JOHNSON LAKE — After purchasing the former Subway building at Johnson Lake in August 2016, Jim and Cindy Fahrenbruch took some time to think about what to do with the space and how to remodel it.

Eleven months later, the Fahrenbruchs held an open house Friday, July 21, for their business, Artistic Cabinetry, LLC, located at 74902 Johnson Lake Drive 26, at Johnson Lake.

A certified kitchen designer, Cindy Fahrenbruch has been working as a designer in Nebraska for over 25 years. She obtained an interior design degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and started working in the kitchen business for her brother Ken Anderson, owner of Task Lighting in Kearney right after graduating.

Fahrenbruch became a Certified Kitchen Designer in 1996.

Johnson Lake is the second business location for Artistic Cabinetry. It serves as a "window shopping" showroom and a "by appointment only" meeting place, as well as storage for cabinetry.

"We set up the business location as a window shopping showroom. I can bring customers in and meet with them here," Fahrenbruch said.

The primary location is a studio showroom at Task Lighting in Kearney. Kari Mitchell, an Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer, works at the Kearney location and is employed by Artistic Cabinetry. Mitchell was chosen as a recipient of the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s 30 under 30 Award.

Fahrenbruch’s husband Jim has been a huge support person for the company, as well as their daughter-in-law, Stephanie, who is the financial bookkeeper.

The influence and lighting expertise of Fahrenbruch’s brother, Ken Anderson, is evident in Fahrenbruch’s kitchen designs. "We complement each other’s business very well," Fahrenbruch said.

Unique lighting applications in designs by Fahrenbruch, utilize fixtures manufactured and patented by her brother.

These unique lighting fixtures include LED undercabinet lighting, puck lights, a lighted closet rod and angle power strips.

One of the most unique fixtures that can be used in a variety of different ways, and have the most dramatic change to a customer’s kitchen, is the angle power strip. Its most common use is mounted to the back wall, under the wall cabinets, eliminating the electrical outlets and switches from a client’s beautiful tile backsplash.

Fahrenbruch directs customers to her web site, www.art-cab.com, to view her portfolio and videos of her past work.

She can provide standard and customized cabinets for kitchens, closets, bathrooms and has designed small offices and fireplaces as well.

Cabinets designed by Fahrenbruch are not only unique but also extremely functional. Customizations to cabinets can include pull out waste baskets, walnut interiors, and bake centers with pocket doors. Closet and pantry systems are becoming very popular and can optimize a customer’s space if designed correctly.

Fahrenbruch designs kitchen countertops in all sorts of materials, from quartz to granite to other favorites.

Customers are encouraged to bring in pictures, often from apps like Pinterest and Houzz, with design elements they want to see in their project, she said.

Steve Heldt of Lexington, who hired Fahrernbruch to design his master bathroom and kitchen, said before he hired her he asked other customers about her work and all of them were very happy.

Heldt said Fahrenbruch redesigned his kitchen and helped him expand it, while making the old space and new space look cohesive as if they were parts of the same kitchen.

"She can do what you want with your space," he said.

Half a year after having her redesign his kitchen, Heldt said he hired her to redesign his master bathroom.
 
Fahrenbruch’s vision for his bathroom, which was in a home that was more than 20 years old, blew him away, said Heldt.

"She designed a center aisle with wash basins and mirrors. I have a walk-in shower. I’ve never seen a master bath with center aisle wash basins," he said of Fahrenbruch’s creativity in designing his bathroom.

His special request when working with Fahrenbruch was to have her give him three options for designs, Heldt said.

• Kevin Zelaya Lexington Clipper-Herald