NEW LOOK: “We look forward to offering more customers the opportunity to give their kitchen a new look, either with painted cabinets or replacement cabinet doors, drawers, and shelving. It’s a great way to add new interest to the kitchen Our talented staff can provide customers with the best quality work at very affordable prices.” Kevin Casey, second from right, owner of Cabinet Painting Guru in Pennington, is shown with his expert team and popular pooch “Mason,” the team mascot.

By Jean Stratton

Kevin Casey wants to give your kitchen a new look!

The most popular gathering place in the house, the kitchen is often called the heart of the home. Not just the domain of the cook, it is a high traffic area not only for family but for friends who visit and so often head for the kitchen.

Eye appeal can add so much to the overall ambiance and comfort level of this companionable place, especially considering the many hours spent within its confines.

This is where Kevin Casey, founder and owner of Cabinet Painting Guru, can bring his and his team’s expertise to give your kitchen a bright new glow.

Success Story

His specialty is both painting kitchen cabinets and replacing cabinet doors, drawers, and shelving. “This is an excellent way not only to change the look, but it is very cost effective,” he points out. “We can provide customers with the biggest return on investment of time and money.”

Opening his business in 2012 was the start of a success story. It was immediately popular and continued to add increasing numbers of customers. During COVID-19, it was especially appreciated when people were spending much more time at home and in their kitchen.

“People wanted their house and kitchen to look nice,” explains Casey. “Our staff has the experience and professional skill to give the kitchen an outstanding new look, so time spent there will be a pleasure.

“Painting can offer a great turnaround,” he continues. “We are known for fine finishing, and we use Milesi, an excellent paint from Italy. It is an industrial coating, known for durability, available in any color, and very good for high traffic areas like kitchens.”

There is no question that Casey knows all about paint, but he also knows so much more. His previous experience in different careers enables him to bring an unusual level of expertise to his customers.

Even as a boy, he showed the beginnings of a talented entrepreneur. Growing up on Long Island, N.Y., he started a house painting business when he was in high school, and continued during college, adding friends to his workforce each summer. And, as he notes, “I actually built the largest house painting business on all of Long Island!”

Software Company

Majoring in math at the College of the Holy Cross, he went on to earn a master’s degree in business management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. This was accomplished while he was a captain in the U.S. Air Force, serving as a navigator in B-52 bombers. His career then expanded to various sales leadership roles, building markets for new cancer screening tests, including the PSA test for prostate cancer.

In 1999, Casey was the first entrepreneur to bring photo sharing to the internet. His venture-funded software company was very successful. As he says, “If you get a link to images from a wedding or event that you attended, chances are you are enjoying the technology platform that my team and I pioneered.”

When he sold the software company in 2012, he headed in a new direction. It all began with a new coat of paint for his own kitchen cabinets.

“I always like to have a purpose, to be involved in constructive activities, and I like to pay attention to detail,” he reports. “I decided to redo the kitchen, and I thought I’d like to turn my golden oak cabinets into a more modern shade of white.”

Everyone was so pleased with the results, that one thing led to another, and soon another new flourishing business was on tap for Casey.

“The Bones”

In addition to painting the cabinets, Casey has expanded the business to include cabinet door, drawer, and shelving replacement. This has become an important addition to the company’s operation.

As he explains, “Many people don’t realize that they have this option. Cabinet refacing delivers a complete style transformation at a fraction of the cost versus all new cabinetry. This affordable service allows you to upgrade your kitchen by replacing only the doors and drawer fronts, keeping the existing cabinet structure intact. This approach provides a fresh modern look without the cost and time commitment of full cabinet replacement. We can accomplish the same task for less than $15,000 and can do it in about a week.

“In 99 percent of the kitchens, the structure, often referred to as ‘the bones,’ is in good shape, and the style and look of the kitchen can be completely renewed by our replacement service.”

The solid wood panels are sourced from a manufacturer in the Amish area of Pennsylvania, he adds, “They have been custom crafting solid maple panels and drawer fronts for more than 50 years. You can choose from a variety of materials, styles, colors, and finishes to create a customized, revitalized look.”

Simple and straightforward is the favored choice today, Casey reports. “People don’t want anything too elaborate or with excessive decoration. They want a nice simple look, and white or light gray are the preferred colors.”

Cabinet Painting Guru’s customers are from all over the Princeton area and beyond, including central New Jersey and Bucks County, Pa. Many new clients are referred by former customers, and there is excellent word-of-mouth.

Residential work is the main focus, but the company also has commercial projects, including a recent renovation of The Inn at Bowman Hill Bed & Breakfast in New Hope, Pa.

Satisfied Clients

“We work with builders for renovations, and also with realtors, especially regarding remodels for sales purposes,” points out Casey.

Satisfied clients often share their pleasure on social media or special thank-yous to Casey, which is very gratifying to him. “It means so much to know we have helped our customers and added to the enjoyment of their home. Also, they know they can depend on us not only for quality work, but for courtesy and professional attention.”

Prospective clients can check out Painting Cabinet Guru’s projects with before and after views on the company’s website, and when Casey goes to see a kitchen, he brings additional photos of his work.

He is very proud of his five-member team, several of whom have been with the company for many years. As he points out, “Our team brings the following five core ‘READY’ values to our projects every day: Respect — we respect you, your time, and your kitchen refinishing project; Experience — our team has decades of experience doing detailed painting and refacing; Affordable — Cabinet Painting Guru will save you up to 75 percent over cabinet replacement. Less money, less dust, and no waiting weeks or months for new cabinets to arrive; Dependable — we know the importance of delivery on time, on target, and on budget. You can depend on us to get your kitchen cabinet refinishing project right; and You — Your project. Your home. Your budget. Your timeline. This project is about you.”

Increasing Demand

Keeping up with the increasing demand for the work is the ongoing challenge, but of course, Casey welcomes the opportunity to help as many customers as possible.

“We have projects in all sizes and styles of houses and kitchens,” he reports, “and we believe we are set apart by the quality of our work and our attention to detail. We use the best materials, best tools, and our staff is the best! In addition, we are part of the community. We want to give back. This is important to us. We offer special payment and pricing arrangements for seniors, members of the military, and first responders.”

On a personal note, Casey is a member of the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus, a national fraternal and charitable organization. He currently serves as Deputy Grand Knight.

When he does have some spare time from his busy schedule, Casey enjoys his longtime hobby of painting watercolors. Having taken art classes since the age of 12, he developed not only a liking for art, but a real talent for painting. His painting of The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Fla., is a case in point. It has been greatly admired by the owners of the hotel, and having taken him 100 hours to complete, it is a tribute to his talent and to his attention to detail.

After experiencing a career with so many facets, Casey believes he has found the right place with Cabinet Painting Guru. It makes him and his customers happy.

As he observes, “It is so special when I can help customers enjoy the new look in their kitchen, and know that they will have many more hours of pleasure with their family and friends as they spend time together in this favorite place.”

For further information, call (215) 982-0131. Visit the website at cabinetpaintingguru.com.