2006 REX Award Winner
There's only so many things you can cram into a curio cabinet. Our client, located on the western bank of Lake Washington, needed a place to put everything—books, glasses, pottery, and family pictures—before it took over their home. Their dining room offered a convenient space for some built in cabinetry, but contractor after contractor told them it wouldn't work. They needed deep shelves for their collection of bowls and coffee table books, but no one they talked to wanted to scribe the new cabinetry to the existing window casing.
There's only so many things you can cram into a curio cabinet. Our client, located on the western bank of Lake Washington, needed a place to put everything—books, glasses, pottery, and family pictures—before it took over their home. Their dining room offered a convenient space for some built in cabinetry, but contractor after contractor told them it wouldn't work. They needed deep shelves for their collection of bowls and coffee table books, but no one they talked to wanted to scribe the new cabinetry to the existing window casing.
Casework That Blends In
Our client wanted the shelves 11.5", but the best they could get was 9". That's when they talked to us. We're a general contractor, with projects as big as whole house remodels and second-story additions, but our specialty is custom cabinetry, built to perfectly blend with existing trim. With a little extra work we were able to create exactly the cabinet our client wanted.
Our client wanted the shelves 11.5", but the best they could get was 9". That's when they talked to us. We're a general contractor, with projects as big as whole house remodels and second-story additions, but our specialty is custom cabinetry, built to perfectly blend with existing trim. With a little extra work we were able to create exactly the cabinet our client wanted.
Quality Materials
We used solid-stock maple for the doors and face frames, maple ply for the cabinet boxes, and Baltic birch plywood for the drawer boxes. Originally, the countertop was to be made from vertical grain fir with a dark stain, but our client wanted a natural color, so we went with a beautifully dark, finished walnut.
We used solid-stock maple for the doors and face frames, maple ply for the cabinet boxes, and Baltic birch plywood for the drawer boxes. Originally, the countertop was to be made from vertical grain fir with a dark stain, but our client wanted a natural color, so we went with a beautifully dark, finished walnut.
Precision Craftsmanship
Our client also opted for true divided light rather than grid for the three glass doors, and we matched the mullions to the horizontal line. We built everything beforehand, spending only four days our client's home. Most of the installation went easily, though extensive scribing was required to precisely fit the cabinets to the existing casing.
Our client also opted for true divided light rather than grid for the three glass doors, and we matched the mullions to the horizontal line. We built everything beforehand, spending only four days our client's home. Most of the installation went easily, though extensive scribing was required to precisely fit the cabinets to the existing casing.
On Time & On Budget
Matching the existing crown was especially difficult. An exact match couldn't be found in a stock crown, and there wasn't money in the budget for custom crown, but with a little extra work we were able to make the difference almost unnoticeable.
Matching the existing crown was especially difficult. An exact match couldn't be found in a stock crown, and there wasn't money in the budget for custom crown, but with a little extra work we were able to make the difference almost unnoticeable.
Customer Satisfaction
After a few coats of oil enamel and finish, it looked like the cabinet had always been there. Our clients have a beautiful place to put all their books, glasses, pottery, and family mementos; and with our help the designer, Susan Ingham of Kasa Architecture, managed to win a Master Builder's Association 2006 REX Award!
After a few coats of oil enamel and finish, it looked like the cabinet had always been there. Our clients have a beautiful place to put all their books, glasses, pottery, and family mementos; and with our help the designer, Susan Ingham of Kasa Architecture, managed to win a Master Builder's Association 2006 REX Award!