Residential Kitchen under $75,000 — Nicastro Contracting Services Inc. with team member Nationwide Floor and Window Coverings
Open floor plan kitchens are much desired, but sometimes cannot be accommodated due to structural and budgetary constraints. To satisfy the 
homeowners’ needs of more storage, large island with seating, more workspace and large pantry cabinets, Nicastro Contracting checked off all of the homeowners desires — without added structural and mechanical expenses. Taking advantage of a play area outside the kitchen they removed a non-loadbearing wall, moved the prep and cooking zones into the new space, expanding the kitchen from 193-square-feet to 314-square-feet. The new design allowed for the large island, pantry-style cabinets and more efficient work flow and space. Lighting was improved with LED recessed general lighting, task lighting under the cabinets and LED lights over the sink. The flooring installed by Nationwide Floor and Window Coverings is a wood-look luxury vinyl plank. Monies saved allowed for the alcove with the HVAC unit to be redesigned!
Residential Kitchen $75,001 – $150,000 — MOREHOUSE Improvements, LLC
Working within the confines of a townhouse unit and the association regulations is always difficult. Providing the desired workflow and 
aesthetics as well as mechanicals is another problem. The homeowners wanted the peninsula removed and an island installed to achieve the workflow, but needed space for the under-peninsula freezer. Creating a large island with freezer and under counter microwave accomplished this request. This also required the sink located in the peninsula to be rerouted to the window area, along with the plumbing, revealing a clogged waste pipe. The subfloor was removed and re-installed without damaging existing framework and HVAC ductwork for the floor below. Providing efficient lighting was another difficulty because the HVAC ductwork was directly in the way of the new island lighting layout. New fixtures were installed and repositioned to provide the necessary visibility and task lights installed under the cabinets for task lighting. For working on the island, additional electrical outlets were needed. Creating a pop-up outlet is hidden by a brushed nickel lid. An induction cooking range with a recirculating chimney-style hood is used since the townhouse association would not allow cuts in the siding for proper ventilation. Charcoal filters reduce odors circulating.
Residential Interior Under $250,000 — MOREHOUSE Improvements, LLC
This older house had an inefficient traffic flow — entry to the dining room was through a butler’s pantry! Lack of counterspace for food preparation and little cabinetry for storage made for a cluttered kitchen. The existing mud room for the family of four was tiny, uninsulated and created from an outside porch. A total redesign was required to provide better traffic flow, efficient use of space, and provide an adjacent power room since the only bathroom was upstairs. Windows were repositioned and enlarged for privacy and better natural lighting; An architect provided the guidance on properly supporting the structure during the redesign and for the finished house. A wall was cleared through the pantry into the dining room from the kitchen. 
The pantry became a powder room and mudroom.
In-floor heating warmed up the old porch space for comfortable changing of outerwear. Re-laying out the kitchen allowed for better use of space and more counters with cabinets. Installing sound deadening mineral wool insulation in the ceiling of the kitchen enhanced the area from the bedrooms above. The resulting rooms enhance the home aestheticaLY lly and efficiently for better quality of life
Residential Interior over $250,000 — Hudson Home Improvement, LLC with team members Sub•Zero, Wolf, Cove and Bin There Dump That
These homeowners wanted to update their kitchen and address a cold, drafty breakfast area. A bar area was created, and other remodels were completed in the house. Dealing with the cold required sealing all penetrations between the existing foundation and sill plate and adding insulation to the crawl space under that area. A toe-kick radiator was introduced into the existing hot water loop since no other
walls were available to add heat. Another situation was maintaining the current layout while adding modern amenities. Ventilation for the range proved an obstacle since it was located on an interior wall and could not be vented outside a downdraft with a special tamper brought the CFM within code requirements without requiring make-up air. The homeowners wanted more outlets for appliances, so outlet strips were added under the cabinets and a landing station built into the pantry. The landing station provides outlets for charging devices such as phones and tablets, etc. In the downstairs bathroom, a tile floor was installed over a Ditra waterproof uncoupling membrane. The bathroom 
switches were separated for lighting and fan. Red Oak hardwood floor was installed in the kitchen, which provided a patina match with the older floors in the home.