Category: News

It might come as a surprise, but we often advise clients to be snoopy when they are in other peoples’ homes. That’s because one of the best ways to plan a kitchen renovation is to experience other kitchens in action. And what better time to do that than the holiday season, when people open their homes to celebrate?

At the next family buffet, open house or dinner party you attend, look around. If the host or hostess isn’t too busy, ask some questions and perhaps get permission to open cabinets and try out a few features. If you do, it will pay off when it comes time to plan your new kitchen.

What to look for

Here are some things to observe and think about when you’re visiting another home.

• Layout and size. If it’s roughly similar to your space, what works better than your space? What’s not so great?
• Countertops and backsplashes. What materials are used? Is it monochromatic or two-toned? Do you notice signs of wear that might help you learn about the materials used?
• Cabinetry. Anything you like or dislike? Any special features, such as a wine fridge or a warming drawer? This is another place to check for signs of wear and tear. And if the host doesn’t mind, ask if you can open and close things like pull-out shelves, under-cabinet drawers and built-in spice racks to get a look inside.
• Lighting. Think about both style and function. Are work areas well-lit? Any special lighting features that interest you, such as under-cabinet lighting or multi-functional lighting?
• How it’s being used. Are guests gathering in the kitchen or somewhere else? Is there space for a buffet-style party or a place where the host can chat while prepping food? If things feel crowded, what seems to be the bottleneck?

What to ask about

We’ve found that most people love to talk about their kitchens, especially if they’ve recently remodeled. If your hosts have a few moments, here’s what to ask about.

• What do they love about their kitchen and why? Perhaps certain features make life easier for them, solve storage problems, are easier to clean, or simply make the space more enjoyable.
• What features weren’t worthwhile? Maybe that built-in knife rack is collecting plastic lids or that pot-filler faucet for the stove never gets used.
• Are they happy with the materials they’ve chosen for countertops and cabinets? Are they durable and easy to maintain?
• What would they do differently the next time?

We’re ready to help!

Once the holiday festivities slow down and you’re ready to plan your project, the notes you took will come in handy.

When we meet with you to talk about a kitchen remodel, renovation or refacing, we want to know your vision. What problems are you trying to fix? What hopes do you have? What style are you going for? Any special features you’d like to add?

Call (262) 782-7766 or click to get started on our website.

We’ve been thrilled with the response to our new bourbon cabinet, an original design by The Cabinet Maker that was unveiled in October. It was even featured on a recent CBS 58 News segment!

It’s not too late to give someone that gift of a made-to-order bourbon cabinet for their collection of bourbon or any special spirits. Let us know you want to reserve a spot in our production schedule. Once you’ve shared the news with the recipient, Cabinet Maker owner John Phillips can schedule a discussion about customizing it to their tastes.

And here’s an idea: You can package it with a fun day touring some stops on Wisconsin’s Bourbon Trail!

The Cabinet Maker’s exclusive design holds up to 100 bottles and is designed to be functional, versatile and beautiful. You can customize the wood, the finishes, and the hardware and opt to add features such as interior lighting. Read more details about John’s unique design here.

With increasing numbers of craft distilleries locally, in Wisconsin, and across the U.S., more choices are available and more special batches are being snatched up as limited-edition collectibles. Why not have a special place to store and display them?

Call (262) 782-7766 now or click here to schedule an appointment online.

John Phillips, founder and owner of The Cabinet Maker, happens to enjoy a good bourbon. And he has noticed that many fellow bourbon aficionados accumulate bottles, whether from trips to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail or a visit to distilleries a little closer to home. So a while back, John started designing a cabinet that could hold someone’s collection.

We’re proud to announce that John is now taking orders for The Cabinet Maker’s exclusive bourbon cabinet. “It’s designed for bourbon aficionados, by a bourbon aficionado,” John says. ” And by the way, it can hold other kinds of bottles, too.”

Here’s what makes this handsome cabinet great for bourbon lovers.

