Malvern Custom Kitchen Remodel by KT Highland
By / November 6, 2023 November 6, 2023Transitional kitchen designs have become exceedingly popular in recent years because they bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary aesthetics, striking a beautiful balance that appeals to a wide range of tastes. This Malvern custom kitchen remodel near Philadelphia, PA by Jean M. Buchen, CKD of KT Highland offers the perfect case study to explore the staples of transitional kitchen design.
Neutral Color Palette
Transitional kitchens tend to feature neutral color palettes centered around various shades of white, gray, and beige. These chic and timeless colors imbue the space with elegance and sophistication while also serving as a versatile backdrop for other elements.
This Malvern custom kitchen remodel features a striking two-tone cabinet design. Lamp Room Gray paint gives the wall cabinets a fresh look while the richly stained Natural Walnut peninsula offers a subtle nod to more traditional design. Combined, the two tones create a beautiful contrast that immediately captures the eye and brings this custom kitchen to life.
Simple, Clean Lines
Transitional kitchens often showcase simple, clean lines and avoid excessive ornamentation. This minimalist approach helps create a streamlined look that’s easy on the eye. For example, this Malvern custom kitchen remodel features shaker cabinets and a white subway tile backsplash. The lines created by both of these elements—effortlessly beautiful in their simplicity—naturally encourage the eye to progress through the room, drawing you into the kitchen. They also allow you to focus on the granite countertops, a true showstopper element that would be overwhelmed by more ornate pairings.
State-of-the-Art Appliances
Appliances are one area that transitional kitchens do NOT reference the past. Many opt for sleek stainless-steel appliances that are as modern in function as they are in look. That’s exactly the route that the homeowners of this Malvern custom kitchen remodel decided to go, incorporating stainless-steel appliances from both LG and Viking. Complementary nickel cabinet hardware provides the seamless link that ties the appliances into the rest of the design.
Kountry Kraft Custom Kitchens
Kountry Kraft is proud to work with a wide array of partners to bring you beautiful custom kitchen remodels wherever you are! Find a dealer near you to get started!
For a deeper dive into this Malvern Custom Kitchen Remodel by KT Highland, check out our project photo gallery.
White and Gray Kitchen in Orange County CA
By / July 3, 2023 July 3, 2023This white and gray kitchen in Orange County, CA is the stunning result of a full remodel by Le Gourmet Kitchen and Bruce Colucci, CKD. Check out how they transformed this 1950s kitchen with a new floor plan and custom inset cabinetry by Kountry Kraft.
Tackling the Layout
The first major step of this Orange County, CA kitchen remodel was tackling the outdated, closed off floor plan. As shown in the “before” photo, the original kitchen used to be much smaller and separate from the dining and living rooms. The removal of several walls completely changed all of these spaces, creating a “great room” for the homeowners to entertain in.
Plus, the kitchen doesn’t just feel larger; it actually is! Opening up the floor plan allowed Le Gourmet Kitchen to expand the size of the kitchen and include the beautiful island that sits front and center in the design.
Designing Custom Cabinetry
While the layout change was certainly transformative, it’s impossible to understate the impact of the custom white and gray inset cabinets by Kountry Kraft. The white perimeter cabinets emphasize the kitchen’s newfound openness while the gray island cabinets play spectacularly off of the stainless steel appliances and chrome fixtures. Not to mention, the inset style brings a touch of timeless elegance to the otherwise modern design.
Committing to Quality
Le Gourmet Kitchen knows that it’s never a good idea to skimp on quality to save a buck upfront because it’ll end up costing more down the road. That’s why they’re committed to only working with trusted, reliable brands. Kountry Kraft is proud to be Le Gourmet Kitchen’s preferred cabinet partner for the last 30 years and to stand alongside their other trusted brands—Sub Zero, Wolf, and Cove; Create Good Sinks; and Vent-A-Hood.
Love this White and Gray Orange County Kitchen?
Create your own version with custom inset cabinets by Kountry Kraft! Contact one of our design experts today to learn how we can tailor them to your exact space. Follow Kountry Kraft on Instagram and like our Facebook page for more kitchen remodel inspiration!
Cabinet Upgrades During Renovation
By / July 6, 2022 May 23, 2022Did the halfway marker for 2022 sneak up on anyone else? I feel like the year has flown by! On the bright side, we now have enough dataㅡgraciously collected and reported by the 2022 US Houzz Kitchen Trends Studyㅡto discern the year’s hottest kitchen trends. The big takeaway? 65% of renovating homeowners replaced all their kitchen cabinets. Let’s explore these cabinet upgrades during renovation.
Replace Kitchen Cabinets
About two in three homeowners replaced all of their kitchen cabinets. Compound that with 29% of homeowners choosing various degrees of partial cabinet replacement and the result is that 94% chose to upgrade their cabinets as part of their kitchen renovation.
That’s a staggering number, but not wholly unexpected. Kitchen cabinets are one of the biggest visual elements of a kitchen design, and arguably the most important functional element too. It makes sense that homeowners gave them their due attention.
Going Custom
With so many homeowners deciding that replacing kitchen cabinets was worth the investment, it makes sense that they made sure they got exactly what they wanted. 43% of homeowners chose custom cabinetry, with an additional 35% selecting semi-custom cabinets so that they fit each unique space perfectly. Only 21% chose stock or ready-to-assemble cabinets.
Replacement Styles & Color
Trends in style and color didn’t change much in 2022. Shaker style doors dominated again with 64% of homeowners selecting this style. White was also clearly the favorite cabinet color again, bringing in 41% of the vote. An interesting note though: if you combine the wood tones, they make up 19% of the vote, meaning nearly 1 in 5 homeowners opted for wood cabinets.
2022 Isn’t Over Yet
There’s still time to start your 2022 kitchen renovation and get in on these trends! Replacing kitchen cabinets and countertops is a big deal, so visit a Kountry Kraft dealer near you and our experts will help walk you through the design process. Follow @kountrykraftcabinetry for more kitchen design inspiration.
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!
2021’s Love Affair with Kitchen Cabinet Upgrades
By / April 14, 2021 March 31, 2021With the pandemic causing so many people to spend increased time at home, kitchen renovations have soared. And, unsurprisingly, cabinetry is a central focus. An astonishing 94% of homeowners renovating their kitchen performed some form of kitchen cabinet upgrades, with 63% of them opting to replace the cabinets entirely. Let’s see what kind of inspiration we can glean from these emerging cabinetry trends.

