Kitchen Remodeling For the Greener Good

June 22nd, 2010

Many home improvement projects can be very harsh on the environment, and for today’s eco-savvy consumer, that’s not going to fly. This new wave of environmental awareness has sparked interest in green building and remodeling techniques. Embarking upon a kitchen remodel is a great time to make lasting changes in your home to reduce your carbon footprint. Here are a few reasons to make the switch to greener alternatives, and a few tips for doing so.

Consider Energy Star appliances. Not only do they use significantly less energy than other appliances, but the Federal Government is offering tax incentives for making the switch. During a San Diego home remodeling project is a great time to change over to Energy Star Appliances, since the tax incentives are only eligible for upgrading homes rather than new construction. You receive tax credits for 30% of the cost of your appliances, up to $1,500.

Donate those old cabinets to a charity rather than dumping them in a landfill. Habitat for Humanity and other nonprofit organizations use these cabinets for building new homes for the homeless, and remodeling dilapidated homes for the impoverished. Not only are you helping the environment, but you’re also helping those who are less fortunate!

Consider your lighting. If you live in an area that gets great sunlight, try to avoid blocking it; utilizing natural sunlight with large windows and skylights can reduce energy usage greatly. Additionally, consider compact fluorescent light bulbs and LED bulbs rather than fluorescent and incandescent bulbs. These last much longer so you will not go through as many as often, and they are more efficient by wasting less energy via heat output.

Be sure to contact companies that are familiar with green building and constructing techniques for all parts of your remodeling job. A kitchen remodel is not just about brand new San Diego cabinetry or refinished floors; sink flow can alter the amount of water wasted in the household, and plumbing for dishwashers can be rerouted to save gray water for use in the toilet.

What we’re doing:

Here at Bardon Cabinetry, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and making environmentally friendly options available for our clients.  The following are a few of the things we’re doing to help you stay green.

  • We’re Environmentally Aware: We know that many chemicals and substances are able to harm the environment, so we do our best to avoid using them in all of our remodeling projects. For more information, visit our Environmental Awareness page.
  • We recycle: Not only do we make the extra effort to recycle cardboard, plastic, paper, and aluminum, but we also recycle our wood shavings, scrap pieces, and sawdust. High school shop classes can benefit greatly from these pieces of wood, and they get better use there than in a landfill.
  • We’re Digital: Whenever possible, we digitize all of our forms and files, and electronically send invoices and bills, rather than paper copies.
  • We Donate: All of our unwanted cabinets are sent to San Diego’s local Habitat for Humanity affiliate to be used in brand-new homes and current home remodels. A dose of goodwill and a desire to be green is all it takes to make a difference.

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Using Mirrors in Your Home’s Interior Design

June 15th, 2010

It’s not the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of interior design, but mirrors are one of the most versatile and elegant interior décor tools. Yes, mirrors serve a very practical role in the home, but they can also be used a variety of aesthetic design purposes. They create the appearance of more space and add to the mood of a room.

Enlarging Space

As most people know, mirrors work great at making smaller rooms appear more spacious. Small spaces like narrow corridors or hallways are also great locations for decorative mirrors. If you’re decorating a small room, try to place the mirror on the longest of the walls. This is because placing the mirror on the longest wall helps counterbalance the elongated effect that the mirror’s reflection has on the other walls.

For hallways or corridors, you can place decorative mirrors on the part of the walls directly opposite the doors that line the corridor/hallway. This will have the effect of enlarging the space without making it seem too cluttered.

Small bathrooms are another great place to use mirrors in your interior design. You don’t just have to have a mirror above the sink. Try placing a larger mirror on the largest wall of the bathroom. Pick a frame that matches the bathroom’s overall interior décor. Combine a good decorative mirror with good lighting and the final effect can enliven the décor of your bathroom tremendously without you having to spend too much money to get the effect you want. Plus, it’s a whole lot easier than putting in wallpaper or painted designs.

