CORVALLIS, OR — Having history repeat itself is often presented as a bad thing, but at Corvallis Custom Kitchens and Baths it could not have turned out better.

The firm, based here, is led by owner Brian Egan, CMKBD, and his wife Kris Egan. The couple spent more than a year converting the Caton House, a home found on the National Register of Historic Homes, into a one-of-a-kind kitchen and bath showroom – a bold move by any standard but made doubly so as the condition of the space left little to be desired.

“One windstorm would’ve knocked the place down,” reports Kris Egan.

Undeterred, the pair – whose philosophy is ‘what’s good for the community is good for our business’ – opened its doors, becoming the only kitchen and bath showroom between Salem and Eugene, OR.

To commemorate the opening, the pair hosted three separate open houses – one for the general public, the second for the local Chamber of Commerce Networking Group and a third for the Downtown Corvallis Association. Each event drew about 75 people.

Dignified Renovation

It was critical to Brian Egan that the historic exterior appeal of the Caton House – a residence that has stood since 1857 – be preserved.

“I did a majority of the design work with help from Pynne Luebbert, CKD,” he notes. “We gutted the interior in order to install completely new plumbing, electric and HVAC systems.”

He adds: “The location offers great visibility, easy access and is well-known by residents.”

To attract its target audience of local homeowners, the pair offers quarterly remodeling seminars. The educational seminars draw possible clients into the 1,900-sq.-ft. space, which encompasses not only display areas but meeting rooms as well.

On display are high-end plumbing fittings and fixtures from American Standard, Grohe, Hansgrohe, Elkay, Blanco, Toto, Moen, InSinkErator, Oceania, Waterstone and Stone Forest. Cabinetry from Pacific Design and Corbin Cabinets are teamed with hardware from Top Knobs, Hafele America, Emtek, Trimco and Cliffside, and countertops from DuPont, including Corian and Zodiaq, as well as Cambria, CaesarStone, Livingstone, Totally Bamboo and Boos Block. Appliances from Dacor, Heat N Glo and others round out the selection.

Upon entering, visitors are treated to three kitchen and two bath displays, as well as a “decision center” that features display sample doors, hardware, etc. “The two bathrooms are working displays, as is one of the kitchens,” he reports.