When a local couple wanted their first-floor renovation to look fabulous for years to come, they enlisted the help of Daso Custom Cabinetry to bring their dream to life

By Patricia Nugent

If the kitchen is the heart of a home, then the island is certainly the spark that makes it beat.

When Rick and Kim Ullman, of Copley, decided to overhaul the first floor of their 1987 colonial, their goals—more entertaining space, better flow, increased storage—led to walls coming down and the footprint being rearranged to make way for a new island that is as massive (13-feet long) and showstopping as it is ultra-practical.

They had heard about the reputation of Daso Custom Cabinetry and contacted owner Jeff Daso. A self-taught woodworker, Jeff started honing his craft out of his parents’ garage while still a teenager. Today, with locations in Strongsville and Columbus, he has earned a reputation for high-end, hand-crafted cabinetry and home renovations, collaborating with architects and designers across the country.

“This is one of the most dramatic transformations we’ve done,” says Jeff. “By taking down the wall between the kitchen and former dining room, we were able to double the size of the kitchen. In the family room, we took down a wall leading to a sunroom, creating a much larger and brighter great room.”

He explains another goal of the renovation was to take down the walls of a kids’ playroom by the garage door and construct a chic mudroom complete with white shiplap lockers for each family member.

Let’s Talk Focal Points
Kim and Rick worked with the designers to craft two main focal points. The first is the island itself.

“To make it stand out from the other countertops, we shopped the slabs and selected one with the biggest, boldest movement,” says Kim. “The surrounding counters have much less veining.”

They also went with a stripe of black marble backsplash underneath the sculptural white oven hood. It contrasts nicely with the white marble backsplash.

“To add an earthy element to the black-white-and-gray color scheme, they went with a luxury vinyl tile flooring that mimics the rustic feel of wide wood planks,” says Jeff. “Of course, since we custom make the cabinetry ourselves here in Ohio, there really are no limitations. Anything people can dream up, we can build. And since there’s no middleman, we keep the cost down to what you’d pay for standard cabinets.”

In this kitchen, custom features include charging stations built into the drawers, easy roll-out and slow-close drawers, as well as utensil stations.

Let there Be Light
Casting light on the sleek white cabinetry and countertops through recessed can lights and stylish murphy bulb-encased pendants helps open up the space.

In terms of workflow, Jeff explains that they basically had to stretch the workspace out to be in proportion to the island, moving the sink down about five feet, and the refrigerator to the other side of the room.

Visualizing the Scope of Work
Jeff does the majority of the initial field measurements himself, sitting down with the homeowners to get a good feel for what their goals are. Then he brings the concepts and information back to his showrooms.

“From that point, our design and drafting teams take everything and create a 3D CAD presentation for the client on a large screen at headquarters or virtually if they wish,” he says. “This is really where my team shines. They pull the concepts together and come up with truly imaginative ideas. Once the proposal is perfected, we move to the materials selection process, which can also be done here or virtually.”

He notes that clients appreciate how his team collaborates and coordinates the countless moving parts in a renovation.

“I am proud of my company’s culture,” he adds. “Each job begins and ends with me, but our people are empowered to be leaders in serving the customer every step of the way.”

Top Trends in 2022
Kim and Rick Ullman invested in their first-floor renovation to create something that will look fabulous for years to come, keeping things simple and classic.

And yet, the design team at Daso Custom Cabinetry built in a few to-die-for, ultra-trend-worthy features. Jeff Daso explains:

• Matte Black Fixtures and Sink: “Emblematic of the modern industrial look, these make a dramatic statement and add inviting contrast to any space.”

• Open Shelving: “This has become increasingly popular the past year. In even the most contemporary rooms, people crave something natural and organic, so in this kitchen, we infused a bit of the outdoors with white oak floating shelving.”

• Base Cabinet Microwaves: “With almost every renovation, homeowners want the micro hidden within the base cabs, as it adds more counter space.”

• Shiplap: “Our designers chose to wrap the island in gray shiplap to emphasize its long shape. You most often see shiplap in white, so doing it in another color puts a fun spin on what’s expected. It adds a straightforward counterpoint to the curvy movement of the Cambria quartz countertop.”

Daso Custom Cabinetry is located at 17200 Pearl Road in Strongsville. The Dublin location is at 13 South High Street. Call 440-759-3032 or visit DasoCustomCabinetry.com for more information.