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Michael Schluetter

Michael Schluetter

Atlanta, GA, US

 
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About 

My Kitchen Design Experience: Sophistication Starts With Craftsmanship.

Growing up in a family of engineers and musicians, I discovered my passion for kitchen design at the age of 15. In my fathers kitchen studio I started helping installing kitchens and getting to know the fascinating insights into the craftsmanship and selection of the finest materials.

My second big impact was my love for the United States. In high school I was given the unique opportunity to spend a year in Fort Worth, TX as an exchange student. During that time, I attended my first professional CAD drafting and 3D rendering classes, and studied the english language while living and traveling with my Texas family.

Back in Germany, I joined my fathers business as his apprentice. I became acquainted with different design styles and methods of creating the perfect kitchens for my clients. Combining work and school, I went through a three year business school education and received my degree in Sales and Business Management (KEH) of the German Chamber of Commerce, perfecting my training and growing my store of knowledge with on hand experience.

The Journey Went On: Exploring the United States.

My father and I have grown our business successfully, so I wanted to explore more possibilities and experience new clients and projects in the United States. I then have been given the opportunity to work in Boca Raton, Florida where I learned about the differences in the American market and explored new ways of design, introducing new German standards to US Clients.

These valuable kitchen design experiences diversified my way of thinking and started off what now is my own business – Schwarzmann. As an international kitchen design consultant, I developed new showrooms in Munich (Germany), Münster (Germany) and Charlotte (North Carolina) and also created the entire kitchen product line of “Hans Krug Fine European Cabinetry”, specialized for the American market.

Living The Passion For Kitchen Design.

Working for the Kitchen Industry is, what is most important in my Life and that enables me to live my true passion – I love to work directly with clients, builders and architects on a individual basis.

The kitchen is the most important space of your home and the center of living, cooking and eating. Personally I like to have a kitchen which is functional and where my family and guests feel comfortable. Of course I love to share that with my friends and clients.

Re-Creating Your Space Into A New Home.

I want to be your personal guide to work together with you in your own pace of speed, discovering what your needs, preferences and wishes really are.

Let us create a space for you, where modern design and innovation meet traditional European craftsmanship. Using only the best materials and traditional European suppliers. We build a unique environment, that you will call „zu Hause“ – Home

Employment 

Consilium B LLC, Dallas, GA, US, Formgestalter

Design and Consulting

Nov 2023 - current
 

Old Castle Design, Atlanta, GA, US, Design Principal

Principal Designer and Sales Manager

Aug 2022 - current
 

rethink reform sustain, llc, West Palm Beach, Designer and Consultant

Oct 2021 - Jan 2023
 

Schwarzmann LLC, West Palm Beach, FL, US, Co-Founder and Lead Designer

CEO and Lead Designer

Sep 2013 - Jul 2022
 

Zentrum, West Palm Beach, Lead Designer and Product Development

Product Designer and Lead Developer of Zentrum Product Line and Brand

Sep 2020 - Mar 2022
 

Schwarzmann GbR, Munich, DE, President and Design Consultant

international Kitchen Designer and Project Consultant

Apr 2012 - Dec 2013
 

Hans Krug Fine European Cabinetry, Charlotte, NC, US, Product and Design Manager

-Product and Design Manager
-Business Development
-Showroom Design
-Project Manager

Oct 2012 - Nov 2013
 

best2find, Personal Recruiter

Executive Search und Headhunting for
-Architects
-Design Specialists worldwide
-Store Construction
-Builders
-Rendering Artists
-Engineers

Jun 2011 - Sep 2012
 

3er küchenkonzepte, Sen. Kitchen Designer

european kitchen design with:
-SieMatic
-eggersmann
-Intuo

Oct 2009 - May 2011
 

Siematic am Hindenburgplatz, Sen. Kitchen Designer

Kitchen Designer and Project Management Assistent

- established a new Showroom
- coordination of the construction site
- event management
- grand opening
- social networking
- culinary school management

Apr 2009 - Sep 2009
 

Colette Design Inc., Kitchen Designer and European Furniture Expert

Design Specialist and Interior Designer for german kitchen cabinets:

- Ebke
- Leicht
- Baxx

Feb 2008 - Feb 2009
 

KüchenTreff Schlütter, Kitchen Designer and Showroom Manager

- Apprenticeship at my fathers Kitchen Studio
- Kitchen Design
- Showroom Management
- Showroom and Light Design
- Warehouse Management
- Customer Service

Sep 1999 - Jan 2008
 

Education 

OfG, Lippstadt, DE, Produktdesign

Nov 2023 - current
 

SieMatic Academy, SieMatic Advanced Design

Advanced Design Training in Löhne, Germany

and Yup, i got ALL the red dots!

Apr 2009 - Jun 2009
 

Musikschule Suhl, Trumpet

Besides Work i took Courses in:

- Jazz Improv
- Classical Trumpet
- Infant Musical Education
- Music of the Baroque

Jan 2006 - Jan 2009
 

BBZ Suhl, Masters, KEH

German Apprenticeship as a professional Salesman

Sep 1999 - Sep 2002
 

Awards 

Good Design Award, Award

fb101 - fibonacci table

Frame material v4a stainless steel, brushed triangular profile with wood top made of solid walnut with angled edges and a base shape formed in pascal's triangle (the sum of the diagonals is equal to the corresponding fibonacci sequence).

2022
 

SIT Furniture Design Award Honorable Mention, Honorable Mention

fluctus - wave
the ideal side table to match a lounge chair, and define the smooth motion of water in shape of bent steel and bent wood. The upward lifting Angle connecting Metal and Wood reflects the rooms shades and shapes and creates depth. The smoked Eucalyptus Veneer follows naturally this wave in motion, building the foundation as perfect sidekick for Tumbler Glasses, but also functions as Space to Store Magazines, important Paperwork or Pens and prevent them from rolling off the Table.

2021
 

German Design Award 2022, Award

The sink has remained largely unchanged for centuries. »Zentrum« redefines what a sink can be. It is a modular, multi-positional system that gives you a way to create a customizable setup for any of your regular kitchen tasks. The boards can be rotated, positioned, exchanged, and moved between the upper and lower tier, adjusting the functionality to the task, so that you can do what needs to be done without rearranging your worktop.

2021
 

European Product Design Award 2019, 3rd Place

The Loculamentum unveils a design that draws the eye to a clean, minimalist line and offers the collector immense room for storage and presentation. Bold lines of American Walnut and the elegance of white matte lacquer are a statement in front of every wall. Deliberate angles offer complex geometric forms from different perspectives.

2019
 

German Design Award Winner 2018, Award

Excellent Product Design / Furniture

For the LoculaMENTUM Bookshelf

2017
 

German Design Award 2015 - Communication Excellence, Nomination

Together with our Marketing Experts at XTVLab of Weimar, Germany we have been nominated for the German Design Award 2015 for our excellent communication Design.

2014
 

Southern Spring Show - Best of Show, Award

Best Exibitor Booth at the Southern Spring Show for Hans Krug Fine European Cabinetry

2013
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills