Textural Cabinetry™ Wood Laminate Cabinets
By / June 22, 2016 June 9, 2016I am thrilled to introduce my blog readers to the Textural Cabinetry™ Line, a new line of wood laminate cabinets now available at Kountry Kraft. This innovative line of wood laminate kitchen cabinets features textured laminate panels, and offers a choice of 22 textured options in three door styles. One of the benefits of our Textural Cabinetry™ laminate cabinets vs wood is that the realistic wood grain panels complement smooth surfaces such as stainless steel kitchen appliances. The resulting finish is unlike any laminate cabinets available on the market today.
Textural Cabinetry™ door panels can be crafted with matching cabinet boxes front to back or you can choose to enhance the look with complimentary laminate cabinet doors. The finished product is in line with all the current trends in custom cabinetry, and creates a beautiful, polished appearance to compliment any kitchen style. For a more budget minded cabinet, customer can choose Textural Cabinetry™ door panels with a melamine cabinet box.
Shown in the photos below are six examples of the twenty-two textured panels offered, each stylistically different to provide a range of design solutions. Each creates a unique design effect when coupled with the three available door styles, offering kitchen designers new design options to choose from. Initial feedback from our dealer network has been overwhelmingly positive. Roger Yiengst, Sales Manager at Kountry Kraft states “We are excited about this new line that provides designers with an authentic wood look, the consistency of laminate and two price points to fit any budget.”
Examples of Textural Cabinetry™ Wood Laminate Cabinets
Kountry Kraft is known for their legacy of craftsmanship and consistent eight week lead time. This new line of wood laminate storage cabinets can also be ordered with linear custom range hoods and select millwork products. Our customer service team is available to answer all of your questions about this new line, and to help you get started on your Textural Cabinetry™ order today. Visit our Houzz page for inspiration for your next cabinetry order today.
Custom Cabinet Warranty
By / June 15, 2016 March 20, 2023
At Kountry Kraft we offer a lifetime custom cabinet warranty on our cabinetry and the worksmanship of our products. We have been handcrafting high quality custom cabinetry for more than 50 years, and our products are widely known for skilled craftsmanship and impeccable service. We take great pride in every custom kitchen cabinetry and custom bathroom cabinetr
y order we produce – and we back up our work with a serious warranty that demonstrates our commitment to the products we produce.
Our warranty guarantees that we will repair or exchange any of our cabinetry under normal home use as long as the original purchaser owns the products and they remain at the original site of installation. Not many cabinetry companies offer such a comprehensive custom cabinetry warranty – but it is just one of the many steps we take to provide the utmost in service to our valued customers. If a customer contacts us regarding a problem with their cabinetry, we send one of our trained craftsman to evaluate the problem and recommend a repair or replacement. It isn’t uncommon for our President Elvin Hurst, Jr. to make a warranty house call himself.
It isn’t uncommon to find a 25 year old kitchen still well equipped with Kountry Kraft cabinetry in excellent condition. Our skilled craftsmen are incredibly good at what they do – with over 1500 years of collective experience producing custom cabinetry they know the ins and outs of their craft. They take pride in every order they produce, and never compromise on quality.
At Kountry Kraft, quality custom cabinetry isn’t just our job – it’s our family heritage. We are a second generation, family-owned business, and we invest our reputation in the products we produce. We have a strong commitment to uphold our family legacy of quality and excellent service and back that commitment up with a lifetime custom cabinetry warranty. We invite you to experience the Kountry Kraft difference. Follow us on Houzz.
Custom Bar Options to Entertain Every Guest
By / June 8, 2016 March 11, 2023There are many different options you can choose from when building a custom bar for your home. The custom bar you choose should be inviting to guests, should create an easy workflow, and should go with the feel of the rest of the room. The most important thing to remember when choosing the type of bar is that you want everything to be easily accessible to you or the person pouring and mixing the drinks.
When choosing the layout of your custom bar, you want to make sure that everything you would need to create a drink has a space in your bar. A glass rack and wine rack can be added to any cabinetry to give you extra storage for glasses and bottles.
Custom Bar Types
There are two different types of bars you can choose when creating your custom bar:
Wet Bar
A wet bar includes a sink with running water and plumbing. Because of the added sink, it is sufficient in increasing the rate you can create drinks. It is ideal for entertaining bigger parties. This bar will give you plenty of counter space to prepare ingredients and it will give you optimum storage for everything you need.
Include the following items for the ultimate bar experience:
- Beer Tap
- Blender
- Refrigerator
- Ice Machine
- Dishwasher
- Integrated Sound System
Dry Bar
A dry bar does not include a sink. A dry bar is pretty basic – providing a standard beer/ soda serving area. A dry bar can include storage space, glass space, and a mini fridge. However, the space on a dry bar is not as open as a wet bar so your prep area is going to be a bit smaller. You want to put your dry bar somewhere that is easily accessible to where you entertain the most. This bar is extremely convenient for pouring and storing wine, storing glasses, and pouring simple drinks.
Ultimately when designing your custom bar, you want it to be something that you love. You want the bar to work with your lifestyle and be completely accessible to you. Check out some styles of wet and dry bar choices and ideas on our Houzz page.
Cabinet Cleaning Tips for Custom Wood Cabinetry
By / June 2, 2016 March 20, 2023Kountry Kraft Custom Cabinetry is built with careful attention to detail, and by caring for them with our simple cabinet cleaning tips your cabinetry will add value to your home for many years to come. The number one question homeowners ask when we complete the installation of their new cabinetry is how to keep kitchen cabinets clean, and they are always surprised by our answer. They believe they need a special cleaning solution for kitchen cabinets or a homemade DIY kitchen cabinet cleaner, but that simply is not the case.
Customers are surprised when we tell them that we do not recommend any specific cabinet cleaning products besides a soft cloth and water with a mild detergent. We provide new customers with a list of ten simple cabinet cleaning tips to protect their cabinetry, and if these techniques are employed regularly, they prevent damage to your cabinets, and will assure you years of beautiful, functional use.
10 Simple Cabinet Cleaning Tips
- Wipe up spills, splatters and water spots as they occur – keep the cabinets dry.
- Clean as needed with a soft, lint free cloth. Use a mild detergent or soap and warm water.
- Dry surfaces immediately with a soft cloth.
- Avoid using a dishcloth or sponge – it could contain remnants of grease or detergents.
- Do not use products with bleach, ammonia or abrasive additives.
- Never use scouring pads, steel wool or powdered cleaners.
- Do not allow oven cleaners to come in contact with wood finishes.
- Avoid placing small kitchen appliances where heat is directed onto cabinet surfaces.
- Avoid draping damp cloths or dishtowels over cabinet doors – excessive moisture can cause permanent damage.
- Do not use waxes or polishes.
Laminate vs. Wood
If you have recently upgraded from laminate cabinetry to custom made wood cabinetry, it’s especially important to note that there are important differences in care. If you use the same cabinet cleaning tips on wood that you previously used on laminate, you may damage the rich patina that solid wood provides.
- Never use a low-abrasive brush or clean sponge on laminate cabinetry – this is a common way to remove stains on a laminate surfaces, but will cause irreparable damage to solid wood.
- Never use an abrasive cleanser such as baking soda or detergent on solid wood cabinetry. This technique may work on laminates, but choose plain water or soap water with a gentle cleanser to clean your custom wood cabinetry.
- Removing stains from laminate cabinetry sometimes calls for all-purpose cleansers. Using an all-purpose cleanser on solid wood cabinetry may remove the finish and damage the wood.
You’ve taken the time and the resources to invest in classic, high quality wood cabinetry – why shorten its lifespan with neglect or misuse? Follow these simple tips anytime you wonder how to freshen wood kitchen cabinets or how to clean cabinet doors, and you will protect your investment in custom cabinetry for many years to come. For cabinet designs, view our gallery and follow us on Houzz.
Cabinet Dealer Profile – Bradford Design
By / May 25, 2016 June 30, 2022In this month’s cabinet dealer profile we are pleased to introduce the talented team at Bradford Design in Bethesda, MD. Once referred to as one of Washington’s best kept secrets, Bradford Design has repeatedly been recognized as a distinguished design firm providing innovative and original designs to residents of the Washington DC metro and Chesapeake Bay areas, but they also have a wide customer base including customers that come from as far as Southern California. Their distinguished designs are a truly imaginative, beautiful and unique addition to any home and we are proud to have them as a Kountry Kraft cabinet dealer.
