Uses:  Doors: Interior or Exterior, Closets, Cabinet Doors, Artwork, Window Shutters, Glass Panels: Shower doors or Interior Doors.  We need not look any further than BarnDoorHardware.com for track and wheels and other necessary parts.

Spoke Wheel & Hanger Hardware

Barn Doors enclose a bathroom

Wide Door to separate Kitchen from Dining Area

The great part about using barn door hardware, is that you are not limited to what you can use as a door.  Using a distressed barn door can be a nice touch for a den entrance or use the hardware to enclose a flat screen TV.

Arched Barn doors to cover TV and also look like Doorway when Closed

A Laundry Closet using Barn Doors to Cover when not in use

Sliding Panels to display Art in a Museum

Beautifully Embellished Doors on Barn Door Hardware create a artful wall detail

Glass Doors on a top track that pocket inside adjacent walls

View of Anegre Paneled Soffit

Not only are we proud of our kitchen, but we are also proud members of the NKBA, National Kitchen and Bath Association.  The NKBA is dedicated to the advancement of the Kitchen and Bath Industry through education, certification and continually following new trends and products and ultimately help consumers create safe, energy efficient and functional spaces .  Nar Fine Carpentry attends our local California Capital Chapter meetings and courses.

Nicolette & Nar at the Sac NKBA Awards Gala

Not only are the NKBA awards judged on aesthetic quality, but also Safety & Ergonomics, Elements and Principles of Design, Design Planning (which includes NKBA 31 Kitchen Planning Guidelines), Creativity and Presentation.  Put these all together, and you get beautiful kitchens and happy clients!

We also want to congratulate all of the other Sacramento Design Award Winners.  One of whom, is a designer that we work with frequently, Janice Stone Thomas, who also won 1st Place for Open Plan Kitchen.  We are very proud to have provided our Crystal Cabinetry for her project.  Bravo!

Nar Fine Carpentry’s Kitchen uses Custom Cabinetry by Crystal Cabinets, featuring Anegre & Maple wood, slate tile and Seafoam Granite.  Nicolette Patton, AKBD and Nar Bustamante collaborated on the design and also did the remodel from start to finish.

Kitchen view with Buffet

Cooktop & Bar Sink View

Island & Refrigerator View

Buffet & Pantries

As you can see in the video, a touch of the face of the drawer, and it opens.  This also works for wall lift cabinets.  Such as the Blum Aventos hinge, which can open up in 4 different configurations.

Blum Lift Stay

Blum Lift Up

Blum Up and Over

Blum Bi-fold Lift

These types of door operation are mainly seen in more contemporary kitchens, but because they open up instead of side to side, they can be a bit difficult to grab the handle to close.

I recently ran into this situation on one of my kitchen jobs that required the Bi-fold lift door.  We used the bi-fold lift door because we had clearance constraints due to an oversized hood.  But when we opened the Bi-fold lift it was too difficult for my client to close.  So here was our Servo-Drive solution (the video is taken from YouTube):

With the touch of a button on the bottom of the cabinet, the door comes down.  VOILA!

Servo-Drive requires a power source, transformer, and a sharp installer.  As my Blum Rep says, “it’s not cheap”, but it can certainly be useful in certain situations, especially the trash cabinet.

The most logical way to integrate a “feeding station” into a kitchen remodel, is to leave some floor space open between cabinets.

1).  Use different levels or heights to create display platforms for the center, end or portion of the island.  It is always nice when a large island has a bit of visual interest with a raised cabinet or countertop surface in its center or on a side, these can be used to place fresh flowers, a potted plant, fresh fruits, you name it.

2).  Design raised or lowered eating areas that help define an island and break up the surface area.  This is a very easy and functional way to divide an island.  You can also use a combination of #3 and #4 within your eating area.

3).  Insert curves, angles and different shapes to create interest and definition.  A curved end or angled edge can be interesting and create movement and rhythm within the space.

4).  Use a combination of different materials to suggest different uses for each material.  Butcher block with granite, quartz or marble, can create a cutting or baking area among your work stations.

With so many reasons to buy American made products, it seems crazy that more businesses are not selling more American made items.  From baby toys to cars, Americans want to support their country, while carrying the peace of mind that these products are built under stringent regulations and conditions.

Recently, I had a wonderful couple in my showroom that insisted on buying American.  Great!  We offer many wonderful home products that are made here.  Here are some that I love!

Crystal Cabinets, made in good old Minnesota.  A family owned business since 1947, these craftsmen are the best at premium cabinetry and fine furniture, or should I say craftswomen.  Many of the employees making the cabinetry are women.  Crystal treats every order as a custom art project, going as far as laying out all products to make sure they match.  You can be assured that your purchase from Crystal is supporting its local community while you receive a superior product!

Crystal Factory Tour

Cambria Countertops

Cambria Quartz Surfaces.  The ONLY quartz company made in the USA.  Also a family owned company, and also made in Minnesota.  Cambria prides themselves in making quartz products to mimic natural stone.  My readers already know that I prefer quartz over granite, and with Cambria’s colors, you will find the natural veining of granite.  Check them out!

