Photo: Mina Brinkey © 2014 Houzz
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This Kitchen located in a traditional Tudor-style home in Lake Forest, IL needed a drastic change to reflect the sophisticated style and personality of the young, modern family with its executive yet family-oriented lifestyle. Our clients presented us with multiple design and functionality challenges including, but not limited to their kitchen feeling dark and enclosed even with their wonderful 9’ ceilings. There was a true lack of connection between their family room and kitchen, which made it difficult for them to enjoy their time together as a young family. The kitchen lacked storage, included a small desk area used for storing china, and a broken working triangle between appliances and prep areas. From the client’s lackluster kitchen we set out to provide them with functional and attractive solutions to maximize their storage, space and provide quality that would stand the test of time. We started by changing the orientation of the kitchen in turn opening up the exterior wall with beautiful French sliding patio doors that originally housed an under-sized window where under perched the kitchen sink. Instantly ample light poured into the space connecting the wooded lot to the kitchen as well as large deck for entertaining. We also opened the adjoining wall to the family room, which allotted open passage and a clear view to join the family space together. A bar height countertop was added for entertaining yet allowed for some visual separation between the spaces. We added spice drawers, towel pull outs at the sink and a wall of display and china cabinetry that mimic the cabinetry designed in the family room with beautiful, serpentine curved mullions by a floating banquette in the breakfast nook. The exterior runs of the kitchen cabinetry are custom-made and hand finished with a beautiful warm white paint and café latte glaze. With espresso brown marble counters. The center ten-foot island is a rustic alder furniture-grade beauty with hand-turned legs and beautiful shaker panel doors and green marble top that brings in the tones of the teals, creams and browns running through the space. All of this sets on top of a beautiful twelve by twenty-four stone tile laid in an angled herringbone pattern. The kitchen backsplash is a custom tone crackle subway tile with a custom colored hand-cut Ann Sacks glass mosaic representing escargot over the professional-grade oven, surrounded by a hand-poured teal glass border. The great room appeared extremely dark despite having large windows that reached towards the vaulted ceilings. The client felt attention was not drawn to the outside. The solution we drafted included pulling the mullions out of the windows and painting the trim work white. The fireplace was on one wall and the television on another. With the current furniture arrangements the back would have been to the fireplace. We changed the orientation of the room by placing the television over the fireplace in a recessed niche trimmed with stone and faced the upper portion in silk and the lower in large-format travertine. In creating a more intriguing fireplace façade we provided a focus for the furniture grouping to sit within. An oversized section with extra deep seating allows for a comfortable place to perch and spend family time while watching movies. The lighting in the space prior was not adequate so we created the addition of a small chandelier over the game table near the windows and added volume to the ceiling by including a larger chandelier central within the room with more candles. These changes helped update the formerly outdated dark and dreary space. With the bones of the room uplifted we drew our attention to adding detail in furnishings and window treatments. We accented the room with subtle patterning on top of bold color choices. The chairs offer depth and dimension with the green citron accented seats and peacock-patterned back fabric that help tone the colors down. To lighting the space we added an oversized cocktail ottoman that floats beautifully within the space and brings in the blue accents with button tufts as a peek-a-boo effect within. The sliding tray works perfectly to function as both a cocktail table and place to rest one’s feet. The game table in the rear of the room has an inlaid cross-cut branch marquis within the top and is surrounded by clean-lined chairs and a curved banquette perfect for a family to play games at and spend their quality time. Beautiful bounding window treatments drape the two-story window wall with an over-sized medallion patterned top treatment cascading into solid blue striated fabric trimmed with beaded shell trim for an appropriately dynamic finishing touch to the space. The kitchen and family room meld beautifully together and offer a crisp yet welcoming feel to the home in keeping with the Tudor styling and modern family needs. It’s a space truly to be enjoyed by all who visit. Katherine Elizabeth Designs

