by Chris Boulton | May 30, 2018 | Architects, Cabinets 101, Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers
There have been major recent advances within the home cabinet industry, in terms of how cabinet door hinges operate, the most recent of them being the soft-close hinge. This innovative product slows the closing process of a cabinet door, to the extent that instead of the traditional slamming sound we have all come to associate with a cabinet door closing, there is naught but silence, even when the door is closed with force. Soft-closing hinge attachments need only be added to one hinge per cabinet door, or two units per door in the event that you have a larger pantry-style door. Benefits of soft-close cabinetry Whether you want to eliminate slamming cabinet doors, lower the wear and tear on your cabinets, or just make a safer environment for little fingers, installing the soft-close attachment is a great addition to your cabinets. You’ll be surprised at how much they can contribute to a noiseless environment in your kitchen, and how they make cooking more relaxing and enjoyable by removing the “thunk” of a slamming door from the hustle and bustle of a busy cooking experience. Soft-close cabinetry installation Our design consultants can walk you through the process of learning which design of hinge your doors currently have installed, and then will help you decide how many hinges to purchase for your unique home kitchen. After you have completed this initial step, we can have one of our professional techs install the soft-close mechanisms for you with diligence and efficiency. Before you know it, you’ll have a quiet and safe kitchen for you and your family to enjoy. Why choose soft-close...
by Chris Boulton | May 23, 2018 | Architects, Cabinets 101, Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers
The term refacing refers to the process of changing the face or look of your home office, entertainment center, bathroom and kitchen cabinets by installing new doors and drawer fronts, and changing the appearance of the face frames of the cabinets to a new stain, and quite often a new wood species. Cabinet refacing is generally more ecologically sound than full scale kitchen remodeling, since the amount of debris put in the landfill is generally cut by almost three quarters. Ecologically sound materials such as bamboo can be selected to replace the outmoded hardwood or laminate doors and fronts. Most companies here in Phoenix, Arizona that perform a refacing service use thin layers of wood veneers, PVC plastics, or laminates to put on top of your existing cabinet frames to give it a new face or appearance. The work is very similar but you need to understand which technique they plan to use before you agree to have the work done. The process of refacing, using veneers etc. is very labor intensive and has many limitations, such as a substantial amount of cabinet preparation that needs to take place in order to properly reface your cabinets, a limited amount of stain or color choices, and a limited amount of wood species available. The plastics and laminates used do not look exactly like wood and quite often do not match very well with the new wood colors. Real Wood Refacing However, a new way to reface cabinets has been developed that eliminates many of the limitations that cabinet refacing companies have faced in the past. The newest and best way...
by Chris Boulton | Mar 7, 2018 | Architects, Cabinets 101, Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers
When the time comes to give your kitchen a facelift, the first place to look is the cabinetry. If the wood species and stain of the cabinet denote the color and feel of the room they inhabit, then the door style is what lends an overarching sense of style and refinement. There are multiple construction types, finishes, and wood species to choose for your kitchen cabinets, but you may not have realized that there are also more than one cabinet door shape. The cabinet door shape that you choose for your cabinet can solidify the design theme of your kitchen and bring thoughts of style and theme to life. Types of Cabinet Door: While there are many individual options when it comes time to choose a door shape for your home cabinets, there are basically three main types of cabinet door shapes: slab door, recessed panel, or raised wood. The slab, also know as a flat panel door, is a frameless cabinet door. The wood grain and the colors may not always match perfectly across slab doors, but it is perfectly ideal if you are looking for a more rustic theme for your home design project. If you are trying to achieve either a classic or traditional style in your kitchen, then the raised panel door may be the best choice for you. Among the raised panel cabinet door styles, there are also choices of cathedral, arched, or square shapes to determine the shape of the raised panel. This gives you a few more options to make your kitchen cabinets as custom as possible to your original ideas without...
