Bob Blanco, now owner of Shore & Country Kitchens, joined the kitchen design world as a pivot from his career in interior design. “I have always been passionate about design,” explained Bob. “I can’t even walk into a space without either admiring a design element or redesigning it in my head. Even watching a movie, I will sometimes focus more on the background elements than on the action in the film.”
This obsession with design has certainly benefited his clients over the past 17 years, since he first joined Shore & Country Kitchens as a designer. Four years ago, he purchased the firm and continues to love designing with homeowners throughout the Fairfield, Connecticut area.
Shore & Country: From Classic to Contemporary
“My goal is to give my clients everything they want and then, hopefully, some elements they didn’t even know they wanted,” says Bob. “I’ve been privileged to be asked to redesign kitchens for clients I worked with years ago. In one case, I had one of my early clients – from 17 years ago – come back and say they wanted to change their aesthetic from contemporary to traditional with some transitional elements. They have always been Sub-Zero and Wolf lovers and were excited to replace their original models with a new suite of the most recent options that Sub-Zero and Wolf have to offer.”
Bob’s personal aesthetic tends toward contemporary and he loves designing pure contemporary kitchens. With so many traditional home styles in Southern Connecticut, fewer homeowners request contemporary design, however he sees that shifting. “With the emergence of a multitude of design websites, blogs, television shows and social media, homeowners are jumping on design trends much more quickly,” according to Bob. “I’m seeing more requests for contemporary design than in the past and we can certainly design to any style our clients embrace.”
Wolf’s Convection Steam Oven is a Top Choice for Shore & Country Clients
Bob Blanco’s clients join the majority of Clarke Showroom visitors who pick the Wolf Convection Steam Oven as their favorite addition to their kitchen design. “I find clients are so interested in learning more about the technology,” said Bob. “It really is an amazing appliance that can do so much.
“I always try to send my clients to the Clarke Showroom in South Norwalk,” he continued. “This unique ability to see appliances in a real life setting as they try to envision their new kitchen is so helpful for them. They love trying things out with live appliances and they learn so much from the Clarke Consultants during their visit.”
Interior Design Acumen is Key When Creating a Kitchen
Whether he is designing a classic white kitchen or a dramatic contemporary kitchen space, Bob draws on his love of design. Touches like unique lighting, art and curated wood textures and finishes are the tools he loves to share with his clients. Little visual surprises help make clients want to spend quality time in a Shore & Country Kitchen.
“At the moment, I am kind of obsessed with a French Architectural Wood wall tile,” he said. “I used these recently in a bar area with a custom-matched walnut wood countertop. The end result was a very interesting space.”
Beyond the Kitchen
Outside of work, Bob has always loved making a difference in people’s lives. “I’m very proud to have been a founding member of a group that ran fundraisers for local AIDS charities. At the time, there were very few resources available and we created a grassroots community to raise money and awareness.”
Explore Shore & Country:
Shore & Country Kitchens
Owner: Bob Blanco
203-259-7555
info@shoreandcountrykitchens.com
shoreandcountrykitchens.com
