Claudia has lots of doorways and lots of congestion in her present plan. Paul suggests reconfiguring the layout and closing and moving doorways to create a more attractive and functional space. The present plans by the architect calls for banquet seating which doesn’t really work in Claudia’s space. It also calls for a stackable washer and dryer which will not fit into the space once the cabinetry is installed. Replacing the stackable unit would mean removing al the cabinetry and countertops in the room. Once the doorways are configured the new way, many of these and other problems are resolved.

Episode 45. Podcaster Dennis OZ from the podcast Remodeler Success interviews Paul about his background, his business and marketing strategies and what he sees for the future.

Paul talks to Lynn about the renovation of her historic home. Paul REALY wants her to change having her powder room door opening onto her island seating. He discusses how much space is needed for a kitchen table. Lynn and Paul also talk about the pros and cons of waterfall ends to an island countertop. They discuss the work flow in in the kitchen. And ways Lynn might consider improving the function of the kitchen design. The possibility of creating a tray ceiling is brought up and how it can save money.

Paul talks with Cooper who is thinking about acting as his own general contractor on his kitchen renovation. Paul recommends hiring a general contractor and putting in a new longer beam across the load bearing section of his kitchen. He also advises not hiring the cabinet supplier to install the cabinets. The company getting the room ready for cabinets and running the plumbing, electric, and doing other renovations should ideally also be responsible for installing the cabinets. Otherwise “the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing”, and in keeping with that metaphor – a lot of finger pointing may ensue.

In this episode Paul speaks with Chuck Arnold, the spokesperson and Vice President of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Alliance (KCMA) and Betsy Natz, the CEO of the KCMA. They discuss how the KCMA tests cabinetry and represents the US cabinet industry. While the talk does get a little technical it explains what the KCMA does and covers the newest issues in the cabinet industry.

Paul designs a kitchen from photos. He talks to Monica who sent in kitchen photos and a rough floor plan of her kitchen. Paul puts her kitchen on his computer and then designs a functional kitchen in her space. Monica had a brick enclosed range area which Paul advises removing. Paul explains why he placed the cabinetry and appliances where he did and explains why the design is more functional this way.

Paul talks with James and Chelsea who have called in previously. They discuss the new design they are working on and make more changes and modifications after further discussions. As a second time caller, new problems arise with the new design’s location of the sink, cook top and refrigerator. James and Chelsea decide to remove the wall between the kitchen and the dining room which improves their design.

Paul talks with Vicki about her kitchen design, the designer she is working with, and the Shiloh cabinetry that she is considering. In a nutshell – He thinks all can be improved. Paul also explains and demonstrates the process Main Line Kitchen Design uses to locate what we hope are good cabinet dealerships for homeowners across the United States. Listen to this podcast and learn how to find good showrooms and designers near you.

Paul talks with Charles who has done all kinds of kitchen research. He has many ideas and plans yet hasn’t yet gotten any professional kitchen design help.

After examining James’s design and discussing kitchen communication Paul recommends finding another kitchen designer to work with. The present design has too many inexperienced mistakes. Paul recommends several design changes and does one rough version of the design himself. James plans on calling back so we will probably get to watch his kitchen as it transforms over the coming months.