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crystalheart1

crystalheart1

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Apr 12, 2007
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512
Happy Monday! Can anyone recommend a favorite Kitchen Cabinet to use in a Kitchen remodel? We are currently looking into Wood-Mode and a few others. Just wanted to hear some feedback on quality and experience dealing with custom orders. Thanks so Much in Advance .
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And any lines to stay away from?
 
We bought Kraft Maid. Consumer Reports liked them for durability and our friend a cabinet maker for high end homes also recommended them. We love our cabinets.
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I have not heard of Woodmade; sorry, I can''t help w/that brand.
 
What is your style of choice?

DKS
 
Wood Mode is a very decent line and has come a long way in the last few years.

I want a Clive Christian kitchen in my new house but hear they are lots of $$$$ but not a great product overall.

Not too sure about who else you have in the area you live in as far as showrooms. Downsview is also nice...I do not like ultra modern but I think Siematic is good if you do...
 
Thanks for your helpful responses.

DF - I am in the Bucks Co Pa area, so there are many nice showrooms to visit. This gets so overwhelming at times.

I am trying to maintain a casual elegance with a zen flair, if that makes sense. Nothing too over the top modern, but clean and elegant looking. I love the Liz Claiborne Family Days kitchen set, it has that look I am after.
 
I like a bit more detail on my cabinets, and my current kitchen has two colors of cabinetry, the island is one color with one type of granite and the perimeter is another with a separate granite. I like the contrast. I prefer a non modern look, but have seen some amazing stuff that is clean and contemporary. I live in the Main Line, and so, yes, I think you have all you need to chose from and can even go into Philly to the design center.
 
DF, I love that look !! My DF and I went to look at Sample Homes over the weekend. We are in the Doylestown area.

There are beautiful small "estate" style homes in a gated community going up near us. We were talking with the realtor and she said they were trying to get away from the McMansion cookie cutter look. All of the kitchens had the islands in a contrasting color. I loved it, but guess who did not.. They also painted the banisters a high polish black. It looked gorgeous. Guess who liked it and guess who did not? We usually have similar taste, but I notice if something is a bit out of the norm he shys away from it. I have been wanting to check out the design center. I have a friend who is a designer, but feel funny asking her for too much assistance.
 
I have the island in a neutral bown green color, with a speckled granite that has black, terracotta, cream and the same olive green brown. My perimeter cabinets are a creamy vanilla and the counter top granite is black. I have dark hardwood floors, I did a custom stain that looks like black coffee with cola mixed in it, and then I did all stainless appliances and a tumbled limestone backsplash all the way from the top of the counters to under the upper cabinets. I have brushed nickel faucets and knobs, and then did black iron lights over the island and over my breakfast table, which is black iron with a thick beveled glass top. It all works together. We are on a cul de sac of all new homes and all the kitchens are of a similar look. I like it because it all blends but is not so monochrome.
 
That sounds like my kind of kitchen!! I know DF will not go for cream cabinets. Do you have the Black Galaxy Granite? I really like that color - but the DF does not want black...thinks too much up keep. He thinks it will show everthing - like my car.

The color of the granite for your other counter tops sounds like what they had in the Sample. It was very nice.

Thanks for all your input... your floors sound nice too. We are probably going to do a slate or stone floor. We had problems with water damage in the kitchen before. Also, the kitchen is open to the family room where there is a stone walkway with a column done in mosaic tumbled stone. I want a consistent look.

Thanks again for your response
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I have black granite in my kitchen - it was a nightmare till I found this stuff from lithofin, I''ll find the name for you as I think it''s from the US.

You just spray it on, rub a cloth over and the granite lalways ooks super sparkly and smudge free with minimal effort. It made a huge difference and I am no domestic goddess.

I and pretty much everyone I know here has Ikea cabinets and then adds expensive handles and fixtures.
 
oh we had black granite in a bathroom (at our old house). It always looked horrible IMHO. When we redo our new kitchen we will go with a lighter color and dark cabs.
 
My granite has not been a problem, but it is only on my perimeter. It had a bit of a fleck so it does not show a lot. I do love it. Not sure what I might do in my new kitchen, it is likely I will do something similar.
 
That is the debate with the Granite now. Keeping it free of streaks and fingerprints if it is a dark color. DF, how do you clean yours? I really would like to go with the Black Galaxy to give the kitchen that dramatic look. We checked out the Phila Design Center''s Website... Clive''s kitchen designs are gorgeous. Thanks for directing us to it. We are going to be doing a lot of upgrades. Marble in the foyer, crown molding, and interior columns... can''t wait.
 
