Designing a kitchen is an intricate and complex process. It requires expertise in kitchen cabinetry, countertop specifications, kitchen design, and construction.
During the past few years home centers like Lowes and The Home Depot have tried to devalue and diminish the work of kitchen designers by underpaying them and making their job difficult.
Jessie Taylor
A self-described stoic bachelor, Jessie Taylor, owner and design guru at Kitchen Design Center, has been a fixture in the business for almost six years. During this time, he’s built a solid foundation for his burgeoning team of interior design experts.
For instance, in a recent remodel, Taylor’s team utilized English Chestnut wood to create a kitchen that’s equal parts function and style. The newest kitchen features high-end appliances, ample storage and a sleek range hood that’s sure to impress. Despite being one of the most expensive projects in their portfolio, Taylor’s team was able to deliver an impressive look for a reasonable price. As a result, the team at Kitchen Design Center is gaining fans and a loyal clientele. Watch the video to find out more about the Kitchen Design Center experience and get inspired for your own remodel!
Tom Custadio
The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where you cook, eat, and entertain family and friends. So it’s no wonder that it is one of the most important rooms in a house to design and remodel. That’s why Curtis Lumber has a dedicated kitchen design center where you can work directly with an expert designer to make your dream kitchen a reality.
Tom Custadio has been with Horner Millwork since 1992, and has been involved in the company’s kitchen department for nearly 20 years. He has a wide knowledge of all aspects of the construction process and specializes in helping customers select cabinet, countertop, and appliance styles that fit the rest of the home’s interiors.
He’s also experienced in incorporating new technologies into the kitchen design process such as 3D renderings to help clients visualize their finished spaces and ensure that they’re getting exactly what they want. He also understands that every homeowner interacts with their kitchen differently. He takes that into account when planning the space and designs a kitchen that enables his clients to meet their many needs.
Mike Sollecito has been with Horner Millwork since 2013. He started his career as an electrician and home audio/automation installer, but he soon changed his focus to follow his passion for fine woodworking. He has developed an impressive portfolio of custom cabinets and luxury kitchens that he has built and installed over the years. He’s also experienced in a wide range of residential building skills including plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and roofing, which makes him a valuable resource for the critical planning stages of kitchen design and execution.
Mike Sollecito
Having worked for Horner Millwork since 2013, Mike Sollecito has been around kitchens for a while. He has been involved with a lot of home renovations from the ground up and has accumulated a number of residential building skills including plumbing, electrical, carpentry and roofing which makes him well qualified to be your kitchen design guide.
The best part about working with Mike is that he understands the kitchen as a whole and has an impressive arsenal of design tools at his disposal to bring your dream kitchen to life.
For example, he can help you find the right lighting to complement your new custom cabinets, countertops and flooring. Moreover, he can provide you with the information you need to choose the perfect appliances for your budget and lifestyle.
The kitchen is no doubt a focal point in your home and a major investment, so choosing the right materials to make it look its best is paramount.
Using high quality materials and expert craftsmanship will ensure your new kitchen is a joy to use for years to come.
Lilly Peck
Lilly Peck, the owner of Kitchen Design Center in Chicago, has been a successful professional for over 25 years. She specializes in designing and implementing unique projects that reflect her clients’ personalities, lifestyles, and tastes. She has extensive experience in coordinating and managing the design process, budgets, and construction phase of a project.
Her passion for creating beautiful spaces has allowed her to create designs that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. She has completed numerous projects in the Chicago area, and has received several awards for her work.
In her spare time, she enjoys dancing and playing the cello. She has performed and taught throughout the city. She has collaborated with dancers and musicians including Christina Robson, Jasmine Hearn, Toscana Dance Hub, Venza Dance, and Douglas Gillespie.
She has also taught at Dance Lab NY, a New York City-based nonprofit organization that provides training to young dancers. She is a 200-hour RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) through the Yoga Alliance and has worked with students of all ages and backgrounds to improve their movement and musical skills.
Besides her work as an artist, she is also involved in teaching at the University of Illinois-Chicago, where she is a lecturer in interior design. Her classes cover design history, trends and styles as well as techniques for achieving balance and harmony in the workplace.
Peck’s first book, The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth, was published in 1977. It sold over ten million copies, and was translated into 20 languages. It was followed by Further Along the Road Less Traveled: Meditations from the Road (1993) and The Road Less Traveled and Beyond: Spiritual Growth in an Age of Anxiety (1997).
These books are highly regarded by a wide range of readers. They provide a distinctly personal and emotional approach to self-help that resonates with many people. In addition, the books feature a conversational style that helps the reader to connect with Peck’s philosophy.
Another major achievement in Peck’s career was the creation of The Foundation for Community Encouragement, a nonprofit organization that promoted community-building principles. Its members were trained to conduct workshops and seminars for churches, schools, governments and businesses. In the 1990s, the organization became an international presence with 70 trained leaders worldwide. The foundation has been recognized for its contributions to social and human development through the 1984 Kaleidoscope Award for Peacemaking and the 1994 Temple International Peace Prize.
