Custom Cabinet "Refacing" gives Sophisticated Style to Flemington, NJ Kitchen

February, 2010: Solid cherry doors and details, custom designed and colored, rescued this kitchen from a peeling paint job.

This kitchen, already outfitted with granite and stainless steel appliances, received a "faux makeover" on its cabinets. The homeowners soon realized that, from an investment standpoint, this low-budget treatment wasn't the best choice for their home, when the finish began to peel and rub off.

Knowing they would need new doors, they checked with local and "big box" refacing companies, but were not impressed with the plastic and veneered doors they were shown. One of the homeowners came from a family of woodworkers, and she wanted real wood doors and details, custom stained to a dark cherry. We were more than happy to provide them with what they wanted.

New, solid cherry doors were purchased and custom stained and glazed in our shop. Decorative accents, including a leg and beadboard treatment for the island, edge moldings, and beadboard side panels, all of real cherry, also received the same finishing treatments. The remaining frame portion, which was only visible when the doors were open, was sanded down and given a matching finish.

The owners were delighted with the final results, and this upscale, traditional kitchen transformation is our new "hot seller."

Updated! Modern and Traditional Merge in this Clinton, NJ, Kitchen Cabinet Renovation Project

January, 2010: Here are before and after shots of a recent kitchen transformation. Be sure to check back for the final photos, after the room is decorated and the backsplash is chosen!

A vacation property in Clinton, NJ, which backs up to Round Valley Reservoir, this home is a classic, in true Hunterdon County style. An addition was put on the house and every room underwent alterations, complete with upscale millwork and enhancements, most in keeping with the home’s Georgian style. The kitchen, however, was a slightly different story

Although they wanted it to flow with the rest of the home, the New York City based owners desired an edgier aesthetic to the kitchen. As they put it, they envisioned “a tension between traditional and modern.” They were working with an architect, Tewksbury based Columbro Architecture, and a designer, but we were given design control over the kitchen, including the lighting plan and trim-work for the room. The pre-existing cabinets were cherry, custom made, and solid. The problem was that they were dated and stylistically “too country.” (The owners’ style was “Traditional Home 2010”. The current cabinets said “Country Living 1985.”) Although most of the appliances were to be upgraded, the change in the footprint would be minimal. A custom island, designed by Manhattan designer Chris Clarens, was to be constructed, which would be two-tiered and house a microwave. Also, the granite for the counter tops was already chosen: Vermont White, a white and blue-gray granite which is reminiscent of Carrara Marble.

Architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe said “God is in the details.” In the case of this kitchen, the homeowners were obsessively particular about all of the project’s details. In terms of the millwork additions and overall look, they did not want it to look “cookie cutter” – so unlike anything they would find in any of the typical home improvement stores or anything they might find with kitchen cabinet refacing. They knew that they preferred a painted and glazed cabinet finish, not a refinished and stained look. They wanted a custom color which would complement the stainless steel appliances, and perfectly enhance the granite. And, most importantly to them, they told us they wanted a “sophisticated” look to the finished project. They wanted the depth and richness of a glaze, but did not want to see visible glaze stokes, brush marks, orange peel, or anything else which would detract from the polished look they were trying to achieve.

Fortunately, custom work like this is our specialty.

We went into sample-making for the cabinets knowing the color of the granite, and that our clients were considering a dark, Wenge colored finish for the floor. The initial result of the first round of sample making, which was about two days of work, was that they loved the direction in which we were going, but they wanted more drama and richness to the finish.

Collectively we also decided that new cabinet doors would be appropriate, as would framing out and finishing the bay window area to balance the room. Originally the architect was going to frame it out the same way as the windows in the other rooms, and it would just be painted in the same shade of white as the trim in the rest of the home. A design plan including a wall of glass tile and the removal and relocation of a few other cabinets was well received.

Now it was time for round two of sample making.

After another two days, we were pretty sure we had hit the nail on the head. The owners loved several of the options we presented, and finally came to consensus on the one which we had decided was the winner. The blue-grey base was glazed with a glaze of metallic silver, tinted with teal and black. A glaze of black and deep blue was added to the beads on the door to enhance to architecture. The end result looked perfect with the granite, and would look rich and edgy with the Wenge colored floor they had chosen.

So which of these finishes ended up being the winner?

The clients chose the finish on the door to the left of the granite. It was the one which they felt brought out some of the deep quartz details in the granite.

On-site work began soon afterwards. After much debate the large window was framed out. We considered the scale of the piece, as well as if should be grounded, with color extending to the floor and including the radiator covers, or have more of a floating feeling.

The cabinets to the left of the refrigerator were removed in order to open up the space. The remaining cabinets were enhanced with crown moldings and side panel treatments. Much of the millwork was prepped in our shop, primed and palm-sanded repeatedly on order to ensure as smooth as a working surface as possible. The finish was to be subtle and had metallic pigments, so this step was necessary to ensure a consistent finish with minimal flashing. We made the island in our shop, custom to their specifications. The new doors were finished and then installed, along with hardware which complemented the stainless appliances.

