Dylan Gilliam - Design Principal
What do you get when two hippies raise their son in an atmosphere influenced by both food and design? A kitchen designer named after Bob Dylan of course! No need to worry though, Dylan has yet to design a kitchen with an integrated lava lamp or fondu center (please don’t tempt him...we don’t even want to know where he might take that).
Dylan’s favorite comedic author, David Sedaris, once suggested that everyone passes art school as long as the tuition is paid. Although Dylan briefly considered testing this theory at the Art Institute, he decided that simply passing was probably not the best path to realize his career goals. As a result, Dylan graduated at the top of his class and was awarded the Best In Show Award at his school-wide graduate portfolio exhibit.
As fate would have it, while still in school, Dylan was asked to intern at one of Atlanta’s most prestigious Buckhead design studios. There, Dylan apprenticed under Jamie Elliot McPherson, a historic preservation specialist and SCAD graduate, that was recently named as one of Atlanta’s top 20 talents impacting Atlanta’s interiors, architecture, environment, and sense of community. With his background in both food and design, along with Jamie’s guiding influence, Dylan realized his true calling in the creative world, Kitchen Design. Since that introduction to this specialized segment of the design industry, Dylan has contributed to countless residential, commercial, and design collaborations throughout the United States, Canada, The Bahamas, France, and Italy. Those collaborations have ranged from the renovation of a small Auburn “game day” cottage to an exclusive 50 story residential condominium, and include projects as unique as a personal Ferrari museum. Most recently, as the result of a design collaboration for a low-country island retreat, Dylan was recognized with the prestigious National Kitchen and Bath Association award. Although Dylan always enjoys the challenges of each exciting new project, his true motivation is the positive, long-lasting influence that his designs have on the everyday lives of each client.
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Steve Luisi - Principal, Field Operations
Among Steve’s many talents and diversions are construction, cooking, and making great music. While the three arts may seem very different at first glance, creativity is a common thread among all elements and is the cornerstone of any artistic expression. With any masterpiece, artistic vision must be focused through a lens that fuses the logistical with the creative by unifying abstract ideas to achieve a truly original work of art.
Having grown up as a third-generation master plumber and over a twenty-five year tenure in the construction business in the northeast and in Charleston, Steve brings solid business acumen and experience to our field operations division. Steve is especially skilled at project direction of high-end residential projects. While his accolades are too numerous to list, Steve wears one particular accreditation with pride–professionally he is a licensed master plumber and family man and father of two, with his wife Amy.
Steve and his family relocated to the Charleston area several years ago after visiting The College of Charleston with their daughter. They fell in love with the city they now call home because of the great people, the picturesque views, the history, and the water (another of Steve’s passions). For Steve, moving to Charleston presented yet another unique opportunity–amazing architectural design. Steve took this opportunity to merge all of his greatest interests and talents into one focus–the creation of striking and functional kitchens. A word of caution: Steve’s excitement is contagious!
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Amy Luisi - CFO
While Amy is perhaps best known for her world famous salad and other culinary delights, her skill in finance and administration is nothing short of excellent, as well. While those who know Amy are often found recounting their last favorite meal in her kitchen, her ability to relate to others and her commitment to quality, meticulous attention to details, and genuine appreciation for unique individuals make her an integral part of our teamand a pleasure to meet for any new acquaintance.
Amy’s cooking is as inviting as her warm embrace. Whether using her trusted salad bowl (now in use for over 27 years!) or cooking with her husband, family or friends, everyone keeps coming back for more of her tasty cooking and juicy conversation. As her children grew from toddlers to teenagers, Amy's house and kitchen were always packed with hungry neighborhood kids. Her specialty, Italian cuisine, is the kind that stays with you, leaving you with cravings for years to come. The experience that Amy effortlessly creates in the kitchen and her home while entertaining is one that's difficult to describe and simply must be experienced, as words do no justice.
Her passion for entertaining was inspired by the various high school sports teams her meals have nourished and her energy engenders warmth, empathy and wisdom. Amy says that among her most influential mentors were her closest friend’s mother, Mrs. Ben Bonanno (that's where the cooking began) and her husband Steve's mother’s (Grandma Pippi) kitchen (where her love of the kitchen flourished). Amy knows from experience that an environment coupled with memorable experiences comprise some of our most cherished moments in life. She's learned that from the sage wisdom from monumental mentors coupled with her many years in the Food & Beverage Industry, all of which coalesce to fuel her passion for King Street Kitchen Company a natural fit.
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William Towne
William has been in the interior design industry for over 16 years, apprenticing under Max Lee - one of the founding members of the American Society of Interior Designers (A.S.I.D.). In addition to his overall interior design experience, William has honed his skills in the art of planning spaces for his clients to explore and expand their culinary skills for over 5 years. William has worked throughout the United States on exclusive design collaborations, including projects in Tampa, Los Angeles, Scottsdale, Charleston, and the Highlands - Cashiers, NC area.
William was formally trained in Studio Art at the College of Charleston, Design at The Art Institute of Atlanta, and Art Education at The University of South Carolina.
Prior to his involvement in the design industry, William was a member of the Robert Ivey Ballet Company, traveling on tour to Russia, Denmark, Sweden, and Spain. Additionally, William has traveled the length of the Grand Canyon doing environmental research, has traveled to Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, and Mexico during a 4-month backpacking adventure along the Mayan trail, and he has assisted in personal growth programs at a team building organization as a high events facilitator.
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Leslie Coleman, Development Manager
Leslie is best described as, “Sales by Experience, Marketing by Education, and Design by Genetic Default.” Leslie threaded her first Roman Shade at the early age of three, helping in her mother’s custom drapery, bedding, fabric and design business. Having been raised by an interior designer mother, a computer analyst father, and in an historic environment (Birmingham, AL), Leslie was immersed in the synergy of creative and analytical constructs woven seamlessly into Birmingham’s historic charm. To that end, Leslie is an extrovert in every sense of the word, which naturally makes her a great fit in developing and managing relationships with some of Charleston’s most talented interior designers, architects, and developers.
Leslie joins KSKC out of a passion for design, and is a tremendous asset to our team. Her commitment to the highest quality standards, personal attention, and the camaraderie she develops with her clients is second to none. Leslie draws from six years of experience in working with the world’s most widely known and successful charities, where she utilized her sales and marketing talents to design effective fund raising, financial management, and operational solutions for clients. She is praised for her commitment to the success of her partners, and for never missing an opportunity to deepen or develop a mutually beneficial relationship that will grow for years to come.
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Margot - Mascot
I recently read an article on what qualities make a good boss. Topping the list were the following: being inclusive, having a mission...not just a focus on money, empathy, and an open invitation for learning new things. Admittedly, I was reading this for my own benefit...but, while contemplating the wisdom that had just been bestowed upon me, a little furry head belonging to none other than Margot, our Mini Schnauzer, weaseled its way under my hand making it simply impossible for me to resist giving her a good rub down. That’s when it dawned on me, like the proverbial lightbulb going off over my head...Margot is an EXCELLENT boss and role model! She is always inclusive, I mean ALWAYS. She certainly has a mission, albeit food, a back scratch, or a ball toss, and you can’t argue that she’s not driven in completing that mission. You can always count on her to be the most empathetic listener whenever needed and she always knows exactly the right thing to do when you’re down....cuddle. On top of all that, she is constantly amazing us by learning new things, often more quickly than any of us do. However, the best thing, whenever times get stressful and someone is on the verge of an argument, Margot will always be the best mediator. Margo is truly the boss of this group and the best one that any of us could ever hope for. We still have a lot to learn from Miss Margot.
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