Covenant Kitchens & Baths, Inc.

30 years, Covenant Kitchens & Baths, Inc. Celebrates Their “Pearl Anniversary” on the Shoreline

2011-07-07T11:48:00.000-07:00

The year was 1981: Ronald Regan was president, Lady Di married Prince Charles, the first class postage stamp shot up to eighteen cents, median household income was $19,074 and here on the shoreline Joseph and Rosemarie Ciccarello started a kitchen and bath design firm. Their reputation for truthful, straightforward business practices and a great product is the legacy that the youngest of their four children, Gerard, continues to offer today.

When Joseph Ciccarello moved from Long Island to the more rural Connecticut, he did not originally plan on establishing the company that exists today. In the 1970’s Joseph was a carpenter with his own company in Massapequa NY, and soon utilized his skills to install kitchens and baths for other design firms. After moving his family to the CT shoreline and attaining his Certified Kitchen Design certification, Joe decided to use his experience to open Covenant Kitchens & Baths, Inc. in Westbrook.

Joe asked his son Gerard, who graduated from Hale Ray High School in 1983, to join the family business; however, Gerard was considering a career in the sciences and spent three years studying biology before entertaining the idea of working for his parents. “The only way I can describe how I ended up designing kitchens and baths is that it was God directed,” says Gerard Ciccarello, who is president and owner of the company today. “I had other plans but God redirected me,” he recalls. “In hindsight, I needed the time between high school and working for my parents to mature a little and to explore whether or not the kitchen and bath industry would be a good fit for me.”

So in 1986 Gerard began his career at Covenant Kitchens & Baths and it was a learning process from the start. Crediting his father for providing a great learning environment Gerard says, “My Dad gave me an abundance of room to make mistakes and figure things out from my own miscalculations but he was always there to help me think things through.” “I miss him,” Gerard says of his father Joseph, who passed away in August of 2007, “He set the bar for me and he set it high. He and my mom started and ran this business seeking first to honor God in all they did and then to make sure they treated their clients like they would want to be treated themselves. Pam and I seek to do the same today.”

At the time Covenant was working with Heritage Cabinetry, which had a great business development program. “I learned excellent business practices from my parents and Heritage’s program built perfectly upon that foundation,” he shares. As time progressed Gerard knew that design and craftsmanship were in his blood. By 1995, Gerard earned his Certified Kitchen Designer and Certified Bath Designer diplomas from the National Kitchen & Bath Association and in 2004 went on to attain the highest honor of CMKBD, Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer, which is earned by meeting stringent prerequisites set by the NKBA.

Asked if there were any changes he made to the business model created by his parents, Gerard shares several differences. “In the early 80’s we used cabinetry that was ready-made box type while today, all the cabinets we create are custom and the changes I have made are a push toward quality. Quality cabinets and excellent design are the focus. Superiorly constructed cabinetry made it easy for us to add libraries, offices and laundry rooms to the list of spaces we can create.” He adds, “Since 1981, technology has grown exponentially and has become prevalent in the design industry. We have moved from hand drawing designs to utilizing AutoCAD to provide customers with the most effective design experience.”

“One of the principal changes in thirty years of our business and the design profession in general is that in 1981 the kitchen we created had more of the focus on function than form; the kitchen was still more utilitarian than attractive. The swing towards our incorporating more beauty in the kitchen began in the mid-eighties. Today our kitchens have two equal parts: function and form. We pay attention to all the little details that make the room user friendly and timeless. Consumers today are more aware of what is out there thanks to HGTV and various home publications,” Gerard elaborates.

In the years that followed Gerard married his high school sweetheart, Pamela Bos, and they embarked on building their own house in East Haddam. “Building our home was a great learning experience for me” he says, “It gave me valuable experience in designing architectural elements such as our arched front porch and soffit details with crown molding reveals. These things transfer into the keen attention to structural design that we put into each of our projects."

“Pam and I have seven children and I know we want them to be what God created them to be so we don’t pressure them about taking over the business. If it’s meant to be it will happen.

