Local homeowners Chris Shinn and Nicole Appell have undertaken various home renovations over the years, but when it comes to that ‘Wow!’ factor, their most recent kitchen project is a winner.
“We’ve done a lot of renovations on our house over the past few years, but the new kitchen countertops are my favorite. It made the biggest difference in transforming the space,” says Nicole says.
Built in 1926, their Art Deco-style home includes arches and classic built-in features so it was essential that any updates complement those features.
“We wanted to keep the historical sensibility while updating to contemporary finishes,” she explains.
Without undertaking a complete kitchen renovation, with all the cost and disruption that entails, the ideal solution was a countertop update courtesy of Granite Transformations.
Maintaining the functional layout and existing, solidly built cabinets, the team installed new countertops – thankfully replacing royal blue swimming pool tiles from the early 1980s.
Stylish and easy to clean!
Beyond the timeless appearance their kitchen now enjoys, the new counters really work for a busy family.
“I love having smooth surface countertops that are easy to clean. It makes for a really nice, clean workspace,” Nicole says.
Like many homeowners, Nicole, an artist and instructor, Chris, an insurance and investment broker, use their kitchen for more than preparing meals, so a functional, inviting space is essential.
“Since the pandemic, our son’s school has been closed, so our kitchen is now a classroom in addition to a cooking and meal planning space. It’s been wonderful having the new counters as we are baking and doing science experiments,” Nicole says.
While natural slab granite is a porous material that must be sealed for more effective cleaning and stain-resistance, Granite Transformations’ engineered stone is non-porous, offering a low-maintenance, easy-to-clean and anti-microbial surface, explains the company’s marketing coordinator, April Peterson. “That means you get the look you love with the features you want.”
A simple way to add value to your home
The renovations have the added benefit of being a simple, cost-effective way to add value to their home, now, and down the road, should they decide to sell. “In our neighborhood, buyers expect nice, new finishes,” Nicole notes. Better yet, “it was so easy! I was surprised how quickly it was finished.
“We could not be happier with the results,” she adds. “Of all the work we have done in our house, this has had the most dramatic impact.”
Ready to boost the beauty in your home? Request a free in-home design consultation to start sketching your own spectacular surprise, or use the online visualizer at granitetransformations.com. Call