Time Worn to Terrific

     The owners of this outdated1960’s kitchen were ready for a change and sought out Renovisions after seeing one of their eye-catching ads in South Shore Living Magazine. It was time to start fresh with a cleaner and brighter look with more functional storage. The professionals at Renovisions worked as a team to accommodate their wishes while being mindful of their existing traditional styled furnishings.

     Keeping a similar layout, the old cabinets, flooring, countertops, door, window and appliances were removed as well as the wall between the kitchen and dining room to accommodate additional cabinets while creating an L for more useful countertop space. Replacing the worn stained wooden door and double hung window with a new prairie-style window and breezeway door in white finish was the first order of business. By replacing the tired vinyl floor with new oak wood floors the space became warm & inviting. The beautiful new white painted shaker-style cabinets look fabulous with the natural ivory-tan blend granite countertops and sleek stainless steel appliances. Simple, yet elegant white subway tiles provide a serene and open feel to the space. Creating a small niche area behind the slide-in range was also at the top of our clients list to accommodate the spices they use daily, turning an ordinary look to extraordinary.

     Pesto change-o, as if by magic Renovisions transformed this dated tight-fit kitchen into a warm and inviting better functioning space that is definitely pleasing to the eyes of these homeowners who are thrilled with the end result and grateful for the high quality work along with the professional manner in which their project was completed.

What a great before and after! We think it came out terrific and are glad that the homeowner agrees.

“Thanks to you, Ed, Mike, and Liz for all your hard work. The kitchen is beautiful and I love the backsplash! The whole room looks beautiful, I’m so glad that we went with the white subway tiles in the end. They’re light and clean and really pretty. Thanks for everything, Cathy. Your team has done a wonderful job! We appreciate all your help and hard work.”  – Bea R.

Stone Countertops – Do You Know the Difference?

Evaluating Durability

It’s a common misconception that applying sealer to a stone countertop is all that’s needed to protect it from damage. Unfortunately, even after sealer is applied, stone is susceptible to scratches, staining, chipping and heat damage. Knowing the compositional qualities of each stone is the best way to choose a countertop that can handle the wear and tear of a busy kitchen or bathroom.

QUARTZ

Profile: Quartz boats a very high resistance to stains and scratches, as well as a low absorption rate of liquids. 
Surface Notes: Quartz is a low maintenance stone that can be cleaned with any mild household cleaner.
Finishes: Polished. Honed available in some colors.

GRANITE

Profile: Granite is one of the hardest stones and is virtually scratch resistant. A low porosity and a very high heat resistance make it popular countertop material for active kitchens.
Surface Notes: Granite is less porous than other stone but still needs to be sealed to reduce it’s porosity. If you’re sealing granite with an impregnating sealer, be sure to do it every six months. If the slab was sealed professionally by the manufacturer, it might not require resealing for up to five years.
Finishes: Honed, polished, sandblasted or brushed.

SOAPSTONE

Profile: Soapstone is dense and soft, and it is the least-porous stone countertop material available. It is often used in science laboratories that demand clean, sterile environments, which isn’t much different than the demands of a kitchen.
Surface Notes: Because soapstone is impenetrable, it is resistant to stains, bacteria growth, and damage from acidic substances. Soapstone comes in three colors: gray, green and black. Similar to slate, soapstone’s color might not be fully realized until a weekly application of mineral oil had taken place for nearly a year.
Finished: Honed

MARBLE

Profile: Marble is a very soft stone, so it cannot withstand high heat, and it is easily etched by acidic substances such as orange juice.
Surface Notes: Marble is known for it’s natural ability to stay cool and is often preferred by professional chefs for rolling dough and making pastries. The patina of polished or aged marble is prized for its traditional, old-world appeal. When selecting marble counters, remember that a polished finish makes surface imperfections more noticeable, whereas a honed or brushed finish helps to mask any scratches.
Finishes: Polished, honed or brushed.

SLATE

Profile: High-quality, dense slate is less absorbent and more durable than many countertop materials, so it doesn’t require sealing like other types or stone countertops.
Surface Notes: Due to it’s low porosity, slate is less likely to harbor bacteria. However, its uneven surface makes slate counters difficult to clean. Slate should be periodically treated with mineral oil to reduce it’s chalky appearance and to enhance its color tone.
Finishes: Honed, polished or cleft.