Max Isley, CMKBD and CEO, has owned and operated Hampton Kitchens of Raleigh, Inc. since 1974. Max describes how his career and the evolution of Hampton Kitchens began in his youth, was sparked by a mentor, further developed by himself, and today, proves to be a spectacular journey with a talented team of designers he calls “we.”
Our Story
The Evolution of Hampton Kitchens
“In 1967 my dad, Max Sr., built a house with the intention of entering it into (what I remember to be) the first Home Builders Parade of Homes in my hometown of Burlington NC. The design and construction of the house was not a solo effort for my dad; he employed my uncle as a carpenter and then the two of them trained me starting at age 14 to build the kitchen cabinets, right there, on the job site. During the parade, Dad allowed me to be stationed in the kitchen, where I proudly answered questions about the house and kitchen and was able to ‘show off’ our work.”
“I’ve been telling stories about kitchens ever since.”
Fast forward to 1974. With the guidance of a lifelong friend and mentor, the experience Max had with his father and uncle when he was young began to reappear into his life on a full-time basis. Max has an immense amount of gratitude for his mentor Bob McCamy regarding his success today. “In addition to being introduced to high-quality and custom crafted cabinetry, I was introduced to the foundations of the creative design process and I was instantly hooked.” Max says that the education his mentor provided cast his career and life into an ever-changing journey that continues to pleasantly evolve today.
The passion and talent for design and the fondness of kitchen craftsmanship Max grew up around does not end with himself. Today, Erin Cordes, Max’s daughter and second generation designer at Hampton Kitchen Design Lab, is taking Max’s passion and business even further. Max beams with pride when relating his daughter’s talents and personal values. Erin is not only a talented designer, but a natural businesswoman and she strategically uses her design skills, innovative vision, and personal values to lead the family-owned business to new heights and into the future.
Brandy Bridges joined them a little later with her valuable expertise, education, and over 15 years experience. She quickly became an integral part of the vision and growth. Her skills and knowledge brought a whole new dimension to the processes and capabilities of Hampton Kitchens. When asked about Brandy, Max’s reply was simply “Best decision Erin and I ever made!”
The inspiration and pride Max had when he was a young man, standing in the first kitchen that he, his father and uncle designed and constructed over five decades ago, remains the same today. Max says that with the addition of Erin and Brandy to Hampton Kitchens and the growth they facilitated his business mindset of ‘I’ has beautifully transformed into ‘we.’
Meet our design team.
Max Isley
CEO & CMKBD
Max Isley, Certified master Kitchen and Bath Designer, has owned and operated Hampton Kitchens of Raleigh, Inc. since 1974. He is a licensed general contractor and has been a Certified Kitchen Designer since 1981, which makes him more experienced than any other active designer in the state. After achieving the Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) and Certified Bath Designer (CBD) professional designations, Max obtained the Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer (CMKBD) professional designation through an extensive educational program, examination and endorsement process coupled with his many years of kitchen/bath industry experience. Max is one of only a few kitchen designers in the country who have achieved this, the highest professional certification available in the industry.
Max's custom kitchens have appeared in numerous award-winning Parade of Homes and Street of Dreams entries. Max has designed kitchens all over the United States and the world. Additionally, Max is an international speaker, consultant, and instructor for kitchen design and remodeling workshops and is a member of the Speaker's Bureau of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).
Max presides as a judge for the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s design contests. He is among a rare few Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designers in the United States who is asked by the National Kitchen & Bath Association to grade the kitchen designs of the hundreds of candidates who sit for the Certified Kitchen Designer exam each year. Max has been nominated by the National Kitchen & Bath Association as Remodeler of the Year and has received the Certified Kitchen Designer National Merit Award on six separate occasions.
To see more about Max and his experience please click: More about Max
Erin Cordes
President & Kitchen and Bath Designer
Erin came into her profession through her innate qualities she developed as a child and the environment she was raised in. Erin’s self-described characteristics consist of creative thinking, and a good balance of an affinity for sports with femininity; yet those that are lucky to know her can see more, an unstoppable mentality and determined streak etching throughout her spunky spirit. Erin has grit, not only because of her determination but her can-do attitude. It is not unusual to see Erin on the jobsite, often times in heels, rolling up her sleeves and making final adjustments to in order to delight clients and exceed expectations.
Daughter of Max Isley, CEO and long-time owner of Hampton Kitchens of Raleigh, Erin remembers drawing her first kitchen design at the age of 12. Erin joined her father in business because as she began studying design as an adult, her familiar childhood perspective of her father changed from recognizing Max as ‘Dad’ the comforter and provider that builds kitchens to an awakening to the fact that her father was not only great, but he was incredible, the best kitchen and bath designer in the industry. Erin easily became enmeshed in the business and quickly made such a positive impact that she was soon running the business with her unstoppable spirit.
While some days are glamorous for Erin, such as travelling around the world and seeing the most spectacular products vendors have to offer, some days are mentally taxing. Those are the days where she and her team may edit orders time and time again to ensure that each and every detail of the design is executed as close to perfection as possible. Sometimes her days may be physically taxing days, like when she has to procure and deliver products instead of going through the typical channels, because it is simply what is needed to keep the project progressing and on schedule. Keeping to schedule is essential in design and at home, as Erin is not only President of Hampton Kitchens but the mother of two. She grins with her wide smile and says; “I’m thrilled that I drive a minivan on delivery days.” Erin’s husband finds her ability to do whatever it takes endearing and he likes to joke that he married her because she has more tools than he does. Despite the challenges her career consists of, Erin says that they pale in comparison to the moment when her clients see the finished design in person. “I love knowing that my clients sometimes ‘happy cry' when they see their finished kitchens and bathrooms. In my opinion, the tears mean that we delivered the ultimate finished product, we turned our client’s dreams into a reality and exceeded expectations by providing them with an exquisite final product. I sleep well at night when I know that we have accomplished more than expected.
Brandy Bridges
Vice President & Kitchen and Bath Designer
Brandy has over 14 years of experience with kitchen and bath design and project implementation. She has an experience that is expansive, including multi-unit projects to fully custom luxury homes.
Brandy began her college studies at Western Carolina University with the intention of majoring in pre-med. She was surprised to find that after taking a few interior design courses she possessed a wonderful ability for all things design. Brandy decided to go where her gifts were the strongest, into a thriving and colorful world of interior design.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design she quickly found that her specialty was kitchen and bath design. Brandy says, “I love kitchen and bath design because it is a technical yet creative process. The kitchen is the heart of the home and a place where families create lifetime memories. The fact that I am a part of creating these spaces that they will enjoy for years to come is what I love most about my career.”
In addition to helping people make memories, Brandy thoroughly enjoys being a design team member at Hampton Kitchens. All ideas and opinions are not only heard, but considered. Brandy is able to create and execute without limitations. The design team members work so closely alongside their clients and one another that the team is an extremely close and collaborative well-oiled machine. Brandy agrees with the clients when she hears them say, ‘it’s like working with family.’