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3 Kitchen Layout Ideas

The Work Triangle

An unhindered workspace

Because the kitchen is the heart of the home, it means there will be a lot of activity that takes place within its boundaries. People get ready to face the day by making their morning coffee and packing lunches. Dishes that have piled up need to be washed and put away. Dinner needs to be made and served to a hungry family. With all these different tasks going on, often at the same time, it’s easy for people to stumble over one another and create chaos in what should be a pleasant area in the home. This is where the work triangle comes into play by creating a functional space that allows everything to get done without trampling over others in the process. 

What is the work triangle?

A work triangle is a standard design practice that helps create an efficient kitchen workspace with clear traffic lanes allowing the cook to have easy access to food storage, cleaning, and cooking areas. It is an imaginary triangle connecting the cooktop, sink, and refrigerator within the sum of the triangle that does not exceed 26 feet. Some other general rules include:

  • No side of the triangle should cut through an island or peninsula by more than 12 inches.
  • No major traffic pattern should cross through the triangle
  • Each leg should measure between four and nine feet.

By creating boundaries within the kitchen, activities can take place easily and quickly. Browse our gallery for more examples and inspiration.

Benefits of the triangle

With so much going on in the kitchen including evening homework by the kids and work projects by parents, it is easy for space to quickly become crowded hindering the original purpose, cooking. By creating the triangle, a dedicated area is now in place which ensures that there is enough space for making those delicious meals without risk of a collision. Convenience is another benefit to having the work triangle in place since it allows for everything to be within easy reach. If there is a designated space for cooking there will be less traffic going through allowing the person cooking to complete the meal with minimal distractions. Learn more about the benefits of having a work triangle in the kitchen.

Great use of space

Whether you have a small or large space, it is important to use it effectively. A small kitchen needs to function properly while not feeling cramped. A large kitchen has more space which can create some hassle if things are too far apart. A work triangle solves both of these problems by making each space work effortlessly in the designated area. A small kitchen means there is no room for wasted space which is where the triangle helps because it places the most used stations within easy reach of each other. With a large kitchen, things can get lost and feel too far away, making it difficult to cook or do anything else. The triangle saves the day again by placing the essential areas together saving valuable steps, especially when trying to get dinner on the table. 

A place to create

The triangle is a great design tool and has the ability to help homeowners create a functional, and usable space. It helps save time and energy when making a delicious meal by providing everything within easy reach. Kitchens have evolved into more than just a place to make meals, it is a place where memories are made. The work triangle ensures that both can be done without hindering the other. 

We have nearly twenty years of experience helping our clients create a space that not only works for them but one that they will love for years to come. We would love to have the opportunity to help you take your space from workable to functional.

 

Sam & Kim Kitchen Remodel

Sam & Kim’s Kitchen Remodel

In 2015, Sam and Kim decided to move back to Sam’s former home and update their kitchen. Enlisting the help of Walker Woodworking and Tony Brooks of Beam Edwards & Brooks, this kitchen remodel became an amazing transformation from an enclosed kitchen to an open floor plan. Follow this link to see the complete before & after photo gallery.

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Walker Woodworking Before & After

Returning Home

Sam’s family moved into this house in 1962 as its first owners. Over the years the home was remodeled several times. Multiple additions included adding a master bedroom, enclosing the carport to build a playroom, and adding a sunroom. Sam along with his brother Al and his sister Andrea grew up there. Many children through the years considered it their home while Sam’s mom ran a daycare until the mid 80’s.

Growing up in the home the formal living room was used only on special occasions or to take family photo. The 7 grandchildren considered this their second home and have fond memories of playing and being loved there.

After Sam’s mother’s death, his father continued to live in the house and host weekly Sunday Dinner for the family. After his dad’s death the house was vacant except for grandchildren sometimes living there.

Planning & Design:

In working with Tony Brooks, a plan was formed to open up the formal living room and convert to an open floor plan. The playroom was converted to a den for use during construction.

