Delaware_SeptOct2025 by houseandhomemagazine

Combining decades of experience with a personal approach page 15

The latest remodeling trends and advice from the

HOLCOMB CABINETRY

Catering to the community with dedication and experience page 23

The latest remodeling trends and advice from the pros

PUBLISHER

Edward P. McCartney

EDITOR

Peter Proko

ASSISTANT EDITORS

Matt Cosentino, Madeleine Maccar, Carly Murray

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Chelsea Vacourt

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Hank Alspach

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Brian Mikulski

DESIGNERS

Alex Bianco, Jay Urbaniak, Lisa Zollinger

ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR

Darlene Versak

SALES DIRECTOR

Lindsay Gonzalez

SALES MANAGER

Jim Romano

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPER

Chuck McKane

MARKETING CONSULTANTS

Nicole Corabi, Kristine Di Nardo, Rochelle Dodge, Darren Slaughter, Lori Vorgang, Amy B. Weiss

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Max Haggerty

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

Karmal Pritchett

DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

Leigh Stuart

PUBLISHER EMERITUS

Bob Doran

EXECUTIVE PARTNERS

Gerry Haggerty, Edward P. McCartney

HOUSE & HOME

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Trusted

to help transform your home EXPERTS

IBY STAFF

n the world of home improvement, kitchens and baths continue to reign supreme. Survey after survey shows that these spaces can add the most value in a home. Homeowners who are ready to make the investment in upgrading their kitchen or bath can simply look on the following pages to find qualified professionals in various specialties from marble and granite and cabinetry to remodelers and designers. With the help of this House & Home Directory, we hope the design of your dreams can soon become a reality.

Appliances

Hawkins & Sons Appliances (302) 998-5587

HawkinsAndSons.com

K & A Appliance, Inc (717) 392-3287

KAAppliance.com

Kieffer’s Appliances (215) 699-3522

Kieffers.com

Bar & Kitchen Stools

Royal Billiard & Recreation, Inc. (215) 997-7777

RoyalBilliard.com

Builders/Contractors/ Remodelers

A.W. Viohl Home Remodeling (302) 375-6166

ViohlContracting.com

Beechdale Builders (717) 278-3683

BeechdaleBuildersLLC.com

Gehman Design Remodeling (215) 513-0300

GehmanRemodeling.com

Mayse Painting & Contracting (302) 388-1747

MPCPaints.com

Pencroft Ridge Construction (717) 786-4124

PencroftRidgeConstruction.com

Trailway Construction (610) 273-2328

TrailwayConstruction.com

Waterdog Construction (215) 317-4261

WaterdogConstruction.com

Cabinet Refacing/Refinishing Capital Kitchen Refacing, LLC (267) 907-3591

CapitalKitchenRefacing.com

Kitchen Tune-Up (610) 364-5558

KitchenTuneUp.com

Let’s Face It - A Division of HomeTech Renovations, Inc. (215) 343-2600 (Bucks/Mont) (610) 696-3600

