Mary Ann Elston’s search for her dream kitchen became an unexpected path to her dream career in 2001 when she and her husband, Terry, a custom homebuilder, were building their home. They searched diligently for high-end, custom products for their own kitchen and bathrooms, and were unable to find what they wanted locally. Mary Ann and Terry then realized the need in North Louisiana for a locally owned, custom, home design firm that specialized in top-quality products and unique cutting-edge designs. Her dream came to life when she and Terry opened Kitchen and Bath Cottage that same year.
Originally, Mary Ann opened Kitchen & Bath Cottage in the rear of Pierremont Common in Shreveport as a small custom cabinetry, appliances and design showroom with only two employees. In 2012, Mary Ann and Terry had grown the business and its product offerings so much that it required them to relocate Kitchen & Bath Cottage to the front of Pierremont Common into an expanded showroom that looks out onto Line Avenue. By 2016, the business had become so successful that it was recognized by Inc. Magazine and received inclusion into the Inc. 5000 as one of the Fastest-Growing Private Companies.
Today, Mary Ann is forging ahead as a woman in business enjoying the realization of her vision, and now proudly operates with ten employees who make up a team of experienced professionals working together as a family to fulfill the design, remodeling and new construction needs and desires of the business’ clientele. Mary Ann and the team at Kitchen & Bath Cottage, which once began as that small two person business offering only custom cabinetry, a few appliances and design services, now offers a multitude of products including Marvin Windows & Doors, Wood-Mode, Bentwood, Sub-Zero, Wolf, Miele, Thermador, Bosch, LaCornue, Scotsman, Hoshizaki, Walker Zanger, New Ravenna and Artistic Tile, Phantom Screens, Solatube Daylighting Systems and much more. With new goals and a renewed vision, Mary Ann is still hard at work growing her business with a carefully assembled team ready to help bring everyone’s dream spaces to life not only in Shreveport and Bossier, but throughout the ArkLaTex.
She had a mission to be the premier building and remodeling source in North Louisiana and to offer unmatched service and quality. Typically, the building and remodeling business is a man’s world, and that is why Mary Ann’s vision is so unique. She and her team have an eye for classic style and hip new trends, and her team of designers has the expertise and skills regarding the structural aspects of home design.
What are some of Mary Ann’s personal favorites?
She has particularly fallen in love with Wood-Mode cabinetry because of its beauty and lasting finishes, as well as the furniture quality of the cabinetry, and its lifetime warranty.
Kitchen & Bath Cottage carries several lines of fabulous custom cabinetry lines including, Wood-Mode, Brookhaven, Bentwood & Kitchen Craft. “Top of the line” is not a phrase taken lightly by the Elstons. If you only want the best of the best- the team at the Kitchen & Bath Cottage has you covered.
Keeping a pulse on construction and design trends, Mary Ann realized a few years ago that there was a growing trend toward outdoor living spaces. Once again, she and her team adapted to the desires and needs of her clients expanding lines further to include outdoor appliance brands such as: EVO, Fire Magic, RCS and DCS grills as well as stainless steel Danver cabinetry, all of which work great when designing and building the perfect outdoor kitchen and living space.
In an effort to address other significant design needs of the market and understanding the demand in Shreveport for unique specialty tiles like Walker-Zangger and Artistic Tile, the decision was made to add a tile showroom and display a wide selection of choices for homeowners and designers alike. “As we planned our new showroom, we made the decision to become an exclusive dealer for Walker Zanger, Artistic Tile and New Ravenna,” stated Mary Ann. “Our designers are now seeing requests from some of our clients who desire to tile ceilings and entire walls in common living areas and entryways for dramatic effect, taking a room to a whole new level of WOW!” she added.
Kitchen & Bath Cottage is now a showroom where designers, builders and architects bring clients to select tile instead of having to plan trips out of town. If you want one of a kind, stunning tile work, check out Walker-Zanger or Artistic Tile. They’re gorgeous! Their team can also work with a homeowner who just wants a small remodel of their space, but with a great deal of impact from just the addition of breathtaking tile.
Mary Ann’s team can help coordinate and get most of the items needed in a construction project, offering the one- stop service that most homeowners, builders, designers and architects are seeking. Easy and fabulous!
The designers at The Cottage are seeing a direct move in the direction of a simple, light and airy feel in new kitchen design. They can help you achieve this look through neutral color palettes and clean, elegant lines. They feel it has something to do with the desire to un-clutter and simplify the hectic lifestyle everyone seems to live these days, as clients want their homes to be calm and soothing. Think spas and high-end hotel décor! Greater attention is now being paid to details and the quality of materials, such as a unique slab of quartzite on the island or hardware that looks more like jewelry.
The business also expanded as a certified Marvin Windows and Doors dealer and installer. According to Mary Ann, “That was the easiest decision we ever made, as Marvin is a family owned company, now being led by the fourth generation of Marvins with a mission and a high standard for quality that lines up perfectly with the Cottage’s.”
Solatube Daylighting was added to the product mix when Mary Ann was looking for a way to bring natural light into areas lacking windows. Solatube was the perfect solution and is one of the things clients come
back frequently to add another one in their home after experiencing the change and impact of additional daylight within an enclosed space.
Mary Ann and the entire team at Kitchen & Bath Cottage is so appreciative of all their clients for choosing to visit the showroom and supporting a locally owned business by choosing Kitchen & Bath Cottage for their home construction and remodeling needs. “It makes us happy that we can source most everything our clients need to make their dream home a reality right here in Shreveport as that was the whole reason we started our business,” stated Mary Ann. Ark-La-Tex residents once had to travel to larger cities to find the best of the best, but now this Shreveport lady has made these products available here at home, so you can make your dream home a reality. “Our team truly considers our clientele to be our extended family and walk with them through every step of the process to build the spaces they call home.”
Find out more about Kitchen and Bath Cottage at kbcottage.com