My business might say “cabinet company,” but the heart of my work—and the nature of my education and training—is interior design and space planning. Every Metro project starts with a thorough look at the whole house and its inhabitants, their passions and their plans. I can see a space and engineer the cabinetry to suit it, and if I need to tear down a wall or relocate a room, that’s all just a part of the job 

Here are a few things I factor into my engineering. 

PROJECT PARAMETERS
First of all, what do you, the consumer, envision? Do you want replaced and/or updated cabinetry, or a complete redesign? Every project should be grounded in your expectations.

APPLIANCES
Appliances often anchor a space and drive the requirements of a kitchen’s layout. The type of cooking surface you want—gas, induction or electric—comes with a specific vertical clearance requirement. Likewise, the type of oven, refrigerator and microwave will all dictate the layout of your cabinetry and the rest of your space.

OBSTACLES
Whether aesthetic or structural, the space’s preexisting features like soffits, chases or even structural walls can affect how we approach our project. Before the plan is created, we need to identify these obstacles and see if they can be removed or worked around.

AESTHETICS
Cabinetry is part of the architecture of the house, and from shape to finish to negative space, you’ve got to do what’s right for the whole design. I like to see what’s outside and bring it inside in order to create a kind of harmony throughout the entire setting.

STORAGE CONVENIENCE
Consumables and non-consumables come into play in different ways throughout a kitchen, and where you store things should coordinate with the space’s logical, organic flow. What needs to be stored where for meal prep, cooking, cleanup? Will the kitchen include a dedicated space for coffee or cocktails or entertaining, and what accessories should be stored nearby?

REGULAR USERS Or “How many cooks in the kitchen?”
When kitchens need to accommodate multiple users at once, layout is that much more important. Do you need multiple prep areas or multiple sinks? How does the layout account for the movement and flow of two or more people? Can someone easily access cooking spaces while others fix drinks?

LIFESTYLE
Will the primary use of the space be for culinary experiments, family meals, or entertaining? Are you an aspiring baker or a snacking athlete? How do you, your family and your friends interact with the house on a daily basis? All of these behaviors factor into the basic necessities of a design—and often lead to profound inspiration, too.

Metro Cabinet Company
Address: 2095 Siesta Dr, Sarasota, FL 34239
Phone: (941) 377-8777
https://metrocabinetcompany.com/