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<link>https://www.dodgecabinets.com.au/knowledge-hub/client-story-demi-and-damian_168s48</link>
<title><![CDATA[Client Story: Demi and Damian]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Dodge Cabinets recently worked closely with Demi and Damian of Eat Prep Love to bring to life a stunning, and importantly, functional, kitchen and pantry space to suit their growing business and family.
]]></description>
<content><![CDATA[Dodge Cabinets&rsquo; client, Demi, is an at-home small business owner who spends the majority of her days preparing freshly cooked meals in her kitchen. Through her business, Eat Prep Love, Demi takes the hard-work out of cooking, selling main meals, breakfast packs, lunch packs, soups, smoothies and sweets, all ready to go with minimal cooking time involved for customers.

Although her old, outdated kitchen functioned well when her business was &ldquo;on the side&rdquo;, her growing family, and growing business, prompted Demi and her husband Damian to contact Dodge Cabinets. 



Seeking recommendations from the local community, Demi reached out to Ron at Dodge Cabinets to discuss their kitchen renovation. Ron met with Demi and they spoke about how Dodge Cabinets could help design, manufacture and install a stunning, and practical, new kitchen and butler&rsquo;s pantry that would help not only facilitate the Eat Prep Love business, but be large enough for the entire family to enjoy.

&ldquo;Ron and Nathan are just down to earth people who made us laugh and we got along with them so well. This made the process easier for myself and husband as we were nervous wrecks&rdquo; said Demi.

 

As first-time renovators, Demi and Damian were put at ease when Ron and Nathan provided great ideas and worked within their budget, space and schedule. As a registered kitchen, the space had certain council requirements that needed to be met to ensure sign-off during regular inspections. In addition to these requirements, Demi needed a large pantry with ample bench space and copious amounts of storage for the bulk ingredients she uses.



Ron and Nathan provided CAD drawings and recommendations on colours and finishes. Dodge Cabinets then worked with Demi and Damian to finesse the design before installation.

&ldquo;Dodge Cabinets worked around my cooking schedule which we were really thankful for. They were just so easy to work with. Damian and I are absolutely thrilled with end result.&rdquo;



Benchtop: WK Quantum Quartz Monte Bianco

Cabinetry: Janper Spada and Classic White and Polytec Matt Black and White laminate
]]></content>
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<pubDate>24 Jun 2022 01:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<item>
<link>https://www.dodgecabinets.com.au/knowledge-hub/joinery-lingo-explained_168s47</link>
<title><![CDATA[Joinery Lingo Explained]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[We are the first to admit that sometimes we get a little passionate about our trade and use terminology that may not immediately recognised by our clients. So&hellip;here you have it, a joinery lingo cheat sheet if you please.
]]></description>
<content><![CDATA[We are the first to admit that sometimes we get a little passionate about our trade and use terminology that may not immediately recognised by our clients. So&hellip;here you have it, a joinery lingo cheat sheet if you please.




	
		
			Accent  
			Added for extra detail and emphasis. Might be a highlight, outline or contrast
		
		
			Adjustable Shelves
			Supported by shelf holders (such as dowel or pins), these shelves are adjustable to suit changing storage requirements
		
		
			Backsplash
			Protects the wall and wall edge from spills and damage. Can be in the form of tiles, glass, stone or pressed metal
		
		
			Base Cabinet
			Varying by width, these cabinets are cabinets that sit on the floor and support the benchtops
		
		
			Bevel
			The slanted edge of a surface
		
		
			Bulkhead
			A portion of ceiling that has been built lower than the rest of the ceiling either as a feature or to hide a void or wires/piping
		
		
			Cabinet Carcass
			A Cabinet Carcass is body of a cabinet and is what creates the storage within a cabinet
		
		
			Concealed Hinge
			A hinge that is mounted to the inside of a cabinet so that it cannot be seen from the outside
		
		
			Dishwasher Panel
			A panel that is used to hide the front face of an integrated or semi-integrated dishwasher
		