The team at Bradford Design can create beautiful wood cabinetry and built-in designs for every room in your home, and they incorporate other materials such as stone, metal and tile to build truly one-of-a-kind designs. They focus on the use of clean palettes and innovative ideas, and work hard to stay ahead of the trends to create designs that will withstand the test of time. Their design specialties include kitchens, bathrooms, pantries, bars, fireplace mantles, wine cellars, media centers and outdoor structures such as furniture, pavilions, gazebos and arbors.
Of their own designs, Bradford says “True innovation requires unconstrained creativity. The Bradford Design product is created with a totally open mind free of design limitations. Custom details, coupled with an artistic vision for the room’s appearance are what distinguish a project. If your vision for a room is unique to your personal tastes and style of living, then you should consider the Bradford Kitchen.”
Bradford Design projects have been featured frequently in magazines such as the Washingtonian, Chesapeake Home Magazine, and Better Homes and Gardens Beautiful Kitchens and Baths magazines. Their solid base of highly satisfied customers are a strong indication that you can trust your next custom cabinetry project to the design team at Bradford Design. If you are looking for a cabinet dealer in the Bethesda, MD area, visit bradforddesignllc.com for more information and to view more of their unique designs.
We are proud of our vast network of cabinet dealers around the country – their skill at custom cabinetry design showcases the potential of the Kountry Kraft line. If you don’t leave near Bradford Design and are looking for a cabinet dealer near you, you can find a long list of Kountry Kraft dealers on the dealer locator on our website.
The Perfect Kitchen Layout For Your Lifestyle
By / May 18, 2016 March 17, 2023If there is one thing that relaxes me it is being in the kitchen. The kitchen is like the holy grail of the house. However, nothing is more frustrating than a kitchen layout that is difficult to maneuver around. You have to grab your eggs and milk from the refrigerator, which is on the opposite end of the kitchen from the mixers and the oven. Frustrating, right? The only way to fix this frustration is to change the kitchen layout to suit your space and have a better workflow. Listed below are four types of kitchen plans to create the perfect kitchen layout for your lifestyle.
Perfect Kitchen Layout Options
First is the galley kitchen layout. If there is not much room in your house, this kitchen layout is the best option for you. A galley kitchen includes two countertops, parallel to each other, to make the entire kitchen easily accessible. This layout is the best use of limited space. If choosing this layout, you want to select light colors to create the illusion of open space.
Next is the U-
shaped kitchen layout. The U-shaped layout is an ideal look for opening up floor space. It features three walls, which are lined with countertops, appliances, and cabinetry. When choosing this layout, homeowners should place their busiest appliances into a triangular workspace. There are many benefits to this kitchen layout, including a lot of counter space, and the ability to support a kitchen island.
The L-Shaped kitchen layout creates the feel of an open floor plan with two walls perpendicular to each other. This layout is perfect if you have more than one cook in the house. If eating space is what you are looking for, this layout is perfect for you! You can add an island to the center, or a table to accommodate your guests while you cook.
Finally, the single wall layout is typically found in small homes, because it works by keeping all appliances and ingredients in the same area with little reach and takes up as little space as possible. This design has countertops on both sides of the range oven. When choosing this layout, your best option would be to choose compact appliances to add extra counter space. This kitchen layout is ideal for loft and studio homes or apartments.
While these are not the only kitchen layouts you can choose from, these are the four most basic options. Deciding which layout to choose is going to be based off of a few things, including budget, how much storage space you will need, and how often or how many people you tend to entertain. Remember to take all of these into consideration, and LOVE the kitchen you choose. If none of these are to your liking, check out these other kitchen layouts we love.
Functional Kitchens to Enhance Your Home
By / May 11, 2016 March 17, 2023Installing new functional kitchens is a great way to make an investment in your home. A new kitchen that suits our lifestyle is a great way to simplify your life. But beneath the beauty of it all, the reason a kitchen improves our lives is it’s functionality. At Kountry Kraft we know how to build truly functional kitchens.
