Toys for Tots is the Marine Corps non-profit that organizes donations of toys to millions of less fortunate children across the US each Christmas.
It all started in 1947, when Major Bill Hendricks was prompted by his wife to give a few handmade toys to children in hopes of spreading Christmas joy. Unable to find an organization that would distribute the toys, Hendricks formed what would become Toys for Tots with his reserve unit. Over the years, the organization has gone from giving away 5,000 toys in 1947, to 18 million each year, making sure that as many children as possible can have presents under their Christmas tree.
Using the resources of the Marine Corp reserve, Toys for Tots’ community coordinators manage donations across the United States. Local business, like ourselves, host collection boxes, making it easy for anyone to donate a toy.
We appreciate everyone who was able to donate toys this year at Lenton Company, we are always proud of our community and their generosity.
Please feel free to look at the Toys for Tot’s website to find out more.
If you’re considering redesigning your home or space, color choices may seem like the least of your worries at the beginning, falling behind things like material choices or budget. Yet, your choice of color palette can completely define your remodel.
Here at Lenton Company, we know the importance of color, and how it can make or break a space. We stay up to date on what colors are trending, keeping in mind how we can make each and every remodel special, down to the gritty details.
Soothing Simplicity:
So, what’s in style today? Color trends are always evolving, and never a sure thing, but they sure are a great way to get ideas. Throughout this year, simple, subtle color palettes have taken the throne in popularity. So, warm pastels might just be the cherry on top for your home. If that’s not your style then no worries, color trends are far from a rule book.
Color of the Year:
We work closely with Dunn Edwards for all our remodel painting needs. As paint pros, we make sure to pay attention to their take on color. Each year they release a color of the year, with this year’s being Art & Craft, a mellow, earthy brown. This calming and subtle color will make any space feel like home.
When considering a remodel, we promote all our clients to create a color splash and brainstorm ideas for a future palette for their space. This way, we can best help point you in the right direction for a design that you’ll love for years to come.
Picking the Right One:
If you’re having trouble picking colors, we get it, there are so many to choose from! Luckily, we’re here to help, with expert designers to guide you on your color and design journey. In the Design phase, we will help you to sort through colors and materials, finding exactly what you’re looking for.
If you have been to your local hardware store recently, you may have noticed the empty shelves and sky-high prices. With the pandemic, extreme weather, and unprecedented demand for renovations, supplies and materials are becoming more and more difficult to find.
Despite that, Lenton Company is doing everything that we can to ensure our builds go smoothly, all without compromise to quality. Our team is working hard to keep our clients satisfied with their remodels, which is something that we are proud of.
Staying on top of things:
Our team is working tirelessly to prepare for any and all builds ahead, preordering materials as early as we possibly can. Lizsela, our build coordinator, keeps a constant eye on stock and availability to ensure that we get what we need for each project. If any problems appear, like sudden backorders, she alerts us immediately so we can find a solution.
Prioritizing the Client:
We stay in constant contact with our customers and alert them if there are any potential problems with sourcing materials or supplies. If we need to substitute a material, our design team works with them closely to create a solution that stays true to the design and meets the customer’s needs.
Creating new Solutions:
Making our customers dream home into a reality is something we won’t compromise on. With the difficulty in finding supplies, we have looked for new solutions for our customers, prioritizing them and their home before anything else.
Expanding our Horizons:
We have taken every opportunity to find new options and alternative materials for our builds. This includes our recent additions of Ready to Assemble cabinets, a new bathroom vanity line, and expanding our supplier base. Many of these choices are budget friendly, without compromising on quality.
When it comes to home remodels, bathroom and kitchen remodels have always been top projects. According to data from CNBC, they experienced a 40% increase in popularity in June compared to the previous year. This is because more and more people are staying home. More than ever, bathrooms are used more regularly.
Talking about bathrooms, it’s common to see modern bathroom trends being pushed to the forefront when bathroom remodel ideas come up. Still, there’s something about vintage design trends that can add charm and warmth to your bathroom. Here are some vintage bathroom remodel designs that have proven to be timeless and classic.
Antique Accessories and Accents
Antique accessories are the perfect addition to your bathroom remodel if you want to add some vintage vibes. Even when you’re going for a more modern design, things like a gilded accent mirror, oriental rugs, antique brass cabinet pulls, fabric lampshades, and crystal sconces can give your bathroom some vintage appeal.
The good news is, there are many vintage options to choose from. There are vintage mirrors, vintage shower curtains, vintage colors, plus more to suit whatever style you have in mind. You can even add a vintage armchair in the corner to complete the feel.
