Design My Kitchen
By / January 13, 2016 January 13, 2016
Does this scenario sound familiar to you? You’ve spent the holidays entertaining family and friends, frustrated with your kitchen, struggling with your lack of storage, food preparation area, and serving space. Now that it’s a new year – you are making good on your resolution to treat yourself to a new kitchen. You find yourself on the internet searching Design My Kitchen – baffled with the options before you and ready to give up.
Planning a new kitchen can be an intimidating process. You may know what you need but may not be aware of the universe of possibilities that will allow you to truly maximize your space and take advantage of all the latest advancements in cabinetry and appliances. Trying to teach yourself everything you need to know can be a recipe for failure. If you find yourself wondering how to know what style of wood to choose, or what finishes will accomplish the look you wish to achieve, solicit the help of a talented kitchen designer.
Certified kitchen designers make your kitchen redesign easier for you. They can simplify the planning process and guide you carefully through the steps necessary to build the kitchen of your dreams. They are knowledgeable about all of the options available to you, and can help you decide on the cabinets, finishes, layout, and options that best fit within your budget, and match the design of your home.
Kitchen designers will develop the best possible layout using the latest in state-of-the-art kitchen planning software. They will manage all of the details behind the scenes – such as electrical needs, plumbing, carpentry, flooring, hardware, and more – to help bring your kitchen together as you have imagined. They will truly design the space – so it is not only functional but a beautiful addition to your home. They are trained professionals – with many hours of continuing education behind the designs they create.
You may be intimidated at the process of finding a designer, but it truly is simple. Search for a reputable designer in your area either by asking your friends for references, or using the tools available to you on Houzz to find a professional in your area. Make an appointment to see some of their designs, ask them for references and read reviews on Google+ or Houzz. At Kountry Kraft we believe we have the most talented group of designers available – visit our dealer locator to find a dealer near you to get on your way to your new kitchen today!
10 Point Quality Cabinetry Inspection – Kountry Kraft
By / December 31, 2015 March 20, 2023
Before any Kountry Kraft order ships to our customers it goes through a rigorous quality cabinetry inspection to ensure that it is produced according to specs and meets our strict quality guidelines. It is just one of the services we provide that many of our competitors do not offer, and it helps Kountry Kraft products stand out above the rest. Here is a detailed explanation of our inspection process over the lifetime of an order:
- All orders are inspected prior to processing and entering into manufacturing software.
- All orders are reviewed after order entry to confirm part sizes, door sizes, and floor plan dimensions.
- After all parts are cut and machined they are inspected to confirm that they are correct prior to assembly.
- After assembly all cabinets and parts are inspected to confirm they are assembled and have the correct specifications required for installation of internal parts.
- Prior to cabinets being loaded into our finishing line they are inspected to ensure they are properly sanded and all areas requiring finishing are correctly identified.
- After the initial finish is applied (stain or primer) we inspect the finish to ensure the color is correct or that the proper mills of primer have been applied.
- All product is again inspected prior to application of final top coat. In the case of glaze finishes our most experienced finishing personnel shades and/or modifies each piece to match the customer approved sample.
- After the cabinetry has all components installed (doors, drawers, pullout units, etc.), it is again inspected.
- Cabinets are then are staged in the warehouse according to the floor plans provided and are inspected to assure:
- Color consistency and matching to the color control door.
- All exposed sides are finished correctly.
- All doors and drawers work properly, and will not conflict with adjacent cabinets.
- Dimensions of the manufactured cabinetry is consistent with the floor plan
- All moldings and parts match the cabinetry.
- Before any cabinet is loaded onto the delivery truck the cabinets are accounted for and again reviewed for any quality issues.
This rigorous quality cabinetry inspection isn’t a requirement. It takes a great deal of time, but in our opinion it is time well spent. We take our track record of shipping orders 99% on time and correctly the first time very seriously, and we aim to reduce the ultimate cost of cabinetry installation for our clients by making sure our orders are error free. We feel so strongly about the quality of our cabinetry that we offer a lifetime warranty. Our 10 point quality cabinetry inspection is just one of the many ways we ensure that the cabinetry we produce lives up to the Kountry Kraft name.
Luxury Kitchen Designs
By / December 23, 2015 March 11, 2023
At Kountry Kraft we are known for high quality custom cabinetry made to spec and delivered with very few errors on-time 99% of the time. Our skilled team of craftsmen are proud of every order we produce, but occasionally we have the opportunity to produce some truly customized luxury kitchen designs that we are especially proud of. One of those is this Horizontal Grain Walnut kitchen we created for one of our top dealers, the talented Tom Kelly, at TRK Kitchen and Interior Design, with locations in Florida, Massachusetts and Maine.
