Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Chicago

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This deeply personal renovation took place in a home with rich family history—owned by the same family for generations and originally designed by notable architect, William Henry Kessler. Nestled in Harbor Springs, Michigan, the property hadn’t been touched since the 1970s. The clients, who had previously worked with O’Brien Harris on their main residence in the Detroit area, returned with a clear vision: honor the spirit of the home’s mid-century modern roots while creating something clean, smart, and unique. The architecture itself is quirky and full of character, and the design team, led by Lily Dierkes of LK Studio, leaned into those details. Rather than imposing a new aesthetic, the design was built around the home’s original DNA. The kitchen—though small—was treated as a design-forward space. O’Brien Harris brought in full-height cabinetry that wraps the entire lower perimeter of the room with no exposed drawers, allowing a clean, sculptural feel. The wood cabinetry was finished in a soft, low-sheen white paint and contrasted with bright yellow upper cabinets—a bold choice that felt perfectly suited to the spirit of the home. O’Brien Harris also crafted a built-in bookshelf and entertainment center for the living room, combining crisp painted cabinetry with leather cup pulls. Because of O’Brien Harris’ custom capabilities, their work extended well beyond the kitchen. They were engaged to design and fabricate custom built-ins throughout the home, including bedroom cabinetry and bespoke bunk beds—showcasing the craftsmanship and creativity that distinguish their work. This project is a true reflection of how O’Brien Harris brings thoughtful craftsmanship and custom solutions to every corner of the home.

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This Lakeview renovation takes place in a mid-rise building with sweeping views of Lake Michigan. Designed for a couple who loves to entertain, the kitchen was reimagined to maximize storage and counterspace without compromising its airy feel. Custom inserts were used to organize utensils and dinnerware, while pocket doors conceal small appliances—keeping the compact layout clean and clutter-free. The cabinetry is painted in a crisp white, anchored by a stained London Oak island that adds warmth and contrast. To maintain a light, open atmosphere, the design team opted for open shelving with Parisian detailing in lieu of upper cabinetry. Hardwired tabletop lamps were chosen over decorative pendants, reinforcing O’Brien Harris’s philosophy of blending the kitchen seamlessly into the living space. The design strikes a balance between contemporary and traditional. Polished metal-banded drawers bring a modern edge, while the shelving and lamps introduce classic character. A peninsula provides visual separation from the dining area—serving as both a prep surface and a buffet when entertaining. This tailored, multi-functional kitchen reflects O’Brien Harris’s signature approach: timeless design, refined detail, and thoughtful living. Location: Lakeview, Chicago, IL | Custom Cabinetry: O’Brien Harris | Interior Designer: James Thomas Interiors | Builder: Bill Wangler | Photography: Ryan McDonald | Kitchen & Dining Room Cabinetry: Painted finish with natural walnut interiors. Island is white oak in London Oak finish. Door style is Refectory | Butler’s Pantry Cabinetry: Painted in a vintage wine finish using the Refectory door style with natural walnut interiors Featured Article: Luxe Interiors + Design

Photo: Kaia Calhoun © 2017 Houzz
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In this new construction home in Hinsdale, IL the design team at O’Brien Harris was brought in at the earliest stages of planning—allowing for seamless integration of cabinetry and architectural details. Early collaboration with the builder meant every functional need could be fully addressed, including custom framing for hidden lighting and other details that would have been difficult to retrofit. The kitchen features a unique layout that places the cook at the center of the space, facing the yard and natural light. This intentional orientation shaped the design from the start to create a layout that felt open, balanced, and multi-functional. Because the project was built from the ground up, O’Brien Harris was able to integrate downdraft ventilation systems that maintain sightlines allowing the range to face outward—achieving both form and function without compromise. Two kitchen islands define the space, though each serves a distinct purpose. The first island is centered around the cooktop and prep area, while the second acts more like a piece of freestanding furniture—with seating, storage, and a softer presence in the room. Four oversized pendant lanterns anchor the entire space, offering both visual weight and warm illumination. To support entertaining, a full back kitchen was added behind the main space, offering the same level of functionality with additional appliances and prep areas. A fully retractable pass-through window opens directly to the outdoor entertaining area, making the kitchen feel as expansive as the outdoors. O’Brien Harris also designed and fabricated the cabinetry in the primary bath. Location: Hinsdale | Custom Cabinetry: O’Brien Harris | Interior Designer: Brynn Olson Design | Builder: J. Jordan Homes | Architect: Moment Design Architecture | Photography: Werner Straube Photography | Kitchen Cabinetry: Painted Finish in Gossamar Veil | Kitchen Island and Back Kitchen Cabinetry: Stained Chatham Oak Featured Article: Luxe Interiors + Design

We breathed new life into this Hampton’s inspired kitchen with beautiful fresh materials in soft white and airy blue hues. We also redesigned the layout for optimal food prep, cooking and entertaining while keeping them separate from each other. By incorporating the nook area and removing the desk, we were able to give our client everything she ever wanted in a kitchen (see BEFORE pics). The lines and details of the custom hood and soft curved fretwork in the cabinetry create a sense of understated luxury and elegance. Oil rubbed bronze accents on the island legs, traditional lanterns and sconces, along with brushed nickel cabinet hardware complete the space. We also redesigned the fireplace and added built-ins to both sides for additional storage and unified, fresh new look.

