For Takia Livingston, home remodeling has always been about more than cabinets and countertops. It is about care, intention and creating an experience homeowners can trust—from the first conversation through the final walk-through.
That philosophy is at the heart of Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up of Bloomfield, the Essex County–based remodeling firm Livingston founded six years ago after navigating a renovation of her own. What began as a personal pain point evolved into a business built around simplifying one of the most stressful—and personal—processes homeowners face.
Trained as a dentist, Livingston brought a meticulous eye for detail, precision and client-centered care into the world of design and remodeling. While raising young children and considering her next professional chapter, she and her husband, Steven Livingston, found themselves overwhelmed during their own kitchen renovation. Coordinating contractors, managing timelines and making countless design decisions turned what should have been an exciting update into a drawn-out, exhausting experience.
“That was the moment we realized there had to be a better way,” Livingston says.
Their search led them to Kitchen Tune-Up, a franchise model designed to streamline renovations while maintaining high standards of craftsmanship. After extensive research and training at the company’s headquarters in North Dakota, Livingston opened the first Kitchen Tune-Up location in northern New Jersey, initially operating out of the family’s basement.
From the outset, her approach set the business apart. Rather than defaulting to full demolition, Kitchen Tune-Up Bloomfield offers multiple renovation paths based on each homeowner’s needs, layout and budget. For clients with functional cabinet layouts, the team can install custom doors and finishes, often completing transformations in as little as two to three weeks. Others opt for fully customized remodels that reimagine the space from the ground up.
In every case, the focus remains the same: efficiency, communication and craftsmanship—delivered with minimal disruption to daily life.
A defining feature of the business is its fully in-house model. Kitchen Tune-Up Bloomfield does not subcontract its work. Designers, technicians, installers and project managers are all part of the same team, allowing for consistent quality control and clear accountability throughout each project. Clients work one-on-one with a dedicated project manager from initial design through final installation.
“That continuity makes all the difference,” Livingston says. “Homeowners aren’t juggling different vendors or wondering who to call. Everything happens under one roof.”
That sense of ownership extends beyond individual homes and into the community itself. One of Livingston’s favorite projects has been a Glen Ridge–based community charity event that brought together a local chef and residents who purchased tickets to attend. The event showcased beautifully renovated homes while supporting a meaningful local cause, reflecting the value Livingston places on thoughtful design that gives back.
The photos featured in this article highlight a remodel completed in time for the tour. Beyond design inspiration, the event serves a larger purpose: proceeds directly support the Glen Ridge School District, funding forward-thinking initiatives focused on teaching and learning. For Livingston, the project reflects the kind of work she values most—thoughtful design that strengthens the community it serves.
That commitment to people carries through to the team behind the work. Livingston has been intentional about building a company culture rooted in respect, kindness and long-term growth. Hiring is deliberate, with an emphasis on both technical expertise and cultural fit. Team members are trained, supported and encouraged to build careers—not just complete projects.
The result is a tight-knit team with deep experience and strong retention, an uncommon feat in the remodeling industry. Several employees have grown into leadership roles after starting with limited experience, a progression Livingston considers one of the company’s greatest successes.
Two years after launching the business, Livingston opened a brick-and-mortar showroom in the Brookdale section of Bloomfield, just blocks from the home that inspired the company’s beginnings. Located across from the post office, the space functions as both a design center and a community hub. Curated displays allow clients to see and feel materials without being overwhelmed, while working design stations show exactly how projects come together.
As demand continued to grow—particularly for bathrooms—Steven Livingston joined the business full time after leaving corporate roles at companies including Walmart and eBay. Together, the couple expanded their offerings with the addition of Bath Tune-Up, bringing the same detail-driven, experience-first approach to bathroom remodels. Launched in summer 2025, the division has already completed multiple transformations throughout the community, with bathroom displays slated to be added to the showroom later this year.
Looking ahead, Livingston remains focused on intentional growth. The goal is not rapid expansion, but consistency—ensuring every homeowner feels supported, heard and confident throughout the remodeling process.
“We don’t just work in this community—we live here,” Livingston says. “Our kids go to school here. This is home, and that sense of care shows up in every project we take on.”
With roots firmly planted in Essex County, Kitchen Tune-Up Bloomfield continues to redefine what remodeling can feel like: calm, collaborative and genuinely human.
For more information, visit kitchentuneup.com/bloomfield-nj or bathtune-up.com/bloomfield-nj, or call 973-521-1182.
Showroom Address: 1285 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ
"Homeowners aren’t juggling different vendors or wondering who to call. Everything happens under one roof.” - Takia Livingston
“Our kids go to school here. This is home, and that sense of care shows up in every project we take on.” - Steven Livingston
“We don’t just work in this community—we live here.” - Steven Livingston