This is one of our recent kitchen cabinet refacing projects in Wichita, Ks. We refaced the kitchen cabinetry and island, added end panels on the cabinet ends, built up the existing cabinets to the ceiling and added panels, added a nice crown molding and another molding between the panels and the new cabinet doors. Next, we added a new dishwasher with a paneled front as well as updating the panels on the Sub Zero refrigerator and freezer. We also removed the existing double oven cabinetry and rebuilt it, making room for the larger Wolf 30″ double oven to match the Wolf induction cooktop. We also rebuilt the arched top cabinet on the counter, and added some large drawers for pots and pans. We extended the stiles on the island and the cabinet ends and added clean sweeps. We also skinned the existing bar back and the corbels supporting the Quartz countertops. Everything was finished in multiple coats of Sherwin Williams Alabaster White enamel for a silky, smooth finish. The result? A gorgeous chef’s kitchen for less than half the cost of all new cabinetry.
As you can imagine, our clients are thrilled with their new kitchen. Here is a review they posted for us online:
“They just finished my kitchen and I am so thrilled with it. They refaced the cabinet boxes and made new cabinet doors. Everything looks wonderful. I knew what I wanted my kitchen to look like and Mark had some suggestions that really brought it to the next level. When getting bids, he was the only one that had some suggestions. I also chose him because he and his guys do all the work themselves. Other companies said they only make the cabinets and you needed to hire an installer to install the cabinet doors etc. and I wanted one person that would do it all, start to finish. Mark is a true professional who shows up everyday on time. He also cleans up every single day when he’s finished for the day. They would even sweep up the sawdust in the driveway! I’m so excited I now have my dream kitchen.” –Molly C. of Wichita, Ks.
Is your kitchen dated? It happens. Every so often, kitchens need a freshening up, if not a complete kitchen remodel. No matter your choice, here are some quick tips and ideas to get you going in the right direction.
Lets see the hardware
One of the easiest and most economical changes you can make to your kitchen would be new cabinet hardware. Simply changing out worn, damaged or off style hardware can make a huge difference in your kitchen’s overall appearance. Cabinet knobs, pulls and even exposed hinges are available in a wide variety of styles and finishes with pricing for every budget. Switching out cabinet knobs is usually a fairly straightforward project that can be tackled by DIYers.
Cabinet Refacing
Sometimes a complete kitchen remodel isn’t in the budget, but you still need to update those dated, ugly cabinets…enter cabinet refacing. For about ½ the cost of new cabinetry, we remove the existing cabinet doors, drawer fronts and drawer boxes and replace them with fresh new pieces finished in the solid wood species of your choosing. Your existing cabinet boxes are covered with a ¼” solid wood veneer. The result-the look of new custom cabinets without the down time, mess or cost. Are the results dramatic? You be the judge. Here’s a before and after picture of one of our recent refacing projects.
LED lighting
If you haven’t made the switch yet, you should consider upgrading to LED lighting for your kitchen task and general lighting needs. Pricing for LED lighting has dropped dramatically over the last few years, and LEDs will save you money every month on your utility bills. LEDs are available in warm and cool white light, or vivid colors and some bulbs can be controlled with a smartphone or smart speaker. This is just one way to save money on utility bills if this is something you’re looking into. In addition to switching to LED lights, taking a look at your energy provider and comparing it against others is a great way of discovering whether you have the opportunity to save money.
Quartz and Granite Countertops
It’s hard to deny the impact of new countertops on a kitchen makeover. Our vendors offer hundreds of the latest colors, from all the popular quartz and engineered countertop brands, to choose from. At Records Custom Cabinets and Trim, we’re here to help insure your countertop replacement process flows smoothly, from material selection and templating, to tear out, to finial install.
Backsplash Tile
Backsplash tile shouldn’t be overlooked as a way to give your kitchen a fresh look. There are several cool trends in backsplash tile that can really make your kitchen remodel…POP! Our suppliers offer all the latest tile styles! Consider three dimensional, textured and cool shapes like elongated hexagonal or mermaid tiles.
Flooring
Another area to consider updating in your kitchen remodel is right under your feet. There are hundreds of new flooring products every year and many are well suited for a kitchen makeover. Consider prefinished wood flooring, ceramic or porcelain tile, or even luxury vinyl tile.
Appliances
Cool things are happening in the world of kitchen appliances. Smart ovens that you can control and preheat with your smart phone; dishwashers that send you an alert when your dishes are clean; refrigerators that let you peer inside without even opening the door; ovens and microwaves that can sync up to insure everything is ready at the same time. New finishes like black stainless can help to complete the fresh new look of your kitchen redo. Make sure you check out French door ovens, cool retro appliances, steam ovens and induction cooktops to finish out your kitchen remodel.