For more photos of this project visit our website: https://wendyobrienid.com.

Photography by Valve Interactive: https://valveinteractive.com/

Inspiration for a large timeless u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Baltimore with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

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Architect: Cheryl O'Brien Firm: C. O'Brien Architects Inc. Photo Credit: Lex Wainwright All images appearing in the C. O'Brien Architects Inc. web site are the exclusive property of Cheryl A. O'Brien and are protected under the United States and International Copyright laws. The images may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without the written permission of Cheryl A. O'Brien. Use of any image as the basis for another photographic concept or illustration (digital, artist rendering or alike) is a violation of the United States and International Copyright laws. All images are copyrighted © 2001 - 2014 Cheryl A. O'Brien.

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Although this Hinsdale home was only about a decade old, the floor plan and finishes already felt dated. The homeowners expressed that the layout wasn’t working—particularly the disconnect between spaces they used and those they didn’t. O’Brien Harris was originally brought in to renovate the kitchen, but it quickly became clear that a more holistic transformation was needed. The formal dining room, located at the front of the house, had long gone unused. Along with design Brynn Olson, O’Brien Harris reimagined the space as a high-gloss wine lounge that now opens onto the front terrace. The adjacent covered porch was enclosed and converted into a light-filled new dining room, making entertaining and everyday meals more inviting and accessible. O’Brien Harris also fully paneled the great room, adding built-in bookcases and reshaping existing arches to bring depth, warmth, and architectural continuity. The galley-style kitchen is now the heart of the home. Designed for a family that loves to cook and entertain, it features a central island and a secondary wall of storage with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry to house refrigeration, freezer drawers, and extensive dish storage, outfitted with a library ladder. The cabinet finishes are a blend of painted surfaces and light oak, offering warmth without heaviness. Icebox-style strap hinges and latches bring refined vintage character to the space while emphasizing functionality with beauty. In the primary bath, O’Brien Harris introduced painted cabinetry beneath a waterfall stone counter to coordinate with upholstered panels and full marble finishes. His-and-hers vanities and custom stone flooring complete the serene, tailored retreat. This was a deeply transformative project, not only in terms of layout, but in the way the spaces now flow and function together—with O’Brien Harris cabinetry anchoring it all in timeless craftsmanship.

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All images appearing in the C. O'Brien Architects Inc. web site are the exclusive property of Cheryl A. O'Brien and are protected under the United States and International Copyright laws. The images may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without the written permission of Cheryl A. O'Brien. Use of any image as the basis for another photographic concept or illustration (digital, artist rendering or alike) is a violation of the United States and International Copyright laws. All images are copyrighted © 2001 - 2014 Cheryl A. O'Brien.

This custom new construction home located in Fox Trail, Illinois was designed for a sizeable family who do a lot of extended family entertaining. There was a strong need to have the ability to entertain large groups and the family cooks together. The family is of Indian descent and because of this there were a lot of functional requirements including thoughtful solutions for dry storage and spices. The architecture of this project is more modern aesthetic, so the kitchen design followed suit. The home sits on a wooded site and has a pool and lots of glass. Taking cues from the beautiful site, O’Brien Harris Cabinetry in Chicago focused the design on bringing the outdoors in with the goal of achieving an organic feel to the room. They used solid walnut timber with a very natural stain so the grain of the wood comes through. There is a very integrated feeling to the kitchen. The volume of the space really opens up when you get to the kitchen. There was a lot of thoughtfulness on the scaling of the cabinetry which around the perimeter is nestled into the architecture. obrienharris.com

This deeply personal renovation took place in a home with rich family history—owned by the same family for generations and originally designed by notable architect, William Henry Kessler. Nestled in Harbor Springs, Michigan, the property hadn’t been touched since the 1970s. The clients, who had previously worked with O’Brien Harris on their main residence in the Detroit area, returned with a clear vision: honor the spirit of the home’s mid-century modern roots while creating something clean, smart, and unique. The architecture itself is quirky and