-
March 2025 by Sam MacMillan
We recently finished a kitchen remodel with Foster Custom Kitchens—in short, we’ve been very spoiled by the experience. This was our first major home renovation and were naturally nervous about the usual things: the price, the timeline, the multitude of choices, etc. Isaac and Mindy were excellent navigators of the project—knowledgeable, resourceful, forthcoming, and, best of all, KIND. We were never made to feel like we were making the wrong decision about anything nor were we steered toward costly add-ons and options specifically because they were expensive. All together, this was a fantastic (and actually quite fun!) experience. We’re very much looking forward to working with Isaac and Mindy on future projects.
There were only a few oops moments during the renovation that were fixed promptly and really showcased how important it is to work with the right people who know the right people. In one instance, a drawer was just an inch too wide to open properly—instead of telling us to just deal with it, Isaac came up with a couple of fixes that, while the end result was the same (a drawer that could be pulled out properly), the process by which the fix was made was different. Isaac walked us through the options and made sure that we understood what the advantages/shortcomings of each might be. He was very patient and once we decided the route forward, made sure it was done properly. In another instance, I was out of town during the countertop install—while the install went smoothly, Mindy noticed that our sink cutout wasn’t quite cut the way she was anticipating. She quickly sent over clear pictures that showed the problem and when I agreed that the cutout didn’t look quite right, worked with the countertop company to fix the issue promptly. I actually never saw the wrong cutout in person—it was fixed by the time I got back to town a week later. I hadn’t fully realized when we started the project what a relief it would be to be able to depend on both Isaac and Mindy to give the proper due diligence and care to our space, especially when we may not have know what questions to ask.
Other things of note:
Isaac is great with custom wood pieces. He made us several shelves with incorporated lighting as well as a nice chase for the range hood—everything is clearly high quality, well-made and fits perfectly in the space. He’s also very good at troubleshooting and finding the RIGHT solution to issues, not necessarily the easiest ones or ones that are obviously cutting corners.
Mindy has INCREDIBLE attention to detail and wonderful design insights and suggestions that make a space feel complete and unified. I almost wish that I hadn’t had as clear of an idea of what colors and finishes I wanted in the space, as it would have been fun to see what she came up with. Perhaps that will be on the docket for our next renovation…
-
November 2024 by Andy Klepack
Mindy and Isaac were fantastic to work with. They transformed our kitchen from a space we never wanted to spend time in into our favorite in the house. We had no idea what to do with the space ourselves and didn't think it was possible to make it half as good as it turned out. All along the way they were there for us, coming up with creative ideas, trouble shooting setbacks, coaching us through decisions, and just being extremely pleasant, positive, supportive people to work with. By the time our project was finished they were like members of the family. Thank you!
-
October 2024 by Emily Mader
Working with Foster was a fantastic experience during our kitchen remodel. Mindy was incredibly helpful in providing guidance on our design choices, often steering us gently to the best choice, and Isaac was fantastic to work with on the cabinet installation process. We ran into a few issues with our contractor during installation, and Isaac went out of his way to make sure those issues were resolved to our satisfaction, which we really appreciated. Ten out of ten experience, no reservations on recommending them for others looking for a great experience with their new cabinets.
-
October 2024 by Deb Collard
I highly recommend Foster Custom Kitchens! Isaac and Mindy were wonderful to work with - extremely professional, reliable, and also super nice people. We loved the design they came up with for our kitchen (and bathroom) and the finished product is beautiful. We couldn't have asked for a better experience.
-
October 2024 by Lesley Williamson
The best! We had Isaac build new upper and lower cabinets during a recent renovation. Not only are the cabinets gorgeous and solidly made, but Isaac improved the existing layout with design tweaks that made the most of a small space. The footprint hasn't changed an inch, but somehow we have a LOT more cabinet space. Also amazing customer service and attention to a thousand little details. Let the pros do what they're good at!
-
October 2024 by Camilo Nascimento
We had a great experience with wonderful team at Foster Custom Kitchens. They were very accommodating and enjoyable to work with. Their attention to detail exceeded our expectations. We love our new kitchen and highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality and professionalism.
