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 large space did not function well for this family of 6. The cabinetry they had did not go to the ceiling and offered very poor storage options. The island that existed was tiny in comparrison to the space. By taking the cabinets to the ceiling, enlarging the island and adding large pantry's we were able to achieve the storage needed. Then the fun began, all of the decorative details that make this space so stunning. Beautiful tile for the backsplash and a custom metal hood. Lighting and hardware to complement the hood. Then, the vintage runner and natural wood elements to make the space feel more homey.

Inspiration for a small transitional single-wall seated home bar in New York with a drop-in sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, white benchtop and open 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.

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

Photo of a small single-wall wet bar in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, mirror splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Cynthia Lynn
This is an example of a large transitional single-wall wet bar in Chicago with glass-front cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Wet bar features glass cabinetry with glass shelving to showcase the owners' alcohol collection, a paneled Sub Zero wine frig with glass door and paneled drawers, arabesque glass tile back splash and a custom crystal stemware cabinet with glass doors and glass shelving. The wet bar also has up lighting at the crown and under cabinet lighting, switched separately and operated by remote control. Jack Cook Photography

A custom home bar is always a great addition. From the walnut wood cabinets to the built-in beverage fridge, this is the perfect little space.
Design ideas for a transitional single-wall home bar in Chicago with shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Entertain in style with a versatile built-in coffee bar area. The cherry shaker cabinets and sleek white quartz countertops work for casual coffee mornings and evening cocktail parties.

Design ideas for a small wet bar in Dallas with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, ceramic splashback, vinyl floors, white benchtop, quartz benchtops, grey splashback and brown floor.

Photo of a modern single-wall wet bar in San Francisco with an integrated sink, black cabinets, brown floor and white benchtop.

Photo of a large transitional single-wall wet bar in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, marble splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

This home bar has glass shelving and a mirrored backsplash. The blue cabinetry adds a pop of color to the area and blends with the blue painted refrigerator.

The newly created dry bar sits in the previous kitchen space, which connects the original formal dining room with the addition that is home to the new kitchen. A great spot for entertaining.

Design ideas for a mid-sized country single-wall wet bar in Columbus with porcelain floors, brown floor, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback and white benchtop.

Kitchen bar with custom cabinets, wine refrigerator, and antique mirror.
Country u-shaped home bar in Other with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, ceramic splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Mid-sized traditional galley home bar in Nashville with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Custom pull-out shelving makes finding things a breeze.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall home bar in San Francisco with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.