Meet Jerel Lake | Luxury Kitchen & Bath Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jerel Lake and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jerel, why did you pursue a creative career?
From a young age, I consistently engaged in various forms of creative pursuits. Initially drawing cartoons, constructing models, and coloring, these activities persisted throughout my high school years and into college at the Savannah College of Art. Through experiences in a variety of jobs, I recognized the necessity of pursuing a career in a field that resonated with my passion for creativity and design in order to be fulfilled in my life. After working in the music industry for several years as an audio engineer, I decided I needed a lifestyle change. My transition to the field of Kitchen & Bath design was a sort of by chance, but driven by the desire to channel my creative energy and love for remodeling homes.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey has been unconventional from the outset. Starting with no prior knowledge, experience, or formal educational background in any field presents its own set of challenges. The amount of rejections faced, missed opportunities encountered, and the initial lack of credibility can easily shake your confidence. What I take pride in is my unwavering determination, relentless work ethic, and the mindset to pursue excellence in my craft.

Over the years I maintained the belief that my moment of recognition would arrive if I persevered and consistently delivered high-quality work. My focus remains on building a body of work that represent my unique design perspective, knowing that acknowledgment, and accolades would eventually follow. I learned to value the process of becoming a well rounded designer and the importance of taking a client first approach to projects. This was the key for me to begin seeing progress.

In 2023, after 8 years in the industry the tides began to turn. I was honored with a feature in House Beautiful magazine, clinched victory in the 2024 NKBA Kitchen Design Competition for all of North America, and am slated to have my work showcased in an upcoming design book later this year. I am confident that these achievements mark just the beginning of the path toward more accomplishments in the future. I am excited for what is to come, and am even more dedicated to creating and building my personal brand.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start by recommending they stay at the Thompson Hotel in buckhead, one of my favorites for its ambiance and quality. It is a central location to access everything in Atlanta, and has an amazing rooftop bar Tesserae. Being into fitness I would drag my friend to a workout at Lion Chaser fitness then head to breakfast at Le Bon Nosh next door. Some of the must see restaurants would be Bully Boy for great tapas, fish monger for lunch, and Toast for brunch. Ponce city market is a cool hangout spot and gives an opportunity to walk on the belt line, take in some sights and bar hop. I always recommend seeing an Atlanta United game, which is a good reason to go to some of the local art galleries on Peters street, especially Zucot. For nightlife, rooftop LOA down in west midtown is a good time with tons of activity in the Star metals complex. Whats great about Atlanta is that it has so many micro cultures and flavors throughout the city with endless options depending on what your’e looking for.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Transitioning into a new career path can be daunting, especially with a lack of experience or industry knowledge. To navigate this challenge, my strategy was to focus on identifying successful professionals in the field and leveraging industry associations for networking and educational opportunities. In my research, I discovered the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), a prominent organization within the realm of kitchen and bath design.

Upon locating the NKBA Georgia chapter, I attended one of their events with the goal of securing an entry-level position. It was during this event that I had the privilege of meeting with Susan Hill, the president of the chapter at the time. Susan graciously facilitated introductions with fellow attendees, which ultimately helped land me an entry level position with a local design firm.

Throughout my journey, I have encountered numerous individuals who have generously contributed to my professional growth. However, the invaluable guidance and support provided by Susan Hill and the NKBA Georgia chapter really helped expedite my path into the industry. Their events and resources have undeniably laid the groundwork for my career advancement within the industry. To show my appreciation and support, I joined the NKBA Hawaii chapter in 2017-2019 as treasurer to help continue the mission of the association and continue to support the organization, and will continue to be involved into the future.

Website: https://www.jerellake.com

Instagram: @jerellake

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerel-lake-982b4a2b3/

Image Credits
Marc Mauldin Photography