Remodeling 101 Part 4 Finishing Touches

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Part 4: The Finishing Touches

Construction crews have left your home now and it is time to put your space back together with the last details.

Cleaning up

Now that everything is in its place and the dust has literally settled, it’s time to clean up.  As was mentioned in our article on Part 3; if you used a contractor some cleanup may be included in their estimate.  This is probably basic and may not include wiping down all of the surfaces.  Your new cabinets will be dusty inside and out.  First from being assembled in the shop, then from installation, and finally from the countertops and appliances being put in.  Hopefully, the dust barriers you put in place helped some, but you should still plan a large chunk of time to devote to the task of straightening up.

Tile backsplash  

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved

If you have a tendency to procrastinate, you’re in luck.  Your tile backsplash can be decided on and installed after you’ve lived in your kitchen for awhile.  In fact, mine wasn’t installed until after 6 weeks of using our kitchen.  We had narrowed our selections down to three options and my husband requested to wait on deciding until he could “see it all come together”.  Once it was all together we went with my original selection from months earlier…..happy wife, happy life, right?

Artwork

All of the photos and prints you took down to avoid being damaged can now be put back into space.  Since the walls have likely been freshly painted you can get creative with the way you rehang your photos.  Mixing frame sizes and finishes is gaining popularity.  Now that you’re living in the renovated space you will most likely want to buy some new artwork to bring the space together.  Don’t be afraid to play with scale and color when making art purchases.  If you live with something for awhile and don’t love it then you can always switch it out.  That is what makes decorating with artwork so fun.

Finding a place for everything

Great storage with drawers.

Restocking your new cabinets is an exciting time.  Think through where you want to put things based on how you utilize the space.  You probably planned this out with your kitchen designer in advance, but now you can put your plan to work. I’m talking about all the utensil dividers, spice pullouts, mixer lifts, custom corner storage, etc.  At Walker Woodworking they pride themselves on making use of every square inch available.  My favorite part of my new kitchen was using my silverware drawer.  We had not previously had one close to the sink in our old 80’s kitchen, so we’d been using a silverware tray set in an upper cabinet.  I now have a huge silverware drawer with a custom divider and knife block inside, courtesy of Walker Woodworking.

Grocery shopping

Now for the fun part.  If you’re like me you may be thinking “How on Earth will I fill all of these cabinets?”  Believe me, you will be able to. When I had gone shopping prior to our renovation I had to buy only necessities for the next meal; due to having very little extra pantry storage in our kitchen.  We now have a snack drawer, bread drawer, sippy cup drawer, a full tall pantry cabinet, places for stock pots, crock pots, storage for my broom/swiffer, and even a recycling nook.  I love being able to shop knowing that I have space for all the food to fit in my kitchen.

Cook and enjoy

You can now use all of your wonderful appliances and the gorgeous new deep sink you put in.  Once in your new kitchen, you can branch out and try some new exciting recipes.  Hopefully, you will be inspired to move beyond the microwave for cooking and learn some new techniques.  The only bad news is that using your kitchen means it will get dirty again.  Have fun in your new space……cook, clean, rinse, and repeat.

Article by guest blogger Jeneane Beaver, former Designer at Walker Woodworking.

“Having worked with Walker Woodworking for 7 years, I have the opportunity to share my experiences as a designer as well as a client, I remodeled my own kitchen in 2012.”  ~ Jeneane Beaver

Ready to start your next project? Call Walker Woodworking today and get the process started. 704-434-0823

If you have recently completed a renovation and you want to share your perspective, please comment below.

Check out the other parts of our remodeling series.

Intro to this remodeling series? Click this link to see it now.

Part 1 Budgeting and Planning Remodel Budget Analysis? Click here to see it now.

Part 2 Making your selections. Click link to view post.

Part 3 Under Construction. Click link to view post.

Remodeling 101 Part 3 Construction

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Part 3: Living in a Construction Zone

under sonstruction

It’s here, it’s finally here!!! The day you’ve been dreaming of has arrived……construction begins! Then it hits you…..construction chaos has arrived! I now realize, I need more time!

It can be stressful to have your home torn apart and even more daunting to think of living in your home the entire time during the renovation.  But you can do it.  If you’ve read and followed our previous blog posts in our remodeling series, Part 1 and Part 2, then you should be well prepared for the demolition and construction phase.  The pre-planning done during those stages of your project should make this most arduous phase as brief as possible, getting you smoothly to Part 4 – Finishing Touches –  and ultimately to the reward of tasting the first delicious meal in your new kitchen.  

Before the construction crew arrives  

  • Clean out the cabinets and haul off old appliances.  This is a good time to purge.  You probably have more than you need in terms of kitchen gadgets, and cookbooks that have been replaced by e-versions.  Use this time to clear out the clutter.  Bonus: if you give them to charity you can keep the receipt for a tax write-off.  
  • Set up a makeshift “kitchenette” somewhere that is easily accessible.  During my own personal experience, my husband and I used a mini fridge, toaster oven, and microwave to survive our construction phase.  Coffee is essential for me as well, so I also set up a coffee station in our bathroom.  Keep your take out menus in a convenient spot; they will come in handy to help you survive life without a kitchen.
  • Find a place to store excess food until the job is completed.  We turned a spare closet into a temporary pantry while our home was being disassembled.
  • Setup dust barriers if possible, or have this quoted from your contractor.  This will depend on your layout and the scope of the project, but if possible you can hang sheets at the construction entrances to minimize dust and debris extending beyond the work zone.
  • Breathe – you’re prepared, enjoy the process as much as you can   🙂

Demolition Day  

The contracting crew will disassemble walls, cabinets, floors, etc.  Whatever is required to create a “clean slate” for your new design to become reality.  It will be exciting to see the old cabinets leave the space.  Seeing the new open area can help you envision how the new plan will come together.  Once our space was emptied I used my plans to draw out the footprint of the kitchen.  I really became excited, to see the reality of my vision finally appearing before my eyes.

