International Wood International Wood 2006 | Page 41

“We use a lot of Brazilian cherry and African
mahogany, and for customers who want a
lighter look, we’ll source birch from northern
Europe, Russia, and Canada. We will seldom
use stains, but prefer to use natural finishes
that bring out the beauty of the species.”
ROdGER DETTMAnN
Cabinets are typically the most expensive aspects of any kitchen
design, and expenditures indicate that homeowners are willing to invest
in custom options to achieve their dreams. Wood cabinets are still per-
ceived to be the superior choices, and consumers are increasingly par-
ticular regarding the selection of imported woods. Cabinet shops small
and large report a strong trend toward the use of imported woods.
Mertins Cabinet Shop is a 19-person business in the Midwest pro-
viding custom cabinetry for discerning clientele. Though it may be a
small shop, Mertins is well versed in understanding – and using – im-
ported wood. Their high quality cabinet and interior trim work is so re-
spected that they only generate business on a referral basis, and they get
plenty of it. Mertins’ designs are found in homes ranging from $500,000
to $5,000,000.
Rodger Dettmann, director of purchasing for Mertins, is personally
responsible for the sourcing and selecting of hardwood, softwood, and
plywood for the company.
“We use a lot of Brazilian cherry and African mahogany, and for cus-
tomers who want a lighter look, we’ll source birch from northern Europe,
Russia, and Canada. We will seldom use stains, but prefer to use natural
finishes that bring out the beauty of the species,” Dettmann states.
Today’s consumer is much more design savvy than in past eras.
Thanks to extensive home design television programming, home product
retail ers, the Internet, and print media, homeowners are more educated
regarding design options and products. Thus, they are becoming more
sophisticated in terms of imported wood selection for their cabinets.
Dettmann explains, “The use of imported species is on the rise
as the consumer becomes more aware of the unique qualities these
i m p o r t e d w o o d
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