		
			Drawer Box
			The inside of the drawer which creates the storage space
		
		
			Drawer Face
			The front face of a drawer where the handle is usually mounted
		
		
			Drawer Runners
			Metal tracks that are mounted to drawers or the inside of cabinets for drawers to open and close
		
		
			End Cabinet
			A cabinet that is connected to another cabinet on only one side
		
		
			Exposed Hinge
			Hinge that is mounted so that it is seen from the outside of the cabinet
		
		
			Face Frame
			Not always used, the Face Frame is attached to the cabinet surround and adds strength while creating a clean profile
		
		
			Fixed Shelves
			Shelves that cannot be moved or adjusted
		
		
			Flat Panel
			A door or drawer panel which is plain without design or highlight features
		
		
			Frameless Cabinet
			A cabinet which does not have a Face Frame. The doors and drawers cover the full face of the carcass
		
		
			Galley Kitchen
			A kitchen with two parallel runs of cabinetry
		
		
			Gloss Finish
			A finish that adds shine and lustre to the substrate
		
		
			Grain
			The direction of the fibres in a natural or artificial timber
		
		
			Hardwood
			Timber that is derived from a deciduous tree such as an Oak, Maple or Gum (for example)
		
		
			Honed Finish
			A satin finish to substrate
		
		
			Kickboard
			The set back at the bottom of a base cabinet that allows room for your feet so you can stand closer to the bench
		
		
			Laminate
			Laminate is layers of paper pressed together and bonded to a substrate. They come in a variety of finishes and designs and tend to have some resistance to scuffing
		
		
			Matte Finish
			A finish that purposely has low shine
		
		
			Melamine
			Melamine is a low-pressure laminate
		
		
			Panel
			The centre section of a door or drawer
		
		
			Partial Overlay
			When the doors and drawers partially cover the Face Frame 
		
		
			Rail
			The horizontal components of a Face Frame or door/drawer frame
		
		
			Rendering
			A 3D representation of a design created using Computer Aided Design (CAD)
		
		
			Shadowline
			A gap which is left to create a shadow to frame a feature (such as stone or a shadowbox)
		
		
			Sheen
			The finish of a paint, for example gloss, matte or honed
		
		
			Stile
			The vertical component of a Face Frame or door/drawer frame
		
		
			Top Mount Sink
			Has a raised lip which sits over the top of the benchtop
		
		
			Undermount Sink
			A sink which is mounted below the benchtop
		
		
			Wall Cabinet
			Cabinets that are mounted to the wall
		
		
			Work Triangle
			An ergonomic theory to assist with ensuring efficiency in kitchen design
		
	

]]></content>
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<pubDate>03 Mar 2022 06:10:00 GMT</pubDate>
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</item>

<item>
<link>https://www.dodgecabinets.com.au/knowledge-hub/chancellors-changing-homes-interview-part-two_168s44</link>
<title><![CDATA[Chancellors Changing Homes Interview &#150; Part Two]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[In Part Two of our interview with Chancellors Changing Homes we learn more about their design must-haves, how they go about managing their budgets and some of the biggest challenges they&rsquo;ve faced as house &ldquo;flippers&rdquo;.

Have a read of Part Two of our interview.
]]></description>
<content><![CDATA[In Part Two of our interview with Chancellors Changing Homes we learn more about their design must-haves, how they go about managing their budgets and some of the biggest challenges they&rsquo;ve faced as house &ldquo;flippers&rdquo;.



What are non-negotiables for you when it comes to kitchen design?

&#x200B;For us, the importance of a pull-out double drawer rubbish bin next to the sink is essential. It is the logical place for us, scraping dirty dishes before they go into the dishwasher. A farmhouse butlers sink is &ldquo;almost&rdquo; a must-have for us. We are obsessed with them! Not only do they make excellent baby baths, but the white is so much easier to keep clean than stainless steel!

