For Elisabeth H. of Arlington, the kitchen in her home of more than two decades had become something she worked around rather than in. The cabinets were worn, the appliances were over 20 years old, and the space had lost whatever charm it once had.
“Before the renovation I no longer felt comfortable inviting people over or cooking for them,” she says. “It felt more like a room that used to be a kitchen.”
That’s a feeling a lot of homeowners know — the slow drift from “we’ll fix it eventually” to “we just live around it.” For Elisabeth, eventually finally arrived.
Before – Above. After – Below.
Choosing the Right Partner
Elisabeth didn’t rush the decision. She collected bids from five contractors — and price wasn’t her deciding factor. Trust was.
CCI’s president Bill Farnsworth looked at the project and the ideas started flowing. For Elisabeth, that first meeting set the tone for everything that followed.
“It was all Bill,” she says. “He’s just a great guy. On a big job like this, I needed to feel like we were fundamentally on the same page.”
She also points to office manager Brenda, whose warmth and professionalism on the phone gave Elisabeth added confidence before the project even started. In a field where contractors often don’t even call back, that kind of responsiveness matters — and it set the tone right from the start.
The Scope
The project was a full renovation from the studs out: new cabinetry, countertops, backsplash tile, plumbing fixtures, electrical upgrades with all-new LED and under-cabinet lighting, replastered walls, and full appliance coordination. The footprint stayed the same — Elisabeth knew what worked spatially — but everything else was reimagined. CCI’s in-house designer worked closely with her on the details, including a window seat she’d had her heart set on.
Before – Above. After – Below.
The Design
Elisabeth came in with a clear vision: muted tones, a soft sagey green, and rustic white oak countertops from Sprague Woodworking as her one splurge. She describes the butcher block craftspeople as “angelic” and says they were worth every penny.
The result speaks for itself. Shaker-style Bertch cabinetry in a warm sage, black hardware, white subway tile backsplash, a floating wood shelf, and a deep undermount stainless sink with a pull-down faucet — beautiful and hardworking in equal measure.
Living Through It
Elisabeth works from home, which meant she was present for every day of the renovation — something that can test even the most patient homeowner. She gives full credit to Lead Carpenter Eric.
“He was flawlessly patient throughout the entire process,” she says.That kind of experience doesn’t happen by accident. “We know that having a crew in your home for weeks is a real disruption. Our goal is always to leave the homeowner feeling like the process was worth it — because a kitchen like this should be a joy, not just a project,” said Custom’s President Bill Farnsworth.
Night and Day
When the dust settled, Elisabeth had the kitchen she’d been waiting twenty years for.
“It was exactly what I had hoped it would be,” she says. “The transformation was night and day.”
The space she once avoided is now one she cooks in, invites people to, and is genuinely proud of. And when a small issue with the ice maker came up after completion, CCI’s immediate response gave her one more reason to feel good about her choice. “The feeling of safety in the relationship was huge.”
Ready for a Kitchen That Feels Like You Again?
“What a great job they did and what a pleasure they are to work with.” — Elisabeth H., Arlington
Contact us today to start the conversation!
See more photos of the project HERE.