I am sure that my children have shaped my outlook and attitude over the years as well. It is vital for me to keep proper perspective about what is everlasting and what is temporary,” Gerard explains. The third generation of the Ciccarello family has recently arrived at Covenant as Gerard and Pam’s oldest son Anthony, a computer engineering student at Cedarville University in Ohio, is currently spending his summer in a work study role at Covenant, honing his classroom-taught CAD drawing skills in a real application environment.

Today, three decades since inception, Covenant Kitchens is a shoreline success story occupying an 1,800 square foot showroom on the Boston Post Road in Westbrook. Covenant recently took the first place ribbon in the New England Chapter of the Clarke Wolf-SubZero Design Awards, which adds to the list of many design awards they have won in their 30 year history. Eighteen awards were earned by Covenant in the last decade alone and their work has been featured in various national publications, as well as being featured on HGTV. One of their kitchens was the cover story of the Spring, 2011 issue of Dream Kitchens & Baths: Best of the Best, 30 Timeless Looks.

Over the years Covenant has evolved and morphed to keep pace with the demands of their customers and changes in style. Although the styles do change, Covenant’s forte has been creating a classic timeless kitchen - be it traditional or contemporary in flavor with a new variety of materials. Global and sustainable resources are readily available and Covenant actively seeks new design elements and does not limit themselves to sourcing materials in the immediate area.

Throughout Covenant’s history, several things have remained consistent. Gerard has deliberately kept the business small in order to be directly involved with each job from start to completion. “I really enjoy working closely with our clients to help them create the beautiful spaces they have dreamed of having but need a guiding hand to make them reality”. Another aspect that remains consistent with Covenant is the quality of the product they represent. “We don’t sacrifice quality for price” Gerard says, “This is the main reason we have been able to survive and thrive for thirty years.”

After such a successful history of business, it is not surprising there have been several customers that have had two kitchens and multiple baths created by Covenant; some in the same home and others in a second or summer home.

“I love what I do and am thankful to be working doing what I love. We have a talented team here at Covenant and I couldn’t do it without them,” says Gerard. “I am blessed with Eric Koch, Design Engineer, Designer Kira Van Deusen, our project manager Mike Gourley, and our carpenters/installers Bob Roper and Gene King. Every project is a team effort! If the Lord allows me, I would be delighted to have another thirty years to design and implement great kitchens and baths along the shoreline,” he smiles.

Although they could provide upwards of thirty tips to creating the kitchen of your dreams, these are Covenant’s top ten:

1. Know your likes and dislikes. Tear out magazine articles and photos and keep a scrapbook. This will help your designer to understand the look you want.

2. Utilize current and updated interior cabinet mechanisms to make potential wasted space functional.

3. Don’t overlook potential “kitchen real estate” in adjoining spaces, ie. closets and wall thicknesses.

4. Use a combination of drawers and roll out shelves for maximum function and balanced look.

5. Keep the microwave from being a focal point by using a drawer microwave in an island or retractable doors over the microwave at eye level.

6. Pet owners consider things such as pet food storage, using granite in front of a well trafficked doggy door, pet dish in a pull out drawer.

7. Embrace color. If the bones and design of the kitchen are fantastic, then color, when used properly, will not deter potential buyers.

8. Lighting is key. Under-cabinet task lighting, recessed cans, attractive pendants and chandeliers all have roles to play in keeping the kitchen well lit.

9. Floor tile layout is important to making the room look most spacious. Consider different shapes than the standard 12 x 12. Use 12 x 18 or long plank tile in a grid pattern or staggered. Don’t settle for the ordinary.

10. Know your budget and talk about it from the start. The same space can be designed for several price points. Work with your designer/builder/architect to stay within your guidelines.

Best of the Best: Old World meets New World…

2011-04-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

Dream Kitchen & Baths magazine’s cover on the 2011 spring issue is a Covenant Kitchen!!

Showcased as one of the thirty timeless looks, this kitchen was one of the winners of the NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association) design competition in 2009.

European travel influence newlyweds’ style sense.

These newlyweds were combining two households and were searching for one voice for their collective style. Before they were married, life was simple - design-wise that is. Each leaned toward clean lines.

