Integrated Kitchens LLC – A Talented Kountry Kraft Cabinet Partner
By / November 23, 2016 February 20, 2017Located in the East Bay area of San Francisco, Integrated Kitchens LLC offers unique kitchen designs for both new and existing homes.
Founding of Integrated Kitchens
Founder, Amy C. Pasek, wanted to pursue her passion for kitchen design after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Whitman College and then graduating from Montgomery College with an Associate in Applied Science in Interior Design. Amy’s professors could clearly see her talent for kitchen design, as they requested for her assistance in mentoring design students following graduation. Amy has strong communication skills when it comes to collaborating with clients, architects and contractors which resonates well with her beautiful designs. Integrated Kitchens takes your needs and desires and integrate them into a beautiful, functioning kitchen. Integrated Kitchens fulfills all of the steps of designing a new kitchen; budgeting, design and communication throughout the construction process. They take care of everything for you, so you don’t need to worry about it!
This kitchen design by Amy Pasek in Vienna, VA. This modern kitchen features Wenge cabinets with Purity style doors and drawers.
Kountry Kraft is proud to be associated with such a passionate kitchen design company. Read some of Integrated Kitchen’s customer testimonials and view more of their work on their website.
Cabinetry Terms You Should Know
By / October 5, 2016 March 20, 2023Kountry Kraft offers a variety of custom kitchen cabinets, and with this variety comes a lot of cabinetry terms that homeowners should be familiar with to select the right product. To make custom cabinetry unique for every customer, we supply an array of options for door styles, wood species, and wood finishes.
Cabinetry Terms To Know
Door Styles
There are 3 main types of cabinet doors that can be further enhanced in different ways.
- Inset Cabinet Doors – a popular style in the early 1900’s. The doors are mounted inside the frame of the box making the hinges visible when the door is shut.
- Partial Overlay Cabinet Doors – these doors are mounted over the face of the box, meaning parts of the frame and hinges may be visible.
- Full Overlay Cabinet Doors – this door style covers the whole face of the box which means very small gaps between different doors. This creates a consistent and continuous appearance.
Wood Species
Choosing your wood species is important when your cabinetry is not going to be painted. This is because each wood species has natural characteristics.
- Red Oak – light to medium brown with a reddish cast.
- Distressed Knotty Pine – large knots and defects which make a striking pattern.
- Cherry – light pinkish brown, darkens to a medium reddish brown.
- Rustic Cherry – same as cherry but with more mineral streaks and different sized knots.
- Hard Maple – off white to light brown in color with a golden hue.
- Hickory – open grained rustic hardwood, colors vary from near white to light brown.
- Quarter Sawn White Oak – pale brown to dark brown with a greenish gray tinge and very straight grain.
- Walnut – color may vary from light grey-brown, to a deep rich chocolate brown.
- Alder – tends to be light tan to reddish brown; darkens and reddens with age.
- Rustic Alder – same as Alder but contains knots of all sizes including cracks/holes.
Finishes
Finishes bring your cabinetry to life and can also protect your wood from different external elements.
- Natural – the original characteristics of your chosen wood species.
- Paint – paint will completely cover the wood grain look.
- Glaze – glaze will add definition to the wood grain look because it is semi-transparent.
- Stain – enhances the wood grain patterns.
- Paint with glaze – glaze will darken your paint color.
- Stain with glaze – glaze will highlight the look of a stain finish.
- Metal fusion finish – includes brass, bronze, copper, white gold, oil rubbed bronze, iron, nickel silver, and stainless steel finishes.
- Distressing wood finish – gives the wood an aged and rustic appearance.
- Weathered grain finish – lightly distressed to replicate age and wear.
Understanding the basic terminology outlined above is the first step on the path to a successful kitchen design. For design inspiration, check out our gallery of completed custom kitchens here.
Employee Appreciation Post
By / September 21, 2016 September 21, 2016Employee appreciation is a particular topic that comes easy to us. We want to take a moment to thank our employees for their hard work, dedication, and passion for producing the finest custom cabinetry.
The photo above is a sign that presently hangs above the employee entrance of Kountry Kraft, Inc. We hang this sign to recognize the hard work and determination we see in our employees each and every day. This sign is a clear communication to our employees that employee appreciation is not just one day, but every day. It is in this spirit we have the honor of working with the most talented craftsmen proudly producing made in USA products.
