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Renovating my Housewhite kitchens

My Kitchen Cabinets are in – Next the Countertops

By 06/16/2012August 8th, 201745 Comments

My cabinets were delivered on Thursday afternoon. When Richard from Quality Cabinets arrived to install them on Friday I had a question for him.

I have seen so many half finished kitchens with the boxes installed without the doors, I half expected mine to arrive the same way because I thought maybe that was normal.

Richard said Mike NEVER delivers a kitchen without the doors. He says he’s worked for many cabinet companies and a lot of them do install the doors later because they are usually more expensive than the actual cabinets (boxes) themselves (they wait to collect more money) and sometimes they don’t even measure for the doors until after the boxes are installed.

He said when you do it this way it can be weeks before the doors actually get installed, maybe you even had this same experience with your kitchen?

Here they are, ready to go in. My entire kitchen was installed in one day by Richard.

Here’s what my new pantry wall looked like before.

White Cabinets by Quality Cabinet.ca

And here it is after. Countertops can’t even be measured until after the cabinetry is in so that’s going to happen next. I love the 3″ shaker doors.

We are used to a kitchen that has one dog dish light in the ceiling so walking into a kitchen with this much light is so amazing! Sorry my images are a little fuzzy, it’s raining here this morning when I took the pictures.

Here’s a view of the island. I love the furniture detail.

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These are my knobs. I think every time you touch your kitchen hardware (because it’s constant) you should think “I love these“.

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I was going to install these cup pulls but when they arrived, some of the chrome around the edges was already looking chipped and old so I sent them back and I’m going to choose a chrome one instead.

When selecting your kitchen hardware, I think a combination of pulls and knobs looks the best and like a designer was there. The only exception to this might be in a very modern kitchen (below).

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So our kitchen is still outside since we need countertops, that’s one good thing about the awning that goes almost half the length of the house over the patio since we live in a rainforest.

Related posts:

White Kitchen Cabinets: Advice for my Sister

5 Steps to a Kitchen You will Love

Quality Cabinets: Maria’s New White Kitchen

Download my eBook, to learn how to fix undertones that are wrong! How to Choose Paint Colours: It’s All in the Undertones.

If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk in, contact me.

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45 Comments

  • Oh, Maria, that looks just fantastic! I know you are sooooo excited. Love the furniture detailing at the base of the cabinets and the island. It’s so pretty. YAY!!!

  • Bert says:

    Looking beautiful, Maria. Looking forward to seeing the end result. (I am also waiting for my countertops to be delivered…another 2 weeks.)

  • Tawna Allred says:

    They look wonderful. I also love the furniture detail n the bottom of the island! So happy for you…..

  • Louise says:

    Fabulous!

  • Mary says:

    You must be giddy!!!
    Did you start loading them up right away? I would have, just to get all the boxes of my things unpacked.
    And are you cabinets painted the same white as your trim?

  • Angela N says:

    So pretty!! We are building a new home and I am going with a white shaker cabinet as well. So fun to see your kitchen done a few months before mine will be. I am sure I will be using yours as inspiration!

  • Marlo says:

    They look fantastic! I too love the 3″ shaker doors and the knobs are like little precious jewels.

    Good tip about loving the knobs we choose; somethimes it doesn’t get as much importance during the selection process.

  • TracyB says:

    My favorite piece is the island. Love the furniture style you choose! Very cool!

  • Maria! it looks beautiful! I knew it would! I am sooo excited for you! Love the furniture details! That island is the bomb!!!

  • Looks great Maria! You are going to love cooking in your new kitchen.
    !

  • Louise says:

    Love the new look. Are you putting in another wall oven? We are just now (2 yrs after redoing our kitchen) in the process of looking for another wall oven (old one done only after 12 yrs). You would think that cabinets and wall ovens would remain fairly constant but noooooooo. So here we are with a 27″ oven and twenty-four inch deep cabinet with narry a new oven that will fit, ahhhhhhhhhh. Plus the expense!You can buy a farily high priced full stove for the same cost as a wall oven – next time……..

  • Saemma says:

    The 3 inch is indeed very very nice for a full sized kitchen!

  • Gorgeous, Maria. And thanks for the tip about the knobs and pulls. Never thought it would make that much difference to change them up. When I repaint my existing cabinets and replace the Colonial hardware, I’ll be keeping that advice in mind

  • carol jane says:

    Maria, I love the white cabinets. Beautiful. What is the wood you went with? Love love the island. I would kill for an island like that. Cant wait to see it all finished.

  • Linda says:

    Loved the knobs so much…I have been looking for some for the day we paint. Our cabinets are also shaker style. How much were these? I would like a general idea before i go tracking them down to order from a business. The vendor does not sell to individuals according to the website. Looking forward ot seeing your new kitchen when it is done!

  • Samah says:

    Wow, I wasn’t expecting to see it so put together.
    It took my breath away when I saw the after photo.
    Love the moldings and the lighting. You finally get your white kitchen!!! Yay! Well deserved.

  • debbiecz says:

    So happy to see progress on your new home but amazed at how clean everything is. Either you run about like a maniac before every shot or your contractor is worth his weight in gold! Or both?! New Question…what’s your opinion on corner cabinets? I have a long kitchen with two deep corners. I’m considering renovating but these corners bother me so much I can’t move on anything else. I peruse every picture because you are the decorating angel sitting up on my shoulder…”what would Maria do”?

