Meet the team
Rick Hoekstra — Owner, Sales, Design, and Project Management
Rick is the president and owner of Kitchen Ideas Center, as well as Lost Finish, Inc. since 1979. Having been involved with several notable projects including the renovation of the Wisconsin State Capitol, and the preservation of the Frank Lloyd Wright Pew House, Rick has also helped thousands of residential clients in and around the Dane County area to achieve beautiful new kitchens, baths, closets (and more) in their homes. Rick’s approach to each project is unique to each homeowner, and each homeowner’s vision for their home. How can Rick help you to design the project of your dreams?
Contact: 608.204.8760
Tim Benkowski — Senior Designer
After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY, Tim started his career in the construction industry. Soon after, he earned his Certified Kitchen Designer and Certified Bath Designer accreditation in 1991. In 1996, Tim achieved the designation of Certified Remodeler Associate from NARI, followed by the title of Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer in 2009, the highest level of achievement awarded by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
Recognized as a leader in the industry, Tim was part of the National Teaching Professional team for several years, traveling the country as a lecturer on topics including Art and Architecture in Kitchen and Bathroom Design, Lighting Design, and Creativity in Design.
No stranger to architectural design, he has judged the Master Design Awards for Qualified Remodeler Magazine and the NKBA design competitions. Tim also has a number of projects that have been published nationally and has been the recipient of numerous design awards.
Tim resides in Williams Bay, WI, with his wife, Kelly. In his spare time, he plays the fiddle in a Celtic band, enjoys cooking with his wife, brewing craft beer, and participates in year-round activities in the area, such as hiking, skiing, biking, and golf.
Contact: 262-894-4164
Michele Breunig – Sales, Design, and Project Management
Michele has been with Kitchen Ideas Center since the Spring of 2018. She has lived in the Madison area her entire life and has been in different aspects of the design field for over 25 years, with extensive wood and countertop knowledge. Michele has worked on projects ranging from small remodels to new legacy homes.
The kitchen is the heart of our homes. Michele can help you make it an area that is not only beautiful, but that functions well for everyone’s needs. She firmly believes that her job is not done unless you love the end product. Let Michele help you design the kitchen, bathroom or closet of your dreams!
Contact: 608-204-8762
Dana Langreck — Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer, Certified Living in Place Professional
Dana has been designing kitchens and baths since the mid 1980s. OK, so they were built with Legos and the 3D sketches were on school assignments, but it wasn’t long before she knew that designing interior spaces with cabinetry was her calling! After graduating from Iowa State University in 2000, Dana worked in the Reno/Tahoe area then Madison. She’s enjoyed helping homeowners transform how they experience their homes through thoughtful space planning, material coordination, and labor team connections for over two decades and has won many local awards. Her most memorable projects include designing wine cellars, project rooms, wardrobes, home libraries, accessible homes, and pet spaces.
Away from the office, Dana loves being with her daughters, baking, crafting, and getting outdoors by hosting friends, hiking, golfing, and playing volleyball or pickleball. She volunteers regularly, is actively involved in the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and serves on the Board of Directors of the local National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) chapter.
Dana personally knows the impact a home designed specifically around your needs and tastes has on your sense of well-being, and she would love to help you experience that, too—all while having some fun along the way!
Contact: 608.204.8764