(Del/Chester/MainLine) LFIKitchens.com

Cabinetry

Dilworth’s Custom Design (610) 917-9119

DilworthsCustomDesign.com

Kitchen Tune-Up (610) 364-5558

KitchenTuneUp.com

Main Line Kitchen Design (610) 510-2056

MainLineKitchenDesign.com

Shelf Genie (609) 595-4342

ShelfGenie.com

Sunny Cove Cabinetry (717) 500-4540

SunnyCoveCabinetry.com

The Cabinet Shop (609) 463-0400

CabinetShopNJ.com

Carpet/Hardwood/Vinyl/Etc. Hampstead Floor Company (267) 396-6107

HampsteadFloorCompany.com

Heritage Floors (717) 687-7906

HeritageFloorsPA.com

Seashore Floors (609) 967-0400

SeashoreFloorsLLC.com

Closet Organization/Pantries Closet Factory (215) 268-7660

ClosetFactory.com

Closets By Design (866) 278-8881

ClosetsByDesign.com

Closets For Less of Bucks County (215) 660-3080

Closets4LessBucks.com

One Day Doors & Closets of Philly (267) 508-7906

OneDayPhilly.com

Victory Closets (484) 366-1836

VictoryClosets.com

Custom Woodworking

Pencroft Ridge Construction (717) 786-4124

PencroftRidgeConstruction.com

Signature Woodcraft (267) 736-9740

SignatureWoodcraft.com

Furniture & Accessories

Blue Ridge Furniture (717) 445-6596

BlueRidgeFurniture.com

Country Lane Furniture (717) 867-5701

CountryLaneFurniture.com

Mainline Outdoor Living (717) 858-2425

MainlineOutdoorLiving.com

Oskar Huber (215) 355-4800

OskarHuber.com

Royal Billiard & Recreation, Inc. (215) 997-7777

RoyalBilliard.com

The Buxton Complex (609) 771-6840

TheBuxtonComplex.com

Townehaus (856) 581-0378

Townehaus.com

Granite/Marble/Tile/ Mosaics/Solid Surfaces

AAA Hellenic Marble (610) 344-7700

AAAMarble.com

All Marble, Granite & Tile Imports (856) 354-4747

AllMarbleGranite.com

Colonial Marble & Granite (215) 543-7077 (610) 537-8918

ColonialMarble.net

Dilworth’s Custom Design (610) 917-9119

DilworthsCustomDesign.com

Imperial Marble & Granite (610) 521-0130

IMGStone.net

Timeless Stone Fabrication, Inc.

Timeless Stone Fabrication, Inc. is a family-owned and -operated full service marble, granite and quartz fabricator offering our services throughout the entire tri-state area. Experienced in both residential and commercial custom fabrication, they work with homeowners, contractors, builders, designers and landscapers. With an on-site slab yard that boasts over 100 colors and a showroom full of stone products and tiles, Timeless Stone prides itself with being a onestop shop for your convenience. (215) 249-1555

TmelesStoneFab.com

Volpe Tile (215) 957-6422

VolpeTile.com

HVAC/Electrical Contracting/ Plumbing

Abbey Plumbing & HVAC (215) 643-6645

AbbeyPlumbing.com

C&C Heating & Air Conditioning (215) 799-0515

CC-HVAC.com

Family HVAC (215) 910-4685

FamilyHVAC.com

McHales, Inc. (215) 488-7306

McHales.net

R&D Heating and Cooling (610) 890-9254 RDHVAC.com

Kitchen/Bath Design AAA Hellenic Marble (610) 344-7700 AAAMarble.com

A.W. Viohl Home Remodeling (302) 375-6166 ViohlContracting.com

Bath Tune-Up (484) 383-5218 BathTuneUpMainLine.com

Carranza Roofing & Remodeling (610) 671-3747

Carranzacontracting.com

Colonial Marble & Granite (215) 543-7077 (610) 537-8918

ColonialMarble.net

Concept Kitchen and Bath (610) 860-4020 (302) 888-9494

ConceptKB.net

Dilworth’s Custom Design (610) 917-9119

DilworthsCustomDesign.com

Dreammaker Bath & Kitchen of Chester county (610) 484-2000

Dreammaker-Remodel.com/ Chester-County

First State Building & Design (302) 307-9383

FirstStateBuildingAnd Design.com

Gehman Design Remodeling (215) 513-0300

GehmanRemodeling.com

Holcomb Cabinetry (302) 478-5000

HolcombCabinetry.com

HomeTech Renovations, Inc. (215) 646-7477

HTRenovations.com

Imperial Marble & Granite (610) 521-0131

IMGStone.net

Kitchen Gurus (800) 834-6584

BasementWaterproofing Gurus.com

Kitchen Tune-Up (484) 435-7430

KitchenTuneUpMainline.com

McHale’s Inc. (215) 488-7306

McHales.net

PJ Fitzpatrick (866) 832-7204

TrustPJ.com

Rolf Schroeder General Contractors (215) 201-2195

RolfSchroederGC.com

Stimmel Design Group (267) 718-0479

StimmelDesign.com

StoneBridge Renovations (484) 459-4920

SB-Renovations.com

Timeless Stone Fabrication, Inc. (215) 249-1555

TimelesStoneFab.com

The Cabinet Shop (609) 463-0400

CabinetShopNJ.com

A CONTRACTOR FOR All Seasons

together. We’ve been doing this for 20-some years, so we’ve pretty much seen it all.”

