An ongoing blog series—Meet Our Team: Designer Spotlight—where we introduce you to each team member at the Elmwood Design Centre.
In case you missed last weeks blog post, we're taking some time to introduce each and every one of our design consultants to the world. We believe that every successful renovation begins with a great team and we're here to let you know that we've got the right stuff (cue New Kids on the Block dance break). Every week we'll be giving you a glimpse into each designers' career journey, their likes, dislikes and whether they're a cat or dog person (just kidding, we won't be getting that personal).
Next up on our introduction train is another one of our talented Kitchen Designers, Claire—here's a little bit about her:
Career Beginnings
Claire has been with the Elmwood Group for two and a half years and made her way to us from Ontario where she began her journey with Home Hardware. This is the third Home Hardware location she's been with over her 20+ years as a kitchen designer. Although she now considers the Elmwood Design Centre 'home', her first job designing kitchens was with a small independent company in Southern Ontario.
Claire's path to kitchen design was a little unconventional. She stumbled into this career through a patient she met while managing a chiropractic office. Despite having studied interior design right out of high school, she hadn't worked in the field until that chance encounter. Life had its way of leading her back to her true passion.
When it comes to kitchen design, Claire is all about functionality. She focuses on creating kitchens that look beautiful but also function flawlessly. This part of design is often forgotten about by clients. A kitchens functionality is equally important to looks and this is a conversation she prioritizes in her initial consultations.
"I design it like I would be working in the kitchen, and for me, function is key!"
First Project as a Kitchen Designer
When you've been in the game for as long as Claire, it's hard to think back to that first go. Even though you probably can't recall your first day of grade school, there are always a handful of standout experiences that stick with you forever.
One notable project for Claire was her largest one to-date. Totaling 130k and completed about 18 years ago, the project involved cabinetry not just in the kitchen but in multiple spaces; a giant kitchen with two large islands, five bathrooms, a laundry room and a sunroom, all with custom cabinetry.
"It was a really cool project to see completed. The kitchen and all five bathrooms were done with beautiful quartz tops. I remember the wife wanted to base the laundry room around a quilt block made up of navy blue, yellow and white colours. We chose cabinetry in a custom yellow and even included a navy blue washer and dryer."
Working through Covid-19 was also an interesting experience for Claire. Designing a kitchen from start to finish completely remotely was never something she expected to be tasked with.
"I stayed working at Home Hardware through all of Covid—we never shut down completely. A lot of it was managing curbside pick up but I remember designing a kitchen for a client without her ever stepping foot into our store. Everything was done remotely through video, email and phone calls. When it came time to look through samples and pick out products we sat curbside, 6 feet apart."
With a career packed full of a multitude of experiences, we were excited to dive into some Q&A with Claire:
Q: What's the most challenging project you've ever worked on and how did you overcome the challenges?
A: "The most challenging project was a full kitchen gut in a century home. You never know what can lurk in the walls or under five layers of flooring. Having great tradespeople to work with was paramount in resolving the issues. Together, we were able to create the dream kitchen she wanted for her family."
Q: What's a common misconception about Interior Design that you'd like to debunk?
A: "That it's a "fluffy" job—not a chance. There are so many things to consider. Lighting, flooring, plumbing, cabinetry, countertops, hardware... the list goes on. And it's not just about choosing what looks best. There's placement, type, style, functionality, etc. There are so many factors to consider outside of making things look pretty. And don’t even get me started on project coordination. It’s a whole other ball game."
Q: What inspired you to become a designer?
A: "I have always been creative. I pursued Interior Design to create those spaces that make you want to live and work in, feeling comfortable, welcoming and truly at home. When people come to your house, it’s always the kitchen where everyone ends up."
Q: Name one design "rule" you love to break and why?
A: "People think that the sink needs to be under the window! Sometimes, in a small kitchen, placing it in the corner is better. It allows for better, uninterrupted workspace and frees up counter space by using neglected nooks. This can make a small kitchen feel bigger and make movement in the kitchen easier and more organic."
Q: If you could go back to one era where you thought Interior Design was unmatched, which era would that be and why?
A: "Mid Century Modern. It was a game changer. Sleek lines, less heaviness, a breakaway from small rooms to more open living spaces. Big windows and bold, bright colors."
Claire's portfolio of exciting design experiences is pretty full, but for the sake of time and not being able to do her stories justice, we'll stop here.
Sometimes life just leads you to where you're supposed to be and Claire's design journey is a testament to that. We hope you enjoyed reading and getting to know another one of our star kitchen designers. Each of our consultants hold a unique approach to design and that's what makes our team so dynamic. Keep an eye out for more introductions in the coming weeks—we've got a lot more talent to share with you!
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