Remember When: The Beginnings of the Custom Cabinet Maker
By / November 27, 2015 March 20, 2023
The Legacy of Kountry Kraft – The Beginnings of the Custom Cabinet Maker
Kountry Kraft was founded in 1959 – when the cabinetry industry itself was still in its infancy. Prior to the 1950s, there truly was not a custom cabinetry industry to speak of. At that time, it was common for homes to come with standard kitchen cabinetry constructed by home builders. These cabinets were simple and often framed against the kitchen walls without a back. They were commonly made of metal or wood, and were rarely found in any other room besides the kitchen. There were no custom options, and rarely did the homeowner have a choice of wood or style. Cabinets were simply viewed as a part of home construction.
When Elvin and Helen Hurst decided to launch their own custom cabinetry company, there really was no road map to follow. No large cabinetry companies to model after. Not only were they selling cabinetry, they were selling the CONCEPT of custom cabinetry to builders and homeowners who had never thought about cabinets as an option or feature to their home. It was risky – Elvin and Helen were truly pioneers of the cabinetry industry – forging a path not many had traveled before.
But there were more hurdles in their way as they launched the business. Not only were they new business owners, with all the challenges that new business ventures present, they were also breaking the farming tradition of their Mennonite community, where everyone was expected to farm as their profession. Their choice to launch a business other than farming truly challenged common thinking – and their choice was questioned by those who knew them.
Regardless of the challenges, Elvin and Helen were committed to launching their business. Elvin had amazing woodworking skills and there was great demand among their friends and family for his hand-crafted cabinetry. They had a smart business plan and a philosophy that allowed them to stay true to their Mennonite roots of hard work and impeccable quality. They were smart and could see that their model would succeed. And it was with this in mind that Elvin and Helen launched Kountry Kraft in their family garage – the beginning of a legacy.
Stay tuned next week for part 2 in our Legacy of Kountry Kraft series
For more information about our company heritage, visit the Experience Kountry Kraft page on our website. Follow us on Instagram and like our Facebook page for design inspiration!
Kountry Kraft Custom Cabinetry – Quality Construction
By / November 18, 2015 March 20, 2023Why We Dovetail Our Boxes
At Kountry Kraft, we take our commitment to producing high quality custom cabinets very seriously. We employ skilled craftsmen who collectively have 1500 combined years of experience and their expertise is evident in the fine details that can be found in every one of our products. We consistently produce custom cabinetry that our customers love, that is delivered on time and to spec 99% of the time. We are so committed to quality that we offer a lifetime warranty.
One of the features that we include on our cabinetry that is often overlooked is the dovetail of our cabinet boxes. Dovetailing is a finishing touch that helps keep cabinetry strong, and it is a testament to fine craftsmanship. Not only does dovetailing keep your cabinetry more secure, it also looks beautiful. Dovetailing creates an extremely strong joint between two pieces of wood, making a stronger bond that can withstand heavy use. Most people don’t even know to ask about dovetailing, but to us it’s an absolute requirement.
Many cabinet manufacturers don’t go through the added work and expense to dovetail, and in many cases dovetailing is only found on the cabinet drawers. Here at Kountry Kraft, not only do we dovetail our drawers, but we also dovetail our cabinet boxes – something that is rarely seen in the industry. Dovetailing isn’t easy – it requires a great deal of skill and experience to do it correctly. For the skilled craftsmen at Kountry Kraft it’s no trouble. We have an entire line in our production process dedicated to dovetailing – and the work is done right – every time.
Our Commitment to Quality Construction
It’s just like us here at Kountry Kraft not to make a big deal about our dovetailing. We just consider it part of the process of producing cabinetry the right way – with great attention to detail. But truly – it is a big deal – and is one of the many reasons why you will find our cabinets still looking like new in homes 25 years later. It’s why high end kitchen designers turn to us to private label cabinets for them. And it’s why we’ve been successful for more than 50 years.
At Kountry Kraft we credit our success to staying true to the four guiding principles on which my parents Elvin and Helen Hurst founded our company: craft the highest quality custom cabinetry; deliver on schedule every time; price it fairly; and be honest, genuine and friendly. Dovetailing our cabinet boxes is one small part in the process of producing our high quality cabinetry – but it is a detail we are committed to continuing as a service to our customers.