Walking into this wine cellar holding 1900 bottles initially takes your breath away. The racking was made out of a clear-coated All Heart Redwood. The different elevations of the floor to ceiling racking as well as the different bottle display angels keeps your attention while gazing around the room. The back arched area is the main focal point of the room, while standing outside the cellar. However, once inside the cellar, the colorful stained glass instantly captures your attention (designed by Designer Glass Mosaic). Two glass cabinets were designed to store a large number of stemware and other glass accouterments. The custom ladder was built to provide access to the hard to reach special wines. Sliding case storage shelves gives the homeowner space to store the special wood wine cases. The two doors were custom built out of All Heart Redwood and the tabletop was made out of infused wine barrel wood. Photos taken by Inviniti Cellar Design

Walking into this wine cellar holding 1900 bottles initially takes your breath away. The racking was made out of a clear-coated All Heart Redwood. The different elevations of the floor to ceiling racking as well as the different bottle display angels keeps your attention while gazing around the room. The back arched area is the main focal point of the room, while standing outside the cellar. However, once inside the cellar, the colorful stained glass instantly captures your attention (designed by Designer Glass Mosaic). Two glass cabinets were designed to store a large number of stemware and other glass accouterments. The custom ladder was built to provide access to the hard to reach special wines. Sliding case storage shelves gives the homeowner space to store the special wood wine cases. The two doors were custom built out of All Heart Redwood and the tabletop was made out of infused wine barrel wood. Photos taken by Inviniti Cellar Design

Walking into this wine cellar holding 1900 bottles initially takes your breath away. The racking was made out of a clear-coated All Heart Redwood. The different elevations of the floor to ceiling racking as well as the different bottle display angels keeps your attention while gazing around the room. The back arched area is the main focal point of the room, while standing outside the cellar. However, once inside the cellar, the colorful stained glass instantly captures your attention (designed by Designer Glass Mosaic). Two glass cabinets were designed to store a large number of stemware and other glass accouterments. The custom ladder was built to provide access to the hard to reach special wines. Sliding case storage shelves gives the homeowner space to store the special wood wine cases. The two doors were custom built out of All Heart Redwood and the tabletop was made out of infused wine barrel wood. Photos taken by Inviniti Cellar Design

Walking into this wine cellar holding 1900 bottles initially takes your breath away. The racking was made out of a clear-coated All Heart Redwood. The different elevations of the floor to ceiling racking as well as the different bottle display angels keeps your attention while gazing around the room. The back arched area is the main focal point of the room, while standing outside the cellar. However, once inside the cellar, the colorful stained glass instantly captures your attention (designed by Designer Glass Mosaic). Two glass cabinets were designed to store a large number of stemware and other glass accouterments. The custom ladder was built to provide access to the hard to reach special wines. Sliding case storage shelves gives the homeowner space to store the special wood wine cases. The two doors were custom built out of All Heart Redwood and the tabletop was made out of infused wine barrel wood. Photos taken by Inviniti Cellar Design

Walking into this wine cellar holding 1900 bottles initially takes your breath away. The racking was made out of a clear-coated All Heart Redwood. The different elevations of the floor to ceiling racking as well as the different bottle display angels keeps your attention while gazing around the room. The back arched area is the main focal point of the room, while standing outside the cellar. However, once inside the cellar, the colorful stained glass instantly captures your attention (designed by Designer Glass Mosaic). Two glass cabinets were designed to store a large number of stemware and other glass accouterments. The custom ladder was built to provide access to the hard to reach special wines. Sliding case storage shelves gives the homeowner space to store the special wood wine cases. The two doors were custom built out of All Heart Redwood and the tabletop was made out of infused wine barrel wood. Photos taken by Inviniti Cellar Design

Walking into this wine cellar holding 1900 bottles initially takes your breath away. The racking was made out of a clear-coated All Heart Redwood. The different elevations of the floor to ceiling racking as well as the different bottle display angels keeps your attention while gazing around the room. The back arched area is the main focal point of the room, while standing outside the cellar. However, once inside the cellar, the colorful stained glass instantly captures your attention (designed by Designer Glass Mosaic). Two glass cabinets were designed to store a large number of stemware and other glass accouterments. The custom ladder was built to provide access to the hard to reach special wines. Sliding case storage shelves gives the homeowner space to store the special wood wine cases. The two doors were custom built out of All Heart Redwood and the tabletop was made out of infused wine barrel wood. Photos taken by Inviniti Cellar Design