• It’s a way to display bottles with pride. Each bottle of bourbon tells a story. Many people like to mark an event or trip by splurging on a special purchase. And the craft-distillery craze has led to an amazing range of tastes, styles, proofs, finishes, and limited-edition batches, making them more collectible. Because The Cabinet Maker’s bourbon cabinet includes glass doors, you won’t have to hide your collection.
• It’s a way to tuck them away, too. John has designed hidden pull-outs because he knows that some collectors like to keep their most valuable bottles under wraps. “Or, if you prefer, you can choose to open the pull-out shelves to display them,” John says.
• Built for easy access. The pullouts let you access your collection more easily – no more need to remove the bottles in front to reach the ones in back. The shelves in the middle section are two different depths, another touch that helps you find what you need while accommodating different bottle shapes and sizes.
• It can fit a lot! There’s enough room for about 100 bottles, thanks to John’s clever design.
• It’s adaptable. John designed this cabinet with bourbon-lovers in mind, but he didn’t want anyone to feel left out. Four cubbyholes are perfect for wine, and of course the cabinet can hold any type of bottled beverage. The cabinet in the center section can also hold wine glasses, rock glasses, or whatever you prefer.

Fine craftsmanship.

As with everything The Cabinet Maker does, the bourbon cabinet is built with attention to durability, fine craftsmanship, and functionality.

• Adjustable nylon leg levels built into each leg to make sure it’s level if a surface is uneven.
• Made of walnut and hard maple.
• High-quality Berenson hardware.
• Heavy duty drawer slides on the pullouts.
• Soft-close pullout and doors.
• Adjustable shelves.

John’s prototype, a combination of stained and painted wood, is hard to beat. But there are many ways to customize it especially for you and your home.

• Add interior lighting behind the glass doors.
• Substitute wood shelves for glass shelves.
• Add glass doors to the middle section.
• Choose different woods.
• Choose different stained, painted, or combination finishes.
• Add a granite countertop – perfect for use as a bar.
• Have another idea? Talk to John!

Place your order in time for the holidays!

Each bourbon cabinet is built to order, and production time is four to five weeks once an order is placed. John says now is a great time to get started on your custom order for the holidays. Call (262) 782-7766 now or click to get started on our website.

Check out this featured segment on CBS58 where John discusses his exclusive custom bourbon cabinetry design – the perfect holiday home upgrade!

It’s not a recognized medical condition, but “renophobia” is real. It’s the fear of home renovations and home remodeling – and unlike Halloween, it happens year-round.

Renophobia is everything that keeps you up at night when you think about inviting a contractor into your home, like the disruptions to your day-to-day life and the overwhelming number of decisions to make.

But have you thought of the consequences of not remodeling your kitchen, your bathroom or another area of your house that needs attention? Let’s look at the reasons why remodeling is a good idea. We’re pretty sure they’ll cure you of your renophobia!

1. The tight housing market

With prices soaring and inventory slumping, many homeowners are opting to improve the homes they have rather than find a new one. Whether you want to create space for a growing family or create a better environment for aging in place, a remodeling project can deliver results. And the cost of a home renovation starts looking less scary when compared to the cost of buying a new place.

2. Marketplace appeal

Sure, buyers are snapping up properties right now. But when you do decide to move, will that still be the case? And will you get the best possible price? Upgrading that ’70s-era bathroom or that postage-stamp-sized kitchen can make a big difference. Why not remove anything that will give prospective buyers pause – or an excuse to lowball the offer?

3. Functionality

This is the number one motivator for many of our clients. Terrible lighting, minuscule counter space, cramped cabinets, awkward floor plans, spaces too tight for new appliances…issues like these cause daily frustrations that get in the way of your daily life.

Just imagine transforming a dysfunctional space in your home into one that actually works. Many of our clients find that it saves them time, removes stress, and even encourages more family togetherness. Some of our clients were thrilled that they could finally host holiday gatherings after we remodeled their kitchen and dining areas.

