The Kitchen Therapist

Working with Ted to design the kitchen renovation was an exceptionally positive collaboration. The first time we met, he showed me a wide range of styles, some of which I liked a lot and others that didn’t work for me. After 15 minutes or so, he was showing me only things I liked – having figured out my style before I recognized it. For a couple of things, like the style of cabinets, he persisted in showing me refinements on the basic style I preferred until we hit perfection. In starting this project, I didn’t think that the footprint for this small kitchen offered much in the way of redesign, but Ted proved me wrong. The most significant change, which has altered the entire experience of being in the kitchen, was countertop height for the area connecting the kitchen to the dining room. It had been split level, counter height in the kitchen and bar height in the dining room—each area was narrow, meaning that there was little space for food preparation in the kitchen. Ted’s redesign leveled the entire space to counter height and also extended it several inches into the dining room. While I immediately liked the look of it in the drawings of the renovation, it was such a radical change that I hesitated until I asked several young people about whether to keep the old design or change it – they unanimously went for the expansive, continuous, counter height choice. I was nervous about it until the countertop was installed – and then I could not have been happier with it. The area for food preparation has greatly expanded, making it a pleasure to cook instead of a hassle, and there is a sense of continuity with the dining room and living room that makes me realize how closed off the kitchen was before. Other design features were less dramatic, but equally effective. For example, Ted built into the design ways to use the “dead” spaces in the corners of the cabinets. And he has exceptionally good taste. This is evident in the color of the cabinets, slate, which is a sophisticated look similar to furniture. He also suggested doing the area under the countertops in the dining room with panels that match the cabinets, giving the area a very “finished” look. And, he kept me from making mistakes, ruling out a color choice for the backsplash, for example, that would have been all wrong, and picking one that seemed weird to me, but is perfect. In fact, perfection goes down to the smallest details: everyone who has seen the kitchen has remarked on the hardware. I thoroughly enjoy being in the kitchen and spend more time cooking than I did before the renovation. My neighbors and friends have all expressed envy over the kitchen. Their reactions make me certain that it has increased the value of my condo. Equally important, it was a pleasure working with Ted and I recommend him with enthusiasm.

Ted is a true professional in every way and so it the company he works for. Ted is intelligent, courteous, kind, patient, creative, insightful, thorough you could not want more in a designer. We have been throughly impressed by him and the work he has done for us…

Ted...Such a great and lovely person!!!!! We were so lucky to call him first, just out of the blue at Bay Cities for general information. It was our first kitchen remodel after almost 25 years when we bought our condo new. We fell in love with Ted the moment we walked into his place of business. Till this day any remodeling we do we contact Ted first and only, He listens to our needs, what we have in mind, our likes and dislikes then very meticulously puts together plans that we can work with and/or rearrange to come up with exactly what we want and need. He is right on because he listens, puts himself in our shoes and always comes up with the perfect solution for our home. Ted meets deadlines and works within ones budget. We still work with Ted no matter what our project is, as he has great insight as to our personalities and our needs. We love you Ted, Connie & John, Marina Del Rey