Experienced Designers, New Biz, And a Kitchen Discount For Our Readers

Back in December 2020, I saw Penthouse 2 at the Travis at the Katy Trail hit the market for $1.2 million. It was a renovated two-story unit with 2,866 square feet. I thought it wouldn’t last long and by April, it had closed. As happens so often in high-rises, existing owners move up or over. A previous neighbor at the Athena traded the 11^th floor for the 20^th, I traded the 11^th floor for the 18^th in another building, and one of my current neighbors is moving from one end of the hallway to another.

In this case, the new Penthouse 2 owner had owned several units in the Travis and had always wanted a penthouse. But it wasn’t renovated enough – a surprise to anyone who saw the listing photos. Instead of a needless gut, the new owner zeroed in on a perk-up. In this case, a new double-height fireplace and an upgrade to the kitchen island.

How do you add a fireplace when there wasn’t one there before and you can’t build a chimney?  There are ventless electric and chemical versions. Design-wise, how to you meld with existing exposed concrete supports?  Dekton.  But instead of matching the flatness of the concrete, a finish called XGLOSS was used to reflect lights in the room.

Meanwhile, the island had a stark white porcelain top that didn’t match the Calacatta marble look in the backsplash (who knows why). The new owner decided on a double waterfall counter that brings it together with the backsplash.  In this case, they used Neolith Estaturario.

This doesn’t sound like much unless you know about Dekton and Neolith.  For those who don’t, these manmade materials are fairly indestructible. After the apocalypse turns quartz counters to dust, Dekton and Neolith will still be around to serve the planet of the apes – but be warned, it’s not the cheap option.

Both are what’s known as sintered stone – a process where natural ingredients are pressurized and high-temperature baked to fuse everything together. It’s super nonporous and non-reactive making it easy to disinfect and resist staining and scorching. Colors and patterns include solids, terrazzo, stone, and metal looks as well as a family of wood and concrete-look options (for those who like the look but not the chipping of real concrete).

The best compliment?  The neighbors saw it and wanted The Kitchens Group to do some renovation for them.

The Kitchens Group

I learned about this subtle before-and-after penthouse transformation while I was researching kitchens (don’t ask about my kitchen odyssey – all I’ll say is that $40,000 in new HVAC equipment stanched that for now). Carrolton-based The Kitchens Group were Penthouse Plunge fans and wanted to show me their penthouse work. With decades of experience in California and Dallas, this new North Texas firm was founded earlier this year by Eric and Nicholas Skyles.

Despite the name, they’re more than kitchens (and fireplaces for that matter), offering full design and buildout of pretty much any renovation project. They’re also a Dallas representative of German Nobilia cabinetry.

Haven’t heard of them?  Me either, but in 2020 they sold $1.6 billion in cabinetry equating to 783,000 kitchens – roughly half being exported. Thought of another way, that’s 3,500 kitchens per day running through their 2.7 million square foot manufacturing facility.

Price-wise, if you want the look of European cabinets but are aghast at the prices for Siematic, Poggenpohl or bulthaup, talk to these guys. And before I get too far …

But it’s not all about sleek German cabinets. The Kitchens Group also represents Belmont Cabinets manufactured south of Seattle, Washington. While they have a handleless European look, they specialize in more traditional designs as well as a great selection of mid-century looks.

15 Percent Discount for CandysDirt.com Readers

New businesses often rely on word-of-mouth to get going. What better way to lift-off than to offer a discount when labor is tight and every supplier seems to be on backorder — a time when no one is offering discounts.

Regardless of whether you’re interested in a kitchen remodel or a bathroom or even a primary closet, this will make the wait a little easier.

And yes, they’re a new (but insured) business, but they’ve been racking up some impressive new business left and right all around Texas.

Have a look at their website and schedule a free consultation – 15 percent off never hurt anyone. Discount expires September 20, 2021.

More Than White, White, White

It’s a given they do nifty white cabinetry, but how about a light wood tone that keeps with the lighter color palette but is still a little different? Note the open shelves where the vertical supports are also lights.

Maybe you’re even more on-trend with a black kitchen that hints at the Japanese shou sugi ban look – but instead of someone taking a blowtorch to raw wood, you get the look without the burnt offering smell. 

What makes the European look a pleasant change – whether you’re going white, wood or another texture – is the lack of door hardware. Back in the day, I spent lifetimes deciding on the perfect hardware (i.e. kitchen jewelry) – no more. I loved it in the Penthouse Plunge and I still love the cleanliness and savings of the look.  Heck, some appliance makers like Gaggenau are offering handleless refrigerators, ovens and dishwashers. (Maybe I’ll buy kitchen pulls if I become incapacitated and my service dog needs to open them with his teeth – maybe.)

Start Now For 2022

These days, it’s never too soon to get into a queue. Global supply chain issues are hampering timely delivery of everything from electronics to wood – who’d have ever thought there would be shortages of plywood and MDF? – and yet here we are.  It’s not uncommon for cabinets and appliances to be months-delayed.

So at this point, order a new kitchen, beat the hell out of your existing one through the holidays and surprise everyone with a brand new one in 2022.