Testimonials

Danver Stainless Outdoor Kitchens
Michael Gotowala and the team at The Outdoor Kitchen Design Store deliver our quality stainless steel outdoor kitchen cabinetry to high-end homes and homeowners in the Northeast. The projects he has completed definitely stand up to his “living fabulously” mantra, as he has created and designed some beautiful outdoor landscapes and getaways throughout Connecticut and the Hamptons.

Annmdiana
Relationship: Client
Project Date: April 2015
Project Price: $10,000 – $49,999
Mike was great to work with. He was as excited about our project as we were. Mike followed through on everything he said he would do. We were very impressed with his masons. Their stonework is beautiful!!! We certainly would recommend The Outdoor Kitchen Design Store!

Luxe Interiors+Design
Relationship: Colleague
Michael Gotowala is the go-to resource for creating amazing outdoor living spaces. He offers the perfect blend of design expertise and building experience to create outdoor kitchens that are unrivaled. Mike handles everything from structure, stonework, landscaping, lighting, and product selection to create a space the looks and works fabulously. He is professional and great to work with.

Pioneer Valley Fiberglass Pools and Spas
Relationship: Colleague
Project Date: June 2014
Project Price: more than $100,000
I have worked with Mike on a number of projects over the years. He is a professional and a visionary in all aspects of outdoor living, landscape, lighting and design work.

I look forward to many more projects with Mike. He truly makes our swimming pools look spectacular. Anyone thinking about outdoor living design, swimming pools and spas, Mike is bar none the best in the business.

Mike is rapidly becoming one of the most sought after professionals in the industry and his many projects with swimming pools, spas, walls, hardscape, outdoor kitchens, outdoor lighting and outdoor living are the reasons why.

Betsy Stretton
Relationship: Colleague
Allstone Corporation has worked with Michael on numerous thin stone veneer jobs in the past and we have always been beyond impressed with his work. Michael is truly dedicated, passionate, and hard working and he makes us proud to have our product showcased in such beautiful projects. We would highly recommend him to anyone.

lindasbedell
Relationship: Colleague
Mike is incredibly passionate about what he does, and has the client’s interests at heart. It is a pleasure working with him and I would recommend him highly.

bmorgan917
Relationship: Client
Project Date: May 2015
Project Price: $10,000 – $49,999
We chose to use Mike & Preferred Properties to install new landscaping as well as some patio/masonry work. Mike and his team’s work are second to none. We could not be happier.

Designing Phase:
My wife & I are not exactly strong at design and Mike truly helped us in that regard. We are breaking up our design into several phases and Mike has guided us on how best to go about it. Mike went so far as to visit a quarry to ensure we can match stone a year or 2 down the road as we complete future phases. That is someone who understand how to make/keep a client happy.

Install Phase:
This past year, we installed all front landscaping and some hardscaping in the back (patio/firepit). We intend to add onto patio in the future to include outdoor kitchen & dining area. Both installs came out great, the design from the front plantings is beautiful, the pictures do not really do it justice. The masonry work on the firepit is just spectacular. They are truly skilled.

Relationship/Other:
One of the things of great importance is having good customer service, Mike truly understands this. We spent many hours together going over ideas for now and in the future. If I had any questions / problems I picked up the phone and he had it answered and/or fixed in short order. We look forward to finishing the rest of our outdoor projects soon.

Wood Stone Home
Relationship: Colleague
Wood Stone Home has been working with Michael and the Outdoor Kitchen Design Store for about a year now, and we’ve seen nothing but the highest quality in their work. We are glad to see our product included in such fabulous installations. Michael is very personable and has a great customer focus.

kloterfarmsoutdoor
Relationship: Colleague
Project Date: June 2009
Project Price: $50,000 – $100,000
Kloter Farms has worked with Michael and the Outdoor Kitchen Design Store on numerous projects. It is always exciting to be a part of their designs. The attention to detail, and the creative excellence that is realized by the customer is fabulous. We would highly recommend their team to a prospect looking for that exceptional outdoor kitchen.

Gregory P. B
Director of Medical Economics at Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc.
We absolutely love our outdoor living space! We started out with a small fire pit that i installed myself,but what Michael and Preferred Properties have done to our backyard is amazing! He has turned our backyard into a relaxing living space, we have literally moved outdoors. We have a pizza oven with a massive fireplace that is beautiful. We have a sink outdoors that makes things so easy from a preparation/maintenance perspective. Michael was here every single day from the beginning of the project to the end answering all of our questions and doing the little things that go a long way to us as customers. Michael is the best at what he does so if you are interested in an outdoor kitchen, pizza oven or fireplace, Michael is your guy! Thanks for everything Michael! Greg B

Paula Jana
It is said that your house should rise up to greet you but I never realized how much better it could be until Michael Ggotowala of Preferred Properties landscaped & lit my property. From design to placement of every down & up light my excitement grew. After 4 yrs. I am still in love with what happens outside my windows after dark.

