Your kitchen is the heart of the home, where your family not only eats but grows, connects and entertains. This is where food and drink commingle with conversation and the joyful milestones of life.
So when you decide to tear everything out and recreate that space, you’ll want a full-service design and build team that can blend luxury with comfort – and evoke “ooohs” and “ahhhs” by creating not just eating spaces but memorable experiences.
For two generations in Troy, that’s been the Gardner family (gardnerbuilders.com). Founded by Doug and Lori Gardner some 30 years ago, the family business now includes sons Dave and Chris. Located in the Michigan Design Center, they create beautiful environments using the highest-quality design and construction services.
Your new kitchen starts with a vision, says Lori.
“What does a high-end kitchen mean to you? That’s what we explore together by looking at space, technology, lighting, color, textures and everything that might go into your dream kitchen,” she says.
“We’ll blend your ideas with our design and build expertise to create an incredible environment that’s gorgeous to look at yet also incredibly functional.”
To prepare for your meeting to discuss your project, come with a basic plan of what you want to achieve – perhaps, keeping the same footprint of the layout or changing things around, adding an island, opening up a wall or replacing appliances, flooring or cabinets.
Establish your budget and share that with the team. “With all the choices and products available today, that makes it much easier to develop a realistic plan and actually get the project completed,” she says.
The Gardner team works directly with homeowners or their designers; they also offer in-house design services, led by Design Engineer David Gardner and Design Assistant Jennifer McCann. Together, they produce 3D renderings and drawings so you can visualize the project and make it exactly what you want before a hammer is raised.
That job – in the field – falls to Chris Gardner, who personally leads and directs the build teams to ensure projects come to life as designed.
A successful build relies, of course, on the finest materials. In Michigan, Gardner exclusively represents Rutt Quality Cabinetry – hand-crafted luxury cabinetry that got its start in the Amish and Mennonite communities of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
More than 70 years later, tucked away in the serene Pennsylvania countryside, Rutt still displays uncompromising quality. Its artisans set the standard for luxury:
• Premium hand-selected lumber and hand-matched grain patterns
• Precision-fitted, hand-finished cabinet corners for seams that are virtually invisible
• Fully integrated, plug-and-play LED lighting options for cabinet interiors that provide a clear view of the contents
• Drawers and interior accessories crafted in your choice of Cherry, Mahogany, Poplar, Walnut or White Oak
So, what are today’s trends for luxury kitchen designs? According to the 2023 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study:
• Transitional remains the No. 1 style choice, followed by Modern.
• Many high-end homeowners aspire to have a “back kitchen” or “prep kitchen” that creates a discrete space for food preparation, away from where guests mingle or dine.
• Homeowners also are venturing into more expressive designs through colorful cabinetry, bold surfacing and appliances that provide a personalized aesthetic.
• And, finally, most homeowners incorporate sustainable options and technology upgrades such as smart cutting boards, smart mixers and even AI wall ovens.
And yet, sometimes what’s old is new again. “People are moving back toward wood cabinetry again,” says Jennifer, Gardner’s design assistant. “White will never go out of style, but old tastes seem to be making a comeback.”
Last year was a milestone for Gardner Builders, both in clients and projects. Clients like Matt explain why this year might be even better.
“This is a company that believes in old-fashioned customer service and attention to detail. They work with top-notch sub-contractors, so the quality of the work is very high. We just finished a remodel project with Gardner and are starting another one. I recommend Gardner Builders for anyone with a building or remodeling project.”
For your consultation with Gardner Builders, call (248) 258-5885 or email info@gardnerbuilders.com.
“What does a high-end kitchen mean to you? That’s what we explore together by looking at space, technology, lighting, color, textures and everything that might go into your dream kitchen." – Lori Gardner of Gardner Builders