West Hartford Kitchen Remodel

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New kitchen cabinets and counters in this West Hartford kitchen remodel, with custom glass hood over the range.

Homeowner Alex Slap shares why she loved working with Cindy Wilson at Viking Kitchens for her kitchen remodel project in West Hartford.

White Wave granite counters extend from the work area to the peninsula island, creating extra working space and a handy breakfast bar.

Detail of White Wave Granite counters with brushed nickel bar pulls by Richelieu.

Custom glass range hood with custom upper cabinets designed to match.

Custom full height cabinets extend to the garage for valuable added storage space.

Detail of White Wave Granite counters and gray tile backsplash.

Corner cabinet area showing glass cabinet door front for showcasing valuables, and custom designed tote kick heater vent.

White Wave Granite peninsula island with breakfast bar seating.

We believe that kitchen design should turn outdated designs into fresh and functional ways of living. Which is how Alex Slap feels about her West Hartford kitchen remodel: “Our kitchen is transformed into this big space that the whole family revolves around and we’re just so happy.”

Viking Designer Cindy Wilson collaborated with Alex and her contractor, Ricardo Jorge, to really make the most of the available space and budget.

“Cindy is fantastic to work with. She is so patient and has just a calm demeanor in the way she guides you. And when she comes to your house, you’ll be amazed because she can visualize things that I couldn’t possibly have visualized.”

Alex’s kitchen is a completely different experience now. The remodel has changed not only the kitchen but the feel of the whole house. We took down a wall dividing the kitchen from the dining room area. Ricardo left a half wall, allowing for a nice, wide peninsula space, creating space for a large countertop with additional seating between the dining room and the kitchen for guests and family.

Functionally, we added pantry storage next to the refrigerator using full-height cabinets that are recessed back into the garage wall. We maximized space with a drawer microwave in a base cabinet, which is easier to access and safer with little ones running around. We built a toe-kick heater to redirect heat from the main wall back into the kitchen. It’s a more efficient use of energy and keeps the kitchen a cozy place for the family on cold winter mornings.

Stylistically, we paid attention to the details, too. We included a glass hood over the range as a nice feature that accents the glass tile backsplash. In the corner cabinets, we added glass doors to showcase family treasures.

The results? Says Alex: “This was just a very boxy old kitchen built in the 1940s and now it is an open area. I can see all the way through to the other rooms. I’m connected…The light is so much more…and the space and the social atmosphere it provides is just everything we ever imagined.”

“Actually, it is much better than I could have imagined it when we were just working on blueprints. I really had no idea how good it would be!”

The whole experience includes her visits to Viking Kitchen’s showrooms. Not only was she impressed with the range of options available to her in terms of cabinets and hardware, but she also found being able to take her time looking at countertop options, too. “Their showroom is beautiful. And everything that I saw is exactly what I have. I would take pictures while I was there, and we would compare photos via email.”

With two little children in tow, showroom visits might have been challenging, so Alex appreciated Viking’s family-friendly atmosphere. “They’re so kind: you come in, you’re welcomed, and they offer you a juice or soda. I would always have the little ones with me…and the staff were always so nice and accommodating—they allowed them to run down the big hallways when we looked for stone.”

That end-to-end experience is something we pride ourselves on here at Viking, starting with a first phone call.

Alex agrees: “I just think it was great, it was just an excellent experience!”