About Karen Hockley
Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer, Certified Aging in Place
Check out: Karen Hockley - NKBA
About Karen Hockley
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Biography: "Karen Hockley, CMKBD, CAPS, has built an exciting and diverse career in kitchen and bath design, with experience at Lowe's, multiple lumber companies, and as a Sales Manager for Masterbrand Cabinetry. Today, she leads her own company, dedicated to training the next generation of Kitchen & Bath Designers.
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"In 2023, Karen Hockley, CMKBD, CAPS, was honored as the KBB Curriculum Star, and in 2021, she was recognized as one of Kitchen & Bath Design News' Innovators."
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"Karen earned her Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) designation in 2006, followed by her Certified Bath Designer (CBD) designation in 2007."
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"My NKBA training and career have equipped me with the skills to design impactful projects and excel in project management."
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Mission Statement: "To educate, inspire, and train kitchen and bath designers to excel in their craft.
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For my clients, I am dedicated to designing spaces that seamlessly blend functionality and beauty, enhancing every home."
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Core Values: Dedication to quality, personalized design solutions, and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of designers.
Services
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Training and Mentorship: "I’ve developed 92 comprehensive classes on Kitchen & Bath Design that I present to NKBA groups, companies, and offer through Zoom, PUGs Pro, my website, and social platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn."
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Design Services: Services include consultation, Kitchen design training, design layout, 2020 Design Technology renderings, and final installation support.
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Consulting for Contractors and Homeowners: Expertise in managing remodeling projects, working with budgets, and offering practical, aesthetically pleasing solutions.
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Product Sales: Offering Diamond, Decora, and Mantra Cabinetry lines, along with countertop and plumbing products.
Decora Cabinetry
“Advance Your Kitchen & Bath Design Skills”.
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Education & Training
for
Kitchen & Bath Designers
Westhighland Designs provides advanced training and professional education for kitchen and bath designers. Led by Karen Hockley, CMKBD, CAPS, a nationally recognized Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer, the focus is on practical, experience-driven instruction grounded in real-world industry standards.
With decades of hands-on experience in kitchen and bath design, cabinetry, product knowledge, and sales systems, and the addition of AI, Karen’s training connects design fundamentals, technical expertise, and business strategy. Designers gain the skills, confidence, and professional mastery needed to work more efficiently, design with clarity, and build sustainable careers in the kitchen and bath industry.
Ready to Work Together?
👉 Book a Business Consultation
Kitchen & Bath Design Training & Business Consulting
Clear, practical Kitchen Design Training or business guidance for professional designers
I provide private Training & business consulting for kitchen and bath designers who want become better designers and to run a more profitable, organized, and professional business. This is real-world advisory based on decades in the industry — not coaching, not theory.
All sessions are one-on-one via Zoom.
Training Consulting Options
1. Single Strategy Session
$125 · for 60 minutes
For focused questions or immediate clarity.
Common topics:
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Kitchen & Bathroom Design Training
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Pricing and design fees
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Service packages and scopes of work
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Client boundaries and problem clients
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Workflow and time management
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Showroom vs. independent practice
2. 5-Hour Consulting Package
$499 · 5- 1 hour training sessions
For designers who want deeper support and follow-through.
Includes:
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Five (5) hours of private consulting
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Flexible scheduling
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Priority booking
3. Monthly Business Advisory - Contact Karen directly to set up
$350 / month
Ongoing guidance for designers who want consistent support.
Includes:
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One 60-minute session per week (up to 4/month)
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Kitchen & or Bath Design training
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Business strategy, pricing, and operations support
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Priority scheduling
Terms:
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Monthly subscription
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2-month minimum
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Sessions do not roll over
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About Karen Hockley
I’m Karen Hockley, CMKBD, CAPS, a Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer with more than three decades of real-world experience in the kitchen and bath industry—and today, my passion is training the next generation of kitchen & bath designers.
After a long and successful career designing kitchens and bathrooms, working in showrooms, with manufacturers, and in leadership roles, I made a deliberate shift:
I design careers for designers.
Through Westhighland Designs, I teach comprehensive, professional-level kitchen and bath design education—covering every aspect of the trade, from foundational design principles to advanced systems and profitability.
Education that is practical, experience-based, and designed to help designers master their craft, increase their value, and earn more money in showrooms or as independent professionals.
What I Teach
My training library includes more than 90 classes developed specifically for kitchen and bath professionals, including:
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Kitchen & bath design fundamentals and advanced planning
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Cabinetry construction, specifications, and sales strategy
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Countertops, appliances, and materials
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Design process, ergonomics, and workflow efficiency
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Business systems, pricing, and profitability
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2020 Design software training, taught one-on-one and in focused sessions
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Rendering and presentation skills to help designers sell with confidence
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AI in rendering and how to use AI in your Kitchen & Bath Design Business
This education is practical, experience-based, and designed to help designers master their craft, increase their value, and earn more money in showrooms or as independent professionals.
Who I Work With
I work with:
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New designers entering the kitchen & bath industry
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NKBA Chapters
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Experienced designers who want deeper mastery
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Showroom professionals looking to level up
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Designers struggling with confidence, systems, or income
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Professionals who want clear, structured training from someone who’s been there
My students aren’t hobbyists—they are serious about building sustainable, respected careers.
My Philosophy
Good design is only part of success.
Great designers also understand systems, communication, software, and business.
I teach designers how to think, how to design, and how to work profitably—not just how to draw a kitchen.
If you’re ready to move beyond scattered tutorials and learn from a designer who has lived every side of this industry, you’re in the right place.
Transforming Spaces with Expert Kitchen Design
This beautiful kitchen design is centered around a busy family. Every thought to the design came from input of the family's lifestyle. We created a perfect space for everything
Updated kitchen with beautiful White Cabinetry and Stainless steel appliances. Home from the 1800's has a walk in fireplace. The island was an antique that we used as an island
Lady Piper
West Highland White Terrier · Studio Companion
WestHighland Designs is named for the breed that has been part of my life for decades.
In memory of Princess Margaret
1987–2002 · A beloved Westie for 15 wonderful years
Professional Recognition
Site Policies: Go to More in top menu for additional information
Refund/Cancellation policy: Videos are non refundable. If there are any problems, please contact us at 717-798-7561 so we can be of assistance.
Fulfillment policy: You can watch videos after payment is made. Videos are watched on this Wix Website they are not downloadable.
Terms and conditions: All video sales are final. Karen is available for 1 on 1 coaching.
Privacy policy: Kitchens by Karen, LLC does not sell or share your information with other companies.
Kitchens by Karen, LLC- DBA Westhighland Designs
Karen Hockley, CMKBD, CAPS Owner -Contact us at 717-798-7561 Enola, Pa. 17025
Customer Service contact 717-798-7561
The Service and all materials therein or transferred thereby, including, without limitation, software, images, text, graphics, logos, patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, photographs, audio, videos, music and all Intellectual Property Rights related thereto, are the exclusive property of Karen Hockley, CMKBD.
Except as explicitly provided herein, nothing in these Terms shall be deemed to create a license in or under any such Intellectual Property Rights, and you agree not to sell, license, rent, modify, distribute, copy, reproduce, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, publish, adapt, edit or create derivative works thereof.