This 100+ year old Shore Colonial home located in Long Branch, New Jersey was flooded during Super Storm Sandy. Job one was the tear out of the ruined material followed by the drying and spraying of anti-fungals. Next, the basic renovation was to get the home back to habitable. This work included new hardwood floors, electrical wiring, insulation, drywall, large moldings, plus heating and air conditioning units with vent ducts.

As an upgrade option, the Monmouth County homeowners wanted to remodel and expand their kitchen. The plan designed and developed by the Design Build Pros has the rear kitchen bearing wall (was an outside wall at one point prior to an addition) being removed to add the existing sunroom space as a part of the new kitchen. The plan also includes removing the wall to the dining room. This design will create a better traffic flow, make both rooms feel larger, and allow for a bigger island suitable for dining.

During the design and development phase, the client said, "Insurance is paying for a new kitchen and I will pay the difference to get MY kitchen."

Besides becoming twice as big with the walls removed and rooms combined, the new kitchen is loaded with desirable features and great attention to detail. These items include a television and computer workstation, glass tile mixed with subway tiles for the backsplash, a pot filler, stainless steel farm sink, one-piece spray faucet, filtered water line for the Keurig coffee maker, lighted pot rack, under cabinet lighting, stone chimney covering, pop up outlet for the island, Caesarstone quartz countertops, and an upgraded appliance package.

What is your favorite feature of this kitchen?

The project was built by Mark of Excellence, a Design Build Pros Preferred Remodeler. Mark of Excellence has been renovating Monmouth County homes since 1987 and they continue to rebuild the shore after the damage caused by the hurricane.