-
October 2024 by Daniel Szpiro
I am pleased to leave a strong recommendation for Foster Custom Kitchens. We have worked with them on two projects. First, we renovated a 1960s kitchen in our rental apartment. This project required a great deal of design creativity thanks to the shape and size of the space. We were very happy with the results: a creative and efficient layout that provided significantly more useable space. We were also very pleased with the quality of the materials provided through Foster and the quality of the installation. We were so pleased, in fact, that we returned to Fost for a much larger job: the replacement of the 1940s kitchen in our main house. Once again, the creativity, attention to detail, and innovative recommendations for updating our main kitchen were great! Without moving any of the walls, we ended up with a new kitchen that feels twice as large as the old one! The design guidance and suggestions from Foster were very insightful and we could not be happier with the final results.
-
September 2024 by Andrea Gonzalez Torrado
We recently had the pleasure of working with designers Mindy Vanderven and Isaac Streit of Foster Custom Kitchens and Builder David Hathaway of Renowned Renovations for a complete kitchen renovation, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome. From the initial consultation to the final touches, the entire experience exceeded our expectations.
Design Process:
Mindy and Isaac were incredible to work with! They took the time to listen to our ideas, understand our needs, and presented a vision that perfectly balanced functionality and style. Their keen eye for design, color palettes, and materials helped bring our dream kitchen to life. We appreciated how they incorporated our personal tastes while introducing innovative ideas that we hadn’t thought of. The attention to detail was impeccable, and every aspect was carefully considered to make the space both beautiful and practical.
Construction & Build Quality:
Renowned Renovations ( David and Brent) were outstanding. The craftsmanship and quality of work were top-notch from start to finish. They adhered to the project timeline and budget, with clear communication throughout the process. The team was professional, respectful of our home, and always cleaned up at the end of each day. The quality of materials used and the precision in every detail—from cabinetry to tiling and lighting—was remarkable. The finished product is not just a kitchen, but a space that has transformed how we live and entertain in our home.
Overall Experience:
Working with Foster Kitchen’s Mindy and Isaac and Renowned Renovations David and Brent was an absolute pleasure. Their collaboration, expertise, and dedication to excellence made this renovation stress-free and enjoyable. We now have a kitchen that is not only stunning to look at but also a joy to cook and entertain in. We highly recommend them to anyone looking for a truly bespoke, high-quality kitchen renovation.
Andrea and Jose Torrado
-
February 2019 by Mel S.
Recommendation: Foster Custom Kitchens, 212 S Albany Street, Ithaca, NY 14850. Andy Foster phone 607-272-8102 It is rare that you experience a truly ethical business person who stands behind his products and service. My experience would be unbelievable if it didn't happen. Seven years ago we bought new kitchen cabinets from Andy Foster. After one or two years of use, we experienced some lack of quality and I began calling the cabinet maker for some advice but never received an answer to my messages. I continued to call the cabinet supplier over the next several years with no satisfaction. Foster Kitchens designed and supplied the cabinets but didn't manufacture them, but Andy agreed that the quality should have been better. Since we dealt with Andy Foster, he made the problem go away, at his expense. We had three wood craftsmen working in our kitchen these past few days, one of which was Andy Foster, correcting someone else's poor workmanship. No matter whether a company is an IBM or a locally owned business, things don't always go 100% right. How those businesses correct the problems, is what makes the difference. I want everyone to know about the ethical business that Andy Foster of Foster Custom Kitchens is running in Ithaca. If you ever consider a new kitchen, Foster Custom Kitchens is the only place to go. Mel & Mollie, Ithaca, NY
-
February 2019 by
Recommendation: Foster Custom Kitchens, 212 S Albany Street, Ithaca, NY 14850. Andy Foster phone 607-272-8102 It is rare that you experience a truly ethical business person who stands behind his products and service. My experience would be unbelievable if it didn’t happen. Seven years ago we bought new kitchen cabinets from Andy Foster. After one or two years of use, we experienced some lack of quality and I began calling the cabinet maker for some advice but never received an answer to my messages. I continued to call the cabinet supplier over the next several years with no satisfaction. Foster Kitchens designed and supplied the cabinets but didn’t manufacture them, but Andy agreed that the quality should have been better. Since we dealt with Andy Foster, he made the problem go away, at his expense. We had three wood craftsmen working in our kitchen these past few days, one of which was Andy Foster, correcting someone else’s poor workmanship. No matter whether a company is an IBM or a locally owned business, things don’t always go 100% right. How those businesses correct the problems, is what makes the difference. I want everyone to know about the ethical business that Andy Foster of Foster Custom Kitchens is running in Ithaca. If you ever consider a new kitchen, Foster Custom Kitchens is the only place to go. Mel & Mollie 107 Simsbury Drive.