Tom has been one of our valued dealers for more than 25 years, and over that time we have built some really beautiful luxury kitchen designs for him. This kitchen was created for professional architects who have a keen eye for design. The focal point of the room is the beautiful Horizontal Grain Walnut cabinetry, which is grain matched for a stunning visual effect. The horizontal grain in the cabinetry, the pulls and the tile continue the horizontal pattern, and the glass pendants play off the tile. Sub Zero, Wolf, and Miele appliances 
finish the design, adding cutting-edge functionality to the beautiful high end design of this kitchen space.
Our Skills
Many designers and dealers may not realize that Kountry Kraft has the ability to work with new and unusual materials, and we can build cabinetry that features intricate and complicated designs. We have built many truly superior custom projects over the years and are proud luxury kitchen designs we have created because they truly illustrate the broad depth of our capabilities.
Kountry Kraft values our partnership with our incredibly talented network of dealers like Tom Kelly. We enjoy the challenge of fulfilling their most custom luxury kitchen designs, and we encourage them to take advantage of our advanced capabilities. Search our dealer locator to find custom kitchen designers near you to begin creating a truly beautiful cabinetry project to enhance the beauty and function of your home.
photography by Tom Kelly
Custom Stain Matching
By / December 16, 2015 March 20, 2023
When creating a custom cabinetry plan, people often overlook the impact custom stain matching can have on the finish of their cabinets. They take great care selecting the wood and door style that most appeals to the décor of their home, but often neglect to consider how cabinet finishes such as paint, stain and glaze will enhance the overall look of their cabinetry.
Often, when adding custom cabinets to a room, there is a need to custom stain match the new cabinetry with existing cabinetry within the adjacent space. Many people don’t realize that Kountry Kraft offers custom stain matching to your existing cabinetry as an option. It’s important to us that you love your Kountry Kraft cabinetry – and to ensure your satisfaction we are willing to take the time needed to custom match the stain on your cabinet order. The better your cabinetry fits into the décor of your home, the more satisfied you will be. And a satisfied customer is a happy customer, which is important to our company. This is just one of the many services that Kountry Kraft offers that many of our competitors do not.
The process for custom stain matching on cabinetry is relatively simple for us given the skill level of all of the craftsmen here at Kountry Kraft. We will create our own mix of stain that most closely matches your existing cabinetry using our wide selection of stain colors and glazes, and can create a nearly perfect match to your existing cabinetry. Our knowledgeable designers can also suggest other solutions that will complement your existing cabinetry– such as painted wood cabinets in a coordinating color, or antiqued finishes that add depth to the room.
With Kountry Kraft, your options are only limited by your imagination. We offer custom cabinetry solutions for every room in your home, and custom stain matching is a unique service that our highly skilled kitchen design experts can offer that is not found in some other cabinet lines. At Kountry Kraft we work with you to truly bring out the design potential in your home. Check out our gallery for cabinetry design inspirations, and get started on your custom cabinet project today.
Remember When – The Evolution of Kountry Kraft
By / December 10, 2015 November 22, 2016A living legacy woven from one family’s deep commitment to remarkable craftsmanship
Early on as Elvin and Helen were establishing Kountry Kraft, they developed four guiding principles for success:
- Craft the highest quality custom product
- Kountry Kraft workshop circa 1961
- Deliver it on schedule
- Price it fairly
- Be honest, genuine and friendly
By staying true to these values in all of their dealings, Kountry Kraft soon became widely known for top level craftsmanship and impeccable service. The company soared, rapidly expanding from the small workshop in the Hurst family garage to a new 96,000 square foot facility built on the family 
farm, where the company still resides today. Elvin and Helen spent their lives running their business while raising their four children and managing an
80 acre farm.
As the company flourished over the years, two of Elvin and Helen’s four children, Elvin Hurst Jr. and Dolores Hurst-Funk worked alongside their parents to learn the business before purchasing the company from them in 2003. This experience gave them a strong desire to guide our company into the future. Elvin Jr. and Dee continue to operate the company today with a staff of over 100 skilled craftsmen who have over 1500 years of combined experience.
Today, Kountry Kraft’s technologies and systems are kept current to ensure efficiency and accuracy in order processing, design and accounting. To maintain a focus on detail and craftsmanship, the factory is tooled with the newest and most accurate industry equipment such as computerized panel saws, dovetailing machines, pneumatic assembly systems, and the latest in high-quality finishing equipment.
For over 55 years Kountry Kraft has experienced steady growth due in large part to our commitment to quality. We are proud of our company heritage – starting with our first Craftsman saw – which still stands in the lobby of the company today as a testament to the value of hard work and craftsmanship that withstands the test of time.
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Remember When: The Humble Beginnings of Kountry Kraft
By / December 2, 2015 February 22, 2023
It All
Started With A Saw
In our last blog post, we discussed the challenges Elvin and Helen Hurst had to overcome to launch their own cabinetry business in 1959. But the humble beginnings of Kountry Kraft are a great holiday story reminiscent of The Gift of the Magi –a tale of how a thoughtful gift can make a huge difference in many lives and become the impetus for something big.
