Diane Plesset, CMKBD, NCIDQ, C.A.P.S.

A few years earlier when researching kitchen remodeling ideas I came across Diane's site and was so impressed with her "before" and "after" pictures that I bookmarked her on my computer. To be honest, I thought we couldn't afford designer services and bookmarked her site for her pictures of things that were done for ideas. It wasn't until much later that I realized that she was in Oregon too! OMG! She lives close to our part of Oregon! So I thought I could at least ask how much her fees were and get a ballpark figure. I was ready to accept the fact that we couldn't afford her services, but felt that I'd at least be somewhat satisfied that I asked. But believe it or not, we ended up saving more money hiring her than if we hadn't. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but it's true. I've kept track and records of my remodeling costs to prove it! Diane is really good about listening to what you want and trying to incorporate it into her kitchen design. For me personally, it was worth it having a pop up mixer because I use my kitchen aid mixer a lot and it's heavy to get out and move . More so as I get older and personally I don't want a bunch of appliances on my counter top all the time in my small kitchen. I now have enough spice drawers so I can see things at a glance and not have to go digging in the cupboard trying to get at things buried in the back. I have lots more counter space and cabinets now, that I actually like cooking and baking more than before. (Which was sporadic to begin with, even when my kids still lived at home. I usually cooked, but we probably ate out more or had take out food way more than when I was growing up). One day Diane and I went to choose the specific counter top slabs for my kitchen. While waiting for help, I wandered around and came across this slab that instantly appealed to me like no other. (In previous trips we had gone to many places to look at all the different countertop materials, natural and man made & etc.,.). I didn't even know what material this slab was but got excited when I figured out it was quartzite which is the material I finally had previously decided upon for my counter top after much time, research and indecisiveness. Bummer! There's no more of the very new & unusual slabs in Oregon or Washington that is available. You might be able to special order more from Brazil, have it pass customs in Seattle and receive it in a month. Maybe. Here I was, there to pick the specific slabs to be fabricated on an already scheduled date, along with the installation and everything else on the scheduled timeline. (If I was Diane, I would of at the very least, rolled my eyes at myself! Instead she was quite enthusiastic about my choice and tickled that I was actually excited about something. I am by nature not every excitable). So Diane worked things out with my contractor, fabricators, installers and etc..,.so things went really smoothly even though I delayed the schedule by a month.

Diane is amazing. She has the gift, the eye, to turn a dump (like mine) into a palace. See ‘remodeled home for a single man’ on her site. Highly recommended, Bruce McDowell

Diane is professional, knowledgeable, and experienced. She helped us with all levels of our remodel, from blueprints to resources to vendors, including floors and complete bathroom reconstruction. She worked well with our contractor, while always assuring us that control of the project was in our hands, and was always available when we had questions. Even when her job was complete, she continued to be available for questions we had during the remaining construction. We will be calling her again for our next remodel project, and we highly recommend her to anyone who has a remodel, big or small.

We chose our designer Diane Plesset (DP Design) because of her positive reviews. The kitchen remodeling sections of her book The Survival Guide: Home Remodeling was very helpful to me in understanding the scope of the project, timelines and all the decisions that needed to be made. Diane is a very positive and upbeat person. There are always compromises in a remodel, but there are many solutions as well. She helped us find good solutions. She gave us a great detailed design for the kitchen. The CAD pictures were so helpful because mentally visualizing doesn’t work too well for me. She worked really hard to give us the kitchen features we wanted. She located beautiful pendant lights for our island. She also connected us with great people to do the work. The contractor Chris Loar of AAI and the cabinet maker Peter Rintoul are excellent craftsmen. The result was a beautiful and functional kitchen. We are delighted with the process and our new kitchen.

I highly recommend this designer. Every project I have partnered with Diane to work on has been a pleasure. Diane really listens to her clients wants and needs, takes this input and combines it with the space to really bring a design to life. Diane pays attention to detail and thinks through every aspect of the job, combine this with her prompt and thorough communication makes her a clients dream!

Diane, you're the best! As a cabinet shop owner I have worked with Diane on many projects over the years. When it came to my personal home remodel, there was never a doubt in my mind that I would partner with Diane. She goes above and beyond professional standards and applies the perfect combination of form-and-function while maintaining architectural consistency, all wrapped up in a positive and creative experience that instills confidence in a well thought out plan. Diane is an exceptional listener and works hard to implement her customers vision. When something doesn't make sense, she gives a detailed explanation why, and offer up creative alternatives. Professional, hard working, reasonable, intuitive, creative and fun! Thanks again Diane, after the completion of the main house remodel, I look forward to working with you on the guest house. As always, it's been a pleasure.

Diane is a true professional and I learn something new from her every time I talk with her. I love her book and have recommended her to my friends who are planning a remodel.

