Planning and Design Resources    |    Featured Designer

Danielle McDonald

Viking Range, LLC, the leader in residential kitchen technology, has named Danielle McDonald as the September Designer of Distinction. Danielle is a designer at Colmar Kitchen Studio based in Margate, New Jersey and is the ninth monthly winner in the 2016 Viking Kitchen Design Competition. Danielle is the lead designer for this month’s winning kitchen with co-design support from Rachel Hale, designer. Designers from around the United States are vying for the coveted honor to become the 2016 Viking Designer of the Year.

Colmar Kitchen Studio, owned by Tom Collins, Jr., specializes in combining superior service with unparalleled quality to design kitchens or baths to fit the living needs of his customers.

The home of September’s winning kitchen design was formerly owned by the Roman Catholic Arch Diocese of Philadelphia, used as a vacation home for priests and has more than 15,000 square feet of living space.

The clients' dreams were to turn the religious retreat into a stylish vacation home with four individual suites for their 3 children and grandchildren. Colmar Kitchens was tasked with creating the centerpiece of the home: a stunning main Viking kitchen that would serve as a place for the extended family to gather, share meals and entertain. The kitchen was designed to support the preparation of meals for a minimum of 20 people at a time, without looking like a caterer's kitchen.

"The scale of the kitchen allowed us to seamlessly integrate a full suite of professional-grade Viking appliances and two full sinks while maintaining the upscale residential feel our clients desired," said Danielle McDonald. "The full use of Viking appliances made this large and unconventional space feel like a home but act like a professional cooking hub."

Viking professional appliances in the kitchen include a 48" Rangetop with 8 Burners, 30" Single Oven and Convection Microwave With Trim Kit installed together, a 30" Single Oven installed under the counter, Viking Dishwasher With Panel, 36" All Refrigerator Left Hand Door Swing and a 36" All Freezer with Right Hand Door Swing.