Once we started telling our story it gained momentum, and when the folks at the Sears Craftsman Club heard about it, they clearly agreed. We are thrilled to say they liked it so much it is featured in this month’s Craftsman Club blog. Click here to read more about how Helen Hurst’s thoughtful Christmas gift opened up a path success for the Hurst family and the hundreds of skilled craftsmen who work here at Kountry Kraft – and created a pioneering business in the custom cabinetry industry.
The Future of Custom Cabinetry
The Hurst Family has a lasting commitment to hard work and fair business, and in next week’s blog we’ll follow the explosive growth of their custom cabinetry company over the past 50 years, and tell you about the 2nd and 3rd generation of our family members who are running the company today.
Interested in custom painted cabinets for your kitchen, wet bar, or other space in your home? Get started by finding a Kountry Kraft dealer near you!
Remember When: The Beginnings of the Custom Cabinet Maker
By / November 27, 2015 March 20, 2023
The Legacy of Kountry Kraft – The Beginnings of the Custom Cabinet Maker
Kountry Kraft was founded in 1959 – when the cabinetry industry itself was still in its infancy. Prior to the 1950s, there truly was not a custom cabinetry industry to speak of. At that time, it was common for homes to come with standard kitchen cabinetry constructed by home builders. These cabinets were simple and often framed against the kitchen walls without a back. They were commonly made of metal or wood, and were rarely found in any other room besides the kitchen. There were no custom options, and rarely did the homeowner have a choice of wood or style. Cabinets were simply viewed as a part of home construction.
When Elvin and Helen Hurst decided to launch their own custom cabinetry company, there really was no road map to follow. No large cabinetry companies to model after. Not only were they selling cabinetry, they were selling the CONCEPT of custom cabinetry to builders and homeowners who had never thought about cabinets as an option or feature to their home. It was risky – Elvin and Helen were truly pioneers of the cabinetry industry – forging a path not many had traveled before.
But there were more hurdles in their way as they launched the business. Not only were they new business owners, with all the challenges that new business ventures present, they were also breaking the farming tradition of their Mennonite community, where everyone was expected to farm as their profession. Their choice to launch a business other than farming truly challenged common thinking – and their choice was questioned by those who knew them.
Regardless of the challenges, Elvin and Helen were committed to launching their business. Elvin had amazing woodworking skills and there was great demand among their friends and family for his hand-crafted cabinetry. They had a smart business plan and a philosophy that allowed them to stay true to their Mennonite roots of hard work and impeccable quality. They were smart and could see that their model would succeed. And it was with this in mind that Elvin and Helen launched Kountry Kraft in their family garage – the beginning of a legacy.
Stay tuned next week for part 2 in our Legacy of Kountry Kraft series
For more information about our company heritage, visit the Experience Kountry Kraft page on our website. Follow us on Instagram and like our Facebook page for design inspiration!
Kountry Kraft Custom Cabinetry – Quality Construction
By / November 18, 2015 March 20, 2023Why We Dovetail Our Boxes
At Kountry Kraft, we take our commitment to producing high quality custom cabinets very seriously. We employ skilled craftsmen who collectively have 1500 combined years of experience and their expertise is evident in the fine details that can be found in every one of our products. We consistently produce custom cabinetry that our customers love, that is delivered on time and to spec 99% of the time. We are so committed to quality that we offer a lifetime warranty.
One of the features that we include on our cabinetry that is often overlooked is the dovetail of our cabinet boxes. Dovetailing is a finishing touch that helps keep cabinetry strong, and it is a testament to fine craftsmanship. Not only does dovetailing keep your cabinetry more secure, it also looks beautiful. Dovetailing creates an extremely strong joint between two pieces of wood, making a stronger bond that can withstand heavy use. Most people don’t even know to ask about dovetailing, but to us it’s an absolute requirement.
Many cabinet manufacturers don’t go through the added work and expense to dovetail, and in many cases dovetailing is only found on the cabinet drawers. Here at Kountry Kraft, not only do we dovetail our drawers, but we also dovetail our cabinet boxes – something that is rarely seen in the industry. Dovetailing isn’t easy – it requires a great deal of skill and experience to do it correctly. For the skilled craftsmen at Kountry Kraft it’s no trouble. We have an entire line in our production process dedicated to dovetailing – and the work is done right – every time.
Our Commitment to Quality Construction
It’s just like us here at Kountry Kraft not to make a big deal about our dovetailing. We just consider it part of the process of producing cabinetry the right way – with great attention to detail. But truly – it is a big deal – and is one of the many reasons why you will find our cabinets still looking like new in homes 25 years later. It’s why high end kitchen designers turn to us to private label cabinets for them. And it’s why we’ve been successful for more than 50 years.
