Faith Herring and Rachel Hutchens earned their certifications in 2024, demonstrating their mastery of kitchen and bath design.
By Elisa Fernández-Arias
Two designers, Faith Herring and Rachel Hutchens, earned their NKBA | KBIS Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer (CMKBD) certification in 2024. The CMKBD program recognizes kitchen and bath professionals who are ambassadors for the industry and notable for their design experience, achievements and positive impact on the community.
To become a CMKBD, Certified Kitchen & Bath Designers (CKBD) must demonstrate and complete all six eligibility, education, professional experience, work experience, master portfolio and master profile requirements listed here. NKBA | KBIS recognizes the hard work, time and dedication Herring and Hutchens put into earning this certification.
Herring’s love for interior design began at a young age when she participated in building her own home with Habitat for Humanity, giving her hands-on experience right from the start. Growing up, she regularly rearranged furniture and redecorated her home with her mom, as she loved seeing the spaces change, making material selections, and finding ways to improve them. At the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Herring followed her passion and received a bachelor’s degree in interior design. Her experience led her to her current role as Senior Interior Designer at Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers in Columbus, Ohio, where she loves creating spaces that reflect clients’ wants and needs, while speaking to their personal style.
In addition to her CMKBD, Herring holds a CLIPP certification. She has been a member of the association for 13 years and has served in various chapter officer positions on the NKBA | KBIS Central Ohio Chapter council, and currently serves as the Secretary/Treasurer. Her work has been featured in multiple publications, including covers on HouseTrends Magazine, Renovations Magazine, NARI of Central Ohio Remodeling Resource Magazine, and City Scene. She also earned numerous awards, including for whole house remodels, kitchens, baths, basements, and a commercial space half bath.
The daughter of two immigrants who came from Mexico to the U.S. to provide a better life for their children, Hutchens’ interest in design and construction was sparked when, as a teen, she helped her father and brothers, working in her family’s skilled general contractor business that specialized in commercial remodeling, woodworking and custom cabinetry installation. In total, Hutchens has been a part of the construction industry for 24 years; 19 of those years dedicated to designing kitchens and baths for custom cabinet shops. Now, she is the owner and principal designer of Maven Home Interiors near Salt Lake City, Utah, where she leads a team of designers completing a range of services from simple remodels to full home build designs to furnishing and accessorizing homes.
Hutchens, based in Utah, is NKBA | KBIS Mountain States Chapter President and has participated in building homes for Habitat for Humanity. Most recently she’s become involved with The Other Side Academy (TOSA) in Salt Lake City, supporting and promoting fundraising efforts to obtain new appliances that will be used in the tiny homes benefiting The Other Side Village residents. Rachel Hutchens is currently the only CMKBD located in Utah. She has been a member of the association for 14 years and volunteered on the council and committees for six years. She was also a member of the NKBA | KBIS Southern California Chapter prior to moving to Salt Lake City. While she was in California, she led certification study groups, and she looks forward to hosting future study sessions in Utah specifically tailored toward the CKBD program. Hutchens has been featured in many trade publications including California Home & Design magazine for winning a local design award. Most recently, she was featured in KBB Magazine.
