Natural wood cabinetry was popular for kitchen remodels in the early 2000s. However, as with many trends, preferences shift over time. Painting over wood with light colors or navy blues became the new norm. Now trends are evolving again, notes Melissa Schmidt, owner of Kitchens & More by Melissa, a home improvement business serving Northwest Iowa.
The favorite in cabinetry is once again moving toward a natural wood aesthetic.
“We’re seeing a lot more native woods and wood tones mixed with paints,” says Melissa. She and her husband Matt are the talent behind some of the region’s fabulous kitchens. The couple has operated from their home-based business in Arthur, Melissa’s hometown, since 2009.
According to Melissa, the wood tones she and her husband find the most popular in kitchen remodels and updates these days include true brown and even lighter tones, such as white oak. “I really like that color,” Melissa says.
For the past 15 years, Kitchens & More by Melissa has been dedicated to updating and remodeling kitchens. Melissa has been a fixture in the home improvement industry for over 25 years.
As the business name suggests, Matt and Melissa’s projects primarily focus on kitchens. However, the “MORE” in their company name reflects their extensive range of services. They specialize in updating bathrooms, offices, and bars – pretty much anywhere cabinets can be installed.
The showroom is part of the Schmidt family’s home, allowing Melissa and her husband to manage their work schedules while caring for six-year-old Parker and five-year-old Paige. Kitchens & More by Melissa serves homeowners from Holstein to Odebolt, Storm Lake, Lake View, Ida Grove and beyond.
The couple has part-time help to work on all aspects of their home-based business. While Matt handles installations, Melissa’s passion lies in design.
Range hoods and microwave drawers
Melissa’s favorite part of the job is the personal connection she forms with customers. She cherishes the opportunity to visit their homes, listen to their ideas, and help bring their dreams to life. However, the most rewarding moment for her is when the cabinets are finally installed, and she and Matt get to witness the customers’ reactions to the completed work.
“We love visiting customers’ homes and hearing all their ideas, but the best part is installing the cabinets and seeing their reaction if they’ve been away all day,” Melissa shares.
As the area business continues to thrive, Melissa notes that some trends go beyond color schemes.
Customers are now opting for deeper drawers for storage in favor of the rolling trays in cupboard design. Melissa notes that some customers want to add range hoods when designing a remodel. This changes the traditional microwave setup over the stove, with many opting for drawer-style microwaves instead.
Attention to detail is essential to the Schmidts as their business. Melissa, driven by her own “quirks,” ensures that every installation by the company is impeccable.
“Installing heavy pieces like cabinets demands precision,” she explains. “We make sure to order the cabinets with measurements that put them flush with the countertops.”
Partnering with Holiday Kitchens, a Midwest company based in Wisconsin, the Schmidts ensure top-notch workmanship for all their projects.
“I didn’t want a company super far away,” Melissa says of choosing to partner with the Wisconsin-based company. It was important to keep the cost down.”
This cost-effective planning is passed on to their customers. “The satisfaction of the customer is our focus,” Melissa says. “It’s an amazing feeling bringing the ideas to life.”