The kitchen is the most important room in the house, so make sure you tailor it to fit your unique needs and taste. Just thinking about redesigning a kitchen can be a nightmare for some, while others enjoy the many decisions that come along with it. Never fear! We consulted with local experts for some tips of the trade.
First, the most important thing to figure out is what you really want. How large of a project would you like to tackle?
Do you want a complete redesign or just an updated look? Even if you don’t know exactly which route you’d like to take, there are many local businesses that can guide you in the right direction.
cabinets
There are three options to consider when it comes to cabinet design: semi-customs, custom-made, and the pre-manufactured ones often found in storefronts and home improvement centers. Whichever you prefer, there are still more choices to make within cabinetry as a whole. You must decide on overlay, box construction, door style, paints, stains, wood species, and hardware.
A&G in Accord offers custom-made cabinets and works with its customers to identify their preferences. “From my father’s perspective, it’s all custom. So, whatever kind of design you may like, we’re able to produce it,” says Sarah Weaver, owner of Bare Furniture and daughter to the owner of the neighboring A&G.
Flab fronts and the mission style have been popular choices among customers at A&G this year.
“If you don’t want to do a different cabinet [entirely], you can reface them and change up the doors to make it look updated,” Sarah says. “You can do different knobs…solid surfaces…acrylic.”
At A&G, cherry, maple, walnut, and birch are the most common wood choices for custom cabinets. However, cost is often a factor when choosing custom.
“Some people just have a rental, so they want to deal with pre-made cabinets,” Sarah says.
A&G has cabinet options from low-grade, to mid-grade, to custom.
Cabinet Designers in Kingston sells seven lines of cabinets—three custom lines and four semi-custom lines—in addition to the handmade ones they build in their woodshop. Semi-custom cabinets are very popular among their clientele.
there are three options to consider when it comes to cabinet design: semi-customs, custom-made, and the pre-manufactured ones.
“The semi-custom lines work on volume, so you can still change sizes within quarter inch increments,” explains Jesse Kelly, the store’s co-owner.
Semi-customs come with a baked-on UV finish that is very durable.
“For the average person just looking for an upgrade with a garbage pullout...
better uses of the trays and corners… and things like that where you don’t need custom, all their needs are met in semi-custom,” Jesse says.
For its custom creations, Cabinet Designers does veneer matching and creates inlays, spice inserts, and more. At Herzog’s, six lines of premanufactured cabinets are available, in addition to one custom line. Every customer who purchases a kitchen from Herzog’s receives free hardware, too.
The two brands carried are Jeffrey Alexander and Amronk. Herzog’s Kitchen and Bath Designer Kathy Prusack says this can end up saving customers hundreds of dollars, depending on the size of the kitchen. Herzog’s often suggests that customers choose to insert pull-out trash cans for convenience. For a fancier touch, glass doors are a common recommendation.
Sarah, Jesse, and Kathy all agree that it is most important to opt for good quality cabinets and hardware. Never buy anything composed of particle boards, Sarah and Kathy advise. Jesse suggests ensuring that you choose full extension, soft-close drawer runners and that the hinges are good quality. While easy to overlook, Kathy stresses the importance of contrast between cabinets and hardware.
counters
Sometimes, all it takes is a new counter to give a kitchen a more updated feel. Like cabinets, counter choices depend on preference. Quartz counters are bestsellers at Herzog’s and Cabinet Designers. However, solid surface acrylic is a favorite material for some because it’s hypoallergenic and has a lifetime warranty.
Some other options include soapstone, granite, and composite porcelain, which, although somewhat new to the market, is being used more frequently at Cabinet Designers.
“They’re giant slabs—half an inch thick—and they’re super clean with a matte finish. We use it a lot in modern applications,” Jesse says.
Islands and peninsulas are popular furniture choices right now due to their multipurpose nature. For a more rustic look, Excelsior Wood Products in Kingston works with local reclaimed wood species to create custom butcher-block countertops. Their custom department also produces live-edge styles—a slab cut out from a tree where the bark is removed from the edges—which are often used for islands. Some customers want a plank countertop, which is a wide board with two different wood species glued together where the original edges and faces are left on for a very rustic look.
With all countertop creations, Excelsior Wood Product Specialist Christine Sauer says it’s crucial to evaluate your lifestyle to help decide what materials to use. For a durable choice, Christine recommends original surface reclaimed oak or white maple. Excelsior Wood Products also makes reclaimed and custom wood floors and chunky shelves to increase storage space.
Whatever your personal style, there are many ways to make your kitchen truly your own. A visit to any one of these stores is sure to help guide you along your redesigning journey. Just remember: The kitchen is the heart of the home.
A&G CUSTOM FURNITURE 47-47 Route 209, Accord 845-626-0063 agcustommade.webs.com
CABINET DESIGNERS 747 Route 28, Kingston 845-331-2200 cabinetdesigners.com
EXCELSIOR WOOD PRODUCTS 401 B Sawkill Road, Kingston 845-339-6630 excelsiorwood.com
HERZOG’S HOME CENTERS 151 Plaza Road, Kingston 845-338-6300 herzogs.com