by Chris Boulton | Feb 6, 2018 | Cabinets 101, Homeowners
So it is your turn to get your kitchen remodeled? Of course you are looking for the best design for you, your wants and needs. It will also be a great bonus to have a return on investment. These are the two most important items to discuss when you begin the work on your dream kitchen. Your dreams and hopes along with a financial return. We will discuss how to bring those dreams to reality! Taking the time at the get go to go over these details and make sure your every need is discussed will reduce stress involved in the entire process. It is best to get with a qualified professional Kitchen Designer that will take the time needed to be sure you get all you are looking for in your new kitchen. Imagine your new kitchen with the exact cabinetry you desire. Now add the perfectly designed layout that functions well for you and your family. This is the desired outcome we want for you. Be sure to find a Professional Kitchen Designer that will take time to actually hear your list of needs and desires. A Kitchen Designer that will ask you the right questions is very important! Tips to consider as you begin your Kitchen Remodel We all know our kitchens readily become the central point of our homes. There is cooking, school homework, special cooking treats together, projects, eating and entertaining. Let’s face it, the kitchen is where we all seem to love to be. And our family feels the most comfortable there. Let’s look at a few tips we all need to discuss before any designing takes place. Traffic – Where the kitchen is located in your home will dictate the space and placement of cabinetry. Is there an entrance...
by Chris Boulton | Jan 30, 2018 | Architects, Cabinets 101, Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers
When you think of remodeling, one of the first items to consider is your kitchen. Statistics suggest that a quality kitchen remodel can actually help to increase the value of your home. When selling your home, an updated kitchen with modern conveniences can attract more buyers and set your home apart from other similar homes in your neighborhood. Cabinetry is typically one of the more expensive items in your kitchen remodel project, so choosing the right type of cabinetry for your home is very important. Custom Cabinets What you want is what you get, and what you imagine can appear in reality. Custom cabinets are typically manufactured by local craftsmen, tradesmen with honed skills, and sometimes by expensive automated equipment. Custom cabinets offer you a wide variety of wood species, the biggest selection of door styles, an assortment of options and modern conveniences, and a vast array of stains and finishes. Unlike modular cabinets, which are cabinets made in 3″ increments, custom cabinets are made to fit and are often made in the dimensions used by “Big Box” construction methods. Door and drawer combinations are no problem, and custom sizes, angles, differing height dimensions, special finishes, stains and glazing are all traits of custom cabinetry. A buyer must be careful though: just because someone builds custom cabinets doesn’t mean the craftsmanship is of the highest quality. In choosing a custom cabinet manufacturer, always look at the manufacturer’s portfolio, ask for references, and take a tour of their shop. There are also several national companies that build custom cabinets, but add shipping costs, and the possibility of damage normally means...
by Chris Boulton | Mar 15, 2017 | Architects, Cabinets 101, Contractors, Homeowners, Interior Designers
You have all the square footage you could ever desire for your dream kitchen. Now What? Be careful at this point to find a qualified kitchen designer. It would be a shame to find your new kitchen just cabinets and countertops. Let’s get some design flair and excitement in your home’s hub. Not only do we want to customize the cabinetry to your wants and needs, we want to make your statement heard as your visitors view your masterpiece. A WOW factor that will catch that coveted ‘gasp’ of excitement each time your visitors return. Lets get serious, the contented joy you will feel each time you walk into your kitchen is your end desire. It’s your domain, so make it yours. Good Design is a Great Place to Start in Your Kitchen Even though money might not be an issue, it is best practice to set an investment range to stay within. In a remodel there are many elements to consider. Adding or removing walls can be considered. Are you going to completely alter the existing kitchen space or leave your major components such as appliances in place? In new construction it is always best to design your cabinetry needs prior to walls. In this way we can tell your builder precisely where you need the walls going up. . Bells and Whistles There is so much fun looking at and specifying all the accessories, cabinetry and countertops. What is important to each person varies as the shape of snowflakes vary. Start early with your lists. Are you baking a lot and need an oven with convection? Hate pre-washing your dishes and want a highly efficient dishwasher? You might choose a three bowl sink in your cleanup area. Prep...
