Designer Amy Richardson
Get to know more about Designer Amy Richardson. Her early influences that set the trajectory for her career and, discover the one thing (!) you will never see in her home.
Q&A with Amy Richardson – Designer
The person
On a houseboat, in the Caribbean, listening to someone’s life story (while stirring up some tasty food) in a perfectly designed kitchen is Amy’s dream but her reality – minus the Caribbean and houseboat – is pretty close!
Amy’s devoted 20+ years to building a successful design career by listening to customers describe how they live in an effort to design them a perfect kitchen. Her love for cooking brings practicality and thoughtfulness to her designs.
Choosing to work with Amy means you’ll benefit from great advice on where to make investments in your kitchen to make your day-to-day life easier. Yet, Amy will bring more than just practical advice to your project.
Past customers agree. Amy’s good-natured (some even say hilarious) spirit will keep your experience fun and memorable. And, it is for this reason we love Amy and know you’ll almost certainly love working with her!
The professional
Amy was surrounded by family in the construction business throughout childhood. It might have been this exposure that led to her early love for drafting in high school and her itch to draw. But, a separate passion for helping others ultimately led Amy to pursue a degree in Psychology at UNCW for a future in counseling.
It wasn’t until after college when an opportunity arose at a big-box retailer that she realized she might able to pursue both. She landed herself a job designing kitchens and realized to be a great designer you must be great at customer discovery and drawing. Fast-forward to today and we’ll say Amy has the secret sauce to success.
Amy’s ability to ask all the right questions when working with customers to help them make important decisions about what type of kitchen is best is what sets her apart. An initial one-on-one consultation with Amy is thorough so that she has the information needed to design kitchen visuals in the form of CAD renderings. It’s the process of discovering a customer’s wants and needs and bringing the vision to life that still gives Amy the greatest professional satisfaction.
Personal Interior Style
“Rustic.”
Favorite Paint Color
“Any shade of green.”
Favorite Cabinet Style for Kitchens
“Transitional. Mix of rustic and modern or traditional.“
Favorite Countertop for Kitchens
“It depends. I like the leather finish on granite.”
Every Kitchen Needs...
“A trash can pull out.”
A project in good hands
The Absolute Best for Your Budget
Experience is a great predictor of success and here at Brunswick Cabinets and Countertops, we believe a project in good hands is one managed with years of experience.
If you’re seeking a design partner that is able to say “been there and done that”, Amy’s your design partner. With Amy, you’ll be guided away from unnecessary challenges and towards practical and thoughtful solutions based on your wants and needs.
Amy’s design approach is to take a space and make it as functional as possible while designing to suit a client’s personal taste. This is why Amy is a good designer. But, it’s her sincerest desire to make sure the selections you make are the absolute best for your budget that make her a great designer.
The sophistication Amy has with CAD helps her quickly confirm if her interpretations of a customer’s wants and needs have been captured perfectly and are ready to be brought to life.
If she sees a familiar face of happiness when you see your rendering for the first time, she will know she is on the right track.
Describe a Favorite Project
“Small house, really small kitchen, and a really tight budget. We worked together and really made excellent use of the space. The client was in tears when she came to me after having family over for Thanksgiving. She thought that I had made her holiday possible.”
Favorite Thing About your Career
“My client’s face when they see the rendering for the first time. Then, of course, the final product.”
Most important question a Homeowner should ask themselves when replacing a kitchen
“What do I dislike about my current kitchen?”
Cabinet and Countertop Pairings
Curated by Amy
Brunswick Cabinets and Countertops offers designer pairing picks to help locals begin their cabinet and countertop search.
If you’d like to know more about this Designer Pairing Pick, contact us. We’d be happy to set up a call with Amy for you to discuss the pairing and any additional questions you may have.
Designer Pairing Pick: March 2023
“Into The Abyss” – Amy’s cabinet and countertop pairing for March 2023 has you going deep into the abyss.
Amy chose Schrock’s Garrett in Abyss, a deep green tone. To bring the glamour, she paired this cabinetry selection with Cambria’s Inverness Gold and found a complimentary gold mosaic from Akdo for a stunning accent.
If you are looking for a deep and bold pairing, consider stopping in to look at this one!
Designer Pairing Pick: February 2023
“Mountain Views” – Amy’s cabinet and countertop pairing for February 2023 feels like a rustic selection for someone seeking mountain views here at the coast.
Amy chose to pair a selection of two-tone Waypoint cabinetry with Cambria’s Brittanicca Warm. This countertop’s strong veining is described by Cambria as “Warm translucent grey veins stream across a temperate white backdrop like venerable old rivers flowing into a fog-bound harbor.”
