• Salsa
• Pickles
• Halved Pears
• Green Beans
• Rhubarb Sauce
• Pickled Spicy Peppers

Pantry or Cellar Tips

• Custom cabinetry can be made for existing spaces in your home that are specific for your needs and amount of canning you do. Whether in a pantry or basement, there are many options to fit your style.
• Always label your jars! There are templates you can download if you want everything to look uniform, or a marker on the jar always works and can wash off when you are done.
• For organization, label your shelves with what types of goods are on them. Keep vegetables, fruits, jams, sauces, pickles and salsas in designated areas so that you know what you have available at a glance.
• If you have more than one season of canning, move the older jars to the front when adding the new batch. This will ensure that you don’t end up with that 5 year old jar in the back you forgot about.
• For safety, a thin board across the bottom front of each shelf can keep your kids (or you) from accidentally pulling out more jars than anticipated or having one land on your foot!

Canning is a great way to spend time with your family, both picking the produce, making the recipes and doing the canning itself. Have fun with it and you’ll reap the (delicious) rewards for months to come!

Are you looking to add a fun and functional touch to your kitchen but on a budget? A chalkboard wall can be a great DIY way make your wall into a shopping list, menu or even art space for the kids. Chalkboard paint now comes in more than just black, so great creative! Follow these DIY tips to wake up your kitchen without spending a lot of money.

Choose Your Wall

Since you have to prep your walls before painting it is important to choose which wall you want to chalkboard paint first. If you’re planning on having the kids draw on it, it’s important that they can reach the area. Keep in mind that you do not have to do an entire wall either. Visualize what you want your kitchen look like and plan from there.

Prep Your Wall

Tools you will need include:

• Clean lint-free cloth
• General purpose concentrated cleaner
• Bucket and warm water
• 100-grit sandpaper or primer
• Paint roller extension handle
• Gloves
• Drop cloth
• Safety glasses
• Step ladder
• Paint tray

Materials you will need include:

• Painter’s tape
• Respiratory mask
• Chalkboard paint of your choice
• Small paintbrush

Since kitchen walls have a tendency to accumulate more grease than other rooms, you’ll want to start by cleaning your walls. Lay down tarps around any place you will be painting. After removing all decorations and nails from your wall, take a bucket of warm water and the cleaner of your choice and dilute per manufacturer’s directions. Using a lint-free rag, wipe down your walls removing any grease or food debris.

Depending on the type of walls you have, you have two main options for the next step of prep: fine-grit sand paper or primer. If your walls have a lot of damage or heavy texturing, primer may be easiest to smooth them out. However, if your walls are in fairly good condition, then a light sanding to rough up the surface should do the trick. If sanding, sand completely top to bottom and side to side without missing any spots. If you are sanding, however, be sure to wear a mask and eye protection. Some older Wisconsin homes can contain lead paint, so, as always, safety first.

Cut In With A Paintbrush

If you have a deft hand, then edging with a paintbrush around corners, windows, baseboards, etc. should be easy enough. If you’re not confident however, then a simple application of painter’s tape will protect anything you don’t want paint on.

Rolling On Wall

Using a paint roller, tray, and extension pole if necessary, roll paint on in small areas using an up-and-down “W” motion. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying time between coats and recommended number of coats.

Cleaning Up

After finishing with the painting, clean any brushes or rollers with warm, soapy water. Rinse with clean water and set aside to dry. Once the paint has fully dried, remove the painters tape and any tarps. Before using the wall, check with your manufacturer’s directions on how long you should wait, which can be anywhere from 1 to 3 days.

Enjoy!

Add your own personal touches to make your wall your own. Create a tray or box to hold chalk on the wall. Use decorative molding to create separate spaces on your wall. Write your recipe on the wall before cooking for easy reference. Make an open spice rack by adding shallow shelves and keep your most popular spices within reach. It can also be used as a family time activity to keep the kids in the kitchen but busy while you cook dinner, and then all can enjoy their art. And when you want to change your wall, use a damp rag to wipe clean and start all over!