After a desire for the open floor plan was determined they met at Walker Woodworking with kitchen and bath designer, Brandon Fitzmorris, to complete the kitchen design. Brandon was able to plan out the space for optimized cooking and storage. Since this will be their forever home, they wanted to make the space as functional as possible. One of the design challenges was to achieve seating at the peninsula while still maintaining the feel of an open floor plan. We were able to accomplish this through team work with the general contractor by incorporating a pass through to the living room.

The process:

Demo – Demolition started and cabinets came out. Site prep was done by adding a protective floor covering to prevent damage and a dust barrier to the existing living space.

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Before demo started

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This double door was made into a single pocket door to add wall space for the kitchen area.

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Walls that needed new sheet-rock & finish work after cabinets were removed.

Construction – A wall was removed and carpet from the living room came out. Hardwood was added to the kitchen and den and matched up to the existing hardwood in the living room, a treasure hidden beneath the carpet. The end result was seamless, there is nothing left of the previous wall separating the formal living room from the kitchen.

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Kitchen wall and living room after the wall was removed and the header added.

Plumbing & Electrical – The next part of the process was to update plumbing & electrical. By using our preplanned CAD drawings, the subcontractors were able to quickly and efficiently make the necessary changes to the updated kitchen layout.

Sheetrock & Primary Painting – Sheetrock repair and primary painting is definitely an expectation with an extensive remodel like this one.  The wall that needed to be removed was a load bearing wall. We had to build a header across the room and sheetrock that area.

Cabinet Install – Usually a 2 day process for a kitchen similar to this one. Our trucks show up full of cabinets, already assembled including the decorative hardware. One of the things that we do differently than most companies is to apply the toe kicks after the floors are finished. In most cases this eliminates the need for shoe-moulding.  This will give the cabinets more of a finished furniture style.

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Walker Woodworking – Cabinetry Install

Counter-tops – Typically counter-tops are ready for the template after the cabinets are installed. Once the template has been done, it will typically take 1 to 2 weeks before the tops are ready to install. Each fabricator is different. Granite can be installed in a kitchen like this usually in half a day.

Appliances – In most situations appliances will go in after the counter-tops.  Every project is unique and having professionals that realize the importance of when certain things should happen is important for a smooth remodel. This will also help to ensure that cabinets, flooring and counter-tops are not damaged  during the process.

The Finishing Touches – The last few things that need to be done include the tile back splash, final coat of paint, and the final sanding & finishing of the floors.

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Be sure you see all of the before & after photo’s in our Before & After Photo Gallery.

“Both Tony and the team at Walker Woodworking  held our hand through the process, which at some times was emotional because of the changes being made to the family home. The end result was more than we could have ever dreamed possible.The remodel was completed in time for us to continue family traditions of Thanksgiving & Christmas in the home.” ~ Kim Davis

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The open space was once a wall that extended the entire length of the room.

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These guys can still see whats going on the living room.

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This home will be enjoyed for many years & future generations to come.

We would like to thank Sam & Kim for allowing us to share their story. Follow this link to see the complete before & after photo gallery.

Organize Your Kitchen

Start Your New Year Organized!

With so many unique storage options available to organize your kitchen, here are a few ways that Walker Woodworking can help you get your kitchen organized. Our team of experts were really creative with making some of these storage options work to the homeowner’s very specific requests and needs.

An organized kitchen helps things run smoothly so that you can focus more on creating great meals. When planning your new kitchen, take time to plan your space fully; even measuring cutlery, plates and platters to create spaces within the kitchen so that everything has a place in which it belongs.

The Pantry

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Light up your pantry! This is a simple yet bright way to be able to see what you have hiding in your pantry. Another great idea is keeping the pantry area shallow, sometimes its hard to reach all the way back for your favorite snack.  If you have the wall space in your kitchen, having adjustable shelves or pull out drawers behind cabinet doors is a great way to keep all of your grocery’s organized and easily accessible.

