I hope some of you are finding these posts at least mildly interesting, because frankly, they’re beginning to bum me out. I’ll feel more upbeat when I have better news to report.
Here’s the cabinetry update. Yesterday – before the wintry weather hit – I got out my compass and ventured across the river into the wilds of Virginia.

The purpose: to meet with one of the terrific owners of Courthouse Kitchens & Baths, a Wood-Mode cabinetry dealer & designer and contractor. He said they might be able to lend me goodies for the Design House.
A few hours later, I emerged from their showrooms with a new friend and biz contact but not necessarily the “Urban Elegance” I was hoping for. You never know, though, so we’re keeping communications open. (This is a kitchen Courthouse has done. Elegant if not urban, right?)
He and the Design Center folks also suggested I contact another Wood-Mode person…waiting to hear back on that.
I feel a little like the Wicked Witch of the West watching that red sand trickle through the hourglass. (Without the gleeful cackling, though.)
Normally, it can take 8-12 weeks (sometimes 6, but not usually) for cabinets to be delivered ONCE THE ORDER IS PLACED. Under regular circumstances, the design process before placing the order can take months.
I have about 11 weeks before the Design House kitchen must be finished. Which is why the usual strategy is borrowing cabinets already on display in one of the Design Center showrooms: no time for custom orders.
So you can see why I’m a little anxious to get this cabinetry issue resolved. Otherwise, I guess I design a…what? Uber-modern kitchen in which cabinetry is rendered obsolete? That might be pushing it, even for me.
Map and Witch pic from Wikipedia.