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A Kitchen Designed for Connection: The Oakbriar Project

This 1960s-era home was ready for a change — not just in style, but in purpose.
Our homeowner dreamed of hosting Thanksgiving dinners and family holidays where everyone — kids, grandkids, and friends — could gather comfortably around one table. To make that dream possible, we reimagined the entire main floor layout.

Changing the Layout to Meet Wants & Needs

The original kitchen and dining area were divided by walls that closed off the space. We opened things up — creating room for a long dining table and generous seating for family gatherings.

Removing Walls in a 1960s-Era Home

The Goal: Create an open, connected living space with a flush ceiling line.
The Challenge: The home’s structure relied on intersecting load-bearing walls (Wall A resting on Wall B) with 2×8 ceiling joists — standard for the era but not ideal for open spans.
The Solution: We worked with local architect Rich Hunt to design and install a double steel flitch plate header, allowing us to safely remove the walls and achieve that smooth, modern ceiling finish.

Adding a New Exterior Door for Easy Backyard Access

Previously, the only way to reach the backyard was through the garage — not exactly convenient during family cookouts. We solved that by removing a window and installing an outswing exterior door for direct access to the yard. We worked together with another local vendor, AV Design Works, to draft a set of drawings for a small landing. Not only did the town require them, but it was also a way to show the homeowner what we were planning to build before we started construction.

Creative Island Collaboration with VHI Cabinetry

To make the most of the expanded layout, we collaborated with Nick Siesto and the VHI Cabinetry team on a custom island design that combines storage, seating, and a kitchen sink — all in one flowing piece.

The island was finished with a quartz countertop polished to perfection by Roc City Granite, bringing strength and beauty together at the heart of the kitchen.

Hardwood Floor Extension

Beneath the old carpet in the dining room, we found original hardwood floors — a hidden treasure. We extended those floors throughout the new space, blending the old and new seamlessly. The result? A timeless, unified look that anchors the home with warmth and character.

Personal Touch

For the homeowner, this renovation wasn’t just about looks — it was about creating space for memories. Thanksgiving will feel different now, with laughter filling the open rooms and the smell of dinner moving freely from kitchen to table.

Our team loved being part of that vision — turning “someday” plans into a real, welcoming space ready for family and celebration.

Closing Reflection

When design meets purpose, the result is more than just a renovation — it’s a home that tells your story.

This project reminds us that the best remodels aren’t just built with beams and finishes — they’re built with intention, care, and connection.

From Planning to Perfection: Transforming a Bathroom with Smart Design

Every project is more than just walls, floors, and fixtures—it’s about the people who live in the space. We take the time to listen, learn, and understand how a homeowner will actually use the room. That’s what turns a renovation from simply “nice” into something that truly fits their life.

Seeing our client walk into their new bathroom for the first time and instantly feel at home is the most rewarding part of our work. It’s a reminder that thoughtful design and careful craftsmanship can do more than improve a room—they can make everyday life a little easier, a little more comfortable, and a lot more enjoyable.

Listening, Planning & Intention

We started with a clean slate; a bare room. Before we swung a hammer, we planned and we asked:

Where will the shower go? How about the vanity, doorway, and toilet? We had to work around the existing windows because moving them or changing the size was not an option.

Every choice was carefully mapped out to create a space that not only looks great but works perfectly for the homeowner. A good design ensures every inch of the room feels intentional—and we nailed it.

A render adds color to 2D floor plan

After a floor plan has been established, a color render is made to put color on the 2D floor plan. It brings to life a basic idea of the bathroom so that the whole team understands the vision. The team is everyone from the customer, to the General Contractor, subcontractors and vendors. Ensuring we’re all on the same page with color renders makes things efficient and eliminates errors.

Smooth flooring Transitions

We wanted to avoid “toe catcher” transitions between flooring surfaces. By matching the finished floor height throughout, the bathroom now flows seamlessly into the adjoining space—no stumbles, no awkward ridges.

Quiet Comfort

With running water, showers, toilets and many other sounds, bathrooms can be noisy places. So, as with many of our past projects, we suggested and installed Rock Wool sound-deadening insulation between the bathroom and bedroom. Pair that with a solid-core door, and you’ve got privacy and peace without sacrificing style.

Hidden HVAC for Clean lines & Warm Toes

We tucked HVAC dampers into the vanity’s toe kicks, offering gentle warmth right where it’s appreciated most on cold mornings. The vents? Spray-painted to match the cabinet color so they blend right in—no bulky floor or wall registers in off colors stealing attention.

Full Service, Start-to-Finish Solutions

When you work with us, you’re not juggling multiple contractors. We handle everything—from initial design to final paint strokes and everything in between.

For this project, we did many things in house, including framing, drywall & trim. But other things like HVAC, tile, plumbing cabinets, counters and carpet install were outsourced.

Our trusted network of vendors and subcontractors means you get expert results without the stress. One price, one team, one beautiful finished bathroom.

Closing Reflections

Home is where the small moments happen—the morning coffee, the quiet evenings, the family gatherings. When every element of your space is planned with intention, those moments feel even better. That’s why we believe great remodeling is more than swinging a hammer—it’s listening to the needs of the client and then creating artful, functional spaces that make life more enjoyable, one room at a time.

A Finished Basement fit for a growing Family: The WoodStone Project

An amazing transformation happens when you take a dark, drab basement and finish it into a bright, inviting multi-use space. A basement is probably the most underutilized area in the home yet, a well-planned and well-built remodel, can enhance quality of family life, as it add tens of thousands of dollars to a home’s value.

