Sponsored by Northbay Kitchen & Bath
from carefully selected partners, including tile manufacturers such as Daltile, Porcelenosa and Happy Floors; cabinetry lines including Dura Supreme, Columbia, Christiana, Bellmont and Primary Kitchen; and surfaces from Caesarstone, Neolith and Dekton. The showroom features a carefully curated collection of cabinetry, lighting, tile, hardwood flooring, plumbing and countertop materials. Frym takes time to thoroughly inspect products before partnering with them in the showroom. In many ways, that process allows him to extend his product knowledge and experience directly to clients. The approach reflects Frym's belief that product selection should be educational as well as personal. Walking through the showroom today reveals how personal the business is to him. Every display tells a story about craftsmanship, material selection or evolving design preferences. A dramatic kitchen vignette at the showroom entrance pairs natural quartzite stone with custom white rift oak cabinetry and professional- Miele appliances. Plaster imported from France was used on the range hood because, according to Frym, the exact color simply could not be sourced domestically. “When you get designers involved, you have to have just the right color.” Attention to detail matters deeply in Frym’s world. He has to consider drawer interiors, types of wood on pantries and cabinets, hardware finishes, countertop durability etc. Each element becomes an opportunity to teach clients about quality and personalization. At the core of his philosophy is the belief that successful design starts with people, not trends. “You watch your clients look at products and you get a real sense of what they like and don’t like, everyone has their own look.” Some clients dream of sleek contemporary spaces with polished lacquer cabinetry and dramatic finishes. Others feel emotionally attached to natural wood because it reminds them of furniture a grandparent once built. Some homeowners cook elaborate meals every night, while others simply want a beautiful kitchen that enhances the appearance of the home. Over the years, Frym has worked with both first-time homeowners carefully watching their budgets and affluent clients building sprawling
1110 Petaluma Blvd N prior to renovation (Courtesy NBKB)
custom properties in Napa Valley. Despite the range, he insists the goal remains the same. "We bring together the right materials to create a space that fits our client's vision and budget. We are not there to sell the most expensive product we have." That practical approach also shapes his views on the broader industry. Having entered construction during an era when roofs were still “stick framed” board by board, Frym has watched building technology evolve dramatically over the decades. While modern methods have accelerated construction, he remains grateful for having learned about the trade from the ground up. “I’m kind of like a dinosaur. I don’t think young adults in the business will ever know what it was to do it from scratch.” Even after decades in the industry, curiosity continues to drive him. He spends hours researching products online, speaking with suppliers and exploring emerging trends. Vendors now regularly approach him hoping to display their products in his showroom, but Frym still sees discovery as part of the job. “You never stop learning.” That mindset is shaping the company’s next chapter. Currently, Frym and his and helping customers imagine what they can have. His vision includes shaded outdoor displays, fire features, barbecues and outdoor kitchen cabinetry displays integrated into the property outside the showroom. “There’s nothing like that in Petaluma.” Not every trend survives, of course. Frym recalls the excitement surrounding massive pizza ovens years ago. What once seemed revolutionary now sits unused in team are expanding their focus into outdoor cabinetry displays
many homes, replaced by simpler tabletop propane models. “I’m glad I didn’t invest too heavily in those giant stone ovens.” He still sees outdoor gathering spaces as an enduring trend. Fire pits, especially, represent something people have gathered around since the beginning of time. “People like to gather around a fire, safely.” Perhaps the clearest reflection of Frym’s long- term relationships with clients comes from the projects that continue years after the initial meeting. One Napa Valley family first hired him to remodel a relatively new home years ago. That initial remodel was only the beginning. After purchasing land with an old farmhouse and planting a small vineyard, they returned to him with another, much bigger dream. And after years of planning, engineering and design work, the family is finally preparing to break ground on an entirely new custom- built home. For someone who began as a kid sweeping construction debris just to stay near a job site, the journey feels less like a career path and more like a lifelong pursuit of helping others bring their vision to life. "That's what we do when we take on a new remodel or new home build. Every material option, color palette and piece of stone is carefully hand-selected. We work through all the design elements." Only now, instead of watching construction happen from the sidelines, Frym is the general contractor helping clients transform their spaces. n
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