After nearly 30 years in the kitchen and bath industry, Tania Antunes still believes the most important part of any renovation isn’t the cabinetry, fixtures or finishes—it’s trust.
That belief is the cornerstone of Tania Creative Touch Kitchen & Bath, her Lebanon-based showroom serving homeowners throughout Hunterdon County and the greater Tri-State area. Opened in 2022, the business reflects a career built on experience, resilience and an unwavering commitment to helping people make informed, confident decisions about their homes.
“I’ve always loved working with people,” Antunes notes. “Even if someone doesn’t buy from me, I want them to leave knowing they were guided honestly.”
An Unlikely Beginning Noticeably Ahead of Its Time
Antunes’ career began in the mid-1990s at a plumbing supply showroom, where she worked as a cashier. At the time, she noticed something that others overlooked—customers routinely walked out of the showroom without assistance.
“They would come back to the register and say there was no help,” she recalls. “I’d ask what they needed, grab a product book and walk them through options.”
Her instincts proved correct. Within months, Antunes was generating sales directly from the register, identifying inefficiencies and advocating for a more hands-on approach. By 1996, she had transitioned fully into sales and product education, beginning what would become a decades-long career in kitchen and bath design.
“I loved learning the products,” she says. “I loved making people’s dreams come true—whether it was a full renovation or just helping them replace a handle or a faucet.”
Rising Through the Ranks—and Walking Away
Antunes’ talent and work ethic quickly propelled her into leadership roles. After joining a major supplier, she was challenged to prove her worth by hitting six figures in monthly sales—an achievement she surpassed in just weeks. Within a year, she was promoted to showroom manager, overseeing operations and client relationships.
But despite professional success, the corporate environment never felt right.
“When the industry shifted toward a corporate model, it became less about helping people and more about following rigid systems,” she explains. “That just wasn’t me.”
She later entered into business partnerships that, while educational, proved personally and professionally taxing. One partnership dissolved after just seven months, leaving Antunes financially strained but supported by something far more valuable—her reputation.
“My customers and contractors kept calling me,” she shares. “That’s when I knew I had built something real.”
Working from home, Antunes continued selling and consulting independently, relying on longtime vendor relationships and years of trust. A subsequent partnership lasted 14 years, but by the time the pandemic arrived, she knew it was time to build something entirely her own.
Building Creative Touch
In 2022, Antunes opened Tania Creative Touch Kitchen & Bath in Lebanon Plaza—a location suggested by a longtime client who promised to follow her wherever she went.
“I wasn’t even familiar with the area,” Antunes says with a laugh. “But once I got here, I knew it was the right place.”
The showroom was designed to feel welcoming rather than overwhelming, with curated cabinetry lines, plumbing fixtures, hardware and design tools that support both full renovations and smaller-scale projects. Antunes works with homeowners directly, collaborating seamlessly with their chosen contractors—or referring trusted professionals when needed.
“I never step on anyone’s toes,” she shares. “I’m here for the client.”
Honesty as a Business Model
In an industry often driven by trends and upselling, Antunes’ approach stands apart. She prioritizes long-term performance over aesthetics alone, educating clients on warranties, product lifespans and potential issues before a purchase is made.
“I don’t sell anything I wouldn’t put in my own home,” she emphasizes. “If there’s a problem with a product, I say it upfront. I don’t want headaches—for them or for me.”
She regularly attends manufacturer trainings, vendor workshops and industry events, including those hosted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, ensuring her recommendations reflect both current design trends and proven reliability.
“Design is always evolving,” she says. “But quality never goes out of style.”
A Business Grounded in Values
Antunes traces her philosophy back to her childhood. She immigrated from Brazil with her family at age seven, settling in the United States in 1980. Her father, who passed away when she was young, instilled in her the importance of integrity, kindness and service.
“He taught us to always be true to people,” she explains. “Help first. Everything else comes back.”
That lesson stayed with her through life’s challenges—raising children as a single mother, navigating difficult business relationships and building a career in a male-dominated industry. Years later, watching the film The Ultimate Gift brought clarity to what she now sees as her father’s lasting influence.
“All those experiences were gifts,” she says. “They shaped who I am.”
Community, Family and Looking Ahead
Today, Antunes balances business ownership with family life, supported by her husband and daughters. Her eldest is expecting a child, making Antunes a grandmother again—another milestone in a life defined by growth and perseverance.
Since opening her Lebanon showroom, she has grown increasingly connected to the Hunterdon County community, working with homeowners who value quality, transparency and long-term relationships.
“I’ve had clients come back years later and say, ‘I should have listened to you the first time,’” she shares. “That means everything.”
Looking ahead, Antunes hopes to continue growing organically—welcoming new clients, forming relationships with the next generation of contractors and remaining a trusted guide in one of the most personal investments a homeowner can make.
“As long as I can keep doing what I love and helping people feel confident in their homes,” she ends, “that’s success to me.”
Tania Creative Touch Kitchen & Bath
Located in: Lebanon Plaza
Address: 1271 US-22 Suite N-1, Lebanon, NJ
Phone: (908) 840-4653
Website: taniacreativetouch.com
“I don’t sell anything I wouldn’t put in my own home. If there’s a problem with a product, I say it upfront. I don’t want headaches—for them or for me.” - Tania Antunes
“As long as I can keep doing what I love and helping people feel confident in their homes.” - Tania Antunes