Designing kitchens as living spaces yields thoughtful gathering hubs
While many people follow a straight career path, Rebekah Zaveloff, CKD, has had many twists and turns along her journey. All have influenced where she is today – co-founder and director of design for KitchenLab, based in the Chicago area.
Zaveloff has worked in various artistic media, including painting, printmaking, mixed-media sculpture, photography and experimental film. Her varied experience eventually led her to her career in interior design.
Her background in fine art has strongly influenced her work in residential design. But so has her work as a waitress during college, where she met her future husband and business partner, Nick.
“It’s all about creating spaces that people want to linger in,” she offers. “Just like in a great restaurant or hotel, it’s not just about the good food or the great décor. I’m interested in what makes an experience memorable – the energy, the lighting, the music, the comfort of a chair and the smell of the food.”
Most of the company’s renovation projects begin in the kitchen but then branch out to include baths, custom cabinetry and home renovations. Zaveloff has worked on many historic homes, focusing on details that make the rooms look like they have always been a part of the house.
She is a regular contributor to Houzz, and her projects have graced the pages of House Beautiful, Luxe Interiors + Design, Food + Wine and Country Living. Her work has also been featured on HGTV.
