Rocking and Renovating

After a 10-year run as a musician and having toured South America, John Cristando of followed two generations of his family into the contracting and kitchen remodeling business. He has spent the past three decades designing and building spaces for clients on Long Island and well beyond.

"My grandfather was in the construction end, and my dad got into the actual kitchen interior side of it," Cristando explained. "So I've pretty much been around this my whole life... it's really like a third generation business that's been passed down."

Cristando was born in Brooklyn and as a child moved with his family to Valley Stream, where he grew up. A passionate drummer, after high school he pursued a music career. He was in a number of groups, including a rock band called 'Spartacus.'

He later travelled around South America, touring with a group called 'Video' in the early 1980s. After spending nearly 10 years as a musician, Cristando made a big change.

"I got married in 1983 and decided I needed to get something a little more stable," he said with a smile, "so I went back into the [family] business working with my dad."

While continuing to learn the trade, he branched out into manufacturing cabinets. "I actually had my own factory. I thought I would enjoy it," Cristando said. "You know – you design it, then you manufacture it."

But he gave it up after five years. "Turns out it wasn't really my thing," he shrugged. "I was spending way too much time actually running the factory, rather than doing what I love to do... which is design."

And with that, Cristando had found his niche.

Along the way, he studied design in various schools as well as through the NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association) programs. He felt it was important to understand the whole renovation process from beginning to end.

"You need to be able to start with the basic measurements of the footprint, then bring that in and translate it into a whole new design," he pointed out, "placing appliances and cabinets, and getting it to be functional, as well as beautiful."

That complete understanding has become even more of a necessity in recent times. Where in years past kitchens were strictly functional, they are now seen as the soul of a home. "It's the first thing people notice when they walk into a house," Cristando said. "And it's an important part of the home. It's the gathering spot for families."

If space permits, he'll sometimes design a den space into kitchen. "When people hang out there so much, you say 'Why not put a TV there... a couple of sofas... even a fireplace?'" Cristando said.

In addition to kitchens and bathrooms, Cristando also specializes in cabinetry. "I do a lot of millwork," he noted. "I build entertainment centers, libraries, offices... anything based around cabinetry and woodwork."

Although the business has always been based on Long Island, over the years Cristando has been coaxed beyond its borders.

"I've done work up and down the East Coast – in Georgia, the Carolinas, Florida," he recalled, "and one customer had me design a kitchen for a place he had in the Bahamas." Although Cristando is quick to point out, "I didn't go there – that was strictly through architectural plans back and forth."

But as much as possible, Cristando likes to work close to home. Three years ago, he was happy to be able to move his former Garden City showroom to its current location at 355 Jericho Turnpike. "My old lease was up and I wanted to be here," he said. "Everything just fell into place. It was perfect."

Another aspect of the business that fell perfectly into place is the involvement of Cristando's wife, Grace. "She handles bookkeeping, paperwork, phone calls… you name it," he points out, adding "...it gets hairy during the day!"

"When she's not here," he admits, "I'm freaking out."

Having lived in Syosset for the past 12 years, Cristando loves being a local business.

"Almost every morning I'll see one of my customers... at Dunkin Donuts... or Starbucks... or wherever," he said. "It's a great thing... it's really nice."

Although Cristando still accepts an occasional request to play a music gig, he has no regrets about his career choice. "It's gone nicely. I got my music years in there… to go out and tour and do all that stuff, and now I'm where I want to be."

Then he added with a grin, "But you can still catch me playing in a club somewhere every once in awhile."

For more information, visit The Kitchen Studio or call 516-364-1505.