After 32 years in an Arden Hills home that the previous owner had built to learn construction, Chris and Mark were ready for a new kitchen and bath and squeak-free floors. First they joined more than 400 fellow dreamers to tour the award-winning kitchen and bath project that APEX Construction Management displayed in the Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase last spring. Then they hired APEX for their own project.
Chris says the APEX team members of John “JB” Biancini, Lisa Stoll and Matt Grudzielanek were consummate collaborators. They absorbed ideas she and Mark had been noodling for years and melded solutions and product suggestions of their own. Ultimately, they agreed on cherry cabinets and display shelves, deep drawers and pullouts on full extension slides, soft close door hinges, granite tops, undermount stainless steel sink, spray-in-spout faucet, luxury vinyl plank flooring, muted subway tile backsplash and LED lighting.
“They nailed it,” Chris remarked, adding that she would not change a single thing.
Quality of Life Upgrade
“JB stated from the first meeting that his intent was to improve our quality of life at home. It was evident throughout the project that it truly was his goal, and he did it!” Chris said. “APEX is a very different company from others we contacted. Some didn’t even call us back. JB and Matt were always easy to reach with questions and concerns. They provided reassurance and guidance throughout the project.”
While many of the elements are familiar, some are unusual by design. For instance, the couple specified dark laminate base cabinet because they are impervious to their pawing cat, Jack. The feline also got his own protected pet dish nook.
Other benefits are less obvious, starting with the luxury vinyl plank floor used in the kitchen, hall, dining area and family room. “Matt was instrumental in screwing down the subfloor so we don’t have squeaks anymore,” Chris explained. She also noted that visitors routinely mistake the flooring for real wood. “It fools everyone.” And she credits Lisa for the idea to paint the end wall cabinet to match the wall so it makes the space feel larger. “It blends into the wall,” she said.
As I emerged from the home after touring the new kitchen and bath, I was greeted by a flock of large wild turkeys parading through Chris’s yard. Clearly no one warned them about her new double oven and range hood.