At Kountry Kraft we credit our success to staying true to the four guiding principles on which my parents Elvin and Helen Hurst founded our company: craft the highest quality custom cabinetry; deliver on schedule every time; price it fairly; and be honest, genuine and friendly. Dovetailing our cabinet boxes is one small part in the process of producing our high quality cabinetry – but it is a detail we are committed to continuing as a service to our customers.
Click here for more information about the quality craftsmanship of Kountry Kraft cabinets. To find a dealer near you, visit the dealer locator on our site. For great ideas for integrating custom cabinetry into your home, visit our Houzz idea books. We have a strong commitment to uphold our family legacy of high quality and excellent service – and invite you to experience the Kountry Kraft difference.
Custom Bars and Custom Bar Cabinets For Your Home
By / November 11, 2015 March 11, 2023Creating entertainment space in your home is a great way to enhance your family’s together time, build memories and cultivate a place to relax and unwind. Custom bars make a great addition to any home, providing a gathering space, additional storage, and a designated entertainment area your whole family can enjoy.
Redesigning an existing space to incorporate custom bar cabinets is a great idea to enhance the functionality and value of your home. You can gather around your custom bar with friends and family during holiday celebrations or family parties. Do you enjoy hosting a group of friends to watch the Superbowl, World Series or a NASCAR Race? Custom bars make an ideal place to serve snacks and beverages while you all watch the latest sporting events. Do you often entertain a houseful of guests for family holiday celebrations? You can gather around your custom bar during your next holiday party, freeing up your kitchen space to prepare your family meal.
Adding custom bar cabinets to your home will also provide you with space to store bar service ware like beer mugs, wine glasses, extra pitchers, platters and bowls. This frees up space in your kitchen, and helps keep your cabinets organized. Custom bars can also be outfitted with a lock and key and used to store liquor away from children, thus enhancing the safety of your home. Adding a refrigerator or wine cooler to your bar area will keep your adult beverages cold, and will keep your family refrigerator free of clutter.
Design Options for Custom Bars
At Kountry Kraft, we can help you create a custom entertainment area that will suit your needs. Our custom bar cabinets come in a variety of wood species and finishes, and can be designed to match the style of your home. We also offer many accessories to keep custom bars organized, including hanging glass racks, bottle storage and sink cutouts – the possibilities are endless!
Custom bars and bar cabinets will create a unique space in your home to entertain your family and friends. With Kountry Kraft custom cabinetry, every corner of your home can carry your style and express your individuality, while providing functionality and storage.
Visit our Pinterest page for images of bars we have for our customers and view our gallery of home entertainment options for some design inspiration. When you’re ready to build your own custom bar, click here to find a Kountry Kraft dealer near you!
Escape to Inner Peace with Custom Bathroom Cabinets from Kountry Kraft
By / October 28, 2015 March 20, 2023
Designer: Roger Yiengst | Kountry Kraft, Inc. | Newmanstown, PA
Your bathroom should be an oasis in your home. It provides an essential beginning to each successful day and a candlelit retreat in the evening to unwind and reflect. You want your bathroom to be a place to escape – with a spa-like atmosphere that offers relaxation and peace. Having a versatile bathroom, with custom bathroom cabinets designed specifically to keep everything you need in order is vital to finding and maintaining inner peace.
Bathroom Cabinets by Kountry Kraft | Options
Many people don’t realize the multitude of options available to help customize a bathroom to suit their personal style. Custom vanities not only offer storage for first aid and beauty supplies, but they can include really unique options based on your personal habits. Outlets can be built into vanity drawers to help manage the tangled cords from blow dryers and flat irons. Heated towel bars and radiant floor heating can keep you warm on cold winter days. TVs built into your mirror can help you find out today’s weather, or catch up on the morning news before heading to work. The possibilities are endless.
Custom bathroom cabinets can also be grouped together to create a custom linen closet to fit all your towels, sheets and other linens. Groups of custom bathroom cabinets can be place together to fill odd shaped space and maximize storage.
Gone are the days when a medicine cabinet held all your needs. Today, families look for custom cabinets that will store their personal care supplies like soap and lotion, hair care and makeup. An organized bathroom with the right custom bathroom cabinets can keep clutter to a minimum and enhance the relaxing atmosphere of your bathroom space.
Designer: Roger Yiengst | Kountry Kraft, Inc. | Newmanstown, PA
A properly planned bathroom can create a spa-like experience for you and your family. Our design team is great in choosing the right combination of custom bathroom cabinets and custom vanities to provide you not only with the storage you need, but the style and atmosphere you are looking to cultivate in your home.
Contact a Kountry Kraft dealer now to begin planning the bathroom of your dreams.