Design And Function The Hallmarks Of Kitchenworks

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 03, 2008 – Drawing on his architectural background, Marvin provides clients with kitchens that have clean lines and the finest cabinetry matched to their particular taste.

Marvin, a graduate of Brookdale Community College in Lincroft where he earned an associate in applied science degree in Architectural Drafting and Design, worked for a Monmouth County architect, Samuel P. Abate, doing residential design for 15 years. While freelancing for the next 10 years he decided to specialize in kitchen design in 1998 and in 2004 founded Architectural Kitchenworks, which is located on Route 35 in Eatontown, by Fort Monmouth. A showroom will be opening at this location in Summer 2008. He currently is offering in-home consultations and site visits.

Marvin works with three cabinet companies. They are:

Dutch Made Custom Cabinetry, an American maker, which offers traditional styles in a high end price range;

Mouser Custom Cabinetry, http://www.mousercc.com, another American maker, which offers traditional, contemporary, arts and craft, and country styles in a mid-range price bracket and;

Denla, a Canadian manufacturer http://www.denla.com, which offers European style cabinetry of frameless semi-custom design in the lower mid-range bracket.

To get a full understanding of what each client wants in the design of their new or remodeled kitchen, Marvin asks the client to fill out a seven page questionnaire and then sounds them out on it.

He then takes the measurements of the kitchen and all adjacent rooms. From that, he determines the basic floor plan showing any walls that meed to be removed and where any new openings, doors, or windows are required.

"I alter the space to fit the clients wish list", says Marvin.

Marvin then designs the kitchen layout using established industry quidelines for the desired distances in the triangle between the sink, range and refrigerator.

Marvin's strong point is working function into the design for the room. He also is careful to work within the budget set forth by the client.

The basic shapes that kitchens can take, according to marvin, are the galley, L-shaped, and U-shaped he noted.

Marvin does all sizes of kitchens, from small ones that are 10 feet by 10 feet, to a large one that's 20 feet by 20 feet or bigger. he said he can surprise people with what he can fit into a little kitchen. "You can stuff a lot into it", he said.

Marvin said granite is no longer is the only material people want for countertops. He said many are going for a mixture of surfaces, such as granite and wood, or concrete, lava, engineered stone and glass. Because kitchens are being designed with different work zones, they can have different material surfaces in each zone., he said.

Asked about the time it takes to set up or re-do a kitchen, Marvin said a "simple pull and replace" can be done in three weeks while a major demolition and renovation can take two or three months. he orders the cabinetry, but does not  do the work himself. However, he will recommend a contractor to the client.

In addition to kitchens, Marvin also does designs and selects cabinetry for bathrooms, libraries, wall units, entertainment units and offices.

Marvin is a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. He can be reached at (732) 389-3033. or online at http://www.akwks.com