At The Red Shutters, we absolutely love working with clients to design their kitchens—not just because it’s one of the most important functional spaces in a home, but because we truly believe the kitchen is the heart of the house. Our goal is to design kitchens that are not only beautiful and functional, but that are also deeply personal spaces that bring joy and support daily activities. From color palettes and cabinetry to layout and lighting, every decision is intentional to create the perfect backdrop for memories to be made, meals shared, and stories told for years to come. So, when Marina was approached by Barbara Ballinger to be a go-to design source for her new book, Kitchen Conversations: Sharing Secrets to Kitchen Design Success (co-author Margaret Crane), she jumped right in!
“The kitchen is so much more than a place to cook. It’s where morning routines begin with a cup of coffee, where family recipes are passed down through generations, and where end-of-day conversations unfold over meals made for loved-ones,” says Marina. “A well-designed kitchen invites people to linger and connect.”
Approaching Kitchen Design with an Appreciation for Form and Function
It’s important that a kitchen simultaneously works well and feels good. That’s why we tailor every detail to reflect the aesthetics and lifestyle of each client – from how they cook to the colors they love. If you’re planning a kitchen project, we recommend you follow the same philosophy—and Kitchen Conversations: Sharing Secrets to Kitchen Design Success is filled with information to help you do just that!
“This book is extremely comprehensive,” says Marina. “With this as your bible, you can’t go wrong if you try to do kitchen design on your own. It allows for all kinds of budgets, and is filled with tips, checklists, blueprints, interesting facts, and photos of gorgeous kitchens.”
Valuable Expert Advice to Help Create Your Dream Kitchen
As a source for design expertise, Marina’s suggestions and recommendations are peppered throughout the book, such as the importance of your light plan addressing the fact that different surfaces, materials, textures, and colors will reflect light differently.
Of particular note is Marina’s input on how to find the right team to bring your vision to life. She helped develop an extensive list of 30+ questions to use as a guide in hiring a team of contractors.
As Marina advises, “When you ask the right questions, you’re more likely to find the right people in terms of skill, communication, transparency, and customer service – all are crucial for a successful kitchen project.”
Featured Kitchen Design Projects
Two of our more popular projects are also featured in the book.
“I’m so honored to be part of this book,” says Marina. “In today’s digital world, it’s exciting to be included in a hard copy book that will be used for years to come. Kitchen Conversations: Sharing Secrets to Kitchen Design Success is very timeless.”
Ready to Get Started Transforming Your Space?
There are so many ways in addition to pattern to breathe fresh life into a home. View my Portfolio to see more examples of my interior design projects and follow us on Instagram for more interior design inspiration.
