Quality Cabinetry Lifts Your Kitchen To Another Level

The classic appearance of a Shaker kitchen door has been around for centuries, originating in New England in the US, where master craftsmen produced timber doors with a flat centre and framed outer edge. This elegant look has never gone out of fashion and has been popular with top designers such as Ralph Lauren, who used it to create his signature Hamptons-style interiors.

Group Marketing Manager for NZ Panels Group and its Dezignatek doors business, Desiree Keown, says, traditionally, a paint finish was the only option if you wanted to achieve this style. And although this look may seem a more natural fit for traditional villas and bungalows, it looks equally great in modern, barn-style farmhouses or contemporary homes.

Over the past decade, however, other techniques to achieve this look have been developed, such as thermoformed profile doors, which have seen a significant surge in popularity—and for excellent reasons.

“Thermoforming uses a mixture of heat and vacuum pressure to wrap a tough vinyl film around the front and edges of the door or drawer, creating a seamless, moisture-resistant finish. A key advantage is its resistance to the inevitable knocks and abrasions that are a part of everyday family life in a busy kitchen. These doors won’t dent or scratch like paint. Plus, we have a gorgeous palette of vinyl colours that recently got a boost with the addition of some stunning pastels and neutrals,” says Desiree.

With a wide variety of profile doors on offer, it’s sometimes hard to know what might suit your style of house. "But nothing is off-limits, and we see modern profiles in traditional houses, and vice versa,” she says.

The top selling Ronda profile is the classic and a best seller for Dezignatek. Shown here in Black Satin.

Ronda profile: the classic Shaker-style door

Dezignatek’s top-selling profile is the Ronda, a classic Shaker-style door. It’s no surprise that White - Satin is the most commonly requested thermoform vinyl colour, but for added drama, dark colours such as Slate - Matt or Black - Satin will take centre stage in any kitchen.

Other Shaker-style profiles with a variation on Ronda include the Contemporary, Oslo and Capri.

While the popularity of the Ronda profile has never waned, designers have also been asking for a slimmer frame. This year, that demand was answered by introducing the Berlin profile, which features a sleek, 20mm frame, compared to the 50mm Ronda.

Another new profile launched this year is the Prague, which features a stunning fluted finish that is right on-trend.

Desiree says the Prague profile adds texture, depth and interest to any space and its use is not limited to kitchens and bathroom vanities. “We’ve seen Prague used as a wall panel, both in half and full height, for bed heads and in commercial projects where it creates a feature in reception areas.”

It's an excellent option for modern homes, but its striking profile still creates an impact as a smaller-scale feature in a kitchen, such as on an under-bench panel, rather than as a finish for all the cabinetry.

“And it looks amazing on bathroom vanities, too,” Desiree says.

The tongue and groove Kawhia profile (shown here in Villa Blue) works everywhere from coastal home to classic villa. Design by Michelle McAnulty, Beaver Kitchens.

Tongue and groove doors are always a timeless option

Ideally suited for beachside homes, the classic tongue-and-groove profile door offers a relaxed feel. A classic yet contemporary option, it also works in villas and with a modern farmhouse style.

The Lyon and Kawhia profiles are very popular for homes in this style and when finished in a soft pastel tone such as Pistachio or Villa Blue, they create an amazing sense of calm. With these profiles, you can recreate the Cape Cod vibe in your own kitchen.

Framed profile doors featuring tongue-and-groove detailing inside the frame also feature on Dezignatek’s top seller list, particularly the Levante and Russell profiles. With these styles, your kitchen will exude a more classic look.

Equally, for those who prefer a sleek and modern kitchen, there is the Milan or Milan Square profile option. Both these profiles offer the performance of a Dezignatek thermoform vinyl door but on a flat panel. The Milan Square additionally has the option of featuring a hidden scallop handle. This is a perfect solution for a contemporary kitchen but still works well in a villa renovation.

Dezignatek doors have to be ordered through joiners and kitchen and bathroom manufacturers. Most hold small-scale samples of the profile doors for you to view, or they can be ordered in.

Colour chips can also be ordered online via the Dezignatek website at www.dezignatek.co.nz.

"It's important to make sure your kitchen designer specifies the particular profile on your plans and that you’ve sighted a physical colour sample to understand the colour and texture of the thermoform vinyl you select,” says Desiree.