Clean Cabinetry

Louis Rybacki of Beck/Allen Cabinetry shares his 30 years of knowledge in the kitchen and bath industry.

Edited by Moe Godat

Home Builder MC Modern Concepts

Portrait photography by Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton

Last Photo: Photography by Karen Palmer Photography

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Personal Favorite: Honestly, what I love most about my job is meeting people. I love being part of their life for a moment, learning about their families and designing spaces that reflect who they are and how they live. And there is nothing more rewarding than the honor of a referral.

Elevating Design: One way to elevate a vanity design is through selection of a higher-end wood species and making thoughtful cabinet construction choices. Homeowners often love the look of walnut but the grain on a walnut veneer lacks the dramatic character available in the solid walnut slab door style. Additionally, we can use a frameless cabinet for smaller reveals (openings between drawers) and within each drawer we can specify a U-shaped cut-out to accommodate plumbing and a tiered drawer system within.

Keeping Current: I’m currently doing more contemporary cabinet designs than ever in my career. Many of my clients are looking to simplify and are drawn to cleaner lines. I’m seeing a trend toward more floating vanities as well as a preference for drawers rather than doors—much as we see in kitchens.

White Everywhere: While white undoubtedly is the most predominant bathroom color, and will likely remain so, it’s worth noting that our clients often opt to specify custom paint colors for their cabinets rather than the whites offered by our cabinet lines. Among the most popular are Chantilly Lace, Alabaster, Greek Villa and Bright White.

Choosing Updates: Bathrooms originally designed over 10 to 15 years ago may still have a 30-inch-tall vanity. A move to a higher 34.5 inch vanity, which some consider a comfortable height, will make a dramatic difference. Homeowners might also consider a change to a furniture-style vanity over a standard vanity.