Click here for more information about the quality craftsmanship of Kountry Kraft cabinets. To find a dealer near you, visit the dealer locator on our site. For great ideas for integrating custom cabinetry into your home, visit our Houzz idea books. We have a strong commitment to uphold our family legacy of high quality and excellent service – and invite you to experience the Kountry Kraft difference.
Custom Bars and Custom Bar Cabinets For Your Home
By / November 11, 2015 March 11, 2023Creating entertainment space in your home is a great way to enhance your family’s together time, build memories and cultivate a place to relax and unwind. Custom bars make a great addition to any home, providing a gathering space, additional storage, and a designated entertainment area your whole family can enjoy.
Redesigning an existing space to incorporate custom bar cabinets is a great idea to enhance the functionality and value of your home. You can gather around your custom bar with friends and family during holiday celebrations or family parties. Do you enjoy hosting a group of friends to watch the Superbowl, World Series or a NASCAR Race? Custom bars make an ideal place to serve snacks and beverages while you all watch the latest sporting events. Do you often entertain a houseful of guests for family holiday celebrations? You can gather around your custom bar during your next holiday party, freeing up your kitchen space to prepare your family meal.
Adding custom bar cabinets to your home will also provide you with space to store bar service ware like beer mugs, wine glasses, extra pitchers, platters and bowls. This frees up space in your kitchen, and helps keep your cabinets organized. Custom bars can also be outfitted with a lock and key and used to store liquor away from children, thus enhancing the safety of your home. Adding a refrigerator or wine cooler to your bar area will keep your adult beverages cold, and will keep your family refrigerator free of clutter.
Design Options for Custom Bars
At Kountry Kraft, we can help you create a custom entertainment area that will suit your needs. Our custom bar cabinets come in a variety of wood species and finishes, and can be designed to match the style of your home. We also offer many accessories to keep custom bars organized, including hanging glass racks, bottle storage and sink cutouts – the possibilities are endless!
Custom bars and bar cabinets will create a unique space in your home to entertain your family and friends. With Kountry Kraft custom cabinetry, every corner of your home can carry your style and express your individuality, while providing functionality and storage.
Visit our Pinterest page for images of bars we have for our customers and view our gallery of home entertainment options for some design inspiration. When you’re ready to build your own custom bar, click here to find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you!
Custom Pantry Options for Your Home
By / November 4, 2015 March 12, 2023
When it comes to kitchen cabinets, space is always at a premium. Your kitchen contains a wide variety of items that you need for daily living, and it may seem impossible to find storage for it all. Whether you are looking for a place to store canned goods, glassware, table linens or that new ice cream maker you’ve been dying to try – storage is often a challenge in today’s kitchens.
Building a custom pantry is one solution to your storage challenges. A custom kitchen pantry will allow you to organize, and more importantly, utilize your space efficiently. Are you searching for a place for infrequently used items like fine china? Are your wine glasses taking up precious space needed for food storage? Do you have a large but less frequently used appliance that takes up valuable counter space? Our designers will examine your exact needs and create a pantry cabinet accordingly. Because everything is designed specifically for you, the possibilities are endless!
A custom pantry can be any size and built to suit your needs. A kitchen pantry cabinet can fit in small spaces to store odds and ends, or we can create oversized butler’s pantries to be used for storage of larger items. We offer a wide variety of accessories, such as baskets and pull out shelving to enhance the functionality of any space. No matter the size, our designers will create an efficient custom pantry to enhance the functionality of your custom kitchen.
Kountry Kraft Custom Pantry Options
Kountry Kraft offers a variety of woods, stains, and finishes for your custom pantry, allowing you to truly customize your look to match the style and décor of your home. Whether you like the clean look of white cabinets, prefer a more classic style, or are interested in sleek, black cabinetry – Kountry Kraft has custom cabinetry to match your style. To view our wood, stain and finish options, click here.
Kountry Kraft’s custom pantry and custom cabinets give you virtually limitless options. Our designers will work endlessly to ensure that your custom pantry matches your kitchen décor and provides you with the space you need to make your kitchen both functional and stylish.
Fori deas and inspiration, view our Houzz page.