Main Line Kitchen Design Podcast

Paul talks to Elizabeth who has a kitchen designed with custom cabinetry but a simplistic design. Paul encourages her to not use such high wall cabinets and to possibly lower her ceiling in order to remove an unsightly beam and save by no longer needing custom cabinetry.

Paul talks with Eric and about Dekton and other countertop surfaces and the difference in price between different types of countertops. Paul explains the design challenges with Erics current design and recommends changes. Paul also talks about what color types make cabinetry expensive. Paul goes on the Kraftmaid website and looks at their colors.

Paul talks at length with Tina about a wide range of topics. If you are considering more expensive cabinetry this is an especially relevant episode. Painted finishes are discussed at length. As are custom paint finishes. What types of people make good designers is discussed. Design techniques used for 10 foot high ceilings such as stacked cabinets and moldings, and tray and coffered ceilings are compared. If you have high ceilings this is an episode you should listen to.

Paul chats with fellow podcaster Nancy Hugo, the host of the podcast Home Design Chat with Nancy, about the most dangerous kitchen design mistakes. Nancy and Paul go over what makes these design mistakes so dangerous and discuss how common they are. This episode is a combined podcast with Nancy.

Paul talks with Fahad and looses his cool. Paul explains how frustrating it can be for kitchen designers when architects, who generally know very little about kitchen design and cabinetry, insert themselves into the kitchen design process. Paul discusses possible layout changes and what things are impossible or poor design choices in Fahad’s kitchen.

Paul talks with Linda about everything from designing a kitchen to cabinet features and pricing. Paul explains why so many kitchen designers give customers misinformation. And Paul also talks about what pricing features are needed or worth it when buying cabinets.

Paul talks to Wendy, a return caller that took much of Paul’s design advice from a previous call and is now calling in for advice on some final tweaks to her design. Paul explains why 33″ Lazy Susan cabinets are a bad design feature and solves much of Wendy’s design challenges by recommending that she use the absolute smallest cabinet that fits a standard single bowl sink. Surprisingly many professional kitchen designers are unaware of what that size sink cabinet this is, and what the advantages are in using that size are over a larger size cabinet. Paul also explains why 36″ high wall cabinets should be used in rooms with 8′ high ceilings.

Paul talks to Sam, who like many podcast callers, and people that write us on our blogs, is concerned about selecting the best cabinet brand for her kitchen. Paul explains why comparing kitchen cabinetry brands can be difficult and how pricing works at different cabinet dealers and showrooms.

Paul also explains to Sam why the design of her kitchen is more important than the cabinet brand that she selects. Paul discusses with Sam and later with Felipe what makes a cabinet well constructed and what the difference is between framed and frameless cabinetry. Towards the end of the podcast, Paul and Felipe discuss incorporating pets into the design of a kitchen.

If you are price comparing kitchen cabinets, particularly less expensive kitchen cabinet brands, this is the must listen to podcast episode of Calls with Paul.

Paul talks to Olga who called in previously to get advice on her kitchen design. Olga talks about her bread making and gets Paul’s help getting the appliances and the countertop she needs worked into her kitchen design. Paul explains why you shouldn’t use a particular design feature just because you like it. Paul explains that design elements and appliances need to work well in the design and fit. Olga’s original design, seen below, was too tight and left her without a kitchen table. In the revised kitchen design seating is comfortable and spaces actually work.

Paul talks with Jeremy who has a small kitchen in Manhattan New York. Maximizing the usable space in the apartment is discussed, not only for Jeremy’s kitchen, but also for his living room and bath. Jeremy plans on renting the apartment in the future and Paul talks about the do’s and don’ts when designing a kitchen for a rental property. Main Line Kitchen Design podcast engineer and producer Felipe Archila asks Paul some pointed questions about designing kitchens for tough spaces.