If I were to ask you to associate custom cabinets with affordable what would you say? Well, for many of us that have been around for a bit we have this idea that the phrases custom cabinets are truly that ideal place of destination for our kitchen should we have an unlimited amount of money to spend.  Ironically, despite the increase in supplies, the cost of custom cabinets is decreasing and a lot of this has to do with the change to the process. 

Larger companies in the business of making custom cabinets have long been using the robotic cutting systems as a source of reliable manpower.  These machines show up for work on time, they never complain nor ask for more money.  Most importantly they are fast and super accurate.  The cost of this equipment has come down some but truly only a handful of smaller shops are starting to purchase this type of equipment in order to compete with the “big guys” and I interviewed one such custom cabinet shop in Charlotte, NC.  They have certainly increased their equipment but at the same time they strive to maintain a custom service with their custom cabinets.  Unfortunately, not every custom cabinet shop can make such an investment but Steve Oates did.

I wanted to highlight just one small business seeking to set themselves apart by adjusting to the economic change before them by changing the process and utilizing technology.  This article is in support of the small business.  Small cabinet shop going hi-tech in order to maintain a competitive edge and improve on their pricing structure.  When others are looking for ways to increase prices, LyndenCraft is looking for ways to improve their process and decrease their price. 

I believe in the entrepreneur spirit but it’s not very often you come across a story like this.  When a talented shop adds technology to the mix in order to offer a better price for their customers we should take notice. 

Local custom cabinets shop owner, Steve Oates, unfolded this recent example, “My phone rang last week and one struggling Mom called to obtain a verbal quote.  I could tell she was anxious to obtain a quote fast so I asked a few questions.  Reading from a recent quote from “Home Depot” she said, “can you beat $6,700?”  In my mind I’m wondering what they designed that cost so much.  After talking a few minutes I instantly knew the cause.  She was trying to adjust a manufacturer’s standard cabinet to make it customized.” 

“I talked with her a few more minutes then shared that I felt we could save her about  $1,400 and in addition include a granite top.  I even gave her up to 20 granite types to choose from.   Needless to say the client was very pleased and surprised.” 

He shared more.  “Big manufacturers do not have the capability to make cabinet changes to their standard widths, heights, etc. without charging the client a lot of money.  It interrupts their process way too much and the client pays for this.”

I asked how this was different with LyndenCraft.  Steve shared, “Everything we do is customized for the client so it makes no difference to us and that’s why we could offer her a better product for less and include granite.  We don’t have standard cabinet parts laying around the shop for the next job.  We design, manufacture and install the cabinet they want for each and every job distinctly different.  There are no up charges for custom with us.  I use similar equipment and software but the big difference is our service.  My customers are talking to the guy that will put the information into the computer and cut out the pieces for the Master Cabinet makers to finish and assemble.”

Steve went on, “I’ll share just one quick story that happened just last week.  I often go to the client’s home just before putting the design into the computer just to be sure I didn’t miss anything.  When I visited I noticed that the stovetop hood wasn’t fitting properly.  Since they expressed a desire to reuse their hood system I simply jotted down a quick note ‘increase width by one quarter of an inch’.  No extra cost, no extra hassle and they can easily reuse their hood with their new cherry kitchen cabinets.”

 “I share this information with all my customers wanting to invest in custom cabinets.  The process of preparing, designing and installing custom cabinets is equally critical to our final product.  I have heard too many stories about the contractor that sold well and delivered poorly and we work hard to overcome these bad experiences everyday.

Steve said, “We purpose ourselves to disband their conception of a custom cabinet maker.  That effort starts from the minute we take our first step into their residence until we remove our last hammer.  We don’t just want a sale we want loyal customers that will think of us the next time they need to add a bookcase, expand a bedroom, organize a mudroom or garage.  Therefore, we work hard to create an enjoyable process.” 

“The greatest reward for me is to see the look on our customer’s face when they walk into their newly refurbished kitchen.  Even greater the reward when I hear them make strides to invite others over.  Not just to show off their new kitchen but to create opportunities for developing community with all they come in contact with.”

Visit LyndenCraft Custom Cabinets  here.

Written by: Keith Sorinson

Whether you are anticipating a new kitchen in your newly built home or plan to update your outdated kitchen cabinets one of the key decisions that will be critical to your kitchen décor is the focal point.  Where do you want the eyes to be drawn when guests walk into the room for the first time?  Ignoring the decision of focal point will not change that it does exist even if you do nothing.  Every kitchen has a focal point.  One must really think about how they want to accentuate the perfect focal point and we have a few suggestions tucked away in this article to help.

There are several avenues to achieve the perfect focal point.  Decoration and design combined with the perfect custom cabinets are the primary ways. 

But first let’s add some more depth to what we mean when we say “focal point”.  Each room has an area of interest.  For most living rooms the fireplace draws our attention, an office may have some built in cabinets or coffered ceiling but the kitchen honestly is up to the designer or home owner.  There are several key areas that could serve as a focal point.

To name a few: the island, stove area and cabinets above, kitchen sink area, cabinets with clear glass and lights to display the pretty stuff as my wife likes to say.  If you go with a gourmet styled top by mixing 42” and 36” cabinets you can also draw attention upward especially when combined with additional three to four piece crown moldings.

When deciding on a focal point it’s crucial that you consider you space, storage, and functionality.  The wrong focal point can make the room look small, out of place, or even odd not to mention it may even impair functional storage.  If the focal point doesn’t add to the response you want to achieve while creating a functional kitchen then it’s a distraction.

For example, in a small kitchen it’s very important to create the feeling of space without loosing functional storage.  We do this often by drawing attention to the kitchen sink.  

I know what you’re probably thinking.  Why the sink?  Sinks are usually in front of a window and windows can offer a sense of space if there is a view of green grass, trees or flowers.  Even if the window was looking onto a brick wall we can still create a focal point there but instead the homeowner could add some material to create a fogged glass look. Allowing the light to come in but offering a more attractive view.

How do we draw attention to the sink?  Often times by just customizing a cabinet that suites the décor of the home and our in house interior designers are great at this.  However, for the purposes of this article the most common ways are deeper cabinets for the kitchen sink and then allowing it to stand out by adding other features such as flutes, columns, or furniture type legs.  Usually the granite counter edge will also adjust with the cabinet by protruding just 1.5” outside the other cabinets counter edge.  This is just enough to create a focal point.

So much more could be said here but I wanted to provide you a taste of what we do to assist our clients with the decision making process.  We just don’t build custom cabinets well, we strive to create the perfect custom cabinets by helping you decide the perfect focal point and in turn create another room where you may want to spend more time.

I’ll never forget one of my clients comments.  After obtaining her new kitchen she said, “I now want to be in this room!”  That is the testimony of well planned custom kitchen cabinets combined with the perfect focal points.
Feel free to give us a call if we can assist.  I tell all my clients that the process is equally as important as the product so we take our time to walk you through each step of the way.

Visit us on the web to see our work. LyndenCraft Custom Cabinets

Welcome to Charlotte Custom Cabinets MAGAZINE.  This is an online resourse for anyone considering, in progress, or completed a home kitchen renovation project.  Lots of great articles to come including topics on selecting a local custom cabinet maker, designing your new or existing space effectively and on a budget, interior design advice is forthcoming from professionals in this field.  We even plan to have a few do it yourself videos.  All in all… this is a great resource if you are in the market for custom cabinets, kitchen cabinets, entertainment centers, etc.