And here are the results so far:

The job is not done yet, we are still waiting for a decision on the backsplash, as well as seating in front of the window and at the island. Right now the client is contemplating glass tiles, in a narrow, horizontal pencil pattern, along the entire wall where the cook top is. For the window area we have looked at small scale, comfy club chairs with a small table.

We can’t wait to see the final, finished product!

A Kitchen with Saltbox Style in Doylestown, PA

September 2009: Custom cabinets, with custom painted and glazed finishes, are the heart and highlight of this country kitchen.

This house, located in Bucks County PA, was constructed of refurbished materials from actual New England saltboxes. Except for the kitchen cabinetry and bathrooms, it was an exact replica of the famous “Stencil House” in CT, and was profiled in “Art & Antiques” magazine in 1996.

The new owners wanted to update the kitchen and make it a functional work space, but in a style which would work with the rest of the décor of the house. They wanted to save as much of the cabinetry as possible, but, as it was a small space, they also needed maximum storage opportunities. They also wanted the ability to add high-end appliances. They considered traditional kitchen cabinet refinishing, but since they also wanted the architecture of the cabinetry to have a bit more style, this approach wasn’t really an option. Traditional kitchen cabinet refacing was also considered, but then rejected, because they also wanted custom painted and distressed finishes.

Before: The cabinets butt up against the window frame, reducing the natural light available to enter the space. The cabinets boxes were solid wood and in good condition, although the doors were plain, flat panel.

The cabinets were reconfigured and a few new ones were built. Shelving replaced the cabinets alongside the window, opening up the space for more natural light. All of the high-end decorative details were added, such as crowns, light rail moldings, side panels, and a pair of appliance garages. All kinds of appliances were installed, including a steam oven and induction cook top. The new counter is Black Galaxy granite.

New, unfinished doors replaced the old ones, and they were given an inset look upon installation, a style more appropriate for the home’s primitive country décor. The finish on most of the cabinets was a beige green glaze with faint pearlescent highlights. The cabinets under the farm sink and the peninsula were a distressed cream with brown glaze.

Because storage space was at a premium, we snuck “secret compartments” into the side panels of some of the cabinets. The peninsula top, which folds out for extra surface area, is distressed mahogany stained with dark walnut, as is the framing of the pass through, which leads into the custom-built butler’s pantry. The backsplash tiles are from the Moravian Tile Works, in Doylestown, PA.

The pass-through to the left of the cook top leads to a butler’s pantry. In that area, which was approximately 5 feet by 11 feet, we built custom cabinetry, complete with a wine cooler and overhead wine glass storage. The focal point of the space was an antique carved mantle. We fixed it, gave it a new finish which highlighted the carvings on it, and used it to frame the opening to the kitchen. The distressed, cream finish is perfect for the area, as it receives a great deal of foot traffic.

Our NJ Kitchen Cabinet Projects are In The News!

June, 2009: Looking for an alternative to refacing or replacing your kitchen cabinets? This article explains some options, and features a kitchen we transformed in Flemington, NJ.

Artisan Interiors was recently spotlighted in the Home & Garden section of the NJ Courier News and the Home News Tribune. If you missed it in the paper, read it now.

Artisan Bamboo Refacing and DIY With Us: New Solutions for Your Kitchen Cabinet Dilemmas

April 2009: Spring is here and if you are ready to reinvent your kitchen cabinets, we have some new solutions for your project. If you want alternatives to cabinet refinishing and kitchen cabinet refacing, look no further. We have two new exciting services for savvy homeowners.

DIY With Us is in Tune with Your Lifestyle.
Versions of our stylish, cabinet glazing are now available at an appealing value for homeowners who want more hands-on involvement in their kitchen restyling, but still value and demand a professional, furniture quality finish on the bulk of the cabinetry.
You handle the removal and reinstallation of the doors, drawers and hardware, and any basic carpentry. Choose an application from our collection of basic glazed finishes. We give you the tools and training you need to transform the cabinet frames. We take care of the door and drawer fronts - the majority of the job, which also requires the most attention to detail - at our finishing factory.

On a very tight budget, and just looking for a makeover? Ask us about our “Heirloom” line of finishes. Instruction and product purchase also available for the total DIY experience!

When your kitchen is completed and you’re ready to entertain, be sure to tell your guests, “I basically Did It Myself!”

Artisan Bamboo Refacing for a “Green” and Gorgeous Kitchen!
Our exclusive resurfacing process features custom glazed bamboo doors and architectural elements, for a kitchen which is a warm and inviting, yet sports a clean-lined style. We offer bamboo colors and finishes you won’t find elsewhere, to give you a custom look which is on the leading edge of today’s design curve. We reuse your cabinet frames and reconfigure if needed. Add doors made of renewable bamboo, with custom, VOC-free finishes, and you have a recipe for a stylish and environmentally responsible design choice.

Award Winning, Glazed Bamboo Kitchen Cabinets: Metropolitan Style in New Hope, PA

September 2008: This exciting project recently won us first prize in a bamboo design contest. Here are before and after photos.

