Today’s Vocab-inetry Lesson
Defining the three types of cabinetry: Custom, Semi-Custom and Stock! 

Custom Cabinetry:  Custom cabinetry is the pinnacle of cabinetmaking. It offers the greatest degree of design flexibility, construction methods, options, and finishes. Designing with custom cabinets means the available space will be utilized to its fullest. There’s no need for wall and base fillers, as is common with semi-custom and stock cabinetry. (Furthermore, contrary to what some believe, “fancy” does not equal custom.) Crown Point Cabinetry is a full custom cabinetmaker; we build cabinetry to your exact specifications-within a 16th of an inch!  And, nothing is built until an order is placed.  The sky is the limit, as they say, with cabinetry available in a wide array of  wood species, finishes, door styles, hardware and organizational options.

As a custom cabinetmaker we build to fit your home, your style and your budget.

Semi-Custom Cabinetry:  A middle-of-the-road option where there’s a limited number of choices on things like wood species, finish and hardware. Cabinetry may be available in a number of sizes and shapes, but they are restricted to predetermined increments. Filler pieces will more than likely be necessary to complete the run of cabinetry that intersects a house wall or other cabinets.

Stock Cabinetry: Stock cabinetry is the least expensive of all these categories, with the absolute fewest options available. The cabinets are all pre-built and your choices are completely limited by what the manufacturer wishes to offer.

Was today’s lesson helpful?  Is there a cabinetry term that you’d like explained? Leave a comment below and we may feature your Vocab-inetry term in an upcoming entry!

Fantastic install of the new Prairie Line from Crown Point Cabinetry.

In homage to master architect Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie movement, Crown Point Cabinetry is proud to introduce our new Prairie Line!   Our approach to Prairie styling is historically correct yet decidedly unique with innovative design elements that bring custom cabinetry to a whole new level.

This kitchen is the perfect complement to a newly constructed Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home in Central New York.

Strong lines, cantilevered projections and terraced surfaces. All details inspired by the exterior of this Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home.

Our design staff worked directly with the homeowner and architect to utilize many of the signature design elements found in the home.  Horizontal and vertical lines, dramatic brackets and posts are repeated throughout the kitchen.

An example of borrowing design details from the architecture of the home can be found in the island brackets.  They were designed to perfectly mimic the cantilevered second floor terrace.

Crown Point's design patented square channel face frames.

Our patented channel face frame is a foundational element that adds a level of lineal detail and visual interest to the entire kitchen.  To achieve this look, we apply inlays made of the same wood species (in this case, Sapele) which intersect to create a distinct square detail.

This stunning project features the Highland Park and Ellsworth Door styles.

An adjoining bar area features upper cabinetry with our Highland Park door and clear leaded glass.  Lower cabinetry features the Ellsworth door (design patent pending) with its solid wood panel and wood muntins.  Doors within this line are customizable as homeowners can choose from multiple specialty glass options.

The Linea shelving system offers a customizable way to keep your necessities at easy reach.

Another show stopping detail is our Linea Shelving System.  A customizable panel can be installed as a partial or full backsplash, or as is shown here at the end of the island.  Homeowners can choose from a number of useful elements such as clear acrylic, aluminum or wooden shelves, as well as various hooks.  Wall shelf boxes, as shown above in matching Sapele, allow you to conveniently transport your essentials from shelf to counter and back again.

More photos of this stunning Prairie Style kitchen may be found in our Gallery, album number 70!

Just finding our video series today?  Start from the beginning with the first, second and third installments of the Edson Project!

The details for each are as follows:

The 45th Annual Seashore Open House Tour

10:30am to 4:30pm

Long Beach Island, New Jersey

“Tour seven exquisite homes that capture the history of Long Beach Island and its renowned architecture. Featuring houses chosen for the unique style, lush landscaping, dynamic interior décor, and sustainable building practices, this tour should be not missed! This year’s tour is composed entirely of homes on the north end of Long Beach Island and is one of our best tours ever!”  All proceeds benefit the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, “a vibrant community resource dedicated to providing arts, science and recreation programs to the members, residents and visitors to the area.”

2011 Merryspring Nature Center Kitchen Tour

10:00am to 3:00pm

Camden, Rockport and Lincolnville, Maine

“Come visit seven uniquely-designed kitchens and enjoy tastings from area chefs.  All proceeds benefit Merryspring Nature Center, a non-profit, privately owned park and educational center in Camden and Rockport with nature trails and gardens open to the public every day.  This member-supported organization offers talks, classes and workshops throughout the year.”

Cabinetry in this Darien, Connecticut kitchen was handcrafted from Flat Sawn French Oak and finished in Oceanside, a wash that was custom created for this kitchen.

