Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW This unit, located in a 4-flat owned by TKS Owners Jeff and Susan Klimala, was remodeled as their personal pied-à-terre, and doubles as an Airbnb property when they are not using it. Jeff and Susan were drawn to the location of the building, a vibrant Chicago neighborhood, 4 blocks from Wrigley Field, as well as to the vintage charm of the 1890’s building. The entire 2 bed, 2 bath unit was renovated and furnished, including the kitchen, with a specific Parisian vibe in mind. Although the location and vintage charm were all there, the building was not in ideal shape -- the mechanicals -- from HVAC, to electrical, plumbing, to needed structural updates, peeling plaster, out of level floors, the list was long. Susan and Jeff drew on their expertise to update the issues behind the walls while also preserving much of the original charm that attracted them to the building in the first place -- heart pine floors, vintage mouldings, pocket doors and transoms. Because this unit was going to be primarily used as an Airbnb, the Klimalas wanted to make it beautiful, maintain the character of the building, while also specifying materials that would last and wouldn’t break the budget. Susan enjoyed the hunt of specifying these items and still coming up with a cohesive creative space that feels a bit French in flavor. Parisian style décor is all about casual elegance and an eclectic mix of old and new. Susan had fun sourcing some more personal pieces of artwork for the space, creating a dramatic black, white and moody green color scheme for the kitchen and highlighting the living room with pieces to showcase the vintage fireplace and pocket doors. Photographer: @MargaretRajic Photo stylist: @Brandidevers Do you have a new home that has great bones but just doesn’t feel comfortable and you can’t quite figure out why? Contact us here to see how we can help!

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Give some character to your partition wall with Seves Glass Block! Staggered height? All the way to the ceiling? Anything is possible when you build a wall with Seves. See many partition wall ideas by downloading the North American Design Guide @ sevesglassblockinc.com

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW Alice and Dave are on their 2nd home with TKS Design Group, having completed the remodel of a kitchen, primary bath and laundry/mudroom in their previous home. This new home is a bit different in that it is new construction. The house has beautiful space and light but they needed help making it feel like a home. In the living room, Alice and Dave plan to host family at their home often and wanted a space that had plenty of comfy seating for conversation, but also an area to play games. So, our vision started with a search for luxurious but durable fabric along with multiple types of seating to bring the entire space together. Our light-filled living room is now warm and inviting to accommodate Alice and Dave’s weekend visitors. The multiple types of seating chosen include a large sofa, two chairs, along with two occasional ottomans in both solids and patterns and all in easy to care for performance fabrics. Underneath, we layered a soft wool rug with cool tones that complimented both the warm tones of the wood floor and the cool tones of the fabric seating. A beautiful occasional table and a large cocktail table round out the space. We took advantage of this room’s height by placing oversized artwork on the largest wall to create a place for your eyes to rest and to take advantage of the room’s scale. The TV was relocated to its current location over the fireplace, and a new light fixture scaled appropriately to the room’s ceiling height gives the space a more comfortable, approachable feel. Lastly, carefully chosen accessories including books, plants, and bowls complete this family’s new living space. Photography by @MargaretRajic Do you have a new home that has great bones but just doesn’t feel comfortable and you can’t quite figure out why? Contact us here to see how we can help!

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW This client came to us to furnish her new home after having hired us for interior design and furnishings for her previous home. This home, located near downtown Elmhurst, IL, needed the works -- furnishings, paint, and art throughout. Since we worked with her previously, we had a good idea of the client’s design aesthetic and were excited to create something new and fresh! New construction allows a blank slate for interior design, but it can lack in personality. Our client’s goals were to bring warmth and textural elements into her new home. We were most excited to curate artwork for each of the rooms while creating complimentary flow between the pieces and throughout the open floor plan on the main living area. First, we set the mood with a muted color palette. Next, we added layers of texture with contrasting fabrics and rugs to really make a statement in this new construction home. Add in curated abstract artwork, coordinating lighting, and voila! a welcoming home ready for new memories! Photographer: @MargaretRajic Photo stylist: @Brandidevers Do you have a new home that has great bones but just doesn’t feel comfortable and you can’t quite figure out why? Contact us here to see how we can help!

INSPIRING RETAIL DESIGN! The sustainability and versatility of Seves Glass Block has put our product line at the forefront for modern retail space design. The clean look of this sleek showroom is achieved with multiple glass block columns and walls. Download the new Seves North American Design Guide @ sevesglassblockinc.com for retail ideas and more.

