This classically styled in-framed kitchen has drawn upon art deco and contemporary influences to create an evolutionary design that delivers microscopic detail at every turn. The kitchen uses exotic finishes both inside and out with the cabinetry posts being specially designed to feature mirrored collars and the inside of the larder unit being custom lined with a specially commissioned crushed glass. The kitchen island is completely bespoke, a unique installation that has been designed to maximise the functional potential of the space whilst delivering a powerful visual aesthetic. The island was positioned diagonally across the room which created enough space to deliver a design that was not restricted by the architecture and which surpassed expectations. This also maximised the functional potential of the space and aided movement throughout the room. The soft geometry and fluid nature of the island design originates from the cylindrical drum unit which is set in the foreground as you enter the room. This dark ebony unit is positioned at the main entry point into the kitchen and can be seen from the front entrance hallway. This dark cylinder unit contrasts deeply against the floor and the surrounding cabinetry and is designed to be a very powerful visual hook drawing the onlooker into the space. The drama of the island is enhanced further through the complex array of bespoke cabinetry that effortlessly flows back into the room drawing the onlooker deeper into the space. Each individual island section was uniquely designed to reflect the opulence required for this exclusive residence. The subtle mixture of door profiles and finishes allowed the island to straddle the boundaries between traditional and contemporary design whilst the acute arrangement of angles and curves melt together to create a luxurious mix of materials, layers and finishes. All of which aid the functionality of the kitchen providing the user with multiple preparation zones and an area for casual seating. In order to enhance the impact further we carefully considered the lighting within the kitchen including the design and installation of a bespoke bulkhead ceiling complete with plaster cornice and colour changing LED lighting. Photos by: Derek Robinson

Photo by Simon Upton

DuraSupreme Cabinetry This timeless and classic kitchen informed the main living and lower level renovation with white and grey as the palette, and sophisticated details at every turn. Stylized shaker cabinetry took the cabinets to a new level with chrome hardware, soft close doors, and modern appliances that make it a dream kitchen for any cook. By knocking down the existing dining room wall, the kitchen expanded graciously and now includes a large seated island treated with furniture-like details in a soft dark grey. The white and grey tones play beautifully off the warm hand scraped wood floor that runs throughout the main level, providing a warmth underfoot. Openings were widened to allow for a more open floor plan and an extra wide barn door adds style to the front entrance. Additional dining was added to the former dining room as a breakfast nook complete with storage bench seating. A wine bar is tucked into a corner next to the living area allowing for easy access when entertaining. dRemodeling also built in a custom bookshelf/entertainment area as well as a new mantle and tile surround. The upstairs closet was removed to allow for a larger foyer. The lower level features a newly organized laundry room that is wrapped in traditional wainscoting along one wall and the ceiling. New doors, windows, register cover, and light switch covers were installed to give the space a total and complete makeover, down to the smallest detail. www.dremodeling.com

Busy mother of 4 requested the following for her kitchen remodel: 1. Increase size of kitchen to accommodate round table for family dining and gatherings of large extended family and friends; 2. Increase view and access to backyard to watch children and facilitate outdoor entertaining; 3. Increase and improve storage for cooking utensils and baking sheets at point of use; 4. Provide concealed charging station/storage for electronic devices by dining room entrance; 5. Create concealed trash and recycling areas; 6. Create more functional layout and provide access to cold beverage storage for children and guests outside of main cooking area; 7. Provide better connection to family room. To address these requirements, we: • Built addition and removed wall between kitchen and family room doubling size and allowing more natural light into both spaces through use of skylights, larger windows, and glass sliding doors. Created window bench to expand view of backyard and increase seating around kitchen table. Larger sliding doors ease access to deck. • Added vertical dividers in refrigerator and oven cabinets to allow for storage of baking sheets and pans. Added full-extension drawer storage in base and pantry cabinets to improve storage efficiency. • Created electronic charging and storage station in wall cabinet in pantry area next to dining room entrance. • Reconfigured work triangle to improve layout of preparation/clean up and cooking areas and added trash drawers w/recycling bins in base cabinets. • Created beverage center with wine glass storage in wall recess between kitchen and den.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

A young couple purchased this circa 1950’s brick home in the well-established neighborhood of Elmhurst with the intent to completely remodel the home to suit their own tastes. The couple was originally attracted to the large site with mature trees, and an older home with a solid structure and adequate room to expand. RS2 Architects created what essentially is a master plan, which includes adding a three car garage, a second story master bedroom suite, and a completely remodeled first floor and updated kitchen. The exterior of the existing house was also redesigned. New to the plan are additional details, larger overhangs, and a craftsman style. Recently completed was the first phase of the project. This included a complete renovation of the first floor. The existing kitchen and entry were removed. Several walls were removed to create a larger connection between the living area, kitchen and dining room. New windows looking out to the backyard were added as well as a new glassed entrance creating new views from the living room. Features include new hardwood floors throughout, new cabinets with soapstone counter tops, double ovens and stainless steel appliances.

Entrance of the open kitchen concept kitchen with a bar top cum breakfast table.

Phu Tang

This 7,000 square foot renovation and addition maintains the graciousness and carefully-proportioned spaces of the historic 1907 home. The new construction includes a kitchen and family living area, a master bedroom suite, and a fourth floor dormer expansion. The subtle palette of materials, extensive built-in cabinetry, and careful integration of modern detailing and design, together create a fresh interpretation of the original design. Photography: Matthew Millman Photography

Set in the charming neighborhood of Wedgwood, this Cape Cod-style home needed a major update to satisfy our client's lifestyle needs. The living room, dining room, and kitchen were all separated, making it hard for our clients to carry out day-to-day life with small kids or adequately entertain. Our client also loved to cook for her family, so having a large open concept kitchen where she could cook, keep tabs on the kids, and entertain simultaneously was very important. To accommodate those needs, we bumped out the back and side of the house and eliminated all the walls in the home's communal areas. Adding on to the back of the house also created space in the basement where they could add a separate entrance and mudroom. We wanted to make sure to blend the character of this home with the client's love for color, modern flare, and updated finishes. So we decided to keep the original fireplace and give it a fresh look with tile, add new hardwood in a lighter stain to match the existing and bring in pops of color through the kitchen cabinets and furnishings. New windows, siding, and a fresh coat of paint were added to give this home the curbside appeal it deserved. In the second phase of this remodel, we transformed the basement bathroom and storage room into a primary suite. With the addition of baby number three, our clients wanted to create a retreat they could call their own. Bringing in soft, muted tones made their bedroom feel calm and collected, a relaxing place to land after a busy day. With our client’s love of patterned tile, we decided to go a little bolder in the bathroom with the flooring and vanity wall. Adding the marble in the shower and on the countertop helped balance the bold tile choices and keep both spaces feeling cohesive. --- Project designed by interior design studio Kimberlee Marie Interiors. They serve the Seattle metro area including Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Medina, Clyde Hill, and Hunts Point. For more about Kimberlee Marie Interiors, see here: https://www.kimberleemarie.com/ To learn more about this project, see here https://www.kimberleemarie.com/wedgwoodremodel