You’ve been thinking about the idea for months. Maybe longer. You love the color of the kitchen backsplash you found on a Pinterest board, but it doesn’t quite go with the countertops. And you don’t even know what to do with the countertops, because you like them. And when is a good time to start this project anyway, as life is so busy right now! So the idea continues to brew in your mind, but you’re frozen. What to do?
That sense of being stuck is one of the most common experiences people have with a remodeling project. Often, the number of decisions to make is overwhelming. From finding the right contractor (you keep remembering your friend’s nightmare story – yikes!) to the ripple effect of how one change affects another to the sheer amount of time and expense it requires, it’s enough to make anyone freeze.
That’s where a design/build company can help.
A design/build approach offers a different path forward than a typical contractor scenario. Rather than separating design and construction into distinct phases handled by different people, design/build brings everything together from the start. Often described as one-stop shopping, design, pricing, planning and construction all happen collaboratively, with a single integrated team guiding the process.
Amy Hayes, owner of design/build company Bloom Kitchens, provided the analogy of planning an international vacation and hiring a travel agent. “A travel agent has trusted contacts, vetted hotels and access to competitive rates. They plan the most efficient route for your destination by selecting flights, accommodations and popular tours, so you don’t have the hassle of figuring it out yourself,” Amy explained. “And if any unforeseen travel issues arise, a travel agent can reroute you quickly, ensuring a smooth and positive overall experience.”
From the outset of a design/build project, homeowners see the full picture: how the space will function and look, how construction will unfold and what it will cost as a fixed price. Decisions are made early and intentionally, which helps minimize mid-project changes that can drive up both stress and expense. Amy added, “We also handle the hiccups, so the homeowner doesn’t have to carry that burden.”
For busy families juggling work, kids and everyday life, that type of project management can make a meaningful difference. It reduces the mental load by offering a single point of accountability and a trusted team that works together regularly.
Another major difference is that design comes first. A design is so much more than selecting finishes— it’s about fully understanding how a home is used. This philosophy shapes Bloom’s process.
Ann Ecklund, a senior designer at Bloom Kitchens, shared, “The foundation of any well-designed space starts with function and layout. A pretty room is worthless if it doesn't serve the people living in it.” At Bloom Kitchens, designers spend time getting to know homeowners and how they live in a space before even talking about finishes.
Here’s how that plays out in real life.
Mike and Cheryl Slack own a 16-year-old home with a kitchen they liked but needed a refresh. The project began modestly: replacing carpet and updating the wood floors throughout the main level. As they talked it through, ideas naturally expanded. Cheryl mentioned improving the kitchen island by adding pullouts in the cabinets, and Mike suggested painting the cabinets.
That conversation led them to Bloom Kitchens, where Amy and Ann took a step back and looked at the space as a whole. Instead of treating each update separately, Ann designed a fully integrated plan that included new flooring, stonework and a refreshed fireplace mantel.
From a functional standpoint, Ann immediately noticed that the walk-in pantry dominated the kitchen. While it provided plenty of storage, it also consumed prime space and created large areas of dead space. “By removing it and replacing it with a large built-in cabinet with rollouts, we were able to provide the same amount of storage, increase the counter space on either side of the cooktop and enlarge the island,” Ann explained.
Another impactful change was rethinking how storage worked throughout the kitchen. Using drawers for base cabinets, along with rollouts and tray dividers in tall cabinets, made everything more accessible and easier to use.
For Cheryl, the transformation went beyond layout. “We love that our new kitchen is so bright!” she shared. “I love all the pullouts, the depth of the cabinets and the combination of small appliances and pantry cabinets. There’s also more counter space, and we made our island a foot longer. I’m loving all the space!”
Ann chimed in, “The overall feel is like a breath of fresh air, which absolutely improves how the kitchen works for Mike and Cheryl.”
Behind the scenes, Bloom Kitchen works with a trusted, vetted team of tradespeople who share values around communication, trustworthiness and quality. Before construction begins, designers, contractors and homeowners meet to review the full plan, ensuring everyone is aligned.
Seeing the plan laid out through drawings, samples and renderings helps homeowners understand what’s possible before construction begins. It also means decisions are made thoughtfully and up front, rather than on the fly while work is underway. That clarity reduces stress, delays and costly change orders.
Sometimes, the hardest part of a remodel is getting unstuck. A design/build approach offers homeowners a clear plan, thoughtful guidance and the confidence to finally move forward.
A Note from Amy Hayes, Founder of Bloom Kitchens
@kitchensbybloom
One of the things I am most proud of at Bloom Kitchens is our team. Every member brings her own expertise, creativity, and perspective. Most of us are moms, and all of us are women and professionals who understand the realities of life in a home while balancing work we love. That lived experience is a powerful and insightful perspective we bring to both the design and construction process. Together we approach each project thoughtfully, combining design insight with practical know-how to create spaces that are beautiful, functional, and tailored to real life. What matters most to me is the process itself. Walking alongside our clients, solving challenges together, and shaping a space that reflects both their lives and our shared vision makes every project meaningful.