Is it really worth it to struggle with frustrations every day? The Cabinet Maker is passionate about functionality, and we have many solutions to offer.

4. Lifestyle

If you’re like most of us, your lifestyle changes over time. Maybe you take up new hobbies, start a fitness routine, launch your own business, even welcome new family members into the fold. But is your house keeping up with your changing lifestyle?

Imagine, for instance, creating a functional and enjoyable space for your hobby, your workout equipment, your home office or your extended family. Whether it’s a tweak, a major change, or something in between, the right renovation project can help your home catch up with your life.

Give us a call!

Are you feeling your renophobia subside as you think about these benefits? We’d love to help. To get started, use our convenient online form to describe what you have in mind. The team at The Cabinet Maker will help you conquer your home renovation fears!

One of the fun things about working with a custom cabinet maker is bringing your own personal touches to a project – something that’s uniquely you. Whether decorative, functional, or something in between, our ability to go beyond off-the-shelf solutions is your chance to dream.

Here are some examples to get your imagination going.

Odd shapes. When one client asked us to build U-shaped drawers for a vanity we said, “No problem!” It was a terrific way to work around piping that was limiting the options for storage space. Do you have a tight corner, awkwardly placed radiator, or some other challenging space in your home? And do you wish you can use it in a specific way? Let us help you find a creative solution.

Practical work-arounds. Recently, we remodeled a kitchen for a client who didn’t want to invest in new appliances. She loved her wall-mounted oven, which was working perfectly fine. But it was a non-standard size – what would happen when it someday needed to be replaced? We designed her new kitchen with handsome, removable panels to frame it. A new oven will fit just fine someday without having to rebuild her cabinetry (and spend more money). The Cabinet Maker is happy to accommodate your personal priorities!

Persnickety storage needs. Most hobbies involve stuff. And to enjoy your hobby, you need to keep that stuff organized and accessible. That’s where we can help. Do you want space in your garage especially designed for your rods, reels and flies? Cabinetry with nooks and crannies just the right size for your embroidery floss, fabric, needles and hoops? Drawers for organizing your model trains?

Ask us about details that would make your hobby easier, such as cabinets that can be labeled and storage bins that can be rolled around. Here’s a drawer we installed for a kitchen, but you can easily imagine paints and paintbrushes where the utensils and gadgets are.

Sentimental details. One of our favorite special touches was inspired by a beautifully framed picture hanging in a bathroom. As we worked with the client on plans to remodel the bathroom, we decided to replicate the frame’s design as a frame for the vanity. Is there a design element in your home you’d like to replicate or complement? We’ll work with you!

Showing off a little. If you have a collection, why not show it off? It could be as simple as installing open shelving to display hand-painted dishware. If your collection is delicate you might want glass-front cases. Built-in lighting is important. For collectors who like to rotate the items on display, we can incorporate storage solutions and easy-to-move shelving systems.

What’s your personal touch? We’d love to know! Contact The Cabinet Maker today about making your next kitchen, bath or cabinetry project completely your own. Contact us for a consultation by using our online form.

With summer in full swing, we hope you’re getting a chance to kick back and relax, whether at your favorite vacation spot or in your own back yard. And while you’re swinging in a hammock or relaxing at the beach, why not dream a little?

If those dreams include a new kitchen, you’re in luck. “Dreaming of the kitchen you would love is the first step,” says John Phillips, owner of The Cabinet Maker. “Once that happens, the ideas will flow.” And there’s still time to finish your remodel by the holiday season!

Once you have the dream, you’ll need a plan. That’s where John and his team at The Cabinet Maker come in. They have years of experience designing kitchens that can overcome challenges you may have with your current space – storage limitations, a lack of countertop space, insufficient lighting and more.

Because they are custom cabinet makers, John and his team can design, build and install just the right solution for your unique space, lifestyle and tastes.