To add to this pairing, Amy partnered with our sister company to bring in a neutral subway from Anthology for the backsplash along with a creamy and textured large format tile for the floors.
If you are looking for a departure from all things coastal down here at the beach, we invite you to stop in and see this one in person!
Designer Pairing Pick: January 2023
“Monochromatic Glam” – Amy’s cabinet and countertop pairing for January 2023 has the power to deliver a monochromatic glam to your kitchen.
Amy chose Schrock’s Brantley in Dover. Dover is a cool gray-white cabinet that perfectly pairs with Cambria Ainsley’s delicate, grey veining. The cabinet and countertop are a true monochromatic pairing.
For the floors, Amy went to our sister company and chose a Chesapeake Flooring product from the FirmFit XXL series in the color Hamden.
And finally, to elevate the look, Amy selected a backsplash tile from Anthology’s Dazzle collection. This option adds a dose of glamour to the pairing.
If you are looking for design elements that complement each other well, this might be a pairing to come see in person!
Designer Pairing Pick: December 2022
“Wintery Cool” – Amy’s cabinet and countertop pairing for December 2022 is a modern and monochromatic look.
Schrock was chosen as the go-to cabinetry line with the statement quartz countertop Calacatta Palermo from Lucastone, which offers dramatic and bold veining. To add to the visual interest of this look, Amy partnered with Brunswick Tile and Flooring for tile selections opting to choose the 12×36 Tapestry Art Rectified in Azul as well as Anthology’s Essentials Mist in a 3×12.
If you are looking for a pairing that has the power to be a bold yet color-neutral look, this is one to consider.
Designer Pairing Pick: November 2022
“Navy Days” – Amy’s cabinet and countertop pairing for November 2022 offers a homeowner a classy look and a timeless selection.
The cabinetry selection is from Schrock in Naval. Naval is a bold darker blue that has been paired with Silestone’s Pietra. Pietra is white quartz with gray, cream, and blue veining. Given the cabinet selection, the navy veining in the counter is the star.
Amy also made tile selections with our sister company for this pairing. She chose a large format tile in Medium Gray and a backsplash tile from Anthology’s Mystic Glass collection. Both of these selections only further highlight the navy vibes you’ll be feeling in a kitchen with this designer pairing.
If you are looking for something classy and pretty special, this might be a pairing to come see in person!
Designer Pairing Pick: October 2022
“Versatile Elegance” – Amy’s cabinet and countertop pairing for October 2022 is a contrasting selection.
The darker Galena Cherry Morel cabinetry from Schrock is paired with Cambria’s Ironbridge. Ironbridge is described by Cambria as having “liquid honey accents with patchworks of grays, whites, and cream”. The cabinet and countertop selection is perfectly complimented by Anthology’s Muse Collection Bianco Vibe for a backsplash.
Amy’s combination for October will make a kitchen feel elegant and classic at the same time. This pairing is also versatile enough to work with different home styles.
Designer Pairing Pick: September 2022
“Contemporary Silver” – Amy’s cabinet and countertop pairing for September 2022 offers a contemporary pairing selection.
The cabinetry selection is Fabuwood ‘s Allure Galaxy in Horizon. The Horizon finish is described by Fabuwood as a “grey stain with pink undertones whose color subtly adapts to its surroundings in a chameleon-like manner“.
Amy paired this cabinetry choice with Granite Delicatus White which features dark veining set against a soft white background. The combination is elevated with Amy’s bold backsplash selection from Anthology’s Casablanca Collection.
If you are looking for a modern pairing, this is one to consider.
Designer Pairing Pick: August 2022
“Warm Harbor” – Amy gravitated towards a warm palette for her August 2022 cabinet and countertop pairing.
She chose two cabinetry lines and colors for this pairing. Schrock in Morel and Kraftmaid in Warm White. These selections for a two-tone kitchen will compliment Amy’s quartz countertop selection, Cambria’s Brittanicca Warm, perfectly.
To add to this pairing, Amy partnered with Brunswick Tile and Flooring to select a beautiful subway tile in Mallorca Cream as well as a 12×24 chevron floor tile in Natural.
If you are looking for a warm pairing that offers contrasting cabinetry, this is one to consider.
Designer Pairing Pick: July 2022
“Rich Respite” – Amy’s cabinet and countertop pairing for July 2022 offers a selection of products that will provide the perfect backdrop for rest and relaxation.
The cabinetry selections are from Fabuwood in Kona and Dove. Amy chose to compliment the contrasting cabinetry with a Cambria countertop, Summerhill.