Organize your space – trim back the contents of your pantry until you have some open space on each shelf. Organize what’s left into a set of matching food storage containers or open baskets. This may mean removing excess food. Remember that a staged kitchen is not necessarily a practical kitchen!

 

Large Pullouts – Get your storage and great looks.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Vertical storage – the possibilities for pullouts go beyond traditional pantry-style drawers. These special decorative pullouts for specific items can boost the functionality of your kitchen. Groceries are easy to see and the shelves in this unit are adjustable.  This is an great option for using absolutely every inch of your kitchen.

 

Shallow Cabinet Shelves

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

This homeowner wanted to make use of every possible space available so we added panels on the end that open into shallow adjustable shelves. This is ideal from storing spices to multivitamins and other small items that tend to get lost in larger pantries. This is one of the many ways you can design custom cabinets to help you organize your kitchen.

 

Custom Drawers

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Divide and conquer – taking it to the extreme. One of the things only a custom cabinetry company can provide – custom drawers. It’s always a challenge to make the best use to the space under a cook-top. This dovetail U shaped drawer is just one of several options that we can do. Many of these details are discussed during the design phase. We factor in appliance specs as well as the homeowner’s preferences when planning space under the cook-top.

 

Double Decker Drawers

Photo by Walker Woodworking staff - All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking staff – All Rights Reserved.

This is always a client favorite!  Double-decker drawers are most often used to store utensils. With more and more kitchen gadgets available, more space is needed to store these items for easy access. These double-decker drawers have been used in many of our client’s kitchen designs over the last few years.  We use heavy duty Blum Soft Close Undermount Drawer Slides in all of our drawers.

 

Mixer Lift

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Clutter-free counters provide space for food prep and entertaining. An appliance pullout provides easy access to everyday items like toasters or coffee machines, which can slide out in a snap and just as easily be hidden away when not in use. The mixer lift is a popular item for our clients who really love to bake. Most mixers are really heavy and a hassle to get out and put away. The mixer lift storage unit is perfect for making the mixer very easy to access when needed. The hardware does the heavy lifting for you, all you have to do is pull the leaver and the lift comes right up, when you’re all done just push the unit back in place and close the door.

Silverware Dividers

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Keep things in order with drawer organizers – cluttered drawers can alter the functionality and efficiency of a kitchen.  All of our new kitchens come with a complimentary silverware tray divider. This is how you make use of all the space in a large drawer.  Keeping your silverware organized is a must.  Sometimes one is not enough, these are easy and inexpensive to add to your drawers during the design phase of your kitchen.

Did you know that we have an entire photo gallery dedicated to the many storage options that can be incorporated to your design? Click here to dive in. 

 

photo of camera on a tripod at photo shoot

On a Photo Shoot

On a Photo Shoot

Last week I went out to do a photo shoot at a beautiful home in Walnut Cove near Asheville, NC. with my side kick @Marie Walker. We got so carried away with snapping pictures in the kitchen that I forgot to get a few with my iPhone- which I really like to do. I just can’t explain how much fun taking pictures can be when the lighting is just right. It saves us so much time during the processing phase because we are – after all – just amateurs.

 

desk, crackled finish

Custom crackled finish, by Walker Woodworking

Here is a close up of the desk we did at Walker Woodworking. Yes, this finish is very detailed and required precise attention to get it just right, but overall it really adds character to the desk.

antique distressed mirror gold

Antique distressed mirror with gold, rocks out this custom wet bar.

This area was small and difficult to photograph, I was able to get a close up with my iPhone – this antiqued glass is awesome. It has gold and burnt orange coloring that looks great with the black cabinets.

white cabinets, inset, cup pulls, photo shoot

See the photo gallery for more pictures.

Here’s a sneak peek of the kitchen – we will have these photos added to our website very soon.  You will be able to view the entire project and all the unique details our custom cabinetry has to offer.

It’s always a treat for us to get out of the office and see the final product of our cabinets in the setting of a beautifully furnished home.  We get a chance to actually enjoy time with the homeowner in their atmosphere, rather than in our office always working and discussing details.

