Where do you find design inspiration?
I find design inspiration all around me. It might be traveling to a new city with interesting architecture, or at the farmer’s market with great colors, textures and contrast. I also find inspiration in my clients, particularly the more daring ones, who always give me the courage to push the limits of design.

How do you approach the design process?
I like to have a picture in mind of my client’s dream kitchen. This often starts with a simple categorization—traditional, transitional or contemporary and quickly moves into sharper focus in initial discussions with the client. According to Remodelista - A Manual for The Considered Home, the average kitchen remodel requires 2,500 decisions. By having a clear vision, I can make well-considered recommendations to my clients, which, in turn, helps simplify the decision-making process.

What is your biggest challenge as a designer/architect?
My biggest challenge is finding the right partners throughout the design process—from the appliance manufacturers, and craftsmen, to the fabricators and installers and everyone who has a hand in creating my client’s dream kitchen. I look for partners who are united with me in their vision for quality products, integrity and passion for design excellence.

What does the Sub-Zero and Wolf Kitchen Design Contest mean to you?
It is an honor to be recognized for Excellence in Design by a panel of esteemed judges. When I started to design kitchens, I often searched for design inspiration photos. My favorite kitchens were always the Sub-Zero Wolf design winners. The kitchens were unique, creative and the attention to detail was an inspiration. They set the bar high and their designs gave me the courage to challenge myself as a designer.

What are some of the current design trends?
I am seeing a movement towards treating the kitchen space as other rooms in the house –thoughtfully decorated and integrated with the style of the home. Of course, we demand that it be highly functional, so as not to interfere with the more social aspects of the space.

Other trends finding expression in my work at the moment is the use of gray-green tones, organic textured woods and mixing exotic wood with integrated hot rolled steel pulls, and copper and brass hardware, which adds a beautiful warmth to a kitchen. I also believe that good lighting is the finishing touch to any room in the house – the kitchen is no exception. I like to use on-trend LED lights with warm color tone (2700-300K), when the budget allows.

Where do you see kitchen design going in the next 5 years?
We say it now and we’ll say it five years from now: “Everyone wants to be in the kitchen.”