Sacramento Kitchen Design Blog
A Blog About Kitchen & Bath Design, Remodeling and This & That in Sacramento – by MrsNicolette
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NAR Fine Carpentry in Sacramento Magazine
April 16, 2013
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Our Orange Kitchen is receiving quite the recognition around Sacramento. Whether it is the bright Orange walls, Industrial & Eclectic Style, or the Innovation use of materials, this kitchen is certainly a conversation piece. When the Home section Editorial writer from Sacramento Magazine contacted us for an interview- we had to agree!
Courtesy of Sacramento Magazine- Photograph by Roy Wilcox
With the article titled “A Little Contemporary, A Little Classy . . . A Lot Eclectic”, the article shows that what the author took away from this kitchen was true amazement of all the fine details that we had designed and built. And the beauty of being a Design / Build Company- is that we can very carefully design details that can AND will actually be built as planned! Many of the details in this kitchen took a huge amount of orchestration & attention to detail- and it shows! Our job Foreman was sweating profusely this entire job.
This project was a design collaboration between President of Nar Fine Carpentry, Nar Bustamante & myself, Nicolette Patton. Every step of the way was new and exciting. From the layout & appliance placement, to the use of cabinet & building materials. We stretched the use of concrete countertops to the limit, as well as Steel. Speaking of steel, the clients weighed in BIG on the steel details, as the clients used their fabrication shop to do all the steel work.
Pick up your copy of Sacramento Magazine April 2013 or read online here.
More Photos of this Project:
Full Kitchen View. Photograph by PhotographerLink
Custom Steel Hood & Zebrano Eating Bar. Photograph by PhotographerLink
Distressed Post on Island. Photograph by PhotographerLink
Pop-up Outlet on Concrete Countertops. Photograph by PhotographerLink
Island View. Photograph by PhotographerLink
Steel Hood w/ tapered layers. Photograph by PhotographerLink
Cantilevered columns over Oven & Pantry- Twisted cabinets above. All LED lighting. Photograph by PhotographerLink
Floating LVL Beam shelves & Cantilevered Concrete counter landing. Photograph by PhotographerLink
Radiused LVL Desktop. Photo by NAR Fine Carpentry
Dovetail Drawers. Photo by NAR Fine Carpentry
Exterior Dining Room View- Custom Aluminum windows. Photograph by PhotographerLink
Exterior View to Kitchen. Photograph by PhotographerLink
Dining Room Buffet. Photograph by PhotographerLink
Floating LVL Beam shelves suspended by Airplane Cable. Photograph by PhotographerLink
Fully Integrated 48″ Refrigerator. Custom Backplate & Handles. Photograph by PhotographerLink
Kitchen Desk. Photograph by PhotographerLink
Touch-Open Cabinets; Blum’s Servo-Drive for any Cabinet
January 6, 2012
Taking the touch-latch even further, Blum has re-invented ServoDrive for use in cabinet access. Servo Drive is an advanced motion control motor. What that means for the kitchen, a great hands-free way to access storage. Most people are familiar with the soft-close drawer system that is built into the drawer slide that catches the drawer before closing to pull the drawer in without noise. Servo Drive by Blum, takes it one step further. If you haven’t seen Blum’s ServoDrive video with their catchy theme song, don’t worry, I will spare you. But do watch this.
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.
Decals for the Kitchen
June 28, 2011
Wall decals are wonderful accents that can be permanent or temporary. Designers have taken decals from the kids room to the living room, and even further to the kitchen. A decal above wall cabinets or behind the stove can be a fun and playful accent for your kitchen. They are inexpensive, and easy for the do-it-yourself decorator. A wonderful Etsy seller, Single Stone Studios has a huge variety of images for every room of the house. Here is what I found for the kitchen.
Wuhoo for Bamboo!!!
February 16, 2011
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Kitchen
These clients were not afraid of using Bamboo to the max! This Sacramento remodel received Bamboo cabinets on top of their Bamboo flooring, and it turned out beautiful! Here is the perfect example of how using the same wood in different colors and plank size can work for this home’s advantage.
Countertop Detail
Hall Bath
- Master Bath
- Bamboo Ply Door Edge
- Hallway
- Kitchen
Sacramento’s Most Popular Cabinet Style
June 21, 2010
Here in Sacramento we have a pretty diverse range of clients who are remodeling kitchens. We are a little more traditional than our San Franciscan neighbors, but we also do a bit of contemporary design. While clients definitely choose cabinet doorstyle and color based on their preferences, many homeowners are constantly battling with thoughts of resale, which is why they usually choose something very neutral. And neutral is good, as long as it still has character somewhere, whether it be in the cabinet hardware, backsplash tile, or an accent hutch or island color.
Sacramento's Most Popular Cabinet Door
Our most popular cabinet door is a Columbia recessed panel with a small applied molding:
Our clients like Alder or Maple wood with a light stain and a glaze. This goes well in many types of homes, and would be categorized as a “Transitional” Style.
No doubt about it, these cabinets are beautiful- they sell themselves. In terms of resale value, this would give a kitchen a softer- traditional feel without becoming contemporary. Perfect for the Sacramento market.
We display this doorstyle and color in our showroom because of its popularity. You can view photos on our website.
By Nicolette Patton, AKBD
Metal Countertops?
May 1, 2010
This blog is in response to a question posted on Remodel Q&A.
Q: What materials are used for metal countertops in kitchens?