Everett Custom Homes & Jim Schmid Photography
Large mountain style stone dark wood floor front porch photo in Charlotte with beige walls, a dark wood front door and a roof extension

Elevate your space with this stunning African American boho woman art print featuring a beautiful black swan. Perfect for adding a modern, moody, and eclectic vibe to your living room decor or gallery wall. ✨ Available for instant download or purchase on our Etsy shop!

The twin turbine fans of this advanced Filter Free design quickly and quietly eliminate smoke, steam and vapors from cooking. Surprisingly affordable, this sleek, modern design features 6 operating speeds for up to 550 CFM of power. WHERE TO BUY DOWNLOAD CATALOG FEATURES AND BENEFITS: High-velocity blower optimally removes Smoke, Grease and Odors Filter – Free design 6 speed illuminated touch controls Two 20 W Halogen Lights brilliantly illuminate the cooking surface Advanced twin turbine fan design Top or rear venting for easy installation Mounting Height from cooking surface 27″ – 32″

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This client came to us in a bit of a panic when she realized that she really wanted her bathroom to be updated by March 1st due to having 2 daughters getting married in the spring and one graduating. We were only about 5 months out from that date, but decided we were up for the challenge. The beautiful historical home was built in 1896 by an ornithologist (bird expert), so we took our cues from that as a starting point. The flooring is a vintage basket weave of marble and limestone, the shower walls of the tub shower conversion are clad in subway tile with a vintage feel. The lighting, mirror and plumbing fixtures all have a vintage vibe that feels both fitting and up to date. To give a little of an eclectic feel, we chose a custom green paint color for the linen cabinet, mushroom paint for the ship lap paneling that clads the walls and selected a vintage mirror that ties in the color from the existing door trim. We utilized some antique trim from the home for the wainscot cap for more vintage flavor. The drama in the bathroom comes from the wallpaper and custom shower curtain, both in William Morris’s iconic “Strawberry Thief” print that tells the story of thrushes stealing fruit, so fitting for the home’s history. There is a lot of this pattern in a very small space, so we were careful to make sure the pattern on the wallpaper and shower curtain aligned. A sweet little bird tie back for the shower curtain completes the story... Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW A tired primary bathroom, with varying ceiling heights and a beige-on-beige color scheme, was screaming for love. Squaring the room and adding natural materials erased the memory of the lack luster space and converted it to a bright and welcoming spa oasis. The home was a new build in 2005 and it looked like all the builder’s material choices remained. The client was clear on their design direction but were challenged by the differing ceiling heights and were looking to hire a design-build firm that could resolve that issue. This local Glen Ellyn couple found us on Instagram (@kitchenstudioge, follow us ?). They loved our designs and felt like we fit their style. They requested a full primary bath renovation to include a large shower, soaking tub, double vanity with storage options, and heated floors. The wife also really wanted a separate make-up vanity. The biggest challenge presented to us was to architecturally marry the various ceiling heights and deliver a streamlined design. The existing layout worked well for the couple, so we kept everything in place, except we enlarged the shower and replaced the built-in tub with a lovely free-standing model. We also added a sitting make-up vanity. We were able to eliminate the awkward ceiling lines by extending all the walls to the highest level. Then, to accommodate the sprinklers and HVAC, lowered the ceiling height over the entrance and shower area which then opens to the 2-story vanity and tub area. Very dramatic! This high-end home deserved high-end fixtures. The homeowners also quickly realized they loved the look of natural marble and wanted to use as much of it as possible in their new bath. They chose a marble slab from the stone yard for the countertops and back splash, and we found complimentary marble tile for the shower. The homeowners also liked the idea of mixing metals in their new posh bathroom and loved the look of black, gold, and chrome. Although our clients were very clear on their style, they were having a difficult time pulling it all together and envisioning the final product. As interior designers it is our job to translate and elevate our clients’ ideas into a deliverable design. We presented the homeowners with mood boards and 3D renderings of our modern, clean, white marble design. Since the color scheme was relatively neutral, at the homeowner’s request, we decided to add of interest with the patterns and shapes in the room. We were first inspired by the shower floor tile with its circular/linear motif. We designed the cabinetry, floor and wall tiles, mirrors, cabinet pulls, and wainscoting to have a square or rectangular shape, and then to create interest we added perfectly placed circles to contrast with the rectangular shapes. The globe shaped chandelier against the square wall trim is a delightful yet subtle juxtaposition. The clients were overjoyed with our interpretation of their vision and impressed with the level of detail we brought to the project. It’s one thing to know how you want a space to look, but it takes a special set of skills to create the design and see it thorough to implementation. Could hiring The Kitchen Studio be the first step to making your home dreams come to life?

