LLStyle Story: Ask a Flooring Pro | Remodel Contractor Jeff Kennedy, Kennedy Kitchens and Baths

 Anyone who’s attempted their own kitchen or bathroom renovation can attest: it’s no easy task. That’s why so many people turn to the professionals to get the job done right, professionals like Jeff Kennedy of the Georgia-based Kennedy Kitchens and Baths.

We asked Jeff a few questions about how he got started in the business, his favorite flooring types to work with, and how he measures a job well done.

LLS: Tell us about your company.

JK: We started in 1991 as strictly a flooring company and then transitioned into a custom tile company in 1998. Once we acquired a building license in 2001, we grew into home building and kitchen and bath remodeling. In 2015, we rebranded to Kennedy Kitchens and Baths. Gaining ground with luxury kitchen and bath renovations in that market, we developed two additional brands: K.O.R. Stone Care Products (tile cleaning and sealer products) and Kyle Allen Interiors (custom vanity furniture.)

LLS: Are there any specific flooring types or styles that you love to work with, both in kitchens and bathrooms?

 JK: Our flooring favorite for luxury bathrooms are LL Flooring’s marble and porcelain tiles for showers and floors. Usually, we go for light greys and whites, with that being a traditional and timeless style with our modern twist on things. Our preferred kitchen flooring would have to be hardwoods from exotics to engineered woods. Cabinet colors in whites, grays, and distressed blacks are client favorites. Pairing lighter marble tops and glass backsplash with LED lighting allows darker hardwoods to really reflect the overall beauty in kitchens.

LLS: What are you most proud of with Kennedy Kitchens and Bath? Are there any challenges you enjoy tackling?

JK: I'm proud of the fact that so many of our clients are repeat customers. We have a great team of skilled renovation, tile, hardwood and furniture cabinet craftsmen that go above and beyond—mainly because they love what they do, creating luxury products we can stand behind.

I think the most challenging thing is creating a space taken from a client's mind that you have never met before—so within an initial consultation, you have to figure out everything about them, pushing their imagination boundaries to what could be from "0 to 1000" without confusing them.

The challenges we face with kitchens mainly center around "open concept." While anything is possible, generally kitchen renovation requires moving support walls. Client wants and needs have to be addressed in the initial bid stage so we can present options. This at times is restrictive—we work diligently with our clients to explore all options to achieve the desired look.

LLS: Tell us about some of your favorite past jobs/projects.

JK: My favorite jobs consist of full renovations for bathrooms and kitchens. We are really able to do anything without limitations. Using LL Flooring’s butcher block for some of our custom vanity furniture, also engineered hardwood in bedrooms and kitchens.

This particular kitchen renovation (above) was one of my favorites. My original vision was based on a complete open concept to the living area. The client's previous home had higher ceilings so we needed to open things up, allowing as much light as possible to come in.

In the end we were able to achieve the desired look. As with anything, there were obstacles to work through—in particular the appliance shortage due to the pandemic, which delayed some things, but it all worked out.

The floor selection was an LL Flooring laminate product. The bleached tan paired extremely well with the blue and white cabinetry. Using this flooring throughout the living area, kitchen, foyer, and dining room really helped open things up.