SAN RAFAEL, CA— For Krikor Halajian, design success is all relative. Not only does he run his eco-friendly kitchen design firm alongside his wife, Rosemarie Garibian Halajian, but the inspiration for his designs comes from family, specifically the family that will live in that space.

“We design a space really thinking about the family and how they will use it. We care about their space – that it works and that it is beautiful – and we feel that if we take great care of that family, we’ll have them in our family of customers for life,” says Halajian, CKD, designer and owner of Kitchens & More, based in San Rafael, CA.

As with many families, all the different family members (or in this case, clients) have their own tastes, ideas and ways of expressing themselves, and Halajian does his best to keep everybody happy.

He notes: “Everyone gets a design that works for them. We don’t have formulas or pre-prescribed products; we look at ergonomics and what makes sense for that client.”

The company, which opened its doors in 1990, is based in one of the wealthiest counties in the country and caters to a very discriminating clientele, many of whom are physicians, attorneys and business owners.

Halajian feels it is very important to get to know your client before coming up with design ideas. He even admits that many of the firm’s best designs are the result of ongoing and in-depth dialogue with clients who were active participants in the brainstorming of product selection and design possibilities.

“We give our clients personal attention to unravel their unrealized vision,” he says. “It takes some understanding of their lifestyle to produce a design that will offer lasting satisfaction.”

He concludes: “Kitchen design isn’t solitaire. It’s a game for two or more players!”

Green Genes

In addition to the focus on clients as family, the firm concentrates on marketing its green sensibilities. The firm’s geographic location and upscale clientele play a role in its eco-conscious philosophy, but the passion for green really comes from the owners themselves.

Halajian is a Certified Green Building Professional (CGBP), while Garibian Halajian is a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP).

“We made a conscious decision to better understand what CGBPs and LEED APs understand, so that we could better guide our clients who are interested in being green,” says Garibian Halajian. “It’s interesting how often we can make green choices when we are aware, but wouldn’t necessarily do so without the awareness.”