Kitchen Cabinet Construction: What to Know in North Atlanta
Since 1984, Simone Feldman has helped homeowners around Roswell, GA understand what separates well-built kitchen cabinets from the rest—and then delivers them. Schedule a consultation to learn how cabinet materials, joinery, finishes, and installation standards come together in a Simone-designed kitchen, and why her work has earned such a trusted reputation.
Kitchen Cabinet Construction That Lasts
When you search for "kitchen cabinets near me," you need more than pretty door styles. You need guidance on how cabinets are actually built—box materials, joinery methods, hardware quality, and finish systems—so your investment looks great and holds up to daily use.
Simone starts with how you live and what you store: the cookware you reach for most, small appliances that need a home, and the ergonomics of drawers versus doors. From there, she recommends the right construction approach (face-frame or frameless), overlay or inset doors, durable finishes, and interior accessories that keep everything organized. She also plans the logistics—protecting adjacent rooms, dust control, and maintaining a functional temporary setup—so cabinet installation disrupts your life as little as possible.
That’s where Simone Feldman starts. Every cabinet project.
Simone Feldman Designs is a residential kitchen design and remodeling firm based in Roswell, Georgia, serving homeowners throughout Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, Cumming, and surrounding North Atlanta communities. Simone plans, specifies, and sources custom, semi‑custom, or bespoke cabinetry and coordinates millwork with trusted trades.
With more than 40 years of architectural design and construction experience and a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) credential through the National Kitchen & Bath Association, Simone brings uncommon expertise to cabinet selection and detailing—evaluating plywood versus MDF/particleboard cores, drawer box joinery, premium hardware (like soft‑close hinges and undermount slides), and finish systems—so your cabinets are engineered for the way you cook and gather, not just styled for a photo. Few kitchen remodel contractors can match that depth.
What Quality Kitchen Cabinet Construction Involves
It’s easy to focus on color and door style, but the true measure of cabinet quality is in what you can’t see. Beyond the finish, durable cabinet construction includes:
▸ Cabinet box materials and thickness — choosing 3/4" furniture‑grade plywood or high‑density engineered cores, full backs for rigidity, and moisture‑resistant options for sink bases
▸ Construction style — face‑frame versus frameless (European) boxes, inset or overlay doors, and how each affects access, storage capacity, and the look of reveals
▸ Joinery and drawer boxes — dovetailed solid‑wood or plywood drawers, dado and confirmat screw construction, strong adhesives, and soft‑close undermount slides with proper weight ratings
▸ Hardware and adjustability — concealed soft‑close hinges, leveling systems, sturdy mounting rails, and shelf pins that prevent sagging over time
▸ Finish and edge treatment — catalyzed conversion varnish or UV‑cured finishes for durability, real‑wood veneers, and 1–2 mm edge banding that resists chipping
▸ Professional installation — accurate leveling and shimming, scribing to out‑of‑plumb walls and ceilings, secure fastening into studs, clean crown and light‑rail alignment, and pre‑planned integration of lighting and power
Managing all of this takes someone fluent in both design and construction. Simone’s background spans architectural study, decades running a design/build firm (1984–2008), and close collaboration with top North Atlanta trades. She specifies the right cabinet construction on paper—and ensures it’s executed correctly in the field.
Kitchen Cabinet Construction Experts | Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) & Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS)
Simone Feldman Designs brings unmatched know‑how to cabinet planning, specification, and installation. With Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) and Certified Aging‑in‑Place Specialist (CAPS) credentials through the NKBA and HBA, we design cabinet layouts that balance beauty, durability, and accessibility—think full‑extension drawers, pull‑down shelves, and ergonomic heights—using quality materials and hardware that perform for years.
Curious about budgeting for cabinetry within a remodel? Learn about Kitchen Remodeling Cost
The Simone Feldman Cabinet Construction Process
Simone’s process is deliberately thorough—because cabinet construction decisions made up front determine fit, function, and finish in your completed kitchen. From the first call to final install, she guides you through material selections, construction style, door and drawer detailing, interior accessories, finish options, and installation standards so your cabinetry is engineered, ordered, and built right the first time.
Step 1: Discovery Consultation
Before any specifications are written, Simone meets you in your kitchen to understand how your current cabinets perform. She inventories what you store, notes where access is difficult, and evaluates pain points like sagging shelves, crooked doors, and drawers that don’t fully extend.
She asks what’s not working—trash and recycling placement, awkward corner access, cramped pantry storage—and listens for what you want to change. The goal is to match cabinet construction and interior fittings to the way your household truly cooks, cleans, and entertains—so everyday tasks get easier.
