Caren Rideau: Designer, Vintner, Entertainer [PART 1 OF 2]
Kitchen Designer, Vintner and entertainment enthusiast Caren Rideau has it all! I was recently introduced to this savvy business woman and was so taken by all she has accomplished, I insisted on doing an interview. It was difficult deciding what to focus on, so I turned it into a three-part series. Today, we will be taking a look at her work as a luxury kitchen designer. The kitchen is the foundation of what she does by day and it is her sanctuary, outside of the office. The one place she can showcase her entertainment prowess and the wine she has been crafting with her with her partner Andres Ibarra, since 2012.
I get the sense this woman loves to live and embraces every moment.
Her newsletter Kitchens Uncorked is a popular read, and goes beyond kitchens and baths and shares, “A Perfect Pairing” of a favorite recipe and wine, and “One More Thing” that she has discovered and can’t live without. It is worth checking out! Now let’s hear from the designer…
Who is Caren Rideau?
As the founder of Los Angeles-based Kitchen Design Group, Rideau combines her love of design, food, wine, and entertaining to create stylish and functional spaces that celebrate great design, delicious food, and the act of gathering together. Seeing the kitchen as the “heartbeat” of the home, Caren’s designs are infused with color and emotion and rooted in the function and efficiency that transcends any particular style. The resulting portfolio is diverse in aesthetic however each home is refined yet comfortable, elegant yet casual.
How did you get started in interior design?
What inspires your passion for kitchen design?
What is your favorite part of designing?
What is your biggest challenge as an interior designer?
What is your methodology when developing a design?
How to decipher what the client wants, if they don’t know themselves?
What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
What is the most luxurious item you have ever put into one of your kitchen designs?
What is one piece of advice for anyone remodeling their kitchen?
How do you define luxury?
I would define luxury as comfort. When everything is in alignment – including the design, the implementation, and acquiring that feel-good moment that tickles your soul. Luxury is a feeling of extravagance which can differ for each individual.
Thank you Caren for sharing your story! In Part II of this series, we will take a look at how her passion for wine, blossomed into a successful business, that is a decade old and growing.