Led by Kirsti Wolfe of Kirsti Wolfe Designs, this kitchen renovation aimed to revitalize a dim, congested space into a blend of functionality and aesthetics. Focusing on natural light and personalized ambiance, the project incorporated artistic elements and strategic design features to transform the space. Client collaboration was key to ensuring all needs and visions were integrated, resulting in a cohesive kitchen. As an interior architect with 20 years of experience in Bend and 30 years in the industry, Wolfe specializes in creating personalized, timeless spaces, particularly in kitchen and bathroom remodels. The finished kitchen reflects her commitment to innovative design, exceeding the client’s expectations and celebrating individuality.
Q&A: An Interview with Kirsti Wolfe, Owner of Kirsti Wolfe Designs
What were the goals for the kitchen remodel in both functionality and aesthetics?
Our main goal for the kitchen remodel was to create a functional space that suited the client, with special consideration to the children’s active meal preparation routine. I had the opportunity to watch how the family operated in the kitchen, which influenced our approach. To improve functionality, we addressed the previous design’s shortcomings by implementing practical storage solutions and opting for better lighting. Aesthetically, our aim was to create a timeless style by using high-quality cabinetry and durable finishing materials.
Can you share the inspiration behind the design concept for this kitchen remodel?
We aimed to create a brighter ambiance by opening up the space to allow more natural light to flow in. Our design also focused on adding wall space for artwork and incorporating cabinetry with architectural details to transform the kitchen into a visual centerpiece. To maximize functionality without overcrowding the space, we used hidden storage accessories for a clutter-free environment. The layout prioritized the separation of workstations and appliances to accommodate multiple users simultaneously. Diverse materials such as quartzite, warm walnut wood accents and light-painted wall cabinets were used to add visual interest while still being cohesive. The island countertop served as a focal point, and touches of deep, slate-blue paint complemented the “Michelangelo” quartzite countertops.
Could you walk us through the collaborative process with the client?
I presented several floor plans to the client and refined them based on the client’s feedback to create the ideal layout. We then developed a design palette inspired by existing artwork and the island countertop to ensure cohesion and harmony within the space. To provide the client with a tangible sense of the final result, we used 3-D renderings to visualize different materials and color options in the context of the space.
Having been in business for 30 years, how do you tailor your designs to meet the evolving lifestyles and preferences of your returning clients?
It’s been so fun, and I feel very fortunate to work with new and several returning clients. Getting to know the clients over the years has been great, and as their needs evolve, the process remains new and exciting. I strive to create functional, fresh and timeless designs to fit their current and evolving lifestyles.
RESOURCES
Appliances: Sub Zero & Miele (Johnson Brothers Appliances)
541-382-6223 | jbbend.com
Cabinets: Finer Cabinetry & Wood Work
541-385-6949
With more time at home over the past eighteen months, Central Oregon homeowners are looking at their environments with fresh eyes. “People wish to create and design a new sense of comfort and to make the most of their homes—whether they are starting from the very beginning as a sketch on paper, or a partial/full remodeling project,” said Kirsti Wolfe, owner of interior architectural design company Kirsti Wolfe Designs. Wolfe said she is receiving more requests for paired offices, spa-like bathrooms, larger kitchens (to accommodate more in-home cooking), cozy media rooms and new or converted exercise rooms. “People are choosing not to go out to do as many things, so they are thinking more about the experience of being at home. The pandemic has changed what people want. It is often referred to as: #covidconstruction,” Wolfe said.
Wolfe has worked in Central Oregon for seventeen years and in interior design for thirty years, watching firsthand as design styles and clients’ desires have changed. More recently, she has observed that homeowners are rethinking their time at home and how their spaces work—or don’t work—for them. Wolfe and her team work with local architects and builders to execute projects for homeowners, with more than half of Wolfe’s business coming from repeat clients looking for new builds, remodels or second homes outside the area. “Many of the clients I work with, now that they’re spending more time in their homes, realize there is something else they want,” Wolfe said. A current project on Wolfe’s docket is an indoor/outdoor bathroom with sliding doors that lead directly into a Zen garden outside. “It is going to be a relaxing atmosphere incorporating a water feature or an outdoor shower,” Wolfe said. “People want their homes to feel more comfortable and less isolated.”
photo Cheryl McIntosh photography
From residential to hospitality
While Wolfe is known for designing gorgeous, functional kitchen and bathroom projects, her work is far from limited to just these rooms. She is spending more time addressing the auxiliary areas of the home, including media rooms, exercise rooms, mud/laundry rooms and offices. These projects reflect many design styles, from traditional to modern.
