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28 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | September 2015 By Kim Berndtson Designer Profle L ifestyle Kitchen Studio is a fam- ily-owned and operated design frm, founded in 2002 by Susan Bloss, who had been working in the industry in the Grand Rapids, MI area since the mid-1980s. Since opening the doors, her daughter and son-in- law, Holly Marie and Tory Peterson, have joined her as designers and, most recently, daughter Kristina Sisk has been brought on board as director of operations. Even dad David, a retired lawyer, contributes to the business by writing a cooking blog posted on the Grand Rapids business' Web site. Being family owned is an impor- tant key to the company's success, says Holly Marie. "Our clients really relate to it," she says. "When we work on their kitchens, we are part of their daily lives for two to six months, depending on the project. Being a family business is comforting to them. They also seem to open up quickly when they meet my mother, my husband…even my dog! Being a family business also ofers a diferent environment than other frms in our area that are larger, corporate companies. We stand out." FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION Lifestyle Kitchen Studio ofers kitchen design from concept to completion, in- cluding layout, cabinetry, appliances, product selection, fnish material and jobsite support. Susan and Holly Marie are also both Certifed Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) and, as such, the frm specializes in Universal Design. "The philosophy of inclusiveness and personalized design are key ele- ments of kitchen design," says Holly Marie, who notes that she, Susan and Kristina are all very connected to a rehabilitation hospital in the area where they routinely volunteer with patients. "Aging in place is becoming much more of a concern for people of all ages and abilities. People are look- ing less for a place they will fip or move from in fve years. Instead, they are looking for a place to stay long term, and they are looking for design that will be valuable to their home." Another specialty for the frm is that, in addition to full kitchen design services, it also provides hourly con- sultations for homeowners, builders and interior designers. For an hourly fee, a client will receive professional advice on layout, materials, paint color and space planning. It's a service they started ofering during the recession, and one that they have continued into the improved economy. "It started because a former client wanted to do a small project on a dif- ferent house she owned," says Holly Marie. "It has grown since then and we've continued to ofer it because it's valuable for us. It's a great option for someone who isn't necessarily looking for a full kitchen redesign…someone Design Firm Keeps It All in the Family This kitchen, designed by Lifestyle Kitchen Studio, is an example of how the frm works with other industry professionals, in this case, an interior designer and her client. "I think to be a successful kitchen designer in today's market, you cannot [just] rely on your own 'look,'" says Holly Marie Peterson. "As designers, we develop proportion, spacing, form and function, but our job is to interpret the client's – or in this case, interior designer's client's – aesthetic and create a beautiful, functioning kitchen. People look to us to be the expert. They don't want somebody else's kitchen…they want their kitchen. Our job is to interview, listen and research to give each client the unique space they deserve." The design features Leicht cabinetry; Miele refrigerator and freezer columns, warming drawer and dishwasher; Gaggenau hood, and Wolf range. Photos: Lifestyle Kitchen Studio