When Interior Design Vision Meets Cabinetry Expertise
When an interior designer builds her own home, every detail matters.
This new construction project – built by Cranbrook Custom Homes and designed as the personal residence of Interior Designer Asma Siddique of AMS Design – is a masterclass in bold vision paired with thoughtful execution. KSI Kitchen & Bath partnered with Asma to bring her cabinetry inspiration to life throughout the home, with the kitchen serving as the heart of the design.
And behind the scenes? A unique collaboration between two KSI designers – Jessica Garst and Amanda Cerra – whose partnership tells its own meaningful story.
This project came to KSI through the builder relationship of designer Amanda Cerra. At the time, Amanda was on maternity leave – so designer Jessica Garst stepped in to lead the initial consultation.
“I met Asma in our Birmingham design center so that we could have our initial consult and take a look at the different cabinet options,” Jessica recalls. “Asma came with a very clear vision. She had beautiful SketchUp renderings of what she wanted to see in her space. So we started building off of that.”
Shortly after those early meetings, Jessica began her own maternity leave – and Amanda returned to pick the project back up.
Rather than disrupting the process, the transition strengthened it.
“With the help of two designers putting two heads together and coming up with creative ideas, this is where we landed,” Jessica shares.
This project is a celebration of collaboration – of working moms supporting one another and ensuring that creativity, consistency, and client care never miss a beat. Jessica and Amanda share dual ownership of the design and implementation, and their partnership is reflected in every thoughtful detail.
Working with an interior designer brings a unique dynamic to a cabinetry project.
“It’s always exciting when you get to work with an interior designer,” Jessica says. “As a kitchen designer, it’s your job to draw out a client’s styles and tastes. But when Asma came, she already had a general idea of what she was hoping to see in her space. We were able to hit the ground running.”
Amanda adds, “She really had a vision for the different colors and textures. A lot of this was her inspiration that we built off of and helped curate and put together in a functional and stylish way.”
That partnership – creative direction from Asma paired with KSI’s technical cabinetry expertise – allowed the team to refine proportions, evaluate manufacturer capabilities, and ensure every detail worked both aesthetically and functionally.
One of the most defining features of this kitchen is the quartersawn white oak cabinetry – a finish that was thoughtfully specified before it became widely requested.
“Asma found a wood sample she fell in love with – quartersawn white oak with a stained finish,” Jessica explains. “Our cabinet lines at the time didn’t have that finish available. But because of the flexibility of our Dura Supreme cabinet line, we were able to send the sample in and have it custom stain matched.”
This ability to stain match allowed the team to achieve the exact tone Asma envisioned– a warm, light wood that balances contemporary styling with timeless appeal.
Paired with slim shaker door profiles, the cabinetry feels clean and modern without losing warmth– an ideal direction for homeowners seeking something fresh yet enduring.
This kitchen confidently embraces layered materials and thoughtful contrast.
The waterfall island features a bold, heavily veined countertop that anchors the space with sculptural impact. Warm wood tones are layered with black and brushed brass metal accents and hardware, creating visual depth without overwhelming the room.
Metal-framed glass doors were introduced during later revisions and ultimately became a defining feature.
“The metal doors really popped,” Jessica shares. “We wanted to incorporate mixed metals with the warm wood tones – and this is where we ended up.”
Paneled appliances further reinforce the seamless aesthetic.
“We utilized panel-ready appliances in this design,” Amanda explains. “With so many unique finishes and features in this space, it helped to have them blend in with the cabinetry and match the quartersawn white oak finish.”
Panels were applied to the refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher – made possible by the custom sizing capabilities of the Dura Supreme cabinet line. Knowing which manufacturers can accommodate large-scale paneling is a critical part of cabinetry planning in high-design spaces like this one.
Subtle repeated shapes – from the circular glass windows in the pocket doors to the soft arch framing the hood – create cohesion throughout the space, tying bold elements together in a balanced way.
Just beyond the main kitchen, tucked behind twin pocket doors, sits a fully functional prep kitchen – a secondary workspace that expands the home’s entertaining and everyday capabilities.
This smaller space became an opportunity to explore contrast.
The cabinetry here is finished in a custom green paint color – a rich, grounding hue that adds personality while complementing the natural wood tones in the primary kitchen. Brass hardware continues the mixed-metal story, and thoughtful storage solutions maintain the same level of functionality found in the main space.
By separating prep and cleanup from the primary kitchen, the layout supports both large gatherings and daily living – allowing the main kitchen to remain visually pristine while work happens just out of sight.
For homeowners building new construction, incorporating a prep kitchen is a powerful way to elevate both design and livability. For interior designers, it’s an opportunity to layer in bold color and character without overwhelming the primary space.
While the aesthetic draws you in, the functionality is what makes this kitchen exceptional.
KSI worked closely with Asma to integrate purposeful storage solutions that support everyday living:
“We helped pull together the functionality in this space by providing great storage solutions,” Amanda says. “The larder cabinet with pocket doors works so nicely here – it creates a perfect coffee station.”
For interior designers considering a cabinetry partner, this is where collaboration becomes invaluable. Vision alone isn’t enough – cabinetry must perform. Proportions, clearances, appliance integration, and storage optimization require deep product knowledge and strong manufacturer relationships.
KSI’s role is to ensure that inspiration translates into livable design.
As beautiful as this kitchen is, one of its most meaningful aspects is the story behind it.
Two designers. Two maternity leaves. One seamless experience. Throughout the process, both designers remained connected – ensuring continuity in design intent and execution.
For clients and design partners alike, this collaboration reflects something larger than cabinetry: a team culture that prioritizes communication, shared ownership, and support.
At KSI, great design is never dependent on one person – it’s strengthened by partnership.
For homeowners building a new construction home, this project demonstrates what’s possible when you invest in thoughtful cabinetry planning early in the process.
For interior designers, it highlights the value of partnering with a cabinetry firm that can:
Great design is never done alone. It’s built on partnership.
Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling an existing space, KSI Kitchen & Bath is here to help turn your kitchen and bath inspiration into a beautiful, functional reality.
Request an appointment with our design team and let’s start building your vision – together.
Interior design services for this home were provided by AMS Design.
Contact Asma Siddique:
📧 asmamariyam@gmail.com
📞 (734) 239-2768
Amanda Cerra is a Designer at the KSI Kitchen & Bath Rochester Hills Design Center.
Explore Amanda's portfolio on her bio.
Learn more about our Rochester Hills Design Center here.
Jessica Garst is a Designer at the KSI Kitchen & Bath Ann Arbor Design Center.
Explore Jessica's portfolio on her bio.
Learn more about our Ann Arbor Design Center here.
