By Dana Skulan, Content Coordinator
Kitchens are not just the heart of the home, they are also the brains. They act like the central nervous system where everything in the household happens; all the communication, morning greetings, family conferences and quite frankly, much of the fun! According to Wayne Stephens who has been designing kitchens for over 30 years, we use kitchens more than any other space in the house and we use them differently than how many of them were once designed.
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- 1st Floor Showroom
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- 2nd Floor Showroom
What Has Changed In Kitchen Design?
“The biggest thing we notice is that the formal dining room is going away, and it is becoming part of a larger kitchen which is the focal point for the whole house,” says Wayne. “They eat there, they talk there, they do homework there, and they work there. So now we design a kitchen for more than one user. People work together more in the kitchen and making meals has become more of a family time and that’s a good thing.”
If your home was built prior to the year 2000, when there was an explosion of housing growth in Northern Kentucky, your kitchen is likely not set up to accommodate how people live today and that is one reason why a kitchen remodel is one of the most satisfying and essential upgrades you can make to your home. And statistics prove it is also one of the best investments you can make in your home.
Why Use a Kitchen Designer?
Every family is different, and every kitchen needs to be designed just for that family and the people they share their life with. Wayne explained, “We are architectural designers. We don’t just pop something into a computer and see what spits out. We go to the house, we measure everything, and we design the space that works right for that person or family.” Most “builder-grade” kitchens are not well designed and certainly not designed for today’s lifestyles, so using a designer trained in kitchen design specifically makes a big difference in how the kitchen will feel as well as function.
Isn’t Using a Designer More Expensive?
No! And this is a myth. Good design doesn’t cost more money. W.Stephens offers multiple lines of cabinetry that compete with the “big box” stores and their design services are free. They can work with any budget and any size kitchen. “We offer designability that stands above what most people do,” smiled Wayne, “and unlike our competitors, we have been doing this for a long time, so we have shown that we know how to design well. Many of our customers have had us remodel kitchens in several different homes over the years, and we’re proud of that.”
About W.Stephens’ Designers, Staff, and Showroom
Wayne Stephens began drawing house plans when he was only 13 years old. After college he started in the building industry supplying area builders with their cabinetry until years later when he started his own business in January of 2011. He took over the old Columbia Federal Bank Building in Ft. Mitchell and built today what is the jewel of Ft. Mitchell, the W.Stephens Cabinetry and Design showroom. This two-story, stunning remodel at the corner of Orphanage Rd. and Dixie Highway, is filled with over 36 full displays. Here their staff of designers can walk customers through a myriad of design options they can touch and feel and see what suits them best.
Designers – Mark Prince, Wayne Stephens, Callie Towles, Katie Stephens
“It’s open enough that we can have multiple customer meetings going on here without people feeling crowded or pressured in any way. There is plenty of space for people to sit down and talk about their space, what they are wanting and how they want the designer to put it together,” Wayne shared.
Wayne is joined by designers Mark Prince, a graduate of the UC DAAP program and a kitchen designer for 26 years; Callie Towles, with a degree in Fine Arts who has been designing kitchens since 2015 and Wayne’s daughter, Katie Stephens who grew up designing with her dad, graduated from NKU and has been designing kitchens for over a decade. Most recently joining the team as Office Manager is Kathy Curtis who has been designing and remodeling kitchens on the west coast for two decades before moving back to Northern Kentucky to be with family.
Begin your new kitchen remodel process by working with one of the talented designers at W. Stephens Cabinetry so you can have that kitchen to end the ‘function frustration’ you’ve likely had for years. W.Stephens has special financing available including an option with a fixed, low-interest rate, with no balloon payments, just an easy, payment schedule you can afford. Stop by and browse our showroom to begin envisioning the kitchen of your dreams!
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- Wayne & Katie Stephens
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- Mark Prince
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- Callie Towles
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- Kathy Curtis
Want to see what W.Stephens can do for you?
Contact us (859) 331-8100 today!
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About W.Stephens Cabinetry & Design
1-Source Turnkey Planning and Design Services
W.Stephens Cabinetry and Design provides planning and design services for the entire home including kitchens, bathrooms, wet bars, butler pantries, libraries, home theaters, and closets. Our designers follow a project from conception to completion, assisting clients in not only space-planning and design but also guiding clients through each step of the project.
Quality Cabinet and Hardware Suppliers
We are aligned with the top cabinet, appliance, hardware, and countertop suppliers in the world.
Our Process
- Initial Client Consultation – The design process begins with a consultation at our show room or in your home to obtain the necessary information needed to design your dream kitchen, bath, or space.
- Design – We carefully design the space, keeping your desires as the foundation of our creativity.
- Feedback / Design Approval – Working with you, using your feedback to get final Design approval.
- Installation Meeting – We meet with the installers, prior to installation to go over ALL the details.
- Post Installation Follow-up – We follow-up with you to make sure everything went well during installation.
Our Designers
Our award winning designs collaboratively work together to create the perfect space for you.
>> View our designers
Our Work
View pictures of featured past projects…
>> View our work