The kitchen is the heart of the home, a gathering place for the holidays where special memories are made. “You spend most of your time in your home. You want to walk in and feel good that you are in the space. And you want it to function well," says Karen Berkemeyer, owner and founder of Karen Berkemeyer Home (KB Home) in Westport.
KB Home is nirvana if you’re looking to renovate your kitchen (and bathrooms and related spaces). “Our biggest defining factor is our one-stop approach,” Karen says. “We have custom cabinetry, tile and stone, plumbing fixtures, countertops and backsplash. We can actually pull the entire room together for a potential client with just one designer from our showroom.” KB Home also has a great referral base, if you want to speak to an existing or previous client.
KB Home works directly with homeowners, but also with designers, architects and builders. Karen explains, “We are here to support them and help their job go smoother.”
Renovating a kitchen may seem overwhelming at first, but KB Home makes it seamless and stress-free. Before beginning a new project, Karen suggests you “bring in photos of what [you] like, have a sense of budget and find a really good contractor that [you] connect with.” If you don’t have a contractor, KB Home is happy to refer one.
This year and every year, Karen is thankful for her business and her employees. “I’m very thankful to be in business for 25 years and for a very talented and creative staff,” Karen says.
Need a little inspiration?
Here's what is Karen says is trending right now:
1. Simplicity. Cabinetry has become simpler. Try a recessed handle or a flat cabinet door which you could either go more modern or more transitional with.
2. Mixing colors. Color is trending. Have some fun putting navy with another color apart from white. Or try mixing elements of white and off-white with grays, blues or similar colors.
3. Porcelain and feature walls in bathrooms. Larger format porcelain is especially in right now. Try 18x36 tiles or even bigger. Add a feature wall and keep everything else simple. It could be a mosaic with stone, glass or something textured.
