Cabinet Information
DESIGN INFO
MATERIAL INFO
DETAIL INFO
TOY INFO
REFERANCE LIBRARY
KITCHEN ZONES
Design info
DESIGN
When designing a kitchen it is very important to know the client, what they want and what they need, I know what I want but this is not my kitchen its yours and it needs to reflect this.
The first design question would be to see what style you like? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJXK_DMgPoU
Classic (details like corbels and crown moldings) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eETeiAPjT-
Transitional (mix of classic and modern) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af2wUMpJDvg
Modern (clean look, no details, flat) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZBFKMfUesk
Your new kitchen lay out should be based on what you have available. There are standards that should be followed, mainly so the kitchen looks correct. Things like:
Sink center of the window
Dishwasher next to sink
Stove with counter space on both sides
Fridge door swings away from kitchen and off to the side
No obstructions between the stove, sink, and fridge (Triangle)
Sometimes this cant be followed, and a creative designer is needed to make things work properly. A proper lay out will make you kitchen a joy to work in, and there is a lot to consider. People like me and good designers know where things should go, we have been taught and educated, and seen many option that we can incorporate into your kitchen.
Somethings should be standard and I try to incorporate into a new kitchen are.
Pot and pan drawer
Better use out of the corner units
Recycle center
Cabinets to the ceiling
More storage
Most people you will deal with when shopping for cabinets are Salesman and not properly educated in millwork, there for there design abilities are lacking. At ICONIC we have well educated staff to help with your every need.
At Iconic it is very important that the kitchen looks great. I want the WOW factor, I want the kitchen to impress others, I want your kitchen to be ICONIC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2xfspPgcaw
A great resource for design is www.houzz.com
Materials Info
MATERIALS
Some of the import materials are garbage (Literally garbage) they use fillers mixed in with the pulp to make the sheet goods, this creates voids and week spots. There are savings in using these products but I feel its not worth it.
The cabinets are made up of 2 sections;
First part is Case work is the cabinet interiors the main part that gives the cabinets strength and stability. At Iconic our standard is either 5/8 Hardrock melamine (Maple looking) or 5/8 white melamine. (White looking) with a full 5/8 back. Some other shops have a cheaper option that is to use 1/4 backing. We can also offer a more expensive option that is to use plywood it is better if it ever gets wet.
Next part of the case work is the drawers. Our standard is the matching 5/8 Melamine drawers with under mounted slides (slides are not seen) Some other shops have a cheaper option the side mount slides on 1/2 sides, or the metal drawer sides. Of course, there and many grades better as well, all the way to the dovetail solid wood drawers.
Next part is the hardware. Our standard hardware is all soft close. Our hinges are the sleek blum and our slides are all undermount. There are lots of options to choose from and we only use quality hardware. There is some hardware out there that could save you lots of money, but it doesn’t last and works poorly.
Second part is the exterior. The exterior is the parts you see when the cabinets are closed, like the doors and side panels. There is a wide range of options from:
Melamine STD Modern Transitional
Textured melamine Modern Transitional
Foil doors Modern Transitional Classic
High gloss melamine Modern
Flat MDF painted Modern Transitional
Flat veneer stain and lacquered Modern Transitional
High end Melamine Modern Transitional
Solid Wood stain and lacquered Transitional Classic
MDF painted Modern Transitional
Solid Wood Painted Transitional Classic
Each of these options have a different look and feel and should bee seen to decide where you want to be. These options are narrowed down when the design style is taken into consideration.
I was asked "what is melamine"?
Melamine is a widely recognized type of decorative finished board used in various applications, especially in furniture and cabinetry. Typically, melamine boards are composed of three main components: a core material, decorative paper, and a topcoat.
Core Material:
The core of a melamine board is usually made from either MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), HDF (High-Density Fiberboard), or particle board. In contrast, plastic laminates utilize several layers of paper glued together to form their core. The choice of core material significantly influences the product's durability; a denser core made from high-quality materials minimizes chipping and enhances the overall performance.
Decorative Paper:
The decorative paper layer provides the aesthetic appeal and can feature various designs, such as wood grains, solid colors, or unique patterns. This paper is glued to the core to achieve the desired visual effect.
