Success Story: Let There Be Light

Amazing Spaces, LLC brightens up a 20-year old kitchen and brings a little beauty to utilitarian spaces in a 20-year-old Colonial.

It was all about the light. When Jason Landau of Amazing Spaces, LLC met with his new clients, Maude & Don Delaski, the couple knew that parts of their 20-year old Colonial home need remodeling. Though they would eventually have a ground floor Powder Room and Laundry room redone, it was the dark kitchen that was the catalyst for the whole project.

“The kitchen abutted a covered deck which made the whole space very dark,” recalls Maude. “Everything was outdated and worn out.”

The home was certainly well-used as the family once numbered five. As the kids grew and left home, the number of residents dropped to three (and two canine family members) but on holidays that number could swell to 22 or more. The Delaskis needed room for all and space for more than just one person to do the cooking.

A realtor friend recommended Jason Landau of Amazing Spaces, LLC who met with the Delaskis, took some measurements and immediately began seeing in his mind how more light could be let into the kitchen, as well as ways it could become much more user-friendly for the cooks and helpers.

"Where there was once more cabinetry, I opened the space to a wall of windows and vaulted the ceiling of the 12-foot-deep covered porch,” says Landau. The family likes to grill out and eat in nice weather, so I added more light by installing skylights in the porch's roof”.

“Jason hit the nail right on the head,” says Maude. “He had a vision right away about how to improve the kitchen. He went back to his office, drew up the layout, and off we went. We changed virtually nothing from his original plans.”

“In the original layout, one-third of the kitchen was wasted,” Landau says. “I decided to separate the kitchen into two very functional sides-- one with everything the cook would need (the range, ovens, prep sink and part of the island ) and the other for everyone not doing the cooking (with a main sink, small appliances, Miele paneled dishwasher, and lots of counter space). The two areas would meet in the middle with both sharing access to the 42-inch paneled SubZero refrigerator.

The Delaskis chose a 48-inch Wolf range with six burners and a griddle (which they use much more often than they thought they would, with grilled chicken being a particular favorite).

“I refer to my former stove the 'play stove' after I saw my new one,” says Maude.

The Delaskis also chose beaded inset paint and glazed maple cabinetry named Yellow Flicker from Levant, complete with mesh doors beneath the sink to add an upscale country feel.

“We looked at lots of styles and colors in kitchen magazine,” says Maude, they found Jason a very reassuring presence. They largely followed his lead and only had one wrong choice that was quickly corrected after Maude sat straight up in bed one night and realized she couldn't live with the metal- accented tile she had picked when Landau took her tile shopping. “I chose something more toned down and now love the backsplash of Crema Marfil tumbled marble set in both subway and herringbone patterns.”

Another change came about when the finish on the island's Bronzite granite didn't suit the piece of granite they selected, so Landau suggested changing from a leathering finish to a polished surface and the resultant surface is stunning.

Recessed lights add extra wattage to the alabaster lights provided by the shaded pendants above the countertops and islands. The countertops elsewhere in the kitchen are Yellow River granite and the rich oak flooring gives the whole space an even warmer feel.

“The kitchen is a huge upgrade,” says Maude. “Now the kitchen is elegant and professional. It not only makes cooking more fun, it makes the whole house more desirable for when we decide to sell.”

“The Delaski's kitchen project came out great, in my opinion,” says Landau. “It is now the perfect example of how a good kitchen design can accommodate multiple people all making use of the space simultaneously.”

But Landau wasn't done yet. Amazing Spaces, LLC redesigned the existing Powder Room. Landau had installed a marble counter, an antiqued ivory buffet-style vanity (to complement the wood molding), a lovely blush patterned wall covering and hanging from the darkly-accented ceiling, a jewel-like chandelier.

“Amazing Spaces, LLC created a beautiful little room,”says Maude, who also particularly appreciated that Landau moved the room's door out of the center of the sight-line of the home's front door.

“It makes for more privacy and a nicer view when you enter the home,” explains Landau. 

The new laundry room replaced the previous one's builder cabinets, slop sink and an old washer and dryer with a stackable washer and dryer, washed blue cabinetry, a light marble counter (over which hang very useful clothing rods) and multi-tonal tile which reflects all the room's colors, making the room gorgeous as well as useful.

To complete all the projects took six months, but not only was all the dust contained, with the floors washed every night, but an entire mini-kitchen was created for the family's use during the renovation.

