The business has been a fixture on the local design and arts scene.
Kitchen Encounters, a family-owned business since 1981, is marking its 40th anniversary this month.
Situated in the heart of the Annapolis Design District, Kitchen Encounters has earned an outstanding reputation for exquisite designs and exceptional customer service, boasting a staff of designers who are all NKBA Certified Kitchen & Bath Designers (CKBD) or Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designers (CMKBD).
Mark T. White, CMKDB, who was born and raised in Annapolis, established Kitchen Encounters in 1981. After four decades as a small business in the Maryland capital, the enterprise is still known for its quality products, and unique and creative designs — having received many design awards, and having projects appear on HGTV and featured in national and regional publications.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years since I started Kitchen Encounters as a small custom countertop shop in a rented basement,” said White. “My first delivery was in a 1967 VW microbus on which I stenciled ‘Kitchen Encounters’ over gray primer. I moved into selling cabinetry a year or two later, and have loved it ever since. The most important thing to me has always been to do everything we can to make sure our clients are happy with the Kitchen Encounters experience.”
White has many life-long ties to the community. His great-grandfather owned a home-goods store locally for many years, which is where White learned that building strong relationships with clients and other businesses would be a key to success.
“We have worked hard to build and maintain these relationships and our reputation of being one of the best in our field in central Maryland. I’m proud we have survived through years that included many ups and downs. I owe it all to the support of my family and friends.”
KE serves as a founding member of the Annapolis Design District, which was established in 2007 with several other businesses — located within the industrial area of Annapolis. The idea was a simple one—to build a “cool” urban neighborhood where leading design/build companies, artists and other innovative/entrepreneurial businesses could create and collaborate. The company has worked with some of the region’s premier architects and builders, interior designers and manufacturers for years.
The KE team bases their designs on the simple premise that client-involved design leads to greater client satisfaction.
“Our Interactive Design Process, developed by Mark, ensures that comfort, beauty and function merge successfully in the remodeling or new construction experience,” said Cathy Terranova, CKBD, sales manager at Kitchen Encounters. “By using numerous sketches to illustrate design possibilities, clients are able to identify features that fit their lifestyle. When working with Kitchen Encounters, our clients work with the entire team, not just an individual.”
For more on Kitchen Encounters, click here.
