2016 Wood Diamond Award
Symphony Kitchens (Toronto, ON)

Main Category: Kitchen
Dollar Amount: Over $50,000
Sub Category: Best Overall

Briefly describe your business and the type of products manufactured.
We manufacture a wide variety of products. Our main business is custom exclusive & creative kitchens. Since we work with local home-builders, we also manufacture custom vanities, wall units, mud rooms, wine rooms, bars and millwork. Our goal is to make each project unique and satisfy our customers with the service beyond their expectations

What materials/species were used in this project/item?
Exterior finish was MDF painted semi-gloss finish. We construct our cabinet boxes from 3/4″ Hard Rock Maple Melamine from McFeddens Inc. in Toronto, Ontario. Our cabinet backs are 3/4″ Hard Rock Maple. At exposed cabinet surfaces we utilize 3/4″ Maple Veneer plywood for case construction. We use Blumotion undermount full extension drawer slides and Blum European Compact hinges with Blumotion. Install various cabinet inserts provided by McFeddens Inc & Richelieu. Dovetail Drawer boxes are supplied by Atlantic Doors Inc.

Describe, in detail, the project/item's construction
We used 3/4" MDF Plum Creek for all painted doors, panels and fillers.
Solid maple for moldings and baseboards
3/4" Hard Rock Maple Melamine interior

What is the most unusual aspect or outstanding characteristic of this entry?
The main element of this kitchen is twelve foot ceilings. It was a client’s dream to build his own house with as high as possible ceilings. As we know there are always rules and regulations however considering that most houses ceiling are 9 feet and ten is considered special so by making it twelve really that space look great and open. It was something we did first time in our shop as well.
Second main design element of the kitchen which was one must haves in our client’s wish-list was the oversized metal hood. It really adds character to the white kitchen. To finish off the design we build a decorative arch that connects the kitchen together. Back of the hood was highlighted by darker backsplash. Two level Walnut Island also adds its own interesting part to the overall look. It connects the kitchen with hardwood floors and matching countertops tie everything together.
In term of functionality we have used every single cabinet to make sure all the items used in the kitchen stay there. Island has a built in appliance lift up. Corner cabinets have magic corners and there are spice pull outs and towel racks around sink and stove area. Beside the sink is a large waist-bin with additional smaller size garbage-bin in the island.
We really divided this kitchen into working zones, cleaning and cooking zones. It was a great design process for our team and even greater end result. We planned the kitchen right for the whole family and after kitchen was used clients said that everything was planned correctly and has its own space.

How has being a member of the CMA benefited you and/or your business?
Being a member of CMA give us an opportunity to learn more about our industry and where it’s going. CMA always has great networking organization that connects people on their great events where we all exchange information on business processes, challenges and solutions. By reading forums and all the great information people are sharing it helps to get a better understanding of production and pricing.
With design competition it gives a chance to show our clients our work and become more recognizable in our industry.

List any items that were outsourced.
All cabinet fabrication & finishing were completed in our shop. All cabinet boxes face frames and assembly was done in our shop as well. Maple wood doors & drawer fronts, drawer boxes and trim were fabricated we ordered from a local door maker Atlantic Doors Inc. All cabinets and trim were installed by our installers. Plumbing fixtures, counter-top and trims were provided by client and other trades installed them.