Our sister company Brunswick Tile and Flooring’s Designer Lauren added a 12×24 floor tile in Adrock Espresso to help complete this look along with a creamy white mosaic for a backdrop.
If you are looking for a pairing that offers contrasting cabinetry with a luxe feel, this is one to consider.
Designer Pairing Pick: June 2022
“Modern Coastal” – Amy chose a modern coastal pairing for her June 2022 pairing.
Amy selected the very popular Rainfall Suede from Kraftmaid along with Warm White for the cabinetry. She then opted for a simple, yet elegant quartz countertop shown in Cirrus. This countertop is white with hints of grey.
To further add to this pairing, she brought in a tile and flooring selection from Brunswick Tile and Flooring. A warm selection was made for the LVP flooring in Acacia while Amy selected a unifying tile selection for the backsplash. This mosaic backsplash’s colors tie together the two tones of cabinetry, perfectly!
If you’d like to see this modern pairing or create your own, contact Amy today!
Designer Pairing Pick: May 2022
“Creamy Cocoa” – Amy’s cabinet and countertop pairing for March 2022 offers a selection of contrasting cabinetry colors.
The cabinetry selections are from Kraftmaid. Amy chose the warm stain of Saddle and paired it with the painted cabinetry Canvas with Cocoa Highlight. This two-tone kitchen cabinet pairing choice offers the homeowner a couple of options to step out of the box.
The kitchen design created could specify that the uppers stay creamy and incorporate the contrast by going darker with the lowers. This two-tone design can make a small kitchen seem spacious. Or the perimeter of the kitchen could stay light and the island could stand on its own by using the darker hue on its cabinetry. And, if the kitchen is a little larger, the darker color could be on just one wall of cabinets. The design possibilities are plenty with the creamy and cocoa cabinets.
To complement the Kraftmaid cabinetry, Amy chose Silestone’s Faro White for the quartz countertop, a beigey brown ceramic and stone mosaic, and a Natural Oak color from AxisPrime for LVP flooring.
If you are looking for a warm pairing that offers contrasting cabinetry, this is one to consider.
Designer Pairing Pick: April 2022
“Earthy Neutrals” – Amy chose earthy tones for her April 2022 pairing.
Amy selected a two-tone look with Kraftmaid cabinetry. Cornell Maple and Rustic Alder to pair with Cambria’s Skara Brae, a quartz countertop that has veins plunging in various directions.
This countertop is sure to be a focal point for the space. The warmth from the bone-white marbled backdrop and translucent olive green veins pair perfectly in this combination.
To further add to this pairing, Brunswick Tile and Flooring brought in Aura Cream from Chesapeake for the floor tile with a simple textured subway in Mallorca White.
If you’d like to learn more about “Earthy Neutrals”, contact Amy today!
Designer Pairing Pick: March 2022
“Serenity” – Amy has chosen serene selections for her May 2022 pairing.
The cabinetry selections are from Kraftmaid. Amy chose Rainfall Suede for the lowers and Serenity for the uppers for this kitchen pairing. Amy also kept the countertops light with her choice of Sandgate from Cambria, which features cool whites and greys.
To keep things perfectly coastal and timeless, she partnered with our sister company and chose a white hex mosaic for the backsplash with light LVP from AxisPro in Teton Pass to cover the floors.
If you are looking for a pairing that offers a kitchen a serene canvas, this is one to consider.
Designer Pairing Pick: February 2022
“Rustic Cottage” – Amy took a coastal departure for her February 2022 cabinet and countertop pairing.
For February, Amy paired Waypoint Cabinetry in Painted Harbor with a Silestone quartz countertop in Posidonia Green. The muted green in the countertop paired with the neutral hue of the cabinetry will give a kitchen a warm canvas upon which you can build in elements of visual interest.
To bring in the rustic vibes for this pairing, Amy partnered with our sister company’s Tile and Flooring Design Specialist Lauren Suggs to select a rustic floor and backsplash tile. Happy Feet International’s Blockbuster series in Jurassic was chosen for the durable LVP floor and the tile mosaic Anora Brown from Chesapeake was the backsplash selection. The woodsy colors in the mosaic will provide a focal point to tie all the elements in this pairing together.
If you are seeking a pairing perfect for a rustic kitchen, this is a pairing to consider.
Designer Pairing Pick: January 2022
“Cool Winter” – Amy’s cabinet and countertop pairing for January 2022 feels perfect for a cool winter.
