AlliKristé Moves In

Over-the-top kitchens on show at Lakewood Ranch.

By Carol Tisch

Grand openings are becoming commonplace in Lakewood Ranch, but there was nothing common about the model kitchens that debuted this week at the official opening of AlliKristé’s new showroom of fine cabinetry on Thursday night, April 19^th.

The St. Petersburg-based company invited local builders, developers, and interior designers to have a look see – and the showroom is indeed impressive. The firm’s three partners, John Houlton, COO; Joe Houlton, CEO; and senior designer Bob Ostroswski (who uses the alias Bob “O”), were on hand along with local design staff to show their commitment to the community.

Already good neighbors, they chose Morton’s to cater hors d’oeuvres with elaborate trays adorning the unique kitchen counters, including stained concrete that looked like stone and a most unusual teak. A sushi bar blended perfectly in a contemporary wenge kitchen with chefs from GoSushi on hand to serve, and the crowd spilled into a tented bar set up in the parking lot outside the store.

But the stars of the night were the ultra-luxury kitchens with cabinets by designer brands most of Sarasota has only seen in upscale magazines: Wm Ohs, SieMatic, and Draper DBS (a Pennsylvania Amish line that has its craftsmen sign each piece they make). AlliKristé also sells mid-range and builder brands, custom cabinets, granite and marble countertops and Sub-Zero (check out the sexy new commercial fridge for homes) and Wolf Appliances.

Curt and Michelle Miller of Michelle Miller Designs of Madeira Beach, designers of the showroom, in the contemporary SieMatic kitchen.

“We’ll do complete kitchens, and cabinetry anywhere in the home from small projects of $8,000 to $10,000, up to $250,000,” said Joe Houlton. He says the company provides everything from gold leafing to beams and ceiling trim. “We’ll clad all the walls in a custom study, bathroom, bedroom—cabinetry is now used everywhere in the home,” Houlton explained.

Joining the festivities were the showroom’s interior designers, Michelle and Curt Miller of Michelle Miller Design in Madeira Beach, FL. The husband-wife team says they specify AlliKristé’s kitchens in all of their high-end residential projects. With a 35,000- square-foot warehouse in St. Pete and 12 designers on staff, AlliKristé is equipped for individual retail clients as well as big developers.

Jeri and John Church of Sunline, representatives for Grabill Kitchens of Indiana were on hand , to answer questions about the Grabill display

Jeri and John Church of Sunline Sales, representatives for Grabill of Indiana, also a high-end Amish cabinet maker, came from Orlando to explain the unique features of their display in the new showroom.

The Grabill kitchen

Bob O, who named AlliKristé after his two daughters when the company was founded in 1996, says the firm also has showrooms in Napes and St. Petersburg. Asked why they chose Lakewood Ranch for their newest location, he said, “We can build kitchens anywhere in the Sarasota-Bradenton area; but we’re here because the growth is going east.”

AlliKristé, 9126 Town Center Parkway, Bradenton,

Posted: 4/22/2007 9:00:09 AM | 1 comments