The work continues

Depending on the scope of your project the work may take a few weeks to complete.  However, things will generally happen in this order:

  • Plumbing and electrical rough in changes will be made.  New pathways will be made for outlets to be accessed and for a new sink placement if needed.  
  • Framing and drywall will be completed.  This is where the dust barriers will come in handy.  The process is messy.  I’d recommend painting the new walls once they are ready; that way the walls will be completed prior to new floors going in.
  • Floors are installed.  Whether wood or tile, the flooring installation can last a few days. They will be beautiful in the new open space.
  • Cabinets will be installed next.  I believe this is the most exciting part of the construction process, because these custom components are the backbone of the new work-space.  The day they arrive will be better than Christmas.  The beautiful finishes, hardware, spacious drawers, and custom pullouts are finally arriving in your home! Yay! The installation will last a few days, then a counter-top template can be finalized.  
  • Counter-tops are next to go in.  The gorgeous tops you’ve selected will be the icing on the cake.  If you need any of these to be cut on site, the dust barriers will need to be in place for this as well.  You are almost to the finish line!
  • Last electrical and plumbing can now be completed.  Appliances can be installed, and you can now have a working sink, as well as a better place for your coffee machine (no longer in the bathroom).

Cabinets Arrive! Work Continues.

Prepare for hiccups:  I know what you’re thinking. “That doesn’t sound too bad,” and you’re right. The idea of living in a construction zone doesn’t sound too bad here.  If only a project could be finished in the time it takes to read this article, but alas, it cannot.  Any home project takes time, and a major remodel is definitely a lengthy process.  Be flexible and expect at least one delay to come up; they are inevitable.  Be courteous to the people working in your home, if you are respectful to them, they will be more inclined to treat you and your home with respect. Be sure to report anyone that comes into your home that is not courteous. Small business owners appreciate knowing of any problems as soon as they arise.

Working Toward a Completed Project

Take some before, during, and after pictures to share with friends and family. It is exciting to see the progression.

Last tip: Don’t bother trying to clean up until the job is truly complete, because you’ll be dissatisfied and will be doing it more than once. If a General Contractor is looking after your project, he may have clean-up included as part of your estimate.

Once construction is done it will be time to put your kitchen back together and get ready for Part 4 –  The Finishing Touches (coming soon to complete our renovation series).

Article by guest blogger: Jeneane Beaver, Former Designer at Walker Woodworking

“Having worked with Walker Woodworking for 7 years, I have the opportunity to share my experiences as a designer as well as a client, I remodeled my own kitchen in 2012.”  ~ Jeneane Beaver

If you are only in the dreaming stage of beginning your project, we’d love to talk to you and work with you to fine tune your very own remodel plan.  If you’re ready to be further from dreaming and closer to construction, call Walker Woodworking today 704.434.0823.

Please feel free to add a comment about your own personal experience with remodeling.

Did you miss the intro to this remodeling series? Click this link to see it now.

Did you miss Part 1 Budgeting and Planning Remodel Budget Analysis? Click here to see it now. 

In case you missed it – Part 2 Making your selections. Click link to view post.

Remodeling 101 Part 2 making your selections

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Remodeling 101 Part 2 – Making Your Selections.

We continue our remodeling 101 series with part 2 –  making selections for a kitchen remodel project. A remodel is like a journey, so to speak. To make a journey successful and memorable, much planning must take place. The purpose for the journey must be established up front, of course.  Financially, plans must be made and adhered to. Small details must be addressed while at the same time, the big picture of the journey must not be lost in the details.   Otherwise, the journey may result in a miserable experience for everyone involved.  Avoid these types of problems when planning for a kitchen remodel.

Let’s get started

Now that you have determined your budget goals (Remodeling 101 Part 1:  Budgeting and Planning Remodel), it’s time to talk “ design.” A kitchen remodel must begin with focus on planning and designing for the space you have. Cabinetry will most likely consume the majority of your budget in the kitchen and will dictate the space and layout.  

A major kitchen remodel must be completed in the right order for maximum efficiency.  Working with an experienced kitchen designer is a key factor to obtaining the best layout for function, organization, aesthetics and overall flow of your kitchen remodel.

 

A kitchen designer can help you with all the elements involved and will suggest that you make your selections in this order. Consider the Selection Guide shown here:

  • Cabinetry design & space planning                         
  • Appliances
  • Flooring
  • Cabinet finishes
  • Countertop material & finishes
  • Backsplash
  • Sinks & fixtures
  • Lighting
  • Cabinet hardware

While the Selection Guide may seem daunting and overwhelming, the biggest factor is to understand all the possibilities up-front instead of as an afterthought. Please note that cabinets are mentioned 3 times in this process. After 15 plus years of remodeling kitchens, we know the process that works best for most of our clients. The only time the process doesn’t follow this order – is when the planning & design function is completely left up to the designer. (Omitting the client)

Keep in mind that this Selection Guide will provide the order in which your decisions should be made.   It’s okay to be thinking about all of these components at the same time. But, ideally this is the order that works best for most clients, even those that are well organized and know exactly what they want. Based on our past experiences with our clients, the more our designers use the Selection Guide with clients, the better satisfied the clients are with the final product.  Now, let’s break down each step.

cabinet design ideas, kitchen design ideas, remodeling

Cabinetry design & space planning in your kitchen layout.

Cabinetry design & space planning

During this stage of the process, you really should postpone thoughts of  everything else and focus on designing your space. When remodeling a kitchen, think function, efficiency, style and longevity. Choose cabinets you love and a layout that works for your family’s lifestyle. If you like to cook, organizing your kitchen for your cooking style may be your priority. Let’s say that you love to entertain in your kitchen.  If so, you need a layout that allows for people in your kitchen while maintaining your work zone. Maybe you want your kitchen to be the main command center in your home. A desk area where you would sort mail and work on your computer may be needed. Of course some people like  the “WOW factor,” and insist on the newest styles and trends.    Kitchens are used in different ways by couples and families. Allow your cabinet design & space planning to meet your specific goals.  Needless to say, the majority of our client time is used for design & space planning.

custom hood, wolf range, appliances

Appliances need to be selected early in the process. Location and sizes are important in design.

Appliances

If you thought about appliances during your budgeting phase, you probably have an idea of the features you would like. In order to finalize your cabinet design, you need to make your final appliance selections. Size matters and depending on your selections, you may gain or lose space for your cabinets. So plan carefully and discuss your decision with your design team.

