“No Swearing Whatsoever”: A Cornwall Homeowner’s Review of Their Kitchen Remodel

Millennial Contracting > Before and After Stories > “No Swearing Whatsoever”: A Cornwall Homeowner’s Review of Their Kitchen Remodel

Renovations are rarely fun, and the homeowners behind this project say so themselves. But when we asked them about their experience, one line stood out: “No swearing whatsoever!!”

It’s a small detail, but it says a lot about how a crew treats a family’s home. Below is their full review, followed by a closer look at the kitchen we built for them.

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The Homeowners’ Review

“We chose Millennial Contracting Inc. on a recommendation from friends and indeed made the right choice. Matt Daigle’s team exemplifies professionalism. Everyone who came into our home was pleasant to deal with and were respectful of our space and our wants and needs. No swearing whatsoever!! The timeline set out for the entire job was almost bang on, except for a few unforeseen difficulties on our end. We loved that the workers were always on time. They always cleaned up very well at the end of each day. Renovations are not fun but with Matt’s leadership and their project manager, Shawn, the attention to detail was impressive. We are very pleased and recommend this company very highly.”

Homeowners, Cornwall, ON

Want to read more feedback from our clients? Visit our testimonials page.

Project at a Glance

  • Location: Cornwall, ON
  • Completed: August 2024
  • Design phase: 6 weeks
  • Construction phase: 7 weeks
  • Total investment: approximately $80,000
  • Permit: not required (layout unchanged)

This project is part of our kitchen renovation services in Cornwall. You can see the full photo gallery on the project page.

Why They Called Us

For this family, the kitchen is the heart of the home. They cook every day and love hosting family and friends, but their old kitchen lacked storage and didn’t work the way they needed it to. They wanted a more functional space that also looked great.

The original kitchen had traditional oak cabinets, a diagonal tile backsplash, and low bulkheads above the cabinets. The layout and open peninsula stayed the same, but the new kitchen feels lighter, taller, and far more organized.

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What We Built

  • Custom cabinetry

  • Quartz countertops

  • Ceramic tile backsplash

  • Statement lighting

  • Upgraded plumbing fixtures

  • Custom trim and millwork

Custom sage green cabinetry. The soft sage green adds colour without overwhelming the room and pairs well with white surfaces and natural wood floors. Shaker-style doors keep the look clean and timeless. Because the cabinets are custom, they run up to the ceiling and are sized to the room, which gives the family much more storage. A tall pantry cabinet also holds a built-in microwave, freeing up counter space.

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White quartz countertops. Quartz is engineered stone: non-porous, stain-resistant, and it doesn’t need sealing. The bright surface reflects light around the room and is easy to wipe down after daily cooking.

Elongated hexagon ceramic backsplash. The glossy white tile adds texture and personality without competing with the cabinet colour. Ceramic is heat-resistant and easy to clean, which is what you want behind a gas range.

Matte black hardware and fixtures. Black bar pulls, cup pulls, and a black faucet give the soft green a crisp contrast and echo the slim pendant lights over the peninsula.

Layered lighting. Recessed pot lights, under-cabinet LED lighting, and three pendants light the work areas and set the mood for entertaining.

Custom trim and millwork. A custom hood enclosure and cabinets built right up to the ceiling make the kitchen feel finished and built-in.

The Surprise Behind the Bulkhead

The homeowners mention “unforeseen difficulties” in their review. Here is the biggest one on our side.

When we opened the bulkheads above the old cabinets, we found a steel beam supporting a cantilevered roof section over the sink area. It was a highly unusual setup, most likely a mistake that was patched during the original construction of the house.

The new design called for raising the ceiling to fit taller cabinetry, so the beam had to be dealt with. We brought in a structural engineer, who designed a new steel lintel. That let us raise the ceiling safely and keep the design intact. The result is the extra height you see in the finished kitchen.

The lesson: in older homes, always plan time and contingency for what’s behind the walls. Involving an engineer early keeps the project safe and on schedule.

No Permit Required

Because the layout stayed the same and no walls were removed, this project did not require a building permit. Always confirm this with your contractor and local authority, since any structural change can change the answer.

Ready to start your own kitchen remodel? Contact us to book a consultation.

  • matthew daigle

    Matthew Daigle is the founder and owner of Millennial Contracting. With over a decade in residential construction — from hands-on carpentry to site supervision for custom home builders in Toronto — he brings real, practical experience to every project. Matthew holds an advanced diploma in Building Renovation Technology from George Brown College and a REVIT Architecture Professional certification from Humber College. He founded Millennial Contracting to bring high-quality construction services to Cornwall and SD&G. Outside of work, he enjoys camping and exploring the outdoors with his wife and two daughters.