The following is a blog post from our kitchen designer who has worked with us in designing a number of kitchen remodels. We thought the idea of using ready made semi-custom cabinets was a great and are planning to suggest it to several of our clients and even do it in our own home in the near future.
By Jayelynn Carlson
I’ve designed small kitchens, large kitchens and every size in between in houses, cabins and even a boat. I’ve also designed bathrooms, offices and entertainment centers, but until recently, I never thought to use semi-custom cabinetry to build a built-in bed surround.
Since this past May, I’ve been working with Joe Miller, a professional contractor and owner of Melina Home Solutions in southeast Florida. We’ve worked on a variety of his cabinetry projects together, like the ones I first mentioned above. He’s a great guy, and we’ve built a great rapport over the year. He’s an experienced installer who trusts what I do and who I, in turn, can trust to make the cabinetry look its best.
In August, Joe asked me to use Cliq Cabinetry — which is typically used for kitchen cabinets, I might add! — for his client’s built-in bed surround. Even though I never had a project quite like this, I was excited to get started and push my design skills.
Joe’s clients had limited storage in their home. Instead of buying standalone furniture, the goal of the bed surround was to add the much needed storage in an elegant, impressive way that didn’t add clutter. After discussing with Joe what he envisioned, I created a first draft of the cabinetry design. He then presented it to his clients; we made some small revisions and it became a done deal. In September, we shipped the cabinets!
To get the high-end look Joe’s clients wanted, we used the traditional raised-panel Carlton door in the rich Cherry Russet finish. The details of the cabinets, combined with the crown molding stack at the top really make this a beautiful, handsome unit. Joe’s clients love the his and hers night-stands with deep drawers. The open shelving and upper cabinets provide the extra storage they were looking for.
Along with the bed surround, the project also included a bathroom vanity and closet. We used the Carlton cabinets in Cherry Russet again for continuity. The vanity is a simple basic unit with doors in the center and drawer storage on each side. For the closet, we inserted a pantry cabinet into a framed alcove and added molding, giving the bathroom a completely custom look.
I knew from the beginning that creating the bed surround was going to be a challenge. The hardest part was translating what I imagined into a design that worked within the parameters of the cabinets. While managing all the small pieces and components of the custom unit, I needed to make sure there was enough storage and that it still looked remarkable. With Joe’s expert installation, I think we pulled it off. The unit has a uniqueness that really shows what’s possible with a little creativity.
Jayelynn Carlson has worked in the design/remodeling industry for over 20 years and loves making her design projects spectacular. She has a keen understanding of what makes a kitchen a joy to be in, whether cooking, entertaining or just relaxing. In her spare time, Jayelynn is an avid hockey Mom, logging in many hours at the rink volunteering. She loves shopping, both in the mall and on the Internet, and is always looking for the best deal. The best part of her day is spent hanging out with her kids and new puppy.
