Category: Kitchens

Loyal Clients Repeat the Process

Posted on by Margaret Tolbert

Self-admittedly, Becky and Casey Jansen needed a remodel badly. “Our kitchen was dark and outdated. The layout wasn’t functional for entertaining, the island was bulky, and overall, it just wasn’t a space we enjoyed spending time in. We knew it was time for a change,” Becky said.

  

The couple started their home renovation by looking at downtown remodeling companies, but none seemed to understand their vision. Frustrated, they decided to try something different and went local. That’s when they found Thomas Kitchen & Bath. 

 

From the moment they met Amy, our lead designer, they knew they were in good hands. “She had a brain and ideas, and she played a big part in making our kitchen look so great,” Becky noted.

 

Amy understood their needs and helped the couple create a space that was brighter, updated, and had a better flow. 

 

The project required a complete gut of their kitchen and to start from scratch. We installed taller cabinets with a beautiful range hood. The outdated pinkish-red countertops were replaced with textured quartz countertops that resemble concrete. The fridge, which used to be the first thing you saw when you walked in, was relocated to create a more welcoming entrance and more open sightline. We even made sure to consider the cats as we planned out the space!

It made a significant difference to Becky and Casey. They love their new kitchen!

 

A few years later, when the couple decided it was time to tackle their hall bathroom, they called on Thomas Kitchen & Bath once again. They wanted us to create a guest suite by changing the bathroom access from the hall to the bedroom, and of course, update it in the process.

Becky and Casey reached out to our team, and once again, they said we exceeded their expectations. After completing the design and construction process, we succeeded in creating a beautiful space for their guests. 

At Thomas Kitchen & Bath, we offer the whole package. From layout, design and selecting materials, to managing the project and ensuring it is completed professionally, we make the entire process easy for our clients. That’s why many customers, like Becky and Casey, come back for a second project. They trust us to deliver exceptional results. 

 

We’ll leave you with this final thought from Becky, “I would recommend Thomas Kitchen & Bath because they were professional and courteous. The people who worked on our project were very polite and understood they were in someone else’s home. As a homeowner, I think that goes a long way.”

Newcomers Find the Perfect Fit

Posted on by Margaret Tolbert

Sally and Bruce LaVergne moved into their Tennessee home two years ago after moving from Northern California. “The second I saw the house and property, I just loved it, but the kitchen and bathroom had to go!” Sally explained. The couple didn’t know anyone in Tennessee, as they had only recently moved, so they didn’t know who to use for renovating their bath and kitchen. 

After looking up several contractors online, they decided to walk into the Thomas Kitchen & Bath showroom to see what we had, and the couple immediately met our designer, Amy. Sally recognized our knowledge and expertise after walking in, stating, “It was a feeling. I could just tell they were going to do it right.” Sally and Bruce made their appointment, and Amy came out to their home to take photos and make measurements. 

 

During this time, Bruce wanted to get additional quotes to compare services. What they got back from other contractors just wasn’t comparable to what we were offering. So, after seeing those other quotes, they decided to go with Thomas Kitchen and Bath. With newfound direction, Bruce and Sally headed back to our showroom on a mission, and Amy was ready to present full-color renderings of the couple’s new dream kitchen and bathroom. Sally immediately thought, “Oh my God, this is it!”

We began remodeling their kitchen and bathroom, finishing the project in only two months. Our team gutted everything in both the kitchen and bathroom, starting in the kitchen and working our way to the bathroom. The original kitchen was small, with a wall stifling the space, and the bathroom was bright blue with old tile and a small shower tucked into the corner. 

Now, the kitchen feels massive, and the bathroom has a large modern shower and understated color palette. Sally says she loves the low-entry new shower, the hardware on the kitchen cabinets, the large kitchen island, and the use of drawers instead of cabinets for kitchen storage. “I got everything I wanted!” she exclaimed. 

Sally and Bruce were so excited about the final result and their entire experience working with our team. They summed it up with, “You can look anywhere you want to, but you won’t find anyone better. Don’t even look any further! They stand behind their products and do what they say.”

A Kitchen Reborn: Better Cabinets, Hutches, and Storage

Posted on by Margaret Tolbert

For Mary and John Vignalo, there is nothing worse than loving to cook and having a kitchen that doesn’t function. “One thing led to another,” said Mary, regarding their lackluster kitchen. Their appliances were not working well anymore, the cabinets and flooring felt dark and dreary, and they discovered a leak under the sink that ruined their bottom cabinets. Needless to say, it was time for a total kitchen transformation.

 

The couple reached out to Thomas Kitchen & Bath to give their kitchen an overhaul because they had redone their primary bathroom a year prior. Mary and John knew the quality of work they would get, so they had Thomas Kitchen & Bath come to their home to give a quote on the job. 

