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 bold blue wet bar remodel in San Juan Capistrano features floating shelves and a beverage center tucked under the countertop with cabinet storage.

Inspiration for a transitional single-wall home bar in Boston with no sink, glass-front cabinets, blue cabinets, multi-coloured floor and white benchtop.

Photo of a 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.

Lucas Allen
Inspiration for a small traditional single-wall home bar in Jacksonville with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, dark hardwood floors and white 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.

Photo of a transitional u-shaped home bar in Other with no sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

This is an example of a home bar in Charleston with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

The sophisticated wine library adjacent to the kitchen provides a cozy spot for friends and family to gather to share a glass of wine or to catch up on a good book. The striking dark blue cabinets showcase both open and closed storage cabinets and also a tall wine refrigerator that stores over 150 bottles of wine. The quartz countertop provides a durable bar top for entertaining, while built in electrical outlets provide the perfect spot to plug in a blender. Comfortable swivel chairs and a small marble cocktail table creates an intimate seating arrangement for visiting with guests or for unwinding with a good book. The 11' ceiling height and the large picture window add a bit of drama to the space, while an elegant sisal rug keeps the room from being too formal.

Inspiration for a small modern single-wall home bar in Philadelphia with no sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional single-wall home bar in Austin with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Inspiration for a small transitional single-wall home bar in Austin with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, black splashback, medium hardwood floors and black benchtop.

This stunning dry bar features dramatic deep navy cabinets, gold hardware, and open shelving. The geometric backsplash gives it an updated contemporary look.

TWD was honored to remodel multiple rooms within this Valley home. The kitchen came out absolutely striking. This space features plenty of storage capacity with the two-toned cabinetry in Linen and in Navy from Waypoint, North Cascades Quartz countertops, backsplash tile from Bedrosians and all of the fine details and options included in this design.. The beverage center utilizes the same Navy cabinetry by Waypoint, open shelving, 3" x 12" Spanish glazed tile in a herringbone pattern, and matching quartz tops. The custom media walls is comprised of stacked stone to the ceiling, Slate colored cabinetry by Waypoint, open shelving and upgraded electric to allow the electric fireplace to be the focal point of the space.

This is an example of a small traditional single-wall home bar in Richmond with light hardwood floors, no sink, open cabinets, blue cabinets, mirror splashback, beige floor and blue benchtop.

Design ideas for a transitional single-wall home bar in San Francisco with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, black splashback, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Photo of a small transitional single-wall home bar in Austin with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, black splashback, medium hardwood floors and black benchtop.

Shaker doors, floating shelves, glass panels, and a spot for a mini fridge…all in a beautiful blue ?
Design ideas for a single-wall home bar in Chicago with no sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, medium hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern single-wall home bar in Chicago with no sink, open cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, light hardwood floors and grey benchtop.