AMadeleine Maccar

nyone who loves what they do will tell you that they don’t do it for the awards and accolades: They do it for the personal satisfaction, like knowing that they made a difference, finding the work rewarding and fostering strong relationships along the way.

“By the time a project’s over, our clients have become part of our family,” says Andrew Viohl of A. W. Viohl Contracting.

Viohl founded the company that bears his name in 2008 and, since then, has diligently amassed a team of in-house professionals whose dedication to clients and a job welldone mirror his own, and whose talents come together to make the Delaware-based contractor a truly versatile, trustworthy indoor and outdoor service that can do it all.

“The guys who work with me are good buddies, we’ve been working together for a long time. We’re like a family and we’re family-oriented,” Viohl explains. “We know what we’re doing, and we know how to work

And while Viohl appreciates the talent on his team and knows they’re absolute professionals who can navigate any challenges that may arise along the way, the awards are a nice confirmation that the A. W. Viohl team is on the right track. Having been recognized as one of House & Home magazine’s Best of the Best is one of the contractor’s most recent honors.

“We’re out there working as hard as we can, so it means a lot to all of us,” Viohl says.

But Viohl and his team are never content to rest on their laurels. Whether it’s renovating a basement, creating an addition, updating a kitchen or bathroom, repairing a deck or boosting the longevity of a roof, they aim for nothing less than the best for the homeowners who trust them with their interior and exterior remodeling goals.

“We’re not rushing from one project to the next,” Viohl promises. “Our focus is on you and your home, including finishing the job right.”

And there’s never an offseason for the yearround operation, which means they’re not only scheduling projects for the spring but also breaking ground on a few now. It often comes as a pleasant surprise for clients who are planning ahead for the warmer months—or aren’t about to let winter stand in the way of their renovation projects.

“I don’t think you should react to a customer by saying ‘Why do you want to do a deck now?’ and I don’t like turning down work: Whatever job people need done, we’ll do it regardless of season,” Viohl says. “We’re always doing projects, even in January and February. On the other hand, we also have calls now to get on the books to start work three months out. That gives us time to get the production going, to get all the permits we need so come March, April or May, we’re ready to go for them.”

With the pandemic entering its third year and people still spending more time at home than usual, Viohl says that renovations and updates are just as in-demand as ever.

“People have these old wood decks with the boards falling through and loose railings, or they’ve had the deck for 15, 20 years and they’re just tired of the maintenance for staining and sanding, so they want them updated with materials to achieve a maintenance-free result,” he explains. “You still have to clean it because it’s going to get dirty, but it’s not like you’ll have to power-wash it every two years or watch out for splitting wood and handrails splintering.”

Viohl adds that features like composite decking boards and vinyl railings will ultimately save homeowners some money. “You won’t have that extra yearly fee or every two years because you’re paying someone to stain it or pressure-wash it.”

The pandemic’s influence on the supply chain is still causing some lingering delays, affecting the immediate availability of some materials, like grout in certain colors, cabinetry options and particularly windows. “Some windows can still take up to three months to be delivered,” Viohl notes. But he says that A. W. Viohl’s clients are generally understanding and realize the delays are just a part of construction right now.

Viohl diligently encourages open lines of communication, both with the homeowner and among his team. It ensures everyone is on the same page at every stage of the project while managing clients’ expectations—because it is, no matter the project, always about making sure a customer is completely satisfied.

“A lot of the jobs we do are for repeat customers, so they’ve been there and know what to expect,” he says. “They know that they’re getting the quality work they’re paying for. It’s an honor when they hire us for repeat work, and we want to make sure they’ll call us for their next job.”

KITCHENRevitalization

With holiday hosting opportunities around the corner, people are opting for

fresh, new ideas.

When picturing a kitchen, it’s typical to think of warmth—whether in terms of family memories made gathering around the table, the heat that radiates from cooking or the homey aesthetic often found in it. In the recent past, popular kitchen designs have consisted of a sleek, minimalist theme best suited for a modern flair. This year, the innovative technology is now incorporated among personalized kitchens with color, character and comfortability.