Mary stated, “Amy (Lead Designer) came up with all kinds of things to help us! Things we would never have thought of.” She continued, “You don’t have to call a bunch of people and then have to coordinate them all yourself. They are full service from beginning to end, and they make it painless.”

Mary and John ordered the appliances they wanted, including a Wolf Cooktop, and TKB replaced cabinets, backsplash, countertops, lighting, and a vented hood. The entire kitchen transformation took about eight weeks to finish considering supply chain delays. “It wasn’t a difficult process. It didn’t ever seem bad to me, even though we lost our kitchen for eight weeks. We planned ahead!” Mary explained. 

They loved getting a schedule that outlined when people would be at their home to perform the renovation. When the subcontractors left, they left behind a neat and clean space. Both Mary and John noted a few of their finished favorites: appliance hutches, deeper cabinets, more storage, a mixer stand on the island, and better organization.

   

To Thomas Kitchen & Bath’s delight, Mary emphasized that other contractors can do good work, but they don’t come with ideas. They just want to do what they are told. Thomas worked with them, shared ideas, and wanted to make sure the space fits their life. Now the couple has a fully-functioning dream kitchen where they will share many happy moments cooking delicious meals. 

Contact Thomas Kitchen & Bath to get a quote for all your home renovation needs!

Before and After: Tim and Michele O’Leary’s Kitchen Renovation

Posted on by Margaret Tolbert

Your kitchen is likely the focal point of your day-to-day life. It’s where you’ll enjoy a cup of coffee with your spouse in the morning, listen to your kids tell you how their school day went in the afternoon, and entertain friends and neighbors in the evening. Therefore, it’s important to have a kitchen that works for you!

When Tim and Michele O’Leary realized that their kitchen lacked sufficient storage and countertop space, DIY fixes like painting the cabinets and rearranging the furniture just didn’t give them the results they were looking for. After an online search for kitchen remodelers revealed Thomas Kitchen and Bath, they were impressed that we offer a design center where they could view and compare many different types of cabinets, countertops, tile, and fixtures.

The O’Learys’ journey started with a consultation with Amy Garcia, our designer and project manager, who listened to their vision for their new kitchen and presented them with a custom design. “She took our little ideas and she nailed them,” said Tim. In particular, the couple loved that Amy added extra ideas they had never considered before, like a pop-up outlet in the countertop and under cabinet outlets with USB ports for charging their devices.

At the site visit, the first thing Amy noticed was the large, structural 12×12 post that loomed from the floor to the 14-foot ceilings. Unable to reasonably remove the awkward post, we transformed it into a focal point by wrapping it in walnut shiplap. A coordinating range hood, floating shelves, ceiling fan, and unique wooden cabinet pulls tied it all together. We also leveraged a spare wall to increase storage and give Michele a great spot for displaying her fantastic collection of animal-themed teapots.

Before
Before
CAD Technology rendering
CAD Technology rendering
After
After

We began construction on March 1, 2021, and concluded the project in just seven weeks. The couple emphasized that our tradespeople were polite and professional, and always cleaned up after themselves. “Tim Thomas is such a perfectionist. He made sure every door and cabinet aligned.” said Tim. The process was not without its complications—several crucial materials were delayed due to pandemic-related supply issues—but the couple was happy that our team worked diligently to make everything right.

In the end, the O’Learys’ kitchen was transformed into a much more efficient space. Although we kept the original footprint, the new layout, cabinetry, and updated surfaces make this kitchen ideal for the family, in both form and function. “It’s so nice to work in the kitchen now; the flow is much better,” said Michele. The couple also noted that every single one of their guests has been amazed upon seeing this exciting transformation!

“We can’t say enough nice things,” said Tim.  “If you are looking to do your kitchen, you won’t find anyone better so get on their list!”

What Should Be in Your Custom Kitchen

Posted on by Margaret Tolbert

Building out a brand new, custom kitchen is equal parts exciting and daunting. The kitchen is the most-used room in the house for most families, so it’s extra important to make sure your kitchen works for you. But while you might love the idea of a custom kitchen, you might be unsure of where to start. Here are some ideas to start you off:

  1. Custom Cabinets

While traditional stock cabinets serve their purpose and can be visually pleasing, a truly luxurious kitchen will include custom cabinets, which can be fitted perfectly to your kitchen’s size, available space, and aesthetic. Moreover, you can get creative with the color and hardware of your custom cabinets.

  1. Fun Light Fixtures

Everyone knows the traditional chandelier over your dining table is elegant, but in a custom kitchen, there’s room to switch it up a bit. Try a bold color or shape right above your kitchen island. You should also consider updating your ambient and task lighting, which can add flair as well as function.