So when you’re in that hammock with visions of custom cabinets dancing in your head, here are some questions John recommends asking yourself.

• How and why did you start dreaming of a new kitchen?

Maybe you loved a kitchen you saw at a friend’s house or on a website. Maybe your family is outgrowing the space you have. Or perhaps you need a more efficient way to use your available space. How you answer this question will help The Cabinet Maker launch a plan for you.

• How do you use your kitchen now, and how would you like to use it?

Some people use their kitchens mostly for food preparation, with a separate space for serving meals. Others like to gather the family in the kitchen. Maybe you like to multi-task and could use space for a laptop. Imagining how you really want to use your kitchen will help The Cabinet Maker find the right design.

• What gets you frustrated about your current kitchen?

This is where things like countertop space, storage and lighting come in. Or perhaps that refrigerator you’d love won’t fit into your current layout. You’d be surprised at the options for addressing even the smallest frustrations you encounter.

“Some clients start with photos, color swatches and design ideas, and that’s terrific,” says John. “But we like to start by asking, ‘What’s not meeting your needs?’ That way, we can give you a kitchen that’s both beautiful and functional.”

Contact The Cabinet Maker today about the kitchen of your dreams! Contact us for a consultation by using our online form.

Kitchen refacing projects usually work with the existing cabinetry and replace the doors and drawer fronts. If door and drawer fronts are the only work that is taking place, then permits are usually not necessary. The time commitment for a refacing could be anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks.

When the project is a full kitchen remodel, it usually involves completely removing the existing cabinetry. Remodeling a kitchen will include a design and planning phase. More than likely all the kitchen cabinets will be replaced. Soffits, walls, doors, and windows may require relocation. New appliances may also be part of the remodel project. A full kitchen remodel will be more involved and will require city permits if there are any structural, electrical, and plumbing changes taking place. The time commitment for a full kitchen remodel could range from 2 to 4 months.

Independence Day is celebrated with fireworks and festivities at this time of year, and for good reason. We couldn’t agree more that the freedom to choose is a wonderful thing. In fact, it’s at the heart of what we do at The Cabinet Maker.

When you work with us, you won’t need to devise a plan based on off-the shelf, pre-made cabinetry. Instead, you’ll have the freedom to get exactly what you want. The Cabinet Maker will partner with you to design something from scratch that fits your space and creates the efficiencies and conveniences you’ve been longing for.

Here’s how The Cabinet Maker gives you the freedom to choose.

You can maximize the space you have available. Stock cabinets – the kind you find at big-box stores or online vendors – typically have dimensions that come in 3-inch increments. But what if you have a space that’s 45 ½ inches wide by 16 ½ inches deep? You’ll need to buy a size that’s smaller, leaving space that can’t be used. At The Cabinet Maker, we’ll custom-build something to the exact dimensions available so you can put every inch to work.

You can get exactly the finish you want. Your choices of colors and finish shouldn’t be limited to 10 or 12 options. When you work with The Cabinet Maker, we can customize this part of the design, too. Show us a photo from a magazine, bring in a sample, or even share a fabric swatch – we’ll get the look you want. This is especially helpful when you are trying to match a finish or color elsewhere in the room.

You can get extra durability where it’s needed. Drawers that pull out for easy access are great, but heavy appliances and cookware need extra weight-bearing drawers, especially if the drawers are oversized. That’s not always the case with pre-made solutions. The Cabinet Maker will install a drawer slide that’s up to the job – and in the size and location you want it.

You can turn frustrations into solutions. Lighting for a dim kitchen corner? A customized storage space for cookie sheets? A way to organize all those stray plastic lids? Tell The Cabinet Maker what drives you nuts in your current kitchen or bathroom and we’ll find solutions that can work in your unique space. The Cabinet Maker takes pride in finding beautiful ways to create functionality.

You can dream. That’s the bottom line: If you can imagine it, chances are we can design, build and install it. Just ask! Contact us for a consultation by using our online form.