Soft-closing drawers are also vital for us. Having young children it just takes the pressure off slamming doors and fingers. I am personally a huge fan of drawers, and I dislike cupboards for fry pans, pots, Tupperware etc. I find with cupboards the space at the back of the cabinet ends up being unused or collecting dust as you never want to get down low enough to look. Glass overhead cupboards are also important to us as they gives you additional storage without closing in the space too much.

 

What does your dream bathroom look like?

Light, light and more light! We are lovers of being able to see the clouds shift above you whilst you shower or bath. We put Velux skylights in whenever possible in our bathrooms, and have done on two of the three bathrooms in our Montrose project. 

Large format tiles (1200 x 600mm) on the floor mean minimal grout to scrub which is a bonus. Floor to ceiling tiles on the walls. Something light and neutral but with a degree of texture so that you can tap into that when styling. We prefer to keep things simpler and add splashes of life via tapware, towels, plants, bath caddies etc.





What is your process when beginning a large-scale renovation project like your Lilydale projects?

First things first, budget! Thankfully with Mike being a construction estimator, the budget is usually fairly accurate. Then comes the scope and determining what we can achieve for what investment. We then look into what we can sell for, and as a result, figure out what we can spend in order to make the minimum profit we have allocated.  Once we know what we can spend and what we need to achieve a set price at selling time, we can then start allocating funds to each stage of the renovation. This is often difficult as compromises need to be made regularly in order to stick to the budget.

When doing flipping houses, it is difficult to hold back as you often start to create YOUR perfect house. The reality is we need to create a home that will appeal to the broadest ranges of buyers and generate the maximum amount of interest at sale time.



You&rsquo;ve done an amazing transformation to create your forever home &ndash; what was/is on your must-have list for your forever home?

We both wanted chunky timber beams and porch posts, super-high ceilings, farmhouse fencing, stone frontage and open plan living. They were must-haves for us! Mike has also always wanted a large spa&hellip;which he got! I wanted the Barn-style garage with my photography studio on top (which is in the works for 2022!). I also have my heart set on a greenhouse made from reclaimed windows. It is all on the list. Yes we have a list and we tick off everything as we go. It is very satisfying!

 

What cabinetry looks are you loving right now?

We will forever be lovers of a classic shaker cabinet. It works for so many styles and from a flipping point of view, we never received bad comments on it. Add in a feature island colour, some gorgeous overhead cabinets and some stunning lighting, and you have yourself a timeless kitchen!



What are your tips for staying on budget?

Have a construction estimator for a husband! Seriously though, if Mike wasn&#39;t here the budget would be blown-out of the park as I have a habit of choosing rather high-end finishes. We like to breakdown our spending into a spreadsheet with an estimate of how much we want to spend, versus how much we actually spent. Sometimes it helps to see where and when you overspent so that you can be more conscious of your spending in the future. We are huge advocates for DIY and upcycling. We try and do everything on a super tight budget, and 9/10 we ace it. Switch on your patience, think outside the box, buy 2nd hand and you will be rewarded financially. 

It is important to note that we DIY 85% of our renovations and leave only the jobs that have to be legally done by a professional to the trades. This often means that our jobs are slower, and a lot more exhausting, but by doing so we have managed to keep our renovation costs to a minimum which results in a much higher profit margin when it comes to selling time.

 

What is the biggest renovation challenge you&rsquo;ve faced?

From a personal point of view, the biggest challenge for us was living in a caravan in the peak of summer with a newborn baby, whilst the Montrose house was unliveable. Nothing makes you work faster/harder than being confined to a 13-foot metal hot box for months on end! From a renovation point of view it was most definitely the 2nd Lilydale project. Dealing with a house so run down and downright dangerous initially was a very big challenge for us on many levels.
]]></content>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.dodgecabinets.com.au/knowledge-hub/chancellors-changing-homes-interview-part-two_168s44</guid>
<pubDate>23 Sep 2021 01:36:00 GMT</pubDate>
<enclosure url='https://www.dodgecabinets.com.au/uploads/168/44/med-House-image.jpg' length='1035009' type='image/jpeg'/>
</item>

<item>
<link>https://www.dodgecabinets.com.au/knowledge-hub/chancellors-changing-homes-interview-part-one_168s43</link>
<title><![CDATA[Chancellors Changing Homes Interview &#150; Part One]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Chancellors Changing Homes are seasoned house &ldquo;flippers&rdquo;, having just purchased their fifth property to work their magic on. We caught up recently (virtually of course!) with Yasmin to gain an insight into how her and her husband Mike have successfully managed their projects, challenges they&rsquo;ve faced and where their design inspiration comes from.

