In celebration of Women in Construction Week, we’re highlighting the talented women of Gilcrest Jewett. Learn more about their roles, skills, and impact in the industry!
Lydia Warin is a Cabinet Design and Flooring Sales Specialist in Waukee, Iowa.
- Years Employed at Gilcrest/Jewett: 1.5 years
- What is one of the favorite parts of your job:
My favorite part of the job is deciding the finishes, door style, and cabinet layouts.
- What new products are you excited about? What is one of your favorite product lines and why?
For new products, I get excited for all of them. With being in cabinets and flooring, I see a lot of new styles being released routinely. My favorite product line we sell is Medallion. The line has a lot of delightful finishes that can accommodate any design style.
- What is one design trend you like right now?
My favorite design trend right now is French or English Country. The style mixes deeper, moodier colors with rustic natural finishes like stone and deeper woods.
- What is a product you think customers should know more about?
I think customers should know more about patterned tile. It is versatile and can be used on any surface. Patterned tiles can jazz up a floor or create the perfect accent wall for a bar or vanity.
- Describe some skills your job needs:
Some of the skills I need for my job are a knowledge of design, construction, and communication. I use those three skills every day and without them, I could not be successful.
- What is your proudest accomplishment in your career at Gilcrest/Jewett?
My proudest accomplishment was honestly my first cabinet project. It was a simple kitchenette for a breakroom. There were some areas that could have been improved, but I learned so many things. Seeing the completed job was very rewarding. I wasn’t sure I wanted to design cabinets but one little set of cabinets changed my whole mindset and now I love it.
Working in the construction industry
- How long have you been working in the building industry? 3.5 years
- What initially drew you to a career in the construction industry?
What drew me into the construction industry, was originally architecture. From a young age, I have always been into building models, dioramas, and more. In middle school, I built a two-foot by three-foot model house with hot glue and popsicle sticks. Then it came time to decide on a career, long story short, I wanted to design the interiors for private jets.
- Did you have any female role models in the construction/building industry?
My mom and my high school FCS (Family & Consumer Science or Home Economics) were my two biggest female influences. I had a lot of male influencers as well.
- What advice would you give to other women considering a career in this industry?
Do it and you never know where it might lead.
- What skills or attributes do you believe are essential for women to succeed in the construction/building industry?
Compassion, eye for design, and have a visual mind.