DESIGNER
PHOTOGRAPH BY: ASHLEY AVILA
E
Kitchen vs. Interior
Ever wonder why you might need a kitchen designer?
If you already have an interior designer, what does
a kitchen designer have to contribute? If you have
a kitchen designer, why would you need an interior
designer? It might seem redundant to work with both,
yet they do each add value to your project in different
ways.
The primary difference between a kitchen and
interior designer is that of specialist and generalist.
As you’d expect, a kitchen designer is an expert in
all things kitchen. An interior designer, on the other
hand, brings a highly interconnected perspective,
bringing together seemingly unrelated elements to
create a cohesive whole. Like Isaiah Berlin states in
his 1953 essay, “The Fox and the Hedgehog,” hedgehogs “relate everything to a single, central vision,”
whereas the fox “pursue(s) many ends connected.”
The hedgehog, the specialist, knows one thing. The
fox, the generalist, knows many things.
Bringing these two forces together can result in
a kitchen design that successfully balances a state-ofthe-art kitchen with the overall vision and feel of your
home. An interior designer brings a global perspective
Teaming Up to Create Your Perfect Space
BY JENNIFER BUTLER AND AMY VANDE STREEK
PHOTOGRAPH PROVIDED BY: SIERRA HOMES OF MICHIGAN
37
SPRING 2015
PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL LINDHOUT
DESIGN FEATURE | TKitchen Designer vs. Interior Designer
Instead of working
competitively, these fields
are working together to
create your perfect space
in complete harmony.
Our Commitment To Green
that looks beyond the footprint of your kitchen, helping assess the greater context of your project scope,
budget and timeline and the overall function and feel
of your home. Bringing a broader understanding of
your lifestyle and preferences to a kitchen designer
gives him a jump start for accurately interpreting your
vision and goals into your kitchen, saving you time,
money and fewer design iterations.
Kitchen designers and interior designers agree
that project results are better when working together.
Todd Wiley, a Grand Rapids kitchen designer, a
member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association
(NKBA) and former president of the West Michigan
chapter, shares that he “always recommends working
with an interior designer.” When meeting with potential clients, Todd points to the projects displayed in
his studio noting, “all but one project was done with
an interior designer as part of the team.” He affirms
that when collaborating with an interior designer, his
projects “run smoother and have a better and more
complete look.”
By offering an eco-friendly product at an exceptional value, Timberlake can help you build better,
smarter homes. Here are a few highlights of our green commitment:
First cabinetry product to be Green Approved by NAHB National Green Building Certiﬁcation.
Both ESP-certiﬁed and promoted by KCMA. Scored 100 of 105 points during certiﬁcation process.
Sustainable Hardwood: More than 75% of our dimensioned hardwood comes from sustainable
forests in the US.
Supply Chain Efﬁciency: Timberlake uses regional vendors, enabling us to consolidate shipping
logistics and schedule minimal trips for installations.
Quite simply -just a beautiful cabinet for your green home.
STANDALE
interiors
One store. Endless choices.
An Interior Design Boutique for Flooring, Cabinetry,
Furniture, Accessories, Window Treatments & Inspiration
4046 Lake Michigan Dr. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49534
P: 616.453.8201 F: 616.453.0680 1.877.782.6325
[email protected] www.standaleinteriors.com
www.michiganhomeandlifestyle.com
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Imagine a kitchen
that expresses your
personal style, from
the finish of the
cabinet doors to the
architectural flourishes
to the heirlooms
on display. With
KraftMaid, the dream
becomes reality.
Imagine the Possibilities
Imagine a bath that
invigorates you every
morning with striking
details like mullion
doors or relaxes you
every evening with
personal comforts like
custom towel cubbies.
With KraftMaid, the
dream becomes reality.
Hannapel has more than 45 years of experience designing quality, customized cabinetry and helping our customers
discover their personal styles. Stop by any of our 7 locations and speak with one of our experts.
Dowagiac (269) 782-7788 • Kalamazoo
Niles (269) 684-4050 • Portage
St. Joseph (269) 429-1707 • Sturgis
South Haven
(269)
(269)
(269)
(269)
372-0340
323-0660
651-5388
639-7788
www.hannapel.com
The spectrum of involvement from both or either interior or kitchen designer is a sliding scale depending
on variables of scope, budget and timeline. Here are
a few questions to consider and discuss to figure out
where on the spectrum your project best fits.
1. How extensive is your project?
If you have major layout changes, it’s likely a kitchen
designer may be suited for such substantial design
modifications. Your interior designer can team with a
kitchen designer to develop plans and/or make finish
selections to best fit your needs.
DESIGN FEATURE | Kitchen Designer vs. Interior Designer
2.
Do you have a supportive budget?
If you plan to invest in a new kitchen and think you
may want to include the expertise of a kitchen designer, be sure you have a fitting budget. If you want a
major kitchen renovation, but don’t have the budget
to support it, you may want to hold off until you do.
In the meantime, look for small changes you can make
that will help you through the waiting time.
3. How limited is your timeline?
Lighting • Home Furnishings • Design
If you are working within tight time constraints, a
kitchen designer can help expedite design and delivery. A good kitchen designer will be up to date on the
latest appliances, products, building codes and the
many options that are available. Their edge on access
and knowledge can help speed up your process.
405 Saint Joseph St. • Suttons Bay, MI 49682
231.271.4664
4. Does your home’s value support
your kitchen design?
Your interior designer can help you assess if the kitchen you envision is appropriate for your neighborhood.
The more high-end and custom-designed the homes
are in your community, the more likely it is a kitchen
designer would best suit your project needs by providing appropriate top-tier plans and products best fitting
for your upper-level context. q
CUSTOM • UNIQUE • STUNNING
hardwood flooring
inlay flooring
specialty wood slabs
exotic species
custom millwork
custom wood projects
timber frames
lumber/decking
Jennifer Butler &
Amy Vande Streek
Call or Visit!
Jennifer, owner of her own interior
design firm, and associate, Amy,
team to personalize interior
environments across West Michigan. Joining Jennifer’s
love for people and creative problem solving with Amy’s
architectural perspective and storytelling, this duo offers
intelligent design insight for meaningful, relational and
sophisticated living.
6778 East Traverse Hwy
(M-72 West)
Traverse City
231-946-0043 • 800-968-0074
WWW.RARE-EARTH-HARDWOODS.COM
www.michiganhomeandlifestyle.com
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