Overall, we pride ourselves in having a talented network of dealers who can assess a homeowners needs to build kitchens that are a masterpiece in functionality. A key to creating functional kitchens is the use of accessories that optimize space. Because today’s kitchens are used in a variety of ways – they may need to house everything from the family computer to a laundry center. For this reason we offer a wide variety of accessories to suit every need.
Accessories to enhance functional kitchens
:
- Maximize a small space with a base pull-out storage cabinet. These cabinets can be tucked conveniently next to your stove or sink to allow easy access to frequently used items.
- Pull out wicker baskets make an attractive addition to your kitchen space and are a great way to store items such as potatoes and onions.
- Spices take up valuable cabinet space, but we offer unique spice storage options such as spice drawers, wooden spice racks fitted inside a cabinet door, and combination knife and spice drawers.
- Conveniently store knives off the counter with a knife drawer designed to protect blades and fingers.
- Double level cutlery drawers allow you to organize your cutlery and other kitchen utensils neatly for ease of use.
- Store your cutting board out of the way to free up counter space with a pull out cutting board integrated into your cabinetry.
- Storage of baking trays just got easier with slotted tray base cabinets that can hold everything from cookie sheets to pizza pans. They provide easy access any time, and a combination storage cabinet can allow you to utilize unused space for such items as lids that clutter up your pot storage areas.
- Adding a food file rack to your pantry door places items you use frequently right on the door – and makes use of space
- Store your bread neatly in a bread drawer with partitions.
- Utilize often-wasted space in front of your sink with a tilt out tray to keep store unsightly sponges.
- Hide trash out of the way and away from pets with a slide away waste container.
- Pull out towel racks allow your kitchen towels to hang neatly out of sight to dry between uses.
Start living the good life today. Transform your home into an expression of your personal taste and desire for elegance. Kountry Kraft will guide you every step of the way. Follow us on Houzz to see photography of more of our custom cabinetry accessories. Find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you and begin planning a more functional kitchen today.
Home Entertainment Cabinetry
By / May 4, 2016 March 18, 2023Home entertainment cabinetry is a great idea for any home. Because many people choose to stay at home for family entertainment, or choose to entertain gu
ests in the comfort of their own home, having a custom
entertainment area with home entertainment cabinetry is a great investment in your home. Entertaining at home takes space, and finding room to store your Blu-ray collection, AV equipment and family games is often a challenge, and can cause a clutter problem in your home. At Kountry Kraft we can create home entertainment cabinetry to clear the clutter and enhance the fun.
Developing entertainment areas in your home by adding home entertainment cabinetry is a great way to enhance your family’s together time, create memories and build a place to unwind and relax. Home theaters with built-in entertainment centers are a great addition to any room in your home. Recreation space allows you to invite friends and family to gather to watch a movie, play games, or have a party – the possibilities for your new entertainment area are endless.
Custom entertainment centers for your home theater also help reduce the stress caused by clutter in your home. Piles of movies stacked on your entertainment unit or crammed in every corner of your home creates an unsightly mess – and makes it hard to find what you need. Home entertainment cabinetry organizes the mess and create a unique space to relax and enjoy family and friends. And with custom cabinetry every corner of your home can carry your style and express your individuality, while providing functionality and storage.
Home entertainment cabinetry considerations:
- What is the primary leisure activity of your family? Who will be the primary users of this space?
- Do you entertain large groups? Do you need a separate home theater room or can you integrate your entertainment area into an existing family or play room?
- How much space do you have to devote? Do you need to maximize storage, or maximize entertainment space?
- How long will the space you’re planning fit the needs of your family? Make sure the area you’re planning will have longevity or be a flexible space that can evolve as your family evolves.
Custom cabinetry isn’t just for kitchens – consider adding home entertainment cabinetry to enhance the functionality of your home. Contact a Kountry Kraft dealer near you that can help you start planning your entertainment space today.
Profile of Cabinet Dealers – Hanford Cabinet and Woodworking
By / April 27, 2016 September 2, 2021
Each month we profile one of our talented cabinet dealers and this month we are excited to profile Hanford Cabinet and Woodworking, located in Old Saybrook, CT. Hanford is a fantastic dealer led by owner and founder Stephen Hanford and a truly talented group of hardworking cabinet designers and staff. Hanford established his renowned firm in Connecticut over 35 years ago, based on his love of wood and the inherent beauty and warmth that it brings to life, and they pride themselves in creating quality projects built to last a lifetime.