Lighting and Reflectivity

Rather than placing lamps and bulbs everywhere, you can enhance the lighting of a room by using mirrors. Placing mirrors near light sources keeps the mood of the room while providing smooth even lighting. The effect is best when used in rooms where you want the lighting to be warm and welcoming. If you would like to create a more romantic and calm decorative effect, try placing candles in front of mirrors.

Frames/No Frames

Choosing a frame for a decorative mirror is the same as choosing a frame for a painting or photograph. The style and color of the frame should match the overall style and color scheme of the room it’s in.

However, with mirrors, you also have the option of not having a frame at all. This works especially well with oval or round mirrors. The securing of the mirror can be done effectively with chrome dome head screws. The overall effect is clean, elegant and modern, but it can work in almost any style room.

Additional Tips

Try New Shapes

Yes, square or rectangular shaped mirrors work just fine. But why not try something more interesting. Unusually shaped mirrors can add a little bit of (sometimes much needed) attitude to a room. Wavy mirrors, long, round, narrow, or diamond shaped mirrors are all easily available. And don’t be afraid to try different mirror arrangements. Instead of buying a large wall to wall mirror, for example, you can try putting together a mosaic of smaller mirrors that cover the same space.

Types of Glass

Not all mirror glass is created equal. How the edges are cut make a difference. You can also find frosted mirrors and various other kinds of glass designs. Shop around to see what you like and don’t be afraid to ask your local home improvement specialists for suggestions or information.

Hanging the Mirrors

It’s a good idea to invest in a laser level, as it makes hanging up mirrors or frames a whole lot easier. Just relying on your eyesight can be difficult, and there’s a bigger chance of ending up with a skewed frame. Laser levels are fairly cheap and well worth the purchase.

Look for Deals

The mirror doesn’t have to be expensive. The thing that makes a difference is how you incorporate it into your home’s interior design. You can find great deals if you shop around at consignment stores and thrift shops. Take your time and keep an eye out. Who knows, you might find a great vintage mirror in the least expected of places.

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Types of Cabinet Design

June 2nd, 2010

Cabinet making as an industry in the West has a fairly long history, but it really started to come into its own in the middle of the18th Century in Europe. Three famous English cabinet makers of the time (Thomas Sheraton, Thomas Chippendale and George Hepplewhite) popularized their ideas by publishing books on cabinet making, complete with compendiums of theirs and other cabinet makers’ designs. When the industrial revolution brought steam power tools and the first rudimentary assembly lines to the cabinet making industry, it resulted in a sudden growth of cabinet manufacturers who stepped in to meet the demands of the rising middle classes.

The excess of the Victorian era and the industrially manufactured furniture goods it produced, however, caused a backlash. Many people were repulsed by the mass production and consumption that the industrial revolution made possible, and began calling for a return to more traditional forms of cabinet making, as well as other home product manufacturing. This was the beginning of the so called “Arts and Crafts” movement, which focused on artisanal, handmade designs and techniques.  With both industrial and craftsman cabinet makers at work, several different styles of cabinet design came into being. The following are just some of the most popular design styles that can be seen in Western cabinet manufacturers today.

Rustic

Rustic cabinets tend to focus on the utilitarian aspects of furniture design and also aim to maintain the “natural” look of the materials used. The Rustic style is also referred to as the “log cabin” style or “log furniture style”. Wooden cabinets in this style will, for example, have tops with a “live edge” that lets you see the original contours of the tree that the wood came from. Whole logs, branches and pieces of tree bark are also used in the making of Rustic cabinets. Common woods used in Rustic cabinet designs include Fir, Cedar, Pine, and Spruce.

Scandinavian

This style of cabinet making is characterized by simple, minimalist designs, the use of mass production and a focus on functionality. The style relies heavily on the use of clean horizontal and vertical lines. Scandinavian cabinets tend to be sleek and include little or no ornamentation. Scandinavian cabinet making as it is known today began in the mid 1900s, mainly in the countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, as well as Finland.

French Provincial

French Provincial cabinets are almost the opposite of Scandinavian cabinets, which is to say their identifying characteristic is a highly ornate design. French Provincial cabinets make liberal use of stained or painted wood, so that the wood itself is not really identifiable. Corners and cabinet hardware is often golf leafed or gilded. Flat surfaces are decorated with ornate visual artwork and landscapes. The style is associated with the the French court and wealthy aristocrats and bourgeoisie.

