Proactively Preserving the Kountry Kraft Legacy
By / April 13, 2022 April 11, 2022Dee Hurst-Funk, CFO, and Elvin Jr. Hurst, CEO, of Kountry Kraft, are proactively preserving the Kountry Kraft legacy by welcoming Dave Riebe as President.
In his role as President, Dave will preserve the longevity of Kountry Kraft by running the company on a daily basis under the guidance of Dee and Elvin Jr. Dave has immersed himself in Kountry Kraft by working with every employee in every department. From delivering a kitchen in Annapolis, to assisting in finishing and order processing, he rolled up his sleeves to become familiar with every part of the company.
“We’re excited about the fresh vision Dave brings to the business. He comes with knowledge and experience in manufacturing that will enrich the legacy and longevity of Kountry Kraft.” – Dee Hurst-Funk, CFO
About Dave
Dave brings a fresh vision to the business with over 25 years of experience leading organizations and developing teams in diversified manufacturing companies. He is recognized as an executive whose personal leadership style effectively balances a pragmatic management approach with strong creative and innovative abilities.
Prior to Kountry Kraft, Dave worked at Carlisle Construction Materials as Director of five different businesses, he was President of Pennex Aluminum Company, and he held various positions at Danaher Corporation (Kollmorgen) with increasing responsibility; most recently he was Vice President and General Manager, and he also served in general management, product marketing, and manufacturing roles. Mr. Riebe has also provided management consulting to senior business leaders, and he spent the first five years of his career in engineering positions at General Motors Corporation.
Dave has a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University, a Master of Science in Mechanics from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University.
“We sell an experience… the experience of feeling at home in the kitchen. The experience of being together. That to me is what the business is about – providing that experience for families, for generations, for life.” – Dave Riebe
Kitchen Designs with Inset No Bead Cabinets
By / April 6, 2022 March 1, 2022We’ve recently had the good fortune of creating some kitchen designs with Inset No Bead Cabinets and we’re so obsessed with the results, we just had to share. Hopefully, you’ll be as inspired by these designs as we are. Let’s break down this cabinet style to discover if it’s right for you.
Design by AMS Kitchens | Allie Fackler Photography
Inset Explained
Inset doors are one of three styles you can choose for your kitchen cabinets (the other two being partial overlay and full overlay, but that’s a discussion for a different day). The inset style means that the face of the door sits flush with the cabinet frame, creating one smooth surface that requires a knob or pull to open.
Bead Explained
“Bead” in the term “beaded inset cabinets” refers to the decorative groove on the frame surrounding the cabinet door on all sides.
But, we’re talking about no bead inset cabinets today, which means the cabinet frame is smooth as you can see in the kitchen image below. No bead inset cabinets offer a cleaner, simpler look that’s more in-line with current trends.
Design by Joan Bigg Design LLC
A Perfect Match
So now that we understand what inset and bead mean separately, we can explore what the inset no bead cabinet style means as a whole. This cabinet style has historic roots, as it was widely used throughout the 1800s into the 1920s.
However, don’t be fooled into thinking your kitchen design will be transported back to the Victorian Era if you choose this cabinet style. The truth is, you can easily transport inset no bead cabinets into the 21st century by pairing them with modern design elements. Instead of looking dated, they’ll give your design just a touch of vintage and recall the luxury of old-world fine craftsmanship.
Explore Your Options
Explore our inset no bead cabinets – along with all of our other style options – by visiting our cabinet styles page. If you’re ready to get started or want to speak with one of our experts, find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you!
Cabinet Color Visualizer
By / March 1, 2022 March 20, 2023When I made a case for green kitchen cabinets this past September, I recommended displaying large paint swatches against your existing cabinets to help you select the perfect shade. And while that was good advice at the time, now there’s an even easier option.
Allow me to introduce you to the new Kountry Kraft Color Studio Cabinet Color Visualizer.
Let’s Get Acquainted
The Color Studio was designed to enhance and simplify the cabinet color selection process. Choose from 65 different paint color options to see displayed on a virtual showroom kitchen. And you can select different colors for your base, wall, and island cabinets in case you want to mix and match. That’s 195 different color combinations for you to choose from!
How Do I Use the Cabinet Color Visualizer?
The paint swatches are displayed beneath the virtual showroom kitchen so you can easily scan the colors for ones that catch your eye. When you find one you like, click on the swatch and it will flip over to reveal the color, sheen, and wood type.
As I mentioned, you can select different colors for the base, wall, and island cabinets. Select your paint color from the drop-down menu for each option, and then click the “VIEW” button. The virtual showroom kitchen will then apply your color selections so you can see what they would look like.
