Comprehensive Design and a Local Touch
Surface Kitchen & Bath Helps Elevate Long-Trusted Bend Business
by Noah Nelson
Nelson Tile & Stone has been a staple in Bend’s design industry for years now, providing high-quality tile and stone work for countertops, floors, and more. Now, a new division of the business called Surface Kitchen & Bath aims to create a far more comprehensive service for customers, offering an elevated design experience and expanded offerings.
Nelson Tile & Stone was born from the passions of founder and Bend local, Chris Nelson, who began working with tile at the turn of the millennium. Originally, the business focused on their namesake products—tile and stone. Over the years, through experience and years of industry knowledge, the business evolved into a one-stop shop for any customer wanting to design or remodel a dream kitchen or bath.
Jennifer Nelson operates as the company’s principal, while Chris oversees projects in the field. In the showroom, Jennifer manages the designers and special projects. It’s her commitment to bringing elevated options to the region that has been instrumental in allowing clients to shop locally instead of having to travel out of the area to shop for unique products.
“We are not just a tile and stone shop anymore. Today, we offer full design service for kitchen and baths in a beautiful Bend showroom. The new division of Surface Kitchen & Bath focuses on providing it all under one roof.”
-Jennifer Nelson, Principal, Nelson Tile & Stone
“We are very involved members of national groups like the National Kitchen and Bath Association and the Kitchen and Bath Alliance,” Jennifer says. “Our involvement means we are constantly keeping up on the latest industry innovations and design trends, allowing us to work closely with national product vendors directly.”
For the past several years, Jennifer has helped Nelson Tile & Stone become the well-rounded business it is today, “Now, we’re really in our stride and focusing on doing what we do best,” Jennifer says. “We are not just a tile and stone shop anymore. Today, we offer full design service for kitchen and baths in a beautiful Bend showroom. The new division of Surface Kitchen & Bath focuses on providing it all under one roof. There’s really nobody quite like us in the area.”
Just like the parent company, the new division of Surface Kitchen & Bath operates under the philosophy of keeping things stress-free for their clients, and they do so by streamlining a process that is often disjointed. This is done by creating a unique experience that offers clients the most for their money. “A typical project has so many details from countertops, showers, cabinetry, plumbing and lighting fixtures, mirrors – even flooring that often includes heat under it. We can handle it all from an experience point of view,” Jennifer says. “Our approach is practical, but the finished look is beautifully put together because our designers, project managers, skilled tradesmen, and operation associates work together as a team to ensure an exceptional client experience.”
“Our approach is practical, but the finished look is beautifully put together because our designers, project managers, skilled tradesmen, and operation associates work together as a team to ensure an exceptional client experience.”
-Jennifer Nelson, Principal, Nelson Tile & Stone
Since its inception in early 2023, Surface Kitchen & Bath has even taken a dive into the latest technology by utilizing virtual reality. “We now have the capabilities to design in 3D space using VR technology,” Jennifer says. “This allows people to walk into their newly designed spaces before they exist in real life, allowing customers to truly understand how each design element works, or might not work, with one another. This gives us the chance to correct any elements that would go unnoticed in a 2D design space, letting customers make their final decisions and purchases with complete confidence that they will love the end result.”
The entire design process, from the streamlined service to the VR tech, provides clients with far fewer factors that need to be juggled on a near daily basis. Instead of having to contact and coordinate with several different contractors and designers who may or may not be all on the same page regarding the client’s project, Surface Kitchen & Bath removes the middle men and meets clients wherever they need to be met in the design process.
Already have floors picked out, but you’re looking for cabinets that go with them? They have you covered. Want a steam shower with groutless shower walls but don’t know where to start? Easy. Remodeling your entire kitchen? Stop into the showroom and pick the aesthetic of your dreams with the trust that the professionals at Surface Kitchen & Bath will be there every step of the way.
“When people realize they can do everything they need here, with us – it can almost be overwhelming. I’ve had people nearly well up with tears of joy when they hear they don’t have to go five different places to get all the parts needed for their project.”
-Jennifer Nelson, Principal, Nelson Tile & Stone
“When people realize they can do everything they need here, with us – it can almost be overwhelming. I’ve had people nearly well up with tears of joy when they hear they don’t have to go five different places to get all the parts needed for their project,” Jennifer says. “That is not always the standard, and our customers appreciate that we make things easy on them.”
Take Amy Humphreys, for example. Amy came to Nelson Tile & Stone and worked with the Surface Kitchen & Bath division on a full 4,400-square-foot house remodel including replacement of flooring throughout the house, new quartz countertops in multiple locations, as well as fully remodeled bathrooms and mudroom.
Amy says that from start to finish, she always felt heard and listened to by the professionals at Surface Kitchen & Bath. “The Nelson team was very knowledgeable on various product options and offered us excellent suggestions for our tile, granite, and quartz selections,” Amy says. “In addition, the Nelson staff was extremely helpful with our decisions for appliances and hardware choices in our bathrooms and kitchen remodel. The entire team—from owner to manager to designer—were all very responsive, knowledgeable, and courteous.”
When asked if she might recommend the same service to a friend, Amy enthusiastically says, “Absolutely, 100%, without hesitation.”
To learn more and inquire about services, please visit surfacekb.com and consider scheduling a consultation for your next kitchen or bath project.
