The Art of Teamwork 
Master Design Cabinetry’s collaboration with renowned interior designer Ariella Horowitz yields a jaw-dropping result at a new home in New Jersey. 
by Bill Donahue

Mark King has a long list of clients who rave about the custom cabinetry he designed for their homes. His talents aside, Mark believes collaborating with fellow professionals can spur new levels of creativity and innovation. For proof, he points to his collaboration with Ariella Horowitz, a renowned interior designer and the founder of the Oradell, New Jersey-based AH Design Group. 
 
“I have a deep appreciation for the caliber of houses Ariella designs and the level of detail she brings to each project,” says Mark, who has been a designer with East Earl, Pennsylvania-based Master Design Cabinetry since 2021. “I’d say her aesthetic is similar to my style, which varies depending on the client but has a more modern feel to it.” 
 
One notable project together involved a newly built 7,200-square-foot home in Colts Neck, New Jersey, due east of Princeton. The project began with custom cabinetry for the kitchen, pantry, and butler’s pantry, but evolved quite a bit after the initial design meeting in January 2023. A second phase of the project required Mark to design custom cabinetry for just about every other room in the home, including a pair of built-in bars, built-ins for his and hers master bathrooms, storage for a mudroom, and a cabana kitchen.  
 
While Ariella took the lead in terms of hardware, colors, and materials, Mark worked closely with the homeowners to optimize the space according to their precise needs and lifestyle.  
 
“In the kitchen, a 14-foot-long island presented some challenges as far as designing it without getting boring,” Mark says. “Ariella’s suggestion was to do a two-inch-thick countertop with waterfall ends. Instead of doing a full waterfall all the way to the floor, the granite stopped halfway down and we used rift white oak the rest of the way, which took some coordination with us and the stone fabricators.  
 
“Another interesting aspect of the kitchen involved a 57-inch galley sink, which had a lot of accessories that needed significant storage,” he continues. “We also did reeded panels on the fridge cabinet and the back of the island; it added a lot of detail that the homeowners loved. We used the same treatment on the bottom of the range hood, which went well with the Venetian plaster on top. It really makes an impression when you walk into the room.”     
 
The installation began in August 2023 and wrapped up by January 2024. Mark says the homeowners have been so pleased with the finished result that they welcomed Ariella Horowitz to tour the home with a few prospective clients; those same clients have since hired Master Design to create custom cabinets for their homes, too.
 
“It’s been a great relationship with Ariella,” he adds. “I have several other projects with her that we’ve installed, and some others that are still in the design phase.” 
 
Likewise, Mark enjoys working closely with homeowners who find value in the kind of quality and craftsmanship for which Master Design has become known. If he has any advice for prospective clients who are considering custom cabinetry for their homes, especially those that may be similar in size and scope as the home in Colts Neck, he advises a patient approach. 
 
“I’d say allow a year minimum for a project like this, because there are a lot of selections that need to happen and a lot of options to look at,” he says. “The homeowners who have the best experience realize it takes time. My advice is to slow down and do your best to enjoy it rather than rushing toward completion. For a bigger project like this, bringing in an interior designer like Ariella Horowitz to lead the way is a must.” 
 
Master Design Cabinetry 
1564 Main Street, Suite 507 
East Earl, PA 17519 
(610) 273-2212 
masterdesigncabinetry.com 
 
Photo courtesy of Master Design Cabinetry
 
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life magazine, October 2024. 
 

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