Click “Clear Selection” and repeat the Cabinet Color Visualizer process until you find a combination you love!
I Could Use Some More Guidance
Of course, you’re always welcome to stop by and one of our Kountry Kraft experts would be happy to help you find the perfect paint color! Find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you.
Follow us on Instagram for more design tips and paint color inspiration.
Bathroom Double Vanity Ideas
By / February 2, 2022 March 20, 2023
Would you like to transform your master bathroom into a whole new space with a brand-new aesthetic? A custom double vanity might be just the thing you’re looking for. Let’s explore some custom Bathroom Double Vanity Ideas so you can get a sense of what’s right for you.
Size Matters
Especially in design. Proportions need to be taken into account so that the space doesn’t feel too empty or too crowded. With our custom bathroom vanity designs, we can create a double vanity that fits perfectly in your bathroom – no matter how big or how small.
Sharing Isn’t Always Caring
While sharing is a virtue, it can also cause a lot of headaches if it’s part of you and your partner’s morning routine. Forget the careful coordinating of schedules and waiting for your turn in the bathroom. With a double vanity, you can both get ready at the same time without elbowing the other out of the way to rinse your mouth or look in the mirror.
And how does separate storage space sound? With a double vanity, you’ll not only have your own counter space but your own drawer space as well. Again, it’s not that you can’t share. It’s just that, well, sometimes it’s nice to not have to.
Make It Yours
One of the most popular custom bathroom vanity features we see is the built-in makeup station. Ladies love the comfortable seating, good lighting, and organized storage with easy access. Men love that they don’t have to navigate a countertop strewn with makeup, and some have even been known to use the station themselves for beard trimming.
Your options don’t stop there. We can personalize your storage by including built-in drawers of all shapes and sizes to help you manage clutter and stay organized.
Beyond Function
Bathroom vanity designs are as diverse as each homeowner and their tastes. To create a relaxing oasis, consider choosing a calming paint color such as a warm cream, peaceful green, or tranquil blue. Or, if bold is more your vibe, go with a bright, vibrant color to make your vanity a focal point of the bathroom.
Tell Us Your Needs
The beauty of custom is that it’s all about you! Find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you to start designing your custom double vanity with the support of our experts. Follow @kountrykraftcabinetry for more bathroom vanity design inspiration.
2022 Kitchen Cabinet Color Trends
By / January 5, 2022 March 18, 2023“It’s time to flip the script on kitchen cabinet color.” – 2022
We’re predicting that colored kitchen cabinets are going to explode in the coming year. After all, what better way to make your cabinets stand out than to color them against a neutral wall? Keep reading for the 2022 kitchen cabinet color trends and paint colors to keep your eye on.
Mother (Nature) Knows Best
It’s no secret that earthy, nature-inspired colors have skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years. But now, these shades are traveling off the walls and onto kitchen cabinets.
PPG and Glidden paint brands have declared two different shades of green as their top paint color of 2022 and, really, it’s not hard to see why. Green is a great choice for kitchen cabinets because it’s light enough to help open the space but still bring that warmth that can be lost with white cabinets.
Design by AMS Kitchens featuring Farrow & Ball “Cooking Apple Green” | Allie Fackler Photography
In addition, Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2022 is October Mist, Evocative of the stem of a flower, this gently shaded sage anchors and uplifts. Sherwin Williams announced their 2022 Color of the Year is Evergreen Fog SW 9130 – a versatile and calming hue, a chameleon color of gorgeous green-meets-gray, with just a bit of blue.
The forest isn’t the only source of nature designers are drawing inspiration from. Behr traveled to the beach to find its top paint color of 2022, Breezeway, a light, silvery green that mimics sea glass. Also look for cool ocean blues that bring a pop of color while still invoking the relaxing, beachy vibes.
When Life Gives You Lemons…
Paint your kitchen cabinets to match. There’s been a huge trend towards homeowners expressing their unique personality in their kitchen design, and we are HERE for the bright, joyful, bubbly person that wants their kitchen to reflect them. My advice? Go for a bright citrus shade like yellow or green that will exude positive energy.
A Nod to White
The all-white kitchen hasn’t entirely lost its hold. However, expect to see a shift towards warm, creamy whites in 2022 Kitchen Cabinet Color Trends instead of whites with cool undertones. With cool whites, it’s just too easy to miss the mark and leave your kitchen feeling cold and sterile. By choosing warm whites and incorporating other warm elements into the design, like a butcher block counter or raw edge shelves, it will make your white kitchen feel like a home again.