In the Woodstone Project, family members have a wish-list for their basement space. The middle-school aged kids — quickly growing up —need a fun space to play ping-pong and hang out with their friends, with privacy. Yet parental proximity is just upstairs. The Dad wants a place for entertaining during football season with his friends and colleagues and a general place to relax and unwind, and the Mom envisions a dedicated area for working out as well as a functional and efficient space for hosting events. We listened, we designed and we accommodated all of these wishes. And more!

A common area for everyone and their friends to relax is the TV and couch area. The basement is split into 4 lighting zones to accommodate multiple people using multiple spaces. If someone wants to work out with bright lights while another family member watches TV with dimmed lighting, both activities easily happen. Giving thought to purpose makes planning and construction successful.

The Woodstone Project also includes a kitchenette area complete with ample countertop space, a refrigerator, clean, white shaker cabinets and a functioning sink. This perfect addition to the basement makes entertaining easy. Food prep, food storage, set up and clean up are convenient and comfortable for everyday or special occasions.

An accessible room to house the furnace and new tankless hot water heater are also designed into the space. With the addition of baffles and cold-air grills, these appliances breathe while hiding the sights and sounds from guests. Extra storage under the stairs was also added because…why not?

The powder room is one more excellent feature that enhances this basement space. Built from scratch, our team busted through the concrete floor to run new drain lines and make this dream a reality. Cute and well designed, it provides convenience for the family and their guests.

The dark, sprayed ceiling hides all infrastructure while providing access to wires, pipes and ducts, and is something I recommend. The ceiling and bright lights contrast with the wall color and crisp, boxed poles and moldings, making the whole space pop. In this project, while the home gains over 1300 sq. ft of finished customized space, the family gains daily enjoyment. Value to the home and to quality of life increase everyday, and through the years.

Inspired by this transformation? Get the ball rolling on your finished basement space, today! Visit our customer portal to get started.

Approximate Time to Complete: 6-8 Weeks

Approximate Cost: $90-$110k.

White shaker kitchen with navy blue island featuring four woven leather barstools. Bright space includes white quartz countertops, farmhouse sink, black fixtures, herringbone tile backsplash, and stainless appliances. Three pendant lights over island, hardwood flooring, and natural wood accents add warmth. Design balances classic elements with modern touches for timeless appeal.

My Favorite Project to Date: The Maida Kitchen

In the history of Cramer Contracting, the project that is most near and dear to my heart is The Maida Kitchen, which was completed in February of 2023. And I will explain the why and how this project came to be in this article.

The homeowners with their young family felt cramped and constricted in their old kitchen. The kitchen was separated from the usable space of the ‘dining room’ and was also separated from the expansive livingroom. There was no cohesiveness. And the builder-grade kitchen lacked storage, countertop space and a personality.

Removal of Load Bearing Walls

Arguably the most important feature of this kitchen was the removal of a 10’ weight bearing wall. With the blessing of our architect, we removed two walls, one weight bearing and one non-weight bearing. The weight bearing wall required Three 17-foot, 12” wide LVL headers to be installed.

Additionally, we had to install a Lolly-column in the basement to direct the point load to the foundation. It was quite an undertaking but WHAT a difference it made! Removing walls is one of my favorite recommendations to transform a space from dark and constricted to open and inviting. Don’t be afraid to dream big and shoot for the stars when it comes to your remodel. Where there’s a will, there’s a way to remove walls, create new spaces and solve problems.

Large and Unique Colored Island

The island was a dark navy and was a unique and classy contrast to the white shaker cabinets. The homeowners and cabinet designer planned ahead for the installation of a mini-fridge and built in microwave cabinet. The location of the island and the countertop overhang allows for seating while guests can participate in the kitchen conversations or the livingroom conversations. Rose gold hardware was a excellent choice to contrast the cabinets.

Fantastic customers with a sense of style

Admittedly, I did not pick out the rugs, chairs, pendant fixtures above the island or any ‘custiomizable’ But I am appreciative of the homeowners sense of style in how these selections made the whole room come together. They, with wall treatments, pictures and furniture unified the livingroom with the kitchen after the removal of the weight bearing wall. As an added bonus, the customers with their young family could not have been nicer, more patient or more accommodating to work for.

Copious lighting on dimmers

Nothing makes a space pop like good lighting. We always err on the side of more than than less because you can always add a dimmer and have less lighting. If your dimmers are cranked to the max and you don’t have enough hardwired light fixtures, you’re relegated to lamps. In this space, more than enough color-selectable 6” LED were used as well as classy pendant lights and under cabinet lighting to add ambiance to the room.

Elegant Backsplash to new heights!

The customer chose a small subway tile in a herringbone pattern that was taken all the way to the ceiling to give the kitchen an even more grand feel. Installed behind the range hood (another well planned design feature) and above the sink, it’s both stylist and serves a practical function to ensure the backsplash is easy to keep the clean.

Other noteworthy features:

The countertops were white quartzite and were installed by local company EGC Granite, who were very easy to work with. The floors were selected to match the LVP floors in the customer’s finished basement. The 600 sq. Ft needed was arguably the last inventory in the state of New York and was sourced a Lowe’s Home Improvement in Utica, NY. Something else that Cramer Contracting is experienced with is eliminating a window. There was an existing window that had to be eliminated to allow for a 1-wall kitchen design.

The picture above and below were taken from the same angle and position in the home, before and after.

Time to Completion: ~6 Weeks

Approximate total cost of a project this size: $75-100k.