Join us for Part One of our interview.
]]></description>
<content><![CDATA[Home renovation shows portray a rather glamourous interpretation of renovating and rebuilding houses. Although in real life this narrative is sometimes not accurate.

Chancellors Changing Homes are seasoned house &ldquo;flippers&rdquo;, having just purchased their fifth property to work their magic on. We caught up recently (virtually of course!) with Yasmin and Mike to gain an insight into how they&rsquo;ve successfully managed their projects, challenges they&rsquo;ve faced and where their design inspiration comes from.



How did Chancellors Changing Homes come about?

Chancellors Changing Homes was born after a random woman shared a progress picture of one of our Lilydale projects on a local Facebook noticeboard. The post generated hundreds of comments and people were all genuinely interested in that particular renovation. This sparked the idea that people might actually want to see the ins and outs of the mad renovation life that we lead. So, we launched the Instagram page shortly after and it has grown beautifully over the last few years.

 

What projects have your worked on and what are you currently working on?

Chirnside Park Project (2013): Our First project was a subdivision/new construction in Chirnside Park. We purchased the &quot;rights to subdivide&quot; someone&#39;s land, which meant that we basically took on all costs involved in getting the subdivision passed. We did so successfully (and quickly!) and proceeded to owner-build a beautiful home on a battle-axe block on Maroondah Hwy. We lived in that home for a year, enjoying our hard-work, and then decided that we wanted to do it all over again! 

So, we put the home on the market and it sold within a week or so, and went for a price we never anticipated. We were stoked! Then began the house hunting, we put in offer after offer on local run-down homes, but we just couldn&#39;t snag one. At this time, Mike worked for a builder/developer, and one day a man came into the office of the company and asked if they wanted to buy his properties in Lilydale. They didn&rsquo;t at that moment in time&hellip;but we did! Mike took it into his own hands to contact the man privately that night (with permission from his boss of course) and we organised a walk through both properties the following day, shook hands and agreed to buy not one, but two homes side by side, on Anderson Street in Lilydale. 



Lilydale House 1 project (2015-2016): Over the next 12 months, we lived and renovated one of the homes (the nicer of the two!), whilst the other remained vacant next to us in what can only be called an unliveable state. We brought this beautiful old weatherboard back to life, giving it a traditional/coastal style. We lived in one bedroom with the entire house stripped back to framework for 7 months. We had no kitchen, no walls, no heating for 7 whole months as we cut the budget to get married in the middle of the reno. We look back now and often wonder how we survived living so rough. But you know what?! It really does make the end result so much more rewarding.

Once we finished the first house, we put it on the market and yet again, had a spectacular turn-out, with over 120 groups through on the first inspection day, we yet again sold within a week and at an excellent price. 

During settlement time for the first house, we started tackling the 2nd house.



Lilydale house 2 project (2017): This one is, and probably will always be, our most challenging project. The house had been sheltering squatters for years, so much so that the previous owner gave up trying to move them on. What was left of the house was essentially a weatherboard shell full of drug paraphernalia, milk crate beds, graffiti, punched in walls and rodents. You name it, it probably had it. 

Most people that we showed it to, said we were absolutely crazy to renovate it and insisted it was a pull-down job. But we saw beyond all of that, and both agreed that we were up for the challenge! So, we started drafting our game plan.

