--- title: "Farmhouse Cabinetry Jacksonville FL | Apron Sinks" canonical: "https://kleincarpentryjax.com/services/cabinet-maker/farmhouse-cabinetry/" description: "Farmhouse cabinetry Jacksonville FL kitchens need: how an apron sink base is really built, open shelving tradeoffs, furniture details, and local pricing." --- # Farmhouse Cabinetry in Jacksonville, FL 1. [Home](/) 2. › 3. [Services](/services/) 4. › 5. [Cabinet Maker](/services/cabinet-maker/) 6. › 7. Farmhouse Cabinetry Most people who ask for this are really asking for one thing: the big exposed sink. Farmhouse cabinetry in Jacksonville FL is a category of [cabinets we build from scratch](/services/cabinet-maker/), and the apron sink is the part that cannot be faked, ordered off a shelf, or fixed later. Everything else in the style is adjustable. The sink base is structural, it has to be built around a sink you have already chosen, and getting it wrong means a new cabinet, not a new door. ![Farmhouse kitchen with an apron front sink and furniture feet on the cabinets](/_astro/farmhouse-cabinetry-1.DNbVZKl8_Covvu.webp) ## What Makes Farmhouse Style Cabinetry Different Farmhouse style cabinetry is a set of decisions, not a door profile. Strip away the styling and you find four things: an exposed apron sink, furniture-like details at the floor and the ends, a mix of open and closed storage, and hardware that looks like it came off a workshop rather than a catalog. The door itself is usually plain. A flat panel shaker door, a plank door, or a simple square edge slab all read farmhouse when the rest of the details are right. That is why a kitchen can be shaker and farmhouse at the same time, and why door style is the last thing we settle rather than the first. ## The Apron Sink Cabinet, and How It Is Really Built Here is the part nobody publishes. A standard sink base has a rail across the top front of the cabinet, usually 3 to 4 inches tall, which ties the two side panels together and keeps the box square. An apron sink cabinet does not have that rail. It gets cut away so the sink's front face can sit exposed in the opening. Take the rail out and the front of the box loses its structure. So we rebuild the strength somewhere else: - A full plywood platform, usually 3/4 inch, spans the interior of the base and carries the sink from underneath. The sink sits on that deck, not on the countertop and not on the rail. - Solid ledgers are fastened to both side panels to carry the platform, glued and screwed, and on a heavy sink we double them. - A rear rail and a captured back panel take over the job of keeping the box square. - The side panels get thickened or reinforced where the ledger lands, because that is where all the load goes. The load is real. A 30 inch fireclay apron sink typically weighs somewhere between 90 and 150 pounds empty, and cast iron can be heavier. Add a full basin of water and dishes and the deck under it is carrying a few hundred pounds. Two dimensions decide whether the finished job looks right. First, the platform height: it sets where the sink rim lands relative to the counter, and the target is the rim flush to about 1/8 inch below the finished counter surface so water sheets in. Second, the apron projection: we usually set the sink face to project 1/4 to 3/4 inch past the cabinet face frame, so it reads as a deliberate feature rather than a flush accident. The practical rule that saves projects: buy the sink before we build the cabinet. Apron sinks are not standardized. Two 33 inch sinks from different makers can differ by a half inch in apron height and a quarter inch in depth. We template off the actual sink in the shop, which is why the sink needs to be in hand, not on order. Doors in the sink base get shortened to clear the apron, and the drawer you would normally have above them is gone. ![Apron sink base cabinet modified to take the sink](/_astro/farmhouse-cabinetry-2.BALP9khQ_ABxnn.webp) ## Open Shelving, Honestly Upper cabinets Open shelving Storage per foot Full depth, dust free Roughly half, dust exposed Grease near a range Contained behind doors Lands on everything Cost Higher per foot Lower per foot Maintenance Wipe the door Wash the dishes you display Best location Working walls, near cooking Away from the range, a coffee or bar wall Open shelving looks great and costs you in ways photos do not show. In a kitchen where someone actually cooks, the shelves within about six feet of a range collect a film that has to be washed off, and the dishes on them need washing before use if they sit for weeks. Our honest recommendation is a mix: keep closed uppers on the working walls, and put two or three open shelves on a wall you pass rather than cook on. We build those as thick solid shelves with concealed steel rod supports, which is the same approach as our [floating shelves](/services/cabinet-maker/floating-shelves/) work. A 2 inch thick white oak shelf at 30 inches of span will hold a stack of plates without a visible bracket and without sagging. ![Farmhouse kitchen with open shelving and painted cabinetry](/_astro/farmhouse-cabinetry-3._1AkpqyW_ZEAweq.webp) ## Furniture Details and Hardware This is where farmhouse separates from plain. Instead of a continuous 4 inch recessed toe kick, we build turned or tapered feet under the sink run or the island, so the cabinetry stands like furniture. A furniture base adds about 1/2 to 1 inch of height, so counters get planned around it. Other details that earn their money: a plate rack built into an upper, a beefier counter overhang on the island so stools tuck under, a hood surround built as a piece of millwork rather than a metal