Expert Service with a Local Touch BY C A R R I E M C C O N K E Y | C A R R I E M C C O N K E Y.C O M
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space, and consults on how the colors and textures of walls, floor, and ceiling combine. They create an environment for enjoyment. And that is what we offer to our clients.” The “we” Chris refers to is his talented team. While the staff at Designer Garages and Closets by McKenry follow Chris’ lead, they possess plenty of talent on their own. “Our team is what makes us grow every year,” said Chris. “People are the backbone of any business, and that is never truer than with us. Our designers have extensive experience with our product lines and the latest in storage industry developments. Our installers take pride in their work, showing the utmost in respect to our clients and their property. All of us are genuinely excited about how transformative the right storage solutions can be.” A Coast-to-Coast Career Chris is no stranger to the magic of storage design. After 15 years of steady growth and success as an organizational expert in Los Angeles, in 2015 Chris made a short visit home to East Tennessee - and a lifechanging decision. “Within a month, I decided Designers Cesar Rivera, Robin Carbaugh, to move back to Knoxville,” Chris McKenry, and Meghan Wilson explained Chris. “I loved L.A.,
ARAGES THAT feature beautiful epoxy polyaspartic floors, colorful cabinetry, and abundant slatwall storage have skyrocketed in popularity in East Tennessee. Not only are these indoor/outdoor rooms easy to enjoy due to the area’s mild climate, local homeowners have also been able to increase the value of their homes, and their quality of life, by giving extra attention to these humble household spaces. For Knoxville native Chris McKenry, owner of Designer Garages and Closets by McKenry, this “trend” has been around for decades. “I worked with a client on my first garage 20 years ago,” said the award-winning storage design specialist. “It simply made sense.” A Design-Minded Philosophy “Garage updates are much more than making things look neater,” said Chris. “That’s why the company is named Designer Garages. A professional designer looks at the room, understands the flow and purpose of the
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EVERYTHING KNOXVILLE
July 2022
Shadow Frost cabinets, slatwall, and Dolphin epoxy/poly floor
but I noticed so many good things happening - downtown, especially - and I knew my future belonged here.” After several years of using his own residence as a demonstration of his work, in 2019 Chris opened a 1,000-foot West Knoxville showroom. With dedicated consulting space and full-size displays of the latest storage design trends as inspiration, Chris and his team helped homeowners update their closets, laundry rooms, pantries, linen closets, guest rooms–, mud rooms, hobby/craft rooms, home offices, and… garages. It wasn’t long before Chris saw the need for a more formalized backdrop for this special area of the home. “After personally organizing garages for more than 18 years and having Closets by McKenry in Knoxville for five years, I decided to have a separate division for the Photos by D. Roberts Photography
