Rick's Cabinet celebrating its 15th anniversary in Miami Lakes
By Cynthia A. B. Wine
The Miami Laker staff
Kitchens aren't just about cooking anymore. Lifestyle, design and status are all part of the mix.
In his more than 40 years in the cabinetry industry, Rick Blanco has made it his business to keep up with the cutting- edge concepts and his clients' needs.
This year, Rick and his business partner, Teresa, are celebrating Rick's Cabinet Tree's 15th anniversary in Windmill Gate Shopping Center. The Miami Lakes residents will also celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary in 2006.
In 1961, Rick was 19 years old when he left Cuba for a new life in Miami. His uncle owned a cabinet shop and gave Rick his first job.
"There was no work, but he gave me a job for 75-cents an hour," Rick said. "I started there and I loved it."
He learned about cabinet design, production, manufacturing, installation and sales, and went on to represent his uncles' business and other cabinet manufactures.
To fulfill his creative goals, Rick decided to open his own business and focus on kitchen design and sales, and Teresa joined him as office manager. Their son Rick Blanco Jr. is the computer and information technology coordinator, and Armando Cordoves, a longtime colleague, is a designer and assistant.
The Blancos came up with the name Cabinet Tree as not only a play on words, but to reflect that natural woods are used in their products and the idea that just as a tree can be filled with fruit, the shop is filled with many ideas.
Since opening in Windmill Gate Shopping Center in 1991, Rick's Cabinet Tree has tripled its space.
The showroom is carefully designed to house a wide variety of cabinetry and hardware, and show different cabinet configurations.
"We have an expandable showroom," Rick said with a smile.
In addition to years of on-the job experience, Rick became a certified kitchen designer with the National Kitchen and Bath Association 10 years ago.
Teresa proudly noted that her husband is one of just 65 certified kitchen designers in Florida, adding that his kitchens have frequently won awards.
"I like the challenge of design," he said. "Everybody comes with ideas in their head and my challenge is to fit it in the actual space and budget."
Rick said that the process of taking the ideas through the detailed process of planning, designing, production and installation requires precise measurements, execution and coordination.
"It's like a miracle every time," he said. "I tell everybody, you're not just buying cabinets. It's a whole package - design, professional guarantee of a good product, and installers who are experienced and professional."
Whether he's remodeling a kitchen or creating a design for a new home, Rick is careful to get to know his clients' needs.
"I remember when the kitchen was an enclosed room," Rick said., "Now it's the center of the house. A big room where you can gather and enjoy your family."
Important considerations include how many people live in the house, whether or not they buy in bulk, how much and what kind of entertaining they do, the kind of cooking they do, and of course, budget.
Once he comes up with a design, it can be interpreted in a variety of different styles and materials, depending on the clients preference and budget.
TERESA and RICK BLANCO are celebrating Rick's Cabinet Tree's 15th anniversary, and their 40th wedding anniversary this year.
Rick also said he designs kitchens to use unlikely spaces for increased storage, for example, pull-out pocket drawers next to the stove and oven for spices.
"With his designs, he makes everything convenient for cooking," Teresa said.
"Before I make it look good, I make sure it works," Rick said.
While today's computer programs help put the designs on paper, that's not where they start.
"I design in my head," he said.
"And in your heart," his wife added.
Teresa, who works closely with clients to keep them apprised of the project and schedule, said most of their business comes from referrals and community contacts.
The Blancos belong to the Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce, and Rick is serving on the Town of Miami Lakes Beautification Advisory Committee.
Rick's Cabinet Tree is located at 16387 N.W. 67 Avenue. The showroom is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, but other hours are available by appointment. For more information, call 305 826 8711, or visit www.rickscabinettree.com