Oriental

Oriental cabinet design, or Asian Design, is characterized by the use of traditionally Asian furniture building materials such as bamboo or rattan. The color red is frequently used in oriental cabinet design.

American Colonial

Early American Colonial style cabinets try to emphasize both materials and form. The most prominent types of woods used are usually deciduous hardwoods and woods that come from fruit/nut bearing trees, such as walnut trees and cherry trees.

Mission

This style of cabinets is characterized by flat panels and thick vertical and horizontal lines. Oak is the most common material used for Mission style cabinets. The earliest Mission style cabinet makers tended to prefer white oak, which they then stained and darkened through a technique called “fuming”. Mission style cabinet hardware is usually made from black iron and left clearly visible, as a kind of aesthetic accent. The Mission style of cabinetmaking, with its roots in rustic colonial settings, was one of the styles popularized and championed by the Arts and Crafts movement that emerged as a backlash to the industrial revolution and mass production.

Shaker

Shaker cabinets, like all shaker furniture, are characterized by their simplicity and functionality, as well as their sturdiness of design. Shaker cabinets tend to be very neatly symmetrical and make use of fruit wood materials primarily. The style of Shaker cabinet making reflects very clearly the rustic and egalitarian lifestyle of the religious sect that invented it.

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Top 5 Trends in Kitchen Remodeling

May 26th, 2010

It’s the end of the decade and a good time to look back at the kitchen remodeling trends that have made it all the way into 2010 and seem to be here to stay. There are several of them, but in this article we’ll be taking a look at the top 5. While they all differ in focus, they all seem to stem from a general shift in the way that people perceive the kitchen as a living space in their homes. Whereas the kitchen used to be a more specialized room, reserved only for preparing food and drinks, in modern homes, the kitchen is a multi-faceted family room where people and their families are spending more time relaxing and simply hanging out. So without further ado, here are the top 5 trends in kitchen design and remodeling for 2010.

  1. The Open Floor Plan

    2. As our lives get busier and more hectic, we want to be able to connect with our family more easily whenever we get the chance, even while we’re doing small kitchen tasks. The open floor plan has thus become very popular in recent years and seems to be here to stay. An open floor plan makes it easy for people to move in and out of the kitchen from various rooms in the house. Open floor kitchens make a house feel more connected, making communication and interaction easier. The loft-like feel of open floor kitchens gives them more decorative appeal. Rather than being treated as utilitarian spaces, open floor kitchens call for more attention to detail and design.

  2. Kitchen as Family Room

    3. Adding extra sitting room to your kitchen has become another big trend in the past few years. Large islands that serve as tables or bars, along with extra stools or chairs means that people are spending more time hanging out in their kitchens and interacting. This puts some added emphasis on the furniture and cabinetry that decorates the kitchen.

  3. Kitchen Within a Kitchen

    4. Again, because the kitchen is now being used for more than just food preparation, another trend that has become popular in kitchen remodeling and design is the addition of extra prep areas. These are like miniature kitchens where you’ll have a sink, cutting board and microwave all close together. Some kitchens will have a smaller sink in the island that serves as a food prep zone, and then a larger sink in one of the back walls for more involved and messy cleaning purposes. Another option is to use a small butler’s pantry off the main kitchen area as a food prep zone. The pantry option has the added benefit of letting you keep dirty dishes out of the way and out of view while you’re entertaining guests and preparing food.

  4. Green Kitchens

    5. Over the past decade, environmental awareness has risen amongst homeowners and home designers alike, and the trend has affected kitchen design in a big way. The move towards eco-friendly kitchen remodeling and design projects can be seen in all of the small fixtures and design decisions that go into putting together a kitchen. The use of energy-efficient appliances, flooring and cabinetry made from eco-friendly or recycled materials, as well as energy-efficient faucets and fixtures is here to stay and likely to continue growing. Energy saving lighting options like the use of LED and CFL fixtures is a huge trend in interior design as a whole and this includes kitchens, as well. One of the green kitchen trends is that energy-efficient appliances and fixtures often surpass traditional appliances and fixtures in both quality and economy. Furthermore, as the trend towards green living grows, the selection of styles and colors available for green fixtures and appliances is growing too. So no matter what kind of design aesthetic you’re going for, it’s likely that you’ll find a green option for it.

