Matthew Joseph Egan, founder of Design Line Kitchens, began in Ireland
serving a seven-year apprenticeship learning the wood working trade.
Matt came to the U.S. in 1963 and began working in New York City with
antique furniture reproductions. After a brief return to Ireland to
marry, Matt returned with his new family in 1968. Matt found work in
several areas including as a night watchman before finding a position at
an office furniture manufacturer in Roselle, New Jersey.
Soon, Matt began a series of side-jobs involving cabinet
refacing. Working at night and on weekends, Matt eventually began
renovating entire kitchens for friends. Soon after, these friends were
referring Matt to their friends... and those friends began referring to
their friends. In 1974, Matt decided to take a chance and ventured out
on his own forming Matt Egan's Kitchens.
By 1979, Matt's business had grown so much that he needed an
entire shop. Matt moved his business, now called Design Line Kitchens,
to the Jersey shore and operated out of a showroom on Brighton Ave. in
Spring Lake Heights. In 1986, as word of mouth continued to spread,
Design Line was relocated for the final time to its current 10,000
square foot facility on Route 35 in Sea Girt, NJ.
Matt, now 72, is still very active in the business. As of today,
it is estimated that Matt has been a part of some 5000 kitchen
projects.