I consider myself blessed to have the opportunity to do what I love, with the people I love. I founded this company with the help and support of my two children and interior designer extraordinaire, and lifelong friend, Cecilia Weber, who has become family.
It is such a compliment when a friend entrusts me to create their custom range hood. I am especially grateful for those who did so during our earliest beginnings. Before our website, Instagram, and Pinterest. Before our gallery of work and partnerships with incredible designers and influencers I greatly admire (hyperlink to press page once created). My friends believed in me and my vision for this company alone.
Jean is one of those friends. In 2016, Jean was looking for simple ways to update her kitchen. I recommended she work with a mutual lifelong friend of ours, Cecilia Weber. Those who have seen Cecilia’s work, or have worked with her in the past can attest, Cecilia is the real deal. She is not a decorator. She is truly an expert designer.
After interviewing a few designers, Jean knew she had to work with Cecilia.
The before…
First step, lightening the paint color from green to blue and adding the Visual Comfort E. F. Chapman Grosvenor lighting fixture.
Next, Custom Marble Works Inc. replaced the dated green granite island with a cream white Quartzite island.
After installing the Quartzite granite on the island and seeing the incredible transformation, it was time to reexamine the hearth style over-range hood, decorative shelf and corbels, and cabinets.
Jean was excited for the new business Cecilia and I had just founded and signed up to be one of our first custom range hood clients.
This is the first kitchen elevation Cecilia drew. It was met with a resounding “YES!”
Progress picture! Custom Marble Works Inc. replaced the dated tile and granite tops with Quartzite full backsplash and counters.
Drumroll please…..
What a transformation! Cecilia used the flat brass on the Visual Comfort light as a jumping off point for this seven sided, 56” custom designed tri-metal range hood. Special thanks to Mayworth Showcase Works Inc. for their exceptional millwork and cabinetry skills!
Jean has hosted a celebration for my birthday the past few years. Pictured are a few of my girlfriends and some of my biggest supporters just moments before we indulged in Jean’s famous Birthday Brownies.
Jean is a talented cook. She even has her own cookbook! Of all the food she makes, my favorite is her Birthday Brownies. They are so easy and so delicious. What’s not to love? And the best part - the ingredients are pantry staples, so no extra trip to the grocery needed. Total win!
I have had the opportunity to create custom range hoods for a variety of people – from chefs who cook multiple times a day to homeowners who prefer ordering in. You may not be a gourmet chef, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a spectacular kitchen. And with that, I leave you with the famous Birthday Brownie recipe!
Jean’s Birthday Brownies
Ingredients:
Brownie
- 1 stick of butter
- 1 cup of sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1-2tsp vanilla extract
- ? cup flower
- 5 tablespoons of cocoa
Icing
- ? stick of butter
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 F
- Melt butter and sugar over low heat. Remove from heat. Mix in eggs and vanilla extract. Add flour and cocoa.
- Spray a pie pan with Pam. Pour mixture into pie pan. Once oven is preheated, bake until a knife comes out clean, but not too clean. You want them a bit gooey.
- For the icing, mix melted butter with cocoa and powdered sugar. Add milk and vanilla. Mix icing until lumps disappear.
- Ice the brownies and sing Happy Birthday!
