Laurel Winkel CTE grad and faculty member shares learnings from creating successful remodeling business
Laurel Winkel’s journey from Portland Community College student to business owner and faculty member reflects the power of hands-on education and real-world experience. After graduating from PCC’s Building Construction Technology program, Laurel launched her own remodeling company, combining technical expertise with a clear vision for serving homeowners.
Today, as founder of SheBuilds Kitchen Design and Remodeling and a faculty member at PCC, Laurel brings her industry knowledge back into the classroom. She helps students bridge the gap between education and the workforce while encouraging the next generation of builders—especially women—to pursue careers in construction with confidence.
Start the Year With a Smarter Kitchen: DIY Storage Upgrades Homeowners Love
A more organized kitchen doesn’t require a full remodel. With a few strategic DIY storage upgrades — like pull-out shelves, vertical dividers, and hidden cabinet organizers — homeowners can dramatically improve how their kitchen functions. This guide walks through practical, homeowner-friendly solutions that reduce clutter, maximize existing cabinets, and make everyday kitchen tasks easier.
Kitchen Features We LOVE: HIDDEN PANTRY
Explore the appeal of hidden pantries and why concealed storage is a favorite kitchen feature. Learn how hidden pantry doors keep kitchens organized, streamlined, and clutter-free.
Designed for Two (or More): Kitchens That Support Shared Living
Most kitchens aren’t used by just one person — they’re shared. Whether it’s cooking side by side, juggling prep and cleanup, or gathering around the island during everyday moments, a well-designed kitchen should support shared routines without friction. In this post, we explore thoughtful design choices that make kitchens work better for more than one person, focusing on flow, storage, and real-life functionality.
Turn Your Bathroom Into a Spa-Like Retreat
Bathrooms are no longer just functional spaces — they’re becoming places to pause, reset, and unwind. A spa-inspired bathroom focuses on calm layouts, natural materials, soft lighting, and thoughtful planning that supports everyday routines. When designed with intention, a bathroom can feel less like a utility room and more like a personal retreat you get to enjoy every day.
Confidently DIY Your Bathroom — With a Pro in Your Corner
Bathroom remodels may be smaller than kitchens, but they’re often more complex. Plumbing, waterproofing, electrical, ventilation, inspections — all in a tight space where mistakes can become expensive fast. The Bathroom Coach DIY Remodel Guide was created for homeowners who want to take control of their bathroom remodel with clarity, structure, and confidence. It provides a professional framework for acting as your own general contractor — without the guesswork, overwhelm, or costly missteps that derail so many DIY projects.
Bathrooms in 2026: Stone as Atmosphere, Not Just a Finish
In 2026, bathroom design is shifting away from busy finishes and toward spaces that feel calm, grounded, and intentional. Stone is no longer just a surface—it’s becoming the architecture of the room. From full-height stone shower walls to integrated stone vanities and seamless wet zones, this trend prioritizes fewer materials, used better, for bathrooms that feel timeless, spa-like, and thoughtfully designed.
Kitchen Features We LOVE: Microwave Drawers
A microwave drawer is a thoughtful kitchen feature that improves safety, accessibility, and everyday convenience—making it ideal for families, seniors, and universal kitchen design.
Kitchen Features We LOVE: Pole-Free Lazy Susan
Discover the benefits of a modern pole-free Lazy Susan and why it’s a smarter corner cabinet solution. Learn how this design maximizes storage, improves access, and modernizes your kitchen.
“Meh…I like it” to “I LOVE IT!”
Many homeowners live with spaces that function—but don’t truly fit their lives. This reflection explores why thoughtful design matters, and how spaces designed with intention can transform how a home feels every day.
2026 Kitchen Design Trends: STONE as Architecture!
Stone is moving beyond countertops in 2026 kitchens and bathrooms. From stone-wrapped range hoods and fluted island fronts to feature walls and built-in seating, designers are using stone as architecture—not just a surface. This shift creates calmer, more cohesive spaces where fewer materials do more of the work, blending durability, texture, and timeless design.
Get Your Kitchen Coach DIY Guide Today!
Confidently DIY Your Kitchen — With a Pro at Your Side! Where are our DIY friends? Do we have an...
Join SheBuilds at the Build, Remodel and Landscape Show
Spring renovation season is almost here, and if you’ve been thinking about updating your kitchen, bathroom, or outdoor spaces, this event is a great place to explore what’s possible. Next weekend, SheBuilds will be exhibiting at the Portland Build, Remodel & Landscape Show—an annual home improvement event where homeowners can gather ideas, ask questions, and see new products and materials in person. Whether you’re planning a project or just browsing for inspiration, this is an easy way to jump-start spring planning.
Pots, Pans and Lids-OH MY!
The holidays are over, but the clutter remains. Learn how a thoughtfully designed pot and pan drawer—with a hidden companion drawer for lids—creates effortless organization and everyday ease in the kitchen.