Find Your Shade
If the prospect of picking out your perfect paint shade seems a bit daunting, our Kountry Kraft experts are here to help! Click here to find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you.
Living Room Built-In Cabinets
By / December 1, 2021 October 26, 2021Living Room Built-In Cabinets
One of the challenges designers face is how to give their clients the catalogue-worthy living room they crave, while still making their house feel like a home. When bringing in lots of new, I always make a concerted effort to bring back some of that warmth and charm. My secret weapon? Living room built-in cabinets. There’s no easier way to add depth and character to a room. Let’s look at some of the different ways you can incorporate built-in cabinets in your living room.
Display & Storage
Whether you’re looking to add some display shelving, some hidden storage, or a combination of the two — built-in cabinets are the way to go. Installing built-in cabinets with doors along the base of a wall provides a massive amount of hidden storage. You can stop there and leave the top of the cabinets as a beautiful display area or transform them into a seating nook. Maybe you’ll even choose to install built-in open display shelving over part or all the bottom cabinets. The options are endless!
Design by A Matter of Style | Allie Fackler Photography
This built-in design has bottom cabinet storage with partial display shelving. I love the simple Chamfered Inset style complemented by the Tahoe Hybrid doors.
Standalone or Accent?
Built-in cabinets can easily be a standalone design feature, especially if you opt to cover an entire wall (or two!) with them. However, they can also act as an accent feature if you use them to frame a focal point like a fireplace, tv, or even a window.
Endless Options
Because of the nature of custom cabinets, your options are truly endless. I’m not just talking about the different combinations of display and storage cabinets. You can also think about custom shapes (hello beautiful arches), floating shelves, and accent lighting in addition to the overall style of your built-ins.
Follow us on Instagram @kountrykraftcabinetry to see more designs of living room built-in cabinets. Find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you to start designing!
Custom Closet Design Features
By / November 3, 2021 March 11, 2023Custom Closet Design Features
Maybe it says something about me that when I watch Sex and the City, I admire Carrie Bradshaw’s walk-in closet instead of her man. But then again, as Carrie said: “I like my money right where I can see it… hanging in my closet.”
Whether you’re working with a walk-in that could be its own room or with a space that’s a bit more modest, every girl deserves a closet that beautifully displays her wardrobe with organization that makes finding that perfect outfit a breeze. And with custom closet design features, you can bring that Hollywood dream to life. Let’s take a look at some of my favorites.
Display Storage
The most important thing for an organized closet is for every item to have its own dedicated spot. And for accessories like shoes and handbags, I want that spot to be visible so I can see all of my options (and revel in their beauty tbh). Cubby shelving is a great way to achieve this goal for both shoes and handbags. If you lack the space for cubby shelving, consider installing a revolving lazy-susan rack to hang your shoes.
Let Your Jewelry Shine
We all know the headache of trying to untangle a knot of jewelry that got jumbled around in the drawer. Using a jewelry organizer drawer insert will eliminate this nightmare, but I want to take it a step further. I’m in love with the idea of installing a standing jewelry armoire cabinet with a glass top that displays all of your jewelry. It gives me major princess-picking-out-her-tiara vibes.
Hidden Features
Custom pullout options are a fantastic storage solution that help hide the mess and keep your closet looking pretty. My personal favorite is the pullout hamper that hides all my dirty laundry. Another great choice is the pullout ironing board that has built-in storage and requires no setup; just pull it in and out of the drawer!
What Custom Design Features Do You Want?
The custom features I’ve listed are appealing across many demographics, but the beauty of custom is that it’s all about you! Come talk to our Kountry Kraft experts to learn about how we can meet your closet needs. Click here to find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you!
White Kitchen Cabinet Hardware Ideas
By / October 6, 2021 January 26, 2022White Kitchen Cabinet Hardware Ideas
So often, we get swept up in the “big picture” of kitchen design. Cabinets, countertops, and backsplashes get all the attention while smaller details fall to the background. That’s why today, I want to shine a spotlight on white kitchen cabinet hardware ideas.
Think of hardware as your cabinets’ accessory. In the same way that jewelry can change an entire look, so too can your cabinets’ hardware. Do you want to go bold or minimal? Modern or rustic? Let’s use the clean palette of a white kitchen design to explore my favorite kitchen hardware looks.
My Favorite Finishes
- Brushed Brass Hardware: The golden tones of this finish will help lighten and add warmth to the sterile white of your cabinets. A great way to add a little glam to your design.
