On the fence about whether you want to renovate your kitchen space—or any part of your home? Don’t worry, we get it. Not only is this a big investment financially but it can be difficult to trust someone with a project so close to your heart.

So let us take you through the journey of working with Skyview Closets, Cabinetry, and Blinds and why they’re our #TopPick across the Okanagan!

A one-stop-shop for all your interior design solutions with locations in both Penticton and Kelowna, they specialize in custom closets, kitchens, vanities, and architectural millwork all manufactured in-house using high-quality Canadian materials. They’re a full-service, locally-owned, extremely community-focused business with over two decades of experience right here in the Okanagan.

But first, why Skyview? Because they are truly an all-in-one business—and they genuinely care.

A list of services and offerings you can find at Skyview includes:

• Window Coverings
• Custom Drapery & Curtains
• Exterior Shades
• Custom Closets
• Kitchens
• Vanities, Cabinetry & Millwork
• Furniture & Furnishings
• Custom Wallpaper

But more than their extensive list of services is the team they’ve created. As any business owner will know, your brand is only as good as the people who represent it—and thankfully Skyview has an impressive lineup of colleagues who bring their all to each and every project.

“There are so many unsung heroes,” says owner Elizabeth Cucnik. “You see people on the front end, they’re the face of the business—but the true engine of the business are the people that are making it happen. They really pull it together.” 

Because the renovation process is more than just the steps that bring your new space to life—there’s a person at every stage, playing a hand in this transformation, working together from start to finish.

Step One: Free Consultation

All right, so you have a renovation in mind but the ideas are still only hypothetical. What’s the first step? Book a FREE consultation with Skyview where you’ll get introduced to Hanna Palmer, Skyview’s designer. 

This is one of the important services offered within Skyview’s wheelhouse—someone who knows how to bring that perfect mix of aesthetic, creative ideas, and practical realities. “At the end of the day, I do think there’s value in having a true interior designer with your service,” says Hanna Palmer. “You save a lot of money, you save a lot of time, and there’s ideas that can come up that you just don’t think of.”

At this initial stage, Palmer will come into your home and really get a feel for you and your lifestyle, considering logistics that will maximize your living space—especially if there isn’t much room to work with. She’ll scope out the initial dream and then return to the office to come up with some tentative designs, and of course, the potential quote.

To Palmer, the consultation period is all about narrowing down the price. “The [fees] feel so hidden in the design world,” she explains. “There are so many different materials and sizes, [so this part] really is for us to give a more firm answer on how much this is really going to cost.”

Although not unheard of in the business, Skyview’s free consultation process is much more extensive than some of their local competitors, lasting all the way to that initial proposed rendering. And this is such an important part of their business model.

When potential clients step through the door, providing a free consultation removes the pressure to commit to the entire renovation. “Some people are just exploring ideas,” says Elizabeth Cucnick. “[The free consultation] creates a safe space, whether psychologically or emotionally, where they are free to explore.” At that point, it’s just a possibility, and Cunick believes a possibility doesn’t need to have a price tag. “Whether you go with us or somebody else, we’re here to help you flush out ideas, and ideas do not flow well or materialize when they are forged under pressure.”

But once you are ready to commit? This is when the dream starts to take shape.

Step Two: The Design

At this exciting stage in the process you’ll get to talk with Genevieve Quick, Skyview’s closet, kitchen and millwork specialist. Having worked with the company for over five years now, Quick is able to bring the technicalities to that initial rendering—all still within that free consultation stage.

“A lot of my job is math,” explains Quick. “It is design, but I do math all day.” Which is what you want with your millwork because physics will decide if an idea is doable and cohesive—the last thing you want, after all, are doors that don’t fully work.

It’s also at this point you’ll see an initial quote so that the rough idea starts to take shape financially. Once you say yes, Quick stops by for a second, fail-safe measurement. “Accuracy for what the client is looking for so that our pricing and design aligns with what they’re after,” Quick continues. “So down the road we’re not looking to make several thousands of dollars changes later on.”

According to Palmer, Quick is the mastermind: “Genevieve is the powerhorse behind it all.” As head of the department, she controls the spatial reasoning behind the build, bringing safety and expertise to your renovation.

“I love figuring out the math in a real environment,” says Quick. “I like math that has a practical application, so any time I get to have discussions about that and understand how something’s going to work, I enjoy that.”