Step 2: Space Planning and Layout Design
Smart cabinet layout is the foundation of a high‑function kitchen. Simone maps storage zones for prep, cooking, cleaning, and serving; plans clearances so doors and drawers open without conflict; and balances drawers versus doors for better ergonomics. She also addresses tall storage, appliance panels, and corner solutions like blind‑corner pullouts or lazy Susans.
She determines the best island configuration for prep and seating, sets upper cabinet heights for reach, and specifies custom interiors—spice pullouts, tray dividers, deep drawers, and waste/recycling centers—to maximize capacity. Using 3D imaging, she shows door overlays, reveals, crown and light‑rail profiles, and end panels so you can see the exact cabinet package before anything is ordered.
Step 3: Material and Finish Selection
Selecting cabinet box materials, door substrates, and finish systems is where many homeowners feel uncertain. Simone breaks down the choices with plain language—explaining how furniture‑grade plywood compares to MDF or particleboard for screw‑holding strength and moisture resistance, when to choose solid wood, veneer, laminate, or thermofoil doors, and how conversion varnish, catalyzed lacquer, or waterborne finishes will stand up to daily cleaning and sunlight over time.
Together, you’ll choose face‑frame or frameless (European) construction, inset, partial, or full‑overlay doors, and drawer box construction such as dovetailed hardwood with 5/8" sides versus metal systems—plus soft‑close hinges and full‑extension glides. You’ll review custom inserts for pans, spices, trash, and cutlery, decide between open shelves or additional uppers, and select paint, stain, or glazed finishes that suit your home. Every specification is coordinated so the cabinet build, proportions, and color story support the look and function you want—no decisions made in a vacuum.
Step 4: Contractor Coordination and Construction
With more than four decades in the Atlanta renovation market, Simone partners with cabinetmakers, finish shops, precision installers, plumbers, and electricians who meet her exacting standards for fit, finish, and code compliance. These relationships matter when you want perfectly level runs, seamless crown, and durable, long‑lasting cabinetry.
She assembles the right team for your build, introduces every trade before work begins, and stays hands‑on throughout installation—reviewing shop drawings, confirming plumb/level, checking reveal consistency, shimming and scribing to out‑of‑square walls, validating appliance panel fit, and ensuring crown and light‑rail moldings terminate cleanly. You’ll receive regular updates, and she’ll help plan a temporary kitchenette so basics stay accessible while base cabinets, countertops, and utilities are being set.
Step 5: Final Walkthrough and Completion
Simone considers cabinet work complete only after a meticulous quality check and punch‑list closeout. During your final walkthrough, she verifies that doors are aligned with even reveals, drawers glide smoothly and soft‑close properly, shelves are level and secured, finishes are uniform with no overspray or touch‑up marks, and wall cabinets are anchored into studs with appropriate fasteners. She inspects crown, light‑rail, end panels, and fillers for tight joints and clean caulk lines, confirms appliance panels and trim kits fit correctly, and addresses any item that needs attention. When everything functions flawlessly and the cabinetry truly supports how you cook and live, the project is officially finished.
Why Certification Matters in a Kitchen Designer
The title “kitchen designer” is not legally protected in Georgia—anyone can use it. The Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) credential from the National Kitchen & Bath Association requires proven expertise in space planning, building codes, construction methods, and professional ethics. For cabinetry, that means mastery of NKBA ergonomic clearances, proper wall‑cabinet fastening and blocking, appliance panel integration, ventilation and electrical coordination, and the ability to produce precise specifications and shop drawings. It’s earned through documented project experience and rigorous examination, and it must be maintained through ongoing education.
Simone has held her CKD certification for decades and served on the Georgia Chapter of the NKBA as Vice President of Educational Programs. When you’re searching for kitchen renovation near you and comparing a contractor who calls themselves a designer to a seasoned CKD, the difference shows up in cabinet construction details—accurate bids, correct materials, cleaner installs, and better warranties. Your cabinetry is a major, permanent investment in the heart of your home; credentials help ensure it’s done right the first time.
Types of Cabinet Construction
How your cabinets are built directly affects durability, storage, and day‑to‑day ease of use. At Simone Feldman Designs, cabinet specifications are tailored to your cooking habits, storage priorities, and the architectural style of your home so the boxes, doors, and hardware work as hard as you do.
How cabinet construction adapts across common kitchen styles:
- Modern Kitchens – Often frameless (European) boxes with slab doors, tight reveals, integrated pulls, and durable laminate or matte lacquer finishes for a seamless look.
