Santos and Son Kitchens

10/09/2026

The KSA recently sent out an industry advisory to our members regarding the dangers of installing cabinetry when a site is not dry.

It is NEVER best practice to install cabinetry when the walls may be damp or when walls have not been plastered and sealed with at least a primer, and floors have not been screeded. Any and all cabinetry installed under these circumstances is at very high risk of moisture damage.

It is the builder’s responsibility to have a building / masonry grade industrial moisture meter so that it can be determined if the walls are dry enough for installation. If there are any queries the builder must be able to show the cabinet maker that the measure reflects a maximum of 12-15% moisture (this is the international best practice percentage). If the measure reflects more than this the cabinetmaker should be able to refuse to install without penalty. If forced to install the builder should sign a waiver absolving the cabinet maker of any liability should the cabinetry suffer moisture damage in the future.

There is no prescribed industry standard when it comes to backing boards on cabinetry. Cabinet makers are free to determine their own best practice in this regard and it varies from company to company. Many cabinetmakers do not add a backing board when building cabinetry for developments in order to work withing the PC amount prescribed by the builder. For those who do add a backing board it was often Masonite and is now often 3mm single faced MDF. While adding a backing board to the cabinetry can assist in slowing down the process of moisture reaching the melamine carcassing it will not stop it. You will however normally see the impact of the moisture on the backing board first.

Many cabinet / kitchen manufacturers only edge the seen sides of carcassing. When installing without a backing board it is our recommendation that the unseen sides facing the wall are either edged or sealed with a liquid sealant before installation to afford a little extra protection.

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

We did this beautiful dressing Room a few years back but we feel the design is still contemporary. The client had not done the finishes yet and therefore we used AI to just finish the floors etc.
We used Bison Kalapana Peen with Bison Luca Polenta backing. The Drawer Fronts were White Peen.

04/09/2026

When planning to renovate a kitchen it is important to consider why are you doing this renovation.

Is this project an upgrade to rent out? If so, you need to focus on durable, easy to maintain finishes and simple design. Sadly, many tenants don’t look after spaces the way you would.

Are you updating to sell the property? If so, then the go-to plan is usually aesthetics first. Kitchens are one of the key contributors to a successful sale. Make sure your finishes have mass appeal and can be easily adapted to reflect the new owner’s tastes

Is this your new forever kitchen? If so, then ensure you have done your homework so that in a few years your cabinetry is not showing wear and tear and frustrating you. Ensure your budget allows for good quality hardware and that you understand the care, maintenance and longevity of the finishes you choose.

04/09/2026

Next in our advice on things to consider when planning a kitchen remodel –

You need to consider whether you or your family have any special needs? When you think about who will be using the kitchen space give thought to any special needs you may have as a family. Is the primary cook in the family left-handed? Most kitchen are set out for right-handed people but if the primary cook is left-handed the space will work better if it orientates anticlockwise rather than clockwise. Is anyone a wheelchair user, does anyone battle with sensory overload, does anyone have arthritis. Both seen and unseen disabilities need to be considered when planning a new space.

04/09/2026

Continuing our advice on thigs to consider when you are planning a kitchen remodel…

Look at what you own:
Do you have China or crystal that you’d like to display.
Do you have heavy Le Creuset pots and pans
Do you have lots of baking accessories.
Do you have lots of small appliances that need specialised storage.

Remember to consider your pets here as well –where do you feed them, store their food, toys and treats?

You must also give thought to what you hate or like about your current kitchen or other kitchens you have experienced, in the past? Experience is a great informer. Think back to kitchen spaces you have been in. What did you like about them, what worked well. Equally as important, what didn’t work – what put strain on your back, made clutter, was hard to reach? Then think about what you most want – maybe it is specialized storage for dog food, maybe it is easy access to small appliances used regularly, maybe it is more countertop space or more storage.

04/09/2026

Planning for a kitchen renovation is daunting –where do you start and how do you know you have covered everything you need to consider when you are about to sign on the dotted line. During August we will be sharing our advice on the top things you need to give thought to before you sign off the final design and hand over your deposit.

How do you live, shop, entertain and cook? It is important to have done a thorough breakdown as to how you live within a kitchen space before you meet with a designer.

Give thought to how you shop – weekly or monthly.
How do you cook – do you enjoy cooking or live on take-out. Do you cook for two or for large family groups?
How do you entertain – small intimate dinners or large gatherings?
How do you use the kitchen space – is it somewhere just for food prep or is it a multi-use space for homework, artwork, teaching?

22/08/2026

Congratulations Hendrick with your beautiful TV Unit. It was a pleasure.