Walking into this wine cellar holding 1900 bottles initially takes your breath away. The racking was made out of a clear-coated All Heart Redwood. The different elevations of the floor to ceiling racking as well as the different bottle display angels keeps your attention while gazing around the room. The back arched area is the main focal point of the room, while standing outside the cellar. However, once inside the cellar, the colorful stained glass instantly captures your attention (designed by Designer Glass Mosaic). Two glass cabinets were designed to store a large number of stemware and other glass accouterments. The custom ladder was built to provide access to the hard to reach special wines. Sliding case storage shelves gives the homeowner space to store the special wood wine cases. The two doors were custom built out of All Heart Redwood and the tabletop was made out of infused wine barrel wood. Photos taken by Inviniti Cellar Design

Walking into this wine cellar holding 1900 bottles initially takes your breath away. The racking was made out of a clear-coated All Heart Redwood. The different elevations of the floor to ceiling racking as well as the different bottle display angels keeps your attention while gazing around the room. The back arched area is the main focal point of the room, while standing outside the cellar. However, once inside the cellar, the colorful stained glass instantly captures your attention (designed by Designer Glass Mosaic). Two glass cabinets were designed to store a large number of stemware and other glass accouterments. The custom ladder was built to provide access to the hard to reach special wines. Sliding case storage shelves gives the homeowner space to store the special wood wine cases. The two doors were custom built out of All Heart Redwood and the tabletop was made out of infused wine barrel wood. Photos taken by Inviniti Cellar Design

Walking into this wine cellar holding 1900 bottles initially takes your breath away. The racking was made out of a clear-coated All Heart Redwood. The different elevations of the floor to ceiling racking as well as the different bottle display angels keeps your attention while gazing around the room. The back arched area is the main focal point of the room, while standing outside the cellar. However, once inside the cellar, the colorful stained glass instantly captures your attention (designed by Designer Glass Mosaic). Two glass cabinets were designed to store a large number of stemware and other glass accouterments. The custom ladder was built to provide access to the hard to reach special wines. Sliding case storage shelves gives the homeowner space to store the special wood wine cases. The two doors were custom built out of All Heart Redwood and the tabletop was made out of infused wine barrel wood. Photos taken by Inviniti Cellar Design

Walking into this wine cellar holding 1900 bottles initially takes your breath away. The racking was made out of a clear-coated All Heart Redwood. The different elevations of the floor to ceiling racking as well as the different bottle display angels keeps your attention while gazing around the room. The back arched area is the main focal point of the room, while standing outside the cellar. However, once inside the cellar, the colorful stained glass instantly captures your attention (designed by Designer Glass Mosaic). Two glass cabinets were designed to store a large number of stemware and other glass accouterments. The custom ladder was built to provide access to the hard to reach special wines. Sliding case storage shelves gives the homeowner space to store the special wood wine cases. The two doors were custom built out of All Heart Redwood and the tabletop was made out of infused wine barrel wood. Photos taken by Inviniti Cellar Design

