The case for granite: Make a statement with Chippewa Stone
Thinking about a kitchen remodel? Whether you’re doing a full renovation or replacing countertops as a first step, Chippewa Stone has you covered.
The design team at Chippewa Stone will help you use stone to create a look that is both unique and timeless. Remodel all at once or develop a step-by-step plan over time.
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
With a long list of highly satisfied customers, the Grubers continue to expand their participation in the family business. From left to right above: Josef, Courtney, Oskar and Gabriel Gruber.
The Case for Chippewa Stone
If you’re contemplating granite for your kitchen remodel, consider the case for Chippewa Stone. Big-box retailers typically offer a limited, homogeneous selection of materials. When you choose Chippewa Stone, you’re presented with a stunning variety of stones from around the world. You can browse through row after row of one-of-a-kind slabs in a variety of colors and natural patterns.
Also, unlike big-box stores, Chippewa Stone offers multiple edge profiles at no extra cost, along with polished, leathered, and honed finishes, so your newly remade kitchen will truly be like no other.
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