As a cabinet layout designer for KraftMaid Cabinetry, Lori Mittelstadt has designed many a stellar kitchen.
Recently, however, her kitchens have had a closer brush with the stars as she took on projects for "Extreme Makeover - Home Edition" in Dundee and a "Holmes on Homes" project in Pasadena.
It's all in a day's work for the woman who as specialized in kitchen and bath design for the past 24 years.
"I've enjoyed it," she said. "I never wanted to do anything else."
Mittelstadt grew up in Beaver Dam and pursued her passion of interior design at UW-Madison. After graduating she worked as a kitchen designer and then as an interior designer for two companies in Madison.
Eventually she had the opportunity to work for KraftMaid, which meant a move to Cleveland. Her job was to design cabinet displays for home centers such as Menard's, Lowe's and Home Depot.
"I said, 'why not,' " said Mittelstadt, who enjoyed the work, but decided to move closer to home during her father's illness. Although her father passed away, her mother is still living in Beaver Dam.
Even though she was far from the company headquarters, KraftMaid still wanted her expertise. Ever since her return to Wisconsin in 1999, she has been able to continue her work using e-mail and express delivery service.
"I'm spoiled because I get to work out of the house," she said.
The work is similar to what she did in Cleveland, but has changed in dramatic ways.
"I was always designing for the big box stores, and there were a lot of them going up at that time," Mittelstadt said. "That has all evolved over time. Now instead of the four designers in Cleveland, there are also myself and a woman in Chicago. The woman in Chicago does all of the Extreme Makeover designs, and I had the chance to act as the local contact for the program in Dundee. I met with all the designers and really enjoyed the experience."
The adventure included a visit to the site, where she had a chance to meet the stars, to see the finished product, and to represent her company.
An endorsement for their product came when craftsman Ed Sanders chose KraftMaid to produce the cabinets for his own home.
"It's quite an honor for us," Mittelstadt said. "He was very impressed with what we have to offer."
She is no stranger to being in the forefront, with many of her designs regularly featured in magazines such as "Traditional Home," "Country Home," "Better Homes and Gardens" and "Midwest Living."
"Meredith Publishing handles all of those magazines and I have a good relationship with them," Mittelstadt said.
Other design experiences include consulting on several rooms for an "idea house" in Door County, room designs for home show booths in Chicago, and work for many clients throughout the Midwest.
One of her latest experiences was working with a couple who had been abandoned by their contractor in Pasadena. Ellen Degeneres paired with Mike Holmes, a Canadian home improvement star much like America's Ti Pennington, to rescue the Tiu family. The Tius had been abandoned by their contractor after they had spent $200,000 on their renovation. With the help of Holmes and Degeneres, contractors were recruited to do the work and donors were sought to help reduce the cost of materials. KraftMaid offered cabinets and design expertise.
Mittelstadt quickly volunteered to accept the assignment.
Walls were removed to open up the space to the back deck, and Mittelstadt suggested transitional cabinetry to match the family's contemporary decorating scheme. Using her advice the couple selected black appliances — to minimize children's fingerprints.
She most often designs kitchens from a distance, but still has important input suggesting the mood of a space by recommending finishes and hardware options.
Mittelstadt has kept track of the project by watching periodic updates on the Ellen show on ABC.
"Mike Homes is going to be back on in mid-March," Mittelstadt said.
Such high profile projects are not the norm, but they do add something extra to an already interesting career.
"It's pretty exciting to be in one of these projects," Mittelstadt said. "It's really more rewarding than exciting, because it's all done on the computer. You see it in your head, but to see it in reality is always a thrill."
An example of her own work is the cabinetry installed in the home that she shares with her husband, Frank Mittelstadt. Their manufactured home has areas for both to work, with spectacular views of the landscape and the wildlife on Beaver Dam Lake.
Such a setting and such a job suit her perfectly.
"It's really neat," she said. "I enjoy this kind of design. I haven't been bored yet."[via wiscnews.com]
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