Kitchen Remodel

This remodeling project was completed for a previous client that wanted the kitchen in their new home to be as nice as the kitchen we remodeled for them in their old home several years prior. They wanted a kitchen completed within their modest budget that was contemporary as well as functional.

The needs and desires of the client were many for what seemed like a simple remove and replace kitchen project. They needed more storage space, better functionality, solid surface countertops and to stay within the budget. They desired a kitchen that was modern in design and function using higher quality cabinetry and other materials.

Here’s a list of what we were able to do for our client:

By relocating the sink and moving the dishwasher to the other side of the sink we were able to not only remove a safety and traffic hazard, we were able to create a better working area for the client to do dishes. The dishwasher used to be directly opposite the built in double oven which caused issues whenever both were being used at the same time. Now when both are open simultaneously there is plenty of room to get around in the kitchen without tripping or running into anything.
The new dishwasher location also allowed for a better cabinet design and sink location that was better centered on the existing window.
The client chose to go with 48” upper cabinets in place of the old 42”. This gave them much needed additional storage space as well as an opportunity to add a valance with lighting over the sink. The taller cabinets made it possible to place a valance above the existing window and over the sink. This created consistency with the upper cabinets and tied them all together where before the remodel they did not. The cabinet to the right of the sink, as the client put it “looked funny” and out of place.
Prior to the remodel the work area around the sink was shadowed and dark, especially at night. With the new valance that included task lighting, the client now has a well lit area surrounding the kitchen sink.
The client used to have to leave several countertop appliances setting on the countertops because they had no convenient place to put them in the cabinets. With the new kitchen design there were cabinets specifically created to house these appliances. This feature doesn’t only help keep the client organized but gives them additional counter space for food prep and serving.
The new cabinet design also took advantage of what was before, wasted space. This kitchen has a couple of odd angles that used to be dead space within the cabinets. The new cabinet layout included custom cabinets to fill these spaces.
The previous countertops were built using granite tile and grout. The client absolutely hated the grout because of its dirty look but more so for sanitary reasons. The client believed that the grout was a haven for bacteria so we installed a manmade solid surface. The new countertops are better looking, contemporary in style and color but more importantly – clean.
The existing general lighting was pretty good in the kitchen before the remodel but the task lighting at the countertops was very poor; there used to be generally poor lighting and lots of shadowing. The new kitchen includes plenty of under cabinet lighting at all the work areas and, as mentioned above, new task lighting for the kitchen sink.
The new cabinetry is mostly semi-custom with a few custom pieces added to complete the package. It was installed by a master carpenter who created a work of art; everything was straight, level and plumb; all the reveals were even and all the joints were tight and flush. According to the client “it’s beautiful!”
The countertops turned out wonderful including the reveal around the new irregular under mount sink.
The ¾” backsplash tile was installed perfectly; all grout lines were straight, there were no bumps in the tile and the grout finish was consistent and clean. Using small tile, such as the client desired, is some of the most difficult to install since any imperfections are easily detected but this installation was flawless.
Usually when a remodeling project is completed there is an area outside the workspace used for staging materials and putting a trash bin. That was not permitted on this project so project management had to be handled a bit differently. Trash had to be hauled off daily and on big trash days, a dumpster was dropped in the morning and picked up at the end of the day. Materials had to be staged in an offsite warehouse and delivered the day of installation. This was difficult to manage but was done at the client’s request due to the small size of their home, lot and neighborhood.
To keep the budget in line a few things were either not removed or replaced. The client wanted to keep their existing refrigerator and double oven which the new cabinetry was designed around. Also, since the flooring was the same as the rest of the home and the client liked it, it was not replaced. This made it a little more complicated for the cabinet installer but he did a fantastic job fitting the new cabinets to the existing tile floor.

· One other obstacle was the odd angles of a couple of the walls. This added to the complexity of not only the cabinetry installation but the countertop as well. The finished product for both was as close to perfect as one could get.