But it was their love of travel that inspired them

to collect antiques from around the world. The objects they purchased were more “old world” than contemporary.

Enter Covenant Kitchens & Baths in Westbrook. The designers there helped create a kitchen that would utilize the couple’s one-of-a-kind treasures.

First there were some logistics involved. Moving the kitchen from the dark north side of the house to the spot where the dining room had been, next to the conservatory, made all the difference in the flow of the floor plan.

The client’s purchased one large arched stained glass window from a 19^th century church in England where they visited. Luckily, the window had a seam in it where it could be split neatly into halves, creating decorative panels for the doors that flank the AGA Cooker, which takes up an entire wall.

Then there was the 100-year-old German blue and white tile that was a prize find on a recent trip to Europe. Only, there wasn’t enough tile to do the entire back splash. Mixing it with strips of black marble camouflaged the AGA’s black exhaust vent. Perfect!

Formal and warm, the new plan combines both the open flow and the coziness they wree after. Larger work areas make entertaining a breeze. Recently they hosted a party where nine people gathered comfortably around the counters to make pizzas!

This is Old World meets the New World.

Covenant Wins First Place: Traditional Design 2010 Clarke Sub-Zero Wolf Design Competition

2011-04-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

April 8, 2011

More than 300 New England architects and designers recently filled the Clarke showroom in Milford, MA for Clarke’s Fourth Annual Designer Appreciation Night. Clarke awarded trophies to six top designers around New England for their innovative use of Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances in kitchens and other rooms in the home. Clarke’s top three specifiers were also distinguished for their leadership in integration of these high-performance ranges, cooktops, wall ovens, refrigerators, wine storage and more into their vision of what a kitchen could be.

Gerard Ciccarello of Covennant Kitchens & Baths, Westbrook, CT
receiving his top honors in The Clarke Design Awards from
Clarke Director of Marketing Jim Raftus.

Gerard Ciccarello, CMKBD, owner of Covenant Kitchens & Baths, Inc. won first place in the New England Clarke Sub-Zero Wolf Design Competition. Only awarding six trophies was a tough call when judges were faced with over 60 entries. Clarke is New England's exclusive distributor of High-performance appliances from Sub-Zero, Wolf and Asko.

Designer’s Project Description:

LIGHT ON DARK DRAMA
Opulence and high drama set the stage for this well designed open plan kitchen in this newly constructed home which includes a breakfast nook, desk area, posh butler’s pantry and all the amenities. The entire look is balanced around our client’s number one with list entry: a grand scale mantle which frames a six burner range top, perfectly creating the focus and heart of this kitchen.

Project Highlights

Objectives:
- Find a home for a mantle style hood detail over a six burner cook top
- Create a grand appearance that functions well in this walk through kitchen space
- Island with seating for four

Design Challenges:
- The architect originally planned a window at the location that now houses the mantle
- Client wanted clean lines but loved the opulence of crystal and Carrara marble
- The kitchen space connects the mudroom area to the family room so traffic patterns needed high consideration

Design Solutions:
- Work with architect to have our mantle design featured prominently on exterior wall
- Strike the right balance of light and dark and simple design details with glamour
- Double sided glass door cabinet to the left of mantle hood keeps space open but allows for storage and natural light to flow through
- Wide wains paneled opening from living room into kitchen making grander entrance

Design Features:
- Mantle hood focal point flanked by windows left and right
- Foot pedal operated sinks for hands free operation
- Wide drawers for dish storage and pots and pans storage

Case Study: "Trending Towards Contemporary" Clean crisp lines are anything but boring.....

2011-03-08T11:31:00.000-08:00

Every design project has it’s challenges and this was no exception to the rule for the designers at Covenant Kitchens and Baths in Westbrook, CT. This Old Saybrook eclectic colonial style home is unassuming on the outside but the inside has taken a beautiful bent toward the home owner’s contemporary tastes.

The scope of this renovation was to gut and remodel the kitchen, powder room, master bath and a secondary bath. Upon its renovation the kitchen most definitely has become the focal point of the home.

