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.

In this kitchen up in Desert Mountain, we provided all of the cabinetry, countertops and backsplash to create the Mid Century Modern style for our clients remodel. The transformation is substantial compared to the size and layout it was before, making it more linear and doubling in size. For the perimeter we have white skinny shaker cabinetry with pops of Hickory wood to add some warmth and a seamless countertop backsplash. The island features painted black cabinetry with the skinny shaker style for some contrast and is over 14' long with enough seating for 8 people. In the fireplace bar area, we have also the black cabinetry with a fun pop of color for the backsplash tile along with honed black granite countertops. The selection choices of painted cabinetry, wood tones, gold metals, concrete flooring and furniture selections carry the style throughout and brings in great texture, contrast and warmth.

Inspiration for a large 1950s light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Nashville with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, white appliances, an island and white countertops

Mid-sized transitional galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, white appliances and an island

Kitchen w/ large island
Large elegant l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, white appliances, an island and gray countertops

Kohler Apron Front Sink
Example of a large trendy l-shaped ceramic tile kitchen pantry design in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, white appliances and an island

Example of a small classic u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, white appliances, an island and white countertops

A charming English garden lingers outside of this creamy white kitchen. The soothing tones of the whites with sienna and amber accents unify the space from the travertine tile floor to the cream with sienna accent cabinets. A Crema Marfil Marble inspired quartz countertop and beautiful multi tone matchstick glass tile backsplash fill in the space with warmth and texture. The cross grid mullions of the window overlook the quaint secrete garden out back.

Open concept, bright kitchen with custom cabinetry and panels so that a small space is integrated
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized traditional galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, white appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

Stainless steel counter tops. Horizontal grain all matches across the doors. Extruded aluminum pulls. Bowling alley bar top. Copper apron front sink. Design and layout by Matt Lehn Construction

Example of a classic l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Boston with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white appliances and a single-bowl sink

Kitchen - large transitional l-shaped beige floor kitchen idea in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, white appliances, an island and white countertops

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped dark wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in Hawaii with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, glass tile backsplash, white appliances and no island

Large elegant l-shaped ceramic tile and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, white appliances, an island and white countertops

Modern farmhouse galley kitchen. Dark cabinets and open shelves against lighter walls allows the cabinets to create a statement. A deep white sink with modern black fixtures and a slate tile floor completes this beautiful modern farmhouse kitchen.

A lack of counter top space, and the original layout which included an exterior door, and wall separating the dinning room and kitchen, really demanded a new design and complete update. The doorway to the exterior (which is where the triple windows are currently located) took up valuable work space in the kitchen. A wall separated the dinning and kitchen area. The wall was removed and the room was opened up for a space that was much better for entertaining and human interaction. Otherwise, whoever was cooking was walled off from the rest of the house. The medium toned natural birch cabinetry along with the lighter maple floors created an open, warm and inviting room. Mike Kaskel Photography.

Casual beach style Interior designer: Karen Farmer Photo:Chris Darnall
Example of a mid-sized beach style galley light wood floor open concept kitchen design in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash, white appliances and a peninsula

Featuring Dura Supreme Cabinetry Photo by Focus-Pocus
Small transitional u-shaped dark wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, white appliances and no island

Example of a transitional galley dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen design in Portland with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, gray backsplash, white appliances, an island and white countertops