Flooring

I am sure by now you have been thinking about what type of flooring to use. Many people already have hardwood floors in their kitchen and opt to have those refinished for a fresh new look. Changing out and replacing your floors can be an expensive part of the project compared to keeping and refinishing an existing floor. Before you make other finish selections, we recommend you give much consideration to the flooring selection.

Choose cabinet finishes

Over the years we have found that often people approach cabinet design with a picture. And while we can certainly replicate most finishes, we can’t make a picture of a kitchen fit into your space. Once you have decided on the cabinet design and your appliances, (the most expensive parts of the remodel), you can think about your finishes.  We provide sample finishes in our showroom from which our customers may make the selections.  If a custom sample is needed we usually start with a selection of crown molding in order to establish a color.  Once that decision is made, we provide a sample cabinet door. Sample cabinet doors will prove to be invaluable  when you are ready to select the countertops and backsplash that you prefer.  

white cabinets, quartz counter-tops, marble backsplash

Cabinet finishes, counter-tops and tile backsplash bring together all the elements for the final touches.

Countertop material & finishes

Now that you have your cabinet finishes selected, it’s time to shop around for the perfect countertop. The options are only limited by your budget as price is usually based upon the type of material used and the quantity available. Of course the most common material used today is granite, but marble and man-made stones are in very close second place.

Backsplash

Often you can select your backsplash at the same time you select your countertops. It’s highly recommended to make an appointment when you decide to shop around for tile and granite, the most popular choices for a backsplash. When you enter a showroom with an appointment, you are more likely to be served quickly. Be sure to bring an elevation view of your design drawings so the vendor will be able to provide a quick estimate of materials that you will need for the backsplash.   For the visit to your first vendor, we recommend that you allow yourself at least 1 hour for your tile presentation /discussion and 1 hour for your granite presentation/discussion.  By the time you visit your next vendor, you will be much more informed about what you are looking for and can narrow your selections down much faster. We would advise that you to visit only two vendors per day.  Too much information and too many choices can be overwhelming.

For a bathroom remodel

If you are working on a bathroom project and plan to have floor and wall tile with several patterns and pieces, you will need to schedule two hours at each showroom.

white cabinets, antique brass fixtures & hardware

This homeowner chose to use antique brass for her lighting, fixtures and hardware finishes.

Sinks & fixtures

Selecting your sink and fixtures will likely be the easiest decisions to make. However, keep in mind that specs for farm sinks, apron front sinks, and oversized sinks need to be provided to your cabinet designer early in the planning stage.  Nothing can be more disappointing than having a sink too big for your countertop  due to lack of communication. Clients tend to worry about fixture finishes. There is no right or wrong selections when it comes to mixing metals. For example, a stainless steel sink and faucet will complement just about any type of hardware or light fixtures.   

Lighting

Lighting can be a great selection to add a touch of your own personality. Many people consider lights to be a complement to the kitchen design. Selecting the perfect pendants or chandelier can be time consuming with so many options available online. We recommend selecting lighting components that will provide you with plenty of light, that are easy to clean, and will add charm to your kitchen.

Cabinet hardware

Cabinet hardware has improved greatly in the last 15 years. With so many options, narrowing down your favorites can prove difficult.  As much as we would love for hardware to be selected when the cabinet finishes are selected, it is rarely the reality. Clients tend to let hardware be one of the final decisions they make. Selecting the perfect hardware for your kitchen is, of course, another big decision.  We understand that you want the hardware to coordinate with all of your other selections. It can be difficult to visualize which hardware will look best.  For example, some pieces are minimal while others are bulky.  Don’t hesitate to seek the advice of your kitchen and bath designer. Having seen many styles and finishes over the years, we have a good idea about which pieces look really great and those that only look OK.

ONE STEP AT A TIME

Taking things one-step-at-a-time and having the guidance of a kitchen and bath designer will make your kitchen remodel a more enjoyable experience. Following our recommended order in the Selection Guide will allow you to soar through the process with all decisions made at the appropriate times. Kitchen and bath designers can help with as little or as much of the process as you need. Some of our clients prefer to take an active role in making the decisions while others leave all the options to us.

The scope of your project will determine how long this process takes. The process of simply removing old cabinets and installing new ones is definitely less complicated than removing walls and/or changing plumbing and electrical locations. Whatever the scope of your project may be, please maintain patience and focus so that you will be pleased with the end result.

The next part in our Remodeling 101 Series is “Tearing it out and Replacing it with beautiful Walker Woodworking Cabinetry.” Click this link to view post. 

Thanks for reading, tell us what you think, was this article helpful? We would love to have your comments.

Did you miss the intro to this remodeling series? Click this link to see it now.

Did you miss Part 1 Budgeting and Planning Remodel Budget Analysis? Click here to see it now. 

Remodeling 101 Part 1 Budgeting and Planning Remodel Budget Analysis

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Project PlanningRemodeling 101 Part 1  Budgeting & Planning

Setting a realistic budget

Does remodeling your kitchen and bath seem so intimidating that you are not sure where you should begin?

Do you want to remodel but can’t get started because you know you must stay within a certain budget?

Whether you are planning a kitchen or bath remodeling project, or some portion of that, the questions stated above are the common obstacles that keep many people from taking on what may seem like the daunting task of getting the process started.

It has been our experience over the years that most people want to know what the overall project will cost before they start.  If the project is out of your total budget then you may have to re-evaluate what you can realistically afford or make decisions on how you want to spend the funds you have.

Not so fast…  

Cabinets are probably the first thing most people think about when remodeling a kitchen. Cabinets can be a major portion of the expense of a kitchen remodel but not necessarily the most expensive. Most people don’t realize what cabinets, countertops and appliances really cost. Discussing these topics with a professional will help you make the most of your budget by explaining the different options and the cost of each.

How we integrate this into our process.

Getting a ‘budget analysis’ is the first step we like to start with to help our clients narrow down expenses for each part of the remodel task. We determine the products that are needed and the amount willing to be spent on them.

-calculator-webWhat is a “Budget Analysis”?

A budget analysis will give you an idea of what the scope of your project will cost. We have found that this method is very beneficial for all of our clients. We simply take some preset formulas, add them with measurements in your home and then discuss each element of the project with your preferences to determine an estimated cost.

So how exactly does the Budget Analysis work?

For starters we will need to know some simple things, we ask A LOT of questions. Are you keeping your same cabinet layout or starting with a fresh plan? Do you want to remove walls to open up your space? Are any of the walls that you want to move load bearing? Are you wanting to add a new addition to your home?

