The People Who Bring Your Vision to Life
Behind every thoughtfully designed space at Ideal Cabinets Design Studio is a dedicated team with deep experience, creativity, and a shared commitment to quality. Our Christiansburg showroom is home to designers and craftsmen who work closely together—often under the same roof—to create spaces our customers love.
Our Design Team
Our customers are supported by two experienced designers whose backgrounds bring both technical knowledge and creative insight to every project.
Deal Saltus brings a unique perspective to cabinetry design as a former custom home builder. With 22 years at Ideal Cabinets and certification as a contractor, Dean understands how cabinetry fits into the larger construction picture. His experience helps clients make informed decisions that balance beauty, function, and long-term value.
Adriana Stevers, a graduate of Radford University with a degree in Interior Design, brings a strong design forward approach to the team. Before joining Ideal Cabinets, she gained experience in cabinetry design and lighting, which adds depth to her ability to create cohesive, well-planned spaces. Adriana has been designing at Ideal for six years and enjoys helping clients bring their personal style to life.
Both designers work closely with Emma Davis, a graduate of Virginia Tech’s Residential Environments and Design program. When clients visit the Ideal Cabinets showroom in downtown Christiansburg, Emma is often the first friendly face they see. She introduces customers to the Ideal Cabinets process and guides them through what they can expect from start to finish. Emma enjoys getting to know customers and their projects, assisting with designs and selections, and watching each project come together from beginning to completion.
Craftsmanship & Support Behind the Scenes
Our designers are supported by an exceptional shop and operations team, which is a true advantage for our customers.
Virginia Rakes, owner and financial executive, has been part of Ideal Cabinets for an incredible 56 years—and counting. Her dedication and leadership have helped shape the company’s strong foundation and reputation in the New River Valley.
Leading the craftsmanship side is Jeff Mottesheard, our lead craftsman, who has been with Ideal Cabinets for 44 years. His experience and attention to detail set the standard for quality in everything we build.
Supporting the shop are Allen Aliff, shop assistant with nine years at Ideal, and Andy Wert, another experienced shop assistant supporting Ideal for the last three years. Together, the shop team works closely with the designers to ensure every project meets our standards.
A Team Built on Experience & Trust
Between the seven employees at our Christiansburg location, Ideal Cabinets brings a combined 144 years of experience to every project. Our designers value having the shop on site, allowing for close collaboration, custom solutions, and hands-on problem solving throughout the design and build process.
What unites our team is pride—in our craftsmanship, our customer service, and our reputation for standing behind our work. Just as important is the character of our employees, who live and work in the same community we serve. The response from the team when asking what they most enjoy about working at Ideal Cabinets is the satisfaction and reaction from our customers of a job well done.
Come Meet the Team
When you visit Ideal Cabinets Design Studio in downtown Christiansburg, you’re not just visiting a showroom—you’re meeting a team that cares deeply about your project and your experience. We invite you to stop by, meet the designers and craftsmen, and see firsthand why our team is proud to call Ideal Cabinets home.
