Style
Kaufman by Design
Central Arkansas’ source for custom-crafted doors guides their customers through every step of the process
BY
Laura Keech Allen
PHOTOGRAPHY
Nancy Nolan
STYLED BY
Mandy Keener

At Kaufman by Design in Little Rock, the talented and dedicated staff has been crafting interior and exterior doors for years, and many staff members have been in the custom cabinetry business for generations. No matter what the project, manager Travis Rutledge and the craftsmen on his staff thrive on creating the perfect door for every situation. “The people who work here are so good at what they do,” says Rutledge. “They can build just about anything.”
   
When a customer enters Kaufman by Design, Rutledge can guide them through the process of selecting and customizing both interior and exterior doors. “If the customer has a general idea of what they want, then we can absolutely find it in our showroom, our in-stock doors or our catalog library. Then we customize it to their needs,” says Rutledge. “Or we can find a way to create it from scratch.” Wood and metal doors from lines like Simpson, Marvin and Elegante Iron are all available, along with windows, trim and moulding and stair parts.
   
For Rutledge, who’s spent his entire career in the door business, quality is key. “We have to stand behind everything that we sell, so our craftsmanship must be the best in the business,” he says. It’s also important, he stresses, to correctly prepare, install and maintain any new door. Though metal doors are ready to install, all wooden doors have to be sealed on all six sides to keep them moisture-free, and it’s essential to have a qualified installer to ensure that the door operates correctly for years to come.
   
Remodeling is a big part of Kaufman by Design’s business, especially because they can order, build or customize doors to fit any size jamb, and they offer a wide variety of multi-panel doors and hardware appropriate for older homes, as well as new construction. Hardware lines like Baldwin, Emtek and Top Knobs are all beautifully displayed in the showroom. “We have a lot of customers who come in strictly shopping for hardware, and this is a great place to compare several brands at the same time,” says Rutledge.
   
There are many benefits to upgrading a home’s doors. “It definitely adds value to your home,” says Rutledge, “and it adds an extra element of insulation.” But whether you’re in search of the perfect replacement doors for your historic home or a stylish entrance for your new construction, the craftsmen at Kaufman by Design have the skill and experience to make it happen.