Every detail was meticulously planned: from the countertop overhangs, to cabinet reveals and setbacks, to hidden wiring channels, to moulding intersections. The result is pure artistry.
Details!
The Great Opening Up
I love when people feature my designs on their websites! This wonderful open, bright space was originally a series of smaller dark rooms. The clients wanted a light, classic, functional great room in which to live and entertain. This was accomplished by:
- Eliminating a small butler’s pantry and opening the kitchen up to the formal dining room so that it would feel like a part of the living space
- Removing the wall with the cased opening that separated the breakfast nook from small bar area
- Moving the kitchen to the center of the new open space and putting in a large island with plenty of seating
- Integrating a bar area into the kitchen
- Moving inconvenient pantry storage from another room into accessible cabinets in the kitchen
- Introducing the clients to porcelain slab counters since they love marble but didn’t want the maintenance
- Laying out the rooms based on function as well as aesthetics and adding convenient storage organization in the cabinets
What you don’t see here is the creation of a laundry room in the old pantry location and an beautiful enlarged owner’s closet that is fully decked out with amazing cabinets. The closet took over the previous laundry location which was noisily located right off the family room.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
I’ve been preparing to send out a newsletter and been thinking fondly about all the people I know and have known. Thinking about past clients inspired me to look through my old portfolio where I came across a stack of letters from clients. Yes, I received letters before everything went online!
Coming across those letters made me feel wonderful. It helps me to know that my choice of career, my passion, does make a difference in this world. It’s hugely important to me that I make a positive difference in people’s lives.
I thought you might enjoy taking a trip down memory lane with me so I’ve shared some of those letters and notes. Some of them go back a few years…
“Dear Leslie, Thank you for the coffee mugs, napkins, and coffees. The color is a perfect match for our cupboard doors. Thank you, too, for all the thought, time and effort you have put into our project. Every day as I enjoy using my kitchen. I realize that your ideas made it possible. All the best wishes to you for 1998. Betty”
“Dear Leslie, We can’t thank you enough for all your preparation for our upcoming project. When we met you last week, we weren’t sure what we needed or what we wanted. We came away so happy and excited. If it hadn’t been for all your research, we may have been confused and uncertain. Toby said that you create just what people want – even if they don’t know it. I love the way that you always listen and incorporate our ideas as we go. Thanks so much! Jan & Tom”
“Leslie, Every day, a million times a day as we spend time in our new kitchen, we think of you and the way you transformed our kitchen into a truly wonderful place! We thank you so much for everything you’ve done! Happy Holidays, Have a terrific New Year Katie, Shira, & Ric”
“Dear Leslie, Just a short note to say thanks for all of your efforts on our behalf, both yesterday and the many other times. We think you’ve done a terrific design for us and we look forward to the completed kitchen. Keep up your good work and Thanks again. Best wishes, GayAnn”
“Fabulous – the master bedroom ceiling is incredible. The master bath functions much better and is as beautiful as any SPA! My closet is fantastic – beautiful and functional. My laundry room is the nicest I’ve seen. Sammye”
“Leslie’s creativity and level of detail in the design process is the best. Period. Her enthusiasm and commitment to quality make an enjoyable experience and a picture perfect result. Every time.” S. Coss, General Contractor
I’m Back!
I am happy to announce the re-opening Leslie Cohen Design. After 20+ years of running my own firm, I took a little “sabbatical” and tried something a bit different.
I’ve spent the last 4 1/2 years building a design team for a design-build remodeler. What a wonderful experience that was. Mentoring the design team and teaching them not only the mechanics of design but how to build great relationships with clients… Assisting with marketing, building new vendor relationships, creating business processes… It was rewarding to be able to use my skills to help another firm to grow.
Now it is time for me to be back in charge of my own business although I do miss the team tremendously. I’ll just have to build a team of my own:-)
Your outpouring of support for this decision has been tremendous. Thank you so much!!! This is an exciting time for me and I look forward to working with all of you. Look for another blog post soon.
Leslie