Last week, members of the Quality Design & Remodel team traveled to Kentucky for a behind-the-scenes look at Mouser Cabinetry, one of our trusted cabinetry partners. Sr. Project Designer Nicole, Project Designers Ashleah and Sydney, and Project Manager John flew out for a two-day visit that included a tour of Mouser’s new showroom, a live cooking demonstration, and an inside look at the factory where their cabinetry is made from start to finish.
We’ve been working with Mouser for several years, and the partnership has been a great fit for QDR and our clients. This trip gave our team an opportunity to see firsthand the craftsmanship, attention to detail, and people behind the cabinetry we incorporate into our projects.
Exploring Mouser’s New Showroom
The first day of the trip began in Mouser’s new showroom, where our team explored a variety of kitchen, bathroom, bar, and specialty displays designed to showcase both the aesthetic and functional possibilities of custom cabinetry. Their new showroom is stunning!
One of the biggest takeaways was seeing just how far custom cabinetry can go beyond standard features and configurations. From integrated refrigerator panels and creative storage solutions to highly customized details, the showroom demonstrated how cabinetry can be tailored to the individual space and the way a homeowner wants to live. Make sure you check out all of the pictures!
Seeing those possibilities firsthand was especially inspiring for our designers as they continue looking for new ways to create unique, highly personalized spaces for QDR clients. The showroom experience wasn’t limited to looking at displays, either.
Mouser has begun hosting regular chef demonstrations in its showroom to show partners and clients how its kitchens actually perform when they’re being used. During our visit, a chef prepared food for the group, including some quite tasty fritters, while demonstrating the functionality of the kitchen and its integrated appliances. It was a great example of turning a showroom into an experience rather than simply a place to view products. In fact, it’s something we’re considering bringing to the QDR Clifton Park Design Center in the future.
The first day wrapped up with dinner alongside our Mouser representatives and members of the Mouser team, giving everyone an opportunity to catch up, talk about how the partnership has been going, and continue strengthening the relationship between our companies.
From Raw Materials to Finished Cabinetry
On the second day, our team headed into the Mouser factory for a full tour of the cabinetry manufacturing process. The tour followed the cabinets through virtually every stage of production. We saw the construction of the cabinet framework, sanding and preparation, finishing, painting, quality control, packaging, and eventually the process of preparing completed cabinetry for shipment.
Our team visited the factory in the past, but we were reminded just how impressive the level of detail involved in Mouser’s procedures. Like for their quality control, they utilize large blacklights that make it easier to identify surface imperfections (leftover glue, scratches, etc.) or anything else that shouldn’t be present on the finished cabinetry. Even the smallest of imperfections get full attention and can then be addressed before the product is packaged.
One of the most interesting parts of the visit was learning more about the details that set Mouser cabinetry apart. Their team showed us features like lock-mitered, flush-finished ends, which create a clean, seamless appearance, as well as their maple drawer boxes with dovetail joints that are carefully sanded smooth for a more refined finish. Walnut drawer boxes are also available as an upgrade. While birch drawer boxes and unfinished dovetail joints are common throughout the industry, Mouser puts additional attention into these details. Their customization capabilities also allow them to do things like extend finished ends to the back of an island for a more furniture-like appearance and combine multiple cabinets to create a cleaner, more cohesive finished design. They may be small details individually, but together they demonstrate the level of craftsmanship and customization that our team was so impressed by throughout the trip.
What stood out most, however, was just how much of the process still involves a human touch. There are so many people involved throughout nearly every stage of creating, finishing, inspecting, and preparing the cabinetry. Our team has an even greater appreciation for the amount of care that goes into the cabinets before they ever arrive at one of our projects.
A Shared Commitment to Quality
Beyond the showroom displays, equipment, and manufacturing processes, one of the biggest impressions our team brought home from Kentucky was the dedication of the people at Mouser. It was clear throughout the visit that their team takes pride in the cabinetry they produce and understands that what they’re building will ultimately become part of someone’s home.
That’s particularly important to us at Quality Design & Remodel. We want to work with partners who care about the details as much as we do and seeing that commitment firsthand reinforced why Mouser has been such a great partner for QDR and our clients.
Thank You Mouser
A big thank you to our Mouser Sales Representative, Sam Martin, and the rest of their team for inviting us and giving us such an in-depth look at the new showroom and factory. After several years of working together, we’re excited to continue strengthening our partnership with Mouser and finding new ways to put their craftsmanship to work in the homes we design and remodel.