Employee Appreciation Since 1959
In 1959 the Hurst Family—founders of Kountry Kraft, Inc.—established the traditions of hard work, dedication, honesty and clear communication. Today, the second generation co-owners share those same qualities which continue to be valued, and expected, from each of the 125+ individuals employed by Kountry Kraft, Inc. This team atmosphere fosters success, company growth, and the wellbeing of each employee.
All in all, Kountry Kraft strives to create a dedicated team to build the finest custom kitchen cabinetry. Hard work and skilled hand craftsmanship are some qualities you will find in our Kountry Kraft workers.
Kountry Kraft is always seeking new individuals who share our vision. To view information on employment opportunities, click here.
Properly Storing Your Cabinetry
By / August 24, 2016 August 24, 2016Properly Storing Your Cabinetry
Properly storing your cabinetry assures a smooth installation. The summer days are becoming extremely hot and humid, which is why we want to ensure your Kountry Kraft cabinetry is protected.
During a kitchen remodel it is important to schedule the delivery of your cabinetry to coincide with proper heating and cooling in place. It is also important to consider cabinetry that is in a vacation home or a residence that is periodically unoccupied. This information about properly storing your cabinetry is especially important to know during the summer months – when high humidity and temperature changes are likely to occur. Expansion issues are likely to happen if your Kountry Kraft cabinetry is currently stored in a non-air conditioned area. According to Conestoga Wood Specialties; Any solid wood product will expand or contract over time as moisture and climate conditions change. Solid wood cabinetry can act like a sponge, when surrounded by water the sponge absorbs the water and expands. However, unlike sponges you can’t ring the water out of solid wood.
When designing your Kountry Kraft cabinetry, you customize it to properly fit and function in your home. If your cabinetry expands due to improper storage where temperature and humidity is high, there will be issues when it comes time for installation. So, it is very important to listen to take this information seriously and store your cabinetry in a proper area.
Storage Tips:
- Store inside.
- Store in a room with air conditioning/temperature control.
- Use a dehumidifier to be safe about humidity.
- If it is summer time, or a vacation home, be sure to take extra steps to ensure your cabinetry is safe.
- Wood expands as humidity increases and shrinks as humidity decreases.
- Unfinished (exposed) wood will exhibit the most dramatic changes.
As always, if there are any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Kountry Kraft Cabinetry Paint Match
By / August 10, 2016 March 11, 2023Kountry Kraft offers customers the ability to paint match their custom cabinetry to ensure that the cabinetry we create will complement the existing colors in their home. Our list makes it simple for them to find the right color for their match. As of June 30, 2016 Kountry Kraft added 15 new paint colors to our already extensive list. Kountry Kraft matches their own paint colors to national brands including; Behr, Benjamin Moore, Dalys Paints Co.,Farrow Ball, MAB, Martha Stewart, Pratt Lambert, Ralph Lauren, Sherwin Williams, Valspar and Wilson Art Paints. Unlike other companies, Kountry Kraft does not charge a paint match fee for colors selected from the Kountry Kraft’s paint match list.
Kountry Kraft’s New Paint Matches:
Benjamin Moore Black Panther
Benjamin Moore Deep Royal
Benjamin Moore Grant Beige
Benjamin Moore Old Navy
Benjamin Moore Simply White
Benjamin Moore Smoke and Mirrors
Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron
Farrow and Ball Calke Green
Farrow and Ball Cooking Apple Green
Farrow and Ball Green Ground
Sherwin Williams Halcyon Green
Sherwin Williams Ivory Lace
Sherwin Williams Jasper Stone
Sherwin Williams Light French Gray
Valspar Woodlawn Colonial Gray
Kountry Kraft is always updating this list to include an array of colors for our clients to choose from. Kountry Kraft makes it easy for you to include the perfect color for your home
To see more colors Kountry Kraft has available click here.
Glazed Cabinets
By / July 20, 2016 March 18, 2023At Kountry Kraft we offer many finishes, and one popular option is our paint with Glazed Cabinets. We offer a variety of colors and even offer paint with brushed glaze finishes. Choosing a paint with glaze finish will give your cabinetry the perfect touch of color and really bring out the craftsmanship of the piece.