Common Fears Homeowners Have Before a Kitchen or Bathroom Project
Uncertainty is one of the biggest reasons homeowners delay kitchen and bathroom renovations. From fear of making the wrong decisions to concerns about budgets, timelines, and the unknown, these worries are common—and completely normal. Understanding where those fears come from is often the first step toward moving forward. With the right information and support, renovation decisions become clearer, more manageable, and far less intimidating.
2026: Setting the Foundation for a Kitchen or Bath That Truly Works
As we move into 2026, SheBuilds Kitchens is expanding how homeowners access professional kitchen and bathroom support. While our local design-build work continues in the Portland Metro area, new offerings—including nationwide eDesign services, cabinetry access, and growing DIY education—make it easier for homeowners everywhere to plan, organize, and move forward with confidence. Whether working locally, remotely, or independently, homeowners can choose the level of guidance that fits their project and their goals.
Looking Ahead to 2026: Expanding How We Help Homeowners, Nationwide
As we move into 2026, SheBuilds Kitchens is expanding how—and where—we support homeowners. While our roots remain firmly planted in the Portland Metro area, the year ahead brings new ways to access professional kitchen and bathroom design, cabinetry, and education—no matter where you live.
With the launch of a new eDesign and cabinetry arm and the continued growth of our education platform, homeowners can choose the level of guidance that fits their project, timeline, and location. From remote design services and cabinet delivery to DIY coach guides and project-management tools, our focus remains the same: helping people plan smarter, feel confident in their decisions, and move forward with clarity.
2026 is about meeting homeowners where they are—and giving them the resources to build with confidence.
The Tile Looked Different in the Store…Why Grout Color Changes Everything
Ever wondered why tile looks different in your home than it did in the showroom? The answer is often grout. This blog explores how grout color affects contrast, scale, and mood—using real visual examples that show just how dramatic the difference can be.
SheBuilds Kitchens Design and Remodeling: 2025 ‘A Year in Review’
2025 was a year of innovation, expansion, and major market pivots for SheBuilds. From launching our new digital platform and building homeowner planning tools to expanding our showroom and preparing a nationwide cabinetry and eDesign service, we’ve set the stage for a whole new chapter in 2026. If you’re planning a renovation—or just want smarter tools and guidance—this recap shows how SheBuilds is growing to support homeowners and DIYers everywhere.
Finally…A Project Management Spreadsheet Built Exactly for Homeowners
Renovations don’t need to be overwhelming. We built (and professionally engineered!) a powerful Project Management Spreadsheet to help DIY’ers stay on budget, on schedule, and fully organized from day one. It includes instructions, a full budget tracker, a Gantt-style timeline, and a selections log—yours for only $47.
Why Renovation Costs Are Going Up — and Why Now Is the Time to Act
Renovation costs are projected to rise 10–40% in 2026 due to tariffs, material inflation and labor shortages. Learn why—and how to lock in 2025 pricing now.
Come See SheBuilds at the Hillsboro FALL Home Improvement Show!
SheBuilds Kitchens will be at the Hillsboro Home Improvement Show this November! Stop by to meet our design team, get inspired by real kitchen and bath projects, and find out how to make your next remodel smooth, stylish, and stress-free.
Dutch Split Pea Soup-A Fall Favorite
Warm up your fall with Grandma Brown’s classic Dutch Split Pea Soup — a hearty, comforting recipe passed down through generations. Made with split peas, tender ham, and plenty of fresh veggies, this simple one-pot meal is the perfect way to welcome the season. Try the vegan version with smoked paprika for a cozy, plant-based twist!
The Coziest Kitchen Accessories for Fall
Bring the warmth of autumn into your home with cozy fall kitchen accessories. From pumpkins and seasonal jars to rustic cutting boards, these simple touches create a welcoming space that feels festive and inviting.
Bathroom Dreams! Portland Street of Dreams 2025
SheBuilds braved the 109° heat to tour the NW Natural Street of Dreams this summer—and it did not disappoint! From a Portland Trailblazer’s luxury home to an 8,700 sq. ft. multi-generational mansion, we found endless bathroom inspiration. Think show-stopping stone vanities, under-cabinet lighting, spa-like showers, and trending wood finishes. Take a peek at our favorite designs and let us know which bathroom you’d love to see in our Wilsonville showroom!
Holiday Hosting Made Easy: Your Stress-Free Checklist
Make your home guest-ready with our stress-free holiday hosting checklist. From kitchen prep and bathroom essentials to comfort hacks, we’ve got you covered.
What does your Dream Kitchen look like? Maybe like this:
Portland Street of Dreams 2025 It was 109 degrees...but we BRAVED the heat to visit multiple...
RISE! Remodelers on the Rise Conference
Another week, another AWESOME event! This week our fearless leader and #girlboss Laurel Winkel...
A Kitchen Designer’s Very Own Kitchen: Take a Tour
Ever wonder what a kitchen remodeler chooses for their own kitchen? Join Laurel, Founder of...
MUST HAVE Kitchen Feature: Dish Storage Drawer
Rethink your kitchen! In this video, we're showcasing a revolutionary kitchen organization idea:...
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