  5. Personalized Eclecticism

    6. Finally, there’s the trend towards more unique, personalized and eclectically designed kitchens. In 2010, personal expression and creativity is definitely in. The Internet has played a role in promoting this trend in a big way, as homeowners have all the tools they need to come up with unique interior design techniques that work at their fingertips. Looks that reflect the ethnic or cultural background/heritage of the homeowner are becoming more and more fashionable.

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Bardon’s Preferred Partnerships with Other Quality Companies Benefits Customers!

April 28th, 2010

Standards of Excellence

The appliances showcased at Bardon’s Design Center complement the busy lifestyles of today.  A lot of people refer to their kitchen as the heart of their home, and here at the Design center, you get that feeling as soon as you walk in.  You can actually envision one of our kitchen vignettes in your own home.  You can pick out what you want and get a good sense of how it will work with your family.

Through Bardon’s Preferred Partnership with Standards of Excellence, Bardon’s customers will enjoy many benefits that would not otherwise be available to them as ordinary customers:  A 110% price-match guarantee on most appliances, free appliance delivery, and select appliances guaranteed in-stock, just to name a few!

A qualified appliance specialist from Standards of Excellence is available at Bardon’s Design Center.  This person will be able to coordinate your appliance order from beginning to end, keeping right along with Bardon’s schedules.  What a tremendous benefit!   Along with the special name-brand appliance packages that Bardon and Standards of Excellence have put together for you, it will save you time and money, and you won’t have to call a separate company.   Our appliance specialist will take care of everything.

Marmol Export

Together, Bardon and Marmol Export bring another level of professionalism, service, and selection that is hard to come by these days.  We both offer an exquisite product—cabinetry & natural stone—and it’s a good match.  What sets Marmol Export apart is their selection of material, the services they offer, and their competitive pricing.  Both of our companies share a similar view on customer care.  Customers are the heart of our business and our goal is to ensure their utmost satisfaction.

Marmol Export maintains a special section in their slab yard where Bardon’s special granite color selections are right up front and easily accessible to our customers.  Our customers get to hand select the exact slabs that will eventually become their countertops and backsplashes.

LeMaire Interiors

All of the displays in Bardon’s Design Center were developed by Bardon’s own cabinet design & professionally accredited interior design team.  Now you can get interior design assistance for your kitchen!  Get help with color matching, paint schemes, and granite and appliance selection, all at no extra cost to you!  There are so many different elements that go into turning your kitchen ideas into a reality—let LeMaire Interiors be of service to you!

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Why Should You Choose Bardon?

April 8th, 2010

Bardon designs, builds, delivers and installs over 700 kitchens a year.  Many of our manufacturing employees have been working at Bardon for more than two decades.  The knowledge and experience that these talented individuals lend to the production and construction of our cabinets is truly impressive.   Both our traditional face-frame cabinetry and our European-style frameless cabinetry are all-wood, with ¾” plywood backs on all uppers and bases.  Half-inch plywood sides and ¾” plywood shelves add strength and durability to the cabinet box.  Our all-wood maple drawer boxes are beautifully dovetailed and include full-extension, soft-close, under-mount drawer guides.  We only use conversion varnishes and pre-catalyzed lacquers in our signature, 14-step finishing process.  No water-based products are used.

The majority of the staff you would deal with at Bardon is experienced with our product, has knowledge of our product, and knows the services we provide and the procedures and steps it takes to provide them.  They’ve been extensively trained in our factory—actually having helped build the cabinetry alongside the workers in the plant.  They know all the steps of building cabinetry and because of that, they can enlighten our customers on many things that other cabinet sales-people couldn’t.

