Walker Woodworking of Shelby, NC Receives Best Of Houzz 2014 Award

Walker Woodworking of Shelby, NC Receives Best Of Houzz 2014 Award

Annual Survey and Analysis of 16 Million Monthly Users

Reveals Top-Rated Building, Remodeling and Design Professionals

Shelby, NC February 4, 2014 – Walker Woodworking of Shelby, NC has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” by Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The custom cabinet and fine furniture shop was chosen by the more than 16 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community.

The Best Of Houzz award is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction honors are determined by a variety of factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2013. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 16 million monthly users on Houzz, known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 230 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks via the Houzz site, iPad/iPhone app and Android app. Winners will receive a “Best Of Houzz 2014” badge on their profiles, showing the Houzz community their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.

“I am just a simple man with a unique vision,” explained Travis Walker, owner and CEO of Walker Woodworking. “Customer satisfaction is what drives me and my team, we all work together to create a remarkable customer experience.”

If you can dream it, we can build it. Walker Woodworking has built a reputation of quality craftsmanship, service & dedication to bring you the finest and very best in custom cabinet design for your entire home or business. Walker Woodworking is honored to have this recognition from Houzz.

“Houzz provides homeowners with the most comprehensive view of home building, remodeling and design professionals, empowering them to find and hire the right professional to execute their vision,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of community for Houzz. “We’re delighted to recognize Walker Woodworking among our “Best Of” professionals for both customer satisfaction and design as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like Walker Woodworking but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and reviewing their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.

Follow Walker Woodworking on http://www.houzz.com/pro/walkerwoodworking/walker-woodworking

Walker Woodworking builds custom cabinets right here in the foothills of North Carolina and we take great pride in our craftsmanship. Our service area is approximately 100 mile radius of Shelby, NC.  

Our design approach is unique to each individual homeowner, designer, architect, and contractor depending on the scope and nature of the project. We offer a large range of custom projects; kitchen, baths, closets, offices, from small and simple to large and elaborate.  

We are focused on the most innovative technology and equipment, as well as skilled craftsmen to bring your vision to reality. Since 1999, Walker Woodworking has built a reputation of quality craftsmanship, service and dedication to bring you the finest materials, latest innovations and very best cabinet designs for your entire home or business. Currently today, Walker employs 28 people including designer Jeneane Beaver AKBD and Production Manager Brandon Fitzmorris.

About Houzz

Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish - online or from a mobile device. From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to get the design inspiration, project advice, product information and professional reviews they need to help turn ideas into reality. For more information, visit www.houzz.com

Follow Walker Woodworking on Houzz: http://www.houzz.com/pro/walkerwoodworking/walker-woodworking

Visit Walker Woodworking’s website: www.walker-woodworking.com

Like the Walker Woodworking Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WalkerWoodworking

Green With Envy

Our Client had been dreaming of remodeling her kitchen for a while, so when that became a reality, she had very specific wants.  One of those was the custom Chappell Green cabinet color she requested; most people would be afraid of that bold tone, but she embraced it.  Being a true chef, she knew she needed large work areas of open counter-tops, streamlined storage, and work zones based on the way she prepared her meals and entertained guests.  Using stained cabinets to accent certain areas really adds character to this custom kitchen.  The paneled appliances were a must and they give this kitchen a streamlined integrated look. 

The cooking zone is designed with many custom storage options surrounding the range.  A prep sink not far away in the island provides a quick place to rinse.  At the main sink; having the built in double trash can, dishwasher, and added adjacent storage at arm’s length make this a great area for rolling, slicing, and dicing.  All in all she is thrilled with a kitchen that allows her to utilize her ideas for work flow and space along with top of the line appliances to suit her cooking and entertainment needs.

When planning a kitchen such as this there are many challenges for our designer.  For example: fitting in all the large appliances in the right spots.  This is not an easy task and since this was a remodel our designer had to plan the best work flow making the adjoining rooms flow into the kitchen space making it feel like it has been there all along.  We added a large prep island to allow people to have many traffic patterns to and from the kitchen.  A “hidden” appliance garage helps keep the counter-tops clear for plenty of prep room for cooking.  Customized pullouts and deep dovetail drawers make storing large pots and pans very convenient. 

This kitchen has so many special features for instance paneled appliances that give them a fully integrated look, a wine cooler that can hold plenty, and a HUGE WOLF RANGE to whip up tasty treats!  In the island there are two refrigerator drawers to keep her fruits and vegetables cool while she is prepping for their friends or a family meal.  There are also warming drawers to keep food warm while they finish up on other items in the kitchen.  All these great appliances ensure everything is ready when needed and their guests will always be entertained.  Their guests can even sit at the custom wood top seating area and watch the magic go on in this kitchen.  All of the custom features like the large pan dividers, double decker drawers, and knife blocks make them feel right at home in this kitchen.  She even planned in lots of display space for her beloved majolica pottery.  Our designer Jeneane Beaver did a great job and worked with our customer to make this kitchen a reality.