Design by Martha Gargano of A Matter of Style | Photography by Allie Fackler - Oil Rubbed Bronze Hardware: This finish is perfect for rustic designs and will give you that vintage, weathered look. And the dark tones will be striking against your white cabinets.
Design by Martha Gargano of A Matter of Style | Photography by Allie Fackler - Polished Nickel Hardware: The classic. The silver color of the hardware paired with the white of the cabinets will create a sleek, modern look. Bonus: it easily pairs with stainless steel and black appliances.
Design by Stonington Cabinetry & Designs | Photography by Chris Veith Interiors
Different Styles
First question: cabinet knobs or cabinet pulls? A good rule of thumb is to use knobs when working with detailed or ornate cabinets, so things don’t get too busy. But, if you have a simpler style of cabinet, like shakers, it just comes down to preference. You can even try mixing and matching the two.
Second question: what style of knobs or pulls? Smooth, tubular pulls, or simple knobs complement the more modern look of brushed brass or polished nickel. Alternatively, if you chose oil rubbed bronze, your design is probably a bit more rustic or traditional. An antique style knob or pull with some finely detailed elements can build on this look.
Looking for More Inspiration?
Follow us on Instagram @kountrykraftcabinetry for more kitchen cabinet hardware ideas. Find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you to start designing!
A Case for Green Kitchen Cabinets
By / September 8, 2021 July 30, 2021A Case for Green Kitchen Cabinets
With more and more people looking to bring the relaxing feel of nature indoors, green kitchen cabinets
are skyrocketing in popularity. It makes us feel like we’re surrounded by lush greenery, even if we don’t
have the green thumb to keep houseplants alive. Bonus: it’s super easy to design with because it goes
with other natural elements like wood, stone, and metal.
Green in the Kitchen
A lot of people will jump on board to paint their kitchen walls green, but many will balk at the idea of green
kitchen cabinets. Why? If you love the color, why not paint the most prominent feature of the kitchen
green? If we’re using green, I say use it to its full potential. I say, go with green cabinets.
Green or Green?
Deciding on green kitchen cabinets is only step one. Step two: picking a shade.
With Kountry Kraft’s completely custom cabinets, every shade of green under the sun is available for you
to choose from. If you’re going for a softer, subtler look, consider something like a washed-out sage or
light mint color. That’s what we did for this AMS Kitchen, using Farrow & Ball’s “Cooking Apple Green.”
Or, make a statement and go bold with a deep forest green or warm olive. If you’re drawn to light and
dark shades, have the best of both worlds by going with dark green bottom cabinets and light green upper
cabinets.
I Can’t Decide!
A great tip for choosing a paint shade is to display large paint swatches against your existing cabinets so
you can get a feel for what the color will look like in that space with that lighting.
And, as always, our Kountry Kraft experts would be happy to help you find the perfect shade, whether it
be green or otherwise. Our custom cabinets offer every shade, but also every shape and size to give you
exactly what you’re looking for. Click here to find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you!
Meet the Cloffice
By / August 4, 2021 March 20, 2023
Meet the #Cloffice
With so many of us working (and schooling) from home this past year, the demand for home offices has skyrocketed. But what if you don’t have an extra room to transform? You don’t have to resign yourself to working from the kitchen table. Allow me to introduce you to a growing trend called the #Cloffice.
What Is a Cloffice?
A cloffice is any spare space in your home that has been transformed into an office. Think closets, a bare corner, space under the stairs – any nook or cranny that isn’t being used to its full potential.
Why Do I Want One?
I don’t think I have to convince anyone who’s been working/schooling from home of the benefits of a designed work space. But, if you want some more reasons…
- Adds home value.
- Facilitates work/school life and home life boundaries.
- Eliminates distractions while working, raising productivity.
- Creates a designated space for office supplies, eliminating mess around the house and helping to keep everything organized.
- Utilizes unused or underused space, meaning you don’t have to rearrange your house or sacrifice space.
How Do I Make One?
The most important aspect of any cloffice is shelving, both for decorative and functional storage purposes. (PS. We can help with that! Check out our custom office cabinets here.) Your cloffice desk probably won’t be huge, so keeping everything neatly stored away is a must.
Next, add a comfy chair and partition. You can decide for yourself the necessity of the partition, but I find it crucial to creating a separate space and eliminating distractions.
Those are the basics; now have fun decorating! There are so many ways you can style your cloffice, but it all comes down to your personal tastes and needs. I’d recommend searching #Cloffice on Pinterest to see what you like! Find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you to design a cloffice in your home.