The case for granite: make a statement with Chippewa Stone

Like many people, you might be contemplating a kitchen remodel in 2026. If you are—congratulations! Some of you will purchase your dream kitchen all at once. After all, now is a great time to invest in a complete kitchen remodel. HELOC rates are down, and Home Equity Loan rates have stabilized at more affordable levels. 

Others may adopt a more strategic approach by working a plan that prioritizes specific aspects of their remodel. Oskar and Courtney Gruber, co-owners of Chippewa Stone in Medina, share their insights on kitchen remodeling gained from decades of experience, comparing the advantages of a complete remodel versus making improvements in phases.

A Complete Remodel - Beginning with Granite

When considering a full kitchen remodel, Chippewa Stone is a great place to start. The family’s no-pressure sales approach and respect for your budget help customers navigate a complex process that most people will only go through a few times in their lives.

“When doing a complete remodel, many of our design-savvy customers take a ‘top-down’ approach, meaning they begin with the most visible elements in the room,” Oskar says. “They choose their stone countertops first, then select a color palette based on the unique colorations in the natural stone they’ve selected. From a remodeling standpoint, granite has it all by enhancing beauty, durability, and home value.”

Phased Improvements

The team at Chippewa Stone has helped many achieve their dreams, and Courtney offers an alternative option for the budget-minded homeowner. “A major kitchen remodel can be more affordably accomplished the same way savvy homeowners approach a major landscape project or a basement remodel…in phases,” she says. “It makes the entire process more fun and less stressful.

One Element at a Time

Oskar’s advice: “Do one element at a time. Appliances don’t fail all at once, so they don’t necessarily have to be replaced all at once. Start with new counters, not because we happen to be in that business, but because they have the most visual impact without a complete tear-out of your old kitchen.” 

And Courtney notes: “Whether you choose new cabinets or keep your existing ones, an updated countertop will instantly enhance and modernize your space. To take the change further, consider updating your current cabinets in a bold yet budget-friendly way by painting or refinishing them, along with new hardware. You might just forget about that complete remodel craving.” 

Increasing Equity vs. Leveraging Equity

The best part of this phased improvement strategy is that you don’t drain your home equity with a mortgage by doing everything at once. Instead, you pay as you go, taking advantage of deals on items your project requires as they become available, rather than purchasing everything all at once. Your equity should actually increase with each phase of the improvements. 

Chippewa Stone

4930 Chippewa Road, Medina

330-662-4202

MyChippewaStone.com

courtney@mychippewastone.com