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Industry Profle By Kim Berndtson Bringing Visions to Life I t doesn't take long for people, especially clients, to realize that John Lewis and Brigitte Manzke love what they do. The duo at J&B; Kitchen Designs renovates between 70 and 90 kitchens each year from two Chicagoland locations that serve homeowners from Wisconsin to the Indiana border. A new satellite ofce in Michigan assists clients in the southwest part of the state, as well as northwest Indiana. "We're enthusiastic about what we do, and we're lucky to be a team," says Lewis. He indicates that in addition to general kitchen/bath design, his expertise is in knowing what structural/engineering changes can be made, while Manzke ofers profciency in interior design, including organization solutions, color selections, countertops, etc. With 34 years of experience in the industry, Lewis stresses that there is little they haven't seen. And with their ability to make structural changes – including moving walls, doors, pass-throughs and windows, as well as creating additions and adding bumpouts into patios and garages – there is little they can't do. "We walk in with a diferent perspective," he says. "We know how far we can make modifcations, especially those related to the structure. We can do changes other designers might not think about. It gives us a lot of leeway to create totally diferent designs…to take them to the next level. I think that's one reason we do the volume we do." really changes how we do things," he says. "It's quicker because we don't have to make hand drawings. We had one client go through 14 major design changes. I'd hate to think how long that would have taken me without the software. It's also much more accurate, giving us precision to 1/16"." It also helps ensure his clients get the kitchen that best fts their vision. "At our initial meeting with a client, we'll talk as long as they keep us there," he explains. Some initial meetings have lasted as long as three hours. • John Lewis and Brigitte Manzke utilized the newest version of 20-20 Technologies' design software to create this kitchen (bottom). Using the program, the designers can make major changes, such as moving doors and windows, as well as minor updates such as adding glass to cabinet © 2013 Samsung Electronics America, Inc. All rights reserved. Chicagoland design team utilizes the latest in design software to help clients visualize their new dream spaces. door fronts, as shown in the top rendering. Version 10 also gives them the ability to add life-like elements such as sunlight streaming through a window. Samsung RF32FMQDBSR shown Introducing the next generation Refrigerator. FASTER, MORE ACCURATE DESIGN CREATION Another key area of diferentiation that Lewis identifes is the team's ability to create comprehensive, realistic color renderings of designs – derived from 20-20 Technologies software – which they can present to their clients. "People have a hard time visualizing," says Lewis. "I'd say about 90 percent of our clients can't visualize what their new kitchen could look like." Lewis has long been a technology advocate, utilizing design software in their frm for more than a decade. "It Unique four-door design, with room for 32 bags of groceries1, and the most fresh food capacity in its class.2 A Convertible Zone that can change from refrigerator to freezer and back, so you're never out of space. Our exclusive Triple Cooling system maintains up to 4x higher humidity levels, keeping food fresher longer.3 Custom stainless steel resists fngerprints to keep your kitchen beautiful. 1. One bag of groceries is equivalent to 1 cubic foot; actual capacity is 31.7 cu. ft. 2. Fresh food capacity compared to current Samsung products. 3. Humidity levels compared to Samsung mono-cooling refrigerators. Circle No. 13 on Product Card December 2013 ForResidentialPros.com | 25