A period of fabrication at the shop…

A diversion from the hard decisions of the kitchen, what to do with the master vanity?

Vanity and Matching Mirror Frame

Media Display Center

Media display centers are good way to organize postings and general information sheets.  All the openings are back loaded with a rigid backing and a non-glare covering.  To access the panels, simply lift the entire light weight board off its double hanger and change the information sheet.

The center green portion is a felt covered tack board.  Use push pins or staples to post the display.

The two extra large units on top are used for the company logo and motto.  This display was custom designed and produced for American Cargo Logistics, based in Jacksonville, Florida.

The framing was constructed from maple with a cabinet grade finish.

This board also provided space for the electronic time clock, mounted into one of the posting openings.

These boards are custom designed and UPS shippable by MCKen.

Project Background

Erin and Joel have a cute little house in a lovely development. It’s approximately 7 years old and sits on a nice sized lot.  They have been blessed with two children and now are feeling very crowded in this home.  Making the decision to put the house on the market has not been an easy one in the present economy and while the home has been maintained very well, it is not much different than several others in the developement which are also for sale.They have been hard at work to put some “WOW” factor into their home by repainting, curb appeal touches, hardwood flooring in the dining room/hall and have decided to upgrade the kitchen from a modest amount of   entry level thermofoil cabinets to  custom wood cabinets,  re-configering the space to maximize the amount of cabinets and then to finish off with solid surface counter-tops.  The appliances will stay the same with exception of the new microwave oven above the stove.

Erin and Joel tackled ripping up the old vinyl flooring and installed ceramic tile.  Never having done anything like this before, they watched some videos, made numerous calls to MastercraftsmenKen (aka Daddy) and over the course of a weekend, did an outstanding job.

We hope you will follow and enjoy the story of this kitchen redo.

The Baker’s Unit

This is what we refer to as the refrigerator wall.  The pantry will be torn out and    the and the refrigerator will be moved to the corner.  This will allow for 8′ of counter/base cabinets.  Erin will have 4 nice sized drawers instead of two.  The upper cabinets will be removed and new ones will be installed to fill in the space.  The cabinet above the refrigerator will be as deep as the appliance, and the cabinets will go to the ceiling.   Even though she is loosing the pantry ( with non adjustable shelves and wasted space) she will end up with more efficient usable space for all the things she stored in the pantry.

These are the drawer fronts and cabinet doors for the baker’s unit base.  The custom color is called Cinnamon on maple.  Also shown is the first half of the 8′ bank of base cabinets.  All the bases are lined with a plastic  laminated liner for easy clean-up.

What is a good starting point for a new kitchen once the overall concept has been drawn?

My answer…the breakfront facing the living room.

This kitchen has  solid maple details with maple plywood fillers.  The question…what finish will make this one pop?

Starting with a background; “pecan” penetrating stain color and seal.

Follow up with an “oak” micro spray grade color over.

Two coats of pre-cat clear…GLOSS!

The WOW- factor to less than perfect materials.

This completes the breakfront and all needed components.

The next group;  “The Bakers Unit”.