insert, and end panels with applied frames instead of flat skins. Hardware carries a lot of the look. Cup pulls on drawers, simple knobs on doors, and exposed hinges in an unlacquered brass or oil rubbed finish that darkens over time. A word for Beaches clients: unlacquered brass and iron both react to salt air, so in Atlantic Beach and Ponte Vedra we usually steer to stainless or a coated finish unless you want the patina on purpose. We cover options on the [cabinet hardware installation](/services/cabinet-maker/cabinet-hardware-installation/) page. ![Farmhouse pantry cupboard with black hardware](/_astro/farmhouse-cabinetry-4.CGbq_-uc_14684Y.webp) ## Farmhouse Kitchen Cabinets and the Layout That Supports Them Farmhouse kitchen cabinets work best when the layout gives the sink a stage. A 33 or 36 inch apron sink centered on a window, with a drawer bank on each side, is the arrangement that makes the style read correctly. Drawers do more work here than doors. Because the sink base gives up its top drawer and open shelving gives up storage, the rest of the kitchen has to make it back. We usually spec deep drawers in the base runs rather than doors with interior shelves, which is covered in [custom drawers](/services/cabinet-maker/custom-drawers/). Tall pantry storage matters for the same reason, and the [pantry shelving and butler's pantry cabinetry](/services/cabinet-maker/pantry-shelving-butler-pantry-cabinetry/) page covers that side. ## Modern Farmhouse Cabinets vs Traditional Traditional farmhouse Modern farmhouse Door Plank or beaded, visible joinery Flat panel shaker, narrow frames Finish Painted soft white or muted color Crisp white or black, matte Sink Fireclay, heavy apron Fireclay or stainless apron, squared corners Hardware Cup pulls, knobs, exposed hinges Long matte black bar pulls Wood Painted with a stained island top Painted with white oak accents Modern farmhouse cabinets are, honestly, mostly a shaker kitchen with different hardware and a farmhouse sink. That is not a criticism, it is useful to know, because it means you can get the look without paying for specialty doors. If that is the direction, the [shaker style cabinets](/services/cabinet-maker/shaker-style-cabinets/) page will tell you more about the door than this page will. Traditional farmhouse costs more, because the plank doors, plate racks, turned feet and exposed hardware are all labor. ## Farmhouse Kitchen Design and How We Run the Job Farmhouse kitchen design starts with the sink and the window, then works outward. At the first visit we measure, look at where the plumbing is, and check whether the existing sink base opening can take the apron sink you want. In older Jacksonville homes the supply and drain often need to move a few inches, which is a plumber's morning, not a crisis. Then we draw elevations, you buy the sink, and we template off it. Shop build runs four to seven weeks. Install for a full kitchen is two to four days, and the sink base goes in first and gets leveled carefully, because everything else references it. ## Farmhouse Cabinetry Cost in Jacksonville Scope Typical Jacksonville range Apron sink base cabinet, built and templated $1,600 to $3,200 Modern farmhouse kitchen, 20 to 25 boxes $21,000 to $37,000 Traditional farmhouse with plank doors and furniture feet $28,000 to $52,000 Solid wood open shelves, installed, per shelf $350 to $750 Built-in plate rack in an upper $600 to $1,400 What moves it: door construction, how many furniture details you want at the floor and the ends, and species. Sinks and counters are separate from cabinetry and can move a budget quickly on their own. These are typical Northeast Florida ranges, and an exact number takes a visit. ## Why Jacksonville Homeowners Choose Klein Carpentry 4.8 ★ ### Rated by 51 Google Reviewers Klein Carpentry holds a 4.8 star average across [51 Google reviews](https://maps.google.com/?cid=7803379908473648836&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA). Homeowners keep mentioning the same things: fast replies, crews who show up when they say they will, and attention to detail. Every farmhouse cabinetry project gets a written quote, a clear schedule and a daylight walkthrough at the end. Humidity ### Built for Florida's Climate Wood gains and loses moisture with the air around it, and the USDA Forest Products Laboratory's [Wood Handbook](https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/62200) shows how much it swells and shrinks as a result. We plan every farmhouse cabinetry job for that movement: stable sheet goods, acclimated lumber, moisture-resistant material near slabs and wet rooms, and joints with room to move. 3 Heights ### Fit to Your Actual Walls Jacksonville homes range from plaster and concrete block to square new construction. We measure each opening at the floor, mid height and ceiling before building, then scribe the finished work to the wall. Depending on the piece, it is built in our shop and brought in finished or built on site in your home, so the fit stays tight either way. ## What Jacksonville Homeowners Say 4.8from [51 Google reviews](https://maps.google.com/?cid=7803379908473648836&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA) - > If I could give Klein Carpentry 10 Stars I would. Ray and Nathan are First Class Carpenters and throughout the whole process their attention to detail was beyond our expectations. We had Shiplap installed in our Cafe/Dining Room and Board&Batten throughout the Foyer. Through the start of installation the communication, cleanliness and putting up a plastic wall to exhaust the dust outside was a Plus because going through renovations