As a young designer in search of inspiration, I would go to the local bookstore and peruse foreign design magazines. I quickly discovered I had a personal affinity for all things British. I became particularly enthralled with the British kitchen aesthetic and would study every detail, sometimes with a magnifying glass.

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British kitchens looked nothing like their American counterparts at the time. There were rich colors and simple yet elegant lines. I discovered a recurring detail in every design. The doors and drawers were inset into the cabinet. Later, I came to learn the term for this was “flush inset.” At the time, flush inset cabinetry was generally seen only in European kitchens and much older American homes. I embarked on a mission to find someone who would make this cabinetry right here in America. My husband and I ventured to Amish farmland where cabinet makers are well known for their craftsmanship. With my drawings in hand, we went from cabinet shop to cabinet shop looking for someone who could build a quality flush inset cabinet. Before the Internet, before GPS, and with the Amish restriction of no telephones (still in effect), it was not an easy mission, but we succeeded!