Paint with Glaze Finish
A glaze finish is applied to cabinetry as one of the last steps in the finishing process. We apply the glaze with a cloth or brush, and once it is applied, it is then wiped off to achieve the desired color. Below are the standard colors that we offer. We will custom match any paint that is requested by the client or designer. The paint with glaze finishes tend to look best on raised panel doors, but the process can be done on any door style you choose. The kitchen above was designed by Hanford Cabinet and Woodworking.
Finishes include:
- Aged Ivory
- Alpine with Coleman Glaze
- Alpine with Aged Ivory Glaze
- Alpine with Dykstra Glaze
- Alpine with Black Glaze
- Alpine with Gray Glaze
- Alpine with Chocolate Glaze
- Alpine with Van Dyke Glaze
- Cranapple Red
- Dykstra
- French Beret with White Glaze
- Gauntlet Gray with Dykstra Glaze
- Honeysweet
- Pettingill Sage with Brown Glaze
- Slate
- Suede
- White Rock
Paint with Brushed Glazed Cabinets
Our paint with brushed glaze finishes are a little bit different and very unique. We apply this finish the same way we apply the paint with glaze finish, however we wipe it off leaving straight strokes along the cabinetry. The bathroom to the right was designed by Shawn Preis of Kountry Kraft. The finish on the bathroom vanity is a custom Paint with Brushed Glaze. Below are the different Paint with Brushed Glaze Finishes we offer.
Finishes include:
- Bay Leaf
- Brushed Ruby Dusk
- Brushed Suede
- Canyon Blue
- Cremini
- Sable
Choosing a paint with glaze or a paint with brushed glaze finish can change the look of your cabinetry entirely, whether it is for an accent piece or for your entire kitchen. These finishes allow you to express your personality through the renovation of your home. You can check out our other finishes here.
Designing Custom Kitchen Cabinet Drawers
By / July 13, 2016 March 20, 2023Kountry Kraft offers a variety of ways for designing custom kitchen cabinet drawers that adapt to your lifestyle. From plate holders to pull out shelves, custom kitchen cabinet drawers make it easier to access all of your household items. Make your life more simple, and make the most of your space by incorporating these features right into your kitchen.
Whether you need access to dinner plates at a lower height, or you are unable to reach your coffee mug early in the morning, Kountry Kraft’s custom kitchen cabinet drawers can make your kitchen built for you.
Custom Kitchen Cabinet Drawers
The use of drawers in your kitchen will allow you to view and easily approach everything without the use of a step stool. Cabinet drawers also allow you to place dish-ware at a lower height, enabling your younger child or grandparent to assist in kitchen chores. Place your pull out drawers an arms length away from the dishwasher and sink to make the putting away of dishes easy and quick.
Pull Out Shelves
Incorporating Hafele pull out shelves into your custom kitchen cabinets will allow for easier access to back of the shelf items. Whether you’re reaching for a snack, or your morning coffee mug, pull out shelves will make accessing your every day items easy.
Built-In Shelves
Easily access your favorite recipes and books integrating these built in shelves in your custom kitchen cabinets. No need to travel down the hall to fetch your favorite cookbook when you can place it right in your kitchen! If your children love to do their homework while eating dinner, store their homework books in the built in shelves as well.
When you’re ready to incorporate custom kitchen cabinet drawers into your kitchen, click here to contact a Kountry Kraft dealer to help make your kitchen adapt to your lifestyle.
Popular Kitchen Trends of 2016
By / July 6, 2016 November 22, 2016It seems the year 2016 is the year to revamp your kitchen. Although we’re more than halfway through the year, a few kitchen trends seem to be up and coming while others remain as popular as they always were.
