In 1977 Patti & Phil Rudick moved to Texas from Pennsylvania. They moved to Austin with no real job and two children. Not too long after their arrival - Phil got a job as an adjunct professor at UT teaching Architecture in the school of Engineering. Shortly after they had their first Texas born child - a baby girl.
Stemming from Patti’s love of cooking - she went to Phil with a new business idea. They would buy a house, set up kitchen displays in each room and fill them with kitchen goods. Phil could design the kitchens and Patti could handle product sales. Ultimately, they decided to focus on kitchen design. They decided to carry high end cabinets and settled on Allmilmo from W. Germany and Rutt from Amish country in Pennsylvania. Currently, they use cabinet maker Crystal (crystalcabinets.com) as they can do almost anything from European to American styling.
Phil and Patti opened their first boutique style showroom on January 2, 1980 and ran their first ad in the Austin American Statesman. They’ve had clients since day one. Two years after opening the showroom in Austin they opened one in San Antonio and remained there for 6 years before later opening one in Houston. Traveling to Houston twice a week and having teenage children was not practical - so they decided to go all in on the Austin market and created a first class showroom.
The process has evolved a bit, but most major aspects are the same. A set style cannot be identified. Each of their clients are not the same and neither is Phil’s styling. It’s a simple concept that he’s adhered to his entire career.
Once a client signs a design agreement - Phil does extensive and meticulous measurements in order to draw the as-built drawings followed by preliminary plans. As a Registered Architect - he prefers to do drawings the old fashioned way - by hand. What he does free hand, most people cannot do with a computer. With Phil as the only designer, their clients get one on one attention from the Architect every time. Urban Kitchens brought modern design, technology and professional know-how to central Texas. Phil’s passion is centered on the client experience - so much so that most of his clients have ended up being lifelong friends.
Ever since Patti and Phil moved to Texas they have gravitated to Dripping Springs and Wimberley and moved to Dripping Springs in 1997. Patti always dreamed of living on a ranch where she could keep her horses. Where they live now allows them to view beautiful Hill Country sunrises and incredible sunsets. They love having morning coffee on the back patio listening to birds and roosters crowing. Their horse Isabelle, has free run of the property. They operate the business out of their ranch home because the setting is serene and perfect for creativity.
Patti & Phil have been in business for 43 years - in August they'll have been married for 52 years and have been in business together for all 43 years of Urban Kitchens and Baths.
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They have 3 children and 5 grandchildren
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Phil is an excellent gardener - happiest when his hands are in the dirt.
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Patti loves her horse and 40 chickens (best eggs ever)
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They love travel and will be exploring Greece & Italy this Fall
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Patti also loves to cook and entertain. Phil designed the perfect house for her to do it
Cool Fact: Lady Bird Johnson and her daughter Lucy hired Phil & Patti to design her Westlake Kitchen.
It has been 25 years since Patti & Phil have advertised their amazing work. Dripping Springs City Lifestyle is blessed and proud to share their story with you. Maybe one of you will be so lucky as to end up being one of their clients and friend.