Angular and dated despite a bank of windows showcasing the view of the marsh, the kitchen seemed dim, small and cave-like. The homeowner wanted bigger appliances and a dramatic, contemporary look without changing the footprint of the kitchen or sacrificing storage space.

“Being able to make the room seem larger without increasing the footprint of the home was tripping us up for a bit.” says Ciccarello, owner of Covenant Kitchens and Baths. “We came up with the idea to vault the ceiling and add a clerestory with transom windows to give a feeling of spaciousness and a look that was better proportioned to handle the larger appliances” he added.

The ceiling, an often neglected surface, was vaulted with careful attention to the home’s exterior look. The clerestory immediately gave the inside space the dose of high drama that was desired by the home owner and some extra curb appeal from the exterior that was intentioned by the designer.

Form and function being equally important, a perfect cache of extra space was gained for storage in the kitchen by recessing a tall pantry cabinet with roll out shelves into a little used closet space in the powder room. Staggered open shelves add visual texture and a place for the homeowner to personalize their space.

Generous scale stainless steel appliances to suit the homeowner’s wish list grace the space with loads of functional amenities. Among their favorites are the six burner range with convenient potfiller, warming drawer in the island and wine chiller. The makings of a perfect party!

An avid reader of Architectural Digest, the homeowner fell in love with a counter top material he saw in an advertisement for Concetto stone by CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces. He brought the ad to Gerard Ciccarello and inquired about using this product. The material is hand-made from individually cut semi-precious stones that are bound with a semiclear epoxy binder. The homeowner favored the brown agate material. The binder and parts of the agates are translucent.
Ciccarello chose to back light the countertop (with fiber optic lights on a substrate beneath the stone) and use it as the pinnacle of the design.

The warm browns, golds and cool gray blues of the stone were pulled into the room by Covenant designer Kira Van Deusen. “It’s all about the contrast between lights and darks” says Van Deusen

Natural looking material and earthy tones of dusty gray-blues and warm browns with intense light and dark contrasts helped bridge the rift between the eclectic colonial exterior of the home and the contemporary lines of the new kitchen

“My favorite projects are the more contemporary projects, even though times have changed and contemporary is more common, these projects are still a departure from the norm here on the Connecticut shoreline”, said Van Deusen. “Recently we are seeing more and more projects like this one where we get to use the latest greatest materials, to me it is the equivalent of an artist discovering a brand new color”, she says, “more room for creativity”.

Previously outdated, dark and lacking drama this kitchen is now a sparkling updated masterpiece with personality plus! The homeowner is ecstatic about their space. They told us that they liked our portfolio photos but now nothing compares to their space.

“Sometimes a client can be afraid that contemporary can become dated more quickly but the truth is that it can be just as timeless as a more traditional style” says Ciccarello. “As long as there is attention to detail and a good solid design framework, a contemporary kitchen and bath can endure the test of time.”

Over the past 20 plus years that Covenant Kitchens and Baths has been designing along the shoreline they have witnessed first hand the turn from using all traditional elements towards cleaner lines, simpler door styles and one or two pieces that really impact the whole picture. There is also a trend toward mixing elements of styles that works well, too. It is not uncommon to see a more contemporary light fixture in a more traditional room. If the pieces are in the right color tones and right scale the sky is the limit!

Bachelor Bliss…

2011-03-08T11:23:00.001-08:00

Combining hall space with a closet and a small out dated bathroom we were able to create this elegantly understated ultimate bachelor suite in soothing shades of espresso and cream.
The wish list included a generous sized steam shower with a seat, two lavatories, linen storage, a clothes hamper, a separate water closet and a large well organized and well lit walk-in closet.

Honed Imperial Cream travertine tile laid on the floor in random size and pattern acts as a dramatic backdrop for the rich stained cherry vanity cabinet and is capped off with a travertine counter top including his and her sinks. Hammered bronze vanity hardware mimics the band of metal tiles surrounding the shower.
Simple yet stately, cherry crown moldings grace the space and tie the cabinetry together keeping the over all look from being too fussy.

Cherry door frames, pocket doors and a cherry display niche in the water closet add the finishing touches.
Being an interior space without windows made the room quite dark. A unique solution to this was to create an interior textured glass window between the mirrors which allowed an adjacent skylight in the next space to flood the room with natural light while providing privacy.

