Cailin M. Thelen; Designer|Owner, Thelen Designs 
In a nutshell, I design residential kitchens, baths, and living spaces. My clients’ wishes and needs are important to the process, so listening becomes foremost during the planning journey to blend ideas, needs, desires, and function into surroundings tailored for you. It amazes me that 2020 marks 32 years of working in the kitchen and bath design industry! Read on for details.
As a junior at Berry College, my first hands-on practice became college credit for self-directed study including a National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) bath design course. In 1988, my first job was as a draftsman at Thelen Kitchen and Bath Studios in Dunwoody, Georgia. There I began learning the ropes from Ken Thelen, AIA; architect and Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD). Since the company offered design-build services, projects came full circle from planning through completion, which provided the perfect foundation for understanding the importance of design.
In 1992 and 1994 through NKBA, I earned kitchen and bath designer certifications and went from drafting to taking on more responsibilities in design and sales as lead designer and showroom manager. I helped the company through a showroom move and name change to Thelen Design Build – to better fit the services offered. In 2002, I became one of the first Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designers (CMKBD) in the country.
Soon thereafter, raising my daughter became the top priority, and I shifted from full-time work at Thelen Design Build to full-time mom at home, working as a freelance designer, through Thelen Designs, LLC; as time allowed for clients and other professionals in the industry.
My husband, Jeff, and I live in Dunwoody with our daughter, Valentina; 2 cats, and 1 mini schnauzer. When not working on a new kitchen or bath plan, I might be found baking, sewing, or relaxing with my family. I’m a second-generation kitchen and bath designer – my mother, Trudy McGinnis, is a Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer in Roswell, Georgia, and my father-in-law, Ken Thelen, was owner of Thelen Design Build, an architect and Certified Kitchen Designer.
Honors
- “Large Bathroom” winner || 2019 NKBA Georgia Chapter Designs of Distinction Awards
- “Small Bathroom” winner || 2018 NKBA Georgia Chapter Designs of Distinction Awards
- “Autumn Rose” kitchen project featured in The Junior League of Atlanta “Tour of Kitchens” || 2000
- Participation in “Christmas at Callanwolde Designer Show House” creating “A Luxurious Christmas Retreat” in the Master Dressing Room and Bath || 1998
- “Southwest Ambience” kitchen project was published in Kitchen Styles by Allison Murray Morris || 1995
Education, Work, Achievements
- Design Business Summit 4.0 (NKBA) || High Point Market, North Carolina || 2018
- Continuing education (typically more than 30 hours per year) || some for 2018: Sustainable Design, Trends in Decorative Plumbing, Technology & Design, Cambria products, Wine Storage Design, etc.
- Created Sketchworks, LLC, which developed into Thelen Designs, LLC || Designer, Draftsman, Owner || 2005 – Present
- Freelance Designer, self-employed || 2002 – 2005
- Draftsman, Lead Designer, Sales Associate, Showroom Manager || Thelen Design Build || 1988 – 2002
- Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer (CMKBD) || Feb 2002
- Certified Bath Designer (CBD) || Apr 1994
- Factory visits and training: Rutt Custom Cabinetry, Mouser Custom Cabinetry, SubZero, and Dacor appliances || 1992 – 2001
- Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) || Feb 1992
- B.S. Home Economics-Interior Design || Berry College || Jun 1988
Volunteer Service
- President, V-P of Education, Secretary; NKBA Georgia chapter || 1993 – 1998
- Judge, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine’s “Kitchen of the Year” & “Bath of the Year” contests || 1996, 1997
- Co-leader and volunteer; Girl Scouts, USA, Dunwoody || Jan. 2008 – Sep. 2020
- Secretary; DHS Wildcats Fencing, Inc. || May 2018 – March 2020
- School Volunteering || Aug. 2006 – March 2020
- Jenn-Air’s “Kitchen Professional Panel” || 1994 – 1996
- NKBA juror and proctor for certification exams || 1995
- Alumni career day speaker, Berry College || 1994, 1995
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONs
