Kitchens are getting bigger all the time and taking on more meaning in family homes, says Patty Kelley, interior designer and longtime customer of Zehr’s Custom Cabinets & Manufacturing, a third-generation family-owned business.
“I’d say it’s the most important room in the house. Most people I know use the kitchen as the main gathering place for family and friends, whether enjoying a meal or just spending time together,” she says.
Kelley has designed and built five homes for her own family and helped many others with their plans. She works mainly with Zehr’s because they specialize in custom-made doors, cabinets, stairways, wood trim, shelves, mantels, wood beams and other woodwork in the remodeling or building of a home.
Kelley herself is one satisfied customer. She and her husband recently built a lake home in Syracuse, Ind. Zehr’s did all the cabinets, doors, beds, ceiling beams and trim work. They’ve also used Zehr’s for several homebuilding projects and have referred many family members and friends to the local business.
When planning a kitchen, Kelley recommends people first consider their budget and lifestyle.
She wants to know if anyone is a gourmet cook, if the family eats out a lot, if the home is used for entertaining or not, and if it’s a high traffic area with many people and pets traveling through at all different times of the day.
One of the basics of kitchen designing is having all major appliances grouped together. The dishwasher needs to be next to the sink and the refrigerator near workspace, the oven and stove. From there, it’s all about personal preference.
Colors, style, and materials for cabinets, flooring, countertops and light fixtures simply boil down to what people like. Some people prefer a light and bright kitchen, while others go with dark woods and warm colors for a cozier feeling, she says.
Islands are becoming more and more common in kitchens and can range in size from a small working space to as long as 20 feet. Many homeowners are choosing to have two islands: one for food preparation and another as a place to eat meals, work, or use as a buffet when entertaining large groups. Most islands have underneath storage space for smaller appliances that can be brought out when needed.
As a designer, Kelley has an eye for what works and has come up with many unique ideas that Zehr’s has always been able to construct.
“Joe and his family are just great people,” she adds. “He is as honest and hard-working as the day is long, and he does a great job.”
Zehr’s opened in 1990 and grew from a three-man shop in a house garage to a business that employs 25 people, including its own installation crew. There are two large buildings: one 12,000-square-foot workshop and one 20,000-square-foot showroom.
For more information about Zehr’s or to schedule an appointment, call (260) 740-9042 or (260) 627-0171 or email [email protected].