Up and Coming Kitchen Trends
Transitional is pretty much anything you want it to be. It leaves your space open for interpretation. Whether you like old or you like new, transitional is a mix of both. Some say transitional is about breaking the style rules. This kitchen is located in New Canaan, Connecticut and was designed by True North Cabinets, LLC. Check out more of their work by clicking the link below.
http://www.truenorthcabinets.net/
Contemporary/ Modern is sleek and futuristic. Typically, modern cabinetry has flat surfaces and not a lot of items to create decorations. Contemporary and Modern kitchens use simple and elegant colors, such as blacks and whites. This kitchen is located in New Canaan, Connecticut and designed by True North Cabinets, LLC. Check out more of their work by clicking the link below.
http://www.truenorthcabinets.net/
White and off white cabinetry are still by far the most popular cabinet color, as they have been a kitchen trend for many years now. White kitchen cabinetry works with virtually any type of decor. You can accent your space with a bright color, you can create an all-white space, or you can work with different shades of white. White cabinetry is extremely appealing because it makes a space seem larger than it is. This kitchen is located in Madison, New Jersey and was designed by Stonington Cabinetry & Designs. Check out more of their work by clicking the link below.
http://stoningtoncabinetry.com/
Accent pieces are definitely making their way to the top of kitchen trends. To do white cabinetry on the perimeter of your kitchen, with an island that has stained cabinetry would definitely make your kitchen stand out from the crowd. This kitchen is located in Madison, New Jersey and was designed by Stonington Cabinetry & Designs. Check out more of their work by clicking the link below.
http://stoningtoncabinetry.com/
Another trend becoming extremely popular is hidden hardware and hinges. A lot of people are interested in the touch latches. With touch latches, you push on the drawer or cabinet and the door pops open. This style is very modernized, but can also be used in a transitional kitchen.
The last trend that is up and coming is LED lighting. Cabinetry lighting has become a very popular accessory in kitchens and baths over the last year. Under cabinet lighting, in cabinet lighting and in drawer lighting just to name a few. It is definitely a very helpful accessory to have, especially if you are reaching into corner cabinets that the kitchen light doesn’t quite reach.
Transitional and Contemporary/ Modern are the most popular kitchen trends we are seeing right now. When undertaking a kitchen redesign, you absolutely do not have to decide on just one of these trends. You can mix and match them all if you choose to create a more personalized eclectic look. One of the best things about redesigning your own kitchen is that you are free to do whatever best suits your personal style.
For more information or to see what else is new and upcoming in 2016, visit Kitchen & Bath Design News.
Pennsylvania Cabinetry Dealers – Hinkle Custom Cabinets
By / June 29, 2016 September 2, 2021
Each month we profile one of the many talented cabinetry dealers that we have the pleasure to do business with. This month I am pleased to profile one of our top Pennsylvania Cabinetry Dealers – Hinkle Custom Cabinets, located in Birdsboro, PA as our monthly Kountry Kraft Dealer Profile.
After 26 years of working in every phase of the custom cabinet industry, Mike Hinkle decided to create his own business and Hinkle Custom Cabinets was born. Hinkle is one of our most highly skilled Pennsylvania cabinetry dealers, and they create amazing quality custom cabinetry for any room in your home. We love their work so much we invited them to create the display pictured here for our showroom at 101 Lancaster Avenue in Devon PA. Stop by our showroom to see custom craftsmanship first hand!
In This Design
- This transitional style kitchen featured in our showroom features perimeter cabinets with our beaded inset cabinet style, door style CRP10, an OGEE framing bead and drawer style Louis XIII. They have a painted finish and are glazed with a Sable glaze.
- The island is weathered grain quartersawn white oak finished in Silverfox stain with Black glaze.
- The kitchen island cabinets feature a different stain color than the perimeter cabinets to help draw attention to the island, making it the key statement in the kitchen. The stain colors, although different, sync to create an overall distinguished appearance. This unique island incorporates a table and seating options, making it a great place to prep as well as serve to a small group.
- The kitchen cabinets also feature many different accessories, highlighting the organizational possibilities available in a well-designed Kountry Kraft Kitchen. A divided drawer located right below the cook top offers storage for pots, pans and lids, keeping them right at your fingertips. A pullout spice rack is located adjacent to the stove as well, enabling you to easily access spices while you cook. An assortment of pantry solutions from Hafele help keep the interiors of the cabinets functional and organized.
Hinkle Custom Cabinets makes beautiful cabinetry solutions that their customers love. If you live in their area and are looking for Pennsylvania cabinetry dealers, call Mike at (610) 404-1840, and please let them know we sent you! If you don’t live in the Birdsboro area, search for a Kountry Kraft dealer near you on our dealer locator.
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.