The kitchen is often the most important room in your home. O'Brien Harris can create the perfect atmosphere – from preparing family dinners and making cookies with the kids, to entertaining friends and enjoying your midnight snack. From remodeling to new construction, O'Brien Harris will bring a fresh approach to each kitchen.
O’Brien Harris was formed as a collaboration of renowned designers Laura O’Brien and Peter Harris. Recently, O’Brien Harris acquired Signature Kitchens of Petoskey. With Signature Kitchens’ over 40 years of outstanding design and quality — led by Certified Kitchen Designer Liz Firebaugh — the transition was seamless.
Peter Harris began his interior design career with a specialty cabinet maker in his native London. His work brought him to Manhattan, and there he spent the next two decades working with the world’s leading cabinet sellers. During this time, Chicago-based designer Laura O'Brien gained recognition as an interior designer and launched flagship showrooms in Chicago's Merchandise Mart and The Boston Design Center. Both designers had portfolios full of hundreds of cabinetry installations around the world, and both had a vision of a company that could achieve even more. It was thus that, in 2009, Laura and Peter opened O'Brien Harris in Chicago.
The company is a unique collective of designers and craftspeople who work together to build the pride and heritage of a shared name and tradition.
O’Brien Harris values environmental ethics, careful to avoid woods and suppliers that contribute to deforestation. The use of water-based finishes rather than alternatives that contain harmful chemicals also reflects a focus on clean practices.
O’Brien Harris understands that furniture can express a rich depth of knowledge, experience, and inspiration. “The challenge to fulfill that expression is why we began and what we pursue every day,” the two express.
Amy Dixon
Master Draftsperson
A northern Michigan native, Amy’s role involves ensuring that individual design concepts work perfectly for the builder. From creating meticulous plans to overseeing installation, Amy’s role is crucial to the finished project. “I love the reputation we’ve built and the quality spaces we design,” she expresses. “My job is most rewarding when a client returns for another project or refers us to a friend...it is reassuring to know our work is appreciated.”
Liz Firebaugh
Certified Kitchen Designer
Liz Firebaugh, CKD, started Signature Kitchens in Petoskey, Michigan, over 20 years ago. In 2021, O’Brien Harris acquired Signature Kitchens as an extension of its Chicago and Grand Rapids locations. Liz will continue to collaborate on kitchen design projects as she transitions to retirement when she pursues study in culinary arts. Throughout her career, she created nearly 3,000 custom kitchens, and, in the process, accumulated a sizable collection of awards and accolades. Liz will continue to live in northern Michigan with her husband Jim and often visit her daughter Taylor in New York City.
Jennifer Page
Certified Kitchen Designer
As a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD), Jennifer combines the technical aspects of design with the creative. Her role encompasses design support and collaboration to “make designs that work,” she explains. “I enjoy starting with a concept, integrating functionality and creativity, and watching designs come to life. Often, we create custom features that challenge us to be even more innovative.” What does she like most about her career choice? “It’s creative and fun, and every job, every client is different, adding variety to each project.”
Showroom
Visit the Petoskey showroom and discover how a great kitchen comes together. Cabinetry, tiles, stone, granite, fixtures, and decorative details form the substance and the style of a signature design. For the kitchen that works, and works beautifully.
