Cabinets are essential because they dominate visual space and significantly influence a room’s style and flow, making their design, color, and placement critical to the overall aesthetic. Homeowners should prioritize durable materials, intuitive storage solutions, and accessibility for daily tasks—custom cabinetry is often worth the investment when unique layouts or specific needs demand tailored functionality.

The Basics of Building the Box

The cabinet box is the structural foundation of a cabinet, essentially the hidden framework that supports the doors, shelves, and hardware. Custom design options include full-overlay or inset styles, adjustable shelving, and tailored dimensions, with construction choices like plywood (durable and moisture-resistant) or MDF (smooth but best for low-wear areas). While not usually visible once installed, the cabinet box’s material and build quality should align with its intended use—heavier daily wear (like in kitchens) calls for sturdier materials and reinforced joints to ensure longevity.

The Fundamentals of Fashioning the Frame

The cabinet frame, often called the face frame, is the front-facing structure that the doors and drawers attach to, providing stability and defining the cabinet’s style. Custom options range from sleek frameless designs for a clean, modern look to classic Shaker or detailed beveled frames for more traditional or transitional styles, typically crafted from hardwoods like maple, oak, or cherry for durability and a refined finish. Frameless cabinets suit contemporary and minimalist homes, while framed styles—especially Shaker—work beautifully in traditional, farmhouse, and transitional interiors.

The Details of Designing the Door

Cabinet doors are the most visible element and come in endless custom design options—from flat-panel and Shaker to raised-panel or slab styles—with choices in paint, stain, wood species, and even glass inlays for a lighter, more open feel. Hardware acts like jewelry, so I guide clients in selecting finishes and shapes that complement the cabinet style and the overall home aesthetic, whether that’s modern matte black pulls or classic brass knobs. I help clients narrow their choices by balancing their personal taste with functional needs, architectural style, and the mood they want the space to evoke.

Investing in high-quality custom cabinetry is worthwhile for both kitchens and bathrooms, as it ensures durability, maximizes storage, and elevates the overall design of your home. Partnering with a professional helps tailor every detail—from layout and materials to style and function—so your cabinets not only fit your space perfectly but also meet your daily needs with ease and longevity.

If you're ready to create a functional and fashionable home, reach out to me. I can't wait to hear about your custom cabinetry project.

Warmly,

Michelle

Your custom home build timeline is one of the most uncertain characteristics of a project but it's super important to establish a concise schedule with your builder and designer. Having realistic expectations and being flexible to any potential delays.

In this blog post, I will be giving you some helpful tips for timeline estimates to be used as a guideline. Please work with your builder to come up with a detailed plan for your new construction project.

Phase 1: Planning

During the planning phase of your project, you want to have a detailed plan and design aesthetic before you break ground, to avoid any costly mistakes in the field. Pull together your inspiration boards on your favorite design websites and hire your favorite interior designer to come up with a awesome concept for your new home! Think about your location. Do you want to be in the city? Do you want to be on a large lot in the country? How much space would you like?

How Long It Can Take: The planning phase should be about 2-3 months. This is the time to dive into the layout and design of your new home with your builder. During this time you will also be finalizing your design aesthetic. What are you gravitating towards? A light, bright interior or something more moody and dark?

Phase 2: Procurement

Before your home build begins, you want to order the major materials. For example, on our hillside farmhouse build, we ordered the doors and windows first, as they had a lengthy lead time. Meet with your electrician and plumber on site to layout the mechanicals and begin to think about pre-wiring for any audio/video components you may want to include. Involve your designer who will lead you through this process and avoid any costly delays.

How Long It Can Take: This part of the build process will take about 1-2 months. Clear your calendar friends, this is when the fun begins! You will be meeting with each supplier to make selections to form a solid design direction for your new home. Prepare yourself for decision fatigue by hiring a designer. Honestly, we speak the builders language. We can help you get the look you want while moving your project forward and on budget so that you can focus on making the important decisions that will impact the overall outcome of your project.

Phase 3: Construction

Finally you broke ground! Woohoo! Things are starting to take shape and you can start to see your new home coming to life. The foundation will be poured and your farming will soon begin. I suggest visiting your new home on a weekly basis to meet with your builder. As a designer, I am on site reviewing the design, timeline and budget every Friday with the team to assure we are on track and moving forward in a timely manner.

How Long It Can Take: The construction for your new build should take about 9-12 months, depending on your project. You want to make sure that you are staying ahead of your builder and making selections and decisions according to the timeline. I have a specification binder that is my design bible! It literally goes with me everytime I head to the property. I also give a copy to the builder to keep on site for the trades to reference at a moments notice.

Phase 4: Installation

Towards the end of construction, the final installation phase begins. This is when your interior starts to really take shape. Lighting fixtures are delivered and installed. The beautiful plumbing trims, custom cabinetry and countertops are on site. You can start envisioning your furniture in the space! You will be walking through the site with your builder and creating a final punch list of any outstanding items.

How Long It Can Take: The installation phase should last anywhere from 2-3 months. It should run smoothly as you have made all your selections and they are in your trusty selections binder. Its time to re-visit your original budget (again!) to stay on track.

What's Next?

Many clients are surprised by the amount of time a new construction project takes. A whole year is a huge time investment, not to mention you are practically married to your design team for the duration. But, it is so worth it! You will have a beautiful home that functions specifically for you and your family. Whether that is perfectly organized family spaces or quiet corners to relax with a hot cup of tea. You can grow into your new home over the years and make it your own by adding your own signature style!

If you're eager for more insight on how to create your dream home, check out my You Tube series: Hillside Farmhouse for more helpful tips.

See you soon!

~Michelle