Kitchen Designer Spotlight

Name: Molly Erin McCabe
Company: A Kitchen That Works™ LLC (AKTW)

Molly Erin McCabe, AKBD, CGP, an award winning designer, is the founder and co-owner of A Kitchen That Works™ LLC (AKTW). AKTW is a full service design-build firm specializing in kitchens and baths.

Ms. McCabe consults to architectural and construction firms on material specifications with specific emphasis on appliances specifications. She has published numerous articles and has lectured locally and nationally on design with an emphasis on sustainable design and construction.

She is a Subject Matter Expert for the US Green Building Council’s Green Home Guide, a member of the Thermador Design Council, a founding and current Board member of the Olympic West Sound Chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association and the founder of the Kitsap Chapter of the NW Ecobuilding Guild. Ms. McCabe is an active member of her community volunteering with youth and teens, environmental groups as well as other not-for-profit community groups through projects and Board participation.

She is a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the Home Builders Association of Kitsap County Built Green® program and Remodelers Council, the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild, Green America and the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce. Her professional certifications include: Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD) from the National Kitchen and Bath Association, Certified Green Professional (CGP) from the National Association of Home Builders and she is a registered Certified Lead-Free Renovator with the Environmental Protection Agency.

When Ms. McCabe is not working, she enjoys spending time cooking, playing tennis and being with family and friends.

Ms. McCabe lives and works in a Built Green® home that she designed and built with her husband and their two children. She can be reached at 206.780.1906 or www.akitchenthatworks.com.

Name: Jennifer Allison
Company: Jennifer Allison Design

I come from a long line of great cooks, which makes me aware of the challenges of having more than one chef participating in a family meal! Kitchens are the heart of a home and are the backdrop to homework, projects, family discussions and the key to great entertaining. Everyone gravitates to the kitchen in today's casual entertaining style!

The kitchen I designed is located in a very informal home. It was custom designed to combine all common areas into one, which allows the family to enjoy the spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. The cabinetry is alder wood, custom-made with hand-applied distressing and finishes. Separating the refrigerator from the freezer spreads out the appliances creating more workspace.

I love the way Thermador appliances conceal all metal frames, edges, gills and vents so that I can really make my kitchens seamless in design. The adjustable shelf in the refrigerator is so clever--it makes room for a large item in a second!

Thermador ovens have been a favorite of mine for many years. Other cooks and clients tell me that the 30-inch oven is reliable and large enough to fit even the biggest items for those occasions when you need it. You may not cook many 30 lb turkeys but you know you will, at some occasion, and you want to be equipped to do so!

The profession ranges are a favorite of mine; the design of the toe kick is seamless and outshines all other manufacturers. The new Freedom refrigerators are not only attractive, but the depth of the units is such that you never "lose" food in the back of the box! No more "mystery" items that no one can find.

Name: Johan Bolle
Company: EuroDream Kitchens & Design Gallery

As Holland natives and entrepreneurs, my wife and I relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona in the '80s. Shortly after, we developed a business plan, and now we own and operate our own EuroDream Kitchens & Design Gallery. And we're hoping to expand with one or two additional stores in the near future.

When it came time to designing this kitchen for our customer, we chose a European full overlay in a Wenge finish. We explored several appliance brand options, but we constantly encountered design limitations with the regular side-by-side refrigerator units that are on the market. We discovered that we could make the whole space work for us once we found Thermador's Freedom Refrigeration columns. We could make everything flow and really utilize the kitchen space.

Our customer explained to us that he travels frequently for his job and likes to relax when home by cooking a fabulous meal. We realized that by choosing all Thermador cooking appliances he could accomplish this cooking experience!

Name: Susan Serra
Company: Susan Serra Associates, Inc.

Susan Serra, CKD, CAPS, President of Susan Serra Associates, Inc., Founder of Bornholm Kitchen, Co-Founder of Scandinavian Made, is an award-winning kitchen designer.

Susan's kitchen and bath design work has been nationally published for many years in print and in online publications. Susan is a kitchen industry brand consultant and speaker on kitchen design.

A go-to source for the media on kitchen design, Susan authors the popular blog, www.TheKitchenDesigner.org.

Susan continually attends design shows in the US and abroad and is a passionate observer of all things kitchen design focused.