Nic Frost Cabinetry | Shoreview Office | Minneapolis

Whether remodeling an entire apartment complex or a small home office, every project requires the same attention to detail. And, when it comes to details, Cabinetmaker Nic Frost didn’t miss a single one on this modern home office makeover in the Shoreview suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Recognizing homeowner Trupti Storlie’s needs for durability, as well as style, Frost introduced the REHAU super-matte surface to achieve the perfect formula of modernity and functionality.

The office was bare, used primarily for storage, but Storlie had a greater vision. “The style in the house is modern, warm and relaxed, and we wanted this same style in the office,” she said. Nic Frost’s expertise was pivotal in bringing Storlie’s vision to life.

The homeowners were excited when he showed them the material, because they “knew that they could get the slab look that is both minimal and durable,” said Frost. The cabinet design Frost recommended takes advantage of mixed materials to add depth to its simple lines. “I paired the popular white oak woodgrain with a smooth flat color. The beauty of the black, ultra-matte surface provided a stunning contrast to the light wooden textures,” he explained.

Many of the painted cabinets in the house were chipping, so Storlie wanted her office cabinets to withstand heavy use. “With REHAU's matte surface, you can get the flat-fronted look in a level of matte that is just not achievable with spray finishes,” said Frost, “and it is way more durable than a spray finish could ever be.” With its nanotechnology, it has a thermal-healing surface property that allows it to repair micro-scratches.

The surface also resists UV radiation, abrasion, impact, household reagents and fingerprints. With young children in the house, these properties make it even more appealing. “Two of the drawers in the office are used for our kids’ art projects, so matte is a great surface for unclean hands and scrapes because it doesn’t mark and is very easy to clean,” Storlie explained.

With the mixed material combination of the light wood and the dark matte, the office was transformed from a storage room to an elegant, contemporary space in which to enjoy work and spend time.