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.

Butler's Pantry
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern galley home bar in Dallas with no sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, white splashback, light hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Cati Teague Photography
Design ideas for a contemporary single-wall wet bar in Atlanta with flat-panel cabinets, no sink, multi-coloured splashback, metal splashback, medium hardwood floors and black cabinets.

Photo of a small transitional single-wall wet bar in Raleigh with no sink, beige cabinets, granite benchtops, carpet, beige floor, grey benchtop and open cabinets.

Butler Pantry and Bar Design by Dalton Carpet One Wellborn Cabinets- Cabinet Finish: Maple Bleu; Door Style: Sonoma; Countertops: Cherry Java; Floating Shelves: Deuley Designs; Floor Tile: Aplha Brick, Country Mix; Grout: Mapei Pewter; Backsplash: Metallix Collection Nickels Antique Copper; Grout: Mapei Chocolate; Paint: Benjamin Moore HC-77 Alexandria Beige Photo by: Dennis McDaniel

Design ideas for a contemporary home bar in New York with no sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and dark hardwood floors.

Floating shelves and surround with LED tape lighting.
Photo of a small transitional single-wall home bar in Austin with no sink, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, medium hardwood floors and recessed-panel cabinets.

Design-Build custom cabinetry and shelving for storage and display of extensive bourbon collection. Cambria engineered quartz counterop - Parys w/ridgeline edge DuraSupreme maple cabinetry - Smoke stain w/ adjustable shelves, hoop door style and "rain" glass door panes Feature wall behind shelves - MSI Brick 2x10 Capella in charcoal Flooring - LVP Coretec Elliptical oak 7x48 Wall color Sherwin Williams Naval SW6244 & Skyline Steel SW1015

Completed home bar awaiting glass shelves
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall home bar in Orange County with no sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, glass tile splashback, porcelain floors, grey floor and grey benchtop.

GC: Ekren Construction Photography: Tiffany Ringwald
Design ideas for a small transitional single-wall home bar in Charlotte with no sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite benchtops, black splashback, timber splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall home bar in Miami with no sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, onyx benchtops, beige splashback, marble splashback, ceramic floors, grey floor and beige 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.

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

Mid-sized country single-wall home bar in Los Angeles with dark hardwood floors, black floor, no sink, louvered cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback and black benchtop.

Photo of a small contemporary single-wall home bar in Calgary with no sink, open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white splashback and white benchtop.

Michael Alan Kaskel
Design ideas for a contemporary single-wall home bar in Chicago with no sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown benchtop.

Birchwood Construction had the pleasure of working with Jonathan Lee Architects to revitalize this beautiful waterfront cottage. Located in the historic Belvedere Club community, the home's exterior design pays homage to its original 1800s grand Southern style. To honor the iconic look of this era, Birchwood craftsmen cut and shaped custom rafter tails and an elegant, custom-made, screen door. The home is framed by a wraparound front porch providing incomparable Lake Charlevoix views. The interior is embellished with unique flat matte-finished countertops in the kitchen. The raw look complements and contrasts with the high gloss grey tile backsplash. Custom wood paneling captures the cottage feel throughout the rest of the home. McCaffery Painting and Decorating provided the finishing touches by giving the remodeled rooms a fresh coat of paint. Photo credit: Phoenix Photographic

UPDATED KITCHEN
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in Other with quartzite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, no sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets and white benchtop.

Project Developer Adrian Andreassi https://www.houzz.com/pro/aandreassi/adrian-andreassi-case-design-remodeling-inc Designer Carolyn Elleman https://www.houzz.com/pro/celleman3/carolyn-elleman-case-design-remodeling-inc Photography by Stacy Zarin Goldberg