Clawfoot Tubs
If you have decided to keep a tub, then you might want to ask your bathroom remodeling company to install a clawfoot tub. Clawafoot tubs have a timeless appeal that will breath more life into your bathroom and can be paired with many elegant features that make for a truly luxurious bathroom experience. However, be sure to also have a standalone shower, just in case you don’t want the hassle of cleaning the tub afterward.
Vintage Wallpaper
The list of popular vintage bathroom design trends wouldn’t be complete without vintage-inspired wallpaper. There are many options to choose from and you can even ask your bathroom remodeling company for help with choosing a quality vintage-inspired wallpaper. Make sure, the wallpaper fits in with your overall theme and colors, so that everything flows smoothly to the eye.
Checkerboard Flooring
The checkerboard floor pattern might have experienced fame in the early 1900s, but it’s back to make a statement again. A black and white bathroom floor will really keep things interesting and it has this whimsical appeal that will earn you extra points for creativity.
So, thinking of going vintage? You can start by considering the trends above. Get professional advice from your bathroom remodeling company to ensure your project is a success.
You need lighting in your kitchen — why not make it fabulous?
Pendant lighting is a top 2021 kitchen design trend. A well-placed pendant light can be a breathtaking focal point or simply a wonderful accent in a beautifully styled kitchen. The sheer number of incredible options can, however, feel overwhelming. We’re here to help with the basics of pendants so you can narrow down your choices and find your perfect light.
Pendants With a Purpose
First, consider the lighting’s purpose. Do you need light above your kitchen island to better read a recipe, or will it light up the entire room? Is the light purely functional, or do you want it for more decorative purposes? Let’s look at how pendant lights fall into each of the four lighting categories — task, ambient, accent, and decorative.
Task Lighting
Pendant lights that aim downward to light up a targeted space are task lights. These are the best choices if you need a strategically well-lit area, like where you do most of your cooking or helping the kids with their homework.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient light gently illuminates an entire room. This light is cast upwards or in all directions, spreading throughout the room for a soft glow. These open, metallic globes show off the vintage Edison bulbs and light up the kitchen with character.
Accent Lighting
These beautiful pendant lights are a perfect example of accent lighting. Do you have a stand-out feature in your kitchen that you want to enhance with a lighting fixture, like this incredible ceiling? An accent pendant light might be the right choice for you.
Decorative Lighting
Sometimes lights enhance décor, and sometimes they are the décor. Focal-point pendant lights like these can be colorful, creative, or just plain stunning conversation pieces.
Keep in mind, there’s no rule against mixing lighting styles and types. These homeowners chose simple cylinder lights above their breakfast bar and striking, intricate candelabra fixtures above the center island.
Size
Pendant lights come in all different sizes. Multiple small fixtures can be hung together for a more delicate look, or if you’re feeling bold, you may decide one large light would be better.
Placement
In addition to choosing the style of light, you also need to think about placement. This will depend on your ceiling height, where in the room your pendant lights are going, and how many you’re putting up. Pendant lights can hang in a straight line or staggered as seen here for more visual interest. You can have them grouped together, or evenly spaced out to light up a larger area.
When it comes to pendant lighting, the choices are endless. The designers at Lenton Company will help you narrow down your options by considering the light’s desired purpose, size, and placement. Ready to start your remodeling journey? Contact us today.
Turning dreams into reality is a skill our designers practice every day. We’ve always believed Lenton Company designers are the best in the business, and now we have proof — Sarah Sylvies is officially a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer. This certification comes from the National Kitchen & Bath Association, a trade group supporting design professionals with tools, networking opportunities, and other resources to succeed in their industry. Being NKBA certified involves education and experience requirements, along with a rigorous application process and examination.
“Using my knowledge and pushing it further with their educational tools really helped me in surpassing my goals. The process was challenging, but the end result was rewarding.”
— Sarah Sylvies
The certification process requirements include a minimum of four years of full-time design experience, with at least two of those years focusing on kitchen and bath design. Besides her work experience, she also needed sixty hours of education credits from the NKBA and other approved coursework.
The process is completed with an intense exam. Sarah was scored on eight detailed design drawings in content categories ranging from graphics to technical planning details. After passing the design component, she was challenged with 100 questions in four categories: design solution, specifications, graphics and presentation, and mechanical and construction.
With this certification, Lenton Company clients can be certain their homes are designed by the best and most experienced in the industry. We are honored to have Sarah on our team and know she is excited to pass her expertise on to her clients, helping them design the kitchens and bathrooms of their dreams. Congratulations, Sarah!
Wondering what our fantastic designers can do to transform your home? Contact us today.
Dreaming of the perfect pantry but lack the space for a walk-in? Meet the deluxe pantry.