Records Cabinets and Trim Carpentry can assist with all phases of your kitchen remodel. Give us a call at (316)733-6800 or contact us online today and we’ll make sure your kitchen remodel is done right!
What a great time to be planning a kitchen remodel! With so many cool new kitchen features, 2017 is shaping up to be an exiting time in the kitchen and bath industry.
Glideware
When I first saw these at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show a few years ago, I knew these would be a hit. These clever little pullout storage devices organize pots, pans and their respective lids, like nothing else. They even produce a pull out mop and broom organizer, and pullouts that are rated for exterior cabinetry. Also, there is a lazy Susan inspired pot and pan organizer, that can be spec’d out in new construction, or used to replace an underutilized lazy Susan. Glideware was recently purchased by rev a shelf and they join a catalog of dozens of unique storage and kitchen organization products.
GE French Door Oven
These are so cool. A beautiful convection oven with a decidedly commercial appearance. Clean, refined style and a unique look that will most certainly be mimicked by everyone else in the industry. You can even control the oven’s functions from your smartphone. Pair this oven with a matching induction cooktop for a gorgeous, high tech kitchen. Plus, that induction cooktop can bring a quart of water to a boil in 101 seconds! Check out more specifications and features of the GE French Door Oven.
Wood Countertops
While wood countertops are nothing new, they are quickly growing in popularity. We custom manufacture wood countertops in any species, size and thickness. Wood tops look great paired with stone countertops, too. Our wood countertops and butcher blocks are available in flat sawn, edge or end grain orientation. Wood countertops are also available from Records Cabinets with live edges. Contact us for more information on domestic and exotic solid wood counter tops.
Coffee and Tea Organization
These serve a simple purpose: a tidy way to organize those tiny k-cups, tea packets and sweeteners that everybody has in their kitchen. Add in compartments for other incidentals like strainers, honey dippers, tea balls and coffee creamers and you have a great space for your morning coffee or tea ritual!
Blum servo drive
These have been around a while, but we’re seeing them requested more often, especially in high end kitchens and custom built-ins. Basically, a servo drive unit will open and close a drawer or door with the slightest touch. Since the units are activated by touch, no cabinetry pulls and knobs are required, which can yield incredibly clean, uncluttered lines. More information on Blum servo drive products.
Electrical outlets with USB ports for device charging
These have been around a few years too, but we have these installed in the majority of our custom kitchen, desk, and mudroom projects. Basically, these neat little electrical outlets allow you to plug in your devices and keep your existing electrical outlets for more traditional duties. These can be incorporated into a cabinet, island or drawer. You can also find these without the electrical plugs, and up to four USB charging ports. A great supplier of these electrical plugs is Leviton.
Are you ready to breath new life into that old staircase?
Wood Treads
Adding solid wood stair treads or end caps are a beautiful upgrade for your old stairs. We also offer hand scraped stair treads for an extra special look!
Iron Balusters
Few changes to an existing staircase are as dramatic as switching your wood balusters to iron balusters. We offer a wide variety of baluster styles from simple square bar stock to the hand-hammered iron balusters you may have seen in high end model homes.
One of a Kind Newel Posts
At Records Custom Cabinets and Trim, we offer several types of custom newel posts. Besides offering traditional newel post styles, we also offer the truly unique–from beautiful walnut paneled posts with burl walnut inserts, to custom carved round posts available no where else!
Curved Rails and Stairs
Ever wished your boring, straight staircase was curved? We do that too! All our curved staircase components are manufactured right here in Wichita, Ks.
Skirt Boards
Adding skirt boards to a staircase is another attractive staircase modification. Wooden skirt boards look great stained or enameled!
Pick any or all of the above items and we’ll make that funky staircase a stunning staircase!
Bang for the buck…
A bathroom remodel is one of the best improvements you can make to your home. Not only do you get a great new space, but you also typically recoup a large portion of your investment when you sell your home down the road. That being said, no matter what your motivations for your bathroom remodel, here are a few of my tips for remodeling your bathroom on a budget.
Reface instead of replace
While a new custom built vanity may not be in the cards, refacing your existing vanity might be a viable, less expensive option. Choose a remodeling company that overlay’s your existing cabinetry with solid wood, not one that uses thin veneers or worse yet, contact paper. We always replace the cabinet doors and the drawer boxes, too. From the outside, nobody will ever know you didn’t spring for expensive, custom built bathroom cabinetry.
Paint the town
A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for your bathroom. Painting a room is an inexpensive, easy DIY project that can be completed easily in a weekend.
