Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners came to us looking to update the kitchen in their historic 1897 home. The home had gone through an extensive renovation several years earlier that added a master bedroom suite and updates to the front façade. The kitchen however was not part of that update and a prior 1990’s update had left much to be desired. The client is an avid cook, and it was just not very functional for the family. The original kitchen was very choppy and included a large eat in area that took up more than its fair share of the space. On the wish list was a place where the family could comfortably congregate, that was easy and to cook in, that feels lived in and in check with the rest of the home’s décor. They also wanted a space that was not cluttered and dark – a happy, light and airy room. A small powder room off the space also needed some attention so we set out to include that in the remodel as well. See that arch in the neighboring dining room? The homeowner really wanted to make the opening to the dining room an arch to match, so we incorporated that into the design. Another unfortunate eyesore was the state of the ceiling and soffits. Turns out it was just a series of shortcuts from the prior renovation, and we were surprised and delighted that we were easily able to flatten out almost the entire ceiling with a couple of little reworks. Other changes we made were to add new windows that were appropriate to the new design, which included moving the sink window over slightly to give the work zone more breathing room. We also adjusted the height of the windows in what was previously the eat-in area that were too low for a countertop to work. We tried to keep an old island in the plan since it was a well-loved vintage find, but the tradeoff for the function of the new island was not worth it in the end. We hope the old found a new home, perhaps as a potting table. 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

This vintage home was built in 1897 in Downers Grove. The homeowner is an avid chef and needed a better design work flow. She wanted to keep the same vintage feel in the kitchen as throughout the home. We added a work / dining island, new cabinetry and storage, upgraded the cooking equipment and widened and upgraded the windows for additional natural light. We added the archway into the dining room to repeat the original archway elsewhere in the home. 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

This vintage home was built in 1897 in Downers Grove. The homeowner is an avid chef and needed a better design work flow. She wanted to keep the same vintage feel in the kitchen as throughout the home. We added a work / dining island, new cabinetry and storage, upgraded the cooking equipment and widened and upgraded the windows for additional natural light. We added the archway into the dining room to repeat the original archway elsewhere in the home. 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

Kitchen Design by Deb Bayless, CKD, CBD, Design For Keeps, Napa, CA; photos by Carlos Vergara
Example of a mid-sized classic l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Concrete can be made to look like any substance. Tile, stone, wood, brick, etc. With unlimited color options, Ky-Kan Coatings can transform any room in your home or business using lightweight, beautiful concrete.

This vintage home was built in 1897 in Downers Grove. The homeowner is an avid chef and needed a better design work flow. She wanted to keep the same vintage feel in the kitchen as throughout the home. We added a work / dining island, new cabinetry and storage, upgraded the cooking equipment and widened and upgraded the windows for additional natural light. We added the archway into the dining room to repeat the original archway elsewhere in the home. 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

This vintage home was built in 1897 in Downers Grove. The homeowner is an avid chef and needed a better design work flow. She wanted to keep the same vintage feel in the kitchen as throughout the home. We added a work / dining island, new cabinetry and storage, upgraded the cooking equipment and widened and upgraded the windows for additional natural light. We added the archway into the dining room to repeat the original archway elsewhere in the home. 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

This vintage home was built in 1897 in Downers Grove. The homeowner is an avid chef and needed a better design work flow. She wanted to keep the same vintage feel in the kitchen as throughout the home. We added a work / dining island, new cabinetry and storage, upgraded the cooking equipment and widened and upgraded the windows for additional natural light. We added the archway into the dining room to repeat the original archway elsewhere in the home. 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

This vintage home was built in 1897 in Downers Grove. The homeowner is an avid chef and needed a better design work flow. She wanted to keep the same vintage feel in the kitchen as throughout the home. We added a work / dining island, new cabinetry and storage, upgraded the cooking equipment and widened and upgraded the windows for additional natural light. We added the archway into the dining room to repeat the original archway elsewhere in the home. 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

Huge transitional u-shaped brown floor kitchen photo with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

© Lassiter Photography
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Charlotte with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Gorgeous master bath with dramatic retro "wave" tile. Peak Photography
Example of a 1950s bathroom design in Los Angeles

Kitchen Design by Deb Bayless, CKD, CBD, Design For Keeps, Napa, CA; photos by Mike Kaskel
Example of a large arts and crafts u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, blue backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners came to us looking to update the kitchen in their historic 1897 home. The home had gone through an extensive renovation several years earlier that added a master bedroom suite and updates to the front façade. The kitchen however was not part of that update and a prior 1990’s update had left much to be desired. The client is an avid cook, and it was just not very functional for the family. The original kitchen was very choppy and included a large eat in area that took up more than its fair share of the space. On the wish list was a place where the family could comfortably congregate, that was easy and to cook in, that feels lived in and in check with the rest of the home’s décor. They also wanted a space that was not cluttered and dark – a happy, light and airy room. A small powder room off the space also needed some attention so we set out to include that in the remodel as well. See that arch in the neighboring dining room? The homeowner really wanted to make the opening to the dining room an arch to match, so we incorporated that into the design. Another unfortunate eyesore was the state of the ceiling and soffits. Turns out it was just a series of shortcuts from the prior renovation, and we were surprised and delighted that we were easily able to flatten out almost the entire ceiling with a couple of little reworks. Other changes we made were to add new windows that were appropriate to the new design, which included moving the sink window over slightly to give the work zone more breathing room. We also adjusted the height of the windows in what was previously the eat-in area that were too low for a countertop to work. We tried to keep an old island in the plan since it was a well-loved vintage find, but the tradeoff for the function of the new island was not worth it in the end. We hope the old found a new home, perhaps as a potting table. 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

© Lassiter Photography
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Charlotte with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   A small cramped and dated kitchen featuring an apple wallpaper border & wood paneling was transformed into a bright open concept space featuring a large island and custom cherry wood hood. The white cabinetry is accented by crisp calacutta backsplash tile and glass feature tile at the range. Blue pendant lights punctuate the room. A remodel of the fireplace in the neighboring family room anchors that space visually to the kitchen. The new space provides a comfortable gathering spot for family and friends. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   A small cramped and dated kitchen featuring an apple wallpaper border & wood paneling was transformed into a bright open concept space featuring a large island and custom cherry wood hood. The white cabinetry is accented by crisp calacutta backsplash tile and glass feature tile at the range. Blue pendant lights punctuate the room. A remodel of the fireplace in the neighboring family room anchors that space visually to the kitchen. The new space provides a comfortable gathering spot for family and friends. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Klimala transitioned the large semi-functional kitchen by widening the opening between the kitchen and breakfast room and relocating an existing powder room. The resulting kitchen has not only a center island, but also a large peninsula for prep work and baking projects. Room was made in the adjoining breakfast room for a large decorative hutch for storage of glassware and linens. A new upholstered banquette provides a spot for daily meals and homework spot for the family’s three kids. The clients love of contemporary design was married with the 1920s era tudor home by keeping the details simple, choosing clean lines for decorative features such as hardware and lighting, but allowing for period appropriate touches such as shaker doors, subway tiles and a farm sink. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com