ISSUE 007
10 M I NUTES WITH THE FOUNDER
Are you a city person? sliferdenver.com — @sliferdenver
A conversation with Kevin Vesel, founder of veselbrand and Vesel Contemporary Kitchens.
A conversation with Kevin Vesel, founder of veselbrand.
Share with us … What is veselbrand veselbrand, is my line of contemporary cabinetry emphasizing European aesthetics of design, timeless materials and luxurious finishes. I was a professional photographer for about twenty plus years. I started by assisting the top photographers in the world, Scavullo, Penn, Karsh, and Annie Leibovitz to name a few. Living in New York and traveling all over the world on photo shoots, I was lucky to have been able to work along side such incredibly talented and demanding creative professionals at such an early age. The amount of trust I had to produce these large shoots and assist under extremely demanding circumstances was my training ground for not only my design confidence, but my life confidence!
Then in 1985 while out here on a climbing trip, I decided moved to Denver where I began to shoot Outdoor Adventure Sports for clients like Patagonia, North Face and Black Diamond, I didn’t shoot anything I didn’t do myself .. so that kept me on my toes. After 18 years of trying to keep up with these professional athletes to get the shot I just decided I would stop shooting and try something new. I decided I would design and build one of a kind furniture, lighting and interior spaces. Years later while working for Bulthaup installing kitchens, I had coffee with design professional Brad Fentress and a friendship and a business, (the precursor to Studio Como) was born. There I designed kitchens and anything else that came our way... It was an adventurous and fun 8 years.
Although I hated to leave the family and energy we had created there I knew it was time to challenge myself again. After having designed, and installed well over 400 contemporary kitchens from world class lines like Bulthaup, Varenna, Arclinea, Poggenpohl, Simatic, and many more I learned what worked and what didn’t, That was my fuel and inspiration to start Vesel Contemporary Kitchens, and begin designing my own line of Contemporary Cabinetry. Now a competitive brand in the ever-growing European Cabinetry market here in Denver, veselbrand stands out by being hand-built by local craftsmen using the finest European lacquers, woods and cutting edge interior finishings. When you look back on your career is there one thing that made you think you had “made it” … Well … I had a weekend off once ….. I don’t know if you ever make it, there’s always the next challenge, but there is joy and laughter in everything I do, and when I put my name on something … well that means everything to me. What would you consider being one of your biggest successes? I think my overall success is that I am able to creatively solve design and fabrication problems on a daily basis. Sitting down with people and really figuring out their intentions for the perfect kitchen. It is the attention to detail that really helps me be successful in every project. Details, details. Best advice you’ve ever received? No really …. You should get an Uber…. What does it mean to be part of the LoHi community? I have loved being in the LoHi community for over 30 years. Not having a showroom has allowed me the time to be out in the community talking to clients and building a network. I feel very supported by the people I have worked with. I love supporting them as well. Get it local … shipping containers are for architects. Give us a visual of your most favorite project you’ve been part of? I am my biggest project and the one I am the most proud of. I have had to work hard to continually challenge myself and think of ways to reinvent my work and myself.
What is your most memorable client interaction that gives you great joy? I had an Aspen couple walk in the studio late one night … stressed … they had looked at everything and they just didn’t feel the magic. Not so much in the products they saw … they just didn’t feel understood … she broke out crying feeling the weight of all these decisions, and everyone just kept asking her what she wanted…. Which just made things worse. She needed time to tell me who she was …. And what their life was about. And I reassured her that I had 400+, kitchens and best friends on my side and that she was in good hands …. She hugged me and said that’s all she needed to hear … that she could talk and I would listen. We produced a beautiful, funky kitchen for their unique Aspen home and now … I’m building a kitchen for their Denver home.
I did a kitchen for a beautiful retired couple … and the gentleman was a very astute businessman and over the weeks as I installed in their home he asked me, “What’s your exit strategy”? That question has always resonated with me. It made me think about where I see veselbrand going, and what sort of legacy it is I plan to leave behind. Currently, what are you inspired by? People, places, and things inspire me. Travel …. Last year I traveled with my friend and interior designer Lindsey to Nepal to help oversee and build a sanitation project in the remote villages of the Everest region. She created Nivas … an organization that last year was able to accomplish more than I could have ever imagined. Through donationsfive hundred families encompassing nine villages in rural
Nepal now have sanitary toilets at their homes. A huge accomplishment, toward better health and better lives. And in 2016 Nivas will work to rebuild 100 homes destroyed by the Nepal earthquakes, providing earthquake resistance construction training and re-planting 1,000 trees in rural Everest region. Join in! nivas-built. org. Next up…. Many many, projects and new opportunities on the books, and in the shop. Working with some great Architects, Interior Designers and Builders. Salone Del Moblie / Euro Cucina in Milan in April …. Recharge the creative spirit and eat breath and shop design!
“After designing and installing over 400 contemporary kitchens from world class european lines; I knew I could do better, locally... that was my fuel to create veselbrand ” — Kevin Vesel on the backstory behind his company.
“People, places, and things inspire me. Last year I traveled with my friend and interior designer Lindsey to Nepal to help oversee and build a sanitation project in the remote villages of the Everest region. She created Nivas … an organization that last year was able to accomplish more than I could have ever imagined.” - Principal Designer of veselbrand on what he is currently inspired by
ISSUE 013
10 M I NUTES WITH THE FOUNDER
Are you a city person? sliferdenver.com — @sliferdenver
A conversation with Kevin Vesel, founder of of veselbrand and Vesel Contemporary Kitchens.