Partial Upgrades
For the 31% homeowners who chose partial cabinetry upgrades, space was a huge factor. 28% of this group added some form of new cabinetry, which represents an increase of nearly 400% from 2020. Others decided to focus on aesthetic, choosing to either refinish the cabinet exteriors or replace only the cabinet doors. This approach is a great way to update the look of your kitchen without cutting too deep into your budget.
Full ReplacementÂ
As I mentioned before, a whopping 63% of kitchen remodelers chose to fully replace their cabinets to create the right look and storage for their families. And, they increasingly chose to consult with professionals for help making their kitchen more functional, usually maintaining the same layout and square footage.
Cabinetry heavily contributes to the functionality of your kitchen and can be the difference between easy and nightmare storage. For example, have you ever wanted waffles, but refused to unpack half of your cabinet to get the seldom-used waffle maker out? You didn’t have waffles that morning, did you? Now imagine if you could simply open a door and get that waffle maker out. That’s the difference the right cabinets can make.
If You Need Advice…
We at Kountry Kraft would love to be the professionals that you reach out to for help picking the right kitchen cabinet upgrades for your home.  Let’s get started! Find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you.
#KountryKraft #KitchenCabinetUpgrades
Exploring Inset and Full Overlay Cabinet Doors
By / February 8, 2021 March 20, 2023Style and function are the two big factors people consider when they think about cabinets. However, you may not realize that the way you choose to install your cabinet doors will have a large impact on both. Let’s explore two installation methods so you can decide what’s right for your home: inset and full overlay cabinet doors.
Inset

Inset doors are designed to sit flush with the cabinet frame. In other words, the cabinet and the doors (excluding hardware) will be one smooth surface when the doors are closed. The frame will be fully visible.
Pros: This style of door offers a clean, high-end look that is generally accompanied by superior quality since it requires greater skill to install. It also helps guard against damaged doors since they’re encased in the frame when closed, making the corners harder to nick.
Cons: However, inset doors are more expensive because of that necessary installation know-how. They also provide the least storage room since the doors are flush with the frame. Highly humid climates can cause wood to expand, leaving inset doors susceptible to sticking and the finish wearing off in tight spots.
Full Overlay

Full overlay doors sit on top of the cabinet frame as opposed to within it. They’re designed extra-large to cover the entire frame, offering a similar smooth look to inset doors but with none of the frame visible.
Pros: This style of door also offers a clean, high-end look but is easier to install, making it more affordable. It also offers a bit more storage space since the doors are situated on top of the frame.
Cons: The downside to full overlay doors is that they may show signs of wear more quickly since the door corners aren’t protected.
Reflections
As with any choice, both options have their pros and cons. Consider them carefully to decide which style is right for you. Although, in the end, it’s hard to see how you could go wrong with either!
If you need help exploring inset and full overlay cabinet doors, you may contact us or use our dealer locater to find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you!
#KountryKraft #CustomCabinets #CustomCabinetry
Designing a Kitchen that Instagram Loves
By / January 18, 2021 February 24, 2023Furniture, Lighting and Décor recently wrote an article that explores the trends of a kitchen that garner the most likes on Instagram. Here are the most important trends to feature in your kitchen if you want Instagram users to hit that like button:
- Shaker kitchen cupboards
- Wooden floors
- White cupboards & flowers/plants
- Kitchen island
- Brass door handles & marble countertops
Now, don’t think you have to cram every trend into your kitchen design in order to get a lot of likes. It’s never worth it to force something that doesn’t fit. But, the most popular kitchens on Instagram did all contain various combinations of these trends, with the number one kitchen featuring all but two of these elements. The more of these trends that you can cohesively blend, the more likes you’ll probably get.

