What started out as an experiment to learn how to create 2 Rail and Stiles doors for the cabinet over the fridge quickly evolved into the replacement of all the older drab melamine doors and the creation of 2 new base cabinets with a custom Maple counter top. It has had a major visual impact on the look of this very basic kitchen into a modern look that is much classier and a pleasure to view. All of this great visual impact was done with minimal material cost, but LOTS of sweat equity in my woodworking shop. As with all of my previous projects, this was an exceptionally positive learning experience with very gratifying results that adds real value to our home.
All of these very professional and gratifying results are a direct result of the EKHO Mobile Workshop helping me to perform every phase of this project with a quality that I truly enjoy.
Rough and Dirty Oak was the starting point for new Kitchen Doors!
From Rough and Dirty to Refined and Beautiful! The rail and stiles Oak Kitchen cabinet doors started out as rough and dirty Oak that were cleaned up on the jointer, planer and table saw. Then a quick pass through the rail and stiles router bits let me assemble with a super strong glue joint that has impressed me so much, it is currently my favorite method of glue up.
First Two Trial Doors Provided Motivation
First Two Doors Provided the Motivation!
I had started with just these 2 doors for the small cabinet over the fridge. It turned out great and motivated me to continue with the entire kitchen. It was my first attempt to create rail and stiles doors with my new router bits. I was pleasantly surprised how well it worked and how strong the frames became after gluing up.
Upper Oak Doors with Clear Glass
Upper Solid Oak Doors with Clear Glass These solid oak rail and stiles doors turned out much better than I had expected. It was most gratifying to take them from rough oak to the finished door through all the many woodworking steps with my EKHO Mobile Workshop. The only change I would make if I did it again would be to use a blue tint instead of clear plexiglass.
Solid Oak Rail and Stiles Doors with Oak Panelling
Solid Oak Lower Doors with Oak Panelling Lower doors are identical to the upper doors except I used Oak Veneer plywood panelling instead of the clear plexiglass. They have about 5 coats of Tung Oil for protection, beauty and color enhancement.
Two New Oak Cabinets with Maple Counter Top
New Oak Cabinets with Maple and Purpleheart Counter Top After having great success with the first part of the project I decided to build two brand new Oak base cabinets and a custom counter top. These very solid cabinets are made with 3/4" Oak Veneer plywood that have a real plywood core, not particle board as with most commercially made products. The solid Oak rail and stiles doors have an oak veneer plywood panel and swing on self-damping Hettich self-closing hinges.
The counter top was originally planned to be a standard melamine product custom cut by Rona for an approximate cost of $160. For aboout the same material cost I found out I could buy 1.5" thick Maple and some Purpleheart for edging and separation strips. Adding lots of sweat equity created a great look! This looks spectacular compared to a basic melamine counter top. Each of the 6" wide Maple planks has been glued together with Titebond III glue, 14 Maple dowels and 3/8" wide beautiful Purpleheart accent strips. It will not be coming apart any time soon. It shows no signs of deflection at all across the clear span between the 2 base cabinets due to the exceptional 1.5" thicknes and super strong Maple properties.
The wall has a ceramic tile backsplash with a glass tile accent strip along the top and bottom edge that was selected by my daughter and installed by my son in law.
Completed Basement Kitchen Renewal
Completed Basement Kitchen Renewal This is the final look of the completed basement kitchen renewal with solid oak doors and custom Maple counter top over the new base cabinets. Note the elegant Purpleheart border and the purpleheart strips between the Maple planks to give it a most elegant and refined look that is truly custom and far superior to the look of a Melamine counter top.
The only small detail left to complete is the tile backsplash above the original melamine counter. This is to be done by my son in law when he has the time.
Please note the unique custom oak cutting board hanging on the base cabinet side wall. Matching board hangs from the other end also from a custom made oak dowel with oak reinforcing. This was added to complete the true custom nature of the project with solid oak materials that are often not found on today's cheaper veneer and particle board offerings.
