FAQS

The beauty about how we work is that YOU steer the process. We need you – or your design professional – to come to us with a finished kitchen design plan in hand,accurate measurements, and a guiding vision. We’re here to transform your vision into a reality, with our expert counsel ensuring the beautiful results you’re dreaming about.

Let’s reframe that question, since every step in our process exists for a reason. Instead, let’s talk about pace. Each client’s pace is as unique to them as their cabinet front designs. Are your measurements solid and accurate?  Can you review,revise, and approve confirmation drawings in a timely manner? Is your vision set,or do you want to explore alternatives? These tend to be the most common timeline drivers.

Yes, we always send detailed confirmation drawings of each piece for your approval. We don’t proceed to production until you approve. If we go through rounds of comments and corrections, you’ll get drawings to review and approve upon each cycle. If you want elevation drawings too, please be sure to request those via email when you place your order.

Given the precise nature of our work, accuracy is everything for the boxes, fronts, and hardware. If you’re installing yourselves, we strongly recommend viewing the IKEA Website, www.ikeafans.com, and even YouTube for helpful advice.

No sorry, you need to come to us with a design made for IKEA cabinet boxes. We will however help you to make it yours by suggesting details that will give that custom feel.

Yes, you can. If yousend us the exact sizes of each individual panel, we can make them for you.

The end panel is flush with the cabinet front, with the front and hardware extending 7/8" in front of the cabinet box. See Drawing A for example.

Yes, and you can avoid bulky soffits to get your desired appearance. Add up to 6” to the top of your doors in your measurements depending on ceiling height, while leaving ½” to ¾” between the cabinet door top and ceiling asclearance for lights and vents.

Absolutely, and we recommend everyone consider how lighting connects to how they live in the kitchen.  Follow these steps:

1. Establish an electrical plan to locate your power supply and switches. Locate a duplex electrical outlet immediately above the wall cabinet on the back mounting wall and lead electrical power to this outlet from a remote wall switch adjacent to the countertop. 
2. Add to your order 1 (to be cut lengthwise) to 2 (size-specific) continuous matching panels for under the wall cabinets.
3. Add between 7/8” to 2” to the bottom of your cabinet fronts’ measurements, to conceal your chosen LED strip light. (If you want a custom built-in look along the top of your cabinets – or if you want to add and conceal lighting to the top of the cabinet – add up to 6”, depending on your ceiling height, to your measurement.)
4. Install IKEA wall cabinets with a minimum 3/4" space left between the finished wall and the outside edge of the wall cabinets. You can close this space with a custom matching panel, which you can add to your order. 
5. Install your chosen continuous LED strip light under the wall cabinet.  The LED strip light will lead through an aluminum channel with diffuser (3/4" wide by 5/8" deep). Remember, where you place the LED strip light is meaningful.The further forward, the more it provides task lighting on the countertop. The further back, the more it illuminates the back wall and splash.
   • See diagram Details D and F for further information.
   • The light pictured is a Prolite Aluminum deep flush mount channel with frosted cover and associated LED strip light and power supply.

Yes indeed.  Just add up to 6” to the measurement for the top of your doors, while leaving ½” to¾” between the cabinet door top and ceiling as clearance for lights and vents.

Yes, you can. IKEA SEKTION cabinets use integrated plastic clips to attach toe kicks. Dunsmuir Cabinet kicks come prepared to receive a "press-in"mounting clip. Note that these mounting clips are NOT included. We recommend purchasing aftermarket mounting clips from companies like Woodworker'sSupply.

Measure the distance from the wall surface to a point 7/8" in front of the IKEA cabinet box. If the wall surface is not smooth or plumb, subtract 1/8"from the width of the panel to create a small uneven reveal along the wall surface, or add 1/2" to the width and make a scribe cut to the wall.(Note: Only a skilled craftsman should make a scribe cut.). Then repeat for all subsequent end panels. See Detail B for dimensions.

Our doors allow a horizontal clearance of1/8" between cabinet doors, 1/16" between drawer fronts, and1/8" between countertops and the top of base cabinet doors. Your kitchen design should allow a minimum clearance of 3/16" around built-in appliances (such as dishwashers, ovens,microwaves) and a minimum of 1/4"- 1/2" around inset refrigerators. Always consult your appliance manufacturer's specifications for precise clearance requirements. Also, keep in mind for your kitchen design plan that IKEA doors open wider than 90 degrees, and interior pull=outs can open past 150 degrees. Functional clearance should be top of mind. Feel free to contact us ify ou desire assistance navigating this question.

It’s a straightforward process. Simply:

• Assemble IKEA base cabinets and secure a finished 3/4" plywood substrate for the countertop. using IKEA Fixa anchor strips. Avoid plywood seams except on the countertop inside corners. Allow 1/8" between the front edge of the smooth plywood substrate and the front of IKEA box.   
• Use a professional adhesive to glue a continuous 3/4" x 1/16" aluminum or brushed stainless steel strip to the front of the plywood, flush with the IKEA box.  
• Glue the stone top to the substrate, leaving a minimum 7/8" lip.  

Let us recommend that you integrate this kind of countertop into your kitchen design plan from the onset, since counter height changes proportions and elevations.

Yes, we offer floating shelves in many materials and colors. Floating shelves can be a great addition to your integrated kitchen design. Email us to get an estimate for these and other unique pieces.

We use a premium paint finish called 2K Acrylic Polyurethane, an industrial-grade paint primarily used in aerospace and marine design due to its exceptional durability and resistance to moisture, head, abrasion, and stains.

Follow these recommendations to maintain yourcabinet fronts’ beauty and longevity:

• Minimize exposure to extremely high heat and steam from installed appliances, countertop appliances, and stove-top pans or kettles.
• Keep candles and intense lighting fixtures away from finished surfaces.
• Just like all natural wood, direct sun can cause fading, drying, and shrinking. Be aware of how such things as protracted afternoon sun or a kid’s taped artwork can change your cabinet door appearance over time.
• Care for decorative metal hardware just as you would the cabinet fronts. Don’t use metal polish or other abrasives.
• Be careful about hard objects striking the finished surfaces.

As you can imagine,it depends upon the exact nature of your order. We’re happy to provide a quote for shipping and insurance once the order is finalized. Please note that due to fluctuating fuel surcharges, the quote will have an expiration date.