CLASSIC designs

Long-time associate Renaldi joined the company as a partner and serves as project manager. He supervises the construction side of the business and lends his 30 years of expertise to every job. In fact, during a recent interview at the end of a long workday, Renaldi’s cell phone was blowing up with texts from the work crews who were checking in with updates on all of the current projects. “When someone calls for a consultation, we set up an appointment go into the home,” Pelham said. “A lot of times, people will want to have walls taken out or closets. I’ll take Brian so he’ll take a look at the project, and we can tell right there for example, if a wall can come out. Is it load bearing? What are the obstacles that we would face if we take this out? What are the possibilities if we can make the space larger for an island? Brian and I go to the consultation and listen to what our customer’s needs are. What we’re trying to do in each situation is merge existing spaces with new ideas and then figure out how we put it together to make it cohesive.”

Once exact measurements are taken, Pelham and Renaldi return to the showroom, put all the information into their design software program, “20/20,” and “bring the space to life” for their client. Once that is done, the client comes to the showroom for a presentation with the plan, and all of Pelham’s suggestions for cabinets, countertops, flooring, backsplash, lighting, hardware, and plumbing fixtures. Many times, she said, they see it all laid out and discover that it’s something they may not have considered.

“The estimate is presented line by line,” Pelham said. “The client sees the cost of every item plus the cost of the renovation. This sets us apart because they can see how the estimate and prices line up. That way, we’re all on the same page.”

Renaldi’s background gives the company an edge. “Brian, being a builder, he gets into the basement, the attics, he looks at the whole structure and he knows ahead of time if there are going to be any issues,” Pelham said. “Plus, we can do your remodel project from start to finish, or if you want a full addition, we can do that, too. We can even build you a house.”

In fact, Pelham said, “If you are going with us for the whole project, you get us for the whole project. We care about the whole project.” The difference between their business and a big box store, she said, is that “you get a designer for the whole process when you use Classic Cabinets and Interiors.”

That holds true for the weekend do-it-yourselfer. “We also offer a cash and carry option,” Renaldi said. “Many times, people will go to a big box store for a home improvement project because they don’t know they can get everything right here and at a competitive price. You can go to the big box store today, and maybe several of them for individual parts of your project, or you can come here, have Amie help you put together a unique project and then we can order everything and have it in a week. We can show you a cabinet, a countertop, a floor and lay it all out right here and let you see what works together.”

Pelham is excited about the possibilities for her clientele. Having everything under one roof is a great option for anyone looking to renovate a kitchen or bath, whether they need the work done for them or plan to do it themselves.

“We want people to know they have a place to come where we’re going to help you with your renovation or your cash and carry project,” she said. “We want people to have a beautiful home, we’re very hands on and we want to open them up to the realm of possibilities.” n

By Jackie Koch and Jennifer Carson

Since starting their company, Baked Nutrition, in 2021, Tecumseh residents Laura Vsetula and husband Steve have expanded the business and are now offering baked goods, which they prepare at the Hall-Slater VFW in Tecumseh. They received their food license in December 2022, which allows them to bake out of the VFW health-regulated kitchen and enables them to sell products in stores.

Baked Nutrition items are now for sale in Tecumseh at Jerry’s Market, and Boulevard Nutrition on Wednesdays. Vsetula also offers order pick-up at their home (Tue-F 9-5) and out of the VFW Hall (Tue-F 11-6). Delivery is also available. On Fridays, they sell their products at 180 Nutrition in Adrian. “It’s crazy. We never really thought we would be in this kind of position or that it would actually make it to a grocery store,” she said.

Creating the baked products was a result of Vsetula’s quest to lose weight and improve her health. She designed low carbohydrate, low calorie, high protein baked goods that were based on a baking mix from the Herbalife dietary supplement company, and shared them with others. They caught on and in 2022 they began selling them at Tecumseh’s Farmers Market, offering rolls, donuts, cookies, and muffins. The varieties of rolls include apple pie, peach pie, raspberry, blueberry cheesecake, blueberry lemon, and traditional cinnamon rolls.

Laura said there are benefits to using the Herbalife mix over traditional baking mixes, as the mix provides 28 to 30 grams of protein per item. The baked items are low calorie and low in sugar. “The response so far has been good,” she said.

Starting in May, Baked Nutrition will be a vendor at Tecumseh’s Farmers Market at the Market on Evans, 213 N. Evans St., Saturday mornings between 9am and 1pm and every other weekend at Britton’s Best Farmers Market at 278 W. Chicago Blvd., from 10am-2pm.

Baked Nutrition | 517.270.4686 

Vsetula home: 304 N VanBuren, Tecumseh

VFW Hall: 427 N Evans St, Tecumseh