Creative Concepts

All was lost, utterly washed away. Fenwick Island homeowners Neil and Emily Kishter faced a personal disaster after frozen water pipes burst and the subsequent sea of water com- pletely destroyed their beach residence a duplex built in 2003 with ocean views. Suddenly confronted with the daunt- ing task of rebuilding, the couple faced the challenge head-on and embraced the fact that their rebuilt home would symbolize their resolve and celebrate their personalities.
The project was anchored by a trio of award-winning professionals: Chris Pattey of Becker Morgan Group, Mike Cummings of Miken Builders and Gail Lednum of Creative Concepts. Lednum, who is widely regarded as one of the Eastern Shore’s finest interior designers, not only worked side-by-side with the Kishters on the selection of flooring, coun- tertops, lighting, wall colors and furni- ture, she teamed with the other specialists associated with the project, including kitchen-and-bath designers, to ensure the job ran smoothly and on schedule.
Prior to the flood, the Kishter residence was relatively standard in appearance and amenities. Today, the home could double as a modern showroom featuring the very latest design trends, ease in living and technology and it all started in the kitchen. Here, Neil had one request: He wanted his coffeemaker to be the very latest and greatest available.
“This amenity set the tone for what would become a very contemporary space,” Gail said. “Neil’s coffee system is plumbed into the wall, so the water reservoir is always filled.”
The kitchen is beautifully outfitted with solid-white cabinetry, quartz countertops, a custom backsplash and a substantial island. Gail neatly incorporated modern-day design elements that also provide functionality, such as a barn door with frosted glass, a custom wet bar with a faucet that can draw multiple types of beverages, and a fun, large chalkboard. The octagon- shaped dining table and high-backed chairs from Creative Concepts (suppliers of the entire property’s furnishings) provide a strong visual statement and provide balance to the space in complementing the stunning chandelier. Similarly, Gail incorporated symmetry in the adjacent space by selecting the ideal barstools to pair with the Hershey Kiss pendant lighting positioned above the kitchen island.
“Design is all about creating a bal- ance,” Gail said. “You can’t have one element that overpowers the other. Too many competing elements create noise.”
“My inspiration feeds from the client’s wishes,” Gail continued. “My job is to achieve the look that the clients want and it starts by pulling together different looks and asking a lot of questions. I want them to love everything, and I want a ‘Wow!’ factor. Each room has to look special and make its own statement.”
A focal point of the living-room remodel is its pivoting wall. Faced with a linear electricity-powered fireplace, the wall strategically provides the Kishters with much-needed storage while also accommodating the smart home’s equipment center.
Another spectacular transformation occurred in the master bathroom, where Gail worked closely with McAllister & Son Custom Tileworks of Millville and Elegant Designs of Seaford to create a modern and sophisticated retreat. The inspiration for the space started with its his-and-her sinks, which seem to float from the walls. Underneath, spacious storage is available for personal items, and all of the electrical outlets are hidden here, as well. The sinks are even outfitted with LED nightlights on the front. Floating mirrors framed by dual LED light panels allow the ideal amount of light for makeup application. White- textured tile panels cover the walls and add depth, while a complementing tile
in the shower, which can be started by remote control for the perfect water temperature, provides an additional chic touch. A gorgeous chandelier hangs above a contemporary tub, while stylish walls sconces add the ideal amount of light and complete the room gracefully.
Other unique features of the home include a custom fabricated metal railing system along the stairway and smart- home technology installed by Electronic Interiors and custom lighting throughout. An accent wall showcases reclaimed wood and motorized Hunter Douglas window treatments were installed in several rooms.
“Chris worked his typical magic, and Mike is an unbelievable builder,” Gail said. “We make a good team, and I think the results were spectacular. Neil and Emily love the space so much that they have hired me to work with them on up- dating their new home in Boca, as well.”

foundation for the desired look and feel. In the great room, remarkable reclaimed wood, personally selected by Gail in Queenstown, Md., was used on the walls and grand support beams that frame the space. A custom-built, kidney-shaped bar between the great room and kitchen features skilled craftsmanship through its softly rounded angles and doors that actually bow inward by design to temper the harder angles of the space. This area is handsomely finished with a stacked stone backsplash.
“We wanted dramatic effects, so we ran the reclaimed wood vertically to play on the angles of the room,” Gail said. “We also positioned the linear gas fireplace at a strategic height so it could be enjoyed with all of the other elements of the room. If it was lower, no one would be able to see it. At this height, it balances all of the elements along that wall.”
While not as substantial in stature as some of its counterparts, a custom cocktail table certainly stands on its own merits of interest and aesthetics in the space. Made from the trunk system of a California Redwood tree, this one-of-a-kind creation. complements the reclaimed wood used throughout the room, while serving as a
functional conversation piece.
“It’s a fascinating element that doesn’t overpower the room,” Gail said. “It’s the right element for the room, which I balanced with metal chairside tables.”
Gail accented the main level with colorful paintings and accessories, while her selections of attractive and comfortable furnishings from Creative Concepts are positioned to create distinctive gathering areas for family enjoyment and independent conversations.
Other points of visual interest include the extensive custom lighting system, which strategically extends to the beams above the great room, the gorgeous honed granite used on the kitchen counters and island, and the distinguishing board and batting wall along the stairs to the second level, which are accented with copper lanterns.
Upstairs, the Smiths’ master suite is “very colorful, featuring strong coastal colors,” according to Gail, who outfitted the space with custom-glass barn doors, to provide a contemporary transition to the couple’s sitting room.
Chris and Lisa, who are very family- oriented, according to Gail, allowed
their three middle-school-aged children, Patrick, Isabella and Sophia, to select the fabrics, colors and furniture of their spacious bedrooms and bathrooms. The spaces accurately reflect their personalities through their bright, warm and bold choices. Additionally, the girls share a private porch finished with an outdoor sectional and the home even features sound-proof flooring, which virtually eliminates noise between the levels.
“These clients were the ideal couples to work with,” Gail said of the Kishters and Smiths. “We all worked within our com- fort zones, knowing that we would make the best decisions every room. I’m very lucky to have worked at my passion for 28 years. It gives me great joy to see their happiness when the project is finished, and they are truly satisfied.”

CREATIVE CONCEPTS
Showrooms in Ocean View/Millville and Lewes 302-539-6989/302-645-6200 Creative Concepts Furniture.com
COASTAL STYLE MAGAZINE 98
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2017