Check out our online photo gallery to see more great finished projects.  www.walkerwoodworking.com

Stacey Walker

 

Charlotte Homearama at Cheval, Luxury Custom Home

Charlotte Homearama at Cheval

This years Homearama is now over, but we have lots of pictures. Mary and Laura, with New Old Luxury did a fantastic job with all of the details, design and decor of the home, be sure to scroll down to see more.

To view only the photo’s  Visit Our Online Project Gallery

Walker Woodworking is proud to announce their custom cabinetry will be featured in this years Charlotte Homearama at Cheval.
Open to the public July 18 – August 2. Custom Home Tour open in Mint Hill.

Homearama has something new and exciting for everyone to see. Whether you are looking to build new or remodel, you will find design trends, and decorating ideas from all the homes. You can shop for furniture and artwork while browsing too!

Cheval is located in Mint hill, NC 4 homes will be presented in the tour, which is one of the most celebrated home tours in the Southeast. More Photos Coming Soon!

Walker Woodworking HOR

Unique Oven Wall Featured in Homerarama

 

The “The Welsh House” constructed by New Old Luxury Custom Homes features 5 Bedroom – 5 1/2 Bath, 4, 879 sq. ft home with the charm of an English Countryside equestrian setting.

Walker Woodworking Custom Cabinetry can be seen throughout the home, in the kitchen, his & hers dressing rooms, the family command center, media center and more.

His & Hers dressing room has unique built ins for organizing accessories and clothes. The family command center is the central location for laundry, dog bed, feeding station and craft room all in one! This room is blended with painted custom cabinetry as well as reclaimed lumber to add a distinct feature in the laundry room.

The home has a build method of Inset cabinetry. The inset door gets its name because it is set inside of the cabinet frame, typical cabinet doors rest on the outside of the frame. The door is designed and constructed with extremely precise measurements so that it nests inside the frame and opens and closes properly.

Walker Woodworking HOR1

Kitchen Hutch

The media room displays cherry counter-tops along side of the charcoal painted cabinetry and the office bath has a cozy feel with rustic alder cabinetry that has a black-wash rub through.

Contractor Information:

New Old’s roots run deep. Mary Ludemann’s passion for designing and building high-quality custom homes with timeless period details comes from generations worth of experience. Mary’s father, Tom Murtaugh, began building custom homes in upstate New York in 1978. His drive and passion for impeccable quality is still felt at New Old today. Mary gained years of valuable experience and craftsmanship by working alongside her father.

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New Old Luxury Custom Homes Founder, Mary Ludemann
Mary Ludemann has been designing and building homes for the past 10 years. She has an acute eye for detail and specializes in new home space planning as well as built-ins, cabinetry and interior trim. She loves a wide array of design style ranging from Coastal Cottage, Farmhouse, Nantucket, European, Craftsman and High Country to name a few. She strongly believes in keeping design fun and simple; designing in a casual setting to eliminate as much of the pressure homeowners feel when designing their custom home. She’s known for intently listening to her clients to discern how their family lives and helping them discover their personal style. Happy to lend as much or little design help as each of her clients prefer, she narrows down the daunting array of custom selections and ensures that each of her homes reflect that client’s personal style in a balanced and beautiful way.

Walker Woodworking has worked with New Old on many projects and most recently on the “Welsh” Home for the 2015 Homearama in Cheval (Mint Hill). https://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/home-garden/article27434743.html

Contact Information:
Located in South End at 1920 Abbott Street, Suite 300, Charlotte NC 28203
Phone: 704-975-5196
E mail:building@newold.com

 

 

 

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Her dressing area.

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Pantry

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Laundry Room

The Marble in this kitchen was beautiful as well as the French Brass fixtures.

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Kitchen Island & Sink

 

 

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Master Bedroom

 

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Office

Media Center

Diverse Woodworking solutions for your home.

Our services offer all types of custom cabinetry.

