Samantha Schoell Talks Design: Personal Touches, Petite Kitchens and More
A set of green dishes can inspire a kitchen’s palette. A small room can invite details that would get lost in a larger space. For Drury Design Senior Designer Samantha Schoell, CKBD, those possibilities start with understanding what matters to the homeowner. In our latest conversation, she shares how she sorts through inspiration, balances proportions and personality, and helps clients work through the decisions that bring a remodel together.
Q: What do you notice during a first home visit that helps you understand the people who live there?
A: I look at their existing furniture, finishes, artwork and décor. Those details tell me a lot about their personal style and what makes a house feel like home to them.
Q: When a client brings you several ideas that don’t quite fit together, how do you help them find a direction?
A: I start by looking closely at their inspiration photos and asking what initially caught their eye. Is it the cabinet color, the backsplash tile or the large window over the sink? I look for common elements between the photos to identify what they’re naturally drawn to. Once I understand what they love about each image, I can help bring those ideas together into a cohesive design.
A set of green dishes brought more than a color reference to an early design meeting. Memories of family restaurant outings helped inspire this kitchen’s green cabinetry.
Q: Tell us about a project where something meaningful to the homeowners helped shape the design.
A: Years ago, I worked with a family on a kitchen remodel, and they brought a set of green dishes to one of our early design meetings. The dishes held special memories of family outings to a restaurant they loved visiting while their children were growing up. That particular shade of green became the inspiration for our color selections, and we ultimately incorporated green cabinetry into the kitchen.
Q: Your background combines mathematics, architecture and interior design. Where does that combination show up in your work?
A: My background helps me balance creativity with analytical thinking. I pay close attention to proportions, measurements and how a space functions.
When designing a kitchen, I’m thinking beyond cabinet colors and countertops. I’m considering how the homeowner uses the space, how traffic flows around the island and where appliances should be positioned.
It’s about making sure the finished space is just as functional as it is beautiful.
Q: What are you working on now that you’re especially excited about?
A: I’m currently working on a kitchen remodel where the space is extremely small. Rather than fight that, we decided to embrace its petite charm.
We’re incorporating a 27-inch Lacanche French range, delicate cabinet knobs instead of oversized pulls, a small sconce on the side of a cabinet and a narrow stone ledge for spices.
Every detail is intentional. I love showing how a small space can feel thoughtful, unique and full of character.
These are just a few of the many countertop edge profiles available, ranging from subtly eased corners to decorative curves and stepped details. Profile names and exact shapes vary by fabricator.
Q: Is there a material or detail you find yourself drawn to lately?
A: Lately, I’ve been drawn to more detailed countertop edges. I love a unique profile that adds an unexpected layer of detail to a space.
We’ve seen so many simple square edges, so it’s exciting to bring back a little character and craftsmanship. I’d love to incorporate these profiles on a bathroom vanity, where the edge itself can become a beautiful design feature without overwhelming the space.
Q: You’ve described organization as one of your strengths. What does that look like for a client working with you?
A: Remodeling involves so many decisions, so I break the process into manageable steps and keep track of the details along the way.
I also like to narrow selections down to my top three options so clients don’t feel overwhelmed. My goal is to make the experience as organized, enjoyable and stress-free as possible.
Samantha tailors cabinetry to her clients’ tastes, the space available and the character of their homes. In this award-winning Arts and Crafts kitchen, a slim, tall cabinet turns a challenging spot into useful storage with display space above — pairing practical updates with details that honor the home’s heritage.
Q: What’s helpful for homeowners to know about the remodeling process before they begin?
A: It’s natural to be excited about getting started and seeing the finished space. A quality remodel involves thoughtful planning, careful coordination and lots of decisions along the way.
Allowing time to work through those details together helps us create a space that feels right for you and works well for how you live.
A small room with a bold new personality. Samantha transformed this Naperville powder room with richly patterned wallpaper, a sculptural vanity and brass accents, replacing the previous room’s understated finishes with a distinctive mix of texture, shape and shine.
Q: Outside of work, what are you especially interested in these days?
A: I’ve become a big soccer fan! Both of my kids play, and as they’ve gotten older, the competition has gotten more exciting.
The World Cup this summer fueled that interest even more. We spent many days watching games together as a family, and it’s been so much fun sharing that excitement with them.
Considering a remodel? Explore Samantha’s work or contact her at samantha@drurydesigns.com or 630-446-7637 to discuss your project.