What is a working triangle?

In every kitchen plan there is a work triangle. A work triangle is the shortest walking distance between the three main working sites in your kitchen. The refrigerator is the cold storage work site. The primary sink is the cleaning and food preparation work site. The stove is the cooking work site.

The primary sink should be located between or across from the primary cooking surface and refrigerator. If these three work sites are too far away from each other than you waste time walking between them. If they are too close together your kitchen will feel cramped and there will not be enough countertop for adequate food preparation.

The distance of each side of the work triangle is measured from the center front of each appliance or sink. The three sides should each be between four and nine feet. Together the sides should total twenty-six feet or less. An island or other kitchen cabinets should not interfere with the work triangle by more than twelve inches. Major traffic patterns also should not cross through the triangle.

Obviously, each kitchen is different, and these rules cannot all be followed all the time, especially during kitchen remodels. Still, your work triangle should function well for you, and these rules should be thought of as guidelines for accomplishing this goal. Your kitchen designer will be able to get the best possible work triangle given your parameters. Call, email or come by The Savannah Cabinet Shop today and we’ll start the process together.

Timeless White Kitchen Cabinetry

A white kitchen never goes out of style. White kitchen cabinets are the equivalent of a little black dress, perfect for almost any occasion, able to be dressed up or down, fitting no matter what your personal style. For this reason, white paint is by far the number one requested finish for kitchen cabinets.

White kitchen cabinetry can serve many purposes other than just plain being beautiful. White kitchen cabinets can be a foil for a bold countertop choice, a dark wood floor, whimsical wallpaper or funky accessories in an array of colors. White kitchen cabinetry can also make a small kitchen feel more spacious, or a dark kitchen seem brighter.

A white finish looks good on any style of kitchen cabinetry. Whether you are choosing a traditional raised panel door, a simple recessed flat panel, a casual bead board, or a modern slab door, white paint will look good on it. Best of all, if your tastes change over the years, with white kitchen cabinetry, you have a better chance of just being able to change the details of your kitchen and produce an entirely different look.

White kitchen cabinetry going all the way to the ceiling was an excellent choice for this tight on space galley kitchen. The white finish makes the space feel bigger; the height of the kitchen cabinets gives the space more visual height. The white finish is also the perfect foil for the rich wood floors and grey stone countertop. With this neutral color scheme, different accessories could easily be swapped out over time or for different holidays to give the kitchen an ever-changing look.

With the variety of doors styles and the two different countertop materials, the white finish on the kitchen cabinetry here acts as a unifying element.

The worn natural wood floor, the shiny glaze of the backsplash tile and the natural clear finish of the maple countertops are brought together by the white kitchen cabinetry. This kitchen is about simple elegance: a variety of textures in a muted color palate. The white kitchen cabinetry is the foil on top of which everything else is placed.

This kitchen walks the line between country and modern. The worn wood half log ceiling beams, the turned post high chair, and the white porcelain farm sink with flanking split posts are the elements that hint at a casual country style. The high gloss subway tile back splash, grey slate tile floor and the jet black countertop give it a cool modern vibe. The white kitchen cabinetry is the perfect way to straddle these seemingly dissimilar styles. By using a slab drawer front mixed with a shaker, recessed flat panel door, the kitchen cabinetry acts as a perfect mediator.

There are a lot of things going on in this very small space, a blue ceiling that bleeds into the walls, bead board paneling to the seven foot mark, louvered shuttered windows, a natural brick floor in a basket weave pattern, Americana prints, three different medium brown wood elements and stainless steel appliances. What keeps this kitchen looking quaint instead of overcrowded? You guessed it- the white kitchen cabinetry.

White cabinetry isn’t just for small kitchens. It works beautifully in large or open kitchens as well. Simple white kitchen cabinetry allows you to decorate any adjoining room in any style with the confidence that it will flow seamlessly with your kitchen cabinetry.

The white kitchen cabinetry in this kitchen has allowed for bold design choices throughout the room. From the dark wood beams, to the black counter stools, to the decorative toe valances and large white hood cabinet, the white finish unifies these elements, and creates the perfect backdrop for them to stand out against.

With at least three of the four walls of this kitchen lined with kitchen cabinetry going all the way to the ceiling, and with a bumped out sink section, this kitchen could have easily felt cramped and closed-in in any other finish. The white kitchen cabinetry however, makes the most of the kitchen’s one window and allows those sitting at the table to feel cozy instead of claustrophobic.

