Final Touch Custom Millwork Ltd. (FTCM), a family operated kitchen cabinet shop out of Orangeville, ON., has a reputation for excellence in craftsmanship. We had the opportunity to talk with Nathan Betts of FTCM about innovations in kitchen storage and organization. In doing so, we got an inside look at which storage options work and how to best design a kitchen layout.
In the design stage of building or renovating a home, few things will have a greater impact on the final visual appeal and it's day to day functioning than the choices made in the planning of your kitchen.
Nathan recommends asking your cabinet maker or kitchen designer: |
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| Final Touch Custom Millwork Ltd.
creates distinctive kitchens with function and elegance. |
1) What is your kitchen design process?
2) How will you make sure that this kitchen will be made with me in mind? |
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Kitchens Designed with the Homeowner in Mind |
One kitchen design will not work for all homeowners. People want a kitchen makeover that is not only custom-fit to their space, but custom-fit to them. Customization therefore needs to be done on every level - from the style and finish of the cabinets, to where important elements are positioned, right down to the interior organization of the cabinets. Often overlooked, the details in this last step can make a considerable difference in it's Kitchen hardware manufacturers are contriving innovative solutions to address the needs of homeowners. |
Renex: What do you at Final Touch do to design a kitchen with the homeowner in mind?
Nathan: We first sit down with the client and take the necessary time to find out what will best suit their needs, cooking habits and lifestyle. We then go through the clients' kitchen wish list. We discover what they hate about their current kitchen and what they absolutely must have in their new kitchen. While endeavoring to incorporate everything they want, we marry aesthetics and functionality in a way that maximizes the usable space.
The end design is smart, attractive and highly customized. |
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A beautifully crafted custom kitchen by Final Touch Custom Millwork Ltd. |
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Designing the Kitchen Layout |
Renex: How do you decide on the layout for the kitchen? Do you use work triangles or zones? |
Nathan: We used to use work triangles a lot. This approach works well for smaller kitchens. However with larger kitchens the work triangle becomes too big. The design needs to focus more on specific areas or zones. We've switched to using a kitchen layout concept from Blum called Dynamic Space. After studying the function and natural flow of a well used kitchen, there is a certain logical sequence for the various working components of a kitchen. Blum has seen the practicality of dividing the kitchen into five zones. They are: |
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These five zones are customized to the individual needs and lifestyles of our clients. The result is optimal room utilization and quality of motion. For more information on this "new kitchen standard" visit Blum's specialized Dynamic Space website! |
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Kitchen Storage Innovations |
Renex: What specialized storage solutions do you incorporate for your clients? |
Nathan: Depending on the needs and wants of our clients their are a plethora of storage solutions. For a recycling station we incorporate customized bins. We use components from various hardware suppliers. We also make our own specially designed containers from wood that the owner can fit with removable plastic bags. For inside corners we recommend a blind corner unit by Rev-A-Shelf. Pantry pull-outs make great use of available space and keep supplies in full view. Drawer organizers allow clients to stow more items away without losing track of anything. |
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No more wasted space or dead corner areas! Specialty kitchen manufacturers have designed great storage solutions for inside corner cabinets. Nathan likes using components like this blind corner wire pullout by Rev-A-Shelf. |
Tired of messy drawers? Hate not being able to find the kitchen utensil you're looking for? There is a solution. Blum Orgaline Drawer Organizers come in fully adjustable configurations as pictured above. Other not so custom solutions are also available from various manufacturers.
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Basket drawers work well for storing potatoes and onions. Locating these drawers in the island keep them on hand in the food prep area.
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This narrow panty pull-out beside the stove is a perfect storage solution for spices. All spices are clearly visible and easy to grab.
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Sources for Kitchen Storage Solutions: |
- Armstrong, www.armstrong.com
- Blum, www.blum.com
- KraftMaid, www.kraftmaid.com
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- Ikea, www.ikea.com
- Rev-A-Shelf, www.rev-a-shelf.com
- Richelieu, www.richelieu.com
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A Space for Kids in the Kitchen |
Renex: How do you make your kitchens "kid-friendly"? |
Nathan: When our clients have children, we endeavor to have a kid friendly zone in the kitchen. This might include a drawer or two for toys and books, and a drawing or homework surface. We've also done kitchens with a chalk board or a white board installed either inside a cabinet door or on the outside. That way small children "draw on the cabinets" without getting in trouble. This allows families to hangout together in the kitchen - kids can be having fun without getting underfoot, and parents can watch over them while they're cooking and preparing food. |
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Kitchen Cabinet Hardware |
Renex: What kind of hardware and hinges are people asking for? |
| Nathan: For drawers, most people want concealed tracks or runner systems that allow the drawer to open fully with access to the entire drawer. Drawers are important in the kitchen. Have as many drawers as you can in your lower cabinets. They are the best use of space and allow you to easily see and access what you've stored in your cabinets. For clients who don't like the look of all drawers we often install extra drawers behind cabinet doors.
As far as hinges go, the majority prefer European concealed hinges. Of these, I would say about 50% like to add decorative hinges as an accent. They then have two hinges. One is non-functioning, purely aesthetic.This gives them a traditional look with modern function. |
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Blum is ever "perfecting motion" in the kitchen! Their latest opening system, which has not yet been released to the US or Canadian markets, is called SERVO-DRIVE. This new opening support system automatically opens drawers and pull-outs with a light touch or a brief pull, thus allowing you more "freedom of movement in your kitchen". |
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Experience the freedom of
Blum's new SERVO-DRIVE
opening system.
Just tap to open! |
For more information about Blum Inc. and their new product SERVO-DRIVE visit: www.blum.us |
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Kitchen Remodeling definitely doesn't fall in the week-end project category. It takes advanced planning. You need to order your cabinets months in advance. Your whole kitchen remodel must be well organized in order to minimize the time from 'tear out' to completion. If you don't, Nathan warns, worse case scenario you could be out of your kitchen for months! If your project is organized, how long should you expect to be without a kitchen? Nathan offers these timelines:
- Straight forward kitchen - 4 to 5 days
- Extensive - moving walls etc. - 2 weeks
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As the delivery date arrives you need to have effective coordination with all the trades that will be working on your kitchen both before and after your cabinets are installed.
After your kitchen cabinets are installed you will need to have trades lined up to do:
- Counters
- Backsplash
- Final coats on hardwood floor
- Tile floor (sometimes done before)
- Appliances
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