Excellence: Awards and Publications
Publications
2011 – PRESENT
My North, April 2020
Featured in Northern Home & Cottage, May/April 2020
RESIDE Magazine, Summer 2019
Great Lakes by Design, 2017
Northern Home & Cottage, April 2016
Michigan Home and Lifestyle, Spring 2016
Northern Home & Cottage, February 2016
HomeLife Magazine, October/November 2015
RESIDE Magazine, Summer 2015
Michigan Home and Lifestyle, Summer 2015
Kitchen and Bath Design News, March 2015
Better Homes and Gardens — Kitchen + Bath Ideas, Spring 2014
Cabin Life Magazine, May 2014
Better Homes and Gardens — Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Spring/Summer 2012
Hour Detroit Magazine, March 2012
HomeLife, January 2012
Northern Home & Cottage, October/November 2011
Michigan BLUE, Winter 2011
HomeLife, May 2011
2000 – 2010
Michigan Home and Lifestyle, Summer 2010
Northern Home & Cottage, October/November 2009
Michigan Home Resource Guide, Winter 2009
HomeLife, Spring 2009
Michigan Home Resource Guide, Spring 2009
Midwest Living, July/August 2008
Featured National Kitchen & Bath Association show kitchen designer
HomeLife, November/December 2007
Midwest Living, July/August 2007
Featured National Kitchen & Bath Association show kitchen designer
Cabin Life, March 2007
Northern Home & Cottage, January 2007
Kitchen Style & Storage, 2006
Midwest Living, July/August 2006
Featured National Kitchen & Bath Association show kitchen designer
Profiles, Winter 2005
Profiles, Cover Story, Spring 2005
Midwest Living, March/April 2005
Women’s Day Kitchen and Bath, April/May 2005
Midwest Living, March/April 2004
Log Homes Illustrated, March 2004
Better Homes and Gardens Kitchen and Bath Ideas, November/December 2003
Better Homes and Gardens Kitchen and Bath Ideas, July/August 2003
Better Homes and Gardens Kitchen and Bath Ideas, May/June 2003
Women’s Day Kitchen and Bath, Winter 2003
Log Home Design Ideas, March 2002
Traverse Magazine, November 2001
Log Homes Illustrated, September 2001
Log Home Design Ideas, March 2001 Cover Photograph
American Home Style Kitchen and Bath Custom Planner, Spring 2000
1989 – 1999
American Home Style Kitchen and Bath Custom Planner, Winter 1999
Log Home Living, August 1999
Better Homes and Gardens Remodeling Ideas for Your Home, Fall 1999
Women’s Day Kitchen and Bath, Summer 1997
Women’s Day Kitchen and Bath, July 1996
Traverse Magazine, April 1995
American Home Style Kitchen and Bath Custom Planner, Winter 1995
American Home Style Kitchen and Bath Custom Planner, Fall 1994
American Home Style Magazine, October 1994
Women’s Day Home Improvement Ideas, Spring 1991
Kitchen and Bath Concepts, January 1991
Kitchens by Professional Designers Book III, 1991
House Beautiful’s Kitchen and Bath, Fall 1990
Kitchen and Bath Business, 1989 Cover Photograph
Awards and Accolades
2012 – PRESENT
2017 Detroit Home Design Awards 3rd Place Kitchen Design
View full publication, Signature Kitchens Award is on page 89
2016 Detroit Home Design Awards 1st Place Kitchen Design
View full publication, Signature Kitchens Award is on page 68
2014 Detroit Home Design Awards 3rd Place Best Kitchen Design
2013 Detroit Home Design Awards 1st Place Kitchen Design
2012 Detroit Home Design Awards 3rd Place Kitchen Design
1997 – 2005
2005 National Kitchen and Bath Association Pinnacle of Design Award received in Las Vegas, May 2005
2001 National Kitchen and Bath Association Honorable Mention, Large Kitchen Category
1999 National Kitchen and Bath Association 3rd Place Category D, Large Residential Kitchen
1998 Heritage Designer Training Symposium
1998 National Kitchen and Bath Association 2nd Place Category D, Large Residential Kitchen
1997-1998 Decora Achievement Award
1989 – 1996
1996 Dutch Made Training School
1995 Presidents Award for Outstanding Sales for Wm. Ohs Cabinetry
1994 National Kitchen and Bath Association Honorable Mention Residential Kitchen
1991 Thermador/Radio Distributing Company 1st place Kitchen Design Contest
1990 National Kitchen and Bath Association 1st place Residential Kitchen
1990 Kasmar Publications, Inc. Design Award
1990 National Kitchen and Bath Association Honorable Mention Residential Kitchen
1989 National Kitchen and Bath Association Honorable Mention Residential Kitchen
1989 National Kitchen and Bath Association 2nd Place Category G, Cabinetry in Other Rooms