  1. A Work Triangle

The work triangle is a time-tested, efficient way to layout your kitchen so that your cooktop, your sink, and your refrigerator are all connected by an invisible triangle. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, each “leg” of the triangle should measure between four and nine feet. The right custom kitchen configuration will allow you to reach your cooking, storage, and cleaning areas with ease and ensure you can clean up while you cook.

  1. Wine Fridge

Do you love wine? Do you ever wish you were able to keep more bottles on hand without running out of storage space? If this sounds like you, then consider installing a separate wine fridge! A counter-height fridge between 34 and 35 inches tall can hold more than enough bottles, and will make you a hit at dinner parties!

  1. Large Island

Ever been to a demonstration kitchen at a nice restaurant, where you could watch the chef work her magic from a front-seat perch? Now imagine a large island around which your friends and family can gather while you try out an ambitious new recipe. A large island with plenty of seating can maximize socialization during family dinners and cocktail parties alike.

Ready to build the custom kitchen of your dreams? Schedule a consultation with us today!

Every Question You Should Be Asking Your Remodeler

Posted on by Margaret Tolbert

Deciding to take on a kitchen or bathroom renovation or remodel is a time-consuming, costly, arduous task, and it’s ill-advised to go it alone. To make sure your job is completed on time, within your budget, and up to your standards, it’s crucial to hire a remodeler who knows their stuff. If this is your first home improvement project and you’re not sure how to vet potential candidates, here are some questions you can ask:

  1. Are you licensed? Do not ever take a risk on an unlicensed remodeler. Be sure to look up your remodeler’s license and registrations to make sure they’re qualified to perform the project you want done. Also important is having your remodeler provide their own certificate of insurance to make sure they have the right credentials to work on your project.
  2. Can you put me in touch with a few references? Every reputable remodeler would be happy to put you in touch with past clients in order to demonstrate that they’re experienced in the field and good at what they do. Another necessity is to check the company’s Better Business Bureau rating—you can find ours here
  3. What specific services do you provide? If you want a hassle-free remodel (or at least a project with as little hassle as possible), it’s better to go with a full-service remodeler like Thomas Kitchen and Bath. Full-service remodelers bring with them a complete team of experts with specialized trades that can get the job done faster and at a higher level of quality while also being sound project managers.
  4. What happens if additional costs pop up? You’ve probably watched enough home improvement shows to understand that things sometimes happen that will drive up the cost of the remodel—this could mean the discovery of mold or rodents, or the need to bring your home up to code. If this happens, you need to have an agreement that your remodeler will let you know as soon as a problem is spotted and seek your input before upping the budget accordingly.
  5. What is your communication style? Communication is key when it comes to a home remodel. You need to know who your primary point of contact is, how to get in touch with them, and how often you can expect to hear from them. At Thomas Kitchen and Bath, we prioritize staying in touch with our clients at all points of the process, so they know what stage we are at and what to expect. We pride ourselves on providing the best customer experience in the region.

At Thomas Kitchen and Bath, we’re always happy to answer your questions. If you’re looking to start a new kitchen or bath remodel, give us a call today!

Bathroom Remodeling: Expectations Versus Reality

Posted on by Margaret Tolbert

So, you’ve decided that your bathroom is in dire need of remodeling. While this project can prove a great boon to your home’s value, the road ahead will be time-consuming and full of important choices to make. While the right contractor can make the process as smooth as possible, there are still a few important things to keep in mind to ensure you’re not blindsided:

 

It Will Be Costly: There’s no way around it—a bathroom remodel will be a significant financial investment. While some sources might tell you that you can do a complete remodel for only a couple thousand dollars, this is a generously low number. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the average cost of a bathroom remodel was just over $11,000 in 2016. Although a low-grade renovation, that consists of smaller updates could be as low as $1,500, a complete bathroom remodel could set you back $23,000 or more.

 

Communication is Key: So you’ve found the perfect general contractor, one whose vision of utility and luxury perfectly matches your own. Time to step back and let them do their thing, right? Not so fast. Experts have noted it is important for each party to spell out each part of the plan and never assume the other is on the same page. Treat your relationship with your contractor like the collaborative partnership it is!

 

Get the Right Materials: While it’s more exciting to fantasize about the luxury features you want in your new bathroom, like heated floors or an air-jet tub, make sure you invest in high-quality, durable materials. Non-porous tile, like glazed ceramic or glazed porcelain, is the way to go. Quartz countertops and solid wood cabinets will hold up longer, and plumbing valves with ceramic mixing cartridges will prove much more durable than cheap plastic fixtures.

 

Keep Ventilation in Mind: Since bathrooms are prone to more dampness (for obvious reasons, especially if it has a shower or tub!) you need adequate ventilation in the form of windows, window vents, and exhaust fans. Proper ventilation can eliminate odors, reduce the possibility of water damage, and keep your mirrors fog-free.