
About

Designs by SKill was launched in 2006 as a design company working directly with SKill Construction & Designs, LLC. With creative problem-solving, we help our clients in optimizing their functional needs, while expressing themselves through their homes. We are a team of qualified design professionals working together to bring out the best results.
We enjoy working with clients with any range of projects, budgets and tastes. Whether it is a one wall entertainment system to a second story addition to your homes, we create environments that are elegant, comfortable, and functional. We specialize in Kitchen and Bath Design, and have obtained a CKBR Certification within an prestigious organization, NARI. Our expertise is however not limited to only kitchens and baths. We pride ourselves in being knowledgeable in materials and applications in every room of a house.
We can provide clients with a design, or work with them throughout the construction process with
SKIll Construction & Designs, LLC.
We also work with each client's contractor and other designers for integrated results. We begin design first with structure, function, and finally aesthetics. Before demolition begins, we design and budget the entire project. We even offer a shopping experience with our staff for those in need. We then can pass on our design to a contractor, or will work with our contractor, SKill Construction & Designs, LLC We work and communicate with our contractor constantly, bringing consistency through the length of the project.
Testimonials
"I am unbelievably amazed and excited about my new kitchen! I could not have imagined that it would turn out so beautifully. Suzanne Kalmin of Designs By SKill designed my kitchen. Before we selected a contractor or even knew what we were going to do, Mrs. Kalmin took our ideas and the current styles in our home and turned them into my dream kitchen! She helped my husband and I evaluate and reevaluate the layout and selection of our cabinetry, appliances and lighting. The design of our backsplash was perfect to complement our color sink choice. Our kitchen feels Just Right! It completely reflects my husband's and my style. Of the greatest importance, Mrs. Kalmin worked with our very limited budget and was able to get the materials necessary to create the look we wanted within our budget. I am so very thankful for her designer’s eye, her patience and creativity with pulling together the look we wanted without breaking our bank! Thank you Suzanne and Designs By SKill for your remarkable design. It is so much more than we could have ever imagined!"
The Barry’s, Fairfax, VA
"Designs By Skill helped me with the design. They were very patient and even took me with them to the tile store to help me pick out what was best. I would definitely use them again. I really enjoyed working with them and their fun design idea… my bathroom is both breathtaking and a fun design…My friends and Family love it!"
Laura Dominguez, Alexandria, VA
Designs By SKill's design team was great. This was a great feature that several companies could not offer. Suzanne and Victoria helped us make choices with cabinets, countertop, design, etc. We love our new kitchen and have received numerous compliments from friends and colleagues. We are very happy with the way the countertop, backsplash, cabinet selection, appliances, floors and lighting came together. Likewise, opening up some walls and adding a sliding glass door has completely changed the look and feel of the main floor of the house. It is a much better space to work and live in.
Davenport, Arlington, VA
"We had a great experience with Designs By Skill; Suzanne and her team are wonderful to work with. They have a great eye for detail and are very helpful with their suggestions. Working with an older home, nothing came up that surprised them. They took care of any concerns that we had starting the project and were available for questions for anything that came up during the project. We love our bathrooms, they are beautiful."
A. Danhof, Alexandria, VA
"Thank you Designs by SKill for all of your hard work on our wonderful master bath! We couldn't be happier with it and really appreciate all of your effort, attention to detail, great advice, and the care you took both with the project itself and with minimizing the impact to rest of the house. We also really appreciate the times you went the extra mile, such as making special trips over to explain tile layouts; that was above and beyond and we do appreciate it! It really was a pleasure working with you and we wish you all the best."
Chris & Beth V., Burke, VA
"Designers Suzanne and Victoria, who immediately made us feel comfortable and spent time discussing our kitchen and showing us the spectacular results of their previous work. We were working with a tight timeline and Victoria guided us quickly through the next couple of weeks in making all of our selections and worked with us to develop the perfect design for our space. She listened to what we wanted and provided her expert opinions in order for us to develop perfect solutions for our kitchen!"
Strussion, Arlington, VA
"Suzanne and her team were instrumental in formalizing the layout and design and the interactive process was very helpful. While some decisions were more difficult than others, their patience and suggestions were always helpful and encouraging. The accompanied product buying process at various showrooms was helpful and Suzanne made it an easier process. We chose appliances, lighting and fixtures in one trip. We chose flooring and backsplash tiles in another. And it took a couple trips for the countertop. We love our overall kitchen and my Partner and I enjoy our morning coffee in a fabulous space! Thank you to the great Design Team!"
Daulbert, Fairfax, VA
Community Involvement
Babes for a Cure is a team created by a group of friends that participates in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. They have had previous experience with the race and Susan G. Komen Foundation, but have been a team since 2005. They have grown from 13 to 50 participants in three years and have raised almost $10,000 to date. They have held successful fundraisers and have been featured in the Washington Post’s Weekend Guide. Babes for the Cure sets the bar higher and higher each year and will continue to grow and go above and beyond their goals.
The team has created partnerships with several local businesses, with Designs by SKill and RJK Construction, Inc. being it’s prime sponsors. We have supported Babes for a Cure for two years now and the team greatly appreciates them for providing them with wonderful team shirts, pledges, and for their motivation and support.
Visit the Race for Cure Website to learn more about our charity organization.
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