Inquirer Interviews Kenny for Recent Article on Custom Elements in Remodels.

"And now you're putting more money into the local economy" -Kenny Grono

Terri Akman of the Philadelphia Inquirer reached out to Kenny to discuss the trend of including custom elements in home renovations. Read the entire story here with photos if you have a subscription. The text of the article is also printed below.

Homeowners in pursuit of high-quality furniture and decor are increasingly turning to custom-made pieces

Searches for handmade tile items on the online marketplace Etsy have increased 95% when compared to the same time the previous year, with a 4,000% rise in searches for handmade tile tables.

Mar. 13, 2024, 5:00 a.m. ET

Theresa and Joe Dowd wanted a custom table from the Philadelphia Table Co. to fit this space in their home.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

When Theresa Dowd renovated her house in Ambler in 2022, finding a dining table to fit into her unusually shaped room was a challenge. Though she knew she wanted a white oak farmhouse-style table to serve as the centerpiece of her home, finding one ready-made that was 14 feet by 38 inches was impossible.

“I wanted a table with a French country feel that was simple but had a bit of casual elegance, charm, and character,” she said.

She also wanted a continuous top that had no breaks or leaves, a fluted apron that went along the long sides of the table, and legs with understated detail. She reached out to Philadelphia Table Co. with her vision, and in less than three months, she got the table of her dreams for about $7,900.

Custom handmade features — sometimes called bespoke — including furniture, tile, kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, window treatments, and murals are finding their way into home design. Homeowners appreciate owning a high-quality, one-of-a-kind piece.

Theresa and Joe Dowd’s custom 14-foot-long oak dining table at their home. Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

“Many homeowners on Houzz are requesting more traditional details and materials that create a timeless style and that can be a sustainable choice during renovations,” said Mitchell Parker, senior editor at the home design site Houzz. “They create a feeling that the homeowner has something truly unique and special.”

In the last six months, searches for handmade tile items on the online marketplace Etsy have increased 95% when compared to the same time the previous year, with a 4,000% rise in searches for handmade tile tables.

“Shoppers are looking to add pops of personality to their homes, and adding handmade elements and custom-made pieces that no one else has is a great way to bring that ‘wow’ factor to their space and let their own style truly shine,” said Dayna Isom Johnson, a trend expert at Etsy.

Fulfilling a particular need

When Bobbi Breitman downsized into her Elkins Park condo in February 2023, her kitchen needed some refreshing. Her first priority was replacing the previous owner’s stick-on backsplash, but she couldn’t find anything she liked.

She reached out to her friend, artist Karen Singer, who handmakes custom tile. Together they designed a colorful flower-themed backsplash and surrounded the custom tile designs with store-bought subway tiles. The process took about two months from design to installation.

“I wanted to bring more color into the space and I wanted something beautiful,” said Breitman.

Karen Singer, artist and owner of a tileworks studio, designed custom tiles for the kitchen backsplash in Bobbi Breitman's home.Courtesy of Bobbi Breitman

Adding a personal touch makes a person’s home reflect their personality and adds meaning, said Singer, who owns Karen Singer Tileworks and has been designing tile for more than 30 years.

While costs vary significantly based on the job, her work on Breitman’s kitchen backsplash cost about $2,000 for the design and tiles. Breitman spent an additional $250 on the subway tile.

In addition to backsplashes, floors, fireplaces, and commercial installations, Singer has seen a recent surge in requests for personalized house numbers, which start at $60 per digit. She often includes texture in her custom styles but avoids using textured tile behind a stove, where it will be difficult to clean grease splatters. Outdoor tiles must be able to withstand heat and cold.

Custom design is often necessary in older rowhouses where small spaces and steep staircases might prevent fitting in a stock piece.

“Maybe the kitchen was in the basement or was just a hearth 100 years ago and now you’re putting in a new kitchen upstairs,” said Kenny Grono, president of custom home remodeler Buckminster Green, based in Kensington. “But you might not have the standard dimensions and you want to make the most of tight spaces.”

Costs in time and money

Consider the costs in time and dollars when choosing a custom handmade item. Time must be allowed for designing, planning, and creating the product. The advantage is that you can get exactly what you want with higher quality materials. Most custom items are things you will keep for many years and are akin to a piece of art.

“People care about where it’s coming from, who’s making it, and that it’s high quality,” said Paul Mencel, owner of Philadelphia Table Co. in Old City, whose company’s handcrafted custom furniture ranges from about $6,000 to $25,000 with a four-month lead time. “We work with all locally sourced sustainable hardwoods, and all of our finishes are eco-friendly.”

The Philadelphia Table Co.’s handcrafted custom furniture ranges from about $6,000 to $25,000 with a four-month lead time.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

Added Grono: “And now you’re putting more money into the local economy, rather than getting cabinets from China or Alabama.”

Supply-chain problems may extend a delivery several months for ready-made products from traditional stores, meaning a locally crafted piece may even be delivered sooner.

There is also added value in having something personally handcrafted. At the Philadelphia Table Co., one craftsperson makes each piece, from milling the wood to adding the finish.

“I was able to customize exactly what I needed,” said Dowd of her dining table. “It’s so beautiful.”