Iron Fence Painting in Wicker Park: A Windy City Painters Case Study Iron fence painting in Wicker Park is one of the most requested exterior services Windy City Painters performs each season, and this recent project shows exactly why. Set behind an ornate 1890s greystone two-flat, the client's wrought iron fence had endured years of Chicago winters without professional attention. Rust had spread across the pickets, the original black enamel was flaking away in sheets, and the fence's structural hardware had begun to loosen at several joints. As the trusted local expert for Chicago's North Side and Near West Side, Windy City Painters approached this project the same way we approach every iron fence painting job in Wicker Park: with a methodical, multi-step process designed to outlast Midwest weather rather than simply mask the damage. The Process, Step by Step Step 1 — Rust Removal and Surface Preparation. Our crew wire-brushed and mechanically ground every rusted section down to clean, stable metal. For pitted or heavily corroded areas, we applied a chemical rust converter to neutralize corrosion at the molecular level before any coating touched the surface. Furthermore, because this greystone was built well before 1978, Windy City Painters tested the existing paint layers for lead and followed strict containment protocols throughout the removal process. Step 2 — Spot Repairs. Loose pickets were re-secured, small pits were filled, and hardware at the gate hinges was tightened. In contrast to a quick spray-paint refresh, this stage ensures the fence is structurally sound before a single drop of primer goes on. Step 3 — Priming. A full coat of rust-inhibiting primer, engineered specifically for ferrous metal, was applied by brush to every surface — with particular attention to welds and joints where moisture tends to collect and restart the corrosion cycle. Step 4 — Topcoat Application. Two finish coats of industrial-grade, direct-to-metal enamel were applied by brush and roller. This built a durable, uniform barrier in classic gloss black, the most popular finish among Wicker Park's historic properties. Finally, our team inspected every inch of the fence for thin spots or missed sections before calling the job complete. Project Specs Surface: Ornamental wrought iron fence, posts, and gate hardware Products used: Rust-inhibiting DTM primer, chemical rust converter, industrial-grade direct-to-metal enamel Coats applied: 1 primer coat, 2 finish coats Finish: Gloss black Timeline: Completed in under two days Advice for Wicker Park Homeowners Before starting a similar iron fence painting project in Wicker Park, homeowners should keep a few things in mind. Notably, never paint directly over active rust — trapped moisture underneath will cause the new coat to fail within a season. Additionally, always ask whether a contractor tests for lead paint on pre-1978 homes, since many Wicker Park greystones fall into that category. Meanwhile, hand brushwork matters: the intricate scrollwork common on Wicker Park ironwork requires careful, detailed application that spray equipment simply cannot replicate. Therefore, hiring a crew experienced specifically in historic Chicago ironwork, like Windy City Painters, makes a measurable difference in the finished result. Windy City Painters also handles related exterior and interior work for Wicker Park properties, including interior painting, drywall and plaster repair, and additional metal refinishing for porches and railings. Iron fence painting in Wicker Park protects one of the neighborhood's most defining architectural features while restoring curb appeal instantly. As a result, this greystone now has a fence that matches the quality of the home behind it — and will hold up through many more Chicago winters. See more of our work and request a free estimate at www.windypainters.com. Ready to transform your Wicker Park home? Contact Windy City Painters for a free estimate — visit www.windypainters.com today. Proudly serving Wicker Park, West Town, Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Lakeview, Ukrainian Village, River North, and all of Chicago.

Walking into this wine cellar holding 1900 bottles initially takes your breath away. The racking was made out of a clear-coated All Heart Redwood. The different elevations of the floor to ceiling racking as well as the different bottle display angels keeps your attention while gazing around the room. The back arched area is the main focal point of the room, while standing outside the cellar. However, once inside the cellar, the colorful stained glass instantly captures your attention (designed by Designer Glass Mosaic). Two glass cabinets were designed to store a large number of stemware and other glass accouterments. The custom ladder was built to provide access to the hard to reach special wines. Sliding case storage shelves gives the homeowner space to store the special wood wine cases. The two doors were custom built out of All Heart Redwood and the tabletop was made out of infused wine barrel wood. Photos taken by Inviniti Cellar Design

Step into the epitome of modern elegance with our fine black oak luxury kitchen design, where sophistication meets functionality in every detail. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this kitchen exudes a sense of opulence and refinement while maintaining a sleek, contemporary aesthetic. The centerpiece of this luxurious kitchen is the exquisite black oak cabinetry, meticulously crafted to perfection. The rich, deep tones of the black oak exude warmth and sophistication, creating a captivating focal point that instantly commands attention. Each cabinet is expertly designed to offer ample storage space, seamlessly blending practicality with timeless style. Complementing the striking black oak cabinetry is the sleek black splashback, adding a touch of drama and depth to the space. The glossy surface of the splashback not only enhances the visual appeal of the kitchen but also serves as a practical solution for easy cleaning and maintenance, ensuring that your kitchen retains its pristine appearance effortlessly. Every element of this luxury kitchen is thoughtfully curated to elevate your culinary experience. From the state-of-the-art appliances seamlessly integrated into the cabinetry to the luxurious countertops crafted from premium materials, every aspect of this kitchen is designed to exceed expectations and indulge the senses. Whether you're entertaining guests or preparing a gourmet meal for your family, this fine black oak luxury kitchen design provides the perfect backdrop for culinary excellence. Immerse yourself in the unparalleled luxury and sophistication of this impeccably designed space, where every detail is a testament to refined taste and uncompromising quality.

