What is a small design detail you think makes a huge difference?
- Kim – I feel like the color(s) chosen and the overlay make a huge difference.
- Jackie – Cabinet hardware.
- Amiah – A modified overlay makes a big visual difference because it tightens up the spacing between cabinet doors, creating a much cleaner and more refined look. Instead of seeing a lot of frame and gaps like you do with a standard overlay, everything feels more continuous and aligned. It gives cabinetry a smoother, more custom appearance, makes the overall design feel less busy, and helps the space read more elevated and intentional while keeping a bit of depth and character.
- Lynn – planning for the future, designing with easy access drawers and pull out accessories that will help the client as they age. Accessible storage is essential for an organized space.
How do you balance functionality and style when creating a cabinet design?
- Kim – You need to map out where you put your items you use daily, this help you decide between functionality and style.
- Jackie – I always tell people you can build a million dollar kitchen but if it doesn’t suite your needs, it’s a waste of space. Questions I ask: Where do you meal prep, where do you bake, pack lunches…everything you use on a daily basis needs a home and needs to be accessible to you.
- Amiah – Balancing functionality and style in cabinet design comes down to making practical decisions first, then elevating them visually. I focus on how the space will be used day to day like storage needs, workflow, and accessibility and build the layout around that. Once the function is solid, I layer in style through door profiles, finishes, hardware, and details like overlay and alignment to create a cohesive, polished look. The goal is for everything to feel intentional, where the design looks beautiful but also works effortlessly in real life.
- Lynn – function over form A beautiful kitchen that is hard to work in, is a shortfall. Functionality – such as ample storage and durable materials always drives the initial layout, with aesthetics enhancing that structure. Blending of both beauty and function.
What do you enjoy most about helping customers bring their cabinet ideas to life?
- Kim – I love listening how a design evolves through our conversations and helping customers get exactly what they are asking for and to see the end result. See the end results is very rewarding.
- Jackie – The kitchen is the HUB of the house – you spend the most time in the kitchen. Whether doing homework, making dinner, entertaining, holiday baking – helping design a space that the family wll live and make memories is a huge reward.
- Amiah – What I enjoy most is turning someone’s house into their home. Cabinets aren’t just storage they shape how a space feels and functions every day. Being able to take a client’s ideas, understand how they live, and translate that into something both beautiful and personal is the most rewarding part. It’s not just about the design, it’s about creating a space that truly feels like them.
- Lynn – I enjoy the time spent with customers designing kitchens and over the years those customers have become my friends. Truly helping customers find the perfect fit for their projects. The satisfaction when a project has been completed.
Describe how you guide the customer through the design process.
- Kim – I first ask if they have any inspiration pictures that they would like to share with me and then ask what look they are trying to achieve and what they are looking for inside of the cabinet. Also, what wood species, door style and color they are wanting to do.
- Jackie – Qualify the customer – ask the questions. What do you like? What don’t you like? What can’t you live without?
- Amiah – I begin the design process by helping clients identify what they don’t like, since it is often much easier for them to point out dislikes than define a clear style they love. This step helps narrow the direction and avoids design elements that won’t resonate with them. From there, I focus on understanding their non negotiables, the features or requirements that must be included in the kitchen. Once I have a clear sense of their preferences and priorities, I take that information and develop a design that balances functionality with their vision, ultimately creating a kitchen that feels both practical and uniquely theirs.
- Lynn – simple, listen to the needs of your client. Helping the customer make choices. Offering advice and guidance through the project. This process can take several months and several revisions.
What is your favorite design style and color palette?
- Kim – Right now my favorite design style is shaker doors with a light to medium stain color either Maple, Hickory or QSWO with a subtle lighter countertop with some veining in it.
- Jackie – Earth tones & warm stains.
- Amiah – My favorite design style is modern cottage, where warmth and character meet a refined, timeless feel. I love incorporating color to bring personality into the space, while layering deep wood tones to create richness and depth. Gold touches are one of my favorite details, adding a soft warmth and a hint of elegance that elevates the overall design. The combination creates a space that feels cozy yet elevated, grounded yet full of charm.
- Lynn – Transitional by far is my favorite architectural style. Bringing together a traditional style and combining with an updated version. Simple clean lines. Warm neutral tones that feel comfortable and inviting.
What is your personal design philosophy?
- Kim – Make sure you pick out and add everything you are wanting in your cabinets/kitchen. The kitchen is the main focal point of the house, you want to really wow people when they come in.
- Jackie – Designing with aesthetics in mind – engaging how people live, gather, connect and recharge. I want to help create a space that supports beauty and well being. A space that is timeless.
- Amiah – My personal design philosophy centers around creating spaces that feel both beautiful and lived in. I believe great design should reflect the people who use it, blending their lifestyle and personality with thoughtful functionality. Every detail should have a purpose, from the layout to the finishes, ensuring the space not only looks good but works effortlessly day to day. I aim to create designs that feel timeless, layered, and inviting, where comfort, character, and practicality all come together naturally.
- Lynn – Prioritize the flow and layout. The layout is the foundation. Rather than just a work triangle, focus on “zones” for specific activities to improve usability. Functional workflow and zoning, before aesthetics.
What are your favorite materials or finishes to work with?
- Kim – Right now lighter wood tones and lighter countertops.
- Jackie – Hickory – no two kitchens will ever look the same.
- Amiah – I love being involved in selecting all materials, but I’m especially drawn to countertops, backsplashes, and tile work. Those elements really define the look and feel of a space, and I enjoy helping clients choose combinations that feel both inviting and elevated. I have a strong eye for how these details come together, whether it’s the movement in a countertop, the texture of a tile, or the way finishes complement each other. To me, those thoughtful touches are what bring a sense of class and cohesion to the design and truly make the space stand out.
- Lynn – stained earth tone woods and quartz counter tops
What part of a new project energizes you the most?
- Kim – To see the end results and having the design make a statement when done.
- Jackie – Seeing the end results. I love running into people years after the fact and I did their kitchen and they are still in love with it!
- Amiah – What energizes me most about a new project is the very first consultation with homeowners. I love getting to know them, understanding their lifestyle, and discovering what truly makes them happy in their space. That connection sets the foundation for everything that follows. Then, in the final design stages, it’s incredibly rewarding to see their reaction when the vision comes to life. Watching them connect with the design we created together as a team is one of the most fulfilling parts of the entire process.
- Lynn – Starting a new project, designing with a new door style or a different finish from any previous job. Taking the “puzzle” layout of limited options and turning that into an efficient and a creative space.
