As any homeowner knows, taking on a renovation can be an arduous process. Where do you begin? How do you manage through the actual renovation? I have firsthand experience, having recently completed a major kitchen renovation with Modern Tradition Kitchen & Bath. I spoke with owner Felipe Gomes to get some helpful tips for those thinking of a home re-design in the future.
Gomes opened his first showroom in Pleasantville in 2016 and relocated to Thornwood this past July. His 15 plus years of experience working in the hospitality field as well as his involvement in numerous design and renovation projects led him to open his own business. Modern Tradition aims to provide customized services to make its clients dreams become a reality. The company also prides itself on being family-owned and oriented. Gomes and his brother Christopher, owner of Riverview Contracting Inc., work together on each project to ensure quality-control and a seamless design and construction process from start to finish.
When it comes to his own design approach, Gomes has sound advice to ensure a positive designer/client relationship. “Listen to everything, assume nothing. Write down everything and do what you promise without fail. The client hired you as an expert. Show him or her your expertise and stand by your opinion and work.” His method as a designer is to help make the homeowner truly love and enjoy the space in which they live. And at the end of the day, isn’t that the ultimate goal?
Gomes states, “My design philosophy is the belief that life inside of one’s home should feel good in every sense. A well-designed space should embody an extraordinary design that is timeless while maintaining a striking interior that is unique, luxurious, functional, livable, comfortable, and most importantly speaks the client’s language. A home should be designed for one’s self, it should reflect the personality of its occupants in a unified and well-tailored design.” I couldn’t agree more.
As for his advice for those thinking of taking on a home renovation, Gomes keeps it simple yet solid, “Ask questions, don’t second-guess yourself, think of the final result and trust the people you hired.” It can definitely be hard to let go, especially when your home is turned into a den of chaos during a renovation. But these are the experts after all, and as clients, we must find someone we trust to ensure that the vision we dreamt will come to life in the final results.
For those overwhelmed with style choices, Gomes believes the Transitional style is always a great bet. “It combines elements from both traditional and contemporary designs to create a one-of-a-kind kitchen. The balance between a traditional kitchen’s attention to detail and the sleek lines of a contemporary kitchen make for a beautiful transitional kitchen.”
In terms of upcoming trends, I asked Gomes what he sees as some of the top trends for 2020. The first: statement appliances in a wide range of color and finish options. The ability to really customize one’s space helps to ensure a polished, individualized look. Mixing metals is another big trend he sees on the horizon. “We love breaking rules and mixing metals are one of those classic design no no’s.
“But 2020 is finally the year of saying yes-yes to all the metal combos. It’s time to get funky people.”
As for my own kitchen renovation, I couldn’t be happier with the results. My new kitchen reflects not only my personality but also that of the rest of my home. It’s no longer a thorn in my side, but a place where family and friends can gather, enjoy each other’s company and make lasting memories.
