Our Custom Butcher Block and Wood Countertops Blog features the industry’s most talented and innovative designers throughout the United States and abroad. The featured kitchen was designed by Karen Swanson of New England Design Works.
Karen Swanson of New England Design Works
About the Designer: Karen Swanson is the owner and designer at New England Design Works, an independent kitchen and bath design fi rm servicing the greater Boston area. She received her training at the Boston Architectural College. Feeling that every project has unique goals and challenges, her approach to design focuses on the individual needs of each client. Space planning and creative design solutions are her specialty. She regularly hears from her clients: “wow, that’s a great idea… no one else thought of that”. She brings creative energy and dedication to each project while shepharding her clients through the renovation process. Her work has been featured in various design magazines and two of her projects were selected for Houzz “Kitchen of the Week”. In 2012, Ms. Swanson was named 1st place winner of the NKBA’s National Design Contest for the medium kitchen category. Also in 2012, she was named “Best of the Best” as a regional winner selected amongst over 1600 entries worldwide in the Subzero Wolf Kitchen Design Contest.
A Tip from Karen: Establishing a budget early on is helpful to the design process as it illuminates what the possibilities are. Is moving windows, doors, and plumbing possible? What type of appliances will be used? Is there a “splurge” item that must be included in the project? Sharing your budget early in the process will allow your designer to help you most effectively plan the project in a way that meets your aesthetic goals while using your budget optimally.
Custom Walnut Butcher Block designed by Karen Swanson of New England Design Works
Design Details
Cabinet Manufacturer: Pennville Custom Cabinets
Cabinet Hardware: Schaub
Perimeter Countertops: Frosty Carrina, Caesarstone
Kitchen Island Countertops: Grothouse Walnut with Sapwood Butcher Block, Calacutta Marble
Appliances: Jenn Air
Light over sink: Urban Electric
Tile Backsplash: Ann Sacks
All Photography Credit: Evan White
Additional Comments and Advice: By keeping the fixtures in their original location, the clients were able to keep their project on budget while still aff ording custom cabinetry and special features such as custom color cabinetry and two luxury countertop surfaces for their island.
How to contact the designer:
New England Design Works
Karen Swanson
School Street,
Manchester, MA
United States, 01944
nedesignworks@gmail.com
(978) 500-1096
Follow New England Design Works on Houzz!
Custom Walnut Butcher Block designed by Karen Swanson
Custom Walnut with Sapwood Butcher Block designed by Karen Swanson
Visit the Countertop Image Library to see more photography of Grothouse Custom Butcher Blocks.