Determine how to spend your budget.

Another area of important topics that we will ask; What is the purpose of remodeling? Are you remodeling to sell? Is this your forever home? Are you updating to get newer appliances? What is the value of your home? This will help determine what your budget levels should be.

As an example, Walker Woodworking offers 3 types of cabinetry; basic-standard cabinets, semi-custom cabinets and custom cabinets. The price difference can vary from 30% to 50%. If you are updating your kitchen in order to sell in a couple of years, you may not want to spend your budget on custom cabinets. 

Other options; you can mix and match cabinets. Let’s say you have a fairly large kitchen or you want to splurge on appliances. You can spend less money by purchasing semi-custom cabinets and have a custom hood built. There are solutions for most situations. We help our clients get the most out of what they want to spend while making their space functional and unique to their lifestyle.

Are you overwhelmed yet?

Don’t be overwhelmed by all of the questions. People remodel for many different reasons. By determining what your goals are will ultimately help you determine where you should invest your budget. As professionals of our industry, we are here to help guide you along the way.

At our very first meeting with our clients we discuss budget. By asking questions and taking some simple measurements, we will leave you with a budget we feel is a close estimate of your project. Is it exact science? Of course not, but we are usually within 8% of the actual cost. This process can take up to 2 hours or more depending on the scope of the project.

Don’t be discouraged by the numbers, there are always ways to save. Once you make your final selections you still have plenty of ways to decide what you want to spend your money on.

Once you have settled on a budget that you feel comfortable with, it’s time to make selections.

NEXT ~ Making selections is our next phase of the remodeling process.  Let’s see what that entails.

Tell us what you think, was this article helpful? We would love to have your comments.

Remodeling 101 – Introduction To The Remodeling Process

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Remodeling 101 Introduction

A four-part educational series of expectations when remodeling your kitchen or bathroom.

Over the years HGTV has made remodeling look so simple and easy that most people don’t realize how much planning really goes into making that 60 minute show happen from start to finish. Even the experts usually have a budget to work with and a timeline to stick to. So let’s be realistic. What is it really going to take to get your project started?

Working through each step of the remodeling process can help you determine if you are ready to have your home ‘under construction’.  Is the project within your budget? And is the timing right?

Here at Walker Woodworking we take a different approach to remodeling, making the kitchen or bath remodel process easier for everyone. During this four-part series we will look at the 4 phases of remodeling. We will also give you some great planning and budgeting tips to consider. 

  • Phase 1: Planning & Budget.  Starting your remodeling project with a realistic budget will save you time, money, and disappointment.
  • Phase 2: Making your selections. Finalize your decisions.
  • Phase 3: Tearing it all out and replacing it with new – what you can expect during this part of the process.
  • Phase 4: Finishing touches, getting those final details completed.

 

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

How to update your kitchen from this. ~ Before photo

 

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

To this. ~ After Photo

Want to see more of this before and after project? Click here to see more.

We also have a great blog about another remodel project. Read about it here. 

Before you get started on a remodeling project, consider the following tips to keep in mind.

Be prepared to take a little time off of work.

Keep in mind that kitchen & bath centers are usually open Monday – Friday, typically 9 to 5:30 – with limited Saturday hours. While a showroom may be open on a Saturday, you may not be able to meet with a professional designer during this time. You should be prepared to take some time off work to meet with various professionals in order to make necessary decisions to complete your project.

Think realistically about your lifestyle.

We like to know as much as possible about a client’s habits, likes, and dislikes. Many people have an unrealistic vision of how they will live once they have a new kitchen. As professionals, we have to design for real life, not fantasy. Having your kitchen organized and functional can make your daily tasks easier.

Don’t get stuck on a fantasy wish list.

When selecting items to add to your kitchen, ask yourself –  Is this essential and worth the cost? For example you may want a pot filler, a faucet on the wall behind the stove. It can cost about $1,000. Is it worth the extra expense?  Maybe you would rather use those funds on a nicer tile for your back-splash.

You will need a lot of patience. Major renovations are not completed quickly.

Most likely, it will take much longer than you thought. Including the planning process, most renovations take a minimum of three to six months and more likely nine months. If this is a major renovation and you can vacate your house during the construction, this would be most ideal. Your life will be less chaotic, your nerves less frazzled, and the job will go faster.

Don’t focus on perfection until everything is finished.

Delivery and installation can be tense. There’s been a lot of anticipation and when the big day comes, the truck arrives, and clients begin to ask questions. Walk away and give the installers a chance to install your cabinets. When you come back you will be surprised and amazed.

Appliances are expensive.

Appliances can be as much as 40% of your total remodel budget — especially if you’re hung up on brand names. For most people, the only major difference between ordinary and professional appliances is price!  But people who take their cooking seriously, are often willing to spend the extra money. Pro appliances are more robust, more powerful, less disposable, faster, and will handle more heat. They look and in fact, they are better designed.

Do you really need all of that counter space?

People think too big, too grand. They often want too much. For example, If you think an island can’t be too big, you’re wrong!  Bigger is not always better. We design our islands to meet the client needs and proportion with the kitchen space. We have actually built islands that can’t be reached in the center simply because the customer didn’t listen to their designer’s advice.

Keep your kitchen modest if you care about resale value.

You want the look and design to be timeless, not trendy. Resist your impulse to be creative and experimental with your materials. Keep your door style simple and your colors neutral. For example, think white, with a gray or brown stained island. You want to use well-respected brands for cabinetry and appliances, even if you have to spend more than you’d like. You want the association of quality attached to your kitchen.

Spend what your kitchen deserves.

If you want your kitchen to look amazing, don’t spend too little. Doing it on the cheap end often looks like…well…what it is. Remember the old saying, “You get what you pay for.”

Research your designer before signing a contract.

How long has the company been in business? Who owns the company and are they accessible?  Don’t just ask for references. Anybody can come up with a good reference. Do your own research. Most importantly, if you’re told a price that seems too good to be true…it is.

Now that you have had a few tips to consider, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty details.

Questions about Cabinet Lingo? Here is a few helpful definitions. 

Remodeling 101 Part 1 Planning & Budgeting ~ Read More…

Was this article helpful? We would love to have your comments.

Ask The Designer

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Ask The Designer!

Here at Walker Woodworking – we want to make the process of remodeling your kitchen less stressful. However, that’s not an easy task! As part of our continuing effort to educate our clients, we decided to put Jeneane Beaver, our designer at Walker Woodworking, in the hot seat. Let’s see what she has to say!

Where should a homeowner start with a kitchen project?

As with any major purchase or project, BUDGET is the smartest starting place. See more information about our Budget Analysis.

What are some of the first questions you ask a new client?

How do you want the space to feel?  

What is most important to you and your lifestyle?

It is very important for us to understand the family vibe and the vision before we start to draw and make our suggestions. We want to become involved early in the process so that we can have input on any changes to the footprint of the room.  Knowing the lifestyle of our clients in the beginning really helps to move the process forward.

What are some kitchen trends that are also worthwhile investments?

Trendy things come and go, but quality products withstand the test of time.  Product replacements are the number one reason most people decide to do a remodel in the first place.

Have any innovative appliances caught your eye recently?

The Galley is a new innovative product that I am excited to incorporate into new kitchen designs.  This functional yet sleek and modern sink gives the homeowner a unique working station with endless possibilities.  A variety of sizes allows The Galley to work in kitchens no matter how large or small.  Made for Chef-style cooking, it is a great investment.  For more information about The Galley.

How do you ensure a good “flow” in a kitchen?

Getting away from triangle design…

Busy lifestyles have changed both the purpose and the configuration of the kitchen space. “It’s no longer just Mom in the kitchen,” Brandon explains. “Cooking has returned to more of a communal process. Dad cooks too, and the kids pitch in. So instead of the classic work triangle, where multiple people would crash into each other, you might have two or more small triangles with multiple prep areas. Or, you might break all the rules, blow the triangle out completely and go with a fluid workspace.”

Good kitchen design will encompass and address the many tasks that the room must perform, and when you think it through, there are regular, everyday logical steps that create that flow.  We walk through the imaginary space and perform those tasks to see if it works.

What are some rules of thumb in kitchen design?

As far as a “rule of thumb” is concerned, I have a few that are drilled into my designers’ minds: Don’t over-design, leave plenty of room between counters, and never make the island too big. Lastly, don’t kid yourself that you will change the habits of a lifetime when remodeling a kitchen; embrace what makes sense and accommodate the ideas into the new space.

Where should you splurge in your kitchen?

Cabinets and appliances: These will last the longest and are the better investments to your home.

Lighting and hardware: Many clients speak of the lighting and hardware as the accessory piece.  As with any accessory, it needs to be complementary.   

If you go cheap on either, the end result is the same, CHEAP!  There are ways to stay within a budget and still get what you like, and make sure that the product will complement the cabinetry, that is why hiring a designer can help you!

Where can you save?

“Value engineering” is something I hear a lot these days.  You always tend to get what you pay for, and it shows. If there are sensible areas to “save” money, it might be on flooring and back-splash tile and ancillary items such as special wall finishes and fabric. I am amazed at how people tend to spend too little on cabinetry and hardware and then pay way too much for a wall finish or decorative item that won’t last. Tastes change, and so the room decoration becomes replaceable long before the fixed items such as cabinetry and countertops need to go.

Renovating is big right now. What are key ingredients of a successful remodel?

The right team of professionals is the most important element. With the amount of information available to the homeowner, suddenly everybody’s an expert. Beware, because bad advice will lead to a bad job that typically costs more than it should. While the time is right to invest in your home, don’t under-spend on the products you put into the project. Do lots of research because there are fantastic new products available for each element of a kitchen remodel. The new technology being applied to appliances, countertop materials, and “green” materials has made this a very exciting time to design.

Good references are important.

Any tricks of the trade for keeping a new kitchen looking beautiful? Do you use special cleaning products in your showrooms?

Mild detergents and soft cloths are really all one needs. Often times the chemicals used are not necessary for cleaning and will do more harm than good.

What distinguishes Walker Woodworking from other kitchen design firms?

I’m glad you asked, because I rarely get to speak publicly about why I feel so strongly in the product produced by Walker Woodworking.

Honestly, we are the best at what we do. We have unparalleled experience in our area of expertise, and we have all the skills in house to pull a project together.  We construct extremely well-made cabinetry. You get what you pay for.  To survive and prosper as our company has done since 1999, you have to deliver on the promised time and time again. Many people think we are more expensive than we actually are and that is a shame because we offer very good products at a very fair price.  Our perfection does not necessarily equal cost.

What’s NEW for 2017?

Regarding our new ventures of Greenbrook Design Kitchen & Bath Home Center, our clients look to us for advice in other areas of their homes and appreciate our sense of style and proportion. They understand quality and value and we hope that is what they will receive from the new design center opening in the Spring of 2017.  It makes sense for us to offer more products such as lighting, plumbing, home accessories, and more to meet the demands of our valued clients.

Featured Wellborn Remodel Project

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Featured Wellborn Remodel Project 

Are you on a budget for your kitchen remodel?

Wellborn offers a great product at a great value for you.

Find out how semi-custom cabinets worked well for this homeowner’s budget and why she chose Wellborn cabinetry.

Greenbrook Design Featured Project:

Our clients had debated about remodeling their kitchen.  Deciding factors such as budget and time frame were significant for the homeowners during the planning phase as they decided if they wanted to move forward with the project. Knowing their budget from the beginning of the design phase made designing so much more effective. It’s like having the final piece of a puzzle that makes the picture complete. Because the communication was open from the beginning, our designer was able to tailor the needs and give the customer what they needed – within their budget.

Homeowner Overview:

We asked: What are the top 3 reasons to remodel their kitchen?

1. Not enough room

2. No cabinet space

3. Tight areas for a growing family

Designer Challenges:

kitchen remodel before-5

Kitchen – Before

With a family of three, plus additional children, family, and friends visiting and eating together was the inspiration and main focus of this kitchen design.

This was not their forever home, but more kitchen space was needed for a growing family. The homeowner also wanted to brighten and open up the space by removing the wall that separated the kitchen from the living room, creating an open floor plan. The island was designed for the family to be able to sit together, as well as to offer more storage and countertop space for preparing meals.

We were able to make budget friendly selections while preserving the homeowner’s request for function and style.

