Problem-Solving Pros

LaValley’s West Lebanon showroom encompasses more than 5,000 square feet and offers customers 22 different room displays.

Sheila Varnese, Kitchen designer

One of LaValley’s locations in West Lebanon is where Sheila Varnese has worked for the past 25 years. Founded by Harold and Gerry LaValley, the third-generation family business provides one-stop shopping for building and home improvement, with a philosophy centered on helping customers bring their vision to life. New Hampshire Home spoke with Varnese about customer service, providing a personal touch, what people can expect when they walk into a LaValley showroom, and what some of the trends might be in the future for kitchen and bath design.

What are some of the advantages of working with a local, family-owned business rather than a national retailer?

We have less of a corporate mindset. We are all guided by how LaValleys operates, but each store has its own personal touch, so you get a different vibe at each location. We’re not small; we have 13 locations, but we are a smaller base, so it feels more personal to the customers when they come here. We just have more control over our situation, so it allows us to treat our customers more on an individual basis.

What can customers expect when they walk through the door?

The director of first impressions, Kerry, welcomes them to the showroom. She tries to figure out what they are looking for. If they just want to browse, she lets them browse and later will check back in with them to see if they have any questions. She will take down information if they are looking to make an appointment with a designer, such as project size and when it’s starting. Within 24 hours, one of us will reach out to the customer to make an appointment.

The cherry perimeter cabinetry is Medallion Gold Series with Peppercorn Stain and Ebony Glaze and Highlight, while the island has a Shadow Classic painted finish.

Renovating can feel overwhelming. How does your team guide customers from the initial idea to a finished project?

We will typically have an information-gathering meeting where the client will provide rough estimations of the space they are looking to remodel. We try to learn what they are looking for, how they function in the space. We then try to de-sign a space that will have good flow for them, functionality and be what they are looking for aesthetically. You have to find out how people function in their space and design around that.

Is there a customer story that really reflects what makes LaValley special?

I remember working with a client who wanted an island in their kitchen. They had gone somewhere else first and were told the space was too small to have an island. We made an island for them, and they were just over the moon. I just had to get my creative juices flowing. They got their island, and it worked.

What are some of the design trends you’re seeing today? Are there any timeless styles that continue to be popular?

White-painted cabinets are still the most popular. It’s classic and timeless. We are seeing quite a bit of two-toned kitchens, with islands of one color and the perimeters another. Lots of navy blues, and the greens are really big. Even a burnt orange. Not a lot of grays these days.

Kerry Fielding, director of first impressions, right, introduces clients to the features of The Galley, Ideal Workstation.

What products or materials are generating the most interest, perhaps due to sustain-ability, durability and low maintenance?

Definitely quartz countertops. We do more quartz than natural stone these days. Quartz is non-porous, so you don’t have to worry about staining. There is also a product that is porcelain glass and quartz that is fired and mixed together without resins, so it’s completely heat-resistant. People gravitate toward that, because it’s such a sturdy product.

Looking ahead, what trends do you think homeowners will be seeing over the next few years?

More interactive appliances in the kitchen. Smart homes will get even smarter. People will be using bolder colors. Also, I think people will start investing more in having multiple lighting layers. Finally, there are certain countertops that are translucent and you can backlight them. That’s not happening so much now, but I feel like that is going to catch on.

When a customer walks out of the show-room excited about their project, what do you hope they remember about their experience with LaValley?

I want them to feel like it was not stressful, that they had all the help they wanted, that we made it a pleasant experience and that the project turned out beautifully.