When it comes to making your kitchen look its best, Chris Hardy of tells it like it is—and then makes it beautiful.
By Quenntin Galyon
Appeared in Cityview Magazine, Vol. 41, Issue 6 (Nov/Dec 2025)
Christopher Hardy and his mother, Chriss Hardy Glover launched a mother-son, joint business concept back in 2002, running out of Chriss’s garage. They had the skills, but would they be able to successfully open a small business? Could the business survive two recessions and a global pandemic? Twenty-three years later, The Painted Room is thriving and has become the go-to spot for kitchen makeovers.
An Artistic Beginning
The Painted Room started as an art-centered paint company, focusing primarily on murals, faux finishing, and decorative design. Christopher studied International Business at the University of Tennessee and the University of Charles de Gaulle in Lille, France, while Chriss was a well-established artist and muralist. “While on Spring break in 2002, I worked with my mother on an art project at our church, and from that, we came up with the idea of working together and starting a business,” Christopher recounts. From humble beginnings, like driving to job sites with a ladder bungee-corded to the top of a Ford Escort, countless hours of their hard work and dedication propelled The Painted Room to a mainstay of the Knoxville design community. Over the years, as trends shifted and their business grew, they adapted their craft, merging it with carpentry and kitchen design, and even opened a secondary location in the greater New York area. The Painted Room boasts to have worked with local design giants like Blackberry Farms, High Hampton Resort, Paula Deen Restaurants, and Dollywood. Their work is also featured in prominent homes and businesses across the area.
Evolving Through Generations
After building an empire with her son, five years ago, Chriss decided to retire, and Christopher now continues the family legacy. The dynamics of their lives have ultimately shaped The Painted Room to become what it is today. Christopher moved to midtown Manhattan for several years and worked with stellar designers while juggling the business in Knoxville. “All the back-and-forth travel was exhausting, and it split my focus too much,” recounts Christopher. He closed down the New York operations and moved back full-time to Knoxville. Meanwhile, almost simultaneously, Chriss decided it was time to focus on family and her artwork again. Christopher clarifies, “It was the best thing that could have happened. I loved my time in New York, and the experiences I garnered, but it also made me realize how much I love East Tennessee and the people here.”
A Team Built on Experience and Vision
Today, Christopher is accompanied by Valerie Garner, an expert design consultant bringing thirty years of experience who has showcased her talents through exquisite construction designs in the area along with prominent project management gigs. “Our goal is to make this a one-stop shop for kitchen remodeling,” Garner explains. In addition to cabinet finishes and hardware, The Painted Room also has a large selection of granite, quartz, and stone countertop and backsplash options to personalize the experience. “I love to meet with customers in their homes, getting to know them, and helping them create a memorable gathering space that’s both practical and beautiful.” Between Valerie and Christopher, The Painted Room is consistently providing experienced knowledge in design and execution to give the customer exactly what their dream kitchen is made of. When asked what is trending in Knoxville currently, Christopher and Valerie both agree that shaker cabinets and quartz countertops are the rage.
Craftsmanship Backed by Trust
A quick google search will show that The Painted Room has a stellar record of customer satisfaction supported by glowing reviews online. Christopher illustrates that having the right team makes that possible. Jay Link has been with the company for the better part of a decade and leads the paint and carpentry crews. “Jay is my right-hand man who makes these visions come to life,” he explains, “we are lucky to have such great guys working with us.”
The Heart Behind the Craft
The joy and love that is conveyed through projects stems from Christopher’s joy and love for life. When not working, he’s a self described gym rat, avid kayaker and hiker, and loves anything to do with the great outdoors. “It took a while, but it’s been great to settle down full-time back here in Knoxville,” he shares. Christopher lives with his girlfriend, Caroline and his dog, Bugsy.
Christopher Hardy infuses art, masterful fine-finishing, and carpentry at The Painted Room, the best choice for repurposing and redesigning aging kitchens. But most importantly, it’s the heart that is poured into every customer and project that makes The Painted Room unique.
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