Throughout her 30-year career, Jan Rutgers has been a strong voice for the kitchen and bath industry. Educating, lecturing and mentoring have been part of her career ever since she graduated with a degree in home economics.
Rutgers has always innovated by never believing it cannot be done. She even opened a millwork shop in the early 2000s when she could not get manufacturers to build the custom solutions she was designing for her clients. She has made it a habit to be the first to adopt new products entering the kitchen market.
Promoting and sharing her knowledge of the industry with others, including mentoring multiple passionate kitchen designers, is important to Rutgers. Her newest venture is Vestabul School of Design, which offers courses for individuals at all stages of their kitchen-design career. Cornerstone courses include the fundamentals needed for beginners and those wanting a refresher. Pillar courses are for the designer with experience who wants to take their career to the next level, and Icon courses are for quick education that designers can use with their next client. Rutgers is currently working with other industry experts to expand the school’s offerings and bring even more expertise to what is available.
