Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
Issue link: http://kitchenbathdesign.epubxp.com/i/572251
40 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | September 2015 Proftable Partnerships design (big picture), and they look to me to provide another perspective on the overall function of the kitch- en. I will work with the client to help choose the cabinet door style, colors and the working details of their kitch- en. I get into the personal information and specifcs about how the client will work and live in their kitchen." Tips for successful collaborations: "Maintain respect and diplomacy and be open to other ideas. In the design industry, we all have our own ideas about what looks good and what works best. When an architect brings me a drawing, I need to be consider- ate, even if I think there is a better option. Keep in mind there is never one right way to design. It's impor- tant to be open and to discuss options available. When you have a good working relationship with others, they are open to your ideas as well. "Also, never undermine another design professional in front of the cli- ent, or behind their back. And lastly… drop the ego." Kelly Carlisle DESIGNER DESIGN GALLERIA KITCHEN AND BATH STUDIO ATLANTA, GA Most frequent collaborative partners: "Because of the market we are in, most every project is a collabora- tion with someone else. When doing remodeling projects we don't always collaborate with others, but when the project expands beyond the walls of the kitchen or bath, the homeowner typically engages someone else. With new construction projects, we work with architects and builders, and a lot of the time there will be an interior de- signer as well. We ofer interior design services, but we focus on kitchens and baths, so oftentimes the homeowner will hire an interior designer who will specialize in furnishings, fabrics, etc. The beauty of collaboration is that everyone can focus on the part of the project they are best at so it benefts the project overall. It's difcult to be a specialist at everything, so we all work together to create something unique. "It's also important to remember that collaborations often occur with everyone involved in a project – in- cluding plumbers, electricians, even [the people] in our ofce – and they are all integral parts of making a proj- ect come together successfully." Benefts of collaboration: "Clients get multiple people looking out for their best interests. I fnd that clients get impressive projects when they pull This kitchen was part of a showhouse, so collaboration involved Harrison Design (architect) and Malone Construction (builder), as well as the entire staf at Design Galleria. To coordinate with the adjacent eating area, Kelly Carlisle and the Design Galleria staf also worked with Womack Interiors (interior designer). "We kept the space neutral to allow coordination with the eating area, where the designer incorporated a beautiful chartreuse color that brings the outside in. Since this was an historic renovation, all of our design choices also needed to maintain the historical relevance of the 1920s home. The white marble countertops are accented with stained cabinetry on the island, and all of the hardware is unlacquered brass, which is reminiscent of the time period and matches the rest of the hardware in the home. This space also features several products that were created in collaboration with other companies. The hood was created by Design Galleria owner Matthew Quinn, who worked with Francois and Co. to create a collection of hoods. The legs on the island are another collaboration between Matthew and millwork company Art for Everyday. Matthew created the design and now they have incorporated it into the company's product line. The shelving above the sink was a collaboration between a metal company, a marble company and us to make a unique, custom item. Collaboration also occurred between us and the architect with regard to the door next to the refrigerator. Eventually it will lead to the garage, but we had to work with the architect and have the foresight to add the door so nothing in the kitchen would need to be redone when the garage is fnished at some point in the future. In the end, all projects are about fnding the right people and working together as a team to create whatever we want." Photo: Kevin Rose