Ultimate Kitchen Remodel
Thinking (or dreaming) of a kitchen remodel? Well, three of our team members recently tackled that project, so we decided to put together a fun Q&A with everything you need to know if you’re thinking of pulling the trigger yourself!
NATALYA:
When did you remodel your kitchen, and what prompted you to remodel?
Spring of 2019. I knew that the kitchen had to be remodeled in order to sell the house for top-dollar. Although the kitchen was less than 10 years old, it was closed off to the rest of the house and was not functional.
How long did the process take?
Exactly 4 weeks, as I planned everything ahead of time and had everything ready.
What were your must-haves when you were planning out your future kitchen?
I wanted to maximize counter space while opening up the wall to the dining room, to achieve more of an open floor plan. It was also important for me to incorporate a wine fridge as well as a breakfast bar.
What was your inspiration for the style you went with?
As an agent, I have seen many split level home kitchen remodels and taken note of different elements; what I consider to be good or bad in my book. Although I was going to sell the house, I wanted to do the kitchen the right way. So, I did what I planned to do all along and made the kitchen functional and beautiful. I fell in love with GE Cafe matte white appliances as soon as I saw them on Instagram, and in fact I preordered those for the remodel... the beauty of these appliances was that one could customize the color of the handles. I went with copper. The appliances most definitely influenced the overall look of the kitchen.
Who did you use to design your kitchen?
I designed it myself.
What are your top 5 favorite things about your kitchen?
1) Quartz countertop. I absolutely love the way it came out. After having dark granite for years, I was looking forward to have white surface. Also, having such a large counter surface is perfect for having every-day meals and guests over.
2) Open shelving. Instead of installing more cabinets, I opted for the open shelving, which is functional and pretty to look at. I was thrilled to find shelves from Pottery Barn that perfectly matched the light fixtures and cabinet pulls.
3) Appliances. I love GE Caffe line so much that I bought the same appliances for my current kitchen.
4) Copper kitchen faucet. It really is a piece of jewelry. It made me smile every time I would walk into the kitchen.
5) Tucked away wine fridge. Since I entertain a lot of guests, I knew this was a must-have for me. I found the perfect spot for it under the breakfast counter.
What made you choose the appliance package you went with?
I fell in love with the look of them first. Also, I knew that I was not going to be upgrading appliances so as to not outprice the house. I am thrilled that I went with this line as they did not disappoint, both in performance and design. I loved them so much that I bought them for my current kitchen as well.
What other companies did you use for the renovation?
Cabinetry: Newton Snowflake Shaker by Winwood
Tile backsplash is from Floor and Decor.
Open shelf is from Pottery barn,
Appliances: GE Cafe
Faucet: Brienza by Italia
Pendants: Home Depot from about a years before the remodel. I bought the fixtures because I liked them and knew they would be perfect for my vision for the kitchen.
Kitchen pulls: Emtek
On a scale of 1-10, how happy are you with your kitchen remodel?
Definitely 10. I always knew that it would make a difference to get the kitchen done but, once it was done, it exceeded my expectations.
Is there anything you would change?
Not at all. I planned this kitchen for years, so I knew exactly what I wanted before we even started.
SUSAN:
When did you remodel your kitchen and what prompted you to remodel?
The kitchen remodel took place October 2015 to May 2016. My kitchen was tiny and outdated, but moving was not an option since I loved the location of my house. It was an easy decision to enlarge and remodel. So easy, in fact, that it took me 3 long years to finally pull the trigger!
How long did the process take?
The process took 7 months, from breaking ground to completely finished.
What were your must-haves when you were planning out your future kitchen?
Since the kitchen is the heart of the home (everyone ends up there, no matter the size), I wanted a space that all my family and friends could gather in comfortably. I knew I wanted an island, stainless steel appliances, a wine fridge, an amazing cooktop (I love to cook), and a deep sink. A light and bright kitchen was another must-have! There was no question I would pick white cabinets.
What was your inspiration for the style you went with?
I wouldn't say I was drawn to a particular style, but I definitely wanted a classic but modern feel. I looked on Houzz and took bits and pieces from all the kitchens I saw and loved. With that said, I tried to keep in mind what would work best in the space I had. The kitchen is connected to the family room making the space the perfect family hangout.
Who did you use to design your kitchen?
I started by going to a few different kitchen places but was not happy with any of the designs. I loved Joanne at Cabri but their prices were just out of my budget. Then I found Marcel at Kares Krafted Kitchens, and he helped me pull my vision together.
