Where do you find design inspiration?
I find inspiration though my travels. We just spent a few weeks in the Scottish Highlands, Hebrides and Orkney Islands. Inspiration came from the historic abbeys and cathedrals, castles, Georgian and Victorian promenades, and Versailles-based gardens.

How do you approach the design process?
I always sketch a space and visually work out the overall layout. I go with my instincts and if it is not working for me, I sleep on it. Relaxation helps me visualize and work out any problems in my head. I work with a great team and I bounce ideas off them when I get stuck.

How does your aesthetic stand out amongst other designers/architects?
The underlying principal that guides me is practicality. A kitchen must first function before I worry about anything else. I am consumed with function; for example, when you unload the dishwasher, where are those items going? When you bring groceries in, where do you place them while putting them away? When taking food out of the ovens, or the refrigerator, where can you put it? Beauty without function in a kitchen is a waste.

What is the greatest value you provide your client?
In addition to my practical side, I have designed, and seen, a lot of kitchens in 28 years! I have made mistakes and learned from all of them. Design is not only what I do for a living, it is really who I am.

What are some of the current design trends?
One design trend I have been seeing is book-matched marble tops, which I love. Handle-less kitchens are also very popular and clients find working with Poggenpohl is great because we have several ways to accomplish this.

Where do you see kitchen design going in the next 5 years?
Technology, especially in the kitchen, is more embraced by our younger clients, so that is great news for us at Poggenpohl!