Corey sets designs on making houses into homes

PONDERAY — For those engaged in the eternal “kitchen island or no kitchen island” debate, Selkirk Glass and Cabinets is offering assistance with its new design specialist.

Karin Corey, a kitchen and bath designer with eight years of experience, joined the Selkirk team in late September and is currently in her sixth week on the job. Business owner Mike Gunter said she was an easy hire thanks to her experience, her aptitude for the job and her already-established relationships with the best contractors in Bonner County.

“She doesn’t toot her own horn much, but having Karin here is a really valuable opportunity for us,” he said. “She has a great reputation in the building community.”

 Corey built up those relationships along with her years of experience by working for Alpine Lumber. She fell into that job when the company asked her to temporarily fill in for its current designer, who was going on a two-week vacation. That position became permanent when the individual decided not to return to work.

“I think she was just burned out,” Corey said. “This is a very detail-oriented job and that can cause a lot of stress.”

Fortunately, technology makes that job a little bit easier. Using a computer program called 20/20 Kitchen Design, Corey can generate layouts according to her clients’ specifications on the fly.

“It’s a great tool because most customers can’t envision the final design from blueprints alone,” Corey said.

After settling on a final design, Corey works with the contractors to ensure that the client is satisfied with the work and quality of the materials  as a part of Selkirk’s start-to-finish satisfaction guarantee.

Especially exciting are the moments when Corey gets to participate in entire renovation projects. Since Gunter owns not only Selkirk Glass and Cabinets but also Sandpoint Furniture and Carpet One, the businesses often work together to completely transform a home.

The job’s demands are particularly well-suited for Corey, who balances her life between work and home life with her husband, who works at Boulder Creek Academy in Clark Fork. The two use their weekends and downtime to enjoy Bonner County’s many opportunities for outdoor activities. The community and recreational activities are some of the primary reasons Corey has chosen to remain in the area where she grew up.

But for Corey, her job isn’t simply a means to finance her off-hours. She derives a great deal of satisfaction from guiding her clients toward their ideal kitchen or bathroom. And so far, her employer couldn’t be happier.

“We’re really pleased with having Karin on board,” Gunter said. “She just stepped in and really hit the ground running.”