Textured Woods for Cabinetry

 

Smooth or textured to the touch, durable laminates take contemporary custom cabinetry to a new level for those whose style lies beyond the boundaries of traditional wood.

Infomation on Custom Cabinets from one of our Prized Cabinet Makers Plato WoodWorks

True Custom Cabinets

Some people believe that “real” custom cabinetry cannot be built in a factory, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. So what is custom? One definition could be it is “made to order”, meaning that parts for my order are not stocked. In today’s world, that describes almost every price point and quality of cabinetry. Another definition might be getting some special features or different finish options. Unfortunately, today’s competitive environment has pushed many cabinet makers into attempting finishes and modifications that are at the limits of their abilities.

Here are some key areas for you to consider:

What grade of material is being used for your cabinetry and what is the origin of that material?

• Plato Woodwork has worked closely with our suppliers for years to create a highly selective material spec…above and beyond what is available to other cabinet makers.  
• Our purchasing power assures that these materials are used to create lasting value and a visibly superior product for you.
• We also work very hard to ensure that our standard construction materials are domestically sourced. That’s important in supporting additional American jobs, but also because domestically sourced materials are required to adhere to strict environmental standards.

Does the cabinet shop or manufacturer make its own doors and drawers?

• Making our own doors and drawers allows us to pre-finish the expansion edge of the insert panel before the door is assembled. This is very important because wood naturally expands and contracts with changes in your environment. This additional step prevents the “white-lining” that you may have witnessed in other cabinetry.
• Our doors are built to exacting standards in our climate controlled facility.
• Many manufacturers and local shops just purchase doors, drawers and, in some instances, the cabinet box itself! Just being able to “assemble” an order is not custom.
  What is the finish material used and how is it applied?
• Plato Woodwork only uses industrial grade finish materials rather than a “retail” grade. The benefit is a higher “solids” content and provides better coverage and depth of the finish.
• We use three coats of catalyzed conversion varnish over our stains. This is the finest, formaldehyde-free top coat available and it is as tough as it is beautiful.
• Our facility is climate controlled and we also have multiple processes in place to control dust and other contaminants.
• Few cabinet shops have the capacity to offer this superior finish, and no finish applied at a job site can remotely compare to the quality of Plato’s finish.

These are just a few of the facts that should enter into your decision on what product to purchase, and why it is important not to mistake true custom with “homemade” or “locally made”. As you can see, the terms are not synonymous. What really sets Plato apart from other manufacturers and local cabinet makers is the true marriage of technology with good, old-fashioned hands on craftsmanship. Having over a century’s worth of experience doesn’t hurt either!

Cool Dog Door

Have a dog? Is your dog door located in your kitchen? Well, here is a great idea to solve the location, add some countertop space and keep fido happy. Check out our site for more great ideas for your upcoming kitchen remodel! Paragon Kitchen and Bath Studio

Kitchen Remodeling Steps

In simplest terms, here's the remodeling process:

Make a plan, rip old stuff out, put new stuff in. Easy, right? With the right help on your side, it can be. We've already talked about that vital first step -- making a plan. Once you've made it that far, the really fun part begins. This is where the creative exploration can happen, this is where we can help you at Paragon Kitchen and Bath Studio and the possibilities are endless. This is where you need a skilled and experienced cabinetry designer on your side, to help you narrow and focus all those choices, Paragon Kitchen and Bath Studio is where you will find a designer that can help your vision start to become reality.

Cabinetry options are only part of the planning.

You'll also make decisions about appliances, flooring, sinks and fixtures, lighting, counter tops, wall treatments, and more. A seasoned kitchen designer can assist you with all of these decisions or point you in the right area if you have the time to do some shopping.

Eventually, you'll have the major decisions made, a plan in hand, and you're ready for the next step: ripping stuff out. Most people leave this to the pros, and that's almost always the best route. If your remodel is modest, the cabinet installation contractor can do the tear-out. If your remodel involves bigger tasks like moving walls and windows, a general contractor will be involved.  Either way, your kitchen designer can help you with the schedule and work with your contractor to plan your project.

