Interior designer
Kristin Schroeder helps customers add their personal style to every design.
Interior design is something Kristin Schroeder, owner of LaBelle Cabinetry and Lighting, has always loved. Kristin takes great joy in cabinetry and lighting, brightening up homes since her store opened in 2007. Her passion for design shows in every project. Whether her customers need one light or lighting and cabinetry for the whole house, she and her employee Emilee O’Berry work with customers from start to finish to bring their dreams to fruition.
Cabinetry and lighting can be like a giant puzzle that takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work to make rooms both functional and aesthetically appealing.
“Measuring at the job sites; designing spaces like the kitchen to fit the clients’ needs and wants; ordering all the trim pieces, countertops, and small details; planning for any issues that could arise on a job site; verifying appliances will fit (not all things are standard size); double and triple checking the order; delivering and installing; and then final inspections are all part of the process,” Kristin says. “Putting together lighting has much of the same behind-the-scenes work but on a smaller scale. Measurements, budget, style, how much light customers need for the space, layering the light, and determining if the lighting will work for the space are things Emilee does for each customer.”
When designing, Kristin likes to put herself in her clients’ shoes. Walking through homes as if they were her own allows her to ask customers specific questions to customize the design. It also gives Kristin a chance to take measurements and begin drawing up her plans. She then sets up a meeting with customers to go over options and determine pricing. If visiting the showroom, customers can begin finding their favorite designs the minute they walk in the door. The building displays beautiful light fixtures, mock kitchen setups, bathroom vanities, and cabinets in many color options. Designs can be found within books in the showroom, or Kristin can find specific designs online. Once customers have three or four of their favorite designs picked out, Kristin goes over each piece to ensure the design plan is functional for the home before looking at colors and finishes. This is especially important when determining the lighting for a space.
“Each light fixture gives off a different light source,” Kristin says. “Some fixtures don’t give off great light, and this is very true in modern ceiling fans. Putting a ceiling fan that isn’t a great light source in a bedroom will prompt me to ask additional questions, like do you have can lights or a secondary light source? Customers can also take prints of their choices home and hold them up in the room to see what they like best.”
Kristin keeps track of current interior design trends through online research and magazines. She stays up to date on manufacturers’ new items, follows suppliers’ social media sites, and visits lighting shows.
“The need for lights and cabinets will always be there; it’s the style and trends that change,” she says. “We are seeing more decorative lights instead of basic nondescript light sources. People are more willing to try new things and show their individual style and personality via design rather than worrying about resale.”
As design and technology keep advancing, Kristin sees more customers interested in adding home technology systems. These systems allow homeowners to turn lights and home appliances on and off from their phones or with voice activation. While technology is wonderful, she encourages her customers to do a lot of research on home technology systems before purchasing.
“It is happening now, and I think it will be a future thing,” Kristin says. “Home tech systems are also something to be cautious of because things can break or need to be reprogrammed.”
One technology trend that Kristin does recommend is installing LED lights under cabinets, as they have proven to be a great resource for homeowners. These lights can be motion-activated or turned on with the flip of a switch to light up the back of the counters.
“Under cabinet light is great for tasks,” Kristin says. “Sometimes in my own house, I don’t turn on the rest of the lights and can work in the kitchen by using the cabinet lighting as task lighting.”
Kristin also recommends customers go with things they like instead of going with pieces or colors of the latest trends.
“Don’t do it because it is trendy,” she says. “Do it because you love it. You have to live with it.”
Regardless of the design a customer is looking for, adding personal style to every room is what makes Kristin so good at what she does. She strives to create spaces that reflect individual personalities in every project.
“It is important to make sure you have someone who is knowledgeable and you have a good fit with,” Kristin says. “Find someone who understands what you want and can help relay that in your design.”
