BeckySue Becker is an award-winning designer and owner of Designs by BSB, a residential design firm in Lawrenceville. She is a Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer (CMKBD), one of three in Georgia. In addition, she is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist.
Background: In high school, I worked for my father in his kitchen, bath and remodeling showroom in Michigan. While helping with the bookkeeping, I learned about design and sales. By the time I graduated, I could not imagine doing anything else. When my father retired, I took over the business. I was 20. In 1997, I moved to Atlanta for more design opportunities – and a warmer climate.
Seen in: KITCHEN+BATH Ideas magazine (a special interest edition of Better Homes & Gardens); TRENDS Magazine; Atlanta Magazine: Home; Today's Custom Home Magazine
Claim to fame: First place in the National Kitchen and Bath Association-Georgia Calla Awards and the "Kitchen of the Year" by Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles.
What makes a kitchen more or less expensive: On average, cabinetry. With countless choices of brands and design elements, cabinetry can quadruple from the entry-level offerings. Second: appliances. Refrigerators alone can range from $1,000 to $15,000.
What makes a bath more or less expensive: Moving mechanicals, especially drain lines. Second: quality and design of the tile. For example, natural stone typically is two to three times more expensive than a ceramic or entry-level porcelain tile.
Biggest design mistake I have ever made: Ordering cabinetry in the wrong color. That was back in the early 1990s.
Kitchen design trends I like: Steam ovens; built-in coffee makers; and wood counter tops.
Kitchen design trends I am glad to see go: Angled islands/peninsulas. Angles result in a loss of storage space. They also restrict the aisles or to create more steps from one workstation to another.
Bath design trends I like: Single-handle lavatory faucets; free-standing tubs; curbless (or zero-entry showers); and linear shower drains.
Bath design trends I am glad to see go: Steps in front of a tub. Sadly, I still see them in spec homes and on blueprints. They are the biggest hazard ever designed in a bathroom.
Favorites:
Designers & styles: Laura Day, Philippe Starck and www.degiuliokitchens.com
Magazines: Trends, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, and Veranda
Websites: trendsideas.com and houzz.com
Showrooms and stores
Fabric & furniture: Century Furniture; Kravet and Magnolia fabrics
Appliances: Sewell Appliance; Sub-Zero and Wolf in Buckhead; and Hadco/Viking in Suwanee
Lighting: Circa; Currey & Company; and Hinkley
Plumbing: PDI and Noland
Tile: Specialty Tile Products
Favorite household item: My Wolf 36-inch range top with a griddle in the middle. I love to cook for my family and friends.
Latest projects:
Designing a spare bedroom with a private bathroom to become a private closet and dressing room for the lady of this Buckhead house. In addition to dressing mirrors and ample storage for clothing and shoes, there will be room to display her collection of handbags.
After nine months, putting the finishing touches on a whole house renovation (for a repeat client) off Riverside Drive.
Collaborating with the architect on a new home north of West Palm Beach.
Up next: A kitchen renovation in Lawrenceville; three bathroom renovations in one Lilburn home; and a kitchen and master bathroom renovation in Suwanee.
Find BeckySue:
www.designsbybsb.com
www.pinterest.com/DesignsByBSB/
About the Author