The heart of this suite features luxurious Kohler biscuit and brushed nickel fixtures and accessories including multiple rain tiles, a ThermaSol steam shower and a frameless glass door. An adjacent tall cabinet holds towels and other shower essentials.
The generous eye pleasing closet portion of the suite boasts a place for everything and everything in its place and proves that form and function in equal portions will live blissfully ever after.

The Little Kitchen that Could…

2011-03-08T10:59:00.000-08:00

Situated on a gently winding section of the Black Hall River Marsh in Old Lyme, the original part of this hybrid home was built in 1840 with several additions over time. The latest addition brings new life to Kevin and Nancy Murphy’s petite kitchen which opens to a cathedral ceiling living room with dazzling views of the sunset where marshland meets farmland on the river bend. A spectacular view is like having seasonally changing artwork and the design of the space was to showcase the view.

The kitchen ceiling is not quite 7 feet which made designing the pieces to the appropriate scale imperative to the overall look and balance of the space. Even the size of the pendant lighting became crucial to the overall design due to the low ceiling.

With the prerequisites that the space be conducive to their casual entertaining lifestyle and love of cooking and good food, the Murphy’s contacted Covenant Kitchens & Baths, Inc in Westbrook to come up with a plan for their remodel. “At first we thought that the designs would be more costly than we had planned for but with help from Covenant we were able to save a little in some places order to invest more into details that were important to us” says Nancy Murphy. In addition to their wishes for great work flow, the island provides a great place to host a buffet or seating for three and has an under counter wine cooler at the ready. “One of the toughest parts of a kitchen remodel is counting down the days to cook in the new space, fortunately we stayed on schedule as planned and we were roasting in our new convection oven sooner than we thought we would be able to” added Kevin Murphy.

“Although small, this kitchen has all the perks of a larger space, the trick for us was how to fit it all into the plan without overpowering the design,” Gerard Ciccarello, owner of Covenant Kitchens & Baths, explains. Proper dimensions being critical, a 27” refrigerator was the best fit here in this home for two. The design challenge of this space was that the area adjacent to the refrigerator was partially blocked by an electrical panel that could not be moved. The solution was the design of 27” pantry to balance the neighboring refrigerator and to hide the electrical box, making the most of the available space while keeping the proportions ideal. “Keeping the colors subdued was also a key in this small space. Lighter and brighter, the kitchen becomes a backdrop for whatever table top accessories and family heirloom collections are featured at the time” added Ciccarello.
Ivory cabinetry with simple detailed flat panel inset doors gives the room a neat manicured look which is helpful in streamlining the look of a smaller space. Leathered Colonial Gold granite counter tops on the perimeter and island provide a softness that seems to glow in any light. A lighted glass front cabinet houses the homeowner’s antique glassware collection. Crackle subway field tile with focal points of framed soft white and off white glass tiles add understated elegance.
A sleek microwave oven drawer, wall oven, paneled refrigerator and dishwasher, white cast iron sink and pull out spray faucet round out the list of amenities.

Project Highlights

Objectives:
• Create a functional small space with high end appliances; wall oven was a must have
• Lighten and brighten this interior room kitchen
• Take advantage of water views through the newly added adjoining living room
• Space for casual entertaining
Design Challenges:
• Being a 170 year old home, ceilings in the kitchen were low and out of level
• Space is small but did not want to sacrifice amenities
• Electrical panel cut in to the prime cabinet real estate in the kitchen

Design Solutions:
• Scale the size of all materials used in the space to fit the smaller proportions including appropriate sized appliances
• Sacrifice some ceiling height in order to get the ceiling level
• Island with wine cooler and seating for three answers casual entertaining needs
• Pantry cabinet built around chimney chase hides it and creates more usable storage space

Design Features:
• Under counter wine cooler in the island
• Beautiful glimmer of glass tile featured in the back splash both over the stove and over the sink
• Light switch for pendant lights tucked out of sight under the stool opening in the island
• Beautiful nickel pendants with fabric shades are just the right size for the space

Giving Back Project by Project....

