Our kitchen was long overdue for a remodel. We lived for 25 years with a kitchen that made cooking…read morea challenge from a cramped workspace, wrong location of appliances and a postage stamp sized countertop surface. Although we were apprehensive about this endeavor, it was time. A trusted colleague highly recommended Artista Kitchen Designs to help us transform our kitchen.
We walked into Artista on a Saturday afternoon in April without an appointment. Mike, the owner, greeted us with a friendly smile and engaged us in a conversation about our project. He asked us to describe what we wanted in our kitchen and he attentively listened to our wish list. He walked us through the showroom to give us ideas about cabinet styles, colors and functionality. We immediately felt comfortable with Mike and set up a home visit to begin the design process. Mike sent us an email thanking us for stopping in, added links for us to look at kitchen redesigns for inspiration and confirmed our appointment for the following Saturday.
Mike showed up to our house, on time, and took a few minutes to survey the kitchen that took him back to 1985. He asked how we managed to make it work with limited space. As he sketched and measured he assured us that the new kitchen would provide us with ample space to work and countertops for prepping. Two weeks after the visit, we were invited back to the showroom to review the proposed plans. The plans reflected EVERYTHING we had discussed. Without increasing the footprint of the kitchen, Mike designed a space that maximized flow and functionality and allowed for a perfect gathering spot in the heart of our home. He carefully walked us through the drawings, making sure we were in agreement with the new layout. Mike described the high quality of wood cabinets for the job and gave us a quick education about cabinet styles, hinges and trending features. He routinely said, "This is your kitchen and I want to get it right for you." Mike described the renovation process including; timelines for ordering materials, demolition, installation and wrap-up. He also provided us with a detailed list of contractors, vendors and supply services. Shopping for appliances, the sink and faucet and stone was a pleasure and everyone said, "Mike from Artista is incredible; you'll be so happy."
We hired the contractor recommended by Mike. It was a great decision and we were so grateful for his workmanship and professionalism. Their partnership made this process seamless. Demolition began, as scheduled, on August 19 and three weeks later cabinets were delivered, as expected. Installation updates, coordination of deliveries and questions were communicated directly between the contractor, vendors and Mike giving us a strong sense of security and confidence in the people working on our kitchen renovation. Every person we worked with; contractors, electricians and plumbers were AMAZING and they treated our home like it was their own! Mike was beyond helpful when we struggled finding a countertop and backsplash. (In addition to kitchen design, Mike is a marriage counselor.) Mike personally helped us select the hardware to create a cohesive vibe for the new kitchen. He inspected each cabinet after installation and made a punch list of open items. His attention to detail is refreshing.
Our kitchen transformation was completed October 30. It was delivered on time, on budget and surpassed our every expectation. As a designer, Mike carefully listened to our vision and put together a plan that fit the needs of our family. He steered us in the decision making process to stay on budget. Mike maintained an open line of communication, quickly responding to emails and texts, following-up and following through with every question, concern or request. He established a high level of trust and respect that resulted with happy customers. We are enjoying our new kitchen; the storage, prep space and workflow leave us thinking, how did we function before? With Thanksgiving around the corner, we are grateful to Mike from Artista, his knowledge and expertise that will give us a lifetime of memories in our beautiful kitchen.