Since Walker Woodworking is a custom cabinetry shop, our main market is kitchens and these rooms do account for 75% of what we build.  However, by not limiting ourselves geographically to areas between Charlotte and Shelby we have been able to expand our services to offer all types of custom cabinetry.  When working on a new construction project we have opportunities to fill an entire home with cabinetry that includes: bathrooms, offices, laundry rooms, custom closets, desk and work areas, entertainment centers, fireplace mantles, built-ins and even pet centers.  We offer diverse woodworking solutions for your home.

The process is much longer when planning a new construction project vs. a remodel.  Since this is the case we invest longer periods of time pouring over the design details with these clients and as a result, stronger bonds are made as we grow accustomed to their tastes and style.  Such was the case with this couple who was building in Lexington. Our designer got to know them very well and understood the way they wanted their home to function, far reaching from just the kitchen space.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

One area of their home that was of the utmost importance to them was the master closet.  They wanted to have one large room with an area for exercise equipment, and a separate his and hers dressing area.  Drawing on her experience of planning a previous job, our designer suggested to these homeowners that they change the layout of the space to also include a washer and dryer, doubling their main laundry capacity.  The homeowners loved the idea!  After all, who wants to walk around your entire home with piles of laundry?

In the end they have a functional dressing, exercise, and laundry room all in one!  The closet is right off the master bath, which provides a tranquil retreat for the retired couple.

Custom Cabinets, Kitchen and Bath Design, Remodeling projects,cabinetry, design, and installation. In house design consultations with free estimates!

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

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Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

They share a bathroom, but she has her own vanity seating area, so they aren’t always rubbing elbows while getting ready!

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff - All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Of course, the kitchen was a large part of this custom home as well.  We worked diligently with the clients to plan the large angled peninsula and corner pantry so that they were all in alignment and nothing inhibited the work flow throughout the room.  We wrapped the pantry and paneled the appliances to give the kitchen an integrated appearance and make it feel warm and inviting. The painted finish of the perimeter compliments the stained island beautifully and the traditional styling lends itself to the French Country flair, without being to ornate.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff - All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

The desk we created, wine nook, and entertainment center all lend to the owners relaxed lifestyle in this one of a kind home.  If you’d like to incorporate some of these touches into your home, or if you are ready to begin planning the home of your dreams please contact us today to set up a time for a design consultation.

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Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Go ahead and think about more than just kitchens when it comes to custom cabinetry.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff - All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

But if you are thinking about what’s for dinner, imagine how nice it would be to prepare dinner in a custom built kitchen from Walker Woodworking.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Explore all the possibilities browsing our website by  room or by style. Click here to see the entire gallery of photos from this French Country Home Project.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

www,walkerwoodworking.com

Jan Blanton – Walker Woodworking

Living the Easy Life

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Of course, we all know the “Easy Life” is with a book in our hand, toes in the sand.

Then reality hits us right smack in the face! We are micro managers of our household! What could make life easier is organization.  Seems simple enough right? A kitchen well designed from the beginning will make for an easier life!

So, let me explain how it is you can have the“Easy-Life” with custom cabinets.

If you are considering building new or remodeling a home in the near future, you should consider custom cabinetry.

There are many more reasons to consider custom cabinetry than you might realize.

Cabinet organization can reduce clutter, make things easier to store and find–which makes cooking more enjoyable!

Organization built into your design might just begin to create the “Easy -Life” for you!

Benefits of working with a custom cabinet shop:

  • Built to last
  • Local sourcing
  • Elements you NEED, and none that you don’t
  • Personalization
  • Built to fit
  • Not mass produced
  • Space planning and functional design

Photo by Walker Woodworking staff - All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking staff – All Rights Reserved.

At Walker Woodworking we have a talented designer who can guide you through all the options of custom cabinets with your best interest in mind.  Custom design elements will increase the value of your home.  “Cookie-cutter” or boxed cabinet manufacturing cannot offer the elements of a custom shop.

