Who's Who Renovations

4 who's who renovations january 2016 who's who nu-liFe KitCHens a Winnipeg-based renovations company is helping homeowners breathe new life into their old kitchen cupboards. Nu-Life Kitchens offers a wide range of products and services for cabinet refacing projects, an increasingly popular alternative to traditional kitchen remodelling. Refacing is a process in which old cabinet doors, drawer fronts and hinges are replaced with new ones while retaining the original boxes, or cupboard frames, which are then resurfaced with new material. Refacing has become an increasingly common option as more and more homeowners look to renovate their current abode instead of building a new one. Nu-Life Kitchens co-owner Sheri Anderson says one of the main reasons why refacing has become so popular is the fact it provides homeowners with a considerable cost-saving compared to new cabinets. In most cases, refacing can cost 50 per cent or less than the cost of a new kitchen — in part because it means items such as existing counters and floors don't have to be replaced — while adding to the value of a home. In addition to saving money, refacing can also save homeowners time and headaches, according to Anderson, who co-owns Nu-Life Kitchens with her husband Mark Bjornson. She says many refacing projects can be completed in just three or four days compared to the several weeks that may be required to install new cabinets because the process doesn't require any major changes to a home's existing plumbing or wiring. In addition, homeowners still have access to their kitchen throughout the conversion process. "It can all be done in a very timely manner," says Anderson, adding it's also more environmentally friendly because the cabinet boxes are reused. "A lot of people don't want the headache of ripping everything out and starting fresh. That can be very stressful. Anything you can do to minimize that stress is great." While refacing incorporates a kitchen's existing cabinet infrastructure, the results are anything but old news. "We hear from a lot of customers that they'll have friends over and they'll say it looks like a new kitchen. That's how great it looks," Anderson says. Nu-Life Kitchens has more than 30 colours and styles of doors available. In addition, the company also installs islands, pantries and pot-and-pan drawers and can do everything from customizing cabinet frames to allow more room for a new fridge or stove to extending frames all the way to the ceiling. All of the company's products are on display at its showroom, located at Unit 7-851 Lagimodiere Blvd. It also offers free in-home consultations with sales consultant Jennifer Barbee, a graduate of Red River College's Residential Decorating program. Anderson says Nu-Life Kitchens and its staff take a lot of pride in educating customers about the cabinet refacing process and helping them make informed decisions. "We want to make sure people are fully aware of what we do and why it's so great." ♦ For more information about Nu-Life Kitchens and its products and services, visit the company online at nulifekitchens.com or call 204-233-1155. Kitchen reinvention By Jim timlick nu-Life Kitchens offers a wide range of products and services for cabinet refacing, an increasingly popular alternative to traditional kitchen remodelling. Before After

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