Sometimes preservation takes you on new, surprising paths…
Yes, we have kitchens on the brain thanks to a recent custom kitchen project (that turned out to be good fodder for some really cool pictures of our millwork process, so you get to ogle them).
The traditional approach to creating a custom kitchen is one we are all familiar with – create new cabinet frames from scratch in a millwork shop, face them with the customer’s choice in doors and styling, and remove and throw away the existing cabinets (doors, drawers, frames, and all) to install the new cabinetry.
But traditional is not the approach Richard and Dasa Redmond wanted to take.
They proposed a custom refacing and remodeling project for the kitchen in their home in Colonial Era Old Town, Lancaster, PA that would replace only the doors on their cabinetry and rework some of the existing cabinet frames without replacing it – a first for us.
So how did it happen?
Our project began the way they always do – with measurements and an evaluation of whether or not what the customer wanted was possible. As it turns out it was, and we headed into the design phase. Using a picture the Redmonds provided, Chuck designed a formal, raised-panel inset cabinet design to replace the informal overlay design in their existing cabinetry.
After designing the cabinetry, we held “Show & Tell” for the Redmonds where mockups provided them the opportunity to explore color options, joinery methods, hardware choices, and other decisions. After final decisions, the cabinet faces, doors, and drawers were constructed in our custom millwork shop. When they were ready, we removed the existing doors, drawers, and faces and installed the Redmonds’ new kitchen.
But this project wasn’t just about looks…
Small kitchens in historic homes are often awkwardly laid out and less than ideally situated, a definite problem in a culture who’s kitchens are meant to house much more in the way of cooking implements than your typical Colonial household. Working extensively with Richard and Dasa, we were able to thoroughly evaluate exactly how each area, cabinet, and drawer in the kitchen was used in order to redesign the cabinetry for an optimal layout. The result was the addition of a surprising amount of space.
Custom kitchen in less than two months…
…complimentary design for their Colonial home optimized for modern function
Constructed by artisan craftsmen from a locally owned and operated business…
…minimal eco-impact eliminated unnecessary waste and protected existing energy investment
Minimal invasion and disruption, with a fully functioning kitchen throughout the project…
Richard and Dasa may have started a trend worth setting.