Communication is key to success!  In asking the client…

What was more important to you?  The budget or the time frame? Her reply;

“I would say both were very important. First was budget because I couldn’t go over a dime! Second, time frame because my husband tore down the kitchen within a day and with a one year old and not having a kitchen is not fun at all. “

We were able to design, order and install this project within the client’s timeline.

Semi-custom cabinets can typically be ordered and shipped within a four-to-six week timeline.

Cost Overview:

kitchen remodel -view-3

Kitchen – After

 

Let’s break down the cost of this project – Note that a non load-bearing wall was removed & floors had to be replaced.

  • Wellborn Cabinets (including hardware & install): $9800.00
  • Granite Countertops: $2900.00
  • New Appliances: $3000 black stainless
  • Demo, Sheetrock repairs & painting: $2500.00
  • Flooring: Materials & Labor: $1800
  • Tile Backsplash: Materials & Labor: $1300.00
  • Electrical & Plumbing: $1200.00
  • Total project investment : $22,500

Even with a semi-custom cabinet order, the client still receives Walker Woodworking great customer service, professional installation, and a few custom extras:

*utensil tray

*silverware dividers

*spice pull out

Job Specific Facts:

Cabinets:  

Wellborn Product Information:

  • Door style: Hancock with a painted finish  
  • Glacier White painted perimeter
  • Willow paint on the island

Hardware:  Hardware Resources Information:

Product: Cosgrove Cabinet Pull in a Satin Nickel Finish

2 sizes:  6 ½ inch and 7 ¾ inch pulls were used

The homeowner chose to use a pull handle on both doors and drawers.  Hardware is the accessory to the cabinets, and is always a great way to include the client in decision making choices. Hardware is always a preference to the homeowner.

Appliance Information:  

  • Refrigerator: Black Stainless Samsung 25 cu. Ft. French Door w/ external water & ice dispenser
  • Microwave: Samsung 1.6 cu.ft. Over the Range Microwave – Black finish
  • Dishwasher: Samsung black finish
  • Electric range Oven: Samsung Large Capacity Convection Oven 5.9 cu. Ft. Freestanding Black finish

Finished Kitchen:

kitchen-view-fridge

Kitchen – After

When asked what the top three things she LOVES about her NEW kitchen;

1 OPEN space in the new design

2 More room for family & friends

3 Modern Style  / updated kitchen

When asked the client if she had more storage?

Her response; “Yes, we have tons of storage! So much that some of my cabinets don’t have much in them yet!”

Another successful remodel review:

“I LOVE MY KITCHEN and so glad that we finally were able to do it! Also blessed that Walker Woodworking had a cabinet line that I was able to afford!”

We were able to brighten this kitchen up and add an island with seating for 5! 

See more photos of this project.

To view the completed project click here

New cabinets made by Wellborn, cabinets designed and installed by Walker Woodworking. Wellborn cabinets can be installed 4 weeks after your order is placed. Call us today, we can help determine a budget for your remodel with our budget analysis program.  This service is uniquely offered by Greenbrook Design & Walker Woodworking.

 

 

Custom, Semi-Custom, Stock Cabinets

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What is the difference between Custom,  Semi-custom  and Stock cabinets?

If you’ve already renovated a kitchen or are just beginning the process, you know how overwhelming the details can be.  One of the many things to consider is whether or not you want to purchase custom or semi-custom cabinets and what the differences are. This blog will primarily focus on the differences between stock, semi-custom, and custom kitchen cabinets.

The first thing to know when noting differences between stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets is that the terms refer to the type of production methods used to make the cabinets, and not to the quality of the cabinets. If you want more information about the quality of  materials and construction methods, then you can find that in this blog. (stacey will link)

Stock Cabinets

Stock Cabinets by Wellborn

Stock cabinets are readymade, pre-manufactured cabinets, meaning they’re mass-produced in a factory and ready to ship when ordered. They’re sold in modular units, and no customization is available. What you see is what you get! The advantages of stock cabinets are affordability and a quick delivery time. However, you usually have a limited selection of styles, shapes, colors, wood types, etc. Delivery time is typically 1 to 3 weeks from the time of your order.

We recommend using stock cabinets if:

  1. You are looking for a low cost solution to your cabinetry needs.
  2. You can save money by installing them yourself.
  3. Stock cabinetry is the quickest solution if time is a factor.

The disadvantages of Stock Cabinetry:

  1. Finish & color selections are limited.
  2. There are standard height dimensions for base, wall, vanity and tall cabinets. Stock cabinets cannot be modified.
  3. Generally stock cabinets will last 5 – 10 years.

Standard Width: Start at 9″ with 3″ increments to 48″

Standard Depth: 12″ for wall cabinets, 24″ for oven, base, and utility cabinets.

More information about Wellborn Cabinets

Semi-Custom Cabinets

Kitchen15-small_1

Semi-Custom Cabinets by Dura Supreme

Semi-custom cabinets are basically stock cabinets with extra detailing options. The basic cabinet sizes still apply, but consumers have the option to change certain dimensions, like resizing the cabinet drawers and door fronts, or increasing/decreasing the cabinet depth. The advantages of semi-custom cabinets is that you get the feeling you have some individual input into the design (however limited) without the cost of full-on custom cabinets. Sometimes that’s all you need to get great cabinets without the expense of a custom job. Semi-custom truly is the best of both worlds. Delivery time is typically 3 to 8 weeks from the time of your order.

We recommend using Semi-Custom cabinets if:

  1. Semi-custom cabinets offer a great balance between stock & custom cabinetry.  A budget friendly choice for a simple upgrade to your home.  
  2. Incorporate stock options with modifications and customization to feel as if you are involved in the design phase.
  3. Quick lead times can make the process move along faster.

The disadvantages of Semi- Cabinets:

  1. Hardware: better quality hinges and slides are available as an upgrade only.
  2. Construction:  Although made to the client’s size requirements, semi-custom cabinets are predetermined sizes and often fillers are used to fill areas which can limit your storage options.
  3. Semi cabinetry typically will last in the home / office 10 – 20 years.

