For many homeowners, the kitchen is more than a place to cook – it is where conversations unfold, traditions are passed down, and everyday life quietly takes shape. At Kitchen Design Solutions, that belief isn’t marketing language; it’s the foundation of the company’s mission.
“We truly believe the kitchen is the heart of the home,” said Mark Palmer, CEO of Kitchen Design Solutions (KDS). “It’s the room where families spend the most time together. Our mission is to improve that heart of the home so people can create lasting memories with their friends and family.”
With nearly 35 years in the cabinet and kitchen design industry, Palmer leads a family-owned company that has become one of the region’s most trusted names in kitchen design, cabinetry, and installation. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Georgia, Kitchen Design Solutions serves homeowners throughout the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire, with showrooms in Savannah, Bluffton, Beaufort, and Hilton Head Island.
While the company has grown steadily over the years – with a team of 35 professionals and nearly 10,000 kitchens completed – Palmer says its heart remains very much rooted in family values, craftsmanship, and personal accountability.
The Kitchen Design Solutions Lowcountry Team: Terry Trefry, Amy Sheridan, Chris Buck, Kevin Parrish, Robin Bretz, Jennifer Dainelli, Tim Argall, Mark Palmer, CEO
Kitchen Design Solutions is not a franchise, nor is it a corporate brand with distant decision-makers. “This is a homegrown organization,” Palmer said. “I’m the sole owner, and I’ve got family members involved in the company. We operate like a family, and that carries through to how we treat our customers and our projects.”
That culture of ownership shows up in the way each project is approached. “We look at every kitchen as if it were our own,” he said. “How would we want this done in our personal home? That mindset translates to every member of our team.”
It’s a philosophy that resonates strongly in markets where relationships and reputation matter. Many of Kitchen Design Solutions’ projects come through referrals – clients who felt guided, listened to, and respected throughout what can otherwise be an overwhelming remodeling process.
As well, many are repeat clients. “We’ve had clients return to us for multiple homes,” Palmer said. “One in particular used KDS on four builds and remodels in three years and continues to refer us to her own clients. She praised our design guidance, communication, transparent pricing, and, most importantly, our people. She said our team feels like family, which is exactly the experience we hope to create.”
The Bluffton showroom features multiple kitchen vignettes to inspire the design process.
Design That Begins with Listening
While trends and finishes may change, Palmer said the most important part of any successful kitchen project happens before a single cabinet is ordered.
“Our process starts with listening,” he said. “Most homeowners come to us with ideas they’ve gathered from magazines, online research, or inspiration photos. Our job is to understand what they’re trying to create and then guide them – based on experience – toward what will actually work for their space and lifestyle.”
That guidance begins with an in-home consultation by a Kitchen Design Solutions design consultant, followed by detailed conversations about layout, flow, storage needs, and daily habits. “It’s really about coaching them through the process,” Palmer said. “What’s going to work for them? What’s going to improve how they live in that space every day?”
Design consultations may continue in one of the company’s showrooms or online, where clients can explore completed projects, materials, and cabinetry options. The goal, Palmer said, is to empower homeowners with knowledge, without overwhelming them.
“We’re not here to push trends,” he noted. “We’re here to help people make informed choices that align with how they live.”
Unlike many kitchen firms that attempt to manage every aspect of a remodel, KDS intentionally focuses on what it does best: the design, supply, and installation of cabinetry.
“We don’t sell appliances, and that’s very intentional,” Palmer said. “We’ve learned over the years to stay in our lane. We’re experts in cabinetry – designing it, supplying it, and installing it properly.”
By maintaining that focus, the company can deliver a higher level of craftsmanship and consistency. Appliance suppliers, countertop specialists, and other trades are carefully referred from a trusted network of professionals that KDS works with regularly.
“That way, homeowners are working with people they can trust, and the entire project runs more smoothly,” Palmer said. “Everyone is doing what they’re best at.”
This formula works award-winningly well. “We’re incredibly proud of the work our team produces,” Palmer said. “One of the highlights was receiving a Lighthouse Award from the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association for a Bluffton project. That kitchen was recognized for Highest Degree of Difficulty and Best Innovation of Space, which really speaks to our team’s creativity and problem-solving when it comes to challenging layouts.”
Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Georgia, Kitchen Design Solutions serves homeowners throughout the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire, with showrooms in Savannah, Bluffton, Beaufort, and Hilton Head Island.
Budget-Conscious Without Compromise
One of the most common concerns homeowners bring to the table is budget – and Palmer is refreshingly transparent about where kitchen remodel dollars tend to go.
“Cabinetry is typically the largest ticket item in a kitchen remodel,” he said. “It can represent 50% to 60% of the total project cost.”
To accommodate a wide range of budgets, Kitchen Design Solutions offers five cabinetry product lines spanning good, better, and best options. “Whether someone is working within strict budget parameters or wants a high-end, furniture-quality product, we can meet them where they are,” Palmer said.
That flexibility allows the design team to prioritize what matters most to each client – whether it’s maximizing storage, investing in premium finishes, or achieving a timeless look that will hold value for years to come.
In keeping with its own values, Kitchen Design Solutions partners almost exclusively with family-owned cabinetry manufacturers. Among them are Marsh Furniture, celebrating more than a century in business, along with Shiloh Cabinetry, Custom Wood Products, and Koch Cabinets.
“These are companies where we can pick up the phone and speak directly to decision-makers,” Palmer said. “If there’s ever an issue – or an opportunity to customize – we can move quickly and efficiently.”
That level of responsiveness benefits homeowners in tangible ways, particularly when timelines matter or custom solutions are required.
Beyond design and product selection, Kitchen Design Solutions distinguishes itself through its commitment to long-term service.
“Most of our cabinetry carries a lifetime warranty,” Palmer said. “On top of that, we also warranty our cabinet labor for life.”
If a door needs adjustment or replacement years down the road, the company doesn’t nickel-and-dime clients with service fees. “It happens so rarely, but when it does, we want our customers to feel taken care of,” he said. “That peace of mind is important.”
Later this year, Kitchen Design Solutions will install its 10,000th kitchen – a milestone Palmer reflects on with gratitude rather than fanfare. “That number represents thousands of families trusting us with their homes,” he said. “It’s not something we take lightly.”
As the company continues to grow across the Southeast, Palmer remains focused on what has always mattered most: thoughtful design, honest guidance, and relationships built to last.
“At the end of the day, we’re not just designing kitchens,” he said. “We’re improving how people live in their homes. That’s what makes this work meaningful.”
