THE KITCHEN CENTER
CRAFTING PURPOSEFUL SPACES SINCE 1984
OUR VALUES: BUILT ON AGIO
agio
L’Agio (adj) [Aj-ee-oh]
(Ease/Comfort)
“Agio” is an Italian word that translates to “ease” or “comfort” in English.
At The Kitchen Center, our Italian heritage shapes everything we do. Rooted in the tradition of agio—the Italian word for ease and comfort—we are dedicated to creating stress-free experiences from design to installation. Just as every Italian home values warmth and togetherness, we focus on bringing that same spirit into every project we take on.
We live by the principles behind A.G.I.O.:
Attentive: We listen carefully and guide every client with patience and care.
Guaranteed: Our word is our bond. We stand behind the quality of our work, every time.
Innovative: Creativity and smart solutions are at the heart of our designs.
Outstanding: We go beyond expectations—blending craftsmanship, service, and family pride into every detail.
At The Kitchen Center, we don’t just build spaces—we build trust, comfort, and ease. That’s agio.
OUR HISTORY
A Family Tradition
Our story begins in 1971, when Al Scardina started designing and selling kitchens at Kitchen Krafters in Youngstown, Ohio. Al and his wife Phyllis brought their passion for design to Winston-Salem, opening The Kitchen Center in 1984. A few years later, they established the business’s home on Burke Street, where we still welcome customers today.
The next generation soon joined the family tradition. Michael Scardina stepped in to lend his eye for design in 1993, and in 2016, Lori Maughon added her expertise in interior design to the growing team.
Together, Al and Phyllis have earned multiple Wood-Mode Design Awards, a testament to their dedication to the craft and to the community.
OUR TEAM
Led today by Michael Scardina, The Kitchen Center remains a family-driven business with a hand-picked team of talented designers and staff. While many in the industry rely solely on software-generated designs, we believe that no program can substitute for the creativity and attention to detail that our team brings to each project. Our relationships with homeowners are built on trust, collaboration, and a shared excitement to create spaces that are both functional and personal.
For over 40 years, The Kitchen Center has proudly remained a place where quality, heritage, and customer care come together—and we look forward to continuing that tradition for many years to come.
Michael Scardina
Michael Scardina grew up in the family business, working with his parents since 1993. Before this, he studied at UNCG, getting a corporate job after graduating in 1990. The family business called him back after 3 years in the corporate world, and he’s been designing and selling kitchens with The Kitchen Center ever since. Michael is married with a son, and other than spending time with his family, he loves going to the gym in his spare time.
Lori S. Maughon
Lori also grew up in the world of business, but then pursued her passions of interior and fashion design when she went to college. She graduated with degrees in these subjects in 1985. Lori moved to Winston in 2015 to be near her family. She is happily married with a full family now, including three children, two grandchildren, and a dog. Lori loves staying active in her free time with pursuits like yoga, biking, hiking, and traveling.
Julia Nichols
After leaving the corporate world to raise her two children, Catherine and Gray, and spend time with husband, Robert, Julia discovered her passion for design. Throughout the years she has worked on many personal projects as well as helping family and friends build or remodel their own homes. Since becoming an empty nester, Julia decided to turn her passion into a career. Because she had worked with The Kitchen Center on numerous projects, she approached the family about joining their design team. Her goal is to create spaces that are both functional and beautiful. Julia loves spending time with family and friends, tennis, and yes, design is still a hobby!
Jennifer Willard
Jennifer was raised in Davie County and attended Randolph Community College in Ashboro. She graduated in 1991 with a degree in interior design. While living in Walnut Cove, she has held positions at Deros, Brannock Lynch, and Cabinet Studio. She has specialized in cabinetry for 13 years. Jennifer loves spending time with her family and enjoys cooking and scrapbooking when she’s not working.
Stevie Yaeger
Stevie grew up in Summerfield, North Carolina, and attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. While at UNCG, she obtained a BA in History as well as a BFA in Interior Architecture. She combined these paths with an internship through UNCG’s Mainstreet Program and was recognized for her work on the Pioneer Theater in Manteo, North Carolina. Stevie joined our team in November of 2023 and is excited to begin a long career with The Kitchen Center! In her free time, she enjoys reading, cross-stitching, and spending time with her family on their rescue horse farm, Flurry’s Hope, in Madison, North Carolina.