Wood-Mode was not in the opinion of many kitchen design experts on the mark with color, style, or certainly in product trends. Most make high end very beautiful custom cabinets. I have sold over 2000 Woodmode and Brookhaven rooms in suburbs of Philadelphia and because of my experience I could ball park right when the client was sitting in my show room. I think you are right about the highest end of the cabinet market thinking that way however I dont find the best designers at the highest end of the market. This is especially true of the Design Group 84 cabinets and doors because of the close tolerances. Wall and Walsh also priced out many of the Woodmode kitchens for their dealers and they never hurried. The quality was fabulous. Believe it or not, some dealers will bring on a line with intentions in capitalizing on who that line can bring though the dealers door then perhaps move them into another brand. We show all the lines we carry under glass without countertops so customers can see the construction details that are not visible in most showrooms. on Wood-Mode Cabinetry Closure Explained by a Changing Cabinet Market. He would be heartbroken by what has happened and deeply troubled by the uncertainty the employees face. These door styles have been the hallmark doors of Wood-Modes full overlay transitional offering but are now rounding out Wood-Modes catalog of inset styles. 140 0 obj <>stream Professionally and personally, the wood wins out more often: Wood is wood and the intrinsic and monetary value remains. Times are changing like you said. So perhaps you need to contact the hinge manf. I hadnt heard about the checks. His familys thoughts and prayers are with the families and customers who were left stranded. Just cant do that with a drawing and a door sample. If the designer ordered on time the cabinets were always ready in 7 to 9 weeks . The design process was archaic, took forever, and showed no respect for our time. My husband and I live in Hilton Head Island, SC, and I want the modern look. endstream endobj 136 0 obj <>stream I think that the third generation upper management blew it over extended themselves and certainly were not transparent with employees, Im hoping that everyone affected by this sad turn of events adapts and finds new work. With this type of hinge, the door can be raised or lowered by loosening the the two screws attaching the hinge to either the cabinet frame face or inside edge. Again Blumotion full extension softclose glides rated for 100 lbs. %PDF-1.4 % @` X) I can live with a paint crack on a joint but not everyone can. This very high end market with champagne meetings and 100K+ cabinet orders is more about convincing the customer that you are sort of like a fashion designer for kitchens then knowing about cabinets, kitchen design, and the construction needed to truly be a great designer. Its interesting that the last few comments have touched on the protectionist thinking that is responsible for many companies not changing with the times. Even when customers want to do complete kitchens we put their interests above the sale. @` MB d$ +)(Pa-0C` v.U,;a` v&(\(-Mp 08l ms r`0T?0 I am 61 and have been in the industry for 35 years. And they are all great. One thing to note is most companies add quiet close to doors and drawers. My magic eight ball believes that you are over 60 years of age and could fall victim to the same kitchen design philosophy that sunk Wood-Mode. This is a simple process that requires little skill and only one tool, but is valuable as hinges may become loose or broken with use. These customers are especial hard to work with and are one reason that we will never have a large showroom. Where can I get what I need to repair them? Hi Jan, Do not use a drill or mechanical screwdriver to tighten the screws as this may result in stripping the plastic inserts that expand into the drilled holes in the cabinet and door faces. That project we do not get involved with. This is a work in progress and some doors are not installed. As an example, the mall in the town where I live is a mere shadow of its former self. Jobs never run smoothly when people that arent experts are running them without the assistance they require. Remove the screws that are attached to the cabinet door. As recent Wood-Mode and Brookhaven customers, my wife and I find it completely unsurprising that Wood-Mode shuttered. However, if you are running a shop that does several hundred sets a week, you dont have time to involve yourself in the spatiality and materiality of someones built environment. In addition, we are saddened to hear in the days leading up to the shut down, Wood-Mode cashed huge checks from their distributors (ours included) for cabinet orders not yet in production. Im not saying our software would have made a difference, but I think its an example of exactly what you are saying. Kitchen cabinet storage space. These are good debates and discussions. As a designer, cabinet shop owner, once dealer of W-M (still a dealer of other lines) I, unlike you, was shocked, surprised and saddened by the closure news. This should be on every painted door. Ethical refers to Moral Character. Interesting perspectives, but in some quite incorrect. I want ultra modern, simple THE KISS METHOD, Keep it simple stupid, and glossy white. Would love to have your input as an outside perspective. Copyright 1995-2022 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Thats why dealers that only carried Wood-mode were doing a disservice to many of their customers and IMO were no great loss to our industry. Thus allowing them to be in control of there profit margin. Mr. Wall worked side-by-side with the employees teaching them how to make cabinetry. Unscrew the top and bottom hinges even if you are only replacing one hinge. But that is a completely different issue. It really is not acceptable to treat people that way. Wood-mode seems to have had a great history but couldnt remain coz they couldnt accept change. Using 20-20 and ProKitchens and pricing as you design is not push here dummy, I believe it is the most time efficient, cost effective, and design oriented way to design and sell kitchens. A bad kitchen design and a disorganized renovation almost guarantees that a homeowner gets very little financial return on their investment while a well designed kitchen and professionally run renovation can increase the value of a home multiple times the amount invested. I hope this helps you make an informed decision. That is not Main Line Kitchen Design. If I were a betting person, the creditors will liquidate it all and the Wood-Mode name will sold, to be resurrected in another, already established facility. I suggest you focus on finding a good designer first and a cabinet line second. Holding the people placing orders accountable is always needed. They poo-pooed our technique believing that selling fine cabinetry didnt require the speed and computer visualizations I did. (q}R ;Q>#iYL wPA>1XQ. H236300P C$vr.W! gd5Tp I recently completed a kitchen remodel. I made a typo, it should be 3/4, not 3/8. Having said all of that, Woodmode is usually fairly responsive to warranty issues. So we do not get involved in those projects and encourage the people we speak with to make better investments. The beauty of good design is in the details, and we are so glad you chose to journey with us! Many lawsuits to follow for sure. Our Hinge Helpdesk is a fantastic resource that will automatically select the closest hinge match from our range based on your selections, try it here! Employees and dealers are devastated beyond fathom. The best investment is always finding and working with a talented kitchen designer from beginning to end. You are right that most kitchens have reorders and sometimes damages or mistakes after delivery that can cost money. . There are great MDF (and PVC) doors out there but they do require extra care in creating a kitchen that will look beautiful for the lifetime of cabinets. 132 0 obj <> endobj I tried it and a host of other PHD (push here dummy) programs that I opted to part with. I just picked out a sample for the Brookhaven Cabinetry As one of their top dealers in the country, I found it very easy and helpful to work with the local reps office. White too bright in your kitchen? Allowing a loose hinge to continue to work itself free may result in stripping the plastic insert that holds the screw securely to the door or cabinet. . @` X) Choose a size and copy the code below to embed this guide as a small widget on your site / forum. Often sales people that talk to the very wealthy are most interested in selling themselves and the most expensive products over creating the best designs. I agree that is what the consumer wants now a days but still dont see it as any better quality. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Bringing Your Kitchen Design Vision to Life, Kitchen Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, We are proud to carry the following Countertop Lines. They were presentable but nowhere near what we wanted. Shelves are 3/4" plywood. There is also absolutely no question that some less expensive US lines that import parts from Asia produce better quality and better looking cabinetry than the less expensive domestic lines. Something went wrong. My dealer cannot get a response from Woodmode. Yes MRENEE but a discerning person only needs to see and touch one cabinet in a given line to see how it is constructed. Particularly on painted full overlay cabinetry. This can be a problem with custom cabinet lines like Wood-Mode because they offer so much customization that using CAD software like 20-20 or ProKitchens to show and price their cabinetry isnt possible. That is quite a premiumeither on Wood-Modes part or I suspect dealer parts who were used to only selling to the very well-heeled who dont ask questions. It looks to me like MasterBrands (or is it MasterCraft?) We are in middle of kitchen reno. If this happens, call your Wood-Mode dealer immediately for assistance. A truly high-end kitchen design is almost always cheapened by the use of hack software such as 20-20. @` X) In buying RTA cabinets you not only saved the cost of an experienced factory worker building your cabinets but you also eliminated the design and renovation help available to you free of charge. As a former owner of a Wood-mode dealership myself, none of this surprises me. Paul, There are some preassembled cabinet brands as good or better than CWS but the cost savings made them the best choice for us. And yes You are Wood-Mode!. Should I just give up and replace them at my cost? Their pricing for me was $45000 compared to other well-ranked cabinets (from your site) who came in around $21-28,000. We showcase the work of talented designers, kitchen contractors, architects, interior designers, and builders. If a hairline crack in the paint over a joint does develop, it is just a sign of a quality door built out of solid wood, not sawdust and glue. By the 1970s most new and renovated kitchens were getting terribly made cabinetry except for the highest end homes that got custom cabinetry. Making the design process easier and more cost effective is one reason that Main Line Kitchen Design has grown over 20% each year we have been in business. I think, as long as orders were coming in, they didnt see changing to our system a priority. Weve tried to answer as many of your questions as possible in our dedicated Help & Advice area. Woodmode Custom just offered more customisation which almost no ones kitchen takes advantage of unless they have a big budget and a very experienced kitchen designer. As a responsible professional, whatever your profession, the medical creed of First do no harm should apply. Therefore, can't honor warranty. Of course, you must loosen and adjust both the top and bottom hinges on the door to be adjusted. The key to the success vs the failure is finding a talented kitchen design professional. I don't know the exact wording of the warranty that was in effect when those cabinets were installed? The timing was unfortunate. 0 So I wouldnt want your sister in law to be upset at our not taking her job as well, if she isnt doing a complete kitchen renovation. It is important that a loose door is corrected as soon as possible. You can contact Wood-Mode directly at 1-877-635-7500 for help with your hinges, or click here to find a local dealer using the Wood-Mode Dealer locator. It is going to become the box store of home improvements. In my opinion, if he is going to this extent to make good boxes and drawers, using MDF for the doors is a significant step down. Im sorry about the plant. Many pro-rate the warranty over a period of 25 years because most people get new cabinets within that time frame and they don't have to handle any warranty issues then. Im trying to determine a comparable productthe insurance adjusters consultant said Starmark but Im told its not apples to apples. Not for me ITSAdmin! I mention this becasue it is important to understand regional differences in relation to your furnishings and interior comfort levels. The more expensive complete remodel we do and will help a customer happily with any size budget. There are two basic hinge types one has a long, slender leg that attaches to the cabinet. I dont think the answer is paying $2,500 for an iPhone or $150 for a pair of jeans by becoming a protectionist country. (This done without the brochures confirming after the fact.) We are fine only being able to show hundreds of door styles and finishes. This is just a fact and to believe otherwise is simply being in denial. You are wrong about some things though. Framed, inset, beaded door (I have an old farmhouse I am renovating and adding on to). We dont actually know until sometimes weeks after we sell these very expensive kitchens exactly how much money we will make. The dealers and the reps that only sold Wood-Mode were similarly myopic and their shortsightedness made Wood-Modes failure twice as bad as it should have been.