Finding the right remodeler is a very personal decision; after all, a contractor and their crew work in your home. It is incredibly important that you feel comfortable with that person. Not only do you need to be able to trust their judgment, skills, and instincts, but it is also helpful to connect well with your contractor.
In that spirit, we wanted to share more blogs this year that allow clients, both new and old, to get to know J. Carsten’s owner, Jason Myrlie. To get things started, we asked Jason a few fun and informative questions about everything from his design preferences to his all-time favorite meal.
What is one of your most memorable or challenging projects? I think my most challenging project was a Bloomington kitchen condo remodel. When I started work in the building, the management had little to no plans for the project. They did not know the water shutoff location and no one had a clue about the walls’ assembly; it was a giant learning curve! We needed re-route plumbing for the upper two floors through the columns shown below in the final product.
What is your favorite current design trend? I still really like the white kitchen cabinet trend. I am also a big fan of the trend away from hardwood floors towards more durable (and usually cheaper!) laminate or luxury vinyl tile (LVT).
Do you have a favorite paint color? I would have to say OC-17 White Dove from Hirshfield’s. We use it on nearly every J. Carsten painted cabinet or millwork job.
What dream finish or upgrade would you add to your home? My bucket list upgrades would include adding a four season porch, deck, and fireplace to my backyard.
What is the first thing you ever designed? The first thing I created was a huge, fourteen-foot long kitchen island. It took a lot of time to figure out a solution that effortlessly combined the existing kitchen and dining room. It also took a bit of convincing for the owners to agree that the length would work! (See picture below.)
What is your favorite thing to do around town? Eat! My wife and I love finding new restaurants to try out with friends.
What is your all-time favorite meal? It would have to be pizza. Six plus years working at Carbone’s Pizza through high school and college and pizza is still my go-to meal of choice!