Step Three: Manufacture and Installation

So you’ve got your design and renders, but how do you go from plans on paper to the physical product? Easy: John Prudhoe. As Skyview’s manufacturer, Prudhoe has been a part of the company for over five years, honing in on technical aspects and bringing the renderings to life. 

“I like to take it from the raw sheets and break it down and turn it into the design,” says John Prudhoe. “I’m very mechanically minded. Like most guys we like to use tools, we like to use our hands. It’s a nice, rewarding job to actually build things.”

One key part of Skyview’s business model is that the majority of products come from Canadian companies. They also have very good relationships with suppliers in the area, keeping supply chains fast and connections strong—something you won’t necessarily get if you go it on your own. 

“It can be a very quick turnaround,” explains Prudhoe, which is important because if mistakes happen or a product arrives damaged, they are able to get replacements within two or three days versus waiting up to a month. These types of connections are ideal in the renovation process.

“There’s always problems with a construction build,” Prudho says. “But in the end when, with a glass [of wine] in hand, you want [the client] to forget those issues and just be happy with what they got.”

While clients might never see Prudhoe’s hard work and dedication in person, they certainly get to appreciate the end results when Devon Robinson shows up on installation day. With ten years of carpentry experience, Robinson is Skyview’s lead millwork installation specialist, and he’s the final face in your reno process—and a very friendly one at that. Not only will he bring your pets pepperoni while on the job, Robinson naturally invites that friendly energy to your space.

“I’m a people person. I’m an extravert,” says Robinson. “When I get to see the customer get enjoyment or happiness out of the outcome, that just makes it all worthwhile.”

Robinson is very meticulous in his attention to detail. If something feels even just a touch off, he’ll find a solution so the whole space functions efficiently. 

“It’s all led by an amazing team,” explains Robinson. “We all work in sync so that it all comes together, because without the design, without John making it, it’s hard for me to even install something. It all comes down to trusting and relying on your team, which we have an amazing team here.”

And when you see that finished space, you can truly see and appreciate all the people who help bring your initial dream to life.

The Final Results: End-to-End Interior Solutions

A big part of the renovation process goes beyond the final product—it’s the relationships built along the way and trust in the whole team to bring your vision to life. 

Since Skyview has been a presence in the industry for so many years, they have many repeat customers, some who hired them for a home reno back in 2000 when they had young kids only to return decades later with a grandchild on the way. In many ways, new owner Elizabeth Cucnick believes that the company gets weaved into their narrative. “You build a storyline with these people because you’re part of their history,” she explains. “It is a privilege to be a part of that.”

“People that allow us to come into their homes, each and every day, is such an intimate space,” says Hanna Palmer. “It’s a huge thing for people to open the doors.”

Of course, that welcoming energy is built into the work ethos itself—another reason to invest in Skyview. As John Prudhoe says, “There’s a very good culture here. Elizabeth works very hard to set up and maintain that culture.” This just ends up transferring over to client relationships, too. 

“Elizabeth is the epitome of that,” says Palmer. “She’s a warm hug, a hot cup of coffee, everything you need. Clients feel heard. They feel at home.”

“I’ve never had a boss bring me a birthday cake before, and she actually brought me a birthday cake,” jokes Devon Robinson. “And that’s what makes me strive to work hard. She’s an amazing person.” 

As an owner, Cucnick really works to foster inclusivity at Skyview. “Obviously we work in a small office, we’re human, there’s things that ebb and flow,” she says. “All in all we really do love each other. We hang out after work, during work, and outside of work. There is an authentic connection there.”

Robinson furthers this, adding, “Everybody’s so happy. There’s no bad days here. We all are like a family in that sense, which is nice because you know that you can rely on each other.”

The space itself is filled with creative energy where the whole team works together to find solutions. “We have a low turnaround rate for our employees,” Genevieve Quick explains, “which tells you we’re a good company to work with.” 

Because when you do decide to go forward with your renovation, you’re not just investing in rediscovering your space. You’re also investing in the people behind that.

When it comes to entrusting your time, dreams, and hard-earned income into a home renovation, Skyview Closets, Cabinets + Blinds are worth the investment. With a one-stop-shop for every step of the process, as well as a generous free consultation stage and exceptional team, they truly are our #TopPick in the Okanagan. 

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday, by appointment only. 

Website: skyviewblinds.ca
Phone: 250-492-0555