how to get a high end look from stock cabinets

As promised, when I showed you our kitchen remodel here,

these are some of the ways I used less expensive stock cabinets to get a high end look.

 Stock cabinets mean the dimensions are standard, and the wide variety of choices

 available in semi-custom and custom cabinets are limited.

HIDDEN OFFICE/COMPUTER DESK

I created this by STACKING THREE STOCK CABINETS and had our contractor insert
 a pull out for the keyboard between the bottom two. I had it adjusted to a height that would
 allow me to use the bar stool at the island.  

For interest and function I chose mirrored mullion doors for the two top cabinets, the mirror

obscures the computer and office supplies. When ordering the cabinets I specified no glass,
 and had a local company install bronze mirror.

SIDE VIEW

I used 1/8" plywood as an end panel to conceal the cabinets.
It was painted using a paint/stain kit available for purchase from the cabinet manufacturer.

   

INTERIOR

NEATLY TUCKED AWAY!

CUSTOM LOOK REFRIGERATOR PANELS

I purchased a Kitchen Aid refrigerator (style that could accommodate custom panels)

 from the Sears Factory Outlet, it had a couple scratches which I knew wouldn't matter

 because we would be covering them up. The factory outlet sells new appliances that are

 slightly damaged at discounted prices, I kept checking back and found it about

six months prior to starting our remodel. 

  

FOR THE PANELS I ORDERED REPLACEMENT DOORS WITHOUT HINGES.

I used a 1/8" plywood cut to fit each side as the back panel, it slides in from the top.

(painted with a paint/stain kit available for purchase from the cabinet manufacturer) 

 The doors are glued to the panel.  
The total cost for this configuration of doors is $235.

ISLAND

I knew I wanted an island base of high gloss black cabinets, but it wasn't a choice the stock
 cabinet manufacturer offered. I went to my local auto body shop (unfortunately, we're
 on a first-name basis) and asked if they would be willing to spray them. It was that easy.
I had the cabinets for the island delivered directly to their shop, went by and looked
them over for any damage before they began. They did a sample for me that looked great.
We've had them for five years, they are still as beautiful as they day they were installed,
 a couple of teeny-tiny nicks you couldn't even find, that I covered with a sharpie.
I'm sorry, I can't remember how much they charged, I remember thinking they under bid!
Maybe $300 - $400?

The cabinets I used for the base are a 27", 24"- 3 drawer, 24"- 3 drawer and a 24" on an
 angle at the seating end (you can get a better idea in the photo above of the entire kitchen). 
The 27" base was initially a three drawer cabinet, I had the contractor remove the two
upper drawers and build a base for our microwave, I was able to purchase a microwave
surround kit, so it looks completely built in.
The way we angled the cabinet on the end created a small triangular shaped area that
 would have been wasted space...not happening!


I ordered a 15" door, and had our contractor build a shelf, it's perfect for my mixer and
food processor.  I included an outlet for easy access to the island. The outlet also serves
as a convenient way to use our crock pot on the island if we have a buffet set up.


I put my ruler in there for scale, you really can use every single inch of your kitchen!

For a custom look we ordered panels to cover the front and end of the island.

Whew, that is my longest post ever!
I'll share a few more details next week.
Hope you're inspired to think outside the box!


Join me at Remodelaholic for more kitchen projects here!