2010-08-10T11:41:00.000-07:00

Covenant Kitchens & Baths is giving back

S.H.A.R.E. Project

Sending Help Across Regions Everywhere

We here at Covenant are very thankful for the work supplied through customers like you. Over the last 25 years we have sought to return the blessing of provision to the needy both here and abroad. We have been privileged to support fantastic organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Community Music School in Essex, WOL youth camps in El Salvador and Chile, ABC Women’s Center, Project Graduation and many other excellent organizations. After traveling and helping several charitable organizations both near and far, we have been motivated to try to contribute more. We will continue helping our present charities but add two new organizations Samaritans Purse and Shoreline Soup Kitchen for our new international and local charities. For each project we work on we will actually give $200 dollars to Samaritan's Purse as designated by the client, (ie. $50 to mosquito netting to prevent malaria, $100 towards putting an end to child trafficking and $100 to buy chickens for a family to farm and become self sufficient) and we will also give $50 to The Shoreline Soup Kitchen & Pantries.

Samaritan’s Purse is the organization we have selected as our new partner. Personally, our family has spent many Christmas seasons packing shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse’s program Operation Christmas Child. These boxes are sent to the less fortunate children in over 130 countries. Through these small gifts millions of children throughout our world have been blessed and realized that someone cares. The organization was begun in 1970 and in 1978 Franklin Graham, son of Bill Graham, became the president and CEO of Samaritans Purse.

The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, founded in 1989, is an interfaith ministry that provides food and fellowship to people in need and educates our communities about hunger and poverty. In 2006, 480,431 meals were distributed to individuals and families during various programs. The programs included grocery distribution sites, heat-n-eat meals, and meals at area soup kitchens.

Covenant Kitchens & Baths wins twice in NKBA Design Competition 2010

2010-06-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

2010 NKBA NATIONAL DESIGN COMPETITON

MEDIUM KITCHENS

3^RD PLACE DESIGN WINNER:

World travelers with a passion for collecting beautiful objects and of entertaining friends decided to remodel their kitchen around the AGA cooker from

England

. The constant warmth emanating from the stove is reflected in the selection warm yellows and mahogany stains colors. The Carrara marble counters were chosen with the intention of only increasing their good looks as they age. Antique chandeliers, church stained windows from 1800’s and 100 year old German blue and white tiles now look quite at home in this old world style kitchen.

2010 NKBA NATIONAL DESIGN COMPETITON

SMALL KITCHENS

3^RD PLACE DESIGN WINNER:

A small yet elegant kitchen/laundry room combo takes up all of 130 square feet in this Federal Style home in Essex, CT. Maintaining the clean classic look was accomplished by white raised panel doors adorned with crystal knobs, Calcutta gold marble counters, marble tile backsplash, and taupe silk wallpaper. Preservation of the original oversized exterior window was an opportunity to add bonus drawer space beside the stove. The adjoining side entrance area now houses the washer, dryer, brisker, and microwave. This keeps amenities out of sight but near at hand in this elegant classic petite kitchen.

Robin's Egg Blue...This Kitchen Heralds Spring...

2010-03-09T11:28:00.000-08:00

Color, color, color…Driven by a love for color this homeowner knew she wanted this bird’s egg blue cabinetry for her kitchen the moment she saw it in the designer’s showroom. “It was the first color I chose for the house, and I used it for all the color choices I made for walls furniture and fixtures.”

Designed to the period of the home, this kitchen was created to keep as much of the 1932 Cape Cod feel of the home as possible while giving it a completely functional update. The designer kept all the smallest details in mind including door styles, pulls, “icebox” latches and bracketed molding. All the details harken back to the earlier era. In keeping with the old house feel, fir floors stained in cherry provide some orange tones which are a nice foil to the blue-gray tones of the cabinetry.

The choice of a galley kitchen versus a great room style kitchen was made again to keep with the look and feel of times gone by. In addition to keeping the kitchen as a committed food preparation area, having a dedicated room for the kitchen gives some definition in a home which otherwise has a very open floor plan.