The deluxe pantry is a completely custom kitchen storage solution housed in a cabinet, rather than the traditional walk-in closet style pantry. Its efficient use of space makes it perfect for smaller kitchens or where a walk-in is impractical, and its personalized design ensures a place for everything and everything in its place.
Our first deluxe pantry was inspired by a homeowner’s Houzz find in 2017. We crafted the ideal pantry cabinet as part of their kitchen renovation, but our clients worked for the military and had to transfer shortly after its completion. When the new homeowners contacted us about upgrading a few other areas in the house, we were thrilled to see the deluxe pantry was still a much-appreciated element in the kitchen.
These days, the deluxe pantry is a frequently requested Lenton Company specialty. Read on to learn how to maximize these spaces.
The Great In-Doors
Whether your deluxe pantry will be small or large, take advantage of the doors. Door shelving is perfect for frequently accessed items, as well as small collections like spices and oils. Your Lenton Company designer will work with you to configure the doors and interior shelves to the correct depths to keep those items within easy reach.
In the Shallows
Your storage can actually be more efficient with shallow cabinets than deep pantries. Opt for several shelves of varying heights — after all, if you can’t see the food in the back of the pantry, you’re unlikely to use it. Shallow shelving makes everything easy to find, use, and put away again — especially when these fixed shelves are at or above eye level.
Sliding Drawers
Pull-out drawers are an ideal way to have all your needs at your fingertips, especially if your cabinet is deep. Depending on the items you need to store, you can choose drawers of different heights to store items of all shapes, weights and sizes. Adding custom section separators can help keep things well-organized within these drawers, as well.
Closed Camouflage
While you may want to show off your expertly organized pantry to the world, when entertaining family and friends, you will appreciate cabinetry that allows it to blend seamlessly with the rest of your kitchen. Keeping your assorted food and preparation items conveniently close but hidden makes your culinary world both easy and beautiful.
Ready to craft your custom kitchen pantry cabinet? Contact us today to learn how a deluxe pantry can solve all your storage needs.
Since the kitchen is often the main gathering point in any house, it is important to make it warm and inviting. Adding splashes of color from the right color palette is key. This Lancaster kitchen renovation by Lenton Company is an excellent illustration of this concept and was recently featured in an article on Houzz.
If you’re considering a remodel of one of the most important rooms in your home, you want to design with trends that are here to stay. You want a kitchen that functions well and looks great — but you don’t want to chase faddish looks that will date your kitchen.
Check out a few of the trends that will look and work great today and tomorrow and for years to come.
1. Island Life
We’re not taking tropical breezes, but the way an island anchors your kitchen with versatility. It adds horizontal space that’s great for food prep, dining, or homework, while the base can be used for extra storage, a beverage fridge, or a microwave drawer. Think about how you want to use it — some prefer it as just a counter, while others like to put a prep or main sink there, and others prefer to have their cooktop or range located in the island.
2. Building It In
Cutting clutter and having a space for everything in your kitchen is made easier with the new options for storage. Pull-out spice racks, microwave drawers, dishwasher drawers, dedicated cabinets and counters for a coffee station — all of these and more make life neater and easier.
3. Wood’s Natural Warmth
Wherever you look, wood is taking a starring role in kitchen design. In cabinets from traditional to modern, butcher-block counters to hardwood floors, wood is a natural in kitchen design.
4. Color & Shade
White kitchens are timeless, but accenting white upper cabinets with a different color like blue or green on the bottom cabinets adds style and dimension. Islands can also be finished in different colors or tones to make them stand out from the rest of the kitchen.
5. Designing for Life
If you plan to stay in your home past your retirement, you can design for comfort now — without sacrificing style. Swap out bottom cabinets for deep drawers to save your knees while storing things like stockpots and baking sheets. Side-opening wall ovens make it easier to get things in and out — no more bending and stooping to wrestle a heavy roast or Thanksgiving turkey. Counters of varying heights can make it easier to chop or prep food while on a stool or chair, and leaving space underneath can allow those in chairs or wheelchairs to pull in close. And redesigning your kitchen for more space between surfaces not only makes it more roomy, it will make it more accessible for those using mobility devices like walkers or wheelchairs.
Before you start picking out your appliances and finishes, though, you want to find a licensed general contractor near you with experience and integrity. Check reviews and ask for references. A kitchen has so many working parts — many of them hidden like plumbing and electrical — that you want top-notch workmanship from your kitchen remodeler in Lancaster, Palmdale, or the rest of the Antelope Valley.
We love designing and building kitchens that work as great as they look. To get started on your own kitchen remodeling project, give our team of talented designers and craftsmen at Lenton Company a call at 661-273-9179 or send us an email at service@lentoncompany.com.
