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.

Paul talks with Michael who is over budget on the kitchen addition he is working on. Paul talks about different ways to save money on cabinetry. He and Michael discus the design and possible changes. French Doors come up again and why they are often poorly thought out by architects. Grabel, Medallion, Starmark, and Fieldstone cabinetry is discussed.

Paul and Main Line Kitchen Design’s Ed Sossich discuss some of the famous customers Ed has worked with. Both Paul and Ed have worked together at several showrooms. Very early in their careers they worked together first at The Home Depot and then at Lowe’s. Among the celebrities Ed has worked with are Brooke Shields, David Morse, Charles Barkley, and others.

Paul goes over Emily’s kitchen plans in great detail. He notices all the unusual custom cabinet sizes but thinks that these unusual sizes and dimensions are unattractive and impractical. Paul finds many dimensions that don’t work for Emily’s design. For example the microwave will not fit in the appliance garage, and the oven is so high off the floor that shorter people will burn their arms reaching inside. If you are working with a designer that doesn’t use kitchen design software this is a warning sign that your designer is too old or inexperienced, and doesn’t know the cabinet market. This can cost a customer a fortune and yet give them a poor design.

Paul and Mark discuss Paul’s pet peeves as a kitchen designer. They go over the customer interactions that can be frustrating. Why Paul isn’t a big fan of builders like Toll Brothers. The different techniques kitchen designers use with their customers. And how top selling kitchen designer Doug Mottershead is able to break sales records wherever he works. Paul reveals what he thinks is wrong with HGTV. Plus, other cranky gripes unmentioned!

Paul talks with Cheryl who has a home built on a slab. After asking some questions Paul believes Cheryl’s contractor inflating prices for moving plumbing. They discuss how to find contractors and possible design changes. Below are Cheryl’s kitchen drawings and a hand drawing by Paul on how a two-piece crown molding is installed. This is the type molding profile Paul recommends for Cheryl’s kitchen.

Paul talks with Richard who plans on customizing kitchen cabinets in the new home he is building. Lots of red flags worry Paul. Inventing cabinetry of your own is far more difficult than people realize. Paul warns Richard about several problems he sees in some of Richard’s kitchen cabinet customizations. He critiques the kitchen layout, appliance locations, and other design choices. Most importantly, having carpenters build cabinetry to customer’s specifications is discussed and why buying kitchen cabinetry from larger manufacturers through reliable cabinet dealers is recommended.