“In 2024, color made a big comeback. Kitchens moved away from the all-white standard, embracing warmer tones, richer textures and personality-driven design choices. Homeowners began leaning into spaces that felt lived-in and inviting, with layers of color and material adding depth to the overall look,” says Todd Finkenstadt, co-owner of Kitchen Tune-Up Glen Rock. “Now in 2025, this movement has expanded further. One of the biggest shifts has been the surge in natural

wood-grain cabinetry, with white oak leading the way. The warmth and organic feel of oak brings character to the kitchen, balancing modern clean lines with a timeless, natural element.”

He adds that there is a rising demand for built-in dining nooks, which create a cozy, intimate atmosphere and expanded storage. There has been a resurgence of color, unique designs, and wood and quartz materials reminiscent of the kitchens that were trending decades ago. The difference, however, is that there are more customization options today than ever before.

“A few years ago, everyone wanted the bright white kitchen—walls, cabinets, countertops, everything. Now, there’s more balance. Clients want a white or neutral backdrop, but they’re layering in wood textures, stone

By Carly Murray

surfaces with character and color on the lower cabinets or island. It’s a shift from ‘all one look’ to a mix that feels more natural and lived-in,” affirms Takia Livingston, owner of Kitchen Tune-Up Bloomfield.

The shift from clean, contemporary kitchens to creative and customized kitchens is not necessarily one extreme or the other. Homeowners often find a combination of the two, which is perfectly aligned with the idea of making the space individualized.

“Just a few years ago, all-white and minimalist kitchens dominated. Today’s homeowners want more warmth and individuality. Instead of sterile spaces, kitchens are becoming highly personal, layered and textured,” says Jeff Toren, owner of Kitchen Tune-Up Main Line. “Functionality is also driving design— people want more than just a beautiful space;

KITCHENRevitalization

they want storage solutions, flexible layouts and technology that makes everyday life easier.”

If sprucing up a neutral kitchen, experiment with accent materials, colors and pieces to add something new without an overwhelming change.

“Warmer tones and stains are back in [for] arches, doorways and accent pieces: Warmer whites paired with medium-warm stains on either oak or maple, as opposed to stark white; recessed panels for clean lines; varying shades of green/earth tones,” adds Kari Taverna, senior kitchen and bath design consultant at Weiler’s Kitchen and Bath Design Center. “We’re happily out of the gray era, [it’s] been on the downslope to open the door for warmth and color.”

Consistently popular shaker cabinets are an excellent way to start, because they are an essential piece but not the centerpiece of a kitchen.

“For many years, the vast majority of our cabinet sales were white and off-white recessed panel doors styles like a shakerdoor style. Recently, more unusual painted colors like greens and stained finishes have grown in popularity. Some past door styles and finishes like raised-panel door styles and glazed finishes have just started to sell again after 20 years,” says Paul McAlary, president of Main Line Kitchen Design. “There are much more style, color and wood variations than in years past, which is refreshing.”

Whether adding a pop of color among neutrals or all-encompassing color, playing with shaker cabinet aesthetics harmoniously blends modern and classic design.

“Two-tone cabinets—light uppers paired with a deeper base color—are especially popular because they add interest without overwhelming the space. We’re also seeing a lot of requests for functional upgrades, like

pull-out storage, organizers and soft-close hardware. It’s not just about the look anymore—it’s about creating a kitchen that works harder for the family using it every day,” says Livingston.

“Cabinet designs are moving toward two-tone looks and textured finishes, such as fluted or reeded doors, that add subtle character. To complete the look, mixedmetal hardware—like brass with matte black—along with oversized pendant lighting bring a cohesive, modern feel,” adds Toren.

Finkenstadt explains that blues, greens and wood tones have been popular choices for cabinet colors. Color choices can pair with shapes and lines to accentuate and to mimic the desired era of design trends. Sharp lines, simplicity and open space are common attributes of modern designs that work well with any color choice.

“Rich, inviting finishes bring character and comfort to the kitchen. While the classic shaker door continues to be our most popular style, the slim shaker is quickly gaining attention,” continues Finkenstadt. “The slim shaker is a modern twist on the traditional design, featuring slimmer rails and stiles on the border. It’s the perfect middle ground for homeowners torn between the clean simplicity of a flat panel and the timeless appeal of a shaker door. With its subtle detailing, it delivers a fresh, modern look without losing the warmth and versatility people love about shaker cabinetry.

