WHO WE ARE
Properties that re-imagine the past, embrace the present, and envision the future with creative solutions for gracious modern living.
Imagine Design and Construction began the way many successful projects begin, as the quirky, almost accidental meeting of a great idea and the right people for the job. It was the early 90’s and Kate Stiassni was a busy working mom, managing a demanding job as a television producer for CBS News while raising her family in New York City. Discouraged by exorbitant prices when her family outgrew their classic five apartment, she decided to try her hand at renovation in her spare time. She found a run-down, multi-unit townhouse on the Upper West Side, and, with the expert help of builder Robert Pidkameny, transformed it into an elegant single family home. In the process she discovered that she loved everything about the job. And that she was good at it. When a buyer practically knocked down her front door, she was more than ready to start again.
In 1991, Kate Stiassni and Robert Pidkameny realized that their strengths were perfectly complementary: Kate’s producing skills, the ability to make 1001 decisions in a day and to meet a deadline -- dovetailed perfectly with Bob Pidkameny’s wide-ranging experience and knowledge of building and fine carpentry skills. They also realized that Kate’s was not the only family looking for more space and a gracious lifestyle in New York City. And that there were other derelict Manhattan townhouses just waiting for them. Imagine Design and Construction was born. A few years later the team added properties in Upstate New York, Connecticut, and the East End of Long Island to their portfolio.
ROBERT PIDKAMENY holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. His first career was as a professional photographer, but his lifelong passion for carpentry and home design was inescapable. In the 1980’s Robert went to work for Smallbone English Cabinetry, honing his fine cabinetry skills building kitchens and libraries from San Francisco to Southhampton. He also worked with well-known kitchen designers Christopher Peacock, Johnny Grey and Florence Perchuk before going into business for himself.
KATE STIASSNI graduated from the University of Vermont before setting out to make a name for herself in journalism. She worked for 20 years as a producer for the CBS News programs SIXTY MINUTES and SUNDAY MORNING WITH CHARLES OSGOOD before deciding to pursue her passion for real estate design full time. In addition to her experience building and remodeling more than 20 homes since 1991, Kate has studied at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University and at the Parsons New School of Design. In tandem with managing Imagine Design, Kate has built a career as a nationally exhibited textile artist.