At the point of sale, you will be assigned a personal Project Manager to coordinate every step of our process and provide honest, experienced answers and feedback.  Our experienced installers work hard to minimize inconvenience and keep the jobsite clean.  Your Project Manager will continue to stay in close communication with you until you are completely satisfied with your new kitchen.

Bardon Quality Cabinetry was voted #1 Cabinet Builder in the 2006 and 2009 Union Tribune Reader’s Poll.  We are also a proud member of the San Diego Better Business Bureau.  Our business has been in San Diego County since its establishment and we pride ourselves on taking an active part in the community, providing local high school scholarships, and making donations to the San Diego Historical Society and Habitat for Humanity.

When you become a Bardon customer, you join forces with a local company that has been doing business in San Diego for over three decades.  You will shop for new granite countertops and new appliances for your kitchen with the buying power of Bardon behind you – power that allows you to get the best and lowest prices in town without the hassle of negotiating and driving from place to place.  Choose from over 25 beautiful colors of granite and a 110% lowest-price guarantee on select appliances.  Bardon has even put together appliance packages that will not only compliment your new kitchen cabinetry, but also save you money.  Interior design services will be provided to you at no additional cost.  Let Bardon’s professionally accredited interior design staff assist you with granite and appliance selection, floor and backsplash-matching, as well as paint and color scheme selection for your kitchen!

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Bardon’s 14-step, Fine Quality Wood Finishing System:

March 18th, 2010

Bardon uses finishing systems that deliver excellent value through superior technology.  Unlike some cabinet companies, we do not finish our cabinets in your home.  We hand-sand and spray each cabinet part individually in our controlled finishing department where we can ensure that the finish on each piece is of the highest quality.  Our expertise in providing long-lasting finishes not only sets us apart from our competition, it ensures your satisfaction for years to come.  And for us, your long-term happiness is our top priority.

Bardon uses all non-water based finishes and Conversion Varnish—one of the most durable top coats available.  Our distinctive, 14-step finishing process is second to none.  Any color of finish can be customized to your every specification.  Our skilled staff can add characteristics such as glazing and distressing to make your cabinetry unique.

Conversion Varnish offers better performance properties as compared to a non-catalyzed finishing system.  Our Conversion Varnish is much harder, tougher, has better mar and abrasion resistance, and is more chemical resistant.  It increases build, resulting in a longer lasting, better quality finish.

The products used at Bardon, from a performance perception, are equal to, or better than, any Catalyzed Wood Finishing System in the marketplace today.

Here’s a peek at our signature 14-step process!

STEP 1:

We select only the finest wood. All surfaces are progressively sanded smooth.

STEP 2:

Surfaces are cleaned and processed to remove all sanding dust particulates and inspected prior to the next step.

STEP 3:

Wood is evaluated to determine if a shading equalizer stain should be applied at this time.

STEP 4:

A non-grain-raising toner is then applied to establish consistent color uniformity.

STEP 5:

A specially formulated spray stain is then applied to enhance the true beauty of the wood grain.

STEP 6:

All stained surfaces are then evenly hand-rubbed and wiped clean of excess stain and inspected to check color vs. color standard panel.

STEP 7:

Product is then allowed to slowly air-dry to allow for proper penetration of stain into the grain of the wood.

STEP 8:

Flyspeck, distressing, glazing, splattering and special effects are hand applied for selected finishes requiring a fine furniture appearance.

STEP 9:

Our specially formulated hi-solids vinyl moisture resistant sealer is applied by air assisted guns for improved coverage to all exposed wood surfaces for maximum protection.

STEP 10:

The sealed product is allowed to properly cure completely prior to moving on to the next step, and proper film thickness is checked.

STEP 11:

All surfaces are again hand-sanded to provide a smooth, consistent surface to accept top coat.

STEP 12:

Environmentally safe and compliant, Bardon’s catalyzed Conversion Varnish is formulated to exceed superior performance properties and provides excellent ultraviolet screen inhibitors and stabilizers. This finish meets the test requirements of the KCMA for excellent toughness and mar resistance.

STEP 13:

Topcoat is then thoroughly cured (force dry may be used) and overnight dried prior to packing or stacking.

