Divine Kitchens
Speaking the language of kitchen and bath design
By Kelly McCoy Guest Writer

Mariette Barsoum PHOTO/SUBMITTED

If someone had told Mariette Barsoum eight years ago that she would soon be designing kitchens and baths in the United States for enthusiastic clients and winning her first national design award in 2007, she would have laughed. Now the owner of Divine Kitchens on Lyman Street in Westborough, Barsoum earned a degree in English and linguistics overseas, but then came to the United States in 1999 to be married and raise a family here.

"When I first looked around," she explained with a friendly manner that makes people instantly comfortable, "I realized I wasn't going to teach English to Americans, so I had to look for another career direction."

Pursuing her love of residential design, she took college classes in greater Boston and then became part of a select group of designers in the United States when she earned her Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) credentials from the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the industry's leading profes- sional organization.

While working for a local cabinet company in 2003, Barsoum had a client hand her a sizable check and tell her she was too good not to launch her own company.

Following her client's advice, Barsoum opened Divine Kitchens and now has more than 80 projects in her portfolio, including not only kitchens, but baths, built-in bars and entertainment centers. Barsoum's list of satisfied customers includes homeowners in Westborough, Shrewsbury, Hopkinton, Framingham and Cape Cod, among other places.

This is a busy month for Divine Kitchens. In addition to customer applause, Barsoum is now being recognized by the industry. This week she travels to California to accept her first national design award from "Signature Kitchens and Bath" magazine for a kitchen she designed on Cape Cod. The Divine Showroom is also hosting a night of celebrity chef cooking lessons Tuesday Sept. 18 with Tomasso Trattoria's head chef Tony Bettencourt. All ticket proceeds will benefit Ova- tions for a Cure, the ovarian cancer initiative being heralded by women throughout the area.

In addition, the first of her educational seminars, titled "How much will my dream kitchen cost?" was a tremendous success in August and she will off er the free informational presentation again Thursday Oct. 4 and Thursday Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in her Divine Showroom. The seminar helps homeowners understand the process of kitchen and bath renovation and what steps to take to get started.

"I would say that things are starting to happen for us," Barsoum said with a smile, "but I feel like things have been going my way since I stepped foot in this country. I walked in a linguist and now I speak the language of kitchen and bath design and construction. The language is different, but the joy I get from creating wonderful spaces for my clients is fantastic!"

Barsoum and her allfemale staff are available in the showroom Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. While the public is welcome to browse, anyone who would like Barsoum's undivided attention is encouraged to make an appointment.

For more information about seminars or events, or to book a no-obligation showroom appointment, call 508-366-5670 or visit www.divinekitchens.com.

Editor's Note: the preceding is not an endorsement and is presented for informational purposes only.