About US
Integrity and an extraordinary staff of talented professionals are the key ingredients to our success in the industry.
Our Philosophy
"Design with Ergonomics", are reflected in every design created by our devoted team of designers, technical engineers and master cabinetry builder and fitters. They put their hearts and souls into each project by integrating visually aesthetic materials, soothing designs and ergonomically correct specifications. This is evidenced by exquisitely produced spaces that are both fabulous and functional.
Our Commitment
We are dedicated to producing superior workmanship resulting from a collaborative effort and daily communication between our team of skilled professionals and our clients. No other design cabinetry company invests as much time developing and documenting critical information and details to ensure the quality of the finished product. A limited warranty and extended service plan are included with all projects.
Our Relationship
We believe dependability, trust and daily communication build strong and lasting relationships. You are important to us, and your project is always a priority. We are dedicated to meeting your needs and producing your vision.
Meet the Team
Who We Are
Fred Bowen-Smith,
Owner + President
Fred founded The Kitchen Strand in 1999 with the intent of establishing a high end kitchen design and supply company serving the Palm Beaches and surrounding areas..
After graduating from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a MFA in Industrial Design, Fred was hired by the German company SieMatic, a global leader in kitchen and product design, to open their flagship Contemporary Design Studio at the DCOTA (Design Center of America) in Dania Beach, FL.
Fred did not waste any time making a name for himself in the industry. Within the first few years of his career, he was selected as USA Consumer/Sales consultant for American input on Miele appliances; named Sub-Zero Consumer/Sales consultant for the first 700 fully integrated refrigeration system; and acted as a consultant for Kitchen Studio openings in Florida, working with such world-renowned brands as Smallbone, Downsview, Poggenpohl and Almilmo.
Once The Kitchen Strand was firmly established, Fred was better positioned to exert his influence and talent on the kitchen design world, at first focusing solely on industry giants William Oh's and bulthaup. The Kitchen Strand was the ONLY studio which bulthaup allowed to display its product with that of any other manufacturer.
Since then, his unique vision and exceptional work ethic led The Kitchen Strand to become one of William Oh's most consistent top producers within the entire dealer network. Fred's - and the company's - accolades and awards are many and varied and include: recognition as bulthaup's U.S. leader in kitchen sales and design; recognition by William Oh's as the number one Design/Salesperson for five consecutive years; TheKitchen Strand team's receipt of the prestigious Sub-Zero Region Winner. This consistent quality of exquisite kitchen and other cabinetry made The Kitchen Strand a sought-after firm by both manufacturers and private and professional clientele.
The company is also the recipient of an Award for contemporary kitchen design and, most recently, the NKBA's (National Kitchen and Bathroom Association) First Annual Sustainability Award, The Kitchen Strand has always looked forward, from its groundbreaking revision of the work triangle to the WorkZone® presented to NKBA.
Fred continues to oversee the business, focusing on attention to quality and outstanding design. Fred and his wife Jean spearhead the company's charitable efforts, which is focused on children and widows. They often donate services and cabinetry for Place of Hope, the country's number one foster care program.
Jean Bowen-Smith
Owner/Vice President
Jean Bowen-Smith co-owns The Kitchen Strand with her husband, Fred Bowen-Smith.
Having relocated from Boca Raton to Hobe Sound in 2000, The Kitchen Strand is now well-established as the area’s premier luxury kitchen design firm, serving the Palm Beaches and surrounding areas along with local customers.
Though it was originally Jean’s business background that helped the company grow, her current contributions seem limitless. She now not only oversees the showroom, but also handles many administrative responsibilities, does all the purchasing and oversees the bookkeeping department.
Jean is also an integral part of the marketing and public relations teams and serves as a one-woman Human Resource department. With great concern for her employees’ well-being, she even organizes a weekly lunch for everyone in the company.
When she isn’t in the showroom, Jean’s passion is serving and supporting non-profits that are dear to her heart like Women In the Window. She recently traveled to Kenya for the organization to serve and train widows in the 10/40 Window of North Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Ryan Dygulski
Designer
Ryan was given only a blank pad of paper and crayons as a young child. He was being taught to create what he wanted to see and to think outside of the box. He continues that training today.
Ryan graduated from Purdue University College of Technology with an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. In 2002, Ryan moved to Jupiter, Florida and started his career in the cabinet industry. While most of his tenure was spent in Sales and Design, he also opened a custom wood shop manufacturing cabinets where he acquired five years of knowledge in the inner workings of the cabinet industry. With a strong work ethic , a great personality and extensive experience in all aspects of the industry, Ryan is a great addition to the Kitchen Strand team.
London Van Dusen
Design Assistant / Project Manager
After graduating with a B.S in Business from the University of Central Florida, London became a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and took on the corporate world, working as an operations analyst for a medical billing software company.
When the pandemic forced a work-from-home situation, London realized that she wasn’t happy with her position and became determined to switch to something that had long been a dream - working in the Interior Design industry. She had been in love with Interior Design since she was a child, often creating miniature furniture models to rearrange and sketching out floor plans of her room.
