BIOS
Kristen Totah, ASID
Principal Designer
Kristen Totah, ASID, Interior Designer, specializes in Kitchen and Bath design personally suited to each client. After completing her BA in Psychology from University of California, Santa Barbara, Kristen earned a BA in Environmental Factors in Interiors from California State University, Long Beach. She is a member of both ASID and NKBA.
Since 1993, Kristen has enjoyed the challenge of creating interior environments that combine the client’s functional requirements and aesthetic preferences with fresh design resulting in a luxurious, dynamic composition. She approaches each space as an empty canvas with unlimited possibilities. Ultimately, her greatest reward is the fulfillment of the client’s design vision.
After initially embarking on a career in Hospitality Design, Kristen accepted the position of Design Director for Cutting Edge Studio in Maui, Hawaii from 1998 to 2007. There she designed upscale residential interiors for an impressive array of distinguished clients. In 2007, she expanded her client base, opening STUDIO K Kitchens and Design in Aptos, California. She now operates as Principal Design Director for both STUDIO K Kitchens and Design in California and in Maui, Hawaii.
Kristen has won numerous design awards, including the honor of being a 3-time regional winner of the prestigious Subzero Wolf Design Contest, an International design competition. In 2008, she was honored to sit on the 7 person panel with her esteemed colleagues to judge this event. She has also garnered awards in competitions such as the NKBA Phil Zweedyk award, BIA Grand award, along with many NKBA and ASID Honor and Merit awards. Kristen’s designs have been featured in numerous publications including Great American Kitchens, Hawaiian Style Magazine, Coastal Living, Maui No Ka Oi, and Hawaii Home and Remodeling.
Email: Kristen@studiokkitchens.com
Michelle Lea Rudd
Project Coordinator/ Designer
Michelle graduated in 2006 with honors from the NKBA and FIDER accredited Interior Design program, at West Valley College in Saratoga California. She also received the NKBA kitchen and Bath Krafter certificate of completion. With over 10 years of experience, Michelle has expertise in project coordination, bidding, specification, custom cabinetry and furniture design, window and soft furnishings, drafting/ CAD, Illustration and rendering.
Upon completion of design school, Michelle was hired as the Interior Designer and Project coordinator for Trojan Remodeling and Design in Campbell California, specializing in Residential renovations from 2006-2008 and The Rose Collection in Los Gatos on High end residential and retail design projects. Working with clients from design through completion and worked closely with with subcontractors in the field.
Michelle was hired by STUDIO K Kitchens and Design in Aptos California and has worked as as the Project Coordinator and Designer since 2009.
Awards include: 1st place- NKBA small kitchen 2012, Silver- Residential Kitchen over100k and Gold- Residential Kitchen 60-100k- NARI SJ Meta award in 2008.
Email: Michelle@studiokkitchens.com
