OUTSIDE THE KITCHEN... 

Mother Nature's gift to the Northeast? Swirling snow, fierce winds, and frigid night temperatures. After an evening dinner prepared and served in the family kitchen, where will you go to relax, refresh, and "cocoon" this winter? Why, to THE OTHER ROOMS in your home, of course!

On to the den/home office to catch a football game or, perhaps, a segment of HGTV on the wall-mounted flat screen...to pull out a favorite novel from built-in bookshelves and curl up in a comfortable chaise...or to sit at your desk, boot up the computer and e-mail family and friends.

And before bedtime, there's nothing so relaxing as a long soak in a bubble-filled deep tub surrounded by candles, natural stone tile walls, mosaic tile floors and hand finished wood vanity cabinets. Whether you prefer a steaming shower or that leisurely soak, TRK Design Company can create the perfect bathroom environment to help you wind down and fight the winter blues.

While specializing in providing superb custom kitchens, TRK Design Company also excels in filling homes with fine custom cabinets and accessories in a wide variety of prices and styles for those "other rooms." Visit our main showroom at 183 Tedesco St., Marblehead, and let us explore how we can help you achieve your design goals. P.S. For our Southern friends - we'll design those other rooms for you, too...without the steam!

What's New in Countertops?  

"Hard as nails"..."Hard as stone"...

We're sure you have heard those phrases. Well, we'd like to tell you about an increasingly popular, hard, visually exciting coutertop: Concrete.

The properties that have made concrete so attractive as a building material over the years are also characteristics that make it a durable surface for use inside the home, including in kitchens and bathrooms. Concrete resists staining and is non-absorbent. Liquid and food spills are easily wiped off, and the finish is safe for food preparation. In addition, cleanup with everyday household cleaners like Windex and dish detergent is effortless; and, the finish will resist scratching.

 Concrete is not just for kitchens...its earthy, soft colors blend beautifully with bathroom designs and, since it is impervious to water damage, it is the perfect material for high humidity use as vanity tops, floors, and shower surrounds.

A visit to our showroom at 183 Tedesco St., Marblehead, will give prospective concrete countertop owners an opportunity to see not only display countertops but also sample blocks in a variety of colors. Concrete: a brilliant countertop alternative!

WHAT’S NEW IN THE CUSTOM CABINETMAKING INDUSTRY?

BEYOND CHERRY........MANY OPTIONS, AND SOME ARE “GREEN”.........

Lyptus....an exotic flower?....a newly discovered animal?...a rare gem?  None of those!  Lyptus is a plantation-grown hardwood whose grain is reminiscent of fine mahogany.  It is harder than oak and runs from a light to medium reddish brown in color.  “Farmed” in Brazil, Lyptus is a hybrid of two types of Eucalytpus trees and it regenerates completely from a stump in only 15 years.  Its rapid regeneration is similar to bamboo, another environmentally friendly material that is being frequently requested these days.
 
Combined with decorative doors framed in stainless steel with eye-catching glass or acrylic center panels, our TRK Design Collection Lyptus cabinets present a distinct International-style appearance but have the added benefit of being made by skilled craftsmen in the United States.  Visit our Marblehead showroom to view this stunning Lyptus display.  Our expert sales staff will be glad to also show you the many design options plus samples of the wide variety of stain color options on Lyptus blocks. 

Bamboo...the other environmentally friendly wood.  Did you know that bamboo is really the tallest member of the grass family?  Some species of bamboo can grow up to 39 inches in a day, and bamboo has been used for centuries in a variety of ways:  paper making, the filtering and desalination of water, clothing manufacture - among others - and, more recently, in the construction of fine custom cabinetry. 
 
Because it grows vertically, and not in a typical tapered fashion like most trees used for lumber, its straight, even grain is attractive and affords a distinct look that sets it apart from other more commonly used woods whose grain can be wavy and somewhat irregular.  Visually, bamboo seems to elicit a calming, Zen-like effect.  Many times, clients request bamboo vanities for their master baths...like the contemporary horizontal grain bamboo vanity shown here.  Coupled with a sleek polished chrome faucet and a white china vessel sink resting on the bamboo countertop, this vanity says, “Refresh yourself and be at peace.” 

Judy Procopio Joins the TRK Design Team

Who radiates a cordial smile and professional style? Judy Procopio, TRK Design’s new administrative assistant/sales associate, welcomes phone inquiries about our products and services; and, she will field questions from prospective clients in our state-of-the art showroom efficiently and with a pleasant demeanor.
 
A former Hart Agency model, Judy has extensive experience in customer relations in retailing, has managed trade shows, and helped launch what is now a nationwide model of a victim/witness protection program for the Essex County District Attorney’s office. The mother of two sons, she is also an avid skier, tennis player, fisherman and hunter.

When asked how she feels about her new position, Judy says, “I am very excited to be part of the TRK Design team!  The opportunity of working with the finest designers, craftsmen and contractors is truly a thrill for me...And I particularly enjoy working with clients and seeing their projects evolve from the design stage to finished installations that delight our customers!”