I’m a vanity now
Want the look of a furniture piece vanity, but can’t swing the custom built price that comes along with it? Consider repurposing an old dresser or buffet cabinet. Not only will you be gaining a cool piece of cabinetry, you’ll also be doing the “green” thing by giving that old dresser a new life and keeping it out of the landfill!
Smoke and mirrors
Another great item to remodel that won’t break the bank are custom mirror frames. These can be as simple as framing a mirror with casing that matches the rest of your room. It’s simple, fast and it adds a polished, refined look to your space.
Countertop dilemmas
With all the talk about quartz and granite, it’s easy to overlook other viable options for countertops. Gone are the days when laminate countertops looked dull and boring. Both of the major laminate countertop manufacturers, Formica and Wilsonart, have incredibly realistic looking countertop materials available. For a dressed up appearance, consider adding solid wood edges and detailed moldings to the edge of your laminate countertop.
If you prefer solid stone, there are a few ways to save some cash there, too. First, check your countertop supplier for remnants. This is a trick new home builders use all the time and it can save you some serious cash. Second, consider using 2cm solid stone countertops instead of the 3cm standard. For a bathroom vanity, the thinner and less expensive 2cm stone might be adequate.
Faucets of distinction
While everybody loves the look of the high end faucets available at their local supply house, consider less expensive product lines. Most manufacturers have several grades of faucets, and the right compromise between price and aesthetics is probably somewhere between builder’s grade and a faucet quilded in 24 carat gold! Always ask your plumbing supplier if they have a similar looking faucet in a less expensive line, it can save you a bundle!
Floor It
Replace that old linoleum floor with new linoleum, ceramic tile or for a greener, hip option, consider cork flooring. Cork is soft on the feet, resistant to moisture, easy to clean, and it’s a sustainable resource.
Linens and Things
New linens and decorator items are a great place to add some color and pizazz to your newly remodeled bathroom. Since they’re not nailed down, they’re easy to change out as colors and trends change, plus you can really make a statement with boldly colored accessories and linens.
Don’t get soaked
A new shower surround is an easy place to spend a fortune. While beautiful tile and granite surrounds and multiple shower sprays are super cool and very popular, they can soak up your whole budget before you even get out of the shower.
See the light
A simple project like replacing a light fixture can totally change the mood and look of your bathroom. Add dimmers to your new light fixtures to vary the intensity of your lighting. Replace that out-of-date or dull, builder’s grade light fixture and you won’t believe the difference!
What is the best material for my new stone countertops?
This is a question I get asked a lot. Choosing the material for your new countertops can be a daunting task. With so many choices in solid surface countertop materials, countless color choices and several different textures to choose from, it’s no wonder people get overwhelmed. While no surface is right for every situation, some are better for the real world.
Quartz or Granite Countertops?
The general consensus is that Quartz countertops are more durable than granite or marble, at least partially due the fact that Quartz is so much harder (twice as hard as granite…much, much harder than marble, travertine, slate or soapstone). Quartz countertops are a combination of natural and man-made materials that are combined and formed into sheets; whereas granite, slate, marble, travertine and soapstone are quarried as slabs and polished or honed to the desired finish. Quartz is also maintenance free, non-porous and attractive. However, the discerning eye may still find the natural stone products are more random, varied and attractive. This is a personal choice, as many customers prefer the look of quartz, too. Personally, I love the look of the natural quarried stones. I have granite and travertine countertops in my own home and I love them.
Budget concerns
In general, quartz countertops start at about the same price as mid-level granite. Granite can be significantly less expensive than quartz in basic colors and standard textures, but in the rarer colors and with special textured finishes, granite can be somewhat more expensive.
Protecting your natural stone countertops
Things that should be remembered with natural stone: it should be sealed, you shouldn’t put too much weight on supported overhangs, strong bases and acids can etch the surface (use material specific cleaners), and care should be taken with hot pots and pans (use a trivet). Any countertop can scratch, but extra care should be taken with marble, slate and soapstone, as they are quite soft.
My advice
Find the countertop that best suits your needs, your budget and has the appearance you love, because ultimately, it’s you, not your contractor or designer that will be living with your countertop choice in the real world!
RECORDS CUSTOM CABINETS AND TRIM CARPENTRY SERVES THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITIES:
Wichita, Andale, Andover, Augusta, Bel Aire, Belle Plain, Benton, Clearwater, Colwich, Derby, Eastborough, Goddard, Haysville, Kechi, Maize, Mulvane, Newton, Park City, Rock, Rose Hill, Sedgewick, Valley Center. We serve all through out the state of Kansas.