Ron & Marti Lepow were Kitchen & Bath Cottage’s first customers twelve years ago, and to this day, they receive compliments on their kitchen.
“They really produce a great product,” Marti says. “I’ve been very pleased with the quality. They did a wonderful job, and twelve years later, it still feels special and new. Their work stands the test of time.”
“A close working relationship with clients, as well as beautiful and functional designs are among the services that set the Cottage apart as a design and home resource center,” says Mary Ann Elston, owner of Kitchen & Bath Cottage. “Our designers each have more than ten years experience and visit with clients to learn how they use their kitchens. Designs are created specifically for individual client needs and desires, offering a highly functional, up-todate kitchen that will last for years.”
The Lepow home is an example of how custom cabinetry can set a kitchen apart, according to Mary Ann. “Local Architect Chris Elberson called us shortly after we opened with a client interested in the Wood- Mode line of custom cabinets. We installed the Lepow kitchen a few months later. They are still enjoying it today, and the finish and door style they chose remains one of our best sellers. The timelessness and lifetime guarantee of the finish is one of the many things so wonderful about the Cottage’s custom cabinetry.”
In order to provide cabinetry that will continue to look great for years and years, the Cottage has chosen to become the Shreveport Bossier area’s exclusive dealer for three special cabinetry lines: Wood- Mode, Bentwood & KitchenCraft.
“Our cabinetry is more like custom furniture in the level of quality, detail and finish,” Mary Ann says. “All three lines have lifetime warranties on the finish, drawer guides & hinges, something local cabinetry shops don’t provide.”
Kitchen & Bath Cottage has had projects displayed in national magazines, including the personal kitchen of local Interior Designer Marlene Shaw, featured in last spring’s issue of Traditional Home.
A major expansion earlier this year allowed Kitchen & Bath Cottage to increase services and product lines. “When we expanded and moved to our new location, we carefully selected three new product lines—Specialty Tile, Solatube Daylighting and Phantom Screens–that we knew were needed in the Shreveport- Bossier market,” Mary Ann says.
“Unique tile was something we long felt was absent locally and many of our clients would go to Dallas or New Orleans to select that ‘special’ tile for their kitchens and bathrooms,” says Mary Patten, one of the Cottage’s experienced sales personnel. “As we planned our new location, we made the decision to become an exclusive dealer of both Walker Zanger and Artistic Tile. Kitchen & Bath Cottage is now a showroom where designers, builders and architects can send clients to select tile instead of having to plan trips out of town.”
Cottage Interior Designer April Sharlow explains how the design process helps a homeowner. “When remodeling your kitchen, not only do you want an expert assisting you, but you also want someone who will take time to listen to your needs and desires. At Kitchen & Bath Cottage, our designers work with each customer on an individual basis, learning how they want to function in their kitchens. Some people consider themselves gourmet chefs and use their kitchen accordingly, while others want the kitchen to be a gathering place for family and friends. Either way, our designers can help your dream become reality.”
Kitchen & Bath Cottage helps coordinate the entire project and sells most of the items needed in a construction project, offering one-stop service.
Kori Shurley, who works closely with clients to showcase trends in kitchens, notices what customers seek in designs and products. “The move has been towards simple, light kitchens,” Kori says. “I think it has something to do with the desire to un-clutter and simplify the hectic lifestyle everyone seems to live these days. People want their homes to be calm and soothing. Think spas and high-end hotel décor. Greater attention is paid to details and the quality of materials, such as a unique slab of quartzite on the island or hardware that looks more like jewelry.”
Christopher Randel, who handles the new Solatube Daylighting line, says it provides “an affordable, high-performance lighting solution to bring daylight into interior spaces where traditional skylights and windows simply aren’t possible.”
“This is especially exciting now because they just came out with their LED Solatube, which allows the fixture to work at night with an LED lighting system,” says Christopher. “In addition, Solatube has Solar Star Attic fans that currently qualify for an 80% tax credit (50% state and 30% federal).”
The Kitchen & Bath Cottage features these products: Cabinetry, Appliances (Wolf, Sub-Zero, Miele, La Cornue, Viking, Kitchen-Aid, Fisher & Paykel), Countertops, Tile, Hardware (Top Knobs, Emtek), Plumbing Fixtures, Solatube, Miele Vacuums & Phantom Screens.
