From Class to a Forever Home
When you own a historic home dating back to 1895, every renovation is a balancing act between honoring the past and embracing the future. For these homeowners, the journey back to Connecticut was a homecoming in every sense; these UConn grads and college sweethearts eventually gravitated back to Glastonbury CT to settle into their forever home.
For this family of five, the kitchen was the final piece of a massive whole-home puzzle. Having already moved structures and refreshed the rest of their nearly 4,000-square-foot residence, they needed a space that could handle the daily hustle of three young girls.
The DC Discovery: A True Partnership
Our team focused on delivering a high-end cabinetry solution that could integrate seamlessly into the broader renovation.
The journey to the perfect kitchen wasn’t without its comparisons. The clients initially explored other high-end options, but the experience felt disconnected and impersonal. That changed the moment they walked into our facility.
They noted that our Discovery process was a game-changer; being walked through the mechanics and possibilities of custom cabinetry made them realize that Dean Cabinetry wasn’t just a shop, but a partner.
While other designers steered them away from black cabinetry, Client Manager, Paul, leaned in. He immediately connected with their vision, handling ‘specific and weird’ requests with professional ease. By prioritizing their style over the status quo, he kept a constant eye on the budget—never upselling, just solving until their vision came to life.
The contractor on the job was Dan Martin Construction LLC.
Bold Design & Custom Engineering
The frameless cabinetry features a deep black finish in Sherwin-Williams Caviar, complemented by a central island that anchors the kitchen. Because the client’s family, Continental Marble, is well known in the New York City stone industry, the countertops are truly one-of-a-kind, featuring marble sourced directly from Italy.
The kitchen is elevated by a high-end appliance suite, including a Cafe French Door Refrigerator and Induction Range. We also integrated a Frigidaire microwave drawer directly into the island cabinetry to keep the workspace clear and functional.
Storage Solved: Pantry, Laundry, & Mudroom
One of the biggest highlights was the transition from “zero storage” to a highly organized system. The homeowners now enjoy a dedicated, floor-to-ceiling pantry and laundry space that didn’t exist before. This area features the same sleek frameless construction but is finished in Benjamin Moore Natural Cream for a soft, airy feel.
To keep the daily transition in and out of the home tidy, we installed custom-built mudroom cubbies. These were finished in Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee, providing a bright, clean look that stands up to the traffic of a busy family of five.
Quality You Can Count On
Even the best-laid plans can encounter hiccups, but it’s how those hiccups are handled that defines a project. During installation, Installer, Keaton, caught a slight color mismatch that might have gone unnoticed by others. He stayed on top of the resolution, returning as many times as necessary to ensure the finish was flawless.
The clients noted that despite the complexities of a 19th-century home, Dean Cabinetry was the “easiest part of the renovation” due to our quick communication and the quality of our team.
Today, this Glastonbury kitchen stands as a masterclass in blending 19th-century charm with 21st-century performance. It’s a space where secret storage compartments and custom-engineered cabinetry effortlessly hide the clutter of a busy family, allowing the architecture of the home to shine. By prioritizing the client’s vision over the easy “upsell,” the DC team proved that even a high-stakes historic remodel can be a smooth, joyful experience. The final result didn’t just meet expectations—it redefined what was possible for this forever home.
Hear From the Homeowners
Nothing speaks louder than the experience of the families who live in these spaces every day. This Glastonbury family was kind enough to share their kind words in a 5-star Google Review:
“We are super happy with our entire experience with Dean Cabinetry! From the first time meeting with Leah and Paul in their showroom, we were sold. It was obvious that their company culture was fully focused on quality and customer satisfaction. Paul walked us through their processes, never pushed higher cost products on us, and helped us realize our vision by providing honest feedback and insight, being patient and helpful with our revisions, all while being cognizant of costs. Meeting with Paul and Kevin at their new facility right after a fire had destroyed their main location instilled in us confidence in their ability rebound from adversity and come back stronger. The installation which was led by Keaton was equally as impressive. Everything was installed exactly as they had planned and in a very timely manner. Any minor issues with the cabinets were resolved quickly without us having to stay on top of them, and the team was there to help after install with a few follow up items that happened from other trades working around their cabinets. Their design team, production and install quality is unmatched. I would not buy cabinets from anywhere besides Dean for any future projects.
Thank you!!”
Inspired by this transformation? Contact us today to start designing a space that works beautifully for your home and your family.