Your kitchen design is often based on the purpose of your kitchen.  That may seem crazy to say, but not all kitchen owners actually cook; therefore, perhaps pan dividers and spice racks are not needed.  Your lifestyle is important to the design of your kitchen. Does the whole family cook? Do you need more counter space for preparations? Do you eat in the kitchen? Do you have large serving pieces?  All of these questions and more will help the design process be most efficient for you and your family.

Here are a few suggested kitchen design ideas that will help you begin the “Easy Life”.

Tray dividers: 

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff - All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Not a new concept to the kitchen, but new ideas in the design area.  Tray dividers can store various items such as: Cutting boards, cookie sheets, & serving trays. Placement for this type of storage will give your kitchen more function without compromising space.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff - All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Base wall and pullouts:

Pullouts are perfect to fill in a space and use for storage of spices, oils, cooking utensils & other small items.  When closed, the pullouts will blend with the kitchen design and sometimes go unnoticed.  Maximize your storage and get the most out of your space.

Pantry & roll-out drawers:

craftsman kitchen

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Adjustable roll-outs are perfect for canned goods and dry food storage.  This helps eliminate the problem of never seeing what’s in the back.  Everything is easily accessible and at your fingertips!

Appliance garage:

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff - All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

The mixer now has a place to be stored.
No heavy lifting just to make a cake!  Coffee makers, blenders, toasters and small appliances can be stored with convenience; thus making your life easier and your back stronger!  Frees the counter top of clutter and begins to make life easier!

Recycle bin:

Recycling is important.  But really who likes having the three large ugly plastic storage bins at your garage door entrance?  Now you can get the family involved in recycling.  Recycling can be stylish and functional.  Custom cabinets will allow you to have more than one area of trash bins in your home.

Rustic Home, alder wood,bar stool,cabinet covered appliances,rustic style kitchen

Photo by Walker Woodworking staff – All Rights Reserved.

Picture shows a two-can trash pullout recycle bin to the left of the sink

and to the right, is a paneled dishwasher!

Docking drawer & drawer dividers:

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff - All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Free up your counter space–custom drawers, docking drawers and cutlery drawers will certainly help with the clutter of small items.  Several of our home owners need storage for various things including: hair dryers, curling irons, DVD’s, jewelry, guns, serving utensils, tools and so much more!

A designer will provide answers to your questions that will allow us to design cabinetry that is best suited for your lifestyle.Docking drawers are becoming more and more popular in today’s households.  A docking drawer has the electrical components inside the drawer which can charge your electronic devices without clutter on the countertop.

Refrigerator drawer and warming drawers:

Like the look of a mini bar, wet bar or need extra refrigerated space for the kids to have easy access to after school drinks and snacks?  A refrigerator drawer is functional and stylish.  Custom cabinet appliance panels can be placed on the outside to have the drawer look as if it was part of the cabinetry.  Warming drawers also can be incorporated into your kitchen design to blend with the cabinetry.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff - All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

We understand kitchen and home remodels or new construction can be a daunting experience.  It is our intention to assist you each step of the way.  At Walker Woodworking, our focus is on creating high – end custom made products to enhance your home and lifestyle. We believe that our quality, custom, hand-crafted woodworking makes the difference between an ordinary house and an extraordinary home. Quality is the foundation for everything we do.

Go enjoy the “Easy life” and call us when you need custom cabinets!

Jan Blanton – Walker Woodworking

flat surface cooktop,stainless hood,contemporary kitchen,custom cabinets

Jeneane Beaver Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen & Bath Designer Jeneane Beaver Creates contemporary look for her own 1980’s home.

As a kitchen and bath designer, Jeneane Beaver loved making her clients dream come true.  It was her job to create beautiful and functional spaces every day.  The home her and her husband live in was built in 1980 and the kitchen was not ideal for a person who cooks, nor did the room offer much storage.

Before Photo

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

The renovation process began April 12th, and was completed May 18th.  Follow this link to see more before and after photos of this contemporary remodel.

