With 30 years of experience, it’s safe to say the founder of Kitchen Design Group, Caren Rideau, is a kitchen design guru. “Starting a business definitely picked me,” Rideau says. “I had no interest in starting my own business, nor did I think I had the experience or the capital necessary, but fate had its way and Kitchen Design Group emerged.” Now, in addition to her successful California-based company with a whole team of designers, Rideau has a book titled Caren Rideau: Kitchen Designer, Vintner, Entertaining at Home and a pottery collection in collaboration with Gorky Gonzalez Pottery. And of course, what’s a kitchen without tasty indulgences to fill it? She spends her free time in the Santa Ynez Valley, where she is a vintner of Tierra y Vino wines.
How do you approach designing a kitchen?
My process starts the same for every client: listening to them and hearing how they operate and function in their kitchen. Whether a family gathering space or a place of culinary creation, I always approach the design by function first and then build the aesthetics from that point. The kitchen is the heart of the home and has become one of the largest design features of the home.
How does the kitchen’s aesthetic tie into the rest of the home?
It definitely plays an important role. I do not ignore the architecture of the house and the lifestyle that my clients are living. Upon one of the initial visits of walking into my client’s home, I can see how they live and, ultimately, their lifestyle. My clients come to me to give them current and functional designs, but it must work with their lifestyle while speaking to the integrity of their home.
What advice do you give to clients who are afraid to stray away from an all-white kitchen?
I’m relieved to see most people are now beginning to see the potential they have with introducing color into their kitchen, whereas 10 years ago, we were installing 85% all-white kitchens. Don’t get me wrong, white kitchens have their place, it is a classic direction, but most homes do not have that ultra-classic style, certainly in the Los Angeles area. When we lean into an all-white kitchen, we will also introduce a classic wood island that has true furniture qualities to enhance the style.
Do you have a favorite color for a kitchen?
That is a difficult question to answer because I have such an affinity with color. I have had the opportunity to do kitchens in deep purples, oranges, and reds. It is all in the section of the color, the color must have enough depth to be a cabinet.
How do you approach choosing a countertop material?
I lean more towards natural materials, and durability is a big factor in a kitchen. There are so many beautiful stones to choose from, certainly more than 25 years ago, but not all of them are favored for the kitchen. I like to choose the harder stones, such as quartzite. If a client insists on using marble, they must understand there is maintenance involved with cleaning and sealing the material on a regular basis.
How has kitchen design evolved over the past 30 years?
The biggest change in kitchens today from 30 years ago, is that the kitchen has become a more sexy place to be. It once used to be identified as a more utilitarian space, but it is now one of the most sought-after spaces in a home to be updated. Kitchens are a room for function that have created a reputation to be glamorous, and I love it!
Do you have a favorite kitchen trend?
My favorite kitchen trend today is that people are making what used to be the kitchen workspace, a space that is also a living space. They do this by bringing in upholstered chairs and benches for a sitting area and beautiful kitchen lighting that creates soft moments over the island. Color also plays an important role in setting a trend that didn’t happen years ago.
How do you ensure your designs are equipped for entertaining guests?
I love entertaining, so I always incorporate countertop areas into the island or additional areas to set up for plating, buffet, or wine bars. I want my clients to have options to entertain at home and they love the idea! If the kitchen is large enough, I also like to set up appliance centers, wine bars, and other specialized areas.
What is the story behind your pottery?
Wow, where do I start! I have such passion for pottery specific to different countries. As a young adult, I fell in love with an artist I saw in a store in Arizona. I purchased an espresso cup and saucer because, at the time, that was all I could afford. I told myself one day I would love to set a table with Gorky Gonzalez pottery—which I have done, but I took it a step further. I went to see him in Guanajuato when I was traveling through Mexico, and we developed a collaboration—a dream come true for me.
What food/wine pairing are you serving at an end-of-summer soiree?
A wine pairing you will see with me at the end of summer would be Albariño and ceviche. It has all of the flavors in a wine paired with acid, fruit, and salt from the tostada.
