Few design decisions affect the outcome of a kitchen remodel more than the kitchen countertops.  Ripon is home to an array of kitchenCRATE projects, including this Oak Avenue project (our second on the street!) that used one of our most eye-popping countertops yet: Arizona Tile Golden Ridge Granite.

But don’t just take our word for it.  Scroll down for the customer testimonial, project specifications and extensive before and after pictures!

The Homeowner’s Kitchen Countertops Ripon Experience

What was your favorite part of the kitchenCRATE process?

I would have to say that one of our favorite parts is the timeline that was given to us and how each day you had a schedule of what would be happening and when it would be done.

What was your favorite part about the kitchenCRATE team?

The kitchenCRATE team was also very organized and all of the contractors were very efficient, accommodating and friendly. They were always on time and neat.

Was there anything about the process or project that surprised you? If so, what was it?

We are very pleased with the way the kitchen and bathrooms turned out! It’s like walking into a new house!

Before and After Pictures

(Click each image to enjoy a larger view.)

Hall Bathroom

Master Bathroom

Day by Day Progress

(Note: We added a few extra days to our normal 7-day process to accommodate the owner-request add-ons, like these, and to complete work in two additional bathrooms.)

Here’s how we did it:

Day 1 – Demo Day!  On this first day, we set up plastic walls to protect the home from dust, protected the path from the entry door to the kitchen with building paper, and then went to town removing the appliances, countertop, backsplash, plumbing fixtures, cabinet doors and drawers, and the flooring. We also removed the outdated light box in order to make room for the new LED can lighting. We reinforced the plywood sub-tops with steel straps to support the new quartz countertops. Toward the end of the day we created the template for the new quartz countertops, which take a few days to fabricate off-site.

Day 2 – The kitchenCRATE team began a few minor cabinet modifications.  The cabinets were modified to accept the new slide in range and the previous oven space was converted to a pantry. The electrical team also began the wiring for the new LED recessed lighting.  Five six inch LED can lights were placed strategically around the kitchen to optimize the lighting over work spaces. These lights are installed to maximize light levels for the most common countertop uses.

Day 3 – Next, we used metal-stud framing to sheetrock the old lightbox and then hung and taped the sheetrock.

Day 4 – Since all the walls and the ceilings had been protected, our painters began preparing and priming the cabinets and the kitchen and the master bathroom.  Using a high-grade, oil-based primer, every inch of the kitchen and bathroom cabinets were caulked, sanded and primed.  This is the first (and perhaps most critical) step of creating a durable paint finish.

Day 5 – The painters then began refinishing the kitchen cabinets in this Ripon home. Two coats of Kelly-Moore Dura-poxy paint in Canvas Cloth were applied to the thoroughly sanded and primed cabinets in the kitchen and master bathroom.  This same priming and painting process was used on the new doors and drawers, which are painted off-site in a climate-controlled paint booth for the highest possible quality.

Day 6 – The countertop installation team arrived to install the beautiful Blanco Precis 1-3/4 Bowl Silgranit sink in Truffle and the Arizona Tile Golden Ridge granite countertops with a beveled edge in the kitchen. In the master bathroom, Kohler Caxton sinks in white were installed along with the beautiful Life Quartz Startz Stone quartz countertop and backsplash.

Day 7 – The tile backsplash artisans installed the Emser Vino Gold 3″ x 6″ tumbled travertine tiles with an accent strip of Emser Lucente Tromba glass and stone blend tiles on the backsplash. The tile backsplash was grouted with Laticrete grout.

Day 8 – The painting team was back on site to paint the walls and ceiling. Kelly-Moore Wise Owl was applied to the walls and Kelly-Moore Canvas Cloth was applied to the ceiling.

Days 9-11 – The tile team was back on site to install the floor tile. Bedrosians Prestige Walnut 6″ x 24″ plank tiles were installed in the kitchen, entryway, and master bathroom.

Day 12 –  Lastly, the kitchenCRATE team installed the homeowner’s new appliances.  The transformation then hit the home stretch with the installation of the freshly-painted Cimino’s Lisbon cabinet doors and drawers. The final day of the project included an array of “touch-up” items: all outlets and switches were replaced, the Kohler Bellera faucet and Kohler Traditional soap dispenser, each with an oil-rubbed bronze finish, were installed and the entire project was cleaned, top-to-bottom.

Technical Home Remodel Details

Kitchen

• Countertop: Arizona Tile Golden Ridge Granite
• Backsplash: Emser Vino Gold 3″ x 6″ Travertine Tiles
• Accent: Emser Lucente Tromba Glass and Stone Blend Tiles
• Grout:  Laticrete
• Sink: Blanco Precis 1-3/4 Bowl Silgranit in Truffle
• Faucet: Kohler Bellera in Oil-Rubbed Bronze
• Soap Dispenser: Kohler Traditional in Oil-Rubbed Bronze
• Garbage Disposal: InSink Erator 1/2 HP Badger 5
• Cabinet Finish:  Kelly-Moore Canvas Cloth semi-gloss finish using a top-of-the-line Kelly-Moore Dura-Poxy paint and primer.
• Door and Drawer Faces: Cimino’s Lisbon
• Cabinet Hardware:  Liberty 3″ Half Round Foot Pulls in Oil-Rubbed Bronze with matching cabinet hinges.
• Wall Paint: Kelly-Moore Wise Owl
• Ceiling Paint: Kelly-Moore Canvas Cloth
• Flooring: Bedrosians Prestige Walnut 6″ x 24″ Plank Tiles

Bathrooms

• Countertop: Life Quartz Startz Stone Quartz
• Cabinet Finish: Kelly-Moore Canvas Cloth semi-gloss finish using a top-of-the-line Kelly-Moore Dura-Poxy paint and primer.
• Sinks: Kohler Caxton
• Faucets: Pfister Avalon Widespread in Tuscan Bronze

Is Your Home Next?

Perhaps the Oak Avenue kitchen and bathrooms remind you of your home. Are you are ready for a completely new look and feel for your kitchen and bathroom?.  kitchen & bath CRATE can make this happen in just a few days and for an amazingly low price.

Just click here to schedule your phone consultation using our online scheduling system.  Or feel free to call us direct during business hours at 888-995-7996!

Scott Monday is co-founder and CEO of kitchenCRATE and bathCRATE. Follow him on Facebook, Google+ or Linked-In.