International Kitchens

My new kitchen cabinets and counter look great. Functional, clean and simple, just what I wanted. I'm over the moon happy! Barbie was patient, reassuring and creative given the constraints of a small and awkward space. She understood that I was working within a modest budget and had elected against a major tear out and reconfiguration as the solution. The cabinets from Merit were delayed (delivered 9 weeks from the date ordered), but once installed by Ben (a fine carpenter), the stone fabricators ProGranite were prompt and did a beautiful job. The end result is really pleasing and well worth the wait and temporary inconvenience.

Our contractor sent us to International Kitchens for design help. We were very pleased to work with Barbie Bond. She was very knowlegable, listened to us and offered great suggestions. The cabinet delivery was delayed by the manufacturer (Merit) but when they arrived they were beautiful and as ordered. The original kitchen lacked storage and was poorly designed. Now I have empty cupboard space! It's beautiful and we're thrilled! Scope of work included ktchen remodel, extension and refinishing of hardwood floors, custom cabinet in family room and bathroom cabinets (by KI).

This is our 3rd kitchen project in our 3rd house. We decided for International Kitchens because it was close to a European style high quality kitchen we had before. Designer did good job with the design and understands what we are looking. She was creative, listen to us and we had the impression we are in good hands. We decided for Miele Appliances in highest quality including Miele induction cooktop and International Kitchens gave us the impression that they know what they do based on their experiences from other projects. Decision for cabinets was "Crystal Cabinets" in white with natural grain and it looked great. The drawings looked perfect, they measured a couple of times to "double check" and we were looking forward to have a perfect kitchen in our new construction home. After signing the contract and waiting for the project to start the 5 month (and not ending) nightmare starts. On August 25th 2014 the demolish work was scheduled. IK sub-contracted a construction company who had a look to the project at our house (demolish and installation of cabinets etc.) before. We removed everything including the items in the living room, covered the furniture with protective sheets a day before. After waiting 2h we called IK and they excused but cannot start at the Monday, we have to wait until Wednesday. We wait and no one showed up again. The owner of the construction company called me and told me that he never planned to start and that there is no existing contract between him and IK. I was shocked because time was ticking fast and the project was on risk now due the dependencies (appliances delivery, countertop delivery etc.). Researching the details we realized that IK put in their offer a different prize for labor work per hour than the subcontractor estimate and that the project calculation was different (half the time). The construction company told me they only will work on this project if I directly contract them on a time and material base because of their bad experience with IK in other projects. At that time there was no other workaround and we had to move from a fixed price with IK to a time & material price with the construction company. After the project started on September 2nd and the first cabinets and the island has to be installed we realized that IK measured wrong and we need additional hard floor to cover the gap for the kitchen island, we have to live with a workaround for the Miele Hood because the vent outlet was measured wrong and the above cabinets don’t cover it (imagine it is a very clean and clear line and design). The project management by IK was not existing and we had to deal with every detail directly. If you think the story ends you are wrong. The oven frame was measured wrong and they have to order a new one, the door for the cabinet where the Miele hood is integrated was too long, the fridge door to short, the hood cabinet was designed wrong ignoring the instruction guidance by Miele. Albert Lee had to find a workaround to install it. The trim of the above cabinets had a different color. The shelves left and right of the above cabinets have been measured wrong (one to long, one to short, and both with the wrong depth). The fridge door panel was too short. In the meantime it was October. The new parts have been delivered but the oven frame was wrong again, one shelve was too short, the channel for the indirect lightning on both shelves had a different width than the ones in the cabinets. The door for the hood cabinet has boreholes for hinges but the above cabinets don't have hinges, they have Blum Aventos and Blum Servodrive for Aventos. The only correct part was the fridge panel door. If you think that this was a good signal... it was not. IK started to do this work. We agreed but unfortunately IK mounted the fridge doors upside down so that the grain doesn't fit anymore and the door is not flush. End of October 2014: the owner of IK gave us the honor to visit us and guaranteed that IK take care and fix everything. We trust him, still believing that IK can fix everything and stand behind their products. December: oven frame Nr.3 should arrived but didn't, shelve Nr. 3 should arrive but didn't. January 2015: final install and work on a committed punch list. Oven frame again wrong measured. We complained about one of the touch latch that is not working correct. IK ordered a new one. But after installing the new ones they realized that 2 of the cabinet doors have wrong hinges (after 5 month!). We are still waiting that they finish this work. Installing the trim at the hood cabinet IK scratched the Miele Hood with the excuse that the appliance dealer didn't deliver the correct screws. The fridge door and the hood trim is not flush and they are not willing to fix it. Couple of days ago a part of the veneer of the oven frame fall apart and it looks like that the oven frame is misapplay (front is back, back is front and they try to cover the edges with skin material). It looks like they fix one issue from the punch list and create 2 new one. Bottom line: IK has the ultimate opinion that they finish the punch list and they have to send us the hinges only to mount it by ourselves or the construction company and have the right to ask for the final payment and even with an incorrect invoice for the last payment. Unless they have a new staff I highly recommend steering clear. Bad experience ever, 2 + month without the ability to cook, using a fridge or use a dishwasher. In 30 years being a home owner we have never been mistreated as a valuable customer paying a lot of money for a kitchen that is not perfect, will never be and still not finished after 5 month.

The cabinets and counters turned out great. They look beautiful. We put in a special eating area that was completed but it went in smoothly. We now have plenty of space.

We could not be happier with our experience working with John Ko at International Kitchens, Bellevue. His esthetic sense and attention to detail ensured that our kitchen island, cooktop, hood and wine cooler were installed to perfection. He was able to communicate intricate details and offer excellent insight into every aspect of design. The final product exceeded our expectations. Thank you, John!!!

Barbie Bond of International Kitchens was absolutely the most perfect designer for me & my new kitchen! She is creative and she is patient----both of these qualities were necessary for this job. She totally "got" what I was dreaming about for the new kitchen. We deleted the dining room and now I have a beautiful new, amazing, use-able, high-functioning mind-blowingly gorgeous kitchen! Perfect for entertaining. Plenty of accessible storage. And it's peaceful, comfortable, stunning and innovative. I highly recommend Barbie Bond from International Kitchens. Katie Wasem Silverdale, WA

Sylvia Fernando designed our kitchen and did an AMAZING job! She started by asking me about my preferences, likes, dislikes and my wish list. she then gave me everything that I asked for. She found a way to fit all that I wished for in the space allowed. She understood that I am a visual person and cannot "imagine" what the outcome can be, so she proceeded to describe her ideas and asked her questions in a very detailed way so that I was never confused or unsure. After the completion of the install, she followed through, made the few changes that took the project from a 9.8 out of 10 to an 11 out of 10, at NO COST I may add. she is knowledgeable, friendly and excellent at what she does. No wonder she is rated # 1 in Seattle. She needs to be # 1 nationally. Not only do I recommend her HIGHLY, I wish if I can do that job all over again, as long as she is involved. Thank you Sylvia for making a "construction" job pleasurable.