Eco-friendly, affordable custom cabinets

Designing a green kitchen doesn’t mean sacrificing style or breaking the bank.
Robin Wilson Home is licensing its name for a line of affordable, eco-friendly custom cabinetry made in the U.S.A. by Holiday Kitchens. The line will launch at the April 2009 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show in Atlanta. The eco-conscious line features more than 100 door styles in green materials, such as bamboo, coconut, wenge and stainless steel. Classic hardwoods like cherry, maple and oak also are available. The manufacturer uses low-volatile organic finishes, paints and stains, and the frameless custom cabinetry has 10 percent more usable storage space compared to traditional framed cabinetry, according to the company.
Another area to consider is how the cabinets are made. And it’s hard to not be impressed with Holiday Kitchen’s green manufacturing principles. According to the company, its manufacturing process uses computerized cutting methods to reduce waste and 100 percent of its wood waste is recycled into cutting boards, animal bedding and landscape materials. Its cabinet lines also use sustainable woods and reconstituted veneer.
I guess it is easy being green.

What’s your material IQ?

Your design is perfect, but a bad finish can ruin the whole experience.
Kenn Busch, a magazine editor with 20 years of experience in the furniture industry, has launched Material Intelligence — a resource featuring furniture and interior material options for architectural and interior design. According to Busch, the site uses designer-specific definitions and frequently asked questions about a range of materials, including HPL, TFM, 3-D laminates, engineered veneers and decorative metals. It’s also a vehicle for material suppliers to educate the ultimate end users on new products.
The site features an archive of real-life application stories on where specific materials have been used in various markets.
Unlike Wikipedia, this site isn’t updated by just anyone. Therefore, you won’t be bamboozled into believing Dustin Diamond is the brother of Beastie Boy Mike D. and embarrass yourself in front of all your friends. This site requires a login to add information and all suppliers must register.