Standard Width: Start at 9″ with 1″ increments to 48″

Standard Depth: Can be reduced or increased according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

More information about Dura Supreme Cabinets

Custom Cabinets

Custom Cabinets by Walker Woodworking

Custom cabinets are built to your specifications, so they can be pretty much anything you want! When designing custom cabinets, we start with your floorplan and window and door locations. We then determine what your appliance preferences are and then we custom design your cabinets around that incorporating all your accessory and storage ideas.   Because of this, custom cabinets are expensive, labor-intensive, and usually take a few weeks or months to complete. Custom cabinets are built by skilled carpenters, and manufactured on a build-to-order basis.

We recommend using Custom cabinets if:

  1. You are building a new home or if your floor plan is more complex and requires customization by not using standard sizes.  Custom cabinets are built to fit.
  2. Custom cabinets allow the consumer complete freedom in the design, style  and construction of the cabinetry. You don’t have to settle for average, you can add all the bells and whistles!
  3. Custom cabinetry is built to last a lifetime.

The disadvantages of Custom Cabinets:

  1. Timing: generally custom cabinets take the longest.  The design and construction phase are more detailed.  All work is done by skilled craftsman, therefore the production takes longer.
  2. Huge cost difference: No doubt custom is the most expensive of the three, but the value received will be well worth it!
  3. I wish I could come with another negative but I can’t. If you plan on living in your home for a long time and quality is very important, then custom is for you!

Standard Width: Customizable

Standard Depth: Customizable

The Biggest Difference is PRICE

As you may have guessed, the more options you have with customization, the higher the overall price will be. Another advantage to having more custom options is that you are usually able to get a lot more storage gadgets such as spice pullouts and drawer organizers. Rev-A-Shelf has an endless supply of items that can be added into custom cabinets and semi-custom cabinets. The ability to build custom hoods can also add a unique complement to your overall design. Some Kitchen and bath dealers (like us)  have the ability to provide semi-custom cabinets while being able to offer custom built pieces such as a hood or hutch as enhancements to your order of kitchen cabinets.

The possibilities are endless, you just need a creative designer to make it happen. Afterall, your kitchen is the heart of the home, where you and your family spend lots of time, and you’ll want it to be functional, durable, and beautiful!

Call us today and see how we can design a great kitchen at the price-point that is right for you. 

What kind of cabinets do you have in your kitchen? Share your experiences and recommendations! Was this information helpful? Share your comments.

 

How Cabinets Are Made

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How are kitchen and bath cabinets made? Until you started shopping around for cabinets you probably didn’t realize that there are different ways that cabinets can be built and several options for materials. Most people come to us with a picture and say “this is what I like”. While this is perfectly fine, we still like to offer some education about the different ways that cabinets are made as well as the materials that we use.

As a consumer, it’s always a good idea to know how cabinets are made. Research the construction techniques and know the quality of well designed cabinetry before you purchase.

There are distinct choices you need to make. Here, we take them on one by one to help you pick the right cabinets for your home.

Learn a few basic terms about cabinetry, a few important things to know include;

  • Materials used
  • Construction techniques
  • Build methods

These are the 3 main factors that will ultimately determine the look and the quality of your cabinets.

Even if you’re not the type of person who’s inclined to ponder- how things are put together – it’s still helpful to understand the basic parts and how cabinetry is constructed. This will help you have a better feel for the different levels of cabinet quality and what you do or don’t get for the various levels of cost you’ll encounter.

Materials – What are your cabinets made of?

wormy-maple

Material – Solid Wood – Wormy Maple

There are several material options when cabinets are specified. You should know the difference between solid wood, MDF, Plywood and particleboard.  Let’s start by having a basic understanding of these materials.

Solid wood – As the term implies, it’s solid homogeneous wood, all the way through. The only variation might be boards or panels that are several pieces of solid wood joined together.

Plywood – is an engineered wood product, but one that’s probably most familiar to people. It’s made up of thin wood “plies” or layers of wood that are glued together in a sandwich form. Usually the plies are oriented with their grain direction at varying angles with respect to each other to give the board or panel more rigidity and stability.

Medium density fiberboard (MDF) – another engineered wood product that’s made up of wood fibers. The fibers are combined with an adhesive under pressure and formed into boards and panels. MDF has a finer texture than particle board and is denser and heavier than particle board.

Particleboard – Is an engineered wood product that’s made from wood chips and particles that are combined with an adhesive and fused together into boards and panels.

Melamine – Is a plastic-based, sheet material similar to laminate that is applied to the exterior of cabinets. The substrate or material underneath the melamine is usually medium density fiberboard, particle board or plywood.

Another important point to remember about wood, is where it originates. If it’s important to you that your products are made in the USA, you should ask your designer if your products are domestic or imported. Other countries don’t have the same regulations as the US in how they engineer their wood products.  

Construction Techniques – How are cabinets made?

Clamps

Construction Techniques

There are different ways that cabinet boxes, frames and drawers are made when joined together. While there is no wrong way to build cabinets, there are different ways in which they are constructed. The process that is used, will determine the integrity of the product and the time and labor involved. Here are the most popular methods used today.

Mortise and tenon – another form of joinery, this method uses a square “post” protruding from one end of a piece of wood that fits into a square hole or cutout in the mating piece. This type of joinery might be used to fasten the pieces of a cabinet’s face frame together.

Doweled joint – this joinery technique uses round wood dowels (pegs) that are pressed and/or glued half way into holes drilled into one piece of wood. The protruding part of the dowel is then fit into holes drilled into the mating piece of wood. This method is another way to join the sides of drawers or cabinet boxes together

Dado – this is a groove that’s cut into a board or panel that the edge of another board/panel can fit into. A good example is the sides and back of a cabinet drawer that are dadoed to accept the edges of the drawer bottom. It’s a stronger way to ‘capture’ the drawer bottom than just gluing or nailing the drawer bottom edges to the side panels.

Putting together the Materials and Construction

Cabinets Assembled

Cabinets Assembled – ready to package for delivery

The materials and construction details that your cabinets are made from are not always as visible as the doors and drawers, but they contribute greatly to their durability and cost. The overall quality of kitchen cabinets is closely linked to their construction, meaning how they’re put together and the materials they’re made from. Let’s put the two together when considering the different components of the cabinets.

Cabinet boxes can be made from high quality material, such as ¾” maple plywood to a low quality material such as particle board and many options in between. This is one of the main factors that will affect the overall price of your cabinetry.  

