Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW For many, extra time at home during COVID left them wanting more from their homes. Whether you realized the shortcomings of your space or simply wanted to combat boredom, a well-designed and functional home was no longer a want, it became a need. Tina found herself wanting more from her Old Irving Park home and reached out to The Kitchen Studio about adding function to her kitchen to make the most of the available real estate. At the end of the day, there is nothing better than returning home to a bright and happy space you love. And this kitchen wasn’t that for Tina. Dark and dated, with a palette from the past and features that didn’t make the most of the available square footage, this remodel required vision and a fresh approach to the space. Lead designer, Stephanie Cole’s main design goal was better flow, while adding greater functionality with organized storage, accessible open shelving, and an overall sense of cohesion with the adjoining family room. The original kitchen featured a large pizza oven, which was rarely used, yet its footprint limited storage space. The nearby pantry had become a catch-all, lacking the organization needed in the home. The initial plan was to keep the pizza oven, but eventually Tina realized she preferred the design possibilities that came from removing this cumbersome feature, with the goal of adding function throughout the upgraded and elevated space. Eliminating the pantry added square footage and length to the kitchen for greater function and more storage. This redesigned space reflects how she lives and uses her home, as well as her love for entertaining. The kitchen features a classic, clean, and timeless palette. White cabinetry, with brass and bronze finishes, contrasts with rich wood flooring, and lets the large, deep blue island in Woodland’s custom color Harbor – a neutral, yet statement color – draw your eye. The kitchen was the main priority. In addition to updating and elevating this space, Tina wanted to maximize what her home had to offer. From moving the location of the patio door and eliminating a window to removing an existing closet in the mudroom and the cluttered pantry, the kitchen footprint grew. Once the floorplan was set, it was time to bring cohesion to her home, creating connection between the kitchen and surrounding spaces. The color palette carries into the mudroom, where we added beautiful new cabinetry, practical bench seating, and accessible hooks, perfect for guests and everyday living. The nearby bar continues the aesthetic, with stunning Carrara marble subway tile, hints of brass and bronze, and a design that further captures the vibe of the kitchen. Every home has its unique design challenges. But with a fresh perspective and a bit of creativity, there is always a way to give the client exactly what they want [and need]. In this particular kitchen, the existing soffits and high slanted ceilings added a layer of complexity to the lighting layout and upper perimeter cabinets. While a space needs to look good, it also needs to function well. This meant making the most of the height of the room and accounting for the varied ceiling features, while also giving Tina everything she wanted and more. Pendants and task lighting paired with an abundance of natural light amplify the bright aesthetic. The cabinetry layout and design compliments the soffits with subtle profile details that bring everything together. The tile selections add visual interest, drawing the eye to the focal area above the range. Glass-doored cabinets further customize the space and give the illusion of even more height within the room. While her family may be grown and out of the house, Tina was focused on adding function without sacrificing a stunning aesthetic and dreamy finishes that make the kitchen the gathering place of any home. It was time to love her kitchen again, and if you’re wondering what she loves most, it’s the niche with glass door cabinetry and open shelving for display paired with the marble mosaic backsplash over the range and complimenting hood. Each of these features is a stunning point of interest within the kitchen – both brag-worthy additions to a perimeter layout that previously felt limited and lacking. Whether your remodel is the result of special needs in your home or simply the excitement of focusing your energy on creating a fun new aesthetic, we are here for it. We love a good challenge because there is always a way to make a space better – adding function and beauty simultaneously.

A new wine bar in place of the old ugly one. Quartz countertops pair with a decorative tile backsplash. The green cabinets surround an under counter wine refrigerator. The knotty alder floating shelves house cocktail bottles and glasses. Photos by Brian Covington

This home got a modern facelift with wide-plank wood flooring, custom fireplace and designer wallpaper bathroom. The basement was finished with a modern industrial design that includes barn wood, black steel rods, and gray cabinets.

ニューヨークにあるトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなホームバー (I型、シェーカースタイル扉のキャビネット、グレーのキャビネット、ミラータイルのキッチンパネル、濃色無垢フローリング、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

Custom lower level bar with quartz countertops and white subway tile.
ミネアポリスにあるラグジュアリーな中くらいなトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなウェット バー (I型、アンダーカウンターシンク、シェーカースタイル扉のキャビネット、黒いキャビネット、珪岩カウンター、白いキッチンパネル、サブウェイタイルのキッチンパネル、クッションフロア、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

Our clients purchased this 1950 ranch style cottage knowing it needed to be updated. They fell in love with the location, being within walking distance to White Rock Lake. They wanted to redesign the layout of the house to improve the flow and function of the spaces while maintaining a cozy feel. They wanted to explore the idea of opening up the kitchen and possibly even relocating it. A laundry room and mudroom space needed to be added to that space, as well. Both bathrooms needed a complete update and they wanted to enlarge the master bath if possible, to have a double vanity and more efficient storage. With two small boys and one on the way, they ideally wanted to add a 3rd bedroom to the house within the existing footprint but were open to possibly designing an addition, if that wasn’t possible. In the end, we gave them everything they wanted, without having to put an addition on to the home. They absolutely love the openness of their new kitchen and living spaces and we even added a small bar! They have their much-needed laundry room and mudroom off the back patio, so their “drop zone” is out of the way. We were able to add storage and double vanity to the master bathroom by enclosing what used to be a coat closet near the entryway and using that sq. ft. in the bathroom. The functionality of this house has completely changed and has definitely changed the lives of our clients for the better!

This bank of cabinetry became a mix-use area. Functionally used as a wet bar area with its under-cabinet wine refrigerator, a display area with two tall glass paneled cabinets and a floating shelf at the center and lastly as a serving area right before you head outside through the adjacent sliding doors.

The bar's center upper cabinets had originally had glass doors, but the homeowners decided they preferred solid doors to hide the less glamorous items. They chose to forego light rail molding, preferring to use the light fixtures as a decorative element, but our designer did talk them into a simple Shaker crown molding at the top.

In this full service residential remodel project, we left no stone, or room, unturned. We created a beautiful open concept living/dining/kitchen by removing a structural wall and existing fireplace. This home features a breathtaking three sided fireplace that becomes the focal point when entering the home. It creates division with transparency between the living room and the cigar room that we added. Our clients wanted a home that reflected their vision and a space to hold the memories of their growing family. We transformed a contemporary space into our clients dream of a transitional, open concept home.

Butlers pantry connecting the kitchen to the dining room features Ebony custom cabinetry with custom chevron style wine cubbies, warm wood open shelving , tile backsplash and beverage refrigerator.

Full house remodel including kitchen
デンバーにある高級な中くらいなトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなホームバー (コの字型、シェーカースタイル扉のキャビネット、青いキャビネット、大理石カウンター、ミラータイルのキッチンパネル、無垢フローリング、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター、アンダーカウンターシンク) の写真

ワシントンD.C.にある小さなトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなウェット バー (I型、アンダーカウンターシンク、シェーカースタイル扉のキャビネット、白いキャビネット、クオーツストーンカウンター、濃色無垢フローリング、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

デンバーにある中くらいなトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなウェット バー (L型、シェーカースタイル扉のキャビネット、白いキャビネット、珪岩カウンター、グレーのキッチンパネル、大理石のキッチンパネル、無垢フローリング、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

Phase One took this cramped, dated lake house into a flowing, open space to maximize highly trafficked areas and provide a better sense of togetherness. Upon discovering a master bathroom leak, we also updated the bathroom giving it a sensible and functional lift in style.

ニューヨークにあるトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなウェット バー (I型、アンダーカウンターシンク、シェーカースタイル扉のキャビネット、青いキャビネット、グレーのキッチンパネル、無垢フローリング、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

Photo by Jess Blackwell Photography
デンバーにあるトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなホームバー (I型、シンクなし、シェーカースタイル扉のキャビネット、黒いキャビネット、メタルタイルのキッチンパネル、濃色無垢フローリング、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

Versitile as either a coffee & tea station or a home for your their wine collection, we found the perfect nook for this added function that sits conveniently between the dining area, living area, and kitchen.

シカゴにある中くらいなトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなウェット バー (コの字型、アンダーカウンターシンク、シェーカースタイル扉のキャビネット、濃色木目調キャビネット、珪岩カウンター、茶色いキッチンパネル、モザイクタイルのキッチンパネル、磁器タイルの床、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

デンバーにある高級なトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれな着席型バー (I型、アンダーカウンターシンク、シェーカースタイル扉のキャビネット、青いキャビネット、グレーのキッチンパネル、無垢フローリング、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真