Considering both look and functionality simultaneously is important, especially when it comes to a kitchen. When it comes to choices in flooring, functionality is a bit more important because of the messiness that is characteristic of kitchens. Whether a floor is subject to damage from kids, pets, water or food, luxury vinyl plank remains a strong choice for durability and longevity.

“Luxury vinyl planks are somewhat indestructible. I love a good natural hardwood, but it may not be the best fit for all areas, such as when you have your living room flooring continue right into the kitchen,” explains Rich Lauletta, owner of Haddon Flooring. “I have luxury vinyl in my house, and my three crazy kids put it to the test for sure. It still looks great.”

Luxury vinyl planks are available in a variety of styles and colors, so it’s easy to find one that fits well with a kitchen design now that the utility is covered. Flooring sets the stage, but it is not a focal point like an island or a dining table. Trends in colors have certainly arrived and passed when it comes to flooring, but a traditional color and style best complements the rest of the room.

“Light colors have been trending for a while now, but we’re starting to see some more medium shades more frequently. In general I think a great ‘earth tone’ does not go out of style. I never personally loved the gray trend a few years back, [it] didn’t seem natural, and [was] a little too dull,” says Lauletta.

After all, with innovation taking over every aspect of everyday life as well as home design, it’s beneficial to keep some familiar ground. Smart home automation can seem daunting, but it is utilized best in a kitchen— which offers plenty of opportunities for technology integration. This aspect has also been responsible for the shift toward minimalism.

“You walked into an older home years ago, and you saw a whole bank of switches—maybe five were dimmers that are placed for each zone of lighting,” says David Cerami owner of HomeTech Renovations. “The dimmers now could be basically located in a basement closet if you wish, and they are communicated through either a handheld device or a wall-mounted pod that would pop out of a device somewhere, or your phone. So, you can actually turn lights on and off, and adjust them accordingly from your phone or from a central pad.”

He further explains that in a kitchen, different zones of lighting can consist of decorative, above the island, cabinet interior lighting, cove lighting, above the table—and anywhere else that could be integral to the ongoings of a kitchen. Experimenting with the brightness of each section at different times of day can transform the atmosphere.

“Lighting is so important. We do a lot of under-cabinet, in-cabinet lighting, and we’re doing pop-up outlets in the countertops, which is a cool idea, rather than having outlets on the side wall,” says Vic Fiore, president of Magnolia Home Remodeling Group. “Plumbing fixtures have gotten more and

KITCHENRevitalization

more advanced, including touchless, where they come on and off with the wave of a hand.”

Efficiency and ease are the epitome of luxury living, and now menial tasks are replaced with voice-activation and AI assistance. Appliances have undergone the most impactful AI takeover, with devices and mechanisms once unfathomable.

“We find a lot of appliances are smart appliances. Some of these appliances could even monitor contents within a refrigerator,” says Cerami. “A lot of the appliances [we see] have automation built into them, whether they’re temperature probes for baking or cooking, or recipes that are pre-programmed into cooking equipment that will complete the cooking cycle in accordance with that recipe.”

Heightened technology is also a major tool in the planning process, and something that home renovation experts utilize to better give clients the full picture.

“The technology we use to design these spaces has gotten better and better to the point where people can really visualize what the space would look like,” says Fiore.

Planning can be both exciting and tumultuous, but an early start and the help of a professional will go a long way in obtaining a homeowner’s dream kitchen. Any vision can become a reality with the right tools and finances, but there are alternatives available that homeowners might not have known existed.

“People should start working on a kitchen renovation as early as possible. You can always hold off starting the actual renovation as long as you like,” says McAlary. “Once we show them options that they hadn’t considered, it takes much longer for them to make decisions. Almost no one ends up selecting the design that they planned on before working with a good experienced kitchen designer.”

A professional kitchen de-

signer will incorporate a client’s taste with practicality, while seamlessly coordinating all of the pieces together. They can also help problem-solve and determine what a plan is missing.

“Everyone’s different,” says Weiler’s designer Andi Saracco. “Getting a hold of what they really like and dislike about their current space is the best place to start, we want to incorporate what they do like but there might be a dysfunctional corner we have to figure out how to make more practical.”