This eclectic chic kitchen gets it character from the myriad of accessories. The deer head, the candle chandelier, the old-time kitchen accessories, etc. The finishing touches like the two countertop materials and stainless steel cup pulls all add to the whimsy. What keeps the space clean, light and airy is the white kitchen cabinetry.

This kitchen is a mix of traditional aesthetics and up to date accents. The traditional inset style of the wall cabinets mixes well with the up to date full-overlay island cabinetry. The mullion clear glass doors mimic the mullions of the nearby windows. The color of the reflective blue glass backsplash below is picked up in the blue and white cushions. The brown of the natural fiber shades is reflected in the brown of the stools. The stainless steel hood has its mate in the stainless steel hardware, and lighting. The white finish of the kitchen cabinetry is what brings it all together

Kitchen Cabinets Set the Tone of Your Kitchen’s Look

Changing your kitchen cabinetry is the best way to make a significant visual impact on your existing kitchen. Since you must remove the existing kitchen cabinets, and therefore the countertop, in order to replace your kitchen cabinetry, most times the countertop is replaced at the same time as the kitchen cabinets. By replacing both your kitchen cabinetry and your countertop, you are able to completely redesign the way your kitchen looks.

Kitchen remodels take place for a variety of different reasons. Sometimes kitchen cabinetry is replaced before people move into a newly purchased house. This way they are not as bothered by the dust and inconvenience of a kitchen remodeling project. Other times, kitchen cabinetry is replaced when someone is about to move out of their home, as a way to help sell the house. Most often though, when a family is replacing their kitchen cabinetry it is in a home they have lived in for a while. The kitchen remodel is something they have planned and saved for over time.

The Savannah Cabinet Shop’s most recent kitchen cabinetry remodel was in a recently purchased house in Midtown Savannah. Along with a complete kitchen cabinetry replacement, this kitchen remodel included a new floor plan for the kitchen cabinetry, as well as new countertops, backsplash tile and even lighting. The result is a larger, more open kitchen with a decidedly cool and causal modern feel.

The style of kitchen cabinetry our clients chose was a low profile recessed flat panel door. These kitchen cabinets are made of maple in a dark brown, almost black stain. The new kitchen cabinetry was also brought all the way up to the ceiling in order to elongate the visual height of the kitchen while also providing more storage space. The darkness of the kitchen cabinetry is offset by the light colored wood floor, the white color of the countertop, the reflective light blue surface of the backsplash tile and the stainless steel accents of the appliances and decorative hardware.

The kitchen cabinetry obviously makes the biggest visual impact, but all the other finishes and design selections must compliment the kitchen cabinetry in order to form a cohesive look. It is therefore often helpful to select the style and finish of your kitchen cabinetry first, and use it to help you make all your other design decisions. At The Savannah Cabinet Shop we can help you select the kitchen cabinetry that works best for you. Call, email or visit our showroom today to get your kitchen cabinetry project started.

What other applications can cabinetry be used for?

Semi-custom and custom cabinetry can be used for an array of applications. Cabinetry can be used in designed into any room in the house both as built-ins and freestanding furniture pieces. Kitchen designers can design cabinetry for any application, not just kitchens. The limits placed on the use of custom cabinetry are only through the imagination of the designer, the engineer, the craftsman and the client.

Beyond kitchen cabinetry and bathroom vanities, cabinetry can also be used in laundry rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, studies, wet bars, and bedrooms.

Laundry room cabinetry is often designed similarly to kitchen cabinetry. A section of base cabinets can hold a utility sink and create a folding area, while wall cabinets above the sink and over the washer and dryer provide storage for cleaning supplies and linens. Crafting stations are becoming poplar additions in larger laundry rooms, further utilizing the utility sink.

Dining rooms are suitable areas for both built-in and freestanding pieces of custom cabinetry. A freestanding buffet made with furniture legs is easily moved or taken with you if you happen to move. Built-ins in the dining room are often tall custom cabinets recessed into niches. They usually feature glass door uppers for china display. Your electrician can wire these pieces with interior lighting, which combined with glass shelves to catch and reflect the light, makes quite a showpiece. More informal dining areas utilize custom cabinetry in the form of bench seating and even custom dining tables.

Living room built-ins are most often either free standing entertainment units or built-in open bookcases. With today’s open floor plans, these pieces are usually coordinated with the kitchen cabinetry as it is often within view. An overlooked application for custom cabinetry in the living room is secondary free-standing furniture pieces like coffee tables, side tables, and sofa tables. Built-in desk areas are sometimes included in larger great room areas.

