Ask the Expert Series. Custom Cabinetry: Q & A, what you should know!
I've been so excited to share this post about custom cabinetry because I get so many questions about it with there being so many people building & remodeling right now! And Deron of Deco Design is such an expert on this topic, so I'm super thrilled to be sharing his input on custom cabinets and what you should know. I also asked him a bit more about his company and how they do things. As you probably know by now, I worked with Deron on my own home and love his skill in artistry and craftsmanship. I'll include photos in this post that are from my own home and also other Deco Design projects. The thought, planning and craftsmanship that goes into these beautiful cabinets is easily evident! I highly recommend Deron and Deco Design. Cabinets are simply not an area where you should try and cut corners. Plus, Deco Design is competively priced too, which means you can get an incredible product without overspending! I'll let the expert do the rest of the talking! Keep reading for helpful insight from Deron and let me know what your favorite details are from his work!
cabinetry by Deco Design, design by House of Jade Interiors, photo by Travis J Photography
Q: How would you define custom cabinetry and how does it differ from say, Ikea cabinets?A: In today’s market where everyone is busy and the cabinet makerindustry is flooded with small 1 or 2 man shops, most of which cameabout after the last economy dip when the bigger shops went under,it’s hard to know who is really custom. They all seem to advertisethat they are. I think a lot of cabinet makers believe custom simplymeans that there are no set sizes when it comes to boxes. That’ssomething you would find if you went to ikea or Home Depot, Lowe’setc. These warehouse vendors are sure to have a 24” 30” 36” and soforth cabinet, but maybe you need a 27 1/2” and don’t want to end upwith 5” filler. So basically they’re just selling boxes and filling aspace, much like a UPS truck loader that places different size boxesinto the trailer to fill the space with no rhyme or reason other thanthey fit. So the logic behind a lot of shops offering “custom”cabinetry is that there are no set sizes. I guess that’s great and wedo that too, we’ll build whatever size we need to to make things fitproperly. That I think is the key phrase to truly custom. Not onlyoffering custom sizes but being able to incorporate balance, greatdesign and function, and some artistic sense so that you don’t feelyou’re looking at a wall of doors with some crown molding. Each job wedo no matter how big or small presents it’s own set of challenges whencoming up with the design. First and foremost for me is balance.Looking at the jobs I have done I think most people can easily seethere’s something unique or different. I take the time to make thingsequal out and balance. When you combine that with our unique buildingstyle that is constantly being tweaked, my artist background, ouryears of experience outside of cabinetry as painters, carpenters,doing drywall, flooring and general remodeling..it really is theexperience that makes us truly custom. We understand the other piecesof the puzzle that go into a home so that makes our job easier toensure your cabinets come out not only perfect but also exactly whatyou imagined or more. We do things properly.
image from Deco Design website, Eden Library
Q: For a new home build, at what point in the process would the homeowner want to meet with you for custom cabinetry?A: On a new home build I have always said that the earlier the betterfor us to meet with the client. I love when clients bring me plansbefore they’ve even started digging. House plans are drawn byarchitects not cabinet designers, so naturally I’m going to changesome things. The sooner I can have that design done the better for theclient so that once they start doing the mechanical work for 4 way,plumbers, electricians, and even hvac can adjust to the design ifneeded. This unfortunately is not always the case. I regrettably turndown a lot of new homes because they’ve already started drywall and sochanges are out of the question and that’s usually when I need to beinto my build process... not starting a design.
image from Deco Design website, Eden Family Room
Q: What sets your process apart from other cabinet makers?A: I think what sets us apart from other cabinet makers is the verypersonal touch that you get. I become friends with all my clients,that relationship builds trust and something that’s very important tome. I typically come to meet with you to measure and discuss design,but beyond that I don’t have a showroom that I try to sell you on.Like I mentioned earlier, every job and design is different andunique. Our build style and process is also very unique. I won’tdisclose all my secrets, but we don’t build the same way other shopsdo. Once I’ve worked for you you’ll see the difference. One detail Iwill share is that we offer a way to do panels and trim that create aflush inset feel without the huge mark up in price. I also think ourprices have stayed very competitive regardless of what the market isdoing. I’ve always felt longevity is the key to a successful business.If the only thing the client remembers is the exorbitant price theypaid that won’t bring referrals or future work. For a business thathas never relied on advertising referral work is mandatory. Our needfor perfection is the last key ingredient and that comes from an ownerwith OCD that designs, builds, sprays, installs and takes part inevery piece that leaves my shop. That is the way to guaranteeperfection.
cabinetry by Deco Design, design by House of Jade Interiors, photo by Travis J Photography
Q: Are there any limitations with custom cabinetry? Or can you do just about anything?To me, the word custom means there are no limitations. I embrace newchallenges and feel they’re a great way to expand our portfolio. We sofar haven’t been met with any challenge we couldn’t conquer, whetherit’s a particular style or a custom finish or color, we’re up for thechallenge..and rarely come across something we haven’t done.
Q: Do you just do local cabinetry? What is your range of service?While most of our work stretches from Davis to Utah county, we havedone work in Logan, Bear Lake, Cedar City, Jackson Hole, Park City,Heber, St George, Las Vegas, California, Arizona... so yeah, we’lltravel if it works for both us and the client.
cabinetry by Deco Design, design by House of Jade Interiors, photo by Travis J Photography