A Starting Point
Shaker kitchen cupboards are a great base to build your design around because out of all the top kitchen posts, they were featured a whopping *92.6% of the time. While they’re a highly traditional style, shaker cupboards are only growing in popularity. It’s clear that people love this look.
Supporting Trends
Wooden floors are the second biggest trend, in 74% of the top posts analyzed. White cupboards and flowers/plants are both in third place, with each of them being in 70.4% of the top posts. White walls were also a big hit, suggesting that people love white kitchens in general. Kitchen islands were featured in 51.9% of the top posts, while brass door handles and marble countertops were both featured in 44.4% of the top posts.
No matter how you combine these trends, they’re sure to help your kitchen design become “Insta-worthy!”
*All percentages rounded to the nearest tenth.
#KountryKraft #CustomCabinets #CustomCabinetry
2021 Kitchen Cabinet Trends
By / December 28, 2020 December 28, 2020Nothing defines the look and feel of your cooking space quite like your cabinets, which is why many of trends for the new year focus on kitchen cabinets. From pops of color to floor-to-ceiling storage to the triumphant return of warm-tone woods, here are 2021 kitchen cabinet trends.
Colorful Cabinets

2021 is bound to be bright with the colorful cabinet trend. Balance the boldness of the bright color of your choice with a neutral backsplash, countertop, or wall color. Also, a major color trend this year are warmer color palettes, like creamy yellows and sage greens.
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Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinets

In 2020, many of us embraced our inner chef while spending more time at home. During this time, you may have noticed keeping tools and gadgets organized is key to a functional kitchen. Thus, the trend for floor-to-ceiling cabinets, where storage feels endless, and organization is celebrated.
Glass Front Cabinet Doors

Glass front cabinet doors create an airy feel in a kitchen and a stage to show off your favorite items. From coffee mugs to your grandmother’s heirloom china, glass front doors can be incorporated into nearly any kitchen design.
Warm Wood Cabinets

Warm wood finished cabinets return this year, but with a twist. Keep the look up to date by incorporating contemporary finishes within a sleek, clean design. Another popular way to incorporate warm woods is by adding wood accents, like a range hood or floating shelves.
Integrated Appliances
Integrated appliances with fronts that match the surrounding cabinets create an all-in-one look that we are loving this year. The appliances most often integrated are the refrigerator and dishwasher.
For more 2021 kitchen cabinet trends, follow @kountrykraftcabinetry on Instagram.
Interested in updating your kitchen cabinets? Click here to find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you!
#KountryKraft #CustomCabinetry #CustomCabinets #2021KitchenCabinetTrends #2021CabinetTrends
Custom Pantry Ideas
By / October 8, 2020 March 17, 2023While the kitchen is the heart of the home, the pantry is the storehouse of the kitchen. Pantries are the backbone to the preparation of any meal and gives ingredients a place to live. Like all hardworking spaces, it can be challenging to keep your pantry organized, especially while spending more time at home. However, we have found that when the pantry is built for your family’s needs and to fit the design of your space, it is easier to keep it organized. Gather inspiration from our custom pantry ideas.
Decorative Pantry
Decorative pantries are a dream. Not only are they beautiful and appealing to the kitchen design surrounding them, they are completely functional. Thomas R. Kelly of TRK Design Company designed a pantry in this kitchen to feature a grand barn door. Whenever the pantry is not in use, ingredients and other items in the pantry can be covered with the beautiful door that enhances the aesthetic of the kitchen it lives in.

PKsurroundings designed this pantry featuring by-pass doors with metal mesh inserts. When closed, the metal detailing on the doors adds texture to the kitchen design. The by-passing doors make it easy to quickly grab the ingredients you need and put them right back after using them, keeping the space completely organized and therefore, making meals a lot easier.
Built-In Pantry
Built-in pantries are fantastic because they rarely take up room in the kitchen. They are typically designed to cleverly make use of a wall that would otherwise be bare. Kountry Kraft designed this pantry to be built into the hallway next to the kitchen in this home. The pantry doors were crafted to match the rest of the cabinetry in the kitchen to create a holistic feel.
Walk-In Pantry
Some may be more excited about a walk-in pantry versus a walk-in closet, and we don’t blame them! If you desire to minimize your cabinetry footprint, walk-in pantries are the biggest storage space you can incorporate. The opportunity for organization is endless. Kountry Kraft designed this walk-in pantry to feature two large doors that match the kitchen cabinets.
Corner Pantry

You may be thinking, “My kitchen doesn’t have room for a pantry,” but think again! The beauty of custom cabinetry is that it can be designed and crafted specifically for your home’s corners, nooks, and crannies. Stonington Cabinetry & Designs took the corner of this kitchen and made it a snack pantry, as well as a beverage center. The cabinetry matches the rest of the kitchen, so when closed, you don’t even know the pantry is there. Deep, wood pull out drawers make it easy to organize snacks, spices and more.
Are you interested in incorporating any of these custom pantry ideas into your home? Find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you and get started designing today! Follow @kountrykraftcabinetry on Instagram for daily inspiration.
#KountryKraft #CustomCabinetry #CustomCabinets #CustomPantryIdeas #PantryIdeas