“It was worth every penny and every minute,” says Maude. “We had a crowd over at Thanksgiving and my husband Don and I worked side-by-side in the new kitchen. Even the guest sitting at the table just off the kitchen pitched in to help. It was fun and everyone admired all the changes.”

“The work Amazing Spaces, LLC did for the Delaskis was a true pleasure,” says Landau. “They were very open to making changes and I'm very glad they are delighted with the outcome.”


Let Amazing Spaces, LLC help remake your kitchen or bath. Please call Jason or Susie today at 914- 239-3725 or visit us at www.amazingspacesllc.com. We look forward to working with you.

Countertops: Which type is best for your kitchen?

Next to cabinetry, perhaps the biggest design statement in your kitchen is your countertops. But besides being beautiful, you need the surface of your counters to be easy to clean, resistant to stains and long lasting. Here is some information about the different materials available to help you make an informed choice:

·      Granite: Always popular, granite is elegant, durable and resists heat, making it the first choice of many homeowners. Since it is a natural rock, the colors and pattern won't be consistent, but granite does come in a rainbow of colors and the natural pitting or inconsistencies in the rock itself make your countertop truly one-of-a-kind. You'll need to seal your granite countertops once a year.

·      Quartz: If you'd like more consistency in the color and texture of your countertop, Quartz is a very hard material that gives the look of natural stone, but has more consistency. It, too, comes in a range of colors and has a scratch resistant surface. Since it is non-porous, quartz doesn't need sealing annually.

·      Glass: This material is not porous and is therefore a good choice for homeowners concerned with hygiene. Glass also shows less fingerprints and dust, but it can scratch, so consider choosing textured glass for your countertop. A range of colors is available and glass’ ability to both reflect and filter light makes for many dramatic options.

·      Marble is the most regal of materials (reflected in its price) and like all things royal, takes more tending. Marble is more susceptible to staining and, as it is more porous than granite, needs to be sealed more often. The edges may also chip and crack, so be sure to choose a less fragile piece (be guided here by your kitchen designer’s advice) for use as a countertop.

·      Metal: Easy to clean, sanitary and heat resistant, metal counters (stainless steel, zinc or copper) are also very durable and can give either an ultra modern or rustic look to your kitchen. Metal counters do have some disadvantages: they will scratch when used as a cutting board and show fingerprints, dents, and water spotting. Using a textured or brushed surface helps hide these flaws. Also metal can be noisy, so it needs to be properly insulated when installed.

·      Concrete: Since concrete is scratch and heat resistant, it is a very durable material (that does required periodic sealing). Concrete also has the benefit of being able to be formed into any shape, since the concrete is poured into a custom mold, usually on site. Inlays and tinting can make concrete even more distinctive.

·      Corian: Countertops of Corian look like stone, but this material has a consistent color and pattern and can be molded in almost any shape. Stain resistant and easy to clean, it is heat resistant but don't put pots straight from the stove on it. Corian may also be scratched so use caution when cutting (shallow scratches can sometimes be removed with mild abrasive).

·      Wood: Butcher Block (usually made of maple) is not the only option for a wood countertop—others include cherry, teak, bamboo and mahogany. Each has its own characteristics, but the width of board (wide, medium or end-grain planks) and the thickness of the countertenor you choose will affect the price. Also finishing the countertop must be taken into consideration. Polyurethane, while durable, isn't the best choice for food prep and other choices, like sealer vs. mineral oil must be discussed with your contractor (and will be the topic of a future article here). Bear in mind that all wood tops will require re-sanding and resealing regularly.

·      Slate: a scratch and heat resistant, non-porous stone, slate needs no sealing, but mineral oil should be used for protection. Slate comes in a limited range of colors (black, purple, red, gray brown and greens) but when a matt honed finish is used, slate displays its own muted beauty.

·      Soapstone: This material is stain-resistant, but needs regular maintenance with mineral oil. Sort of a cross between marble and granite, Soapstone is softer than both and comes in smaller slabs, meaning you may end up with more seams in your kitchen. The smooth surface is smooth and its color palette is limited to blacks, greens and grays.

·      Ceramic Tile: Though ceramic tiles comes in many colors, textures, patterns and price points, as a countertop material it has drawbacks: tiles can crack or chip, the surface isn't smooth, grout lines need cleaning and sealing, and can often stain.

When choosing the perfect countertops for your new kitchen installation, it is best to consult an expert. Jason Landau of Amazing Spaces, LLC is an award-winning kitchen designer who can help you make an informed choice. Give him a call at 914-239-3725 or visit the Amazing Spaces, LLC website at www.amazingspacesllc.com to see a portfolio of their work.