The owner of this New Hope, PA townhouse hated his oak cabinets. Refinishing the cabinets was not an option because refinished oak cabinets are still . . . oak. However, he wanted his renovation to be as "green" as possible. He spotted our Lambertville showroom, and decided Artisan Interiors may be able to help him. Before:

After getting acquainted with his goals and décor preferences, we worked together to come up with a new design for his existing kitchen cabinets. His contractor removed the soffit and opened up the space. We took the bases of the cabinets to our factory in Frenchtown and made modifications for the appliances, including accommodation for an under-counter microwave in the island. We then used renewable bamboo to construct a refrigerator surround, new side panels for the island and base cabinets, and new, flat-panel cabinet doors.

Floating shelves were also made of bamboo, with the upper shelves having a glass insert on the shelf, to allow for light to shine through to the lower shelf. All of the bamboo surfaces were treated with a gold, pearlescent glaze for added depth, then top coated.  The faces of the base cabinets were base coated a deep, black-brown.

Even the Corian countertop was reused and resized to fit the new cabinet layout.

The end result was exactly what the client wanted: a kitchen which was refreshing, yet warm, and with a current, urban edge. "Going green" may never have looked so gorgeous!

Our clients are so excited about this kitchen, that we are now offering custom made bamboo doors with several different edge profiles for sale through our website. The doors are available in an assortment of different bamboo styles, as well as a variety of glaze options. You provide us with the dimensions of each door or panel you need. We will manufacture and finish the pieces, then ship them to you for installation on your current cabinetry. For more information and pricing, call us at 609.397.0395, or contact us at info@artisaninteriorsnj.com.

Updating & Glazing Kitchen Cabinets for Resale

July, 2008: This recent kitchen cabinet project will hopefully prove profitable for the owners of this Newtown, PA home. The house, although located in an exclusive neighborhood and purchased for a great price, still sported its original 1980's design, including the black and white tile floor and pickled oak cabinets in the kitchen. It needed work before going back on the market and the owners wanted to make only those changes which would give them the biggest return on their investment. So they naturally focused on the kitchen, and decided to call Artisan Interiors.

The main cabinets were of excellent quality and already had some of the higher end features such as a nice crown molding and light rail moldings for the bottoms of the upper cabinets. The island, however, was lacking any real design character as the sides were basically flat sheets of pickled oak. The homeowner did consider several refacing companies, but decided their products didn’t compare to the high end look we were able to give him.

The first thing we did was to build and install panels and posts for the island, giving it more of a furniture style. Then we readied the space for spraying, as we spray all of our base coats and topcoats with furniture industry sprayers. Basecoats were sprayed, and then came the “pretty parts”. The island received a copper wash with extra highlights in its architectural details, followed by a mahogany glaze. The main cabinets were cream with a sheer chocolate glaze overall, and detailing along the inner bead and outer edge of the doors, and along the frame moldings. All total, the cabinets received about eight coats of various products, with sanding in between many of the layers.

And the end result had realtors waiting in line to show the house. The new finishes were current and reflected the design preferences for the area. In fact, it was hard to tell that the cabinets were originally oak.

Coming Soon: Our recent, bamboo kitchen, and antiqued and glazed kitchen cabinets for a New England saltbox reproduction home in Doylestown, PA.

It Can be Easy Being 'Green' . . . and Gorgeous!

If it's time to update your kitchen cabinets and you want to try to be more environmentally conscious, we can help. Our kitchen cabinet services have always provided an environmentally sensitive option for home owners. And now, we're even 'greener' than before! And you can be too . .

Reuse your kitchen cabinets and reduce waste. Why toss your current cabinets into a landfill when they can be a picture of style? We'll retro-fit your current cabinetry with crowns, panels, shelf pull-outs and other design elements. Our beautiful custom finishes then pull everything together. Your old cabinets can sport a high-end, designer look, like the ones featured in Design NJ, New York Spaces, and other magazines.

Go for Quality. Look at the sides of the cabinets you have currently have. Are they wood? If they are, your cabinets are better quality than most cabinetry in new homes and lower end kitchen stores. Many lower priced cabinets carried by big box stores typically include cabinets which are wood in the noticeable areas, such as the front face frames and doors, but the rest of the structure is multi-density-fiberboard (MDF), covered by either a veneer, or in the instance of bargain cabinets, wood patterned contact paper.

Use renewable and other eco-friendly materials for a healthy home and healthy planet. MDF, found in lower end cabinetry and some refacing products, is notorious for containing formaldehydes, which are considered to be carcinogenic and 'off-gas' into the air. In contrast, whenever we can we use bamboo, a renewable resource, for our carpentry applications. The architectural coatings we use for our finishes have always been very low VOC. This can mean fewer potential health problems for you and your family.
Maximum style at a moderate price with minimal environmental impact . . . Sounds like a win-win for everyone!

NEW: Tired of butcher block? Want something other than granite? Through our services and vendor network we are also offering countertops made of bamboo, as well as recycled glass.

We hope you are enjoying our newly updated website! And, to anyone who has stopped by here during the past two years, thank you for checking back again. Thanks to our fabulous web design team at Perfect iSITE, our updates are done and we love the results. Hopefully you will too.