Step into the epitome of modern elegance with our fine black oak luxury kitchen design, where sophistication meets functionality in every detail. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this kitchen exudes a sense of opulence and refinement while maintaining a sleek, contemporary aesthetic. The centerpiece of this luxurious kitchen is the exquisite black oak cabinetry, meticulously crafted to perfection. The rich, deep tones of the black oak exude warmth and sophistication, creating a captivating focal point that instantly commands attention. Each cabinet is expertly designed to offer ample storage space, seamlessly blending practicality with timeless style. Complementing the striking black oak cabinetry is the sleek black splashback, adding a touch of drama and depth to the space. The glossy surface of the splashback not only enhances the visual appeal of the kitchen but also serves as a practical solution for easy cleaning and maintenance, ensuring that your kitchen retains its pristine appearance effortlessly. Every element of this luxury kitchen is thoughtfully curated to elevate your culinary experience. From the state-of-the-art appliances seamlessly integrated into the cabinetry to the luxurious countertops crafted from premium materials, every aspect of this kitchen is designed to exceed expectations and indulge the senses. Whether you're entertaining guests or preparing a gourmet meal for your family, this fine black oak luxury kitchen design provides the perfect backdrop for culinary excellence. Immerse yourself in the unparalleled luxury and sophistication of this impeccably designed space, where every detail is a testament to refined taste and uncompromising quality.

Step into the epitome of modern elegance with our fine black oak luxury kitchen design, where sophistication meets functionality in every detail. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this kitchen exudes a sense of opulence and refinement while maintaining a sleek, contemporary aesthetic. The centerpiece of this luxurious kitchen is the exquisite black oak cabinetry, meticulously crafted to perfection. The rich, deep tones of the black oak exude warmth and sophistication, creating a captivating focal point that instantly commands attention. Each cabinet is expertly designed to offer ample storage space, seamlessly blending practicality with timeless style. Complementing the striking black oak cabinetry is the sleek black splashback, adding a touch of drama and depth to the space. The glossy surface of the splashback not only enhances the visual appeal of the kitchen but also serves as a practical solution for easy cleaning and maintenance, ensuring that your kitchen retains its pristine appearance effortlessly. Every element of this luxury kitchen is thoughtfully curated to elevate your culinary experience. From the state-of-the-art appliances seamlessly integrated into the cabinetry to the luxurious countertops crafted from premium materials, every aspect of this kitchen is designed to exceed expectations and indulge the senses. Whether you're entertaining guests or preparing a gourmet meal for your family, this fine black oak luxury kitchen design provides the perfect backdrop for culinary excellence. Immerse yourself in the unparalleled luxury and sophistication of this impeccably designed space, where every detail is a testament to refined taste and uncompromising quality.

Step into the epitome of modern elegance with our fine black oak luxury kitchen design, where sophistication meets functionality in every detail. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this kitchen exudes a sense of opulence and refinement while maintaining a sleek, contemporary aesthetic. The centerpiece of this luxurious kitchen is the exquisite black oak cabinetry, meticulously crafted to perfection. The rich, deep tones of the black oak exude warmth and sophistication, creating a captivating focal point that instantly commands attention. Each cabinet is expertly designed to offer ample storage space, seamlessly blending practicality with timeless style. Complementing the striking black oak cabinetry is the sleek black splashback, adding a touch of drama and depth to the space. The glossy surface of the splashback not only enhances the visual appeal of the kitchen but also serves as a practical solution for easy cleaning and maintenance, ensuring that your kitchen retains its pristine appearance effortlessly. Every element of this luxury kitchen is thoughtfully curated to elevate your culinary experience. From the state-of-the-art appliances seamlessly integrated into the cabinetry to the luxurious countertops crafted from premium materials, every aspect of this kitchen is designed to exceed expectations and indulge the senses. Whether you're entertaining guests or preparing a gourmet meal for your family, this fine black oak luxury kitchen design provides the perfect backdrop for culinary excellence. Immerse yourself in the unparalleled luxury and sophistication of this impeccably designed space, where every detail is a testament to refined taste and uncompromising quality.