“ With Studio 38 ,” Dave said , “ we can get more projects through the process , a little faster , a little less expensive , and we can buy materials direct , which also saves the client a little bit of money . Before , our home was where everything happened . Decisions were made in our home in San Martin across our dining room table . Eventually , DRD won ’ t be doing design — we ’ ll point clients towards Studio 38 who ’ ll create [ designs ] for us ,” he said . “ Creating a design is very difficult and time consuming . Most contractors don ’ t want to deal with design . All we want to do is build .”

Studio 38 Designs is not , however , just a feeder for DRD Construction . It ’ s a standalone company open to all clients , designers , and contractors : Studio 38 Designs will have its own clientele . “ Ideally ,” Dave said , “ We want to be one of 12 contractors who go to them along with other designers and end users so that we can engage everyone .”

“ The design produced is the client ’ s property ,” Gina said , “ whether they decide to build it themselves , hire their own contractor , or use DRD Construction . Potential clients come in and say — I don ’ t know where to begin . What kind of services can you provide ? How much help can you give us ? I tell them , you get to decide how much help you want — full service , middle , or just drawings for your own design .”

When potential clients schedule an appointment , “ First , they learn about us ,” she said . “ They get a tour of the showroom and then sit in our conference room and learn how the design process works . Second , we go to their home , where we learn about them and get a feel for their lifestyle . We take measurements , photos , and then get down to the details .”

“ A typical showroom ,” Dave said , “ has a contemporary kitchen , a country kitchen , and a modern kitchen , a painted cabinet and a wooden cabinet , and , then , every five to seven years , styles change , so you have to rip it all out and replace it . Instead of that , we show what the craftsmanship looks like , and then we go to the media room to make choices .”

The media room displays a large variety of cabinet fronts

with different woods , patterns , and stains , countertops , drawer handles , cabinet pulls , and hardwood floor samples . Designer and client can pull samples together and play with them . Clients can see what their kitchen or bathroom would look like “ with these countertops , these floors , this color painted walls ,” Dave said . “ In the kitchen , they can select cabinets and drawers that are all the same style and color . The drawer handles and cabinet pulls are from the same family .” Each client ’ s materials are collected and stored in separate drawers to keep them all together for future reference .

As a display room , the kitchen reveals the craftsmanship in three different drawer designs , innovative pull-out lazy Susans for those pesky corner cabinets and even — spoiler alert — a hidden pet feed and watering station . There is an example of a manufactured countertop , wall textures , lighting fixtures , windows , and a recessed ceiling-mounted hood . In addition , there are a number of Smart fixtures and

appliances : a built-in wine cooler , beer tap , wine dispenser , coffee maker , and smart faucet . Smart technology , in fact , is another design factor integrated throughout the showroom in lighting , sound system , and other areas . The bathroom display consists of a spacious glass shower and separate tub , modern lighting fixtures , and a striking white and black geometric tile on the floor and walls .

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