We had a full kitchen remodel done by Alex Freddi Construction LLC at the end of last year. The old, dark fixtures of yesteryear were completely removed, and replaced with brand new Ikea cabinets and drawers. Our front kitchen window was widened considerably, and the wall between the kitchen and dining room was partially cut away and replaced with a granite countertop. Two other new windows were also installed. New Marmoleum flooring and modern ceiling lighting was added to bring everything up to date. It was a considerable job, which included moving the gas line for the stove, and putting a new water line across the room for the brand new fridge. All in all it took between four and five weeks.
Alex met us at Ikea and helped us order our white kitchen cabinets. Gary ran our project and was very friendly and approachable. Everyone involved was always professional, polite, and punctual. This included Gary's assistant who helped with demolition, and new cabinet construction, as well as the electricians, plumbers, and drywall workers. They were very mindful of keeping the area clean and tidy. Gary made sure to sweep and remove debris before finishing up each day. Quite surprisingly, for a job of such magnitude, dust and particulates were kept to the bare minimum.
The gas main was moved to the other side of the room so that the stove, oven and microwave could all be together. The plumbing was slightly reconfigured under the sink to fit the water filter and garbage disposer. A small water line was created to reach the brand new KitchenAid dishwasher which was installed under the granite countertop. We now have a lot more cabinet space along the wall by our gorgeous new KitchenAid French door counter depth refrigerator.
We were going to stick with our old kitchen tile floor when Gary suggested the upgrade. We're so glad we changed our mind, because the new gray Marmoleum flooring is durable, modern, and beautiful. Gary is an excellent painter and does very good millwork, which framed the large window and the hallway trim. We went with a nice black granite Ikea countertop which adds much more prep room than we had before the remodel. The Ikea guy came out and did lots of detailed measuring, and the installation went perfectly. We found Ikea offered the best value compared to other countertop businesses.
During the construction, we set up a makeshift cooking area in the basement living room replete with hotplate, fridge, and utility sink. It actually worked pretty well to tide us over while the new kitchen was being worked on. The prospect of a kitchen remodel can be a daunting experience, but we did a lot of research and knew what our needs were. The best advice I can give anyone contemplating a remodel is to do your homework. If you have a small area, it's important to measure and plan thoroughly so that you take advantage of the space you have.
The dark and cramped look is gone. Now the countertop seating area is bright and roomier. Access around the counter is easier because of the wall removal. The large window allows more daylight not just into the kitchen, but into the living area as well. Thank you Alex Freddi and Gary, for helping us realize a much more beautiful and functional kitchen! read more