A kitchen is the heart of the home, and it’s best to exhibit creativity and the personalities within it. Now is the perfect time to assess hosting and entertaining expectations and desires, to begin planning for the kitchen of your dreams in time for next year’s holiday season.

Haddon Flooring

Haddonfield, N.J. (856) 654-0005

HaddonFlooring.com

HomeTech Renovations Springhouse, Pa. (215) 646-7477

HTRenovations.com

Kitchen Tune-Up

Bergen County, N.J.: (201) 614-1774 Bloomfield, N.J.: (973) 949-0454

Main Line, Pa.: (484) 435-7430

KitchenTuneUp.com

Magnolia Home Remodeling Group Union, N.J. (855) 624-6655

MagnoliaHomeRemodeling.com

Main Line Kitchen Design Bala Cynwyd, Pa. (610) 500-4071

MainLineKitchenDesign.com

Weiler’s Kitchen and Bath Design Center Feasterville, Pa. (215) 357-9300

WeilersKitchens.com

ask the expert

by Liz Hunter

SAAA Hellenic

TONE MATERIALS ARE ESSENTIALLY THE ICING OF ANY KITCHEN OR BATHROOM PROJECT, PROVIDING BOTH THE FUNCTIONAL VALUE OF PULLING THE ROOM’S COMPONENTS TOGETHER AND SOMETHING PLEASING FOR THE EYE.

Choosing the perfect stone takes careful consideration, and the guidance of someone who knows the product. At AAA Hellenic, customers can turn to professionals who have decades of experience designing and installing stone in kitchens, bathrooms, foyers, fireplaces and even in outdoor living spaces. Mike Werner, sales manager, is one such expert who has been with the family-focused company for more than 10 years.

House & Home spoke with Werner about how new products from Silestone and Dekton are giving people the high-end looks they’ve wanted at a more reasonable price.

Mike Werner, sales manager

WHEN YOU MEET WITH CLIENTS, WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR LIFESTYLE TO GUIDE THEIR SELECTION?

Most individuals typically have saved pictures they found online or in magazines to establish an idea of their design preferences. We also want to know about what’s going on in the space where the stone will be used. Every household is different. Materials they might like or find attractive might not be the best choice for their home. Granite is very dense and durable. It is heat resistant and scratch resistant, with minimal maintenance. Marble

is a classic choice with unrivaled beauty and gives you a timeless look. It may be a little softer than granite, but will still give you a very durable surface.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE EMERGING POPULARITY OF NATURAL STONE QUARTZITE AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF IT?

Engineered quartz has gained popularity over the past couple of years, but natural stone is still the most requested for its beauty and durability. Natural stone quartzite is an especially good choice for kitchens. Everyone likes the look of marble, but it’s softer and more porous. Quartzite is a dense stone that can handle the impact and functionality in a kitchen, and it’s not as porous.

We directly import this stone from the quarries to our facility, which enables us to

pass discounted pricing on to clients for rare quartzites in a wide variety of colors. The materials are temperamental and require a high level of care and precision, which Hellenic excels and specializes in.

WHAT ARE THE NEWEST MATERIALS ON THE MARKET AND WHERE ARE THEY BEST USED IN THE HOME?

We’re really excited about the design potential with products from Silestone and Dekton in shower wall and bathroom applications. People have been longing for a solid-slab, seamless look on their shower walls—nobody likes grout joints—but this comes with additional labor to get these large slabs into tight shower spaces. These new products are more durable and thinner, making them easier to transport and install. Silestone is engineered quartz and in particular has some nice combinations of natural stone-looking materials, as well as muted patterns for the monochromatic look people want. Dekton is a porcelain and glass hybrid with quartz that is more durable and still gives that desirable natural stone look. This is something that we are specializing in.

HOW CAN CUSTOMERS ARRANGE TO VISIT YOUR SLAB YARD TO SEE THEIR OPTIONS?

Our slab yard is open by appointment so we can control the amount of people in the building at a time, everything is spaced out and we also have outdoor inventory available weather permitting. We have implemented additional safety measures, including UV light systems and UV air purifiers to reduce airborne contaminants and provide more peace of mind for customers. We also offer virtual appointments.

