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.

The wet bar includes a built-in wine cooler and a highlight in this stunning kitchen renovation is the ceiling hung glass and metal shelving unit that is truly a piece of art.

The butler's pantry is lined in deep blue cabinets with intricate details on the glass doors. The ceiling is also lined in wood panels to make the space and enclosed jewel. Interior Design by Ashley Whitakker.

A perfect nook for that coffee and tea station, or side bar when entertaining in the formal dining area, the simplicity of the side bar greats visitors as they enter from the front door. The clean, sleek lines, and organic textures give a glimpse of what is to come once one turns the corner and enters the kitchen.

Below Buchanan is a basement renovation that feels as light and welcoming as one of our outdoor living spaces. The project is full of unique details, custom woodworking, built-in storage, and gorgeous fixtures. Custom carpentry is everywhere, from the built-in storage cabinets and molding to the private booth, the bar cabinetry, and the fireplace lounge. Creating this bright, airy atmosphere was no small challenge, considering the lack of natural light and spatial restrictions. A color pallet of white opened up the space with wood, leather, and brass accents bringing warmth and balance. The finished basement features three primary spaces: the bar and lounge, a home gym, and a bathroom, as well as additional storage space. As seen in the before image, a double row of support pillars runs through the center of the space dictating the long, narrow design of the bar and lounge. Building a custom dining area with booth seating was a clever way to save space. The booth is built into the dividing wall, nestled between the support beams. The same is true for the built-in storage cabinet. It utilizes a space between the support pillars that would otherwise have been wasted. The small details are as significant as the larger ones in this design. The built-in storage and bar cabinetry are all finished with brass handle pulls, to match the light fixtures, faucets, and bar shelving. White marble counters for the bar, bathroom, and dining table bring a hint of Hollywood glamour. White brick appears in the fireplace and back bar. To keep the space feeling as lofty as possible, the exposed ceilings are painted black with segments of drop ceilings accented by a wide wood molding, a nod to the appearance of exposed beams. Every detail is thoughtfully chosen right down from the cable railing on the staircase to the wood paneling behind the booth, and wrapping the bar.

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.

www.genevacabinet.com . . . Home bar on upper level of home, cabinetry by Medallion Cabinetry
Photo of a mid-sized beach style galley wet bar in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, shiplap splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Large home bar designed for multi generation family gatherings. Illuminated photo taken locally in the Vail area. Everything you need for a home bar with durable stainless steel counters.

Custom lower level bar with quartz countertops and white subway tile.
Photo of a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, vinyl floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Photo of a mid-sized transitional wet bar in St Louis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, grey floor and white benchtop.

Custom pull-out shelving.
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.

Our clients were living in a Northwood Hills home in Dallas that was built in 1968. Some updates had been done but none really to the main living areas in the front of the house. They love to entertain and do so frequently but the layout of their house wasn’t very functional. There was a galley kitchen, which was mostly shut off to the rest of the home. They were not using the formal living and dining room in front of your house, so they wanted to see how this space could be better utilized. They wanted to create a more open and updated kitchen space that fits their lifestyle. One idea was to turn part of this space into an office, utilizing the bay window with the view out of the front of the house. Storage was also a necessity, as they entertain often and need space for storing those items they use for entertaining. They would also like to incorporate a wet bar somewhere! We demoed the brick and paneling from all of the existing walls and put up drywall. The openings on either side of the fireplace and through the entryway were widened and the kitchen was completely opened up. The fireplace surround is changed to a modern Emser Esplanade Trail tile, versus the chunky rock it was previously. The ceiling was raised and leveled out and the beams were removed throughout the entire area. Beautiful Olympus quartzite countertops were installed throughout the kitchen and butler’s pantry with white Chandler cabinets and Grace 4”x12” Bianco tile backsplash. A large two level island with bar seating for guests was built to create a little separation between the kitchen and dining room. Contrasting black Chandler cabinets were used for the island, as well as for the bar area, all with the same 6” Emtek Alexander pulls. A Blanco low divide metallic gray kitchen sink was placed in the center of the island with a Kohler Bellera kitchen faucet in vibrant stainless. To finish off the look three Iconic Classic Globe Small Pendants in Antiqued Nickel pendant lights were hung above the island. Black Supreme granite countertops with a cool leathered finish were installed in the wet bar, The backsplash is Choice Fawn gloss 4x12” tile, which created a little different look than in the kitchen. A hammered copper Hayden square sink was installed in the bar, giving it that cool bar feel with the black Chandler cabinets. Off the kitchen was a laundry room and powder bath that were also updated. They wanted to have a little fun with these spaces, so the clients chose a geometric black and white Bella Mori 9x9” porcelain tile. Coordinating black and white polka dot wallpaper was installed in the laundry room and a fun floral black and white wallpaper in the powder bath. A dark bronze Metal Mirror with a shelf was installed above the porcelain pedestal sink with simple floating black shelves for storage. Their butlers pantry, the added storage space, and the overall functionality has made entertaining so much easier and keeps unwanted things out of sight, whether the guests are sitting at the island or at the wet bar! The clients absolutely love their new space and the way in which has transformed their lives and really love entertaining even more now!

Basement Wet Bar Drafted and Designed by Fluidesign Studio
Photo of a mid-sized traditional galley seated home bar in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, an undermount sink, brown floor and white benchtop.

This is an example of a mid-sized country single-wall wet bar in Detroit with no sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

1000 Words Marketing
Photo of a mid-sized transitional galley wet bar in Chicago with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Reagen Taylor Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall seated home bar in Chicago with an undermount sink, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, light hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

A wet bar invites guests to make themselves at home. The homeowners' vintage champagne bucket collection is displayed in the glass front cabinetry.
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in Sacramento with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, light hardwood floors, beige floor, white benchtop and white splashback.

Inspiration for a mid-sized country seated home bar in Columbus with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, porcelain floors, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Laura Rae Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, vinyl floors, brown floor and beige benchtop.