From holiday gatherings to family dinners and plenty of quiet moments in between, the kitchen is often the place of lasting memories for a homeowner. Eventually, however, the room might start to show its age and become defined by outdated cabinets and countertops, appliances that don’t perform quite the way they used to and poor traffic flow.

When that time comes, a kitchen makeover may be in order. Whether it’s a full renovation, or a remodel in the existing footprint of the kitchen the decision can be a nerve-wracking one. The team at Cranbury Design Center is happy to help relieve the stress.

The design-build company, celebrating its 22nd year in business, is led by owner Frank O’Leary, whose attention to detail and sincere commitment to delivering beautiful spaces for clients is shared by his entire team, many of whom have been with him since the beginning. That continuity leads to a seamless process in kitchen remodeling, and bathrooms, laundry rooms, home offices and other areas of the house as well.

“The keys to our success are the longstanding relationships with quality tradespeople on our team, and the ‘do what we say’ ethic that drives our commitment to our clients,” says Kim Evans, general manager of Cranbury Design Center. “We work with you to design and create custom kitchen and bath solutions that maximize the use of your home. With over 45 combined years of remodeling, planning and professional project management experience, we ensure you realize the space of your dreams.”

Cranbury Design Center works on projects of all sizes and is a one-stop shop, handling design, project management, the oversight of all permits and inspections within the township, and finally installation. The company also has professional relationships with trusted vendors to fully integrate the renovation process. A detailed schedule is created for clients, who are given regular updates and kept in the loop each step of the way.

“Rather than focus on new trends that may come and go, we help clients balance how they live and function with beautiful design options,” says the team’s lead designer, Elizabeth O’Leary. “For example, open shelving may not be the best solution for you if your kitchen space is limited, or if you desire consistent visual order in your kitchen. Storage organization behind closed cabinet doors, or a hidden pantry design may be a better choice for you.”

At the same time, the Cranbury Design Center team is always aware of new innovative ideas in the industry and is excited to get creative with its designs.

“Some tried-and-true design trends we’ll continue to see include a mix of warm woods and painted cabinetry, two-toned kitchens, and quartz countertops mixed with either tile or similar surface backsplashes,” designer O’Leary says. “The use of technology in both the kitchen and bath continues. Smart appliances, shower controls and electronic lighting options will continue to evolve. We’ve seen clients choose these features when they truly add value to their lifestyle, and are simple to use.”

Clients also have options when it comes to the faucets in their kitchen or bath, including a brushed stainless finish or black matte. “There are more right choices than wrong when it comes to color and styles,” GM Evans says. “In the bathroom, plumbing style choices we see include handheld-style shower heads that connect to a slide bar, as well as the more traditional fixed shower head on the wall. And of course, rain shower heads remain popular. And some clients have all these choices in the same bath! In both the kitchen and bath, hands-free options continue to be popular.”

Subway tile is still in high demand, Evans adds, but some homeowners are choosing to show off their personality with unique choices. “Mosaic tiles, available in many beautiful colors, designs and materials, help add dimension to our designs and we expect this trend to continue. Mosaics can be used as a border in a kitchen or bath, or can vertically run down a shower wall and be offset to add a more striking focal point.”

All of these options can be seen in Cranbury Design Center’s spacious showroom, which has a wide range of kitchen, bath and office setups on display. The company also offers guidance for builders, interior designers and homeowners who do not require contracting services but may be interested in a new kitchen or bathroom renovation project.

Whatever the situation, Cranbury Design Center has had hundreds of satisfied clients in over two decades since its founding, and has no plans on stopping now.

“Cranbury Design Center and its team of experts are here to help,” owner Frank O’Leary says. “We have the relationships and resources to pull together all the design choices needed to complete the kitchen or bath of your dreams.”

Cranbury Design Center
145 W. Ward St. | Hightstown, N.J.
(609) 448-5600
CranburyDesignCenter.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 23, Issue 2 (November/December 2022). 
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