Celebrating Highlights From My 20th Year In Business
It’s hard to believe it has been 20 years since Thyme & Place Design was born. The old adage, “time flies” has never been truer. Writing this I realize how quickly it has all flown by! Despite working to finish projects in time for the holidays, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate some of the highlights from this year, 2022. Above all, I want to thank all of you who have made this milestone year possible.
Reflecting Back on 2022
This year, in addition to working on a large variety of very exciting projects for you, my wonderful clients, I have received several awards and secured brand collaboration opportunities. Equally important to note, I launched a speaking and coaching side to my business. I have also been fortunate to be featured in many publications.
All of these successes are due to your continued support. Thank you, to my clients, my vendor partners, my team of contractors, and the other professionals who bring my design visions to life.
Join me as I reflect more in-depth on a few of the highlights from 2022, my 20th year in business.
2022 Highlights: Speaking
February marked my entry into the world of public speaking at national design conferences and tradeshows. In February, I delivered an interactive workshop presentation for the Voices Of The Industry Conference. This gathering is held every year as part of the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s annual tradeshow. [ #KBIS2022 ]
This presentation was very well received and led to me publishing my first ebook on Letters of Agreement.
I also spoke at Fall High Point Market twice. First with Pam McNally and Rachel Moriarty at The Point. Next, as part of Universal Furniture’s Learning Center Speaker Series. The keen desire for more information on the business aspects of kitchen and bath design – on the part of the interior designers who attended this last presentation at Universal – surprised me. One of the designers shared this image in her IG Story. Now that was a wonderful highlight for me in 2022.
2022 Highlights: New Beginnings
These experiences led to me my new service offering for interior designers who want to learn all about the business side of kitchen and bath design. If you’re an interior designer who would like 1 on 1 coaching from me on the business aspects of kitchen and bath design, I invite you to book a session with me here.
2022 Highlights: My New Online Shop
Another highlight for me this year was the launch of my own online shop. I am frequently asked by visitors to my Houzz profile and Instagram feed how to purchase items used in my designs. In order to fill this need, I decided to offer a small, highly curated selection of items that are very similar to items I use in my custom designs for my clients. You can purchase these items on my site, here. Please be sure to read the associate FAQ carefully, before purchasing.
2022 Highlights: Awards, Publications, Brand Collaborations.
I was extremely fortunate to have my design work published in print and online in 2022. Features included print spreads in Bergen Magazine, 201 Magazine, Designers Today, and NJ Home Magazine. My blog has also been published in Bergen Magazine’s newsletter, Take 5. At the same time, my industry insights were included in articles published in Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Design Milk, KBB Online, and Kitchen and Bath Business magazine.
Three of my design projects received a 2022 Design Excellence Award from the American Society of Interiors – New Jersey Chapter. Receiving these awards was such an honor.
In addition, I was delighted to be asked to collaborate with the brand, Steam Therapy. This included a podcast feature on Design Uncut, as well as writing an article for their Steam Therapy blog.
2022 Highlights: Influencer Marketing Travel Opportunities
First, I was invited to travel with the Design Hounds, a well-known group of professional designers who are also influencers, to Napa Valley, Our amazing trip was sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite. We spent a magical week at the Signature Kitchen Suite Design Center.
Here we learned all about Signature Kitchen Suite’s innovative collection of luxury appliances. Not to mention, the many very special experiences with my fellow travelers in and around Napa Valley. Read all about my adventures with the Design Hounds in Napa here.
Secondly, I was chosen by the National Kitchen and Bath Association to travel to the world’s largest kitchen and bath show in Germany, as part of their Global Connect initiative. Our group of industry professionals attended the German Haus Fair, courtesy of our sponsors, Miele, Hettich, Nobilia, and Poggenpohl. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the innovations at this incredible kitchen and bath show, which I was asked to write about for Designer’s Today Magazine. You can read all about that trip, by clicking here.
2022 Highlights: Teamwork
None of this year would have been possible without my team. I am fortunate to work with the best professionals and craftsmen in the Northern New Jersey area. Thank you, Randy Veenstra – “world’s greatest contractor”. Always smiling Dennis Carlson. Jeff and his framing specialists. Dwayne Leegwater of Leegwater Electric lighting up my rooms. Fischer Plumbing keeping things flowing. TNT Tile along with the team from Jacob and Greg Cabinetry without whom my cabinets and tile would not be so beautifully installed.
A special thank you to my photographer, Mike Van Tassell, who so brilliantly captures my design work in images, and makes the whole photo shoot process fun, too.
2022 Highlights: Clients
Unquestionably, working with great clients designing their kitchens, bathrooms, basements and other rooms is the real highlight of the past 20 years in business for me. My appreciation for the trust you have placed in me and my team to bring your dreams to life for your homes fills me with gratitude. For any of you reading this that would like to see the beautiful kitchens and other rooms I’ve designed for my wonderful clients, I invite you to visit my portfolio here.
2022 Highlights: Accolades
Lastly, I would like to say thank you to Kitchen and Bath Design News Magazine, for naming me to their *Top Innovators 2022* list. It was a wonderful way to cap off celebrating my 20th year in business in 2022!
2022 Highlights: You
Whether you’re a personal friend, a vendor partner, or simply someone who enjoys learning about all things kitchen and bath design, I want you to know I appreciate your comments and your support. I send you heartfelt thanks, whether it’s on Instagram or Linked In, on my personal Facebook Page, or in one of the many Facebook communities I am a part of with my professional colleagues.
Exciting new things are already happening for my business in 2023, and it’s all because of YOU.
Thank you for making my 20th year in business the best year I’ve experienced so far. Despite the stresses, the delays, and the frustrations, I see now, after taking this time to reflect back, how very fortunate I am.
I am grateful.
ABOUT SHARON
Sharon is the founder of Thyme and Place Design, headquartered in Wyckoff, New Jersey. She’s been practicing kitchen and bath design for the past 40 years and is a Past President of the American Society of Interior Designers – New Jersey chapter. She is a current member of the editorial board of KB&B Magazine, the official magazine of the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
Her award-winning designs and editorial comments have been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, Design Milk, Bergen NJ magazine, Kitchen & Bath Design News, Woman’s Day, Country Decorating, Design NJ, New Jersey Home Magazine, 201 Magazine, The Best of Bergen, Savvy Living, The Vue, The Record, The Star-Ledger, and Aspire as well as several books.
Her blog “Tips from the Trade” appears in digital form on DesignNJ.com and KBBonline.com. She has also appeared on HGTV’s My Big Amazing Renovation and episodes of House Smarts with Lou Manfredini. In 2022, she was a featured *Voices From The Industry* speaker at the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s international convention and is available for further speaking engagements nationwide on all topics related to running a successful kitchen and bath design business.
