5 Tips for Home Renovation
May 14, 2025
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At PSM Cabinets, every project is an opportunity to refine how design intent translates into manufacturing reality. Our 2025 Bentleigh dual-unit project was exactly that—a detailed, multi-zone residential build where joinery wasn’t just decorative, but deeply integrated into how the homes function day to day.
This blog is a technical yet honest reflection on the project—what we built, how we built it, and what I personally learned along the way.
Location: Bentleigh, Melbourne
Scope: Full residential joinery across two units
Spaces: Kitchens, wardrobes, linens, laundries, powder rooms, studies, bars, offices, makeup stations, retreats, under-stair joinery, TV units, shaving cabinets
Material palette: Boston Oak Woodmatt, Blossom White 2-pack, Calacatta fluted profiles, porcelain stone, engineered substrates
kitchens were designed around contrast and longevity.
The combination gave warmth at eye and hand level, while keeping overheads visually light—ideal for Melbourne homes where natural light varies seasonally.
From a manufacturing perspective, consistency in drawer hardware across zones simplified CNC programming and on-site alignment while maintaining premium performance.
Wardrobes continued the Boston Oak Woodmatt language, paired with Häfele Alto Slim drawers.
This was a deliberate decision—cost-effective, slim, reliable, and perfect for wardrobes where usability outweighs heavy load requirements. It’s proof that good joinery isn’t always about choosing the most expensive component, but the right one.
Linens were executed in 2-pack painted tall cabinetry, split vertically with a central finger-pull detail.
A small detail, but one that elevates circulation spaces without visual noise.
The laundry was designed around real living patterns.
This vertical integration reduced daily friction—something only noticeable when it’s done right.
Powder rooms featured Boston Oak cabinetry paired with Calacatta fluted profiled doors (25mm thick).
The fluting introduced texture and shadow play, adding architectural depth to compact spaces without overpowering them.
Studies & Bars – Engineering the Invisible
These details don’t show—but they’re what keep shelves straight and solid years later.
Office joinery included:
Span control, deflection management, and concealed fixings were key here—especially for Melbourne homes where temperature movement is real.
Makeup stations were finished with stone tops on custom substrates fabricated by us, with stone detailed to appear 40mm thick via front mitre.
This allowed structural stability without unnecessary weight.
Each element was designed to disappear into the architecture; functional, quiet, intentional.
These are the kinds of details users appreciate every single day, even if they never consciously notice them.
This project was more than just joinery.
I’m an architectural designer by profession, but manufacturing has always been in my DNA. I grew up around machines—workshops, timber, problem-solving at scale. That early exposure shaped how I approach design today.
Throughout this project, I learned immensely:
I’m still learning—and I remain very humble about that learning curve. Every project adds another layer of understanding, not just about materials and machines, but about people.
The Bentleigh dual-unit project reflects what PSM Cabinets stands for in the Melbourne market:
design-led thinking, manufacturing precision, and honest collaboration.
Joinery is not just about cupboards, it’s about how people live, move, store, and interact with their homes. And when design and manufacturing speak the same language, the results last.
If you’re a builder, designer, or homeowner looking for technically resolved, architecturally driven joinery this is exactly where we operate.
Dushyant Kathuria
Architectural Designer | Manufacturer
PSM Cabinets, Melbourne