  • Tess says:

    Gorgeous Maria.
    SO jealous! Sadly, I now KNOW that I have pinky beige countertops (yuck). Alas, the soapstone we want will have to wait, as will painting my kitchen cabinets white. What a great day that will be though.

    I will live vicariously (sp?) through you until then! 😉 T

  • Beth says:

    When we had our kitchen remodeled 8 years ago everything (not just cabinets) was on site before the job began but the doors were installed after hanging but the same day to prevent any possible mishaps.

    I asked if the shaker doors could be modified – doubled for a 4.5″ frame (stiles/rails) instead of the standard 2″ (or was it 2.25?) and the center panel be inset only 1/8″. It’s contemporary, maybe a bit of Japanese feel, at least according to a neighbor from Japan.

    Not working in color/design at the time, I would have done some things differently (floors/counters!) but I love the cabinet doors. BTW, I hate the stainless appliances but there’s nothing that’s come round the pike yet that speaks to me.

  • Kelly says:

    So happy for you Maria!! It looks great already. Wait until you decorate! This is fun watching you design your new home. xo

  • Andrea Brooks says:

    Maria,
    Wow, what a transformation!! Looks great! Not sure where your hardware is coming from but mine was from Restoration Hardware. Although a couple of the glass cup pulls came in broken, the other 34 (yes, I have a lot of drawers) were perfect and have remained that way for 2 years. I made sure to order some extra just in case–bc you know they will be discontinued just when you have a mishap!! Can’t wait to see the finished kitchen!

  • karen says:

    your kitchen looks amazing Maria! I love the shaker style doors..our friend a few years back made my cabinets for me and did that also and everytime I open them, I say how much I love them.also did similar knobs and pulls. still love them. what a transformation to your house. When it’s all done it would be awesome to see a virtual tour or pictures of the whole house complete.
    Amazing job, each step my be amazing, and a step closer to the finish line.

  • Amanda says:

    OMG, Maria! What a gorgeous kitchen! You have impeccable taste! I LOVE the floor to ceiling cabinets. The island is stunning! I am so excited about our consultation. Will email you this week to schedule it for July. Enjoy your new home as it comes together!!!

  • Paula Van Hoogen says:

    This is an amazing blessing, Maria. You have worked so long and hard for the very thing you’ve helped others to do. And you deserve it. Doesn’t it feel like your real FIRST home (even though your rentals were “homes”….) This marks a life transition. How amazing to have this technology to historically document a life and it’s changes. It’s very beautiful!! Your choices are wise, timeless and good. I salute you !!! O, P.V.H.

  • Sarah says:

    Maria – the kitchen looks fantastic!! Love the knobs and pulls you have chosen!

  • Hope says:

    Maira, what paint color is on your kitchen walls?

  • GaBi says:

    Absolutely beautiful and classy. Keep going I know already it will be a lasting design.

  • I am so excited for you!!!!!! Beautiful

  • Beth says:

    Maria, you have me curious. Could delivering just the boxes possibly be a regional thing, or even a difference in the US and Canada? I haven’t seen it – not that I’ve seen everything! – though have seen super long delays in kitchen remodeling for other frustrating reasons.

  • Holly says:

    How exciting! It looks unbelievable and so nice! The lighting makes such a huge difference among all of the other updates. We have similar cabinetry and I love it. And the hardware is such a classic choice too – enjoy your new kitchen!

  • Christian says:

    Gorgeous! I can’t wait to see more! Your house is coming along so beautifully!

  • Maria,

    Great job! It’s been a treat following you on your excited renovation and you’re doing a fabulous job!
    Congratulation!
    Hugs,
    Audrey in San Francisco

  • What a difference white makes. I love the furniture like bottoms and the molding at the top. Can’t wait to see the countertops.

  • Jill Baum says:

    Looks beautiful and exactly like what I’ve ordered. What countertops did you go with?

  • I can only imagine how thrilled you are. How I would love to do an overhaul on my house as you have done. Can’t wait to see the kitchen finished. Thanks for the info on the cabinets.

  • Beautiful transformation Maria! Love the furntiure detail on the lower base cabinet toe-kick and the choice of your hardware.
    To answer your question in relation to cabinets; its been a while since I have done over a complete kitchen however on both occasions everything arrived at once and was immediately installed. Cannot recall for sure, but I think the doors were actually added after the boxes (frames) were secured and in place as were the drawers for the lower base units. (Have to check that out with my Husband.) -Brenda-

  • Vered Rosen says:

    Maria,
    Looks beautiful! Could you please share the color of the cabinets? Thanks!

  • I LOVE your knobs – they are simply gorgeous!

  • Laura Trevey says:

    How exciting Maria!!

  • CN says:

    Maria, I am so happy for you. I, too, am in the process of renovating my kitchen. I can’t wait to see the fixtures you’re going to put in for I will surely copy them 🙂 Thanks for posting your beautiful cabinets.

  • Marta says:

    Marie, your kitchen looks fantastic! Can’t wait to see the counters you chose and everything put together. Question – did you choose maple or MDF painted doors? For practical reasons MDF sounds like a better choice, but I like the more traditional look of maple painted doors because the inside corners on the shaker profile are more square (mdf look rounded). What do you think is a better choice?

  • Farha Syed says:

    Looks Awesome Maria,

    I wish I had a kitchen like that.

  • Caden Dahl says:

    The before and after picture is astounding as I would of never thought it was the same house! I’ve been meaning to do some upgrades to my kitchen and I really want to do the cabinets. They almost look like the ones in your before picture and with good reason I want them gone.

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