The cabinetry selection is the Jovana Maple door style from Kraftmaid. This square-shaped frame with recessed panels is shown in the color Midnight. The countertop selection, Silestone’s Ethereal Noctis, boldly contrasts the cabinetry choice and offers a strong focal point with a white canvas and fine veining of deep gray hues.
Amy sought collaboration from our sister company on this pairing and included a pearlized backsplash tile from Lunada Bay and LVP flooring from Revotec’s Pietra line.
If you are looking for a pairing that brings both coolness and contrast to your kitchen, this is one to consider.
Designer Pairing Pick: December 2021
“Seafoam Coast” – Amy chose fresh “coastal” selections for her December 2021 cabinet and countertop pairing.
For December, Amy paired Kraftmaid Cabinetry in Serenity with a quartz countertop in White Lace. The quartz crystals in the countertop, like pebbles in the sand, make this pairing sparkle with an ultra-clean and fresh look for coastal living.
To elevate her coastal vision into a coastal dream, Amy partnered on this look with our sister company’s Tile and Flooring Design Specialist Lauren Suggs to select both a backsplash and floor tile. A backsplash tile from Artistic Tile, with an intricate leaf design, was chosen as a perfect color match to the cabinetry while the glazed porcelain floor tile Travertino Navona Grigio was chosen to allow for maximum brightness in the space.
If you are seeking a coastal kitchen that feels fresh, sophisticated, and timeless, this is a pairing to consider.
Designer Pairing Pick: November 2021
“Cool Breeze” – Amy’s cabinet and countertop pairing for November 2021 is a cool breeze.
The cabinetry selection is from Fabuwood’s Allure Collection. This shaker-style is Galaxy shown in the color Frost. Frost is a simple, cool white that will bring loads of light into your kitchen space. The countertop selection, Fantasy Brown Marble (commonly mistaken for Granite), will bring visual interest to the counters. The colors in Fantasy Brown do vary widely from slab to slab so handpicking your slab is always a good idea. The colors in a slab can include cream, white, and brown as well as red, pink, grey, and green.
One of the beautiful elements from this pairing was the Glazzio tile backsplash selection from our sister company. This icy backsplash tile selection gives the pairing a beautiful statement piece that will add a bit of glamour to your space.
If you are looking for a pairing that brings a visual wow to an overall neutral look, this is one to consider.
Designer Pairing Pick: October 2021
“Falling into Fall ” – Amy has selected a warm cabinet and countertop for her October 2021 pairing.
She has paired Kraftmaid Cabinetry in Cottage with Taj Mahal countertops from Cosentino’s Sensa line. This pairing will provide any kitchen with a warmness, especially with the complementary selections of backsplash tile and engineered hardwood flooring from our sister company, Brunswick Tile and Flooring.
If you are seeking to renovate your kitchen with a warm and sophisticated look that will have you falling into fall quickly, this is a pairing to consider.
Designer Pairing Pick: September 2021
“It’s Fall Y’all” – Amy’s cabinetry choice from Kraftmaid for her September 2021 pairing was influenced by the season change that’s on the way.
Her cabinetry choice from Kraftmaid is Rustic Alder in a Sunset Stain with Suede topcoat. This cabinet choice has been paired with Silestone’s Ariel, a countertop with white tones and blurred veining that balances the vintage choice of backsplash from our sister company Brunswick Tile and Flooring, and blends with the glazed porcelain tile shown in Neopolis Bianco.
This fall pairing selection by Amy has us dreaming of grabbing the coffee mug in our kitchen on a perfect fall morning. 🍁
Designer Pairing Pick: August 2021
“Mix of Old & New ” – Amy has selected a mixture of old and new with her August 2021 pairing.
She has paired Kraftmaid cabinets in Aged River Rock with Burly Boards Ambrosia Maple countertops. A kitchen with this pairing will give you rustic, beachy cottage vibes and our pairing picks from our sister company Brunswick Tile and Flooring will make sure your space stays airy and bright.
If you are seeking to renovate your kitchen with a mix of styles, this is a pairing to consider.
Designer Pairing Pick: July 2021
“Deep & Saturated” – Amy’s cabinetry choice from Kraftmaid for her July 2021 pairing is shown in a deep and saturated green.
Her pairing from Kraftmaid is Shepparton Maple in Rainfall Suede and has been paired with a quartz countertop from Silestone in Miami Vena for a classic and timeless look.
To add movement to this pairing, Artistic Tile’s Origami from the Waterjet Collection was chosen as the collaboration backsplash pick from our sister company, Brunswick Tile and Flooring and Danya from Datile was chosen for the floor tile.
If you are seeking a unique look that feels modern and sophisticated yet extremely cozy, this pairing is worth a look.