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Our clients came to us looking to do some updates to their new condo unit primarily in the kitchen and living room. The couple has a lifelong love of Arts and Crafts and Modernism, and are the co-founders of PrairieMod, an online retailer that offers timeless modern lifestyle through American made, handcrafted, and exclusively designed products. So, having such a design savvy client was super exciting for us, especially since the couple had many unique pieces of pottery and furniture to provide inspiration for the design. The condo is a large, sunny top floor unit, with a large open feel. The existing kitchen was a peninsula which housed the sink, and they wanted to change that out to an island, relocating the new sink there as well. This can sometimes be tricky with all the plumbing for the building potentially running up through one stack. After consulting with our contractor team, it was determined that our plan would likely work and after confirmation at demo, we pushed on. The new kitchen is a simple L-shaped space, featuring several storage devices for trash, trays dividers and roll out shelving. To keep the budget in check, we used semi-custom cabinetry, but added custom details including a shiplap hood with white oak detail that plays off the oak “X” endcaps at the island, as well as some of the couple’s existing white oak furniture. We also mixed metals with gold hardware and plumbing and matte black lighting that plays well with the unique black herringbone backsplash and metal barstools. New weathered oak flooring throughout the unit provides a nice soft backdrop for all the updates. We wanted to take the cabinets to the ceiling to obtain as much storage as possible, but an angled soffit on two of the walls provided a bit of a challenge. We asked our carpenter to field modify a few of the wall cabinets where necessary and now the space is truly custom. Part of the project also included a new fireplace design including a custom mantle that houses a built-in sound bar and a Panasonic Frame TV, that doubles as hanging artwork when not in use. The TV is mounted flush to the wall, and there are different finishes for the frame available. The TV can display works of art or family photos while not in use. We repeated the black herringbone tile for the fireplace surround here and installed bookshelves on either side for storage and media components. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Free ebook, CREATING THE IDEAL KITCHEN Download now → http://bit.ly/idealkitchen The homeowners came to us with the desire to update their master bathroom into a more spa-like retreat that was also more functional for their daily needs. The existing space was large with a vaulted ceiling, lots of natural light and an existing private water closet. So the bones of the space were great and the room just needed a few tweaks. We started by relocating the cramped shower that shared the water closet room, to the existing tub location. The giant whirlpool tub took up more than its share of real estate in the room, and the beautiful new shower, which gets used daily, now sits in its spot. The new shower features beautiful lass tile accents as well as a bench seat and frameless shower door. The new tub is freestanding and sits in front of an updated slightly smaller window, providing a sculptural focal point upon entry to the room. There was still plenty of room for two large vanities, and a corner storage cabinet and appliance garage that hides small bathroom necessities. The water closet remains in its own private room and the area that once housed the shower, is now an additional closet for the master bedroom. The room is a pallet of soft grays and whites with the cherry vanities adding some warmth. Polished chrome and glass accents bring some sparkle to the space. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Mike Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Collaborations with builders on new construction is a favorite part of my job. I love seeing a house go up from the blueprints to the end of the build. It is always a journey filled with a thousand decisions, some creative on-the-spot thinking and yes, usually a few stressful moments. This Naperville project was a collaboration with a local builder and architect. The Kitchen Studio collaborated by completing the cabinetry design and final layout for the entire home. Access to the back of the house is through the mudroom which is outfitted with just about every possible storage feature you can think of for a mudroom. For starters, the basics – a locker for each family member. In addition to that, there is an entire cabinet with roll outs devoted just to shoes, one for cleaning supplies and one for extra coats. The room also features a small clean up sink as well as a set of refrigerator drawers making grabbing a Gatorade on the way to soccer practice a piece of cake. If you are building a new home, The Kitchen Studio can offer expert help to make the most of your new construction home. We provide the expertise needed to ensure that you are getting the most of your investment when it comes to cabinetry, design and storage solutions. Give us a call if you would like to find out more! Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Builder: Hampton Homes Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This homeowner’s daughter originally contacted us on behalf of her parents who were reluctant to begin the remodeling process in their home due to the inconvenience and dust. Once we met and they dipped their toes into the process, we were off to the races. The existing bathroom in this beautiful historical 1920’s home, had not been updated since the 70’/80’s as evidenced by the blue carpeting, mirrored walls and dropped ceilings. In addition, there was very little storage, and some health setbacks had made the bathroom difficult to maneuver with its tub shower. Once we demoed, we discovered everything we expected to find in a home that had not been updated for many years. We got to work bringing all the electrical and plumbing up to code, and it was just as dusty and dirty as the homeowner’s anticipated! Once the space was demoed, we got to work building our new plan. We eliminated the existing tub and created a large walk-in curb-less shower. An existing closet was eliminated and in its place, we planned a custom built in with spots for linens, jewelry and general storage. Because of the small space, we had to be very creative with the shower footprint, so we clipped one of the walls for more clearance behind the sink. The bathroom features a beautiful custom mosaic floor tile as well as tiled walls throughout the space. This required lots of coordination between the carpenter and tile setter to make sure that the framing and tile design were all properly aligned. We worked around an existing radiator and a unique original leaded window that was architecturally significant to the façade of the home. We had a lot of extra depth behind the original toilet location, so we built the wall out a bit, moved the toilet forward and then created some extra storage space behind the commode. We settled on mirrored mullioned doors to bounce lots of light around the smaller space. We also went back and forth on deciding between a single and double vanity, and in the end decided the single vanity allowed for more counter space, more storage below and for the design to breath a bit in the smaller space. I’m so happy with this decision! To build on the luxurious feel of the space, we added a heated towel bar and heated flooring. One of the concerns the homeowners had was having a comfortable floor to walk on. They realized that carpet was not a very practical solution but liked the comfort it had provided. Heated floors are the perfect solution. The room is decidedly traditional from its intricate mosaic marble floor to the calacutta marble clad walls. Elegant gold chandelier style fixtures, marble countertops and Morris & Co. beaded wallpaper provide an opulent feel to the space. The gray monochromatic pallet keeps it feeling fresh and up-to-date. The beautiful leaded glass window is an important architectural feature at the front of the house. In the summertime, the homeowners love having the window open for fresh air and ventilation. We love it too! The curb-less shower features a small fold down bench that can be used if needed and folded up when not. The shower also features a custom niche for storing shampoo and other hair products. The linear drain is built into the tilework and is barely visible. A frameless glass door that swings both in and out completes the luxurious feel. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW What’s the next best thing to a tropical vacation in the middle of a Chicago winter? Well, how about a tropical themed bath that works year round? The goal of this bath was just that, to bring some fun, whimsy and tropical vibes! We started out by making some updates to the built in bookcase leading into the bath. It got an easy update by removing all the stained trim and creating a simple arched opening with a few floating shelves for a much cleaner and up-to-date look. We love the simplicity of this arch in the space. Now, into the bathroom design. Our client fell in love with this beautiful handmade tile featuring tropical birds and flowers and featuring bright, vibrant colors. We played off the tile to come up with the pallet for the rest of the space. The cabinetry and trim is a custom teal-blue paint that perfectly picks up on the blue in the tile. The gold hardware, lighting and mirror also coordinate with the colors in the tile. Because the house is a 1930’s tudor, we played homage to that by using a simple black and white hex pattern on the floor and retro style hardware that keep the whole space feeling vintage appropriate. We chose a wall mount unpolished brass hardware faucet which almost gives the feel of a tropical fountain. It just works. The arched mirror continues the arch theme from the bookcase. For the shower, we chose a coordinating antique white tile with the same tropical tile featured in a shampoo niche where we carefully worked to get a little bird almost standing on the niche itself. We carried the gold fixtures into the shower, and instead of a shower door, the shower features a simple hinged glass panel that is easy to clean and allows for easy access to the shower controls. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more design inspiration go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Covering a second story Trex deck, this gable end patio cover includes a ceiling fan and recessed lighting. The second story deck & patio cover combination is a great place for year-round BBQ’s and outdoor dinners, while the Trex Spiral Stairs lead underneath to a great sheltered play area for the kids.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Collaborations with builders on new construction is a favorite part of my job. I love seeing a house go up from the blueprints to the end of the build. It is always a journey filled with a thousand decisions, some creative on-the-spot thinking and yes, usually a few stressful moments. This Naperville project was a collaboration with a local builder and architect. The Kitchen Studio collaborated by completing the cabinetry design and final layout for the entire home. Around the corner is the home office that is painted a custom color to match the cabinetry. The wall of cabinetry along the back of the room features a roll out printer cabinet, along with drawers and open shelving for books and display. We are pretty sure a lot of work must get done in here with all these handy features! If you are building a new home, The Kitchen Studio can offer expert help to make the most of your new construction home. We provide the expertise needed to ensure that you are getting the most of your investment when it comes to cabinetry, design and storage solutions. Give us a call if you would like to find out more! Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Builder: Hampton Homes Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com