Our recently completed kitchenCRATE on Lakeshore Court features all the bells and whistles:

Farmhouse-style sink retrofitted into existing cabinets? Check. Mammoth granite island fabricated without a seam? Check.  Ugly fluorescent light box replaced with energy-efficient LED can lights? Check.  New tile surround at the adjacent fireplace? Check.

We think you’ll agree, the transformation of this 1987 kitchen is simply amazing.

Scroll down to see the homeowner’s perspective on the job and learn how the project came together day-by-day.  Then scroll a bit more for some impressive before & after pictures, testaments to the kitchenCRATE magic!

The Homeowner’s Experience

What was your favorite part of the kitchenCRATE process?

My favorite part of kitchenCRATE was literally everything! I’ve been through a nightmare of a remodel in the past and kitchenCRATE was a dream to work with. I have never dealt with anyone, or any company, in this field that has the level of professionalism and excellence that they do. 

What was your favorite part about the kitchenCRATE team?

Everyone on the kitchenCRATE team was amazing. I never felt uncomfortable or like I couldn’t ask questions or put my two cents in. They accommodated my every wish and made me feel as though they wouldn’t have it any other way. 

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

There were a couple wonderful surprises during my remodel. The best one was that they were able to finish a day earlier than planned.  I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this company and, more so, about these people. I’d be happy to talk to anyone considering them for a job. Just ask for my number.

Day by Day Progress

(Note: We added 1 extra day to our normal 7-day process to accommodate the owner-request add-ons, like these…)

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.  Next, we used metal-stud framing to sheetrock the old lightbox and then hung and taped the sheetrock to gain an extra day of dry time.  To support the mammoth cantilever countertop, we reinforced the plywood sub-tops with steel straps.  Toward the end of the day we created the template for the new granite countertops, which take a few days to fabricate off-site.

Day 2 – The electrical team began the wiring for the new can lighting.  Lastly, we roughed-in the wiring and switches for the LED undercabinet lighting.

Day 3 – Since all the walls and the ceilings had been protected, our painters began preparing and priming the cabinets.  Using a high-grade, oil-based primer, every inch of the kitchen cabinets were caulked, sanded and primed.  This is the first (and perhaps most critical) step of creating a durable paint finish.

Day 4 & 5 – The painters then applied two coats of Kelly-Moore Dura-poxy paint in Magic Sail to the thoroughly sanded and primed cabinets.  This same priming and painting process was used on the doors and drawers, which are painted off-site in a climate-controlled paint booth for the highest possible quality.

Day 6 – AAI Granite & Tile arrived to install the Emser Chiseled Vanilla Coffee travertine tiles in an assortment of sizes to the fireplace. Next, the electricians got to work installing the pattern-specific can lighting.  Eight 6″ can lights were placed strategically around the kitchen to optimize the lighting over work spaces.

Day 7 – AAI Granite & Tile was back on site to install the beautiful Kohler Whitehaven apron-front sink in Almond and the Arizona Tile Juparana St. Cecelia granite countertops with a mitered edge.

Day 8 – AAI Granite & Tile returned one last time to install the Emser’s Ancient Tumbled Beige  4 x 8 travertine tiles with an accent strip of Emser’s Confetti Metal blend mosaic tiles to the backsplash. This was grouted with Laticrete Mushroom grout.

Day 8 –  Lastly, the kitchenCRATE team installed the new dishwasher and the homeowner’s previous appliances.  The transformation then hit the home stretch with the installation of the freshly-painted cabinet doors and drawers with new Cosmas Oil Rubbed Bronze knobs and Cosmas Oil Rubbed Bronze pulls. The final day of the project included an array of “touch-up” items: all outlets and switches were replaced, the homeowner’s previous faucet and soap dispenser were re-installed, and the entire project was cleaned, top-to-bottom.

Before and After Pictures

 

Technical Details

Countertop:  Arizona Tile Juparana St. Cecelia granite.

Backsplash:  Emser’s Ancient Tumbled Beige  4 x 8 travertine tiles with an accent strip of Emser’s Confetti Metal blend mosaic tiles.

Grout:  Laticrete Mushroom

Cabinet Finish:  Magic Sail in semi-gloss finish using a top-of-the line Kelly-Moore Dura-Poxy paint and primer.

Cabinet Hardware: Cosmas Oil Rubbed Bronze knobs and Cosmas Oil Rubbed Bronze pulls with matching cabinet hinges.

Sink:  Kohler Whitehaven farmhouse-style sink in Almond.

Faucet: Re-use previous faucet with an oil-rubbed finish.

Soap Dispenser: Re-use previous soap dispenser with an oil-rubbed finish.

Lighting: 6″ LED Can Lights and LED under-cabinet Lighting

Fireplace Tile:   Emser Chiseled Vanilla Coffee travertine tiles

Is Your Kitchen Next?

Perhaps the Lakeshore Court kitchen reminds you of your kitchen. Perhaps you like the layout of your kitchen and the cabinets are in good condition, but you are ready for a completely new look and feel.  KitchenCRATE 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 onlinee 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 or Linked-In.