Innovations from the Cabinet Shop
[All photos by BUILD LLC]
Our Special Projects Division cabinet & furniture shop here in Seattle, under the skilled hands and supervision of our own David Hentzel, just completed a very striking cabinet package that’s full of slick details. While the client would like to remain anonymous, they were generous in letting us share the images and design ideas on the BUILDblog. With our expanded shop facilities we were able to assemble the cabinet package in-house; we also set up a full photo studio to get some clean shots of the project. Enjoy.
There are some basic details that accompany any cabinet package the leaves the SPD shop. Center-matching and sequencing the grain pattern from one face to the next is standard and makes for a harmonious look around the kitchen. Once again, we’ve relied on the sourcing of the best materials on the planet from Edensaw Woods. The cabinet package is made of quarter-sawn walnut with a custom milled hardwood edge-banding. We used our typical 7-step Duracat 550 furniture-grade satin lacquer specially formulated by our Ballard neighbors, Rudd Company Inc.
One of the first things you may notice about this cabinet package is that there aren’t any pulls. That’s right, nary a pull on the entire package. Every door and drawer is opened with a light touch thanks to the Blum Servo-Drive electric system. It is perhaps the cleanest, most unencumbered cabinet package we’ve ever built.
Boxes are made from Nevamar high-pressure laminate on voidless Russian birch with our custom SPD edge profile. The countertops are Paperstone which we’re big fans of because it can be worked in-house. A built-in desk uses the same vocabulary and integrates seamlessly with the kitchen cabinets. A corkboard panel extends from one panel to the next creating an intentional location for notes and reminders.
Typical 3/8” reveals provide a clean separation between different components and materials whereas a 1/8” reveal separates different panels of the same material. Modernism is all about setting up simple rules and this cabinet package is no exception –every detail follows a deliberate formula.
Bulk storage is accommodated with the Intivo pantry pull-out by Blum. We like the contrast between the dark walnut and polished zinc drawer fronts (also available in black and white).
Upper cabinets usually provide a good location for flush under-mount puck-lights which offer generous lighting for the working surface below. Hera Lighting makes a well engineered LED puck-light that arrives from the manufacturer ready to plug in to their driver system and wire into the line voltage via transformer. This applications integrates mail slot cubbies above and emphasizes the sleek minimal profile of the puck-lights.
There are some very cool lift-up door types that we explored on the project; each of four different types within the Blum Aventos line. The Stay-lift HK door (above) and Up-and-over HS door (below) maximize access to the cabinet bays and look good doing so.
The Bi-fold HF door (above) and Lift-up HL door (below) are outfitted with brushed aluminum frames and etch-matte glass provided by Elements Designs. This lightens up the composition a bit and provides a handsome contrast to the walnut.
We’ve been refining a new system of magnetic toe-kicks and this project makes good use of them. The integrated toe-kicks can be easily moved for under-cabinet access –which allows us to fine-tune the adjustable legs and gain easy access under the cabinets during install or years down the road if required.
Hands down, our favorite parts of this cabinet package are the utensil drawers with integral cutting board and general drawer interior systems. The drawers follow the modernist dictum that everything should have a place and Blum’s Orga-line provides the building blocks for infinite combinations of organizational solutions. The sleek stainless steel bins lock together and are easily removed for cleaning. Specialized components allow for aluminum foil and plastic wrap dispensers. Rounding it all out and adding one last bespoke touch is the custom SPD graduated maple & walnut cutting board designed and built by our very own Aaron Nelson.
We hope you enjoyed the tour and let us know what you think.
[Aaron Nelson and David Hentzel of SPD]
Cheers from SPD and BUILD
By chris, July 19, 2011 @ 7:28 am
Looks great, some of your details are inspiring. A few things I’ve been wondering about.
How do you handle scribes/fillers? In a pic above, the end panel of an upper looks to just have a reveal between the wall and back, but also remember reading about some sort of spring loaded system you’d devised. And for that matter, are your ends applied or integral to the box, whichever the extra mass looks nice.
Have you tried lipping your core and veneering on top to give a more seamless look? Seems like with todays glues, the edge wouldn’t be that fragile.
By Kevin E, July 19, 2011 @ 3:13 pm
Hi Chris-
We use a 3/8″ scribe that is spring-loaded as you mention. It’s let into the panel edge 3/8″ back so it creates a shadow line, but on closer look, a user would see the wood filler in the shadow.
End panels are attached to the box carcasses.
More info is available on the SPD website, particularly under the “Technical” pull-down such as:
http://www.specialprojectsdivisionllc.com/#mi=1&pt=0&pi=7&p=-1&a=-1&at=0
As for the edge, we’ve simply found that nothing quite beats the hardwood edge for durability. And, maybe we’re just getting old (fashioned), but we like the look too.
By Gus, July 19, 2011 @ 4:58 pm
Thanks for sharing all the details of this cabinet package guys, very impressive. I especially like all the coverage on the lift-up doors.
By Kelly, July 19, 2011 @ 5:00 pm
You’d think that cabinet design would be rather static – but your SPD shop is always figuring out clever new solutions -like the magnetic toe-kicks. Love it -keep up the good work!
By greg, July 20, 2011 @ 1:29 am
Really cool stuff, liking the servo drives… what kind of power tool brands do you like using?? im looking to purchase a system for hobby use, i wonder if Festool would be to much professionalism & maybe start out with a power8workshop & endure the flaws.
Thanks
By Jacob, July 21, 2011 @ 11:49 am
Beautiful details! I am really impressed with the ‘rules’ of reveal depths.
By Brad, July 23, 2011 @ 9:37 pm
Your work is top notch! I always wondered, do you guys use a full back or insert? I’m assuming full back since you seem to go the extra mile on everything else. Also, do you guys run a full bottom and set the sides on the bottom OR do you run full sides and sandwich the bottom between them?
Either way, the work, ideas, and execution is amazing!
By Build LLC, July 25, 2011 @ 7:47 am
@Brad -the cabinet boxes are built with a full back panel and the bottom is let into the sides with a rabbet joint. Panels are all connected with wood glue and dominoes for durability.
By Brad, July 29, 2011 @ 1:54 pm
I figured you guys used full backs. A rabbit joint makes sense. I was wondering what you guys were doing since the insides were laminated and you’re using the domino with wood glue.
What are your thoughts on a short e.mail session where I could pick your guys’ brain on a few subjects?
By Jenna Kaba, December 1, 2011 @ 12:53 pm
Beautiful! Thanks so much for mentioning the great use for Hera Lighting!
By kitchen pantry cabinet, February 12, 2012 @ 1:13 am
Looks great, some of your details are inspiring. A few things I’ve been wondering about.
By NJ Kitchen Contractor, March 20, 2012 @ 8:02 am
Stunning work. It’s amazing to see such craftsmanship in today’s world. Very innovative and in-touch with today’s world!
By Kitchen Cabinet Installer, March 20, 2012 @ 8:04 am
I love the design of your cabinets! The flip-up cabinet is really cool! Thanks for sharing your work!