- Traditional Kitchens – Typically face‑frame construction with inset or partial‑overlay doors, raised panels, furniture‑style ends, and stained or painted hardwoods.
- Transitional Kitchens – Clean profiles like Shaker doors, balanced moldings, and a mix of framed or frameless boxes with soft‑close hardware throughout.
- Farmhouse Kitchens – Painted woods, Shaker or beadboard doors, open shelves, furniture feet, and reinforced rails for apron‑front sinks.
- Contemporary Kitchen Design – Streamlined frameless boxes with grain‑matched veneers, push‑to‑open mechanisms, and minimal hardware for a sleek, uninterrupted elevation.
- Small Kitchen Design – Full‑height wall cabinets, vertical pull‑outs, toe‑kick drawers, and custom organizers to maximize every inch of storage.
- Large Kitchen Design – Zoned storage with deep drawers, double trash pull‑outs, oversized islands with concealed support brackets, and integrated appliance panels.
- Kitchen Island Design – Proper substructure for seating overhangs, finished backs, electrical in the island per code, and end panels that feel like furniture.
- Open-Concept Kitchens – Finished cabinet backs and paneling visible from living spaces, quiet‑close hardware, and appliance panels to reduce visual clutter.
- Chef-Inspired Kitchens – Heavy‑duty drawer slides, heat‑tolerant finishes near ranges, utensil and spice pull‑outs, and easy‑clean interiors built for daily performance.
How Layout Influences Cabinet Construction
Kitchen layouts affect cabinet sizing, corner solutions, filler placement, and appliance panel integration. Consider the following plan types:
- L-shaped kitchens — optimize corners with lazy Susans or blind‑corner pull‑outs.
- U-shaped kitchens — plan continuous runs and balance drawer stacks for workflow.
- Galley kitchens — prioritize full‑extension drawers and slim pull‑outs.
- Island-centered kitchens — provide seating support brackets and finished backs.
- Open floor plan designs — specify furniture‑grade end panels and quiet‑close hardware.
Thoughtful cabinet specifications improve storage, lighting integration, and workflow while creating a kitchen that feels cohesive with the rest of your home.
For broader style context, explore the different Types of Kitchen Design to understand how your preferred look can guide cabinet details.
The Value of Thoughtful Cabinet Construction
Well-built cabinets are the backbone of a kitchen that works every day. Selecting the right box material (plywood vs. furniture‑grade particleboard), framed or frameless construction, and quality hardware directly influences storage capacity, durability, and the clean look of every door and drawer.
Partnering with Simone to specify construction details—3/4‑inch shelves, full‑extension soft‑close slides, sturdy backs, and moisture‑smart sink bases—delivers cabinetry that stays square, aligns cleanly, and stands up to heavy use. Invest in skilled planning and proven materials now, and your kitchen will perform beautifully for years while keeping its style.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does cabinet construction and installation take?
Typical timelines run 6–10 weeks from final approval: 1–3 weeks for design/specs, 4–8 weeks for shop production, and 2–5 days for on-site installation depending on scope.
Can I stay in my home while cabinets are installed?
Yes—in most cases we contain dust, protect floors, set up a temporary prep area, and phase work so you can remain at home safely.
Do you help choose cabinet materials, door styles, and finishes?
Absolutely—we compare plywood, MDF, and furniture-grade particleboard, discuss framed vs. frameless boxes and inset vs. overlay doors, and select paints, stains, and hardware that look great and fit your budget.
How are unexpected issues handled?
We pre-measure, then address surprises like out-of-plumb walls or uneven floors with scribing, fillers, and shims, and we present clear options and costs before proceeding.
Can you design around a specific budget?
Yes—we right-size the scope using semi-custom or custom lines, prioritize high-value features like drawers and soft-close slides, and control costs with standard sizes and finish choices.
Ready to Plan Your Kitchen Cabinets?
If you’ve been seeking expert guidance on kitchen cabinet construction and you’re ready to talk to someone who truly knows what she’s doing, Simone Feldman is that person. She’s been designing, specifying, and overseeing cabinetry as part of kitchen renovations in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, and across North Atlanta for more than 40 years. She holds the highest kitchen design credentials available, understands box construction, joinery, door reveals, drawer hardware, and finish systems, and treats every client’s home with the same care she’d want for her own.
Call (404) 386‑9487 or send a message to schedule your initial consultation. Let’s start with a real conversation about your cabinets—the construction choices that affect durability, function, and style—so your kitchen looks beautiful, works effortlessly, and simply feels right.