John McGee
Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales at FireEye, Inc.
I hired Mike in multiple phases to redo my entire outside landscaping. Mike and his team comes with an enormous amount of creativity and professionalism. In each phase of the project, the end result exceeded my expectations. Most importantly, Mike stayed with me during tough times with another contractor and finished off work that was not part of his deal. In addition, he has fulfilled his post sale support and lived up to every aspect of the arrangement. He is in it for the long term relationship and it is my pleasure to write this referral. BTW, my back yard is spectacular thanks to his vision and commitment to excellence!

Elizabeth Cohen
Owner, B and B Transportation, Inc
Michael has a great visual ability. He looks at a yard and sees a blank canvas. I hired him the first time and gave him my ideas and he fulfilled them beautifully. The second time, I let Michael do everything. I took his recommendations and trusted his vision completely. Our yard is beautiful and years later I still continue to get compliments all the time.

Willy B!
President at TVforRadio
Michael and the crew at Preferred Properties light up our life! We first met Michael in 2008 when we were looking to add a little outdoor lighting to our home in Connecticut. We were treated to a lighting demonstration and have never looked back! Michael and his expert lighting design vision turned our dark outdoor space into a night time living space. Our guests are always amazed at how inviting and majestic our outdoor living space looks and feels at night. Keep up the great work and thank you Preferred Properties!

Steve Parrott
Communications Director
Michael is clearly one of the best landscape lighting designers in the country. In my role as a photographer of outdoor lighting, I’ve visited and photographed many of Michael’s projects – not only were the lighting designs creative and effective, they were also installed perfectly with a great attention to detail.

My photos of Michael’s projects have been published in numerous trade journals and design magazines. Editors are thrilled with these outstanding examples of landscape lighting. Michael has embraced both the art and science of lighting design and applies it to create compelling nighttime environments for his very lucky clients.

I wholeheartedly recommend Michael for any kind of outdoor lighting product. You willed be thrilled with the results.

Gregory P. Barbiero
Director of Medical Economics at Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc.
Michael and Preferred Properties are second to no one in outdoor lighitng and design! I had installed landscape lighting several years ago myself but I could never get the effect that I wanted. I met Michael and he has installed a lighting landscpae that is simpy incredible. He is a perfectionist and he and his team do not stop until they feel the lighting is perfect. I am so proud of how our house looks but especially at night. Thanks to Michael and the Preferred Properties team! If you want the best outloor lighting expert in the business look no further than Michael and Preferred Properties! Thanks! Greg B

Kerry Wills
Project Management Sr Director at Cigna
Have used Preferred for years including stairs, retaining walls and most recently a fiberglass pool. The quality of the work is fantastic and we are always pleased with the results.

Jeddrey Reich
Sales & Marketing
Michael and Preferred Properties helped my company, Furniture Barn Inc. completely redesign our entranceway and parking area to become an amazingly aesthetic and purely functional area. From the planning stage to completion the job was well thought out and completed ahead of schedule. The crew that worked on our install were professional, proactive and were able to tweak last minute design implementations flawlessly. I look forward to continuing to work with Michael and would recommend his company to all of my clients. I invite any potential clients in the area to take a look at the finished project at our business @ 535 W. Main St. in Cheshire. You won’t be disappointed! Thanks Michael!

uriarte
Relationship: Client
Project Date: November 2015
Project Price: $10,000 – $49,999
I have had Preferred Properties install outdoor lighting in my front and back yard – as well as carport/garage areas – and the property looks amazing in the evenings. I love to be able to look out at night and see my favorite trees and beds lit up. I have worked with Michael and his technician, Keith, for over 5 years now and highly recommend their work.

uriarte
Relationship: Client
Project Date: November 2015
Project Price: $10,000 – $49,999
I have had Preferred Properties install outdoor lighting in my front and back yard – as well as carport/garage areas – and the property looks amazing in the evenings. I love to be able to look out at night and see my favorite trees and beds lit up. I have worked with Michael and his technician, Keith, for over 5 years now and highly recommend their work.

Richard Carpenos
Relationship: Client
Project Date: April 2006
Project Price: $1,000 – $9,999
Michael Gotowala has done several landscape lighting projects for us over the past 10 years, as well as for several of my neighbors. His work is absolute perfection and he is a total pleasure to work with. Preferred Ptoperties and The Outdoor Kitchen Store are both reliable and reasonable. If quality is your most sought after priority then you will be thrilled that you hired them. I guarantee it!