Built-in and free-standing desks are also found in studies and home offices. The most formal or traditional of these rooms feature wainscoting or judge’s paneling. The Savannah Cabinet Shop can also furnish molding and paneling for coffered ceilings, as seen in our portfolio.

Wet bars and coffee bars are becoming more and more popular and can be installed in a variety of rooms including great rooms, studies, butler’s pantries, and master suites. Another type of custom cabinetry able to be utilized in almost any room is the window seat or built-in bench. These custom cabinets can be useful secondary storage, either with drawers, doors or lift-up lids. The can be engineered to accept your own cushion topper or left as a wood topped seat.
Basically, custom cabinetry can be installed in any room of the house in many applications.

Freestanding furniture pieces for a variety of rooms and applications can also be designed out of custom cabinetry components. Any kitchen designer should also be able to design cabinetry pieces for all the rooms in your house. Visit the portfolio section of our website for inspiration. Call, email or come by The Savannah Cabinet Shop today and we’ll start the process together.

What guidelines do kitchen designers use when designing a kitchen plan?

When a kitchen designer is working on a kitchen cabinet plan they often use the National Kitchen and Bath Associations (NKBA) guidelines. These guidelines were developed as a way to help kitchen designers produce the safest and most comfortable kitchens. Designing with these guidelines ensures the kitchen design’s accessibility and usability. These guidelines are not the same as building codes but they do share their concern with life safety and solutions are brought through standardization.

The guidelines laid out by the NKBA are as follows:

• Doorways are to be at least 32” wide and no more than 24” deep
  Walkways are to be at least 36” wide
  


• The work triangle should be 26 feet or less with no leg shorter than 4 feet or longer than 9 feet.
  


• Single cook work aisle should be at least 42” wide, multi-cook to be 48” wide
  


• A 36” clearance should be between the counter or table edge and the wall or obstruction behind a seated diner if no traffic is to pass behind them.
  


• A 65” clearance is need for a walkway behind the seated diner.
  


• Wall kitchen cabinets should be at least 30” high and 12” deep and should contain adjustable shelves.
  


• A kitchen under 150 square feet should have at least 144” of wall kitchen cabinet frontage.


• Kitchens over 150 square feet should have at least 186”.
  


• At least 60” of wall kitchen cabinet frontage should be within 72” of the primary sink center line.
  


• Base kitchen cabinets should be at least 21” deep.
  


• A kitchen under 150 square feet should have at least 156” of base kitchen cabinet frontage.


• Kitchens over 150 square feet should have at least 192”.
  


• A kitchen under 150 square feet should have at least 120” of drawer or roll-out shelf frontage. Kitchens over 150 square feet should have at least 165”.
  


• At least five storage or organization features should be located between 15” and 48” above the finished floor.
  


• At least one functional corner storage unit should be included.
  


• At least two waste receptacles should be included- one for waste and one for recycling.
  Clear floor space of 30” x 48” should be provided at the sink, dishwasher, cook top, oven and refrigerator.
  


• A minimum of 21” clear space should be between the edge of the dishwasher and any object placed at a right angle to it.
  


• The edge of the dishwasher should be within 36” of the edge of the sink
  


• At least 24” of clearance between cooking surface ad a protected surface above. Or 30”between cooking surface and unprotected surface.
  


• Cooking surfaces should have an exhaust fan of at least 150 CFM
  


• Cooking surfaces should not be placed below an operable window unless the window is at least 3” behind and 24” above that surface.
  


• The bottom of a microwave should be between 24” and 48” above the finished floor.
  


• Kitchens under 150 square feet should have at least 132” of usable counter frontage.


• Kitchens over 150 square feet should have at least 198”.
  


• At least 24” of counter frontage should be to one side of the primary sink and 18” on the other side
  


• At least 15” of landing space, at least 26” deep should be located above, below or adjacent to the microwave
  


• For an open-ended kitchen, at least 9” of counter space should be on one side of the cooking surface and 15” on the other side. For an enclosed kitchen at least 3” of clearance space should be between the cooking surface and a flame retardant material and 15” on the other side.
  


• At least 15” of counter space should be on the latch side of the refrigerator. Or on either side of a side-by-side, or at least 15” of counter space no more than 48” across from refrigerator
  


• At least 15” of landing space, minimum 16” deep should be next to or above and oven.
  36”continuous countertop at least 26” deep is need for a preparation center. This center should be next to a water source.
  