Lithofin MN Easy Care Cleaner

is what I use on my black granite. It leaves it super shiny with no smudges or fingermarks. You also only need a tiny bit so it lasts for ages.
 
Pandora, I looked into that - Thanks for the recommendation but I don''t think that is available in the US
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I am not sure what I have currently. I have gotten things from restoration hardware and williams sonoma and my housekeeper uses what she likes. I have a couple of different counter top sprays too from Meyers etc, and I am certain the granite people would recommend something. I really truly in seven years have not had any issues with my granite counters at all, and I have three boys in my home. My stainless sub zero and stainless hood, I had had issues with and in my new house I am not doing a stainless hood over my thermador range/oven, because it gets gross and filmy looking and it is just disgusting and hard to clean even with stainless magic or sheila shine.

the clive kitchens are expensive but stunning, but my architect (and others) have said you are paying for something that isn''t well made, he is all about the look. I will have to go to my local showroom and check it out and see if I agree...
 
Date: 7/30/2007 1:13:39 PM
Author: crystalheart1
Pandora, I looked into that - Thanks for the recommendation but I don''t think that is available in the US
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USA:
GranQuartz Stone Care Systems
4963 South Royal Atlanta Dr.
Tucker, GA 30084
1-866-639-0960
www.granquartz.com

Look under Countercare and then under Maintenance.

The Lithofin MN Easycare is $14.95 for a litre. I''m still on my first litre and I''ve had the granite over a year now.

Hope that helps!
 
Thanks for the link - It is worth trying out.
 
There is also Plain and Fancy, Kountry Kraft and Kraft Made as well...
 
I have Kraft Maid now and would never buy their cabinets again. I have the Taupe Glaze which is an off white/cream color. The cabinets have discolored, and actually peeled off the dishwasher front. I have not had anyone from the company return my phone calls. The other cabinets might be fine, but I would stay away from the Glazes. There is another line I am looking into, Medallion and Merillat (SP)?
 
i haven''t heard good things about kraft maid either. i ended up getting schuler (medallion) and have been pleased so far!
 
Date: 8/2/2007 10:23:16 AM
Author: crystalheart1
I have Kraft Maid now and would never buy their cabinets again. I have the Taupe Glaze which is an off white/cream color. The cabinets have discolored, and actually peeled off the dishwasher front. I have not had anyone from the company return my phone calls. The other cabinets might be fine, but I would stay away from the Glazes. There is another line I am looking into, Medallion and Merillat (SP)?
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That is too bad. I would be upset too. I love my cherry wood Kraft maid, but maybe they are good because we don''t have a glaze. I will have to be on the look out for peeling.
 
we have Merrillat in cherry and so far I am thrilled with them. We have only had them 3 months though, but they look and work very well.

we have tropic brown granite in most of the kitchen and then absolute black on the island. I think they are both about equal in terms of showing dirt and streaks. I use simple daily granite cleaner and cloth, which I got at Target, for daily cleaning. I really buff the island and it still can be a bit streaky, but not to where it bothers me.

I love my kitchen, but I really thought the cabinets would come out lighter than they did so I was looking at darker granites. If I did it over I might look at lighter granites more closely. I LOVE Skippy''s from the photo you posted a while ago. I wish I had looked around more, but there were just so many decisions to be made at once.

I liked the Ubatuba (black with green) granite too but our builder recommended against it because he said it was overdone. I am glad I listened to him - I do see that granite EVERYWHERE!
 
Sorry for the thread jack, but I want to tell Gail thanks!
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I am likely getting custom in my new home, but certain finishes are tougher than others. My granite is not a problem though.
 
AWWW - SKippy..
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You are not threadjacking - I love your kitchen What did you decide on your lighting?

I also love your granite. What color is it ? I like the Granite that is not run of the mill.

I am hoping for a Medium/Darker wood with a black granite. If we go a little lighter I would do a nice
brown combination.

I am dying for the Liz Claiborne Family Days Dining Set. It is so elegant and classic. It is a Cream Set with Light
Brown Distressed Wood top. We probably will have to stay with a Med brown cabinet and Brown and Cream Granite if we go this route..Like yours Skippy.. great taste
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Date: 8/2/2007 3:05:57 PM
Author: crystalheart1
AWWW - SKippy..
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You are not threadjacking - I love your kitchen What did you decide on your lighting?

