Rutt Regency, Custom Kitchens from a Trusted Name

Bilotta Kitchens of New York Rutt Classic
Designed by Tom Vecchio

 Last week I had a great opportunity to visit the Rutt Cabinetry Factory in New Holland PA, I was there for their Rutt Regency training, but I learned and saw so much more about the company as a whole. Rutt, a well known and respected brand for many years operates their one and only factory in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country known for the vast rich farmland and the culturally unique Amish and Mennonite people who help make up a large part of the population.


Rutt distinguishes themselves from other manufacturers in many ways. among them is that they make their own doors. All of the wood is hand selected by one person for each clients project, thus ensuring a harmonious match throughout. Everything is cut planes and sanded in this one location where it is also then assembled and finished. Barb, the glass cutter is the single person responsible for cutting and installing the glass into the true divided lights.



Rutt Regency Contemporary Kitchen



There is a combination of old technology and new here, much of which is done is literally by hand, including the sanding/polishing of the lacquer doors and the glazing and distressing of the cabinetry when called for.

Always keeping up with the times, almost two years ago Rutt introduced a new line called Rutt Regency (yes it's taken me this long to get out there for the training!) they previewed the line to the dealers with a promise that they could deliver the product offered at approximately 20% less than regular Rutt. Over time it's been tested and can come in as much as 30% less, which in this tough market is a very attractive savings and increases the client pool that can afford a Rutt kitchen.



They have achieved the savings through a variety of manufacturing modifications including replacing the hanging rail system used in Classic Rutt with a 3/4" backing in Regency, the material used could be MDF or Plywood depending on the construction level selected. There are a few restrictions between the products, including the patented doors in the Classic level. However there are so many modifications and door styles that are available, it's hard to imagine not being able to hit the right look and price for almost any client from the mid-point price range up.

Part of the beauty of having the single manufacturing facility is that if you want something for your project that is only available through Classic, you can split the order and take the Regency savings on the bulk of the order with complete confidence that wood selection and finishing will match.

 

Designer: Gina Viscusi Elson
Rutt of Los Altos
Photo:Dean Birinyi
Enfield, Java stain on mahogany. 



Rutt is continuing to expand their product offerings, introducing new center panel options, the entire Benjamin Moore color palette at no additional charge, quality convenient Hafele Storage solutions, beautiful, economical, and eco-friendly  dimensional laminates, and LED lighting options in the cabinets.

It was an opportunity not to be missed, learning the product, and being entertained all the while by Dave Roos and Jason Artus of Rutt. We had a fun timeexchanging stories and design tips with great designers from all over the county including:Andrea Langford Design, LLC – Albany, NY, OMNI Group – Central City, PA,
Kitchens By Design, Inc. - Mt. Pleasant, SC,
World Class Cabinetry Corp. - Louisville, KY, Baywolf Dalton – Seattle, WA,
Bilotta Kitchens, New York City, Mamaroneck, Mount Kisco, NY . They topped off our learning experience with a factory tour, where it's evident they effort they put into a safe clean working environment. In the industry, if you are looking for a responsive manufacturer who is working overtime to provide quality and innovation in both contemporary and traditional cabinetry, I couldn't think of a better company to call.

Just one parting question for Rutt, when are you coming out with the "C" channel construction?



Rutt Regency Class of May 2012



Kitchen and Bath Remodeling on the BIG Upswing in 2010

Being in this business for so long now, it's become easy to recognize trends in the business, certainly among product and  over the past two years, the undeniable slump the home remodeling industry has been in. Sunday when I listened to an interview of Kermit Baker,the American Institute of Architects’s chief economist as well as senior research fellow at the Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) at Harvard University, my recent personal observations were confirmed. The remodleing industry is poised to experience a huge resurgence in business, and the primary focus of homeowners has returned to kitchens and bathrooms.
Mr. Baker mentioned in his interview with Maria Bartoromo of NBC News, that the home remodeling industry is now a $250 billion a year industry, still smaller than at it's peak but lager than the housing market at this time. He went on to say that 6-8 months ago homeowners were investing in siding, roofing, and windows, all retrofits and upgrades that offer immediate benefit in the reduction of home heating costs and/or energy efficiency.

This past November General Electric debuted the GE GeoSpring(TM) hybrid the first heat pump water heater to be ENERGY STAR(R) rated. Remember the commercial during the Olympic Games with the snow monkey lounging in their hot spring...this catchy advertising that has brought consumers in asking directly for the new technology. The GeoSpring promises to reduce energy expenses up to 62% and safe up to $320 annually on energy bills (in tests conducted by the Department of Energy), it was also awarded a Best of What's New Award by Popular Science.

According to Mr. Baker, the AIA has indications that nationally approximately 25% of remodels today incorporate some type of Green or renewable product technology. This growing trend is a very positive indication, since often green products require a larger initial investment than traditional building materials.

With the spring flowers came a rush of traffic to the kitchen showrooms around New York City and surrounding suburbs, like everyone else,  MCKB has been enjoying a spike in traffic. Once shoppers are in it's of course up to the designers and the showroom staff to gain the homeowners confidence and an opportunity to earn the business, but there is a willingness to spend that we haven't seen in about two years. Competition is fierce, homeowners are savvy and out looking for the best overall value: quality of product and workmanship are paramount. Its par for the course now that a prospective client will come in with a list, a sort of "walking tour" of NYC showrooms they are visiting on the same day and they will have a bag of literature to add my contribution to. The key for me is how to stay on the top of the pile.

Yesterday, I was with a couple in Garden City, Long Island. They were taking the first steps towards a kitchen remodel, we met in their home for the survey, and  I was retained for the project. The homeowners, who interviewed me in my showroom three times before inviting me into their home, made it clear they had been to every reputable shop in the city, hit all the big brand names and decided after two years on the browsing tour to work with myself and MCKB. I don't have to tell you how exciting that is as a designer.

One of the perks of the turnaround in the remodeling  market  is a byproduct of its roots in the correction in the housing industry.  Homeowners are remodeling to enjoy and stay in their homes, not to flip for quick cash and move on. This means projects have more a personal aspect, the materials chosen are of a better quality and the entire process is more thoughtful and yielding better results. People are obviously willing to invest more in a home they are committed to remaining in for 5+ years, so bring on the glass counter tops, inset and high end frameless cabinetry, exotic engineered wood veneers, and energy efficient appliances.