Our inventory of marble, granite, soapstone and quartzite is very strong right now, we’ve added a lot of new products for people. We have about 200 different colors on display, and our stones are directly imported from places like Italy, Brazil and Africa. It’s always beneficial to walk through and see the stone in different lighting, and more often than not, people find something they never expected.

by Kristen Dowd

Blueprint for Success

Daryl Holcomb knows the value of building strong, dependable relationships with customers. It’s a big part of how Holcomb Cabinetry has established itself as the go-to kitchen and bathroom design and supply company in the region.

“When customers stop by our showroom, we want to get to know them. We want them to get to know us,” Holcomb, general manager of the business, says. “We want them to get a feel for what we have and what we can do.”

Holcomb Cabinetry opened in 1985 as a framing and windows company, moving into the kitchen business six years later. And today, 40 years since opening, it is still family-run, which Holcomb says is a huge benefit to the community.

“My father likes to say he’s retired—he’s not. He still works about three days a week. And my job is completely flexible—I connect all the dots in between the things that happen,” Holcomb says.

That means customers have his cell phone number and can call any time. Being a small family business also means when a meeting needs to take place, it’s almost instantaneous. “We’re hands-on, right away,” Holcomb says. “Our customers get to know us personally.”

Meeting customer needs

As an independent dealer, customers will find better pricing at Holcomb Cabinetry compared with what they would find at big-box

stores. The company also carries the high end line of quality brands, such as Wood-Mode and Kraftmaid Vantage, versus the standard lines available at the national retailers.

“That’s because our breakage rates are so low,” Holcomb explains. “As an independent dealer, we get special privileges from our manufacturers because of our efficiency level.”

There is a range of price points, and each sale is tailored to a customer’s specific needs, whether that’s renovating a new kitchen in a forever home or installing new cabinetry in a starter home. (Plus, there is no state or local sales tax in Delaware, saving out-of-state shoppers a solid percentage on their purchase.)

“We work around what the customer is looking for,” Holcomb says.

The company’s impressive showroom— a 5,000 square foot space in Claymont, Delaware—is stocked with seemingly endless options to showcase and immerse the customer in the experience the company can bring to a home.

“The No. 1 thing that people comment on when they come into our showroom is the visuals. They get to see full functioning kitchens,” Holcomb says.

In addition to the dozen full kitchens and upwards of a half dozen bathroom vanities on display, there are “thousands and thousands of samples,” Holcomb continues. There are a variety of colors on display as well, and if there is a color a customer wants that they can’t find, it can be ordered.

Expert service

Everyone who works at Holcomb Cabinetry has at least 10 years of onsite experience, and designers all boast 20 years of experience or more. This combined expertise helps the team build relationships with customers.

“We’re dealing with people’s homes. While we are typically selling them products, that’s not the be-all and end-all of what we do. Our customers are dealing with a process that they’re not familiar with and they’re spending a lot of money,” Holcomb explains. “From the very beginning you have to create an environment where they trust you as well as appreciate your experience in the industry.”

Holcomb Cabinetry has a “quick, threestep process” to make customers comfortable. The first stop is typically the showroom, where everyone can get to know one another as customers peruse the company’s products. Next up is a visit to the house to take measurements and discuss the project more in depth. Third, there is a free virtual design, from multiple perspectives, to show what the space will look like.

While some customers have their own contractor in mind for their projects, many do not, and Holcomb Cabinetry keeps a list of reputable contractors to recommend. They do not get any kick-backs or benefits from giving work to a contractor.

“There’s no fear that we’re going to do anything other than help that customer the best we can,” Holcomb says.

Additionally, the Holcomb staff members all have experience as installation managers—a boon, Holcomb explains, when it comes to design.

“If nobody has any practical experience in the field, they don’t know how a design will be implemented,” he says. “You can have design flaws that don’t work in the field, and that wouldn’t be picked up by someone without installation experience. It comes back to trust.”

While Holcomb Cabinetry is expert at outfitting entire kitchens with the latest and greatest, they don’t only cater to large jobs. From the smallest need to complete overhauls, Holcomb encourages customers to stop in the showroom to see what they’re all about.

“You can come in and get a piece of moulding, we can build you a full house and we can do everything in between,” he says.