The final step is putting all the new stuff in.

This can be a real orchestration, since many types of specialized subcontractors may be involved. Your job will almost certainly require a plumber, electrician, and counter top supplier, along with the cabinetry installer. You may also need someone to do the floors and tile. You may need drywall and painters. And all these people have to do their thing in the right order, at the right time.

All this complicated organizing and implementation is all in a day's work for a Kitchen professional. This is what they do, every week of the year. Let them take the headaches and worry out of the process. Also bear in mind that this is the primary thing a we do. Unlike a home center that peddles everything from grass seed to shingles, your kitchen designer is a true specialist who really cares about the success of your remodel. So now you know what to expect from a kitchen remodel.
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#paragonkbstudio  #kitchendesign #kitchenremodeling

Got Mildew?

I'm just one little back-yard farmer, plugging along, trying to grow my own food and maybe some to share when the weather permits. Which is, I must admit, pretty much year-round. There are however, some very climate specific issues around organic gardening around the Bay. We get aphids and white flies like no ones business and all my references say "Ladybugs". Then comes powdery mildew and all I hear is "baking soda and water" but the darn stuff just won't go away--unlike the Ladybugs who had decamped after a couple of days, leaving my broccoli and cabbages to the grotty little leaf eating critters!
So, research, pestering other gardeners, trial and error and --voila! I have, if not fool-proof solutions, then best practices for two common garden problems.

First bugs, Ladybugs will indeed happily devour aphids and white fly larvae, but they are migratory insects and must be released at night--otherwise their drive to head to the mountains for some reproductive endeavors outweighs their desire to eat aphids, and, well, you know the rest. I tried it and two weeks later I still have Lovely Ladies crawling around laying waste to unwanted brussel sprout eating nasties!

Second, powdery mildew, bane of zucchini, cucumbers, melons, roses and many other plants. Like I said, I've tried the baking soda and water (2tbs baking soda in a standard spray bottle of water, saturate infected areas during hot weather, repeat as necessary) to mixed results. Sad to say I don't have time for mixed results. On to bigger and better--and no, I don't mean chemicals.
It's milk, yep, milk. Dilute skim milk in water (10-30% milk but not more) and spray --and I mean saturate-- infected leaves, no need to rinse, just wait! The majority of my mildew was dead and gone within two days of treatment. I waited a week to see what else happened and gave a final spritz to any stubborn areas and now have a mildew free garden!!! Added benefits, cats don't seem to particularly like the smell and have been rethinking their "other" use for my raised beds!

Check out more info and scientific benefits at: http://www.appalachianfeet.com/2010/07/02/how-to-spray-milk-to-prevent-powdery-mildew-disease/
and
http://www.thefrugallife.com/mildew.html

Thanks for checking us out Paragon Kitchen and Bath Studio

Pumping Plastics

I was just speaking with an ex-Chevron employee who informed me that only 30% of oil pumped is used for gas or fuel--so where does the rest of it go? Plastic. Well, plastic and Vasoline but still. It's just another shocking reason to avoid single-use plastic products (water bottles, take out containers, plastic bags &c) here are a couple of sites with great info and tips to drinking and living a bit more sustainably--http://www.allaboutwater.org/environment.html, and, http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/china-plastic-bags-47010907.

So, what else to do? If you don't have a stainless steel water bottle, get one. Reusable shopping bags, ditto--and bring them to pick up take-out at your favorite "to go" restaurant. Wax paper bags work just fine for sandwiches and snacks are recyclable. Suggest potato or corn starch utensils and cups to your local cafe--and be willing to find another "regular" spot if they won't switch! Also, you could post your suggestions here--the more the merrier--we can all use some new ideas!

Volunteering with Rebuilding Together

Had a great time on Sunday volunteering with Rebuilding Together. We scraped and painted this fence. The elderly homeowner was very happy and so were we.
Thanks to my friend Christy for getting me involved. That's me in the white and Christy in the red and our very clean fence!