London pursued every possible avenue to break into the field. Leveraging her PMP certification, London landed a job as an assistant to Fred Bowen-Smith, The Kitchen Strand’s founder and President. Under Fred’s tutelage, she learned the ins and outs of the business. In addition to serving as Fred’s right-hand, she has direct contact with clients and is involved in every part of the project from design to installation.
Her Project Management experience serves her well in this capacity as she organizes and runs multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring optimal results and client satisfaction. She especially enjoys large projects and collaborating with the other players on the team - interior designers, architects and builders.
London applies her belief - that we are all impacted by our environments, and that it is crucial to prioritize creating safe, comfortable, functional and beautiful spaces in which to live and work - to everything she does. She is extremely proud - and happy - that she took a leap of faith to leave corporate America and follow her passion.
Beyond design, Randy strives for a level of unparalleled customer service at every stage of the project. Her large base of referral clients - including individual homeowners, celebrities, interior designers, architects, and builders speaks to her success in this area. Randy has also guest-lectured on topics such as urban kitchen renovations and green designs alternatives to other industry professionals including AIA (The American Institute of Architects) and the Corcoran Group.
Randy O’Kane
CKD Designer
Randy O'Kane, CKD, brings more than three decades of award-winning design experience to South Florida by adding her talents to the Kitchen Strand team. Randy holds a BFA from the Fashion Institute of Technology and has worked with some of the New York metro area's most prestigious luxury design firms.
With a special affinity for cabinetry and millwork design, Randy also brings a background in construction to the table, an unusual but valuable expertise which helps enable her to work directly with various shops to create new and unique styles, textures and finishes and to be thoroughly involved from the creation of each intricate detail and component to the overall big picture design.
Joseph Fiore
Product Engineer
Though you will never hear it from him, Joseph Fiore's experience is vast and diverse.
While employed by Stuart Stair and Furniture Manufacturing, Joe utilized his woodworking skills to build staircases and furniture. He was also involved in the design process, having realized that he both enjoyed the process and had a talent for it.
With this discovery, Joe decided to further his design education, both formally with classes in AutoCAD (Computer Assisted Design) and informally by attending as many lectures on the subject as he could.
Joe joined The Kitchen Strand team in 2000, shortly after the company's inception. In his current role, Joe starts with the floor plans and product specifications produced by the designers, then adds all the necessary ingredients to create a functional and spectacular kitchen that lives up to the company's standard.
With so much knowledge of design and detailing interiors and cabinetry, Sharon's move to The Kitchen Strand as a CAD (Computer Aided Design) Designer was a natural fit. Sharon brings to the team her many years of experience and advanced skills in AutoCAD, 3D modeling, Photoshop, hand drafting, rendering, and model making.
Sharon Seely
CAD Designer
Sharon Seely holds a Masters of Architecture degree from the University of South Florida School of Architecture and Community Design.
Sharon has worked for a number of prestigious companies in various capacities, including Asbacher Architecture and Thomas M. Kirchoff, AIA; in both firms, she held the title of Interior Architect. She also worked as an Associate at Garcia Stromberg Architecture and as a designer at ARC 3 Architecture
Sharon also did a stint at custom-built housing specialist Cherry Luxury Homes, multi- tasking as a designer and manager while applying her skills at 1D drawing.
Oksana Rashevskaya
ARTISTIC RENDERER
Oksana Rashevskaya is a founder of EDGE CGI, a leading 3D visualization and modeling firm. In this role, she is an integral part of The Kitchen Strand team, helping to bring to life the concepts created by the company's designers.
While studying for an International Law degree in her native Belarus, Oksana took a part time job at a custom furniture store which sparked her interest. Along the way, a "just for fun" 3D Visualization course unearthed her love of design.
Early in her design career, Oksana focused mainly on interior visualizations, expanding over time to exteriors and furniture modeling. She now specializes in 3D modeling and visualization of kitchens, bathrooms, offices, living rooms, and other spaces.
When you see her extraordinary work, it's difficult to believe that Oksana is entirely self- taught and has no formal design training. She credits her success in part to her ability to quickly adapt to changing projects and priorities, a keen focus on details, and the kind of efficiency that ensures deadlines are met without sacrificing quality.
Oksana makes it a priority to stay connected with other design professionals and on top of a rapidly changing industry via online forums, webinars, and conferences.
Another switch saw him starting up yet another company with a specialty in RV repair, during which he made a move from Homestead to Ocala.
A Navy veteran, Jack is now on his second stint at The Kitchen Strand as Operations Manager. He also finds time to keep his hand in with other areas of the industry, including building home trusses, making countertops for mobile homes, remodeling cruise ships and even making custom living quarters in horse trailers! Jack Blush truly is a jack-of-all-building-trades.
Jack Blush
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Chances are, if it can be made of wood, Jack Blush has built it.
After a young start in a custom cabinet shop on weekends and summer vacations while still in school, he moved on to custom woodwork on van conversions
Over the years, Jack opened several companies throughout South Florida, including those specializing in counter tops, drywall, framing and millwork.
Armed with a CC (Contractor’s Certification) from Dade County, Jack again pivoted to focus on creating custom cabinets. It was during this time that he did his first stint with The Kitchen Strand as a cabinet installer.