What are your top 5 favorite things about your kitchen?
1) The island. I love the size, the marble top, and it has additional cabinets on the stool side where I keep all those once-in-a-while items.
2) The wine fridge. My husband collects wine so it's been great having our favorite wines handy to open whenever the mood strikes.
3) The rangetop. It's a 6-burner Wolf Range. I can't say enough about how much I love this cooktop and oven! I love to cook and this makes me love it even more.
4) Space! The amount of storage I have now compared to what I had before makes me giddy! There is a place for everything, which makes it easy to stay organized.
5) The microwave drawer. I actually have a love-hate relationship with this appliance. Love it because it sits low and isn't that noticeable, hate it because I get impatient waiting for it to slide in and out.
What made you choose the appliance package you went with?
I've always loved the look of high-end appliances… until I saw the price tag, that is!! I considered other brands, but ultimately chose Sub Zero and Wolf, and I'm so glad I did. Actually, my husband forced me to choose this high-end package, and I have no regrets! The Sub Zero really keeps the food fresher so much longer.
What other companies did you use for the renovation?
I used J. Spina Construction located in Boonton. Joe Spina took care of everything from soup to nuts, and I couldn't be happier. I had a great experience and would totally use him again. His subcontractors were all amazing. The best part was, we stayed on time and on budget!
On a scale of 1-10, how happy are you with your kitchen remodel?
I would have to give the reno and experience a big fat 10. I've heard remodeling horror stories from friends, but that just was not my experience. It wasn't the easiest experience to live through, as we were in the house for the entire renovation, but it's so worth it in the end.
Is there anything you would change?
Is there anything I would change? Of course there are always new styles that come out that weren't available at the time but NO, I wouldn't change a thing. It's the perfect kitchen for me, filled with all the things that I love!!
TRISH:
When did you remodel your kitchen, and what prompted you to remodel?
Our remodel took place in 2019. We had always wanted to remodel our kitchen since purchasing our home in 1995, but we never got around to it. We had a flood in the family room that had us gut the room, and we decided we would just bite the bullet and get the kitchen done at the same time. Also fueling the decision was the fact that we wanted to sell our home in five years and it needed to be updated!
How long did the process take?
Overall, 7 months. I started talking to an architect in the summer of 2018. In September of 2018, I hired a general contractor to manage the process, and she also designed it and sourced materials. The actual demolition and rebuild took place from January 2 to March 2 of 2019.
What were your must-haves when you were planning out your future kitchen?
My must-haves were counter space, an island, and a pantry!
What was your inspiration for the style you went with?
We have been to Paris on vacation several times and we always rent an apartment when we’re there. I am always so taken with the simplicity and elegance of a Parisian apartment - curated, not necessarily decorated. That was what I was looking for in my remodel. ChristopherPeacock cabinetry has always been a favorite of mine as well. I also took inspiration from the IG accounts @amberinteriors, @katemarkerinteriors, and @newenglandfineliving.
Who did you use to design your kitchen?
I used Carrie McCall Design. I had been Carrie’s real estate agent on two of her new construction projects. I liked her style and the no-nonsense way she approached her projects. I felt like she understood my style, too.
What are your top 5 favorite things about your kitchen?
The open floor plan, my incredible island, my beautiful pantry unit which runs the length of one wall and also has a built in serving/bar station, the cabinets with the brushed gold hardware, my 6-burner oven and rangetop!
What made you choose the appliance package you went with?
I chose all Thermador products for my appliances. I had been polling friends that had done kitchen remodels in their own homes, and this product line came up often. I didn’t want super high-end appliances because I wanted to put that money towards the cabinets and the finishes.
What other companies did you use for the renovation?
Space and Mark LLC for my architectural plans
Carrie McCall Design, General Contractor and Designer
Cabri Inc. for my kitchen cabinets, which are Brookhaven
Steven D. Keller, SDK Construction
E. Mathews Woodworking Company for custom built-ins in family room
Atlas Tile and Marble for the quartz countertops and fireplace hearth and surround
Virtue Tile for backsplash
Summit Kitchen and bath for cabinet hardware (Emtek) and faucet and sink (Kohler and Blanco)
Bassett Furniture for kitchen table and chairs
Rejuvenation for pendant lighting and hardware on family room built-ins
On a scale of 1-10, how happy are you with your kitchen remodel?
10!!!
Is there anything you would change?
The only thing I am unhappy with is my kitchen table. Would have spent a little more on that.