We are excited to join forces with OldHouseOnline.com to bring you a free webinar: Approaches to Classic Kitchen Design! Join us Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 8pm ET.  Sign Up Now!

Patricia Poore, editor-in-chief of Old House Journal and Arts & Crafts Homes, will lead the 45-minute webinar.

From the comfort of your own home, (PJs anyone?) you will learn about the different approaches to period kitchen design, the hallmarks of specific periods, which elements to avoid and much more!

As an added bonus, one of our Crown Point Designers will be on hand after the webinar to answer any of your period style design questions in an open Q&A!

Sign Up Now!

The four-legged members of your family can absolutely be kept in mind when it comes to designing your cabinetry! Tailor-made especially for Spot, Fido or Mr. Jinxy! Let’s take a look at a couple of different challenges in which our clients were in search of a solution.

For our first cabinet, the client wanted a way to house the litter box. We designed it with an open interior with storage shelf above and an easy entrance. The large arch cut is an always-open door for their cat.  He can come and go as he pleases, (ooh, sorry, no pun intended!) and no one will know the cat box is even there!

This view shows off the spacious interior.  (Note: The two pieces along the bottom of the cabinet are merely shipping braces, not part of the cabinetry.)

In another situation, a client had two daschund puppies and wanted to give them a place to call their own, yet keep them close by. The dogs enjoyed feeling secure, so we designed this dog-friendly custom cabinet into their Crafstman kitchen (that we were also building). The owner has since told us that the dogs love to snuggle into their comfy bed inside this beautifully integrated haven!

The Greenfield, NH kitchen before the Crown Point remodel.

This small, dated kitchen in Greenfield, New Hampshire had long worn out its welcome when the homeowner contacted Crown Point about a remodel.  After waiting more than a decade, she knew it was time to go for it, and to do it right.  As the day approached for her cabinetry to arrive, she was apprehensive, wondering if the wood, paint and appliance decisions would all come together. And, would an island really fit in her kitchen?

Throughout the process, her Crown Point designer, Tamara Raymond, assured her that “it will be a beautiful fit.”  Today, in her own words, the homeowner lets us know how it all turned out:

The Greenfield kitchen after the installation of Crown Point Cabinetry. The kitchen is now an open and inviting space.

“I am happy to say, Tamara was absolutely right.  My new Crown Point kitchen transformed the look of our home and our relationship with cooking.  The room is spacious (with the removal of only one 4-foot wall), convenient (with space for everything), and serenely beautiful (my friends say zenlike).”

“I chose Crown Point’s Barnstead door style, with square inset cabinetry.  The upper cabinetry is hand-brushed with Farrow & Ball’s ‘Pointing’(a neutral cream paint).  For the base cabinetry, I chose Quartersawn Oak with a Mission Brown finish and Shaker style toekicks.”

The addition of an island creates more work and entertaining space.

“When the cabinetry was installed, I knew the wood/paint combination was right immediately.  The light paint and clean lines of the upper cabinetry gave the small area an open feel.  The warm brown of the base cabinetry made the kitchen blend beautifully with the open living and dining room areas.  The addition of the island transformed the room’s flow and made entertaining guests fun!”

“Working with Crownpoint was a 5-star experience. From the original computer drawings of what our kitchen would look like to the final adjustment of each cabinet door, our needs were always carefully considered and courteously met. Everyone remarks about the solid look, fine craftsmanship, and smooth operation of our cabinets. I’ve learned, there really is no need for angst when you decide on a Crown Point kitchen. Thank you, Tamara, and everyone at Crown Point.”

You are very welcome!  We hope you continue to enjoy your Crown Point kitchen!

Allowing for a proper width walkway is key to successful island placement

“What is the minimum suggested walkway next to a kitchen island?”

If you turn your body sideways, suck in your tummy, and can just squeeze through, you’re good. OK, completely kidding there…(Although, there might actually be a house out there with a layout like that!) Anyway, the recommended minimum is 36″. If you have 42″, you will find that to be more comfortable in the long run.

Have a design tip that will help others? Send us your tip!

A black painted island makes a strong visual statement in this Early American kitchen

“Having a hard deciding: Should the kitchen island match the cabinetry, or be in a different color?”

Though there is no truly wrong answer, some thoughts come to mind:

• With larger kitchens, having a contrasting/complementing island helps break up the area visually.
• If your cabinet runs tend to be straight and uniform (same depth, same height), an island in a different finish adds appeal.
• A kitchen that gets an above-average amount of light could benefit from an island in soft complementary color.
• Cabinetry in a dark stain or paint works well against a light colored island, especially in smaller kitchens.

The bottom line, of course, is go with what you like. Search the web (or, say, our section on custom kitchen islands!), flip through magazines, and soon you’ll feel more comfortable about the decision.

Have a design tip that will help others? Send us your tip!