Enkeboll Designs, Fine Architectural Woodcarvings.  Over 50 years experience in woodcarving for the Kitchen, Bath or anywhere in your home.  These carvings are produced in California using North American hardwoods and sustainable practices.  For a classical or traditional elements, Enkeboll provides numerous unique options for the home.  And for the more modern home, Enkeboll introduces their new Tribeca Collection to inspire a cleaner and more contemporary aesthetic.

Enkeboll at KBIS 2011

Renewal by Andersen

Renewal by Andersen.  Custom built windows and patio doors used for replacements to fit existing dimensions and finishes.  While the Anderson Corporation is now global, they started out a small Wisconsin company in the early 1900′s.  Renewal by Anderson is made in Minnesota since 1995, but draws on Andersen’s reputation for quality and durability as well as beauty.

Raw Urth Designs.  Hand Forged Range Hoods, Countertops, Backsplashes, Shelving, and Fireplace surrounds.  Based in Colorado, this husband and wife team began designing items for their own home, and a company was born.  The design and craftsmanship are impeccable!  Raw Urth’s got it going on!  With finishes from Copper, Zinc, Bronze and Steel, with different patinas and treatments offered, I could go wild choosing one of these for a client!  One thing is for sure, any product from this company will become a focal point!

Raw Urth Hood

Raw Urth Hood

One should feel very patriotic putting any of these products made in the USA in their homes.  It is way of saying thank you to fellow American employees and to ensure you receive premium products.  Go USA!!!

Recently, a client has specified they HAVE TO HAVE the Fisher Paykel cooling drawer.  When I found out it was an entire 36″ wide and will take an entire base cabinet, I thought, we’ll have to find something smaller because this kitchen was small and tight.  Wow, was the client disappointed with my response.  ”It does so many things” says my client, “I can’t settle for anything less!”

When I did my research about this cooling drawer, I learned that it is in fact, an all-in-one unit, a wine chiller, crisper drawer, beverage cooler, and it even has a setting for a pantry.  And how can you argue with an Australian accent?  Here is how it works;

Oh yes, back to my point…  I am also thoroughly impressed with the newest release of the Ceramic & Gas cooktop that utilizes an easily cleanable glass surface with the ideal cooking medium of gas.

While this cooktop only has 3 burners within the 36″ unit, it is evenly spaced to accommodate everyday cooking.  And lets face it, who uses 4 or 5 burners simultaneously?  This video illustrates how this unique product works,

I can guarantee that either of these products work their way into your kitchen remodel, they will be your new favorite appliance.

I had been seeing the memory foam mats for the bathroom, and thought to get one for the kitchen, but it would be hard to clean.  So I began searching for an easily clean-able kitchen mat that would relieve my pain.

At last, I purchased an Anti Fatigue mat for my kitchen sink.  Not only is it extremely comfortable on the feet, but it wipes clean, and it is attractive.  It is the Gel Pro Basketweave in Truffle.

Gel Pro- Basketweave Truffle

I couldn’t believe how this gave me more energy to clean and work…  please don’t tell my husband!  I can’t believe I had lived without it for all these years.  I offered one to my mother, and I am recommending it to all my clients and friends.

The Gel Pro is designed with a shock-absorbing gel core that relieves pressure from your back, feet and joints.  It is available in 45 colors and 10 patterns.  Amazing!

Gel Pro Mat Assortment

I have also found other brands that offer Anti fatigue mats, such as the Wellness Mat, who boast that their spongy material will never lose their bounce.  And they too offer attractive colors and patterns.

Wellness Mat

I highly recommend the Gel Pro as an Anti fatigue mat, it worked wonders for me!

Kitchen View

Bar View

Well it had been a long time coming for this remodel.  Like many remodels, it can seem like years between the planning stage and the actual demo, and another year until completion.  The timeline for this remodel was no different.  These Davis homeowners approached Nar Bustamante, owner of Nar Fine Carpentry, in 2009, for assistance with their kitchen remodel.  They came with kitchen plans already in hand, but were disappointed with the proposed design and were in need of a different approach.  Nar, a remodeler, and designer at heart, took this opportunity and hit the ground running.

Cooktop with Fireplace in Background

It isn’t often that you find clients with contemporary desires here in Sacramento, most of our clients have a traditional or craftsman lean.  We are seeing a shift in the past 2 years towards contemporary, but people are still afraid to take the plunge and be totally committed.  This project was perfect because we both spoke contemporary, not the cold, stark look, but warm contemporary, the kind that is comfortable (and livable).

-Nicolette Patton, AKBD

Tip-Up Door for Coffee Maker

Nar worked on materials selection, while I worked on space planning and cabinet layout.  It was the first true collaboration that Nar and I had done together.  And it truly turned out to be one of the most amazing kitchens that I have ever seen (if I do say so myself!  pat pat).  So here we are at the end of completion, and the end of 2011.  These Davis clients finally got their dream kitchen, and will have those dream holiday dinners and parties.  Another job well done by the team at Nar Fine Carpentry of Sacramento!

Top View of Kitchen- See Fireplace behind

Inside the Kitchen:

Cabinets: Crystal Cabinet Works Figured Anigre & Custom Stained Maple with Aluminum Door & Glass accents

Countertops: Seafoam Granite

Flooring: Sand on Site Oak

Backsplash & Fireplace:  Slate tiles

Lighting:  All LED cans & pendants