Renovation Inspiration

Unit 2127

1. Kitchen and Bathroom Countertop Replacement

   • Premise: I started with the original black granite countertops that were very much in vogue back in 2008, the maple/oak colored cabinets would've cost a lot to replace, and I believed the aesthetic culprit wasn't the cabinets, but the granite. Interestingly enough the granite material was also utilized in both the main floor and downstairs bathrooms, and had the same effect, and working with Artistic Stone and their designers, we realized the kitchen and the bathrooms could all be done using two slabs, which included the backsplash (we weren't a fan of the tile that was there, and the slab makes cleaning behind the cooktop a cinch.

   •  Slab Choice: We ended up going with the LG Huasys Viatera Quartz, specifically Snow Storm, which from a distance provides a consistent white with a tinge of cream without being too creamy. If you look closely it's very much like snow with a sand and light grey pattern that's incredibly subtle providing a white that doesn't border on something too sterile, yet is still clean.

   • Company: Artistic Stone had the Bay Area's most affordable prices, and we spent time looking at multiple for quotes from a variety of companies, and their customer service and project management was on point, they were flexible with dates to accommodate my travel plans, and hit their deadlines. The templating was efficient, and the workmanship attention to detail was evident (no unevenness, clean cuts, etc.

   • Company: Artistic Stone Kitchen and Bath 

   • Cost: $10,000

2. Kitchen Counter Lights

   • Premise: By tearing out the original counter lights, I saved a ton of space.

   • Replacement Choice: I installed Philip Hue light strips which have freed up a lot of space wasted by the original light fixtures. The light strip is bright with fantastic color rendering index and is integrated into my smarthome system. 

   • Installation: I was able to take the power conduits higher thanks to the slab, and there's a hollow area above in the cabinet where I installed another outlet so I could plug the brick adapter into. I also routed the same light above the cabinets to provide accent lighting.

   • Learn more here.

   • Company: DIY

   • Cost: $120

3. Track Lights 

   • Premise: I wanted to brighten my kitchen area, both the prepping/cooking working space as well as the whole loft which has high ceilings.

   • Replacement Choice: the WAC track light, the WAC floating canopy connector, and the WAC LED lights (3000k) - also if the WAC lights are too expensive alternatives that work on the H type rail like this one also work.

   • More detailed info here

4. Reverse Osmosis Filter 

   • Premise: San Jose water tastes terrible. I need something powerful enough to restore it to drinkable water.

   • Replacement Choice: Waterdrop D6

A. Room and Board Rand Dining Table 

4. • Premise: A table that could comfortably fit 4 yet expand to 6 without taking too much kitchen space. 

   • The Real Deal: I purchased a 60" x 36" Room and Board Rand dining table with white quartz that's 60 x 36. I ended up moving that one downstairs

   • The Better Substitute: I built a better one upstairs using the same Rand base (found in a consignment store for $450 with a glass top) and swapped the glass top out for a custom-made Cambria quartz (Cambria is on the high end and costs $100-150/sqft) from Marcos who works at Della Maggiore Stone who had leftover slabs, (this was custom made and delivered it for $500 - it would have otherwise cost over $2k using a dedicated slab).

B. Bacco Chair

C. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

D. Aarke Carbonator III

E. Simplehuman Soap Dispenser

F. Sink - Ruvati Gravena 32"

Not pictured:

• Automatic shades (Hunter Douglas) that can be controlled by Google Home

• Walk-in closet motion sensor + hue strip

• Elfa Closet Shelving

Below:

• Bathroom Switchbot switch + motion sensor

• Reverse Osmosis filter - Waterdrop G2 (the first ever in a bathroom!)

• Same LG Viaterra Quartz countertop

• Duravit Durasquare Sink