Getting started was tough. Treading lightly everywhere we worked, hoping we had removed all of the hazards was really unnerving, but we did well to clean it all up with no injuries. In a nutshell, we stripped every inch of plaster off, installed all new flooring, brand new bathrooms, kitchen, heating and cooling, landscaping, driveways, fencing, repainted and installed new weatherboards where needed, and installed a brand new Colorbond roof. The list goes on!

This was a big task, which we successfully completed within a 6-month time frame. We had a baby due at the end of 2017, so the pressure was on! Once complete, we listed the home on the market and had an excellent response yet again and sold within 2 weeks.

In typical &quot;Chancellor&quot; style, we had just purchased yet another home, this time in leafy Montrose. 

Warburton project (2016): During our time renovating the Lilydale houses, we purchased a block of land in East Warburton, with plans to build a tiny home for holiday rentals.

Montrose project (2017- present): We knew where we wanted our next project to be, but couldn&#39;t secure a house through agents, so we took matters into our own hands and door knocked. This resulted in us successfully landing what can only be described as the worst house on the best street. The house design went against most things we love, it was box-y and had minimal windows, orange walls, purple skirting boards. Not at all our style. But we saw beyond all of this.

We knew that this one was going to be our &quot;forever&quot; (for now!) home. So, it was essential that we achieved the style we had always dreamed of. We wanted ourselves a farmhouse. With a newborn baby who was 6 weeks old, we started construction. This meant living in a caravan in the driveway for 6 months whilst we removed the roof of the house and added a 2nd floor. We certainly don&#39;t do things in halves do we?!

Our dream home was finally coming together and our neighbours watching in awe of the home we were creating from a house that essentially looked like a shed! We have been working on this current home for three and a half years now. With two children, we have slowed down the pace to find the healthy family/renovation balance.

We have recently built a pool house, and renovated the 40-year-old pool. The big-ticket items left to complete on this house is a barn style garage/studio and landscaping. It will then be complete.

Warburton project (2020):  We sold our Warburton property as it had significantly gone up in value and we cashed in on that. Our dreams of building a tiny house near the forest where we got married was hard to let go of, but the profit to be made was something we couldn&#39;t knock back at the time. 

Paynesville project (2021): We recently took a punt at buying a property somewhere completely new and bought a home in Paynesville, Victoria. It is currently tenanted whilst we draft up plans and subdivision applications. We are anticipating a triple subdivision, building two homes behind the existing house and keeping one of the three homes as a getaway house for us, and an holiday. We are currently in the works with council applications on this, and hope to get the ball rolling on it in early 2022.

Where did your passion for renovating and styling come from and when did it start?

Mike was always passionate about all things architecture and building given he works in the industry as a construction estimator. I hadn&#39;t been exposed to any of that, and simply followed Mikes lead on it. His drive is something special. When Mike gets an idea, he runs with it full steam. It is one of my favourite things about him, his motivation is next-level and it is infectious!

Where do you find your design inspiration?

For me, the passion really started when began watching a design series on Foxtel back in 2012. There used to be a design show called &quot;Divine Design&quot; with Candice Olson. I absolutely loved her classic style and from there I really took on a love for classic homewares, up-cycling old furniture, pine lined walls and cathedral ceilings. The farmhouse style evolved over each of our projects, as we renovated and learnt what we do and don&#39;t love. It became apparent to us that we both adored timber accents, textures such as shingles, stone, weatherboards, oak tones and cosy country feels, with a mix of light and bright vibes with large windows. We often talk about how lucky we are to have both fallen in love with the same design styles. It makes selections that much easier! 
]]></content>
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<pubDate>12 Sep 2021 23:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<link>https://www.dodgecabinets.com.au/knowledge-hub/benchtops-the-array-of-choices_168s42</link>
<title><![CDATA[Benchtops &#150; The array of choices]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[With so many amazing products available, it is easy to find yourself falling down a rabbit hole of benchtop options when planning your project. So, let&rsquo;s take a look at some of the most obvious choices on the market, and how they may work for you.
]]></description>
<content><![CDATA[As production quality and technology advances, every year we are seeing more and more amazing benchtop solutions coming to market. It can however become a confusing and daunting decision when planning for your project.