Nearly a decade ago, Wolfe’s company expanded into the hospitality industry, as vacationers and stay-cationers began to seek more comforts of home while on a trip. With the rise of Airbnb rentals and the growth in popularity of vacation home rentals, it has become clear to hotels and resorts that creating a home-like experience for lodging is critical. Wolfe assisted Bend’s Tetherow Resort by designing its guest rooms to include spa-like bathrooms and spacious mudrooms for dropping off skis and other outdoor toys and gear. “When you have a space for those things to land, guests can truly enjoy the rest of the room,” she said. She is now designing something similar at Sunriver Resort, by remodeling the Lodge Village guest rooms, modernizing the accommodations by upgrading mudrooms and bathrooms by adding lighter and more modernized aesthetic. The result generates a more user-friendly space that feels like home.
Interior architecture designer Kirsti Wolfe knows that good design starts with the bones of a house.
From luxury homes to west side bungalows to new construction, Interior Architectural designer Kirsti Wolfe knows that good interior design starts behind the paint color and before the tile is set and any lighting is hung. For Wolfe and her design business in Bend, Kirsti Wolfe Designs, creating a space that is both functional and beautiful starts with the bones of a house.
Wolfe has a master’s degree in Interior Architecture from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. That means she approaches her designs similar to how an engineer or architect would, focusing on the function and making the most of the space and resources. For almost 30 years, she has specialized in kitchens and bathrooms, two of the most used rooms in a home, because of the infinite technical details that go into making those spaces function for each home.
Wolfe begins by asking herself, “How is this put together architecturally, and how will it function? We start there, and grow function into a pleasing form for the client. We provide professional documents for builders and subcontractors which saves them time and money.”
Wolfe and her design team, Angela Newell and Tracy Pszczolkowski, work with a variety of budgets and styles in Central Oregon, offering many design packages. Wolfe describes her business as providing a positive and enjoyable experience from commencement to completion. Wolfe and her team design entire custom homes, new construction, remodels, hospitality destinations, restaurants and more.
Wolfe also has strong relationships with architects and builders in the region, often coming into a project before building has taken place to rework room layouts to allow for more function and utility. Her architectural background allows her to see the technical details in a space before the design details.
“When you see the layouts, you can see a difference from a typical design versus what we can provide,” said Wolfe. “It’s creating a one of a kind home with the client’s individuality showing through in the final design.”
Traditional Elegance
When Linda Lonergan was building her custom home in Bend, she turned to Wolfe to work out a space issue in the master bathroom. “I had plans in place, but I wasn’t very happy with the kitchen and bathroom designs. I didn’t feel that they utilized the space well,” Lonergan said. “I went to Kirsti and told her what my feeling was, and she immediately went to work with redesigning the spaces, which provided more storage, more usability in every aspect.”
In the original plans, when entering the master bathroom door one would look directly at the toilet, and angled walls didn’t allow for much counter space or storage. Lonergan brought Kirsti Wolfe Designs in before construction began. By moving interior walls and redesigning the layout, Wolfe was able to add more space to the master bathroom. In fact, the bathroom went from twelve square feet of storage to fifty-two square feet of storage.
“So much about interior design is listening to the client and their needs and wants. You want to make the space beautiful, but you need it to function and flow, too,” said Wolfe.
The finished bathroom has a dressing table in addition to the double-sink vanity. The alderwood inset cabinetry was custom designed by Wolfe and built by Bladt’s Custom Woodworking. The stone slab counters add contrast to the dark wood. Wolfe designed the custom tile layouts, and the selection of all plumbing and lighting fixtures too. The result is a master bathroom that functions beautifully, and looks beautiful, too.
“Kirsti’s very creative, very professional,” said Lonergan. “She comes up with options for you, but she’s decisive. She’s not afraid to go outside the box, and make it very custom.”
Contemporary Zen
For a new home on the west side of Bend, a recent client turned to Kirsti Wolfe Designs for her custom kitchen and bathroom.
“I was afraid of being intimidated by an interior designer, but she was very easy to be around. I had met with my builders Copperline Homes and met with my architect Al Tozer, but we hadn’t started building at all. It was a good time to bring her in,” said the client.
Wolfe and the client started from scratch and spent time figuring out exactly what she would want and need in the space. The homeowner wanted a calming and tranquil atmosphere in her home. Using elements of water, glass and wood in the kitchen and bathroom, Wolfe ensured that her vision flowed throughout the space.
The aesthetic is also in play in the kitchen, with the contemporary European-inspired design that includes clean lines, and making use of every inch of the room. All the lines fall into place along the stainless-steel hood, and the two-inch-thick glass cabinets match above and below. The live-edge sapele wood table, custom made by Dansky cabinetry (which also made the rest of the cabinets in the home), functions as the client’s everyday dining table attached to the island, and was designed to suit her entertaining lifestyle.
“We took time to make sure every decision was thoroughly thought out,” said Wolfe.
The client was thrilled with not only the final product, but also the process of working with Kirsti. “If ever I had a question she was there to answer and help me through the process, and she let me be part of the process.”
