Szilard Abraham

Getting to Know Szilard

Let’s start with you! Where are you from and what are some of the things you enjoy outside of design?

I grew up in Hungary, but I now call Fort Myers, Florida home. Family time is a big part of my life — my wife, son, and daughter keep me on my toes and bring me a lot of joy outside of work. When I do get some free time, I enjoy woodworking and house projects. I find they let me be creative in a different way and often inspire me with ideas I can bring back into my design work.

Your journey as a designer: How long have you been designing, and what’s your experience with Mantra and Diamond?

I started Imperial Kitchens in November 2000, but I’ve been designing and working with wood since I was 14 years old. It’s always been a true passion of mine, and something I know I’m good at. One of the most rewarding parts of this work is helping clients bring their vision to life in a way that’s both functional and beautiful.

Mantra has been a go-to line for me, especially after the hurricanes we’ve experienced here in Southwest Florida. It’s a trustworthy brand with reliable quality — and the quick ship is unbeatable. Diamond is also a good price point with many more options, giving me the flexibility to tailor solutions to each customer’s needs. Together, Mantra and Diamond create a perfect mix that allows me to handle a wide variety of projects with confidence.

Design Insights

Let’s talk about your design: One of the key benefits of selling MasterBrand is our wide selection of brands, which gives you the flexibility to trade up or down as needed. Your design will be our first co-branded Designer Spotlight, and we’re excited to learn more about your thought process—specifically how and why you selected and placed Mantra and Diamond cabinets in your layout.

Honestly, the reason was cost. My customer was on a budget, but it was a grand kitchen design, so I knew I needed to use Diamond on the perimeter to get the sizing and look they were after. To save, we used Mantra on the island, and also carried Mantra into the pool bath and laundry room.

What I love is that the two brands work so well together — it was a no-brainer. The mix allowed us to deliver the exact look and function the homeowner wanted while staying on budget. In the end, the space feels cohesive and elevated, which is exactly what we strive for with every MasterBrand project.

Tips and Tricks

What are your favorite features of each brand, and do you have any tips or tricks you’d like to share?

For me, the biggest strength of Mantra is its reliability and speed. After living through hurricanes, I’ve come to really value the peace of mind that comes with a line I know will ship quickly and still deliver consistent quality. It’s perfect for secondary spaces like islands, bathrooms, or laundry rooms, where keeping projects on budget without sacrificing style makes a big difference.

With Diamond, I love the flexibility. The broader sizing and door style options let me get creative and solve tricky design challenges — like a master bath with unusual dimensions — while still giving my clients a polished, high-end look.

One tip I’d share is not to be afraid of mixing the two. Pairing Diamond on the perimeter with Mantra in supporting areas is a simple way to stretch a budget while still giving homeowners the design they’re dreaming of. At the end of the day, it’s about using the full toolbox MasterBrand provides to find the right balance between cost, function, and style.