Some obvious factors for consideration are your budget, the space you&rsquo;re needing a benchtop for, who will be using the space and also the nature of your project (for example, is this a renovation to sell, a rental or a &ldquo;forever home&rdquo;).

Let&rsquo;s take a look at five of the most obvious choices on the market to help you in your decision making.

Engineered Stone, or Quartz

One of the more popular solutions is Engineered Stone, or Quartz. You may have heard of brands such as Caesarstone, Quantum Quartz or Smart Stone.

Engineered Stone benchtops can be as costly as natural stone, however, aren&rsquo;t as porous making them more resistant to scratches and staining.

Engineered stone is made from natural aggregates, such as Quartz and sometimes Granite, mixed with resins, and is therefore available in a huge variety of colours and patterns.

      

Natural Stone

Although a costly benchtop solution, there is nothing more unique than Natural Stone. No two slabs are ever the same.

Natural Stone includes Granite and Marble, although the two differ in terms of durability. Granite is very durable, however is porous and needs to be sealed to ensure effective resistance to stains. Marble is not as durable as Granite, and tends to chip, stain and crack. It does however result in a classic, beautiful look.

Solid Surface

Solid Surface benchtops are made of resin and allow for a seamless finish. You can even go so far as to have your sink moulded out of the same finish. A Solid Surface benchtop is UV resistant, making it a fantastic solution for an outdoor kitchen and it can be repaired if required. Solid Surface benchtops can however be a costly benchtop solution depending on your colour choice.

Laminate

Laminate is the most budget friendly benchtop solution and in recent years, Laminate solutions have come a long way.

Available in an enormous range of colours and textures, Laminate is made of layers of paper on ply or MDF coated with melamine. It is stain resistant, however can be chipped easily if something is dropped on it and is not heat resistant. Once the melamine is broken, moisture can enter it and cause swelling.

Polished Concrete

Polished Concrete is a popular choice to incorporate an industrial feel into your space. The benchtop will be formed and poured on site and the options for customisation are endless, from the texture of the finish, to the colour of the concrete and aggregate mixed through.

Polished Concrete benchtops need to be sealed prior to use and the cost will depend on the brief, and whether additional structural work is required to support the weight.

Timber

Timber benchtops create a warm and inviting environment, however consideration should be given to where they&rsquo;re used and the fact that timber is a natural product that can &ldquo;move&rdquo;. It is prone to scratching, and is not heat resistant, but it can always be sanded and resealed in years to come! 
]]></content>
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<pubDate>27 Jul 2021 03:57:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<link>https://www.dodgecabinets.com.au/knowledge-hub/custom-laundry-cabinetry-design-tips-for-efficient-use-of-space_168s41</link>
<title><![CDATA[Custom Laundry Cabinetry design &#150; tips for efficient use of space]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[It isn&rsquo;t often that a home&rsquo;s laundry will be given substantial real estate on a floor plan but using effective design will assist in creating a space that is not only functional but looks great.
]]></description>
<content><![CDATA[A home&rsquo;s laundry can often be the &ldquo;forgotten&rdquo; room, until of course you move into your new or renovate home and realise the space is not functional. Considering these tips during the design stage of your project will ensure your laundry space is not only functional but looks great.


	Use of space


When designing your laundry, the most important first step is to sit down and consider exactly how the space will be used. Will it be used purely for washing, drying and folding clothes? Or will it also function as a mud room? Do you have pets that will also use the space? What do you need to store in the laundry?

This step will ensure you have your list of &ldquo;must-haves&rdquo; so you can plan accordingly.


	Workflow


When planning your space, give thought to the placement of your laundry hampers, washing appliances and sink so you can ensure a smooth transition from moving wet, dirty or clean clothes from one to the other with minimal effort and mess.


	Bench depth


Thought should be given to the depth of the bench in the laundry. The standard depth of a kitchen bench is 600mm however this likely won&rsquo;t be deep enough in a laundry given sinks are generally larger, and appliances will have hoses to fit behind them.