STEP 14:

Before shipping, each Bardon cabinet is thoroughly inspected and polished to assure a finish product of superior quality that Bardon demands and expects for our valued customers.

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Thinking About Remodeling Your Kitchen? Here are Some Tips from the Experts:

March 8th, 2010
  • Shop around!  Ask a lot of questions and find the company that is right for you. Take into consideration more than just price.  Consider such things as product quality, finance options, scheduling, and staff follow-up.  Most companies will offer free estimates but some will even do free in-home consultations!
  • When comparing bids, make sure all costs are included in each bid (materials, labor, finishing, delivery and installation).  When reviewing your bids, compare apples to apples (all wood construction vs. particle board, soft-close doors and drawers, dove-tail construction, etc.).  Some companies do not include things such as delivery and installation up front.  Find out what other services the company provides and see if those services are included (i.e. interior design, appliance selection assistance, etc.).
  • What is the project timeframe and will the company put it in writing?  How long will it take for your cabinets to be built, delivered and installed? Who does the installation? What is their procedure if something isn’t right?  What if you need to order extra parts and pieces?  How long will that process take?
  • Tour the company’s manufacturing facility and see for yourself how your cabinets will be built.  Is each piece hand-sanded, individually finished or hand assembled by a team of skilled professionals? Is the facility clean and well-organized to minimize inaccuracies?
  • Ask about customer service and what happens after you sign that contract.  Is there a dedicated Project Manager?  Who can you contact to answer questions during and after the project?  Are they local to San Diego and will they give you a direct number so you can reach them anytime?
  • Most importantly, ask to see a contractor license and current proof of insurance.  Check the California State Contractors License Board and the Better Business Bureau.  Do your research!  Has the company won any awards?  Is the company just a storefront, or are they a solid company with a history?  Get to know who you are welcoming into your home!

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Our Newly Remodeled Design Center!

March 8th, 2010

Bardon’s new 9,000 square foot Design Center captures the latest in contemporary European-style cabinetry.   With so many new styles, colors and accessories you are sure to find something to fit your taste and your budget.  Ideas and suggestions for this innovative new Design Center were gathered from both designers and individuals who know what current trends and styles San Diegans desire.  You’ll find many expansive kitchen displays including an environmentally-friendly kitchen display, a wine cellar, formal buffet, bathroom vanities, custom cabinets, office cabinets, media centers, and even a coffee bar are featured with the latest in options and accessories.  Stone and tile accents are carefully selected from a wide variety of materials.  It’s a modern approach to kitchen remodeling!  All that, and you’ll still get the product quality, quick turn-around, and superior customer care that Bardon Cabinetry is recognized for.

The latest in kitchen accessories and features are showcased in Bardon’s Design Center.  If you like our soft-close drawer guides you’ll love our soft-close doors, too!  Our soft and silent corner units replace traditional lazy susans—a space-optimizing showpiece that will have all your friends wanting one!  Synchromotion-equipped drawer fronts enable your corner drawer fronts to be opened without interfering with the adjacent fronts.  Many more options are available—if you see something you like, just ask us!

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Welcome to Bardon Cabinetry!

January 29th, 2010

Redecorating and remodeling is the best way to make your house feel like a home. Whether you hope to update the master bedroom or the kitchen cabinetry in your home, you are taking the first steps towards making valuable alterations that last a long time. Here at Bardon Cabinetry, we know we can help turn your dreams into a reality!

Our process is simple, and completely customized to meet your needs. Our site offers an online Idea Book to help spark your creativity, as well as a wide variety of our creations. With an on site interior designer and a team of expert craftsmen, we can help you create personalized cabinets to meet your most complex ideas.

After selecting the basics, we begin by attending an in-house appointment to decipher exactly what your project entails, and since we have a full team of designers, craftsmen, engineers, and contractors, we stay with you from start to finish.

Feel free to spend some time browsing through our options, and getting some ideas of your own before heading over to our showroom in San Diego to see the beautiful work in person.

We have a huge online gallery of products and designs, as well as information regarding our environmentally friendly materials, and our all in one package. Thanks for stopping by and we look forward to helping you visualize and create your dream home.

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