My Story
Judith A. Neary, CMKBD
Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer
Read this first;
Most of my portfolio is on my phone.
I am the best kept secret on the island.
I don’t engage much with social media - I don’t have time. If I am on social media its usually a post, “And the conversation went like this…” - because its something funny and fun that has happened on a project.
In the long haul - its about the relationship and if we can work together. Its a small community and I am not interested in being run over in the Thrift-way parking lot.
It’s about you and what you want - not me. I get to live vicariously in the process of assisting you with your home.
Judith’s design career began at the age of four, designing block furniture and clothing for her troll dolls. After completing her design degree, she worked in medical, commercial, and hospitality design. She switched to the manufacturing segment of the industry after working with a national retailer in showroom merchandising design and training, which included development and implementation of business processes and installation programs.
As one of the professional instructors for the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), she offered a comprehensive learning experience to designers in North America. As an honorary founding member of the Jenn-Air Design Advisory Council, she provided perspective on Jenn-Air and other Whirlpool Corporation brands.
Judith is a frequent contributor to the industry by speaking on a variety of topics of interest for both the design professional and homeowner. She has lectured frequently at KBIS and other trade events about the business side of interior design. Judith has also been a featured guest for “A Well-Designed Business” with LuAnn Nigara at her trade event and on her podcasts.
In 2021, she was recognized by Kitchen & Bath Design News as a Leading Innovator. She was a lead content coordinator and subject matter expert for the recently released fourth edition of the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines. She continues to support the NKBA as a contributor for various projects promoting professionalism within the industry.
Her design practice serves a single zip code (Vashon Island, WA) where she is known for doing “weird” really well. In 2014 she and her husband established a non-profit to honor the life of their son, Rj Ontiveros.
As director for the non-profit, Rjs Kids, she obtained the funding and managed the construction of an epic multi-use outdoor recreation park that includes skate boarding, a pumptrack, and public art features -seven years in the making. Vashon Parks awarded her the first ever community service award for the BARC project.
Her next goal for Rjs Kids is apprentice training programs partnered with skilled craftsman and contractors to provide employment opportunities for the under served residents of the Vashon-Maury community.
Awards & Accolades
Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer (CMKBD) Award
Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer (CMKBD) is qualified by means of education, practical work experience, and examination. A CMKBD has the moral and ethical responsibility to protect homeowners and occupants through the design and execution of code-compliant, inclusive and accessible interior environments that are sustainable and supportive of the homeowner and occupants while addressing their health, safety and welfare.
The Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer (CMKBD) is the pinnacle of the National Kitchen and Bath Associations certification and recognizes extraordinary kitchen and bath experience and achievements.
2021 Kitchen & Bath Design Innovator Award
Kitchen and Bath Design News honors industry leaders through the naming of its Innovators each year. This group of industry professionals, who are setting the standard for excellence in the design industry, are nominated by their peers and reviewed by the nominated committee.
Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines
Judith was content coordinator and lead contributing subject matter expert for the National Kitchen & Bath Associations technical manual.
These guidelines are utilized by kitchen and bath design professionals as an essential reference when planning kitchens, bathrooms, closets, outdoor kitchens
and baths, and other interior environment spaces. This technical publication combines extensive research referenced from academic and trade publications, industry
technical manuals, building codes across North America, space planning methodology, as well as the experience of tenured design professionals and educators.
NKBA Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines
Vashon Park District Community Service Award
Park District Executive Director Elaine Ott-Rocheford singled out Judith Neary, director of the nonprofit RJ’s Kids, for her leadership on the Pumptrack project at BARC. Neary and her husband Ramon Ontiveros set out nearly seven years ago to create a more vibrant skatepark for Vashon.
Neary secured state grants and helping organize the donation drive, volunteer labor, contracting and permitting, and spent 7 years leading the BARC renovation movement.
“None of this would have happened without the incredible vision and dedication of this incredible woman,” Ott-Rocheford said, presenting Neary with a community service award. “Judith spearheaded this from start to finish. … We thank your tireless dedication to enriching the lives of Vashon Island youth.”
Altogether, RJ’s Kids and Judith Neary “have given us a de-facto rec center on the island.”
Pictured: Bryan Ripka, Jeremy Uttech, Ramon Ontiveros and Judith Neary.