can be stressful but they made it perfect. We are so impressed that they are coming back to do built-ins on each side of the fireplace. ⭐️⭐️Update Second Review⭐️⭐️ Ray and Nathan has exceeded our expectations again. Just Wow!!! They designed our 10 ft Built Ins here in Marshes of Maderia by Master Craft Homes. We absolutely love the Reeded Door and Drawer Panel design with Lights looks so Sophisticated and Timeless . Now our New Home looks complete ❤️ [Stacy Johnson](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/116242983541495512466/reviews) · a year ago on Google - > We recently used Klein Carpentry to aid in the renovation of our home. Ray and his team installed new baseboards, wainscotting, window/door trim and crown molding to bring a major update to what was a builder grade interior. From the bidding to the final nail took about two months but the results were worth the wait. During the entire process, Ray was polite and passionate about his work while keeping the working area tidy at all times. I would highly recommend using Kline for any of your carpentry needs, you won't be disappointed! [Glenn Seagers](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/114651120895171678610/reviews) · 2 years ago on Google - > My husband and I had the pleasure of working with Klein Carpentry. We recently moved into our new home, and as most homeowners, we wanted to put our personal touch on it. Inspired by so many ideas from Pinterest and HGTV, like so many others, I had several ideas of how I envision what I wanted for our custom built-in. I spoke with Ray, who could also see my vision and transfer it to a 3D program for us to see visually. Well, I can't say enough of what a fantastic job both Ray and Nathan did. From the start of our project to the very end, they exceeded our expectations in every way possible. Words can't describe how their professionalism, commitment, and craftsmanship are genuine. Both Ray and Nathan are genuinely a pleasure to work with. They are two kind, sincere gentlemen who care about their work and the client's vision. They are punctual and reliable and went above and beyond to ensure that my built-ins were completed on time. With this said, we could not be happier with how they turned out. I can finally display my beautiful Disney collectible, which I had been put away for far too long. I highly recommend Klein Carpentry to anyone considering having any work done in theirs. [Laureen Rosario-Perez](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/110756978317127978794/reviews) · 2 years ago on Google Reviews from Google ## Frequently Asked Questions Do I have to buy the apron sink before you build the cabinets? Yes, and we ask for it in hand rather than ordered. Apron sinks vary between manufacturers in apron height, depth and corner radius, so we template the cabinet opening from the actual sink. Building to a spec sheet and hoping is how a sink ends up sitting proud of the counter. Is open shelving a bad idea in Florida? Not bad, just higher maintenance, and a little more so here. Humid air carries cooking film further, and homes near the water that get opened up collect more dust and salt. Put shelving away from the range, keep what you use daily on it, and it works fine. What is the best sink size for a farmhouse kitchen? A 30 inch sink fits a 33 inch base and a 33 inch sink fits a 36 inch base, and those two cover most kitchens. Bigger sinks look impressive and eat base cabinet storage you will miss. We size it against the window and the counter run before anyone orders. Can an apron sink go into my existing cabinets? Sometimes, by modifying the sink base: cutting away the front rail, building an interior platform, and reinforcing the sides. It works when the existing base is a full 36 inch box in sound condition and the plumbing lines up. When the box is stapled particleboard, replacing that one cabinet is the better spend, which is standard [cabinet repair](/services/cabinet-maker/cabinet-repair/) triage. Does farmhouse cabinetry fit a newer home in Nocatee or St. Johns? It does, usually in the modern farmhouse version. Newer builds have the ceiling height and open plans that suit it, and a shaker door with black hardware and an apron sink sits comfortably there. Heavy traditional plank doors and turned feet tend to fight a new house. ## Related Cabinet and Carpentry Services - ### [Custom kitchen cabinets](/services/cabinet-maker/custom-kitchen-cabinets/) For the full kitchen scope, layout and box construction. - ### [Kitchen island cabinetry](/services/cabinet-maker/kitchen-island-cabinetry/) Where most farmhouse furniture detail ends up. - ### [Shaker style cabinets](/services/cabinet-maker/shaker-style-cabinets/) Since modern farmhouse is mostly a shaker door. - ### [Beadboard cabinetry](/services/cabinet-maker/beadboard-cabinetry/) For the cottage cousin of this style. - ### [Pantry shelving and butler's pantry cabinetry](/services/cabinet-maker/pantry-shelving-butler-pantry-cabinetry/) To replace the storage open shelving gives up. - ### [All of our Jacksonville cabinet maker services](/services/cabinet-maker/) Get a Free Quote Tell us about your farmhouse cabinetry project. 4.8[51 Google reviews](https://maps.google.com/?cid=7803379908473648836&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA) ## Start With the Sink If you have a sink picked out or a window you want it under, we can tell you quickly what the base has to become. Call Klein Carpentry at [(904) 759-4988](tel:9047594988) and we will come measure your kitchen anywhere in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Get A Free Quote Today