Diane listened well and provided creative suggestions, solutions, and alternatives during the time we worked on the design to remodel a powder room to create a full bathroom in my home. She left no detail untouched. Such thoroughness and professional know-how are an asset one does not find every day. I would gladly call Diane again for design services. She is very pleasant to work with -- prompt, responsive, well informed.

Diane was a wonderful collaborator! I felt like she really listened to our desires, but also led us into new ideas that improved our plans. We intend to hire her again for our next project.

We purchased an apartment that was being built and Diane met with us to determine our needs and preferences and then guided us in making decisions about flooring, cabinetry and placement of electrical outlets. She was easy to talk to, responded quickly to our questions and provided us with a furniture arrangement plan.

I have know and worked with Diane since 2006. We have worked together on several projects over the years. She has consistently provided detailed accurate plans for clients with whom we work. Her designs are both functional and well conceived from a design point of view. She truly has her client's best interests in mind when she designs. If you want a great design that is functional and timeless, talk with Diane.

We recently completed a kitchen remodel and interior update to our 1992 home. A key part of the project was selecting a professional designer. We found Diane by researching on Houzz. At our 1st site meeting we knew Diane was the person who would help us make our dream come true. She listened to us and in a short time produced a plan that made it easy to visualize the end result. Her professional and detailed plans were key to making sure our entire project team knew what to do. Diane's knowledge of home building techniques and materials is extensive. She provided support during product selection and was invaluable during problem solving discussions with our Contractor. Diane was a true partner in our project and helped make sure we achieved our "dream come true". We could not be happier with the finished project and would highly recommend Diane to anyone planning a remodel project.

Diane is an absolute pleasure to work with. She is caring, thoughtful, and wonderfully creative. She knows whats happening with the latest products and materials, and she'll be able to connect you with the best contractors for your immediate area. She also has a really great book, "THE Survival Guide: Home Remodeling".

I have an 1896 farm house that needed a makeover. Diane worked with my ideas and added her own unique touches. She executed a beautiful design with basically the entire house remodeled inside and out. I depended on her knowledge for all the details I was ignorant of or did not have time to learn about. She amazed me with her expertise and kept it all on track. If there was a question by the contractor I referred him to her and she took care of it. The project was completed in an organized and timely manner with no complaints from me. Her fees were very reasonable and she kept me on budget and focused on my priorities. Very personable service and always available.

Diane Plesset designed a new bathroom and laundry area, as well as a complete remodel of an existing bathroom, for us. Prior to these, we did not have any experience with construction/remodel projects. It was terrific working with Diane, who helped us with every facet of the construction process, and who had great design ideas that we continue to benefit from and enjoy every day. Thanks in large part to Diane, our bathrooms and laundry area are beautiful as well as functional and contemporary, and have been designed with aging in place principles so that we can continue to enjoy them for many years to come. Diane is extremely knowledgeable of construction and design, and she helped us to choose everything from tiles to fixtures to appliances, and to work with a variety of vendors to get the best prices possible. She helped us to figure out what we wanted and what was realistic within our budget. Then she helped to turn our choices into reality. She provided our contractors with to-scale blueprints that we had approved, so that every design detail was accounted for and the contractors had a roadmap of exactly what needed to be done. Diane collaborated with us, respected our decisions, and helped us navigate the construction process so that it went as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Thanks to Diane, our projects were on time and on budget. Her fees were very reasonable for the high level of professional design and advice she provided. We recommend her unconditionally.

We had a typical '80s kitchen with dropped ceiling, European cabinets, fluorescent lights and cramped layout. We had no idea how to fix it, so we hired Diane. We chose her for her training, talent and experience, but we got so much more. She is insightful, caring and thorough. Remodeling can be very stressful, but she helped us through every step. We love our new kitchen! It's open, beautiful and delightful to work in.

Diane provided excellent customer service and expertise when providing consultation servicing and drawing up final plans for a large remodeling project that included my kitchen, two bathrooms, and utility room. Diane accompanied me when I was shopping for my flooring, plumbing, cabinets, and counter tops. Her years of experience with building design provided me with so many great ideas and ways to maximize my budget. Unfortunately, due to financial considerations, I have decided to put this project off for a few years but intend to continue working with Diane, in the future, to complete this project.

Diane was a pleasure to work with. She listened carefully to all our ideas and came up with a dynamic kitchen and dining room design that fit my needs completely! She never lost her cool even when I called her at the last minute and said I needed an under counter microwave on the bar. She simply said, "Let's see what I can do" and she increased the size and shape of our smoothie bar to make it work! Her total design was beautiful and when friends walk into my house the first time, they usually stop, look and exclaim "Wow!"

Diane is the best in the business! Her knowledge of the industry cannot be surpassed. Her attention to detail in every aspect of your home remodel will leave you full of excitement to get started on your journey to a beautiful sanctuary that she has designed to fit your needs and desires. She is also a phenomenal listener and takes ALL of your thoughts and concerns to heart and shows no pride in making changes to her own suggestions to make you comfortable and ready to move forward. Diane truly makes the experience all about you. Diane will be our designer from now on. If you choose Diane, be prepared to be amazed. You will have confidence in every decision moving forward on your remodel project thanks to her expertise and guidance.

We are currently adding square footage and remodeling our existing residence. When it came time to design the kitchen I was totally out of my depth. We had some very specific ideas about how we wanted some of the layout. Diane took our ideas, added her own and came up with a terrific kitchen design. She provided excellent blueprints.

We are pleased and amazed at Diane's ability to hear what we wanted to create in our kitchen and master bath. Our kitchen remodel was a challenge to say the least. After working with several other designers and trying to draw plans ourselves, the designs kept coming up short of what we wanted. When we worked with Diane, not only did she come up with a design that fits our needs and wants, but also gave us many new features that we will enjoy for years to come. We are so happy with our results and highly recommend Diane Plesset for your designing needs. We are still in process with our project and will attached photos at completion.

Diane helped us develop plans for remodeling 3 bathrooms in our 1970’s house. We chose her because her familiarity with accessible design. With a goal of “aging in place”, we wanted to expand our main floor powder room to include a curbless shower. In order to add this shower, we needed to reconfigure the whole bathroom as well as an adjoining hallway and our entry foyer. There were many variables to consider given our existing space, accessibility goals, and our desire to create an aesthetically pleasing room. Diane drew up several options and patiently worked with us through multiple revisions. She was a good listener and incorporated everything we requested when making these revisions. Diane also helped us develop plans for two upstairs bathrooms including an expanded shower and a walk-in closet in the master bathroom. After working with us through multiple revisions, Diane produced a comprehensive set of drawings showing the detailed space plan along with elevations from every angle and electrical diagrams. We are now in the process of interviewing contractors. Those who have seen the plans so far have said that Diane’s drawings are thorough and they will be able to work from her plans with no difficulty. We can’t wait to see these plans evolve into finished rooms!

You know how it is. A million selections and chasing down options. We hired Diane to help us upgrade the basics in our kitchen. Not only did she really listen to our lifestyle and decor preferences, she narrowed down our search tremendously. Her several low cost recommendations that improved function and storage in the kitchen were especially welcome. We love our new look and greatly appreciated Diane's expertise assuring we got what we really wanted.

Diane's mastery of her craft is amazing. Diane's work is thorough, and her attention in her own plans and with her clients is well done. Her designs are detailed, but she always takes the time to walk people through them as well as discuss budget concerns so that the best resources can be chosen for the remodel. I highly recommend her as a Kitchen bath remodeler.

Diane did such an amazing job on our kitchen/dining/living room/front entry remodel we hired her again to help us with our kids' bed/bath remodel. She truly is an advocate for you, the homeowner... constantly watching out for your interests and budget. Diane didn't charge for travel time. She doesn't receive any kickbacks for any products she recommends. And I'm pretty certain she didn't even bill us for all of the time I know that she spent thinking about and working on our project. She would tap her extensive product knowledge to help us select appropriate products which fit within our budget. She didn't send us only to her favorite suppliers, she identified reputable retail outlets which were close to our home. If she didn't immediately know the answer to a product question, she was able to very quickly get back to us after contacting someone from her extensive industry network. Each and every person she had us deal with directly, I felt like they were real down to earth people that were genuinely trying to provide the best product or service (This is not true for most of the other people I have dealt with in the industry. They can be intimidating, annoying and obviously just out to get your $$) We have a family with young children so evening meetings were really the only option for us much of the time. Diane was flexible and facilitated several internet-based planning meetings. We would talk to her on the speaker-phone while looking at the design on our computer. We were watching her computer screen and she'd move things around and we had a true interactive meeting. She could even give us control so we could "point" to things on the plan with the mouse. It was fabulous, a huge time saver and very stress free. She went above and beyond the call of action. After the planning phase of both projects was complete and in the midst of construction, we ran into problems with the contractors which we didn't know how to solve on our own and required quick

My husband and I secured Diane 6 years ago for a major remodel of our 1976 lovely-bones disco-home. She did an amazing job, and we still sing her praises to this day. Her ideas were both revolutionary and consistent with our home's (and neighborhood's) line and theme, and included a complete kitchen & master suite remodel, installing two gables, adding beautiful lighting & sound throughout the house, and designing an outdoor hardscape space of a modern stone courtyard. I cannot recommend Diane enough. She is a great listener and has the expert experience to incorporate my thoughts into a cohesive plan. My home still takes my breath away.