• If two landing spaces are adjacent to each other, than their combined width is determined by taking the longest of the two and adding 12”
  


• No two primary work centers should be separated by a full-height, full-depth tall tower configuration.
  


• Open counter corners should be clipped or radiused to eliminate sharp corners.
  


• Controls, handles, and door/drawer pulls should be operational with one hand.
  


• Ground fault circuit interrupters should be specified on all receptacles within the kitchen.
  


• Fire extinguishers should be visibly located away from cooking equipment and 15”-48” above the finished floor.
  


• Smoke alarms should be installed in or near the kitchen
  


• Windows or skylights area should equal at least 10% of total square footage of kitchen or total living space that includes the kitchen
  


• Every work surface in the kitchen should be well illuminated by appropriate task and/or general lighting.
  

Because it is not always possible to follow all of these guidelines it is important to consult a kitchen designer. Kitchen designers can help make the appropriate choices to balance your needs and limitations to achieve the optimal balance. Call, email or come by The Savannah Cabinet Shop today and we’ll start the process together.

Sprinter Motorhome in the Making, Part 2!

The Savannah Cabinet Shop is exploring the world of recreational vehicle customization and bringing our own brand of style, beauty and exceptional craftsmanship with us. Our Sprinter customization project is designed to show off the flexibility of our services and the ingenuity, creativity and precision of our design knowledge and implementation, while exploring a niche market we feel could use an aesthetic upgrade. The design of our Sprinter conversion van is an exercise in combining simplicity and flexibility. The materials are a combination or durability, practicality and luxury.


The Cork flooring not only adds elegance and aesthetic movement to the space but is durable, sustainable and naturally hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial and anti-fungal. Cork also absorbs sound and shock, creating a quieter atmosphere and a softer feel under tired feet.

The cabinet doors, wall panel inserts, and bed platform are made of a Teak and Holly plywood. Along with its beauty, Teak is naturally weather resistant. The natural oils present in Teak make it termite and pest proof. The beautiful white of the Holly wood adds unexpected visual interest as a natural foil to the rich brown of the Teak.


The Corian® countertop provides the look of natural stone and glass embedded in concrete without the weight and maintenance. Corian® is easy to clean and because it is nonporous, stains do not penetrate the surface. Corian® resists the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria and is one of the few countertop materials that can be easily repaired. Shallow cuts, stains and burns can be sanded out and the sheen returned with a Corian® specific cleaner.

The paneling behind the kitchenette and the inserts in the coffered ceiling are a metal veneered laminate in a brushed light bronze aluminum finish. This surface adds glamour and is easily cleaned. The decorative metal surface also makes the most of the Sprinters’ windows, allowing light to reflect and bounce throughout the cabin.


The curtain dividers are made of a PVC oilcloth in a gold lace design to add a funky flare and touch of whimsy. This fabric is waterproof and fade, stain, and soil resistant.

The couch and bed cushions along with the throw pillows are covered in a woven indoor/outdoor fabric in both geometric patterns and bold solid colors. This fabric is resistant to mold, mildew and fading allowing for years of use.

We look forward to begining the installation process. Check back for updates on the project’s status and pictures of our work in progress.

Sprinter Motorhome in the Making, Part 1!

Over the past nine years I have been a kite-boarding and traveling enthusiast. I have traveled around the world in search of great wind conditions, local flavor, new experiences and just a plain old good time. On many of these travels I was with friends and family, and most of the time we either rented an RV or stayed in a hotel. The problems that I have found with most RVs are that they are big, slow, and use a ton of gas. The gas consumption of your average RV is around 12 MPG, turning what should be an affordable family vacation into an expensive, eco-disaster.

I have personally owned a couple of RVs and have always been enchanted with the idea of building my own. Mercedes makes and imports a vehicle called Sprinter and badges it Dodge, Freightliner and many other name brands. The vehicle gets 21-25 MPG and is powered by a Mercedes Benz diesel engine that is not only powerful and gas efficient but reliable for the long haul. Over the years I have been chomping at the bit to own a Sprinter and do a conversion and the time has finally come! The Savannah Cabinet Shop purchased a Dodge Sprinter in October of this year with plans to convert this vehicle into an RV. With this project The Savannah Cabinet Shop hopes to gain knowledge in another field besides remodeling and cabinetry and to show our strengths in design.

We are currently producing drawings and renderings of the interior. If you’re curious about what the design, look and feel of the interior will be, then check back here periodically for updates.