Kitchen cabinet brands
We’re finally at the stage where we looking at cabinets for our kitchen. We’re not going with Ikea – as we really don’t like the look of their more traditional looking cabinets – which is what we’re going for – a classic white kitchen. So, what brands have people had success with? We basically want…
We’re finally at the stage where we looking at cabinets for our kitchen. We’re not going with Ikea – as we really don’t like the look of their more traditional looking cabinets – which is what we’re going for – a classic white kitchen. So, what brands have people had success with? We basically want the best we can get – but we’re bargain shoppers so we’re interested in thoughts on getting a high quality, good price situation. I’ve heard L&T is good for bargain hunters and YNY Kitchens. But once, I’m there what brands should I be looking for? I’ve heard mixed reviews on Kraftmaid and Millspride. Is Plain and Fancy high end? Anyone who has been through this, we’d love to hear your thoughts. And of course, it seems like folks like the cabinets at Lowes…
I got my cabinets at a tiny store in Bay Ridge called Alpine Woodworks. He carries Rich Maid cabinets – semi-custom & custom. The quality is great (all 3/4 inch plywood construction) and the price is very reasonable. (He will try to talk you out of painted cabinets though.) I believe Plain & Fancy would have been twice as much.
Diamond is also carried at Park Slope Kitchen Gallery, which is on Prospect Avenue near the corner of 5th Avenue in South Slope. (Find the number on other kitchen threads here). If it’s them vs. Lowe’s to get Diamond cabinets, go with Park Slope Kitchen Gallery because you get much better customer service and their pricing is better too. Our kitchen contractor used Park Slope Kitchen Gallery himself, saying they had the best prices on these cabinet lines in Brooklyn. As for schedule, our cabinets arrived exactly on time and I hear that never happens at Lowes.
We used Park Slope Kitchen Gallery but got the Medallion cabinetry. I got a bid for Plain & Fancy too, but it was expensive.
You might find that a classic white shaker style could be done with IKEAs Adel white/ cream series. We are going for the same look with sopastone countertops, etc. and after looking at all the painted wood shaker style doors, find that IKEA is cheap and truly great value. Go here: http://finishedkitchens.blogspot.com/
and search for IKEA adel white and you will see some pics.
The semi-custom lines don’t carry white painted wood for the reasons that 10:36 describes. They have white thermofoil, which is wood covered with a treated covering (some kind of synthetic) which does not expand and contract with changes in temperature and moisture the way wood will.) Plain and Fancy does painted white wood and it is very nice and just recently I found out that Diamond, a semi-custom manufacturer sold at Lowes, makes a painted white wood shaker door.
Good luck.
If you want Kraftmaid, do not under any circumstances buy them through Home Depot – they are a nightmare, pure and simple. Lowes is much better. Also under no circumstances install or partially install anything until you have examined every single box and every piece. You can return kitchens if you don’t like them, subject to a 15% restocking fee, which you can dispute if you have some kind of problem. But don’t nail anything in if you have not gone over everything with a fine toothed comb. Also double check the order and measurements before you sign off and pay.
Plain & Fancy can be pretty reasonable depending on what type of door you get. There is a place on Fourth Avenue not that far south of Atlantic that has very good prices. (Sorry, can’t remember the place’s name, but it is something basic like “B&E Kitchen and Bath” or similar.) I think the quality for the price is high.
By the way, I have classic white cabinets, and just something to be aware of, even with high-end custom cabinets, is that painted cabinets will develop little “hairline”-type cracks where the wood comes together on the face, if that makes sense. It wasn’t something that I was told before hand, and quite frankly, it bugs me.
I got my Kraftmaid from the Cabinet Factory on 13th (?) and 65th. I thought the prices were pretty competetive and they got them very quickly for us. My only recommendation is to make sure you get an itemized list of what you are paying for. They are a little cagey about showing you the details.
Try Dykes Lumber in Manhattan-I think 45 St betw 8th and 9th. They have good quality cabinets and the prices are reasonable-I bought my cabinets from them. A guy named Joe can do a cad drawing of your kitchen and lay it out. They carry Kraftmaid and Plain & Fancy, custom, semi-custom and ready-made lines. I shopped all over and found them to be most helpful. Delivery was as promised.
Yes, plain & fancy is high end.
Kitchmaid is probably your best bet for semi custom but you have to deal with the problems that come with a large manufacterer and a big box store.