In the world of kitchen design, F&F Design Center's husband and wife design team Patrick Funk and Karen Kunkel bring a distinctive flavor to the table. 

A born and raised craftsman, Funk seamlessly melds his culinary background with his expertise in building kitchens.

"Most people probably don’t realize I have a culinary background," says Funk. "I graduated from the culinary institute in Hyde Park, NY, and worked in kitchens in San Francisco, Boston and Manhattan. I also owned and built two of my restaurants," he adds.

Given his experience in the kitchen, he is meticulous about functionality when approaching his designs."When I’m designing a kitchen, I imagine myself in the space and how I could make it the most efficient way to cook. I work on the functionality, then the form." 

For those seeking to build a culinary environment that's fit for a chef, we can't think of a more apt team.

We are a family business, which began with Patrick's dad who was a contractor back in the 1980s. From there the business has grown to encompass all facets of home renovations. 

Patrick and I run the business together. Having grown up in the contracting arena, this has always been in Patrick's blood. But he is also a passionate and truly gifted chef. A graduate of the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, he was also the chef/owner of two successful restaurants in Bellport and Babylon Village. Who better than a trained chef to design your kitchen? 

I have a combined degree in fashion merchandising and marketing and have been a menswear buyer in Manhattan. Today I run the day-to-day as well as assist with style and finish decisions, and truly enjoy every minute.

What makes F&F different? Not only are we fully licensed and insured, but we operate from a 2,000-square-foot showroom, showcasing everything from display kitchens to vanities, kitchen and bath fixtures, an abundance of porceain and marble tile, toilet and door hardware and we've just recently added lighting. Our curated product lines represent trusted companies, a testament to our positive experiences over the years. Having the showroom has made customer interactions and deadlines a true pleasure.

Are you involved in the community? Our dedication extends beyond design to community service. I've been involved with the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition since 2016, echoing F&F Design Center's commitment to giving back. It's about instilling the value of volunteerism, a principle I hold dear and pass on to my children.

What is your advice to homeowners looking to renovate? The key to a successful home renovation is meticulous planning and pre-ordering, thoughtful design and budgeting. Having a team that is with you from start to finish like F&F can be immensely helpful in mitigating stress and completing projects in a timely fashion.

I would attribute our success to our customer service. In a time where customer service has fallen to the wayside, F&F truly goes above and beyond to help you achieve the home you deserve.

For me, I find joy in helping customers truly identify and blend their personal styles with contemporary design. Patrick, who is both the designer and contractor, takes immense pride in seeing projects through from planning to completion.

While I find joy in travel, gardening, decorating and staying active, Patrick enjoys running and marathon training, biking, cooking, and fishing. Together, we explore Long Island, give back to the community, and immerse ourselves in diverse cultures worldwide.