If you are looking to remodel or have custom cabinets in your new home please give us a call at 704-434-0823 or visit our site at www.walker-woodworking.com and our designer Jeneane will be happy to assist you turning your dreams into a reality! 

Have a great day!  

Make the most of your show experience

When you're attending a home show it is easy to walk in the door and be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of exhibitors and beautiful displays that are vying for your attention.Here are a few tips that will help make your experience enjoyable and assist you in getting the information that you went to the show to find.We want you to leave feeling knowledgeable about any project you have in mind to conquer in your home.

Before you go make a list of projects you want to look into.

Having specific places to go will help you save time and not be overwhelmed by the numerous exhibits. You should take a list of questions with you for the vendors you plan to stop at so you'll be doing an even comparison booth by booth. For example, if you are looking into cabinets it may be important to you if the product is made by American employees using US materials? You could also ask questions such as; Do you use solid wood construction? Do you offer free estimates? Is the installation included in the pricing? Having questions in mind that are important to you and specific to your project will help you keep the conversation focused and you will quickly determine the product you are most interested in to allow you to compare and eliminate prospects.

Get a show program and map out your vendors

When you start making your way through the show, begin on a specific route with your planned targets and stick to it! This way you will be more likely to stay on track and get to the vendors you really want to visit. You can also go back and spend your time browsing after you have visited your primary targets. 

Don't be afraid to ask for advice

Many companies that work with different sectors of the remodeling industry are knowledgeable in various topics and trades of the home industry. The key staff are often the ones who work the shows and network with other vendors. Their knowledge and resources are valuable. 

Dress for comfort

I am always amazed at the choice of shoes some people choose to wear to the show, although fashion is important, so are your feet. Remember if you want to get the most out of your show experience then expect to do lots of walking and standing. There are not a lot of sitting areas available unless you are sitting down to eat or hear a presentation. Presentations offer a great opportunity to rest and gain information from the experts. 

Bring cash with you

Many displays will offer samples and food booths have items available for purchase, most will accept credit cards but it's nice to have cash to purchase a bottle of water and you always need cash to pay for parking.

Walker Woodworking has had a booth at numerous shows over the last 10 years, we have talked to many consumers, as well as other vendors at these shows. We enjoy meeting new people and have had much feedback over the years from show visitors, as well as our own experiences. We hope these tips will make your show visit a pleasant one and hope to see you at our next show. Visit Southern Shows and look us up! Our design experts will be happy to assist you. Remember to take breaks, have fun and enjoy the show!

Stacey Walker

Best of Houzz 2013

Walker Woodworking of Shelby Receives

Houzz’s 2013 ‘Best Of Remodeling’ Award

Annual Survey and Analysis of 11 Million Monthly Users

Reveals Top-Rated U.S. Professionals 

Serving the Charlotte Metro area --  January 21, 2013 – Walker Woodworking of Shelby, NC has been awarded  “Best Of Remodeling” 2013 by Houzz, the leading online platform for residential remodeling and design.  The 17-year old custom cabinetry and furniture manufacturing company was chosen by the more than 11 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community.

The Houzz “Best Of Remodeling” award for 2013 is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction award winners are based on homeowner members who rated their experience working with remodeling professionals in 12 categories ranging from architects, and interior designers to contractors and other residential remodeling professionals.  Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the community of 11 million monthly users, also known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 124 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks via via the Houzz site, iPad/iPhone app and Android app.

About Walker Woodworking

We custom-design, build, and install all our cabinets to suit your layouts, focusing on creating high-end products with a unique style, handcrafted with pride in the USA.  Throughout our process, Walker Woodworking uses only the finest in materials and techniques. We work with real wood — no paper interiors, particle board or fillers.  

Walker Woodworking has built a reputation of quality craftsmanship, service, and the dedication to bring you the finest materials, latest innovations and very best in cabinet designs for your entire home or business.
“Houzz provides homeowners with an in-depth, 360-degree view of building, remodeling and design professionals through images of their work, reviews and an opportunity to interact with them directly in the Houzz community,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of community. “We’re delighted to recognize Walker Woodworking among our “Best Of” professionals for design and exceptional customer service as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like Walker Woodworking, but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and evaluating their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.

  

Why should you hire a Kitchen and Bath Designer?

Author: Jeneane Beaver

Many consumers can feel overwhelmed by the daunting task of remodeling a major portion of their home.  The average homeowner is not a naturally skilled handyman, so construction knowledge may be limited and can seem like a lot to learn.  That is why it is very important to have the right people with the correct knowledge and skill set to assist with your project. 

If you’ve never done a renovation, when you begin the process of planning a kitchen and bath remodel, it is easy to be inundated by the sheer number of design options (inset, overlay, full overlay), selections (appliances, tile, lighting, flooring), and the numerous vendors (counter top specialists, plumbers, electricians) who want to sell you items for your home.  This is where a designer can come in and help you sift through these options for you.  They can help you achieve your new ideal space, without sacrificing quality or your overall budget.  The main benefits for hiring a Kitchen and Bath designer are:

 Education and credentials: Many designers have attained their preliminary design knowledge through education in the form of a Bachelor’s or even Master’s degree from a reputable University.  The subject and course matter will vary from school to school but most institutions will teach a wide range of courses, such as: 2D and 3D Design, space planning, human dimensional standards, drafting, AutoCAD, finishing and textiles, history of design, lighting, and color study.  In addition to a large course load many design students are required to complete an internship to gain invaluable field experience and learn the core of client relationships that are built when working in a design firm. I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design during the spring of 2008 from Western CarolinaUniversity.  Their design program is NKBA accredited, which helped give me an added boost in Kitchen and Bath Design specifically.  Many designers choose to add to their credentials by attaining another level of certification after they graduate and begin working.  I did this through the NKBA by completing an extensive exam to become a certified Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer. As a designer’s career progresses they will be able to achieve higher levels of certification through many different organizations and tests, such as: ASID, IDS, NKBA, and NCIDQ.  The important thing is to make sure they have some type of education in design before you hire your designer.

 Daily learning:  Since the average homeowner may only complete one or two remodels in their lifetime it is important to utilize the expertise of someone who plans out kitchens and baths on a daily basis.  The trends for the home are ever changing and a designer will have access to all of the latest gizmos and gadgets to make your room work best for the way you live in it.  Many people think “I know what goes into a kitchen or bath; it can’t be that hard to plan”.   However, you would not go into a hospital and tell a surgeon how to operate, you relinquish the control to him because you think “he must know what he’s doing; he does it all the time.”   Granted, this is a bit extreme, but it is the same reasoning people should use when hiring a designer for their expertise.  They plan spaces all the time and they know what they’re doing, you can trust their ideas and you won’t be disappointed. 

 
Background in space planning and functionality:  Every person has their own preferences for their particular space.  Being a good designer means listening to your clients wants, learning how they use their home, noticing physical characteristics or any limitations, and then melding these items into a cohesive design that works for the end user.   There are certain “standards” in kitchen and bath design planning that a designer automatically knows based on the average user.  Some of these standards are set by code, but others come from the development of our homes through previous years of trial and error.  Any good kitchen designer should know that the work triangle in the kitchen is centered around the layout of the sink, cook top, and refrigerator (since these are the main work areas).  There are standards of how much room should be left between each of these areas as well as standard depths, minimum clearances, workflow considerations, and many other spatial planning constraints to consider.  Only a qualified designer will know all of these standards and be able to implement them in your home.

  

Business relationships with vendors:  As I discussed earlier, sorting through all of the finish details for a project in your kitchen or bathroom can seem like an endless task.  Since designers plan spaces everyday they already have an integral network of reliable and trusted business partners that they can recommend to you.  The good thing about using their referrals is the level of confidence your designer will have using their contacts.  Trust is a crucial key to business relationships, so you can be sure they trust the work of whoever they recommend for your home.

 Budget planning, saving time and money Still not convinced? The most important reason of for hiring a designer, it will save you time and money. You can make all of your selections in advance and feel good about those decisions and know exactly how much your renovation will cost before you even start. Designers can save you money; they know where to find the best prices and their resources are unlimited. They will save you time by bringing the selections to you and giving you a select few choices. Don’t hesitate to give your designer a budget from the very beginning; if you have a limit on what you are willing to spend you need to let them know that. Remember if you are ‘doing it yourself’ and you are not happy with what you have selected, changing you mind cost money, making mistakes cost money. Good planning with the help of a designer will save you time and money in the end. 

These are just a few of the benefits of using a Kitchen and Bath Designer to assist you with your project.  When you hire a designer, or work through a firm that has one, you get the expertise of an experienced professional who can solve problems, help you avoid costly mistakes, and create an attractive, affordable space that meets your lifestyle needs.