2020 Kitchen & Bath Contest: The Designery

Courtney Shearer, The Designery

1) What is your official title and do you have any special design qualifications? 

Founder/Designer

2) How long have you been designing kitchens and baths? 

Twelve Years. 

3) What was the most challenging part of this design? 

This kitchen had no pantry, so we had to really work hard to make each cabinet work from a functionality standpoint to ensure they had all the storage they would need. 

4) What were the client’s needs for this bath and in the end their favorite feature(s) of this design? 

The need was to create a beautiful yet functional design and in the end the drawers at the back of the island was probably the favorite element. Not only did the drawers add obvious function, but created a furniture-like vibe to the back of the island that felt special and impactful.  

5) What is your general design philosophy when it comes to kitchens/bathrooms? 

Consideration of the smallest details can really go along way to create a space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. 

6) Did you have a special look, feeling, or feature in mind when crafting this space or what was your inspiration? 

This house sits on the water, so we wanted to create a tranquil meets elegant vibe. The windows along the back wall not only brought with them natural light but gave us a symmetrical moment to build the whole kitchen around which really helped us create a “wow moment” as you view the kitchen from the main living space. 

7) Please list four manufacturers of pieces in your design (lighting, cabinets, tile, vanity, etc). 

Wood Theory Cabinets, Fisher Paykel Appliances, Belwith-Keeler Hardware and Bedrosians Tile. 

8) What is the square footage of this design (it doesn’t have to be exact you can estimate)? 

187 square feet. 

9) Can you give homeowner’s three tips to help create a similar design? 

1. Pick a design element, for this kitchen it was the color and build upon it with elements that enhance it, as opposed to overwhelming it.
2. 2. Less busy, more balanced.
3. 3. I’m all about islands that allow for conversation, consider adding seating on two sides of your island to achieve this.   

10) What is a common mistake homeowners make when redesigning their kitchen/bath?

I think the biggest mistake is the addition of too many “stars of the show.” A well-designed kitchen is a fine balance between focal points and supporting actors. Too many stars can leave a kitchen feeling chaotic and trendy versus classic. The goal is always classic.

Details: www.the-designery.com