	Maximise bench space


While we&rsquo;re on the topic of benches, bench space is worth its weight in gold in a laundry. During the design process, it is important to consider how you will maximise this space. It may involve a re-look at your appliances, for example a top-loader washing machine will remove valuable bench space and, if budget is available, replacing it with a front loader might be the best option.


	Storage Solutions


With the use of smart storage solutions, you will ensure your laundry remains uncluttered, and will assist in managing the &ldquo;load&rdquo;. H&auml;fele have a great range of storage solutions, including in-drawer hamper inserts, which will assist with not only concealing dirty laundry, but sorting it in the process.



Image: Hafele Home Australia


	Floor to ceiling cabinetry


A laundry carries a lot of the storage responsibility of a house, so it is important to consider exactly what it is you plan on storing in there, and that space has been allowed in your cabinetry design. Floor to ceiling cabinetry will allow additional storage for items such as brooms, mops and vacuums. Additional shelving in these tall cabinets will also ensure space is not wasted.




	Cabinetry design


Open shelving not only looks great but it will give a feeling of more open space in your laundry. It does however come with its challenges as open shelving needs to be kept neat and tidy given the contents are always on display.

If your space is lacking in storage, you may like to consider the use of enclosed upper cabinetry with shadow boxes to keep the &ldquo;open&rdquo; feel.


	Consider placement of appliances


There&rsquo;s nothing worse than feeling claustrophobic in your own home, so it is important to ensure you leave ample space for accessing your laundry appliances, laundry sink, and main working area. Consider where doors will be opening and closing or if the space will be a thoroughfare to the outside.

For more great laundry design tips, or to discuss your next project, feel free to contact us.
]]></content>
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<pubDate>01 Jul 2021 10:32:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<link>https://www.dodgecabinets.com.au/knowledge-hub/benefits-of-custom-cabinetry_168s40</link>
<title><![CDATA[Benefits of Custom Cabinetry]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[In this day and age, there are a staggering amount of cabinetry solutions on the market. In this article we consider the benefits of selecting a custom cabinet maker.
]]></description>
<content><![CDATA[With so many options on the market, from fully-custom to off the shelf solutions, it is understanding why it can be a daunting decision when beginning your project research.

We will begin by letting a cat out of the bag. A lot of our clients are pleasantly surprised at how cost-effective custom cabinetry can be when compared to off the shelf solutions. Shocked? Continue reading for more shocking information.


	
	Maximum use of space
	


When beginning your project, whether it be a new build, or a renovation, you will likely have quite specific measurements. A custom cabinet maker will be able to assist in creating a design that maximises the use of all of the space. Many off the shelf solutions have standard sizing that need to be worked with, resulting in voids and wasted space.


	
	Design Freedom
	


A custom design will allow you to work in with all other aspects of your build or renovation. With products such as 2-Pac polyurethane finishes, colour options are endless (well almost!). You also have the option to incorporate various finishes and fixtures from a variety of quality brands.


	
	Quality
	


Enlisting the services of a custom cabinet maker, such as Dodge Cabinets, ensures your project will be completed with only the best quality materials from the likes of Laminex, Polytec, Caesarstone, Nikpol and WK Quantum Quartz. Your project is designed and hand-assembled by a highly-skilled team who are completely across your design.


	
	Customer Service
	


Regardless of whether you decide to go custom or off the shelf, it is likely a significant investment for you, so it is important to get the level of service you require. A custom cabinet maker will work closely with their client from design stage to project completion to ensure all needs are met and everything runs smoothly. You&rsquo;ll be lucky to find the kitchen section of these large off the shelf cabinetry retailers &ndash; let along the service to go with it!


