How I got started:
I started at Virginia Tech in the Chemical Engineering program, but I found myself needing a change. During my 2nd year I was working as a Residential Advisor where I had regular check-ins about the job but also about my growth and success at Virginia Tech. My boss came to me one day and said he had found a something that I would be really good at. It was a new major, offered in a different program, that focused on kitchen design and my first thought was "that's a real thing?"
I was unaware this was a career choice at the time; the creative industry is not something that anyone ever talks about. Usually you hear about getting a business degree, becoming a doctor or a nurse, teaching, etc. but no one had ever presented the idea that this was a viable option. He encouraged me to go and speak with the advisor and tour the program, but he really believed that I would be a great fit for this career. Thanks to him, I switched my major and graduated from Virginia Tech 2 years later with a Bachelor's Degree in Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management (AHRM) with a focus in Kitchen and Bath design.
*This is a National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) accredited program available at Virginia Tech. More info on the NKBA can be found here: https://nkba.org/
Starting my career:
After graduating, I found that my specialty was mainly focused in cabinetry. I can focus on the small intricate details of the cabinetry (hinges, clearances, finishes) while keeping in mind the larger big picture. The small details matter but a space truly comes together with the perfect finishing touches!
My first design job was right out of college with a mom & pop renovation company in Florida. I met with clients in the showroom, took them to visit vendors and make material selections, and made on-site trips to check on our ongoing projects in the area. I was designing, planning, creating specs for trades in the field, and getting my first real experience with semi-custom and builder grade cabinetry.
My specialty is cabinetry:
Moving to New York, I was the designated cabinetry specialist. This was a family owned company focused in high-end remodels and full design-to-build houses with only custom-built cabinetry by their own Millshop. Starting every project, I would go to every perspective job to meet with clients and to take copious amounts of dimensions! (Honestly, the more dimensions I took, the more accurate I could recreate the space in my design software.)
After building the existing space as accurately as possible, and having the general design layout approved by the client, I would meet one-on-one with clients to go through their design cabinet by cabinet. We would work on picking finishes, changing cabinet configurations, specifying glass, metal, or custom door inserts, and then diving into the cabinet interiors. Since we were fully custom, this meant designing cutlery dividers custom to each client, adding rollouts of different sizes and other interior pullouts where needed, and getting into the small details of what each specific client wanted and needed to fit their space.
Working in New York was truly one of the best experiences and one of my favorite places to work!
Due to some unexpected life changes, I left New York and moved back down to Florida to work for a small renovation company as one of their designers. Similar to my first job, I was designing, planning, and specing each project. While I wasn't apart of all of the design aspects, we were a full remodel company with our own trades so projects were truly start-to-finish. I did help implement much more specific plans for our installation packets, which outlined key design details that may have been previously missed. From something as simple as noting tile centerlines in the shower, to creating 3-D exploding diagrams for more complex cabinet installations.
Becoming an online designer:
Trying something new, I then went to work for an online-only design company. I was one of several designers but started in a satellite office with only (4) others. This was definitely a new experience for me where I was totally reliant on the customer! Being so accustomed to taking my own dimensions and verifying everything in-person, this was the biggest learning curve. After pairing with a new client, I would have to focus on communication to really have the customer understand what dimensions were needed for me to design something site unseen. This is definitely still one of the biggest struggles!
I fell right into place at this company though, working with +1,500 homeowners and contractors a year and managing my own work on a daily basis. We offered semi-custom cabinetry (with a couple ready-to-assemble (RTA) options), but having the custom cabinetry background really helped in the creative aspect of designing here! I was able to find ways to alter cabinets or come up with creative alternative installations to achieve the custom looks that some of the homeowners were after. With a deeper understanding of how the cabinets were actually built and knowing it's limitations, customizing spaces was a lot easier!
Over the next 8 years, I designed and sold cabinetry only (no installation, on-site visits, or project management) for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms. etc.. This was truly the most hands-off I had been while designing anything. Noting all relevant details, keeping tedious notes, and creating accurate design plans were a MUST to make sure that a contractor (or DIY homeowner) could read my plans and understand the details needed to complete it on-site.
My last designer role was with another online-only design company who offered semi-custom cabinetry but with the added option for outdoor cabinetry! Even with my 12 years of experience at this point, I was very unfamiliar with anything related to outdoor cabinets. Everything I knew of cabinetry was for indoor cabinets, so learning about outdoor cabinet construction and its limitations was my newest challenge! While similar to indoor cabinets in terms of actual use and operation, the materials and nuances of designing with outdoor cabinetry was immense. Different clearances when designing, understanding new appliances (such as built-in grills and burners) and their manufacturer specifications to design the correct cabinetry to fit, and just being able to compare what we offered to competitors were just a few of the learning curves I needed to learn ASAP.
Now, here we are, where I have a plethora of knowledge and experience to share! Working with builder-grade cabinets all the way to fully custom cabinetry (and even outdoor cabinetry!), I have a full range of cabinetry knowledge and would love to help you turn your space into something new. With 12+ years experience in the industry, let me take your plans to the next level!
Outside of Kitchen Design:
Aside from my career as a Kitchen Designer, I have a wide variety of hobbies that I enjoy. Baking, creating miniatures, line dancing and just spending time at home are some of my favorites!
I am obsessed with miniatures! I love how detailed and creative people get when building their own models. Whether it's a scaled model of a haunted Victorian mansion, a quaint and cozy farmhouse, or even the intricate furniture that you can use to decorate your dollhouse, I can't help but want to build my own!
If I am not in my craft room, you can usually find me at the local country bar! I started line dancing in 2020 and haven't stopped since. I've traveled across the country visiting different venues, competed in local and national competitions, and have started to write choreography as well. Most people either love it or hate it, but I always encourage people to come dancing with me!
Our 5 year old rescue dog is named Izabella and she is a love bug! Most likely a Cane Corso or Neapolitan Mastiff, she always wants to be in your lap giving you kisses or snuggling on the couch as much as possible. Her 2 year adoption date is approaching and we are so glad she is part of our little family!
