Mastro Kitchen Studio . . . Making A House A Home

Story And Photo By Julianna Bonnett

In2010 Vito Mastrorocco opened Mastro Kitchen Studio with the hopes to fill the gap of well-designed cabinetry and personalized services in the Windsor Essex area.

Supplying his customers with high quality cabinetry and custom designed living spaces, Mastrorocco and his business partner, Designer, Wade Nelligan, aim to offer expert advice, quality products and exceptional service while specializing in custom cabinetry for your kitchen, bath, bar, walkin closet, home office, multi-media room, and more. (View a gallery of past projects on their website: MastroKitchenStudio.com)

Born in Italy, Mastrorocco moved to Canada when he was 15 years old. From there, he attended St. Clair College and received his diploma in Architectural Technology and also holds a degree in Environmental Design from the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto.

With over 37 years of experience, in the past he has designed homes, shopping malls, boutiques, store fixtures and now cabinetry.

“We have been blessed with the continuous support of returning customers, referrals. and working with a selected few interior designers,” Mastrorocco explains. “We also advertise in local magazines.”

Nelligan shares a similar vision when it comes to the look and feel of a kitchen.

With 11 years of kitchen design experience and a love of all things related to this “Heart of the Home” room, he and Mastrorocco make a dynamic team.

During the designing process, the pair first start with an initial meeting, typically at their showroom (2863 Howard Avenue in Windsor) where customers can go over their architectural plans (if a new house) or basic dimensions (if a renovation).

Then, through a series of questions, they formulate the customer’s needs, preferences of style/colour and types of appliances.

Afterwards, all the information they gathered is used to create a space-plan custom-tailored to the customer’s lifestyle.

The concept drawings help them generate a projected budget figure.

Once both the plan and budget is approved and a retainer fee is received, they confirm all dimensions on site. Next, they prepare CAD drawings and 3D renderings to better communicate their ideas to the customer. They then meet again with the customer for a more detailed visual presentation.

The final step is to choose the cabinetry door style, colour and complementary items such as decorative handles, countertops, accessories and the like.

“Our products are 100 percent Canadian, mainly from Manitoba and Ontario,” notes Mastrorocco. “Cabinetry finishes we offer include painted or stained wood, laminates, painted high density fibreboard.”

How long is the entire process you ask?

“A typical design, from start to finish, will take on average one to four weeks,” he states. “More complex designs will take longer. Cabinetry production takes six to 12 weeks, depending on finish.”

Sharing that his passion and skill are the driving forces that help him develop creative and innovative design solutions, Mastrorocco’s high standards of professionalism and exceptional service have made him a trustworthy designer for over three decades.

And what are their plans for the future?

“Our business short and long term goals are to continue designing beautiful and functional spaces as long as we possibly can,” Mastrorocco comments.

He is motivated daily by his “amazing wife and two lovely daughters” who are his “life caffeine”.

Describing himself as dependable, dedicated, and trustworthy, Mastrorocco mentions that he and Nelligan try their best to find the proper balance between customer needs, good design and budget.

When asked for his advice to others wanting a career in interior design he responds: “Be humble, but proud of your work. Pay attention and respect a customer’s needs,” he states. “You might not know everything now, but life is a great teacher and if you are willing, you will master what you seek.”