Experience:
More than 20 years experience in the remodeling industry specializing in kitchens, baths and additions. Prior to his design and remodeling experience Kevin spent many years working in all aspects of the restaurant industry from smaller independently owned restaurants to large luxury hotels. He brings that experience with him when he designs kitchens and has won many design awards for his work.

Design Philosophy:
When designing spaces for clients he feels it is extremely important to understand who the clients are and how they will use their spaces. Kevin listens attentively to their concerns and wishes and then produces a plan that incorporates those details as well as creating a beautiful and functional space. He is adept in any design style from Old World or Traditional to Transitional and Modern. He uses restraint when it comes to design. He feels too many designers make the mistake of overdesigning a space making the space too busy or cluttered. He often categorizes his design philosophy as “understated elegance”.

Interests:
Food and wine (cooking and eating) Music – contemporary jazz, blues Playing music – guitar, piano Traveling – usually to places known for great food and music (also beaches). Spending time with family and friends (usually with good food and music).

Experience:
My introduction to the remodeling industry started by swinging a hammer for a builder on Martha’s Vineyard during the summers starting in High School. My passion for construction grew and by the time I graduated college, I knew that owning and running my own construction company was what I wanted to do. Since that time I have immersed myself in creating a design/build company that delivers great projects and great experiences. As our industry is always evolving on so many fronts I am constantly educating myself regarding design trends, “green” concepts and construction technology.

Design Philosophy:
I believe that great design is a function of actively listening to our client’s needs and wants and then spending time digging in a little deeper to challenge those assumptions to ensure that our solutions are truly appropriate, add value and improve the quality of our client’s lives. I also believe that fantastic designs that go unbuilt and exist only on paper are not worth much. To that end I think it is important to have open and honest conversations about budget early in the design process. This allows us to avoid the all too common sticker shock that often comes at the end of the design process.

Interests:
I enjoy spending time with my wife and four kids, exercise, upland game hunting, salt water fishing(as much as my marriage will allow), building furniture in my shop and volunteering for various organizations in the Merrimack Valley.

Experience:
Jane earned her degree in Interior Design; while raising her two daughters with her husband, Dennis, in Syracuse, New York in 1998. Her career began as a design consultant for a plumbing wholesaler. Her love of kitchen and bath design blossomed into her own kitchen and bath consulting business, which she ran as a sole proprietor for the 5 years. Having a great team of vendors and contractors from all segments of the design industry was key to her success. Jane’s designs were featured at the Parade of Homes, a Syracuse Home Builders Association annual event which featured 8-10 custom builders and interior designers showing the latest design trends and architectural styles. Jane returned to Boston to be closer to family in 2008, and worked as a senior designer for the Home Depot’s Expo Design Center located in Burlington, MA. Working with a diverse group of clients on a wide variety of projects, ranging from a simple powder room in the suburbs to a large scale custom bath in downtown Boston, was the most exciting part of her work at Expo. After all Expo Design Center locations were dissolved, Jane was hired as design consultant for Blackdog Builders, Inc. in November of 2010.

Design Philosophy:
Jane’s design philosophy is simple - interpret her clients’ wants and needs into a fun, creative and functional space. Developing a strong connection with her clients and getting to know them on a personal level is an important part of her design process. Jane is able to listen, interpret, visualize and present thoughtful design options, whether it’s a contemporary kitchen or a stately, traditional master suite. She believes that incorporating the clients’ wants is necessary, but adding elements of her clients’ personal style and interests are key to their satisfaction. Managing all the finite details and guiding the client through every step in the process is the part of her work at Blackdog that she enjoys most. As I tell my clients, “design is much like putting together an intricate puzzle; each piece we select is a vital component but when put together with all the other pieces, we create something beautiful …a project you’ll enjoying waking up to every day.”

Interests:
Jane enjoys spending time in the kitchen cooking and baking and enjoys entertaining family and friends. She is also an avid knitter.

Experience:
18 years of design experience.

Design Philosophy:
Listen carefully to your client so that the end result will give life to their vision. Clear communication with follow-up throughout the entire design/installation process will help to ensure a successful finished project.

Interests:
Cooking and travel.

Experience:
Over 140 dog-years as a Kitchen & Bath Designer and Remodeling Specialist.

Design Philosophy:
Good design is personal; its about incorporating the clients’ tastes, ideas and needs into a beautiful, cohesive whole uniquely reflective of the individuals inhabiting the space.

Interests:
Art, color, painting, color, jewelry, color, furniture, color, dogs, color…

Experience:
John has dedicated his life career to design and building. Starting as a carpenter apprentice in 1986, with passion, he learned the trade quickly. John gained skill and appreciation of the labor, as well as the time required to produce high quality craftsmanship for clients. The value of pre-planning, hard work and quality craftsmanship became part of John’s values at an early age. With inherent independence and desire to grow, John began his own design build company and operated it for ten years. With desire to learn more and a passion for design, John achieved a Bachelor of Science with focus in Architectural Drafting and Design. During collage, he aggressively pursued art. During his sophomore year, he was accepted to study Art and Architecture in Florence Italy where his design knowledge and skills were fine tuned. While there, Johns work was selected for the school’s annual art exhibit in Florence Italy. The study influenced John’s attention to the balance and clean lines seen in all of his work. Soon after graduation, John wanted to apply his design strengths within a forum where he could develop his practice further. He began working for Blackdog in 1998. He has worked for hundreds of satisfied clients and delivers his personal attention and values to every client he works with.

Design Philosophy:
A key component to John’s success is his ability to listen closely to his client to learn about the current problems or desires for the space. The solutions come from the collaboration of ideas, by working together with the client and all of John’s resources at Blackdog. John’s belief is that material, function and craftsmanship should appropriately, and ingeniously, support each other, while expressing the client’s personal style. This expression becomes integrated into the design and translated into the reality of the new space. John reflects, “These are the thoughts behind my design work as I’m challenged to design a space within the boundaries of my client’s budget as well as building codes.” The reward for John is to achieve these goals successfully and for his client to become a referral and returning client for all future projects.

Interests:
When not at work, John can found; spending quality time with family and friends, traveling, drawing, painting, creating sculpture, wood working, learning history, reading, working on his home, kayaking, camping and hiking and mountain biking.

Experience:
Over 20 years in the construction industry; twelve years with Blackdog Builders, six years as a lead carpenter, six years as a design consultant.

Design Philosophy:
Creating new spaces that reflect the vision of the client while offering enhanced aesthetics, functionality, and flow.

Interests:
Chief Architect CAD, reading, golf, family