From Kitchen & Bath Design News April 2012
by Janice Anne Costa
CRAFTSMANSHIP DEFINES FOURTH-GENERATION DESIGN FIRM
MANHASSET, NY – In the age of technology, craftsmanship sometimes gets pushed aside. But that’s anything but the case at Showcase Kitchens, with upscale showrooms here, in Island Park, NY and in Greenwich, CT (with a fourth showroom opening in New York City this spring). The family-owned design firm, which has roots going back through four generations and some 80 years, focuses on hand-crafted designs that begin with real drawings, done by designers who conceptualize the design and draw it up to capture all of the unique details of a project.
“We are one of the last design firms that still crafts each design by hand – we only use the computer to engineer the details,” maintains Showcase Kitchens President and CEO John Stark Jr. He notes, “Each design is sketched by the designer, ensuring the most creative approach to design – yet still yielding the accuracy of engineering that design by CAD provides.”
The firm specializes in upscale kitchens, custom designs and cabinetry for any room in the house. “From traditional and Old World to ultra-modern or transitional, we can create any style our clients desire,” Starck states. His design philosophy is simple and effective: “First and foremost, form must follow function. We cater the design to each and every client’s specific needs and then work the aesthetic to their tastes.”
A FAMILY AFFAIR
Starck has spent 25 years in the industry, and was literally raised on kitchen design, having started at the firm at the age of 14. He received his Bachelor’s in Architectural Design, and went on to get certified by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), as well as receiving a certificate as a PKBP (professional kitchen and bath planner) and ACSD (accredited cabinetry and space designer). His father, John Starck Sr., is currently v.p. and COO of the firm.
The Starcks believes that a big part of the firm’s success comes from the family values that permeate the business, along with a strong sense of history, and the knowledge that comes from having a business that has seen both the best and the worst of times.
“When my great grandfather and grandfather started the business in 1933, it was during the Depression,” he notes. “My roots run deep and our belief is that hard work, determination and a strong ethical platform always lead to success. It hasn’t steered us wrong in almost 80 years and I suspect it will not going forward.”
Starck is a big believer in giving credit where credit is due, and he is quick to add, “It certainly doesn’t hurt having design talent and surrounding yourself with individuals who share in your vision.”
SHOWROOM SPECTACULAR
Working on the ‘Gold Coast’ of Long Island as well as in Greenwich, CT, Starck deals with a customer base where “the homes are grand and the kitchens need to feel equally grand.”
As such, the showroom needs to reflect the firm’s custom capabilities. According to Starck, the roughly 1,800-sq.-ft. showroom is filled with custom displays featuring a plethora of detail work. “It’s pretty spectacular,” he asserts, noting that displays range from classic Old World to modern.
High-end clients who visit the showroom not only want beautiful custom work that will truly set their kitchens apart, they also want one-stop shopping for all of their design needs. To meet these needs, Starks says, “We offer interior design service and full jobsite project management services, and we source all materials and handle every aspect of our projects.”
The showroom carries a variety of high-end product lines, including Premier Custom Built, Quality Custom Cabinetry, Signature Custom Cabinetry, Cesar, La Cornue, Wolf, Sub-Zero, Miele, Gaggenau, Best by Broan, LeFroy Brooks, Rohl, Whitehaus Collection and Franke.
Visit the Showcase Kitchens New York website – http://www.showcaseny.com/