A: There are several different metals that can be used for countertops. The most popular being stainless steel, followed by copper, zinc, pewter and bronze. I have done copper tops-in small amounts, ie: eating bars, eating tables, hutch or sideboard areas. Do remember that copper, zinc and pewter are soft materials that will patina and scratch over time. The most durable would be stainless, which, is still likely to scratch. Using metal in small amounts in your kitchen can bring in a different texture, uniqueness and style. Depending on how you use it with your other materials, stainless tends to be cold and industrial, while a copper, zinc or pewter warm up a space. You can get these in any different texture, finish or edge detail depending on the skills of your fabricator. With copper, zinc or pewter, these can be anodized-rustic, hammered or reverse hammered, brushed or punched. You can also create accents with a metal backsplash, hood, corbels, light fixtures, window sills or even an entire wall. The photo below, was for the Rocklin RC Wiley Display, I used a rustic copper backsplash with a glass tile, it turned out sharp! You will need to find a local sheet metal worker to fabricate your top. I use a local Sacramento metal worker who makes custom metal hoods, tops, frames, you name it, if it is metal, he can make it. He can also create a custom finish.
Custom Copper Backsplash on Display at Rocklin/Sacramento RC Wiley
Patinated Bronze Countertop with Integrated Sink (Brooks Custom)
Zinc Top (Photo Courtesy of Handcrafted Metal)
Hammered Copper Island (Photo Courtesy of Handcrafted Metal)
by Nicolette Patton, AKBD
Yes, We Do That – Your Sacramento CUSTOM Kitchen Cabinet “Specialistas”
April 9, 2010
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Many people who visit our showroom are surprised to find out that we do so many different things. Yes, we are a company of many hats, and the cabinets that we can provide Sacramento are many-fold. We are a dealer of custom cabinetry, and we also have a local shop that we work with. We can do custom doorstyles, exotic woods, 1″ thick doors including inset cabinetry, we can do standard cabinets, or we can do “green” cabinets, laminate doors, metal doors, doors with onlays, inlays, pegs and glass. Whatever it is that you are looking for, we can do it!
Some recent special items include at custom 1″ thick door with a built-in bar pull, a custom 1″ thick inset door with a bead on the frame, and a special arts & crafts vanity cabinet with glass doors and pegs.
Custom 1" Door with Built-in Pull
1" Thick Inset Door
Vanity with Pegs and Custom Legs, Doors Cut for Glass Inserts
So the answer is, Yes, we can do that!
Old & New Green Charm; A Sacramento Kitchen Story
March 28, 2010
A unique home deserves a unique kitchen. This Sacramento Land Park residence was once home to a local University Art Professor who used the home as a tool for experimentation and art expression in the 1960′s and 1970′s. He and his students installed strange lighting, a bird house-like second story, and eclectic wood work through out the house.
When the current owners moved in, their goal was to preserve all of the creative, yet quarky design details of the home. When they came to me to design their kitchen, I knew we would have a blast!
Saloon Door
Existing Window
The home interior featured dentil molding around the door casings, dark wood walls and ceilings and green accents. Two major elements that the owners wanted to design around was an existing round window in the kitchen and an old saloon door that the owner picked-up when the Sacramento Saloon closed. All of these features were fabulous indicators of the direction of the design.
Another great feature of this kitchen, is that it is completely Green. Not only did we use a Green core box cabinet from Crystal, but the clients also chose a recycled glass countertop from IceStone. The kitchen also features Energy Star appliances, bamboo flooring, and all of the old appliances and salvageable materials were donated.
by Nicolette Patton, AKBD
Kitchen View from Right
View with Saloon Door
Kitchen View from Doorway
View from Sink of Display Wall
Local Sacramento Cabinet Makers at Risk?
March 19, 2010
I recently received a call from a homeowner who found us on the web while searching for local Sacramento Cabinet Shops. After giving her a quote for cabinetry, we set an appointment for her to visit our showroom. When I called to confirm the appointment, she explained that her husband did not feel comfortable buying cabinets from us due to all of the local shops that have closed in the past 12 months.
While it is true that many Sacramento Cabinet Makers and Dealer are closing their doors, Nar Fine Carpentry is growing stronger. Opening our showroom in the midst of the recession, and persevering uphill to regain our strength, we are here to stay.
Another reason that makes us a more “stable” choice than a local shop is that we have the support of 2 large manufacturers, Columbia and Crystal who have been in business for 50+ years. If we were to go away, there is always another rep who will support our products.
So have no fear Sacramento, we are here to stay, unlike some of our local competitors. As for the worried client, they probably ended up going with a Big Box Store, and I wish them luck (they will need it!)
New Sacramento Kitchen Completed!!!
March 17, 2010
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What a fun project! These clients were NOT afraid of color or texture. A combination of Rift White Oak in Espresso (bases) and Natural Rift White Oak (pantries) with a Brite White Laminate (uppers) for cabinetry, Ruby Reflections Caesarstone Quartz countertops with a River Rock backsplash tile. The result, a classy, yet down to earth contemporary space that just screams “COOK IN ME!”
This kitchen comes complete with full extension and soft close drawers, a nifty 3″ spice pull-out by Rev-A-Shelf, Tip-Up cabinets over the sink, Super Lazy Susan Corner (with an accent white door), Pantries with 10 roll-out shelves, Double trash pull-out, under-cabinet lighting and lots of drawers for storage.
The adjoining living space contains loose river rock beds for a very Zen feeling. Including the River Rock backsplash in the design achieved a fully integrated kitchen space that feels like it has been there forever.
See more of our kitchens at narfinecarpentry.com
