Meet Rudina Oakes

Rudina Oakes is the Co-Owner and Creative Director of OakPine Kitchens. Working alongside her husband, Ron, she brings a refined, holistic, and intuitive design eye to the firm’s 50-year legacy of engineering and craftsmanship.

Rudina’s distinct methodology is rooted in a demanding 20-year career that sets her apart in the design world. Before entering the field of design, she was a medical doctor. After earning her MD and Master’s in Albania, she worked for many years in Italy and later served in South Sudan – an experience she calls the most valuable of her life.

This two-decade medical practice was a masterclass in the very skills she now applies to her passionate pursuit of design. It forged her super-detailed and committed approach, demanding a diagnostic precision to listen intently and understand the unspoken needs behind a client’s words. It also cultivated a resilient, problem-solving mindset and a profound love for working with people.

With a gentle and collaborative approach, she guides clients through the entire creative process – from foundational space planning and sophisticated material selection to the final, personal details that make a house a home. Clients trust Rudina for her design eye, but they stay for the experience: exceptional communication, transparent information at every stage, and a work ethic that doesn’t quit until it’s right.

Her talent lies in an innate understanding of how texture, colour, and light combine to create a space that feels both elegant and warm. While Ron ensures every kitchen is perfectly engineered, Rudina brings the artistry and warmth that make it perfectly yours. Together, they provide a comprehensive, team-based approach that has made OakPine Kitchens a leader in custom design.