Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi Huddleston.
Heidi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I was a little girl, my mom took me to a Designer Showhouse in a fancy Boston suburb near where I grew up in Weston, Massachusetts. I was enchanted by the variety of design styles featured in the rooms and knew then that I wanted to be an Interior Designer. After college, armed with my degree in Interior Design, I worked for a design studio and a furniture store and by the early 1990’s I had a wonderful mentor who knew I had a gift for Kitchen Design, which became my specialty. I learned all I could, taking classes and serving on the board of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, and became a Certified Kitchen Designer in 2001. During that time, I worked for a couple of cabinet dealers and launched my own company Delicious Kitchens & Interiors in 2009
After many chilly New England winters, together with my husband, we are delighted to call Charleston, SC home, while our work continues to thrive with client projects throughout the United States and beyond.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was a little naïve thinking that it would be an easy transition to move my business to Charleston. My prior showroom was in a historic building, so I weighed the options for retail space downtown or a private studio approach. The showroom option provided more visibility but significantly higher expenses due to overhead and staffing requirements. I purposefully want to maintain a good work-life balance, I am discerning about the projects and clients I take on as each needs to be a good fit, so I opted for a private studio. Without retail space, it’s hard for clients to “find” me and without the referrals, as I was “new in town” it took longer than I thought to develop a client base. Recently problems related to the pandemic and supply chain issues continue to plague us. Material shortages have caused price increases with our manufacturers and the lead times which used to be 4-10 weeks are now more than double at 8-24 weeks for cabinets. Our clients are waiting for appliances with extended lead times as long as 15 months, which is challenging to be sure with so many schedules to juggle: kitchen renovations require LOTS of parts and pieces.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
There is a saying that “Kitchens are the heart of the home” and we agree. Specializing in luxury design solutions my clients include savvy professionals; physicians, pilots, professors, and attorneys. I have served on a variety of boards and have held numerous officer positions for NKBA chapters in New England as well as in South Carolina/Georgia.
Attending advanced training continues to be a priority as does philanthropic work, it has been an honor to participate in many Designer Showhouses including The Charleston Symphony Orchestra’s homes on Society Street, Hasell Street, Wentworth Street, Rutledge Avenue, and Ashley Avenue.
My designs have been featured Nationally and regionally in the media including a National Grand Prize for work in a historic home on Charleston’s Peninsula, South of Broad.
Additionally, I am a licensed Realtor familiar with current market conditions. I work with buyers to transform newly purchased homes into their perfect abode and sellers to create the ideal environment for expedient sales.
The favorite part of my job is when clients call me after using their kitchen after hosting at a holiday. They tell me how functional it now is, and how their guests cannot believe the dramatic transformation, etc. It’s quite special what I do, and the trust that clients place is a privilege I take seriously. Living through a renovation is quite disruptive for clients, I work hard to ensure that the process is smooth and the results exceed expectations.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I am a voracious reader, I love historical fiction, one of my favorites is The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett with its roots in early architecture.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.deliciouskitchens.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deliciouskitchens/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deliciouskitchens
Image Credits
Kim Graham Photography
