Lincoln Cabinet – Creative Design Solutions For Your Home
After two years of ownership, Lincoln Cabinet’s Lori Wellman and Heidi Polacek discuss the Experience & Expertise of their design staff.
OUR HISTORY
Lincoln Cabinet has been designing residential spaces in Lincoln for over 50 years. After purchasing the business from the original owners, Lori Wellman and Heidi Polacek have been the co-owners for two years, and together have 30 years combined work experience with Lincoln Cabinet.
WHO WE ARE
Lincoln Cabinet is a full service design and remodeling company known for their kitchen and bathroom design, but they are also experienced in full house remodeling. “Depending on the size of the project the client wants, we have the ability to help with one room or multiple spaces at once,” says Lori. Lincoln Cabinet’s designers work with home-owners to redesign spaces to create a better home layout.
WHAT SETS LINCOLN CABINET APART?
Experience and education. Heidi and Lori both specialized in kitchen and bath design while pursuing their degrees at UNK. In addition, Lori holds certifications as a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD), Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS). Associate Designers Katie Little and Sarah Kmitta both have degrees in interior design from UNL, and Office Manager Jeanne Eggerss is an ALA Certified Lighting Specialist.
Lincoln Cabinet takes pride in the process they guide their clients through on every project. Lori says “Helping clients understand the importance of taking the time to complete the planning portion of a project before it starts is key to a project running smoothly.” Lincoln Cabinet wants clients to feel confident in all of the decisions they make for their project. “In our experience it helps the project go smoother if the client has followed the process with us,” says Heidi.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT DOING BUSINESS IN LINCOLN?
Heidi and Lori believe that Lincoln is a community that is supportive of local business. “I think Lincoln is a big ‘small town,’ so everybody knows everybody, and we have good Nebraska values,” says Heidi. Heidi appreciates the relationship they have with their long-time customers and contractors: “They’re very trustworthy and dependable. We all work well together with the priority being the clients.”
WHAT INVOLVEMENT DO YOU HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY?
As well as being members of the Home Builders Association of Lincoln, Lori currently serves on the Executive Board as Secretary and has been active in various committees and events. Heidi will serve as Remodelers Council Vice Chair in 2019. Lincoln Cabinet has been a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association for 25 years with Heidi previously serving 8 years in the roles of Secretary, Vice President of Programs, President, and Vice President of Professional Development for the Nebraska/Kansas Chapter.
DO YOU HAVE A BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY OR MISSION STATEMENT?
Lincoln Cabinet’s philosophy is to help create design solutions for your home. Lori believes their principles are to take care of clients, “Everything in a client’s house should meet the same quality standards we’d expect in our own homes.” Lincoln Cabinet’s philosophy ensures that all the details of your remodeling project are taken care of in a timely manner.
WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN IN THE industry in the PAST FEW YEARS?
Heidi says that new technology, such as 3D modeling and virtual reality, has helped clients visualize remodeling projects during the planning and decision-making phases. Also, the selection of accessories installed within cabinetry have allowed spaces to be more functional no matter the size.
WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS?
Clients have the desire to make their home more their own and personal. We entertain and live in our kitchens and aspire to create a cohesive home. “I think the industry will continue to evolve, but remodeling will continue to be a strong business because of the love people have for their homes,” Lori says. Their goal is to continue helping clients make their dreams a reality.
WHAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOUR COMPANY FACES?
“The evolution of home improvement shows on television has been both good and bad for us,” says Lori. Editing to make the process appear much faster and more affordable than is possible in real-life is some of the negative effects. Quality remodeling projects require a lot of time and careful planning. On the other hand, the popularity of home remodeling shows has introduced people to the many possibilities for their home. “I think it’s opened a lot of people’s eyes on designs that can be done with their home and the different products that are available,” says Lori. Clients bring more information to remodeling projects, helping promote conversations about opportunities that are available during their design process, bringing their vision to reality.
WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT LINCOLN CABINET THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW?
Many people may not know that Lincoln Cabinet is a female-owned business. “I think it’s unexpected because in remodeling, it tends to be a very male-driven industry,” says Heidi. Both Heidi and Lori emphasize the experience and expertise of their all-female staff and the importance of communication in client relationships. Lori believes it is especially important to converse with their clients about potential designs they may not have considered, but could improve their homes. “We’re not afraid to take that extra step to suggest alternative ideas, a lot of times the client’s reaction is, ‘Oh, I never thought about that!’ Presenting other options and preplanning for future plans leads to people having the best space possible when we’re finished,” says Lori.