Topcoat:
The topcoat is a protective finish that endures regular wear and tear. It is commonly a phenolic resin similar to melamine, although other finishes—like lacquer or acrylic—can also be used, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
Manufacturing Process:
The manufacturing of melamine boards involves fusing the melamine resin to the core and decorative paper using heat and pressure. Generally, longer exposure to heat and pressure yields a higher-quality product. For example, plastic laminates are typically manufactured at a pressure of 1400 psi, while melamine boards are produced at about 500 psi.
Common Terminology:
- T.F.M (Thermally Fused Melamine): Refers to melamine resin on top of the board.
- T.F.L (Thermally Fused Laminate): Implies a phenolic resin on the top.
- L.P.L (Low Pressure Laminate): Produced under 300-500 psi.
- H.P.L (High Pressure Laminate): Manufactured at 1400 psi.
While all these products can feature a melamine resin topcoat, the term "melamine" is often used broadly to refer to any material with a decorative look, leading to its colloquial use as a catch-all for decorative sheets. A more precise term would be "decorative sheets," as it encompasses the variety of materials and finishes available.
By Gerald Dixon
Detail Info
DETAILS
The details are all the little extras that make the kitchen look the best. Sometimes just adding a little item changes the whole look of the kitchen. Like:
Glass doors
Columns, corbels, crown molding
Custom island ends
Custom hood vents
Countertop supports
Pet station area
Baking area
Bar section
Coffee station
Most of these details are worked out in the design stage because a good design is all in the details.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tTIW3UvD5g
Toys Info
TOYS
The toys are all the little extras that make the kitchen be the best. These items are not normally seen just enjoyed. Like:
Drawer inserts
Lazy Suzan or lemans corner
Pull out spice rack
Pull out pantry
Garbage options
Mixer lift
There are lots of new cool options when it comes to hardware and the toys that are available. A great resource is www.richelieu.com
Reference library
Great websites that have great ideas.
check out.
www.richelieu.com Great site to find hardware and toys for your project.
WWW.pinterest.com Great place for add on's to your design.
www.houzz.com Great place for design and ideas.
Kitchen Zones
https://www.blum-inspirations.com/en/stories/story_2304.html
There are 5 storage zones: consumables, non-consumables, cleaning, preparation, and cooking. Each of these need a home, and they should be stored in a way that creates the most efficient workspace. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all for storage because everyone has different needs. However, there are some basic storage guidelines that can help lead you down the path to organizational bliss.
Store items at the starting line or the finish line
For example, mugs can be stored either next to the coffee pot or next to the dishwasher/sink. Either of these locations allows for a path of least resistance.
Store certain items in more than one location
If you need a certain item in multiple areas of your kitchen, such as oven mitts, put them in multiple locations so you are not scrambling to find them while cooking!
If they are used together, they should be stored together
For example, keep your knives near the cutting boards, so you can grab them both easily and be more efficient in your kitchen while cooking.
Store your items in a way that makes them easy to see
Less clutter equals a happy cook!
Keep frequently used items in an area that is easy to reach
There’s a reason people keep their teapots on the stove 24/7. Also, the bottom shelf in your wall cabinets should be your most frequently used kitchen items. These items can be glasses, plates, mugs, etc.
Keep similar items next to each other
An example of this would be coffee mugs and espresso cups should be kept in the same cabinet and also near your coffee maker.
Hazardous items need to be out of reach of children or anyone who can be injured by them
These hazardous items include, but are not limited to, knives, heavy cookware, or heavy appliances.
Keep your items in the appropriate environment
As obvious as it sounds, make sure you’re keeping refrigerated items and non-refrigerated items in their appropriate environments. It’s also important to have a designated area for things like bread, fresh fruit, and fresh vegetables that optimize their lifespan and freshness.
Some of these guidelines may seem like common sense, but it’s very easy to be distracted by all the pretty elements of your kitchen and completely forget to consider the practicality. If you are struggling with a non-functional kitchen. We have the expertise to create a plan to redesign your space into the functional and beautiful kitchen of your dreams.