Cabinet Frames, the very front of what you see are usually made with solid wood.

Drawer boxes-   The quality of material used as well as the way the boxes are joined together will affect the sturdiness of the drawer. For example, a dovetailed drawer will be stronger than a drawer using butt joints and screws. You will also have choices of different slides, from standard, to full extension, and full extension with soft close features.

Build Methods – What determines the overall look and style of your cabinets?

The construction style of your cabinetry determines how your doors and drawers fit and the overall look of the cabinet face. Regardless of the style you choose, you can rest assure that you will get the same superior quality of construction that we provide time after time. Cabinetry is divided into three major categories when considering methods.

  • Inset
  • Overlay
  • Frameless

Inset – The Inset Difference

inset-cabinets

Example of Inset Cabinets

The inset door gets its name because it is set inside of the cabinet frame. The door is designed and constructed with extremely precise measurements so that it nests inside the frame and opens and closes properly.

Overlay –  The Most Common

overlay-cabinets

Example of Overlay – Full Overlay Cabinets

The standard overlay cabinet is typically the most popular. The face frame of a standard cabinet door overlays from 1/2″ up to 1 ½” with varying gaps between doors and drawers.

Frameless –  The advantage of Frameless Cabinets

frameless cabinets

Example of Frameless Cabinets

A frameless cabinet is a style of cabinet that has been popular in Europe for decades, but that wasn’t introduced here in the states until rather recently.  Doors typically cover the entire cavity and box, which is called full-overlay.  Because they don’t require a frame, frameless cabinets feature full access, allowing maximum use of space.  Cabinets and drawers are slightly larger than those constructed with face frames.  Frameless cabinets have a more modern look.  If you are purchasing new cabinetry for your home, you owe it to yourself to look into the benefits of frameless cabinetry.

Other things to consider

There are several style options to consider for kitchen cabinets. The door style and finishes are going to define the style more than anything. So which style of cabinets is right for your home? It depends greatly on the overall architectural style of your house and your tastes.

Other decisions that will need to be considered include:

Look for these topics to be covered in future blogs. For more information about how Walker Woodworking builds our custom cabinets – visit our Product Education page.

Was this information helpful? Tell us what you think.

Cerused Oak Remodel

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Cerused Oak Remodel Project.

We were so excited when our client, Mrs. Young, wanted to use a new finish technique that we were in the process of making to showcase at the 2016 Southern Spring Home & Garden Show.  After making a few samples, we decided that we would use the color combination of Revere Pewter for the perimeter cabinets with cerused oak on the island. We were just in love with this color combination but before we could get the cabinets made for the show, it caught Mrs. Young’s attention.  Dr. & Mrs. Young had just purchased a home and wanted to remodel the kitchen before they moved in.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Kitchen – Before Photo

What are your needs?

First, we had to determine what the homeowner needed and what their style preference was. Travis Walker, company owner met with Mrs. Young in her home and started the process of gathering measurements and information. Travis will usually take pictures like the one above to share with Brandon as part of the planning for the first design meeting. We also ask our clients what they like and don’t like about the design of the kitchen they currently have. Getting as much information as possible prior to the design meeting helps Brandon, our designer plan the layout of the kitchen before meeting with the clients.

“My husband and I both love to cook and spend time together in the kitchen, so a good flow with plenty of prep space was critical. We also really believe in function over form, so we were leaning toward more of a commercial style kitchen… Of course we think we got both function and form with this remodel!” ~ Mrs. Young

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

After Photo. When looking at the before picture notice that the refrigerator and ovens are still in the same location.

What are your style and color preferences?

We also asked Mrs. Young to share her thoughts about this as well as her idea books from Houzz so that Brandon could see which style and color preferences she was leaning toward. Idea-books from Houzz are one of our favorite tools to use when planning a new customer design meeting.

“As to color choices and cabinet style… I have to credit Brandon with quickly figuring out our design style preferences (I.e., clean, simple, elegant) and showing us the new cerused oak cabinet he’d been working on. I loved it from the moment I laid eyes on it. While gorgeous, it isn’t formal or stuffy. It perfectly fit the environment of our kitchen, the floors, the stone fireplace, the flagstone patio, and generally, the natural views through the picture window. Once I had the sample doors, I was able to select a complementing paint color and flooring… The granite was the final touch that pulled all the colors together.” ~ Mrs. Young

The cerused oak for the island and bar area are custom painted with a color we named  ‘hunting lodge gray’ with a white glaze. Revere Pewter from the Benjamin Moore Historical collection is the perimeter color of the kitchen.  

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

The cerused oak for the island and bar area are custom painted with a color we named ‘hunting lodge gray’ with a white glaze. Revere Pewter from the Benjamin Moore Historical collection is the perimeter color of the kitchen.

“People are highly complementary when they see the kitchen… Thanks to you all!” ~ Mrs. Young

 

See all of the photos from this project. Click this link to see our photo gallery of this project. 

Find our more about our Kitchen & Bath Services

Making a quiet comeback

For about 2 years now we have been seeing cerused oak in furniture pieces, and now it is being incorporated into kitchens.  Cerused oak can have many different colors due to a technique that is used to bring out the grain.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

What is Cerusing?

Cerusing is a time-honored French finish technique in which the open grain of oak is filled with a contrasting white pigment. The stain and colors of the white pigments can be mixed and matched to create unique color combinations.  What I love the most is the texture that you can see and touch. This technique is mostly used on quarter sawn white oak.

cerused oak example

Notice the white glaze in the wood grain.

Why Oak?

Specifically we use Quarter Sawn White Oak. This wood has an amazing straight grain pattern that lends itself to design. Quarter sawn lumber is defined as wood where the annular growth rings intersect the face of the board at a 60 to 90 degree angle. When cutting this lumber at the sawmill, each log is sawed at a radial angle into four quarters, hence the name. Dramatic flecking is also present in red oak and white oak. When quarter sawn oak is cerused, we are able to add a white glaze and use a special brush to make sure the glaze seeps into the grain without affecting the color of the stain, thus giving texture to the surface of the wood.

Quater sawn Oak example

Quarter Sawn White-Oak stain only

Find our more about our Kitchen & Bath Services

Want to see how we can incorporate cerused oak into your home? Give us a call today to schedule a design consultation 704-434-0823.