Jeneane Beaver has been designing kitchen and bath cabinetry for Walker Woodworking since 2008. She gained her foundation in cabinet design by earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design at Western Carolina University and is certified as an Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer through the NKBA. With 6 years of design experience Jeneane is able to truly create unique, user-friendly spaces and educate consumers on the many different cabinetry options available.

“It was hard to see all of those beautiful and functional plans I work on everyday, then go home to a decrepit outdated kitchen in my own home.” says Walker Woodworking designer Jeneane Beaver.

Walker Woodworking Custom Cabinets

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

Planning a budget became a top priority, for the project to move forward. Cabinets, granite, electrical, floors, plumbing, and eating out all became part of our budget.

The wish list:
*drawers around the prep area
*a vented hood
*built in trash and recycling area
*more storage
*space for brooms and ladders
*better functioning cooking appliances
*more countertop space and improved workflow

custom storage,drawer style,utensil storage,double decker drawer,dovetail drawer

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

flat surface cooktop,stainless hood,contemporary kitchen,custom cabinets,kitchen island

Photo by Walker Woodworking Staff – All Rights Reserved.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the results. Keeping in style with the house and leaning towards a more contemporary look we went with simplistic darker cabinets and lighter floors to contrast.”

“We know this will greatly add value to our home and it is definitely much nicer to use.  I can now say with pride that I love my kitchen!”  said Jeneane Beaver, Kitchen & Bath designer for Walker Woodworking.

Walker Woodworking can help you make the most of your space and design your Dream Kitchen, give us a call today 704-434-0823! There is no charge for us to provide you with an estimate and set of drawings.

A Farm House Renovation Project

A farm house of almost 200 years has been renovated with a new look and new technology; however, the character of the home remains unharmed.

A young couple took on a three-year project to completely renovate an old farmhouse, bringing new life to the aging piece of history.  Walker Woodworking was excited to be a part of their renovation.  The couple focused on handmade American products when selecting details for their home, and the cabinetry was no different.

Although most of the original house remained intact, Jason & Erin Metcalf had dreams of adding a kitchen to their 1840 circa farm house.  The original home did not come equipped with a kitchen.

Throughout the years, different owners had made some upgrades to the home that included adding a small kitchen. The first step of the renovation the Metcalf’s made was to remove the part of the house that had been added on. They then began construction for their own detailed additions while leaving the original part of the home intact.

As with any remodel, the design phase can be most difficult due to the fact that you are working  around existing beams and structures that must stay intact. The original structure of the home had no nails or screws but had been constructed using wooden peg joints, the Metcalf’s wanted those beams to be exposed where possible. The kitchen area was greatly affected by the exposed beams since they were load bearing and would be right in the middle of the kitchen.Metcalf beam

The Walker Woodworking team took on the design challenge while working closely with the Metcalf’s to achieve their desire to have a state of the art kitchen that would display beauty, originality and function in their updated farm house. Other challenges existed in the actual construction  and installation of the cabinetry due to uneven walls,  and flooring, The beams located in the kitchen were also out of square which made it difficult to place cabinetry right next to them.

After the architectural portion of the project was completed, the cabinetry, appliances and other finishing touches were integrated into the almost 200 year-old home to achieve a modernized kitchen.IMG_4607

The overall cabinet designs feature a classic white color with streamlined door styles. The blending of clean lines, square posts, and a simple square hood design all add to the clean farmhouse look.  Mullioned antique glass doors to display dishes, and open shelves were a couple of customized features in this kitchen. Other design elements that were added help transition the old with new, including:  Quartzite counter-tops, slate and glass tile, a farm sink, and metallic casting pendant lamps.IMG_4579

Visit the Farm House Portfolio to see more pictures from this project.

For more pictures and information on the overall project you may visit the Metcalf’s personal blog page.

Do you have a kitchen that needs updating or a unique project such as remodeling on old farm house? Let Walker Woodworking help you make that dream a reality! Contact us today, our estimates are always free.

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