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.

This is an example of a mid-sized beach style single-wall wet bar in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, metal splashback, medium hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Inspiration for a small traditional single-wall wet bar in New York with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback and subway tile splashback.

Photo of a mid-sized transitional single-wall home bar in Dallas with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, medium hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Design ideas for a small transitional single-wall wet bar in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, porcelain splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

Design ideas for a small beach style single-wall wet bar in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, vinyl floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Cambria Portrush quartz and slate blue cabinets in a home wet bar area.
Contemporary single-wall wet bar in Boston with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, engineered quartz splashback, medium hardwood floors and multi-coloured benchtop.

This is an example of a large eclectic single-wall seated home bar in Grand Rapids with no sink, glass-front cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, light hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Navy blue beverage bar with glass wall cabinet + butcher block countertop.
Design ideas for a small country single-wall wet bar in Kansas City with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, brown splashback, stone tile splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and brown benchtop.

A former hallway pantry closet was converted into this stylish and useful beverage center. Refrigerated drawers below the espresso machine keep ingredients cool, and a Calacatta quartzite insert repeats the finishes and materials used in the neighboring kitchen.

Colin Price Photography
Design ideas for a small contemporary single-wall wet bar in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, beige splashback, onyx benchtops, stone slab splashback and beige benchtop.

Design ideas for a beach style seated home bar in San Francisco with blue splashback, subway tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, blue benchtop, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets and blue cabinets.

Photo of a transitional single-wall wet bar in Boston with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Small country single-wall home bar in Austin with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, terra-cotta splashback, white benchtop, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Landmark Photography
This is an example of a beach style single-wall wet bar in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, timber splashback, grey floor, white benchtop and concrete floors.

Photo of a large transitional single-wall wet bar in Nashville with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Small transitional single-wall wet bar in Philadelphia with no sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, mirror splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Photo of a large transitional single-wall wet bar in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, mirror splashback, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Dan Murdoch, Murdoch & Company, Inc.
Inspiration for a small traditional single-wall wet bar in New York with a drop-in sink, raised-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, mirror splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.