Diana Lovett knew one thing when it came to her Catksills kitchen renovation. Working with BOXI by Semihandmade was a must. Lovett was already a fan of Semihandmade and was thrilled to discover BOXI, especially when she found out the cabinets are domestically made and ship “without crazy long lead times,” she remarks. “I didn’t even look anywhere else.”

The Perfect Partnership

Lovett was planning to remodel her Phoenicia, New York kitchen, but was initially at a loss on how to begin. “I had never done a kitchen on my own before,” she says. Enter Inspired Kitchen Design. For just $279, a designer from IKD shares an online design, 3D renderings, plus provides revisions.

“I had the best woman,” she says. “She was very patient, responsive, and kind. All of the things I love about my kitchen are because of her.” One unique feature, the round window, was an IKD suggestion that quickly became the star of the renovation.

“I bought these beautiful pendant lights from Allied Maker, but with two windows and the island, the pendants weren’t going to line up and it would drive me crazy,” she says. A round window was just one of the clever IKD edits. 

What’s Old is New

The Lovett family found their Catskills home pre-pandemic. “When we found this home, it needed a lot of love,” she says as it was built in 1890. However, it was walking distance from town and they were drawn in by its potential, despite all of the work it would need. “We tried to keep the spirit of the older home but obviously made it modern and more functional,” she says on the year-long renovation. 

Go Timeless

When it came to the design, IKD helped Lovett get the look she wanted. By utilizing measurements for the microwave and other appliances, IKD was able to design around them, creating a highly functional layout. “There’s a spot for everything in this kitchen, for appliances, pots, pans, and more,” she says. There’s a corner cabinet with a Lazy Susan and coffee maker, plus place in the island for trash and recycling. 

“It’s very hard for me to visualize things that aren’t there because I’m not a designer,” Lovett says. “The 3D rendering and seeing everything together was so helpful.”

BOXI by Semihandmade Salt Shaker cabinets create a clean backdrop, while butcher block countertops (made by Lovett’s contractor) and Wayfair hardware add to the neutral palette.

Pieces of the Puzzle

Lovett can’t credit IKD enough for her impressive kitchen makeover. Alongside BOXI cabinetry, she chose whimsical ceramics from Annie Raife, pieces from vintage store Long Weekend, and Minna, a woman-owned, fair trade textile shop for pops of color throughout. “There are so many amazing stores in the Hudson Valley,” she adds.