The kitchen boasts 28” deep soapstone countertops, a Shaw’s fireclay sink, a white Viking 36” range with matching white hood, 36”’ Sub Zero Fridge, freezer on bottom with integrated panels to match cabinetry. White appliances won out over stainless in order to keep that 1930’s feeling in the design. The hutch piece with a stepped out cherry countertop was created to showcase the owner’s pastel Fiestaware collection. The wood top on the hutch also pulls in the tone of the floor.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Stop by and visit us:

Covenant Kitchens & Baths, Inc.

1871 Boston Post Road

Westbrook, CT

www.covenantkitchens.com

860.399.6241

Pastel Hues and Water Views...

2010-02-24T12:26:00.000-08:00

Why not see the waterviews from the kitchen of this 1916 shingle style estate home? The designer planned a renovation that involved gutting the area and removing several interior walls in their entirety, a brick chimney chase that was no longer in use, unsightly soffits, an old butler’s pantry and some old cabinetry in order to make an open plan kitchen and new butler’s pantry with panache.

The 36” Wolf range has a tile backsplash with an array of glimmering violet iridescent tiles which pick up the violet in the walls. The fridge is a Sub-Zero stainless steel all fridge unit and next to it under the counter is a Sub-Zero freezer drawer set. To the right of the sink is a trash compactor and in the island is a roll out receptacle for recyclables. A wolf 30” wall oven with Wolf convection microwave and lower Wolf warming drawer are at the other end of the space. The Pantry has a Sub-Zero under counter freezer with icemaker on one side and a Uline beverage center on the other.

The work flow and function is amazing. There is now space for entertaining a crowd. There is a TV nook that is part of the kitchen and tends to be where the kids congregate while mom is busy in the kitchen enjoying the new view of the ocean accomplishing the designer’s original goal!

Stop by and visit us:

Covenant Kitchens & Baths, Inc.

1871 Boston Post Road

Westbrook, CT

www.covenantkitchens.com

860.399.6241

Photo credits:

John Savarese Photography
john@JohnSavaresePhotography.com
203.563.9448

Mix Master…An Eclectic Colonial Home Gets a Contemporary Bath

2010-02-22T18:06:00.000-08:00

2010: The master bath has never had looked so good. Neutral colors are often underestimated but when combined with expertise they can pack the perfect visual punch as they do in this Old Saybrook bathroom remodel.

Covenant Kitchens & Baths, Inc. in Westbrook designed this space utilizing a blend of traditional and contemporary materials. Honed Calcutta Gold marble on the floor and burled maple doors on the vanity are typically associated with more traditional spaces but they work amazingly well with the more contemporary style elements of Caesarstone countertops and tub deck along with concentric rectangular natural stone tiles on the shower wall. Deep beige walls provide a dramatic backdrop for the swirling tans and whites of the stone while a burst of color comes into the space through the use of accessories. Blue towels and burgundy accents can add some spice or changing to greens and aqua tones for spring, the rich marble and stone tile accents work equally well with a variety of colors. A skylight over the jetted tub keeps the room bathed in light.

The footprint of the room did not change, the room was gutted and the existing bathtub was reused for the remodel. Changes included the addition of a marble tub front and quartz deck giving the bath a brand new attitude. Frameless glass shower doors showcase the tiled shower wall as the focal point of the space while state of the art shower fixtures give a boost the functional side of the room.

The "Before and After" photos tell the story...Seeing is believing!

“Lately it seems there is a trend toward contemporary baths in more traditional style homes”, says Gerard Ciccarello, owner and designer at Covenant Kitchens & Baths, Inc. “Clean lines, spa, relaxing and easy to clean are the buzz words we hear when we ask for our client’s wish lists for design. Contemporary bathrooms fit these prerequisites and offer the homeowner a fresh look”

That is an understatement, this is a fresh look indeed.

Stop by and visit us:

Covenant Kitchens & Baths, Inc.

1871 Boston Post Road

Westbrook, CT

www.covenantkitchens.com

860.399.6241

Photo credits:

Jim Fiora
Jim Fiora Studio, LLC
http://www.jimfiora.com/
203.488.8687
jim@jimfiora.com