KDR Designer Showrooms

Greetings to all our KDR friends and partners,? I am very excited to announce the next chapter of KDR Designer Showrooms! Today, I introduce Brad and Kim Gilmore, the new owners of KDR as of March 1. Brad and Kim were born and raised in St Louis, and are both proud University of Missouri Tigers. Upon graduation, Brad, who will become President of KDR,?became a CPA, having grown his firm with his partners over the last 30 years, working with small to medium-sized businesses, including interior design firms, they recently merged with a national firm. Kim, who will become Vice President of KDR,?earned her Bachelor of Arts degree and did graduate work at the university. Kim has worked for her family’s business for the last 25 years?while also being?the household CEO and mom. Kim studied interior design at Mizzou and is passionate about beautiful interiors. They are the proud parents of two fine young men: Tyler, who is 22 and has a bachelor’s degree in economics, and son Brayden, who is in his sophomore year of college. Both are college baseball players. Brad and I have known each other casually for over 20 years. He is on the board of directors of Triad Bank, where we are both original investors, and my wife Lori still works there. What started with a casual conversation with Brad at a bank event when Brad asked if I was ever going to sell KDR has now turned into a partnership I couldn’t have designed better. We share the same backgrounds, having grown up in blue-collar households, sturdy principles, ethics, kindness, respect, and family first philosophy, personally and as a work culture.? All the KDR team members in St. Louis and Kansas City continue with the company. I am going to continue to work and look forward to having great people in place to eventually take over the company. It’s hard to believe I started KDR 34 years ago. I?am humbled?by the impeccable reputation we have built across our entire industry. It is a result of the hard work and collaboration of?an amazing?team of KDR people, the incredibly talented, loyal design professionals, and our relationships representing the very best manufacturers in the industry. I am elated that the Gilmores will ensure the continued success of KDR Designer Showrooms for generations! Please join me in congratulating Brad and Kim. They are incredibly excited to meet you in the showrooms or at?one of our upcoming events. On behalf of my wife Lori, our?3?children, and myself, I extend our deepest gratitude for your friendship and loyalty, which have allowed KDR to support our family and our employees. I look forward to continuing to work with you in building KDR for the next chapter! Most sincerely, Kevin Kenney

Our Visual Merchandiser, Lisa Davis, shares her expert tips to help define your interior design style.

We are excited to welcome and introduce you to Maia Williams, our new sales associate in the KDR Windows Department. Maia holds a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Missouri State University. During her college years, she interned with us in the fabric department, and later worked as a design assistant gaining invaluable experience and leaving a lasting impression. Now, we are delighted to welcome her back in this exciting new role! Please welcome Maia! You will love her warm personality and astute follow up!

At the recent Fabricut National Sales Meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, attended by KDR’s Kevin Kenney, Deborah Russell, Caroline Farinella, and Maggie Parker, KDR was awarded the prestigious Clarence House Showroom of the Year award! What a great surprise, especially after winning the award for Fabricut’s showroom of the year at last year’s meeting! A real testament to the phenomenal KDR sales team. A great four days of meetings previewing the amazing new product coming your way soon from all of the Fabricut brands. A special appearance and presentation by Jaclyn Smith (Kelly from Charlie’s Angels), introducing her latest collection designed for Trend by Fabricut. Lots of fun interactions with this amazing lady!

We are elated to announce the arrival of Elizabeth Catherine Drake, the newborn daughter of our Kansas City showroom manager, Jennifer Drake, and her husband, Harrison! Weighing in at 7lb 14 oz and measuring 19”, this little beauty joins her doting 2 ?-year-old big sis Jacqueline to create exciting girl times ahead in the Drake household. Please join us in congratulating Jennifer and Harrison!

At KDR Designer Showrooms, we believe in the importance of well-being, which is why we are proud to support Mental Health Awareness Month and Carl's Cause this May. As we navigate the challenges of today’s world, prioritizing mental health is more important than ever. We encourage you to take time for self-care and to support those around you. As told by KDR's Kelly Specht: This amazing story happened after our?annual?golf tournament in September 2020. At the tournament?‘green rocks’?were handed out with positive sayings on the top and?#CarlsCause on?the bottom. We encourage people to leave the green rocks out on trails, beaches or anywhere it might be found and make an impact. A family friend came in to play from Minnesota, and upon returning home, she left her rock on a golf course there. On October 13, the day of Carl’s birthday, I received an email from a 42-year-old woman from North Dakota, titled,?“You Saved My Life”…. Keep reading at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gnSxTZh

Our St. Louis showroom was featured in the newest edition of Ladue News! Read the full article below. https://lnkd.in/gmiqMaJC

We are pleased to announce that Rebecca Crets has been promoted to Sales Manager Textiles & Wallcoverings. Rebecca will be overseeing sales and customer service for both St Louis and Kansas City, and will be reporting to Kara Wagoner, KDR, Vice President of Sales. Rebecca began her career at KDR 7 years ago as a sales associate, and has been the supervisor of the textile and wallcovering department for the last 4 years. Rebecca’s passion, ambition and outstanding relationships with our customers and vendors make her the perfect choice to ensure continued excellence in the largest textile and wallcovering departments in the country. Please join us in congratulating Rebecca on her well-earned promotion!

We are celebrating Jennifer Drake, our Kansas City Showroom Manager on her 5 years of making KDR Kansas City, the premier showroom in Kansas City! Jennifer’s warm, genuine, positive personality is reflected throughout the KDR team! Jennifer also manages all the furniture sales for the showroom, her attention to detail, keen eye for aesthetics, prompt attention and meticulous customer service is a pillar of the relationships she has built and the KDR culture. As a wife, mother of a toddler and 2nd baby on the way, Jennifer cheerfully manages a very busy life! Thank you, Jennifer, for all your contributions in making KDR the best we can be. Sincerely, Kevin Kenney - President