PDL Place

This Decatur, GA, project gave us a chance to build a variety of beautiful cabinetry and team up with the architect and builders on some unique challenges. In this case, the architect was also the homeowner, and it was great to help him realize his vision for the home.


Most of our work went into the main living area of the house – one big area encompassing an entry hall, living room, kitchen and office. The only thing separating those spaces was cabinetry, and because all four sides of the cabinetry would be visible, everything had to be just right.

Entry hall
When you step into the house, you see a coat closet “cabinet” and then just ahead, one section of glass-front cabinets that showcase the owners’ extensive teacup collection. The cabinets, which are about five-and-a-half feet tall, stretch down the hall for 15 feet. Interior lighting makes the collection pop.

When all of the kitchen is an island

The kitchen in this house is freestanding – meaning that there are no standard floor-to-ceiling walls. The spans of kitchen cabinetry served a double function. The other side of one section also functions as a dining room “wall,” and the lighted display space in the entry hall is on the flip side of another section.

All of the mechanical/electric/gas elements had to come up through the bottom of the cabinets. The conduit and pipes are run in the dirt before the concrete is poured and have to be accurate, so the team is working off of drawings and trying to make sure everything is in the right place.

Beyond the logistics, here are a few design highlights:

• We used matte white acrylic from Premier Eurocase for the cabinetry.
• Dark Horse incorporated a unique metal laminate backsplash using material from REHAU’s RAUVISIO ferro line.
• We didn’t build the table pictured in the “eat-in” part of the kitchen, but Dark Horse did create a bench and a feeding area for the clients’ dog; the bench isn’t visible in the photos, but you can glimpse the opening for the dog area. (And the clients’ friendly dog made it into the photos, too, of course.)
• We used Blum soft close hinges and the Legrabox drawer system.

Dining in simplicity
The dining room is created in part by one cabinetry wall shared with the kitchen, as mentioned above; among the photos, you’ll see one of a section of kitchen cabinetry with two ovens; the dining room is on the other side of that wall.

The modern lighting adds to the appeal of the simple, clean dining area.

Wide-open living
The photos of the living areas show the big picture of how the sleek white cabinetry “walls” create distinct areas.

In the living area, we built the cabinet wall with a floating bench that holds a TV; on the other side of that wall there is a built-in desk that is the centerpiece of the office space. All of the wiring for the office is concealed in the living room/office wall. (By the way, we did not build the bookcases in the office – only the cabinetry.)

Master bedroom and bathroom

Our footprint in these rooms was small – we built the vanity in the bathroom and cabinetry in the bedroom.

 

Wrap-up

Like all projects that fell into the post-COVID time frame, we had a few wrinkles here and there that were beyond anyone’s control – we had to plan ahead for sure – but all in all, this one was a pleasure to work on and the process was smooth.

Given a choice, we always prefer complex jobs to simple, cookie-cutter ones because they stimulate your brain – and they’re just a lot more fun. This job required precision, and while those outside the industry may think it doesn’t look complicated, anyone who builds cabinets will recognize how complex it was.

We enjoyed trying to make it all fit and ensure that all of the elements worked together.

And best of all, the clients love their house.

Postscript: The clients were kind enough to provide these photos, so we want to thank them for the great images and for letting us share their home here.

~ Chris Dehmer