I also love your granite. What color is it ? I like the Granite that is not run of the mill.

I am hoping for a Medium/Darker wood with a black granite. If we go a little lighter I would do a nice
brown combination.

I am dying for the Liz Claiborne Family Days Dining Set. It is so elegant and classic. It is a Cream Set with Light
Brown Distressed Wood top. We probably will have to stay with a Med brown cabinet and Brown and Cream Granite if we go this route..Like yours Skippy.. great taste
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Aww, thanks. My poor hubby had to go w/me to the slab yard for about 3 months until I found what I liked and then when they put it in I was like Wow, that is intense. I wasn''t sure if I liked it but now I do. Things take me forever so to answer the light question no, not yet. Hubby forgot about his threat so I have a little more time. We need a new dinning table and bar stools too.

Gosh, now I am a tiny bit worried about my cabinets. I hope they hold up. I looked up the cabinets you listed Woodmade and they look beautiful.

Here is my 2 cents on custom. I would do a lot of research on the person who makes custom. My friend bought a gorgeous house in the foothills of my city and had custom cabinets. They started to fall apart; I feel so bad for her because they were quite expensive. I also have a friend who has made cabinets for several generations (family from Switzerland) and they are happy for you to call former customers. I try to check to see if there are any claims against a company by looking at the BBB online.

What a fun project, but I am so sorry that happened to your cabinets. That is awful; I would complain. I had to called them because I didn''t like the look of one door and they replaced it right way. Can you call BBB see if they can do something for you?
 
I am actually moving/selling my home and the kitchen remodel is in my BF - soon to be fiance''s house. I am going to try to go through Kraft Maid again before I put the house on the Market. I want the kitchen to be in perfect order
Wood Mode is a great line and used in some of the nicer new home developments we have looked at. We go to Sample homes to get design ideas
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My BF takes a long time to make a decision... I use to be that way but I do my homework now.When the time comes to shop I have a good idea of what I want. He is not your typical man shopper. He is a engineer so he is very detail oriented.
He asks a million questions - but has a good eye. I just hope he doesn''t micro manage all our design ideas. I have been bending a bit. I have been use to making all lthe decisions for the past 20 years
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I am glad he is taking such an interest in our love nest. He is a nice big single home all by him self.

Skippy - do you remember the name of your granite? I know this will be a challenge
 
Date: 8/2/2007 3:40:14 PM
Author: crystalheart1
I am actually moving/selling my home and the kitchen remodel is in my BF - soon to be fiance's house. I am going to try to go through Kraft Maid again before I put the house on the Market. I want the kitchen to be in perfect order
Wood Mode is a great line and used in some of the nicer new home developments we have looked at. We go to Sample homes to get design ideas
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My BF takes a long time to make a decision... I use to be that way but I do my homework now.When the time comes to shop I have a good idea of what I want. He is not your typical man shopper. He is a engineer so he is very detail oriented.
He asks a million questions - but has a good eye. I just hope he doesn't micro manage all our design ideas. I have been bending a bit. I have been use to making all lthe decisions for the past 20 years
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I am glad he is taking such an interest in our love nest. He is a nice big single home all by him self.

Skippy - do you remember the name of your granite? I know this will be a challenge
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Crystallheart, my hubby is an engineer too and also loves details and colors since he also has an art degree. We are always arguing w/me on design and color. He is learning it isn't worth fighting w/me
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That is sweet your honey wants in on the decision making. It makes it fun and make you think of things you probably wouldn't have otherwise or at least from my experience. hehe How exciting that you get a new house soon!!!

The place I got my granite from called it Golden Sun. I will try and post a better picture a little later if you are interested.
 
Thanks Skippy - That is so kind of you. I have a pretty good idea of the look of your granite. Please don''t go to any trouble.
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It is nice to have someone that takes an interest in things. My ex- had no interest at all in the house - and I guess in me for that matter. I really appreciate and cherish what I have now. He is also very hands on, and can do ANYTHING that needs to be done around the house. PLUS he is handsome and smart.. I have been divorced since ''92 and had to kiss many frogs before finding him.
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I am having so much fun playing house - I will post pictures when we are done... but It will probably be a long time coming. I am still waiting for the engagement ring he bought the begining of JUNE!!!!!
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