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Style on a Shoestring

Here’s how one homeowner
got a $45,000 kitchen for $25,000.

DESIGN BY JOYCE SILVA
INSTALLATION BY BARRY MULLEN
TEXT BY LORI FANNING SMITH
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY PATRICK WISEMAN

Harwich residents Patty and Neil Cronin like a good challenge. When a designer informed them that their kitchen remodel would cost more than $45,000, they decided to act as their own general contractor. A stunning kitchen and $25,000 later, the Cronins are very pleased with the results.

Acting as a general contractor on a remodeling project is not for the faint of heart or a task to be considered lightly. It is a major undertaking, as the Cronins discovered. Like a conductor to a symphony orchestra, a general contractor controls the flow and movement of a renovation project. Lack of attention to detail can cause major delays and inflate costs. General contractors must be masters of juggling multiple tasks under tight deadlines. They must manage a diverse group of subcontractors and be familiar with various building codes and procedures.

Accustomed to juggling many projects, the Cronins felt they were prepared for the task. Not only do they own and operate Commonwealth Associates, an established real estate company in Harwich, but they also had recently managed both their own small bath renovation and, in 2005, worked closely with a builder on a great-room addition to their single-story ranch home. Because of their familiarity with Cape Cod, the Cronins know skilled local craftsmen and suppliers. They are also extremely organized. “We also had a clear picture in our heads of the finished product,” says Patty.

After 22 years of living with no dishwasher, painted pine cabinets, press-on linoleum flooring and Formica butcher block-look countertops, the Cronins felt overdue for a change. Neil, the chef of the family, also looked forward to more inspiration from the kitchen and better flow for entertaining.

Patty was more than ready to take the lead as project manager. Countless hours went into the planning and implementation to ensure a smooth project. She credits the Internet with empowering her to complete this project on a budget. “The Internet is such a great tool,” says Patty. “It gives you power to compare prices and then see if local suppliers can match the price.”

From demolition of the old kitchen to completion, the project took three weeks. “I was pleasantly surprised how smoothly things went,” Patty says. “I will say it is important to be at the job. Something always comes up.”

There were several unforeseen issues to contend with, including a back-ordered refrigerator, cracked light fixtures and various malfunctioning vent parts from a California supplier. “We blamed it on a kitchen poltergeist,” Patty says with a smile. Multiple phone calls and package deliveries back and forth eventually remedied the issue.

The Cronins are also very complimentary of the local subcontractors who helped in the project, especially designer Joyce Silva of EF Winslow Design Studio, who was “terrific in helping plan the space and measure the cabinet layout,” Patty says.

EF Winslow Design Studio is a full-service interior remodeling company based in West Yarmouth. “We can take you from soup to nuts,” says Silva. “We worked well with the Cronins on their project because they were so organized. It requires constant communication to get the details right, and they were willing to put the time in.”

The finished space is both sophisticated and inviting, now in harmony with the rest of the house. Rich cherry Shaker-style kitchen cabinets with “frameless” design now replace the old painted pine of the ’70s. The kitchen’s gleaming oak floors extend to the adjacent dining and great room. Texture is added by the new tile backsplash from the Pietre Ducali series in a neutral sandstone with decorative zircon glass inserts in a smoky gray, providing a nice contrast.

A crescent-shaped breakfast bar in Black Galaxy granite is a focal point offering a place to cook and socialize. It provides seating for four, while also creating a “ border zone” to deter guests from entering into the kitchen work area. The bar is also home to a five-burner DeLonghi gas stovetop in stainless steel with double ovens below.

Above the stove is an unusual hood from Euro Kitchens of California. More like a work of art than a hood vent, its curved tempered glass and stainless steel reflect the light of the room and provide additional light on the cook surface.

New pendant light fixtures, hand blown in vibrant primary colors, hang above the breakfast space. The homeowner purchased them online at $69 each from the Lite Source in California. They have the texture and design of a much more expensive fixture.

A new LG refrigerator in titanium with a “no prints” finish, a built-in shelf for the microwave and a new stainless steel dishwasher nestle nicely into the custom cabinets. The stainless steel theme extends to the Blanco under-mount sink, with interesting “pull-down” faucet for easy dish cleanup, and to the wave pattern in the cabinet and drawer pulls purchased at Home Depot.

In an effort to better incorporate the kitchen with the great room, the kitchen received a fresh coat of Benjamin Moore paint in Hampshire Taupe, and a crisp white bead-board chair rail was added for interest. The homeowners also installed a French door in the far right-hand corner of the kitchen. It not only provides added sunlight but also access to the inviting rear deck, enhancing the flow for outdoor entertaining.

The Cronins’ is an example of a successful homeowner-run project. The couple’s unique skills, previous experience and willingness to put in the hours enabled them to excel in an otherwise difficult arena.

Project Overview | Budget: $25,000

• Update a 1970s kitchen
• Provide better flow for entertaining
• Replace appliances
• Add a dishwasher
• Save money

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