Designer Pairing Pick: June 2021
“The Mermaid” – Amy’s pairing selection for her June 2021 pairing is as coastal as they come.
This pairing for June includes Kraftmaid Harrington Maple in Lagoon Suede with Berenson hardware and a Vetrostone countertop in Oyster Bay.
If you are seeking a pairing that feels cool and calm for your coastal kitchen, this pairing is worth a look.
Note: This pairing is a part of a designer collection. For full product details from this pairing, check out Beaches The Collection.
Planning The Perfect Outdoor Kitchen?
Designer Amy has created an easy cheat sheet to help educate you on what you need to know to select the best outdoor kitchen countertops. Plus, she’ll introduce you to one of her new favorite surfaces, Dekton.
Designer Pairing Pick: May 2021
“The Richardson” – Amy elected to pull a cabinet and countertop selection from January into her May 2021 pairing.
This two-tone cabinetry pairing for May includes Kraftmaid in Serenity with a simple hardware knob from Berenson that unifies the design.
If you are considering two-tone cabinets in your kitchen, this pairing in trending shades of green is a showstopper.
Note: This pairing debuted at the Coastal Home & Lifestyle Showcase in Oak Island and is now a part of the Showcase Collection. For full product details, check out the collection.
Designer Pairing Pick: April 2021
“Blue Water Sand” – Amy has selected a stunning blue choice with her April 2021 pairing. She has paired Kraftmaid cabinets in Harbor with a contemporary quartz countertop. The countertop selection Everest is a bright white surface with large mineral deposits in shades of beige and grey.
This pairing can easily transport you to the beach with the blueness resembling deep blue water perfectly complimenting the white sand. It’s a very popular coastal selection for both kitchens and baths. If you are seeking a coastal style renovation, this is a pairing to consider.
Designer Pairing Pick: March 2021
“Warmth and Elegance” –
Amy brings a contrasting cabinetry pairing with warmth and elegance to her March pairing.
She has paired Kraftmaid’s Warm White with Kaffe while selecting Charleston-made Vetrostone’s Oyster Bay for the countertops.
This contrasting pairing will undoubtedly warm up a kitchen with an elegant space to cook and gather.
Designer Pairing Pick: February 2021
“Beachy Calm” – Amy has selected a calm, coastal choice with her February 2021 pairing. She has paired Kraftmaid cabinets in Surfside with Silestone’s Pulsar quartz countertop. The brushed gold hardware selection chosen seamlessly brings together the look highlighting the dark gold flecks in the countertop.
A kitchen with this pairing feels soothing and is predicted to only grow in popularity this year, according to our area’s local designers. If you are seeking to renovate your kitchen with a coastal style, this is a pairing to consider.
Designer Pairing Pick: January 2021
“Coastal Green” – Amy is giving you the green light with her January 2021 pairing. She has paired Kraftmaid in Bonsai with White Taupe granite countertops.
This perfectly neutral pairing of sage green in the cabinetry with hints of grey and beige in the countertops feels fresh and modern for a coastal look. A kitchen with this pairing could include coastal wooden touches along with accents of white and cream in the furnishings to complete the look.
Designer Pairing Pick: December 2020
“Understated Elegance “ – Amy has chosen the Waypoint cabinetry line for her December 2020 pairing.
She has paired Waypoint 410F in Painted Silk with Silestone’s Lusso quartz countertops.
Gold, bronze and varying shades of gray veining provide dimension to the creamy countertop choice, and when the quartz countertop is paired with the versatile color of Painted Silk from Waypoint you get a clean and modern look that would make any kitchen feel tasteful and timeless.
Designer Pairing Pick: November 2020
“Beautifully neutral “ – Amy has chosen the Waypoint cabinetry line for her November 2020 pairing.
She has paired Waypoint in Painted Boulder with Silestone’s Urban Frost quartz countertops.
The gray and black swirls in Amy’s chosen countertop pairs beautifully with the dark grey cabinets. The light and dark contrast of this pairing creates a beautiful, neutral backdrop for any kitchen renovation.
Designer Pairing Pick: October 2020
“Timeless “ – Amy has chosen the Fieldstone cabinetry line for her October 2020 pairing.
She has paired Fieldstone’s Ridgeway Door Style in Rattan and opted to pair with a granite countertop in Sequoia Leathered.
With off white, beige, and gray in the countertop, this timeless pairing strikes a beautiful contrast and creates a neutral foundation for your space.
Are you ready to bring your wish list to life?
Designer Amy Richardson Is Ready to Help You Kickstart Your Project.