Expressing personality through design | Powell Tribune

Personality can be expressed through your kitchen — at least that’s how Powell native Jason Loyning, owner of JL Kitchens by Home Yellowstone in Billings, sees it.

His own personal stylings tend toward simple and minimalist, with sleek lines, tones of natural wood and lots of windows. Midcentury designer Frank Lloyd Wright and Scandinavian inspired designs serve as inspirations.

“Design is so visual, whether it’s hair, fashion, clothing, architecture, landscaping, graphic design … it’s ever evolving,” Loyning said.

Modern farmhouse and rustic designs or a combination of the two are popular, said Loyning, who has relationships with local contractors and several ongoing projects in the area.

“You might want to blend some ‘rustic’ with some ‘modern’ and that’s totally OK,” Loyning said. 

Right now Loyning is doing some work on “barndominium” and shop houses as well as a personal library in Cody with roughly 25 custom bookcases. Cabinetry is much more than just kitchen and bath work, he said — he also works on things like entry lockers and benches, craft rooms, offices, garages and laundry rooms.

Loyning, who graduated from Powell High School, has accumulated design experience throughout his life. He fondly remembers watching his own mother, who is naturally talented at design, pick out paints, wallpaper and furnishings for their home with their interior decorator.

“My parents still live in the same house I grew up in and since we have remodeled the kitchen and a few bathrooms,” Loyning said. 

His wife has taught him that you can express yourself in a space “by not being afraid to take risks by incorporating plants, wallpaper bold paint colors.”

During his time as cabinet designer for a company in Billings Loyning fell in love with the whole process, “from the initial selection stages to the design layouts/kitchen renderings, numerous client meetings, revisions,  to seeing projects all the way to the finish line.”

Several years ago a local business owner offered him the opportunity to start JL Kitchens, which is run through the Billings business Home Yellowstone.

Loyning works with customers — many of whom have already browsed extensively online — to design a space that matches their tastes.

“Clients are so much more educated with the presence of social media … it’s really just a matter of guiding them through the process,” Loyning said.

The design process “takes a team, preparation, organization, intentional time management, timelines and communication,” he said, adding he’s fortunate to work with some of the best in the industry. 

To begin the design process customers receive a free in-house consultation where room measurements are taken and the clients can discuss what they see for the room’s design. From there they can see renderings of the renovated rooms and design during an in-store meeting. 

“Even though I’m located in Billings, I want all northern Wyoming folks to think of JL Kitchens and Home Yellowstone as local,” Loyning said. “I was born and raised in Powell and feel so blessed to have the opportunity to do work in the area.”