TRK Design Company Flies the Flag In Commitment to “Made in America”

North Shore / Marblehead – TRK Design Company, the award-winning kitchen, bath and home design company, has just installed a new flagpole at its 183 Tedesco Street showroom in Marblehead to symbolize the company’s commitment to specifying American appliances, cabinetry and design elements. 

The installation of the flagpole celebrates the final phase of the showroom’s extensive remodeling which began in the spring, according to TRK Design Company president Thomas R. Kelly and vice president Nancy Kelly.

"The industry is currently highly influenced by international style from Old World European to Asian design,” said Mr. Kelly, a nationally recognized kitchen and bath designer. “Although we do offer both American-made and international products, today, more than ever before, we are able to execute that design inspiration with American artisans, crafts people and manufacturers.  And, that is our major emphasis now – to indicate ‘American-made’ for the items we design and specify.”

With additional offices in Florida and Maine, Mr. Kelly says, “I’m very proud to fly the American flag over our Marblehead flagship location and very grateful for the relationships we have developed in more than 25 years with our American vendors, suppliers and sources. The U.S flag and this flagpole are very meaningful to me, my wife Nancy and to the TRK staff."

Linda Doliber named General Manager of TRK Design Company

Linda W. Doliber has been named General Manager of TRK Design Company, the award-winning kitchen and bathroom design firm located at 183 Tedesco Street in Marblehead.  As TRK Design general manager, Doliber will oversee the full spectrum of Marblehead showroom and business operations.

“Custom design demands precision.  So we are very grateful we can draw upon Linda’s experience and fine attention to detail,” says Thomas R. Kelly, president. “Linda will be instrumental in helping us maintain our rigorous standards of superb customer service to deliver the timeless, functional kitchens which, using Linda’s words, ‘take your breath away.’”

Doliber comes to her new position following six years as the manager of NorthShore Kitchens when founder Tom Kelly owned the business, after which she transitioned to management of NorthShore Kitchens for 10 years under different ownership.  A long-time Marblehead resident, Doliber also previously managed the Sea Gull Gift Shop in Marblehead, and, prior to that, worked in executive recruiting and development and store management at Filene's, Boston.

A 12-year Rotarian, Doliber is a former president of the Rotary Club of Marblehead Harbor and is currently on the Rotary District 7930 Foundation Committee as District Managed Grants Chairman.  She is an active member of her church, having served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Lay Leader, and Chairman of the church's Nursery School Committee.  She currently serves on the Staff/Parish Relations Committee.

Doliber [Wyzanski] is a graduate of Marblehead High School and Fisher College and lives in Marblehead with her husband Don. The couple has two children and one grandchild.

"I am delighted to have such a strong team.  Linda brings enthusiasm, a sensitivity to our clients' design goals, and a tremendous knowledge base to the table, a combination that will serve our clients well," adds Kelly.

Thomas R. Kelly celebrates return to Marblehead with installation of new display kitchens at Tedesco Street showroom

Marblehead / North Shore - Nationally acclaimed and award-winning kitchen and bath designer Thomas R. Kelly is celebrating his full-time return to Marblehead with the installation of all-new model kitchens, bathrooms, and furniture displays plus a total re-branding of his showroom at 183 Tedesco Street.  

The new display areas feature a broad variety of styles and materials from Kelly’s own TRK Design Collection. Each space reflects his hallmark interpretation of the latest trends in stately traditional, welcoming and refreshing country, sleek contemporary, and elegant Asian design.  

“We have also incorporated an international design flair that is very popular right now –  all crafted by our made-in-America craftsmen,” Kelly said.  

The return to Marblehead is very meaningful to Tom and his wife Nancy. They founded NorthShore Kitchens Plus in Marblehead 29 years ago.  Over the past 10 years, the couple has been busy expanding their business in Florida and developing residential design and construction projects in Maine while serving their North Shore clients. Now, with their full-time return to Marblehead, the Kellys are bringing the expanded TRK Design Company brand to the Tedesco Street showroom.  

“We’re very excited about our showroom renovations. We’ve emphasized ‘green design’ and sustainable materials like bamboo and lyptus woods for cabinetry, and the appliances all meet the strictest energy standards.,” he said.  In fact, Kelly is one of the first designers to have incorporated “green design” in his projects.   

His work has long been recognized for setting trends and establishing new directions, making him one of the industry’s leading kitchen and bathroom designers. He has earned the prestigious designation of Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD®) under the auspices of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). He is also a frequent lecturer on kitchen design for learning institutions and professional groups.  

In addition, Kelly has been named one of the top 50 remodelers by Remodeling Magazine, “Top of the Line” Dealer by Kitchen and Bath Business Magazine, honored for “Overall Excellence” by Kitchen and Bath Design News, and is frequently seen in national consumer decorating magazines and on HGTV. Many people in Marblehead may recognize him as the designer of the Carcassone Show House kitchen.  

Kelly anticipates the showroom renovation will be completed in early April. “While renovations are underway, TRK is definitely open for business.  We invite clients to stop in and catch a sneak preview of what’s to come,” Kelly said. “And, of course, we’ll host ‘the big reveal’ to share these new designs with the public upon completion.”  

For more information on kitchen and bath design or on renovating an existing space, call TRK Design Company in Marblehead at 781-631-9200