Madre:
Among the many custom kitchen companies, could you tell us why you chose ours?

Mrs. Kimura:
I had heard from the architectural office that you were exceptionally dedicated in your approach. The first things that impressed me were the wide variety of paint colors available for the cabinet doors and the ability to customize sizes down to the centimeter. Since I wanted the counters planned higher to suit my height, that level of flexibility was very important to me.

The consultation process itself took quite some time. At one point, I was torn between choosing orange or gray, and in total, it may have taken nearly six months. Yet throughout, Mr. Yamane always offered advice far beyond what I asked—if I posed ten questions, he would provide twenty or thirty suggestions, and he was proactive in every way. I also remember how he once took me to the site before handover, and I was struck by how beautifully finished the paintwork was.

Madre:
It seems you also had strong preferences for the kitchen, didn’t you?

Mrs. Kimura:
Yes, that’s right. In fact, the architect even told us that we were putting too much emphasis on the kitchen. But once the cabinet door color was decided, everything else—such as the furniture—fell into place as part of a total coordination. My greatest priority was to ensure that all appliances could be stored away. In the end, we decided to keep only the kettle and coffee maker visible, as they produce steam and are more convenient to use when left out.

Madre:
Now that the kitchen is complete, are there aspects you find particularly convenient, or things you might suggest improving?

Mrs. Kimura:
One feature I really appreciate is the rail installed on the raised section in front of the sink, which keeps items hidden from the dining side. Initially, it wasn’t part of the plan, but it has proven very useful. Since the cabinet doors are handleless, it provides a discreet place to hang dish towels, without creating a sense of clutter. If towels are visible, it immediately feels like just an “ordinary kitchen.”

We also sometimes host parties with our children’s friends, and we keep glasses in the double-sided cabinet beneath the sink. This makes them accessible from outside the kitchen, which is extremely convenient. As for the trash bin, it was originally designed with a kick-open feature under the right side of the sink. While I quickly got used to it, my husband and children had difficulty adjusting, so we eventually replaced it with a simple pull-out drawer.

Madre:
It sounds like the design meetings were a very enjoyable experience.

Mrs. Kimura:
Yes, they truly were. In fact, my husband was also very particular about the kitchen, so we attended every meeting together as a family.

What struck me about Mr. Yamane was just how attentive and supportive he is. I felt we could place complete trust in him—he was truly dependable. There are professionals who carry out their work in a cool and detached manner, but Mr. Yamane is different. He never compromises on what he creates based on his own proposals. We felt that by entrusting everything to him, the result would be perfect in every respect.

Even our architect praised him, saying, “When you start discussing a project with him, he becomes fully engaged and passionate. He is truly dedicated.” Since I spend time in the kitchen every day, I could of course express my wishes, but Mr. Yamane provided professional insights, saying, “It would work better this way,” while also respecting the architect’s intentions. He acted as a bridge between the architect and myself, and that support was what I valued most.

Madre:
Thank you very much. We look forward to continuing to propose kitchens and lifestyles that embody the spirit of hospitality.