Stephen began his passion for woodworking at a very young age. His father was a college trained instructor in woodworking and helped Steve progress in the wood medium. His love for the art grew as he became older. In fact, he chose to purchase an existing cabinet shop instead of gaining his PhD. In Botany!
Excellence in Woodworking
Stephen relishes the most unique and difficult projects because of his love and indisputable knowledge of 
woodworking and forestry. No project is too challenging for Hanford Cabinets and Woodworking. His knowledge and background in wood technology and forestry has proven to be indispensable when it comes to handling the more difficult and unusual jobs. Steve’s talent, both natural & trained, has turned Hanford Cabinet & Woodworking into the reputable Connecticut business it is today.
Stephen and his wonderful team of designers have fortified Hanford Cabinets and Woodworking as a well-established and reputable Connecticut business that we love to work with. For the Hanfords cabinetry truly is a family affair. Lane, Steve’s wife and business partner, oversees The Front Room Gallery and office duties. Sarah Hanford photographs finished work and does graphic design, and Allison Hanford is office manager, and also does design, build and install.
Hanford Cabinets and Woodworking offers cabinets, furniture, countertops, appliances, plumbing fixtures and much more. We love partnering with Hanford and are proud to include them in our list of talented cabinet dealers. Visit their website to see more of their beautiful custom cabinetry work.
Custom Cabinetry Wood Species
By / April 20, 2016 March 15, 2023The beauty of all natural wood is evident in it’s variations of color and grain. The variations and individual characteristics of natural wood make every woodworking project unique. At Kountry Kraft we know our woods! We offer 10 different wood species to choose from, each with it’s own unique set of characteristics. When coupled with our wide array of finishes and door styles, each wood species can truly make your custom cabinets an expression of your personal style.
Wood Species
Red Oak – Features a very strong open grain pattern that varies from straight to wild patterns. Color will vary from light to medium brown, often with a reddish cast. Some pin burls, dark mineral streaks, and/or white sapwood may occur, especially in machined areas
Knotty Pine – This rustic moderately soft closed grain wood that is yellowish creamy white in color and is accented with knots. Some red or black knots, split knots and possible mineral streaks enhance the rustic beauty of this wood.
Cherry – An attractive closed grain wood that is reddish in color. Can be light brown to white and may show up most often on machined areas of doors. Dark mineral streaks and pin burls are normal characteristics of the beautiful wood.
Rustic Cherry – Featuring the same characteristics as cherry but with more sapwood (whitewood), more mineral streaks and pin burls, and has varying sized knots. It is available on solid wood door styles only.
Hard Maple – Off white to light brown in color. Moderately matched blending color and grain. Allows curly grain, sugar streaks, and occasional mineral and pin knots.
Hickory – A beautiful open grained rustic hardwood. The array of colors will vary from a near white, to light brown, to dark brown. It may have pecks, burls, and mineral streaks.
White Oak – Pale brown to dark brown in color with a greenish gray tinge. The grain is very straight with a relatively porous open texture. Distinctive ray and fleck patterns may also be present.
Walnut – A closed grain wood with color that varies from off white, to light grey-brown, to deep rich chocolate brown. Streaky color, curly grain, mineral streaks, and pin knots are to be expected.
Alder – This relatively soft hardwood has a fairly straight grain. Porous end grain on panel raises and edges is to be expected. It is a light brown color with a yellow or reddish tinge.
Rustic Alder– Has the same characteristics as alder but has knots of all sizes and types. Knots will commonly have cracks and/or holes. It is available on solid wood door styles only.
To maintain a very competitive price point in the marketplace we do not as a standard use “Premium” grade solid wood doors in all of our wood species. Premium grade woods will have less sap marks, pin burls, or knots, and less variation in color because it is selected more tediously. This makes it a high price point, but a more highly desired wood. Although it is not standard, we do offer premium grade in red oak, cherry and hard maple at an additional premium. Check out this Janka Hardness Chart if you want to understand the hardness rating of each specie. Please contact us if you are interested in adding premium grade doors to your custom cabinetry. At Kountry Kraft, anything is possible!