	
	Installation
	


You may be the flat pack King or Queen, but a $50 storage cube isn&rsquo;t quite on the same level as a complete kitchen or wardrobe fit-out. By leaving it to the experts, you can be assured of the quality of workmanship and that you won&rsquo;t have any nasty surprises in the future.
]]></content>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.dodgecabinets.com.au/knowledge-hub/benefits-of-custom-cabinetry_168s40</guid>
<pubDate>02 Jun 2021 23:33:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<link>https://www.dodgecabinets.com.au/knowledge-hub/caring-for-solid-surfaces_168s39</link>
<title><![CDATA[Caring for solid surfaces]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[A solid-surface benchtop or splash back is quite an investment, so it is important to ensure you care for it correctly to ensure it continues to look amazing!
]]></description>
<content><![CDATA[Caring for your new solid-surface benchtop of splash back is easy but vital to ensure you keep it looking amazing.*

 

For everyday cleaning use warm soapy water (ensuring it&rsquo;s a mild detergent) and a clean damp cloth. It is important that you don&rsquo;t use the same cloth that you would use to wash your dishes as it may transfer oils and contaminants onto the surface.

 

For more in-depth cleaning, stone manufacturers, such as Caesarstone and Quantum Quartz, offer a great range of cleaning products that have been specifically formulated and tested for their specific range of solid-surface products. 

 

Although natural and engineered solid surface products are strong, they&rsquo;re not indestructible. Strong chemicals and acids can eat away at the surface. Avoid using products with high alkaline and PH levels such as oven cleaner, to ensure your solid-surface is not damaged. Hot items shouldn&rsquo;t be place directly onto the surface as the rapid change in temperature may cause damage.

 

And finally, for the sake of your knives &ndash; never cut directly on a solid-surface!

 

*Always refer directly to the manufacturer for care and maintenance instructions specific to your solid-surface product.
]]></content>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.dodgecabinets.com.au/knowledge-hub/caring-for-solid-surfaces_168s39</guid>
<pubDate>03 May 2021 00:35:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<link>https://www.dodgecabinets.com.au/knowledge-hub/planning-for-a-new-kitchen_168s38</link>
<title><![CDATA[Planning for a new kitchen]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Planning for a new kitchen can be a daunting task. This article explains some simple steps you can take during the planning phase of your project.
]]></description>
<content><![CDATA[Planning for a new kitchen can be a daunting task. This article explains some simple steps you can take during this planning phase of your project.


	Purpose
	The first step to assist you with your planning and budgeting process is considering the purpose of your kitchen. Is it a new kitchen that will be yours to use for the next 15 years, or is it a refresh in a rental property that someone else will enjoy? Ensuring you understand the purpose of your kitchen project will assist in identifying where you will allocate your budget.
	 
	Research
	It is important to research the various finishes, appliances and features you&rsquo;re wanting. There are so many different products on the market, of varying budgets and quality, having an idea of what you are after, will assist in determining whether you need to budget $15,000 for your kitchen or $50,000. Dodge Cabinets can assist with providing advice and recommendations on the countless options available.
	 
	Prioritise
	It is likely you may need to make some concessions in order to ensure your project is completed within your budget. It is therefore important to prioritise your wants and your needs, considering where you could perhaps consider a suitable alternative.
	 
	Funds allocation
	Decide how much you ideally want to spend on the project and break the total figure down into the different components that make up a kitchen, for example, appliances, cabinetry, benchtops, tiling. If you are renovating, ensure you allow a buffer for any unexpected costs that may occur during the build.
	 
	Quotes
	Gather your various quotes from suppliers, or let Dodge Cabinets do the hard work for you. We offer a complete project management service, from cabinetry and quality appliances to finishing touches such as electrical and splashbacks.
	 
	Get Going!
	Once you&rsquo;ve got your design finalised, chosen your various finishes, appliances and accessories, it&rsquo;s go time. If you&rsquo;re renovating it can take some time between removal of the old kitchen and the completion of the new, so we recommend ensuring you have a plan in place for a make-shift kitchen to use in the interim.

]]></content>
<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.dodgecabinets.com.au/knowledge-hub/planning-for-a-new-kitchen_168s38</guid>
<pubDate>09 Apr 2021 02:52:00 GMT</pubDate>
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