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Southern California LA area. Kitchen designer wanted: who did you use?

8 years ago

Hi I am agonizing over kitchen plans and want to hire an independent kitchen designer that can give me unbiased opinions and advice on design, layout, contractors, cabinet mfrs, etc. Who did you use that you LOVE? I'm in the Los Angeles county area, just North of the San Fernando Valley. Thanks!

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Comments (3)

Melissa Kroger
8 years ago
I am also north of the Valley (in TO) and spent a very long time researching cabinets, GCs, etc. I found that no one was truly unbiased because every GC I contacted worked with specific cabinet companies or local cabinetmakers. All the KDs I spoke with were also affiliated with certain cabinet lines. Even the interior decorators in the area worked with certain cabinet lines/build firms. No one I found was totally independent. I paid one KD for a design and posted it here for revision. He is in Westlake and works with Crystal Cabinetry. I then paid for a revised/more detailed layout from a design/build firm in TO. They primarily use Greenfield cabinets and their construction costs are very high. I also got quotes from a number of cabinet lines locally and from over the hill. In the end I decided to use a GC that we used first on a smaller bathroom remodel and a cabinetmaker he recommended who is in the valley. They did a great job (love the GC, really like the cabinet guy a lot) on the bathroom so I am using them for the kitchen. The absolute best layout advice I got was here on GW and it helped that I had a very clear vision of what I wanted before I worked with anyone. Cabinet style, finishes, appliances, plumbing and countertop materials were decided on by spending countless hours researching and looking at photos online. We are starting in 3 weeks- appliances have been bought (go to Pirch in Glendale for amazing selection/assistance), stone has been purchased and all plumbing fixtures ordered. I only need to choose backsplash and hardware. Good luck!
smm5525 thanked Melissa Kroger
smm5525
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you. Can I ask who you are using? At this point I just want design advice and to inquire about cabinet options and recommendations from someone who isn't doing the construction or selling product. I found a few local cabinet makers that i like but I'm concerned with CA restrictions on what paint products they can use. One wanted to install then spray inside my home. That makes me nervous! Is an out of state cabinet more durable in terms of finish? I have these types of questions on top of layout advice to ask an independent KD. Hoping to find a good one! How exciting for you to be almost at install!
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Stan B
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If the finishes used in CA were better why wouldn't they be used in the other states? That to me is enough reason to import from a different state. Also, check with your friends. Are any who had custom cabinets finished in CA unhappy?

Not sure a professional would have much else to offer. Any kitchen designer who works with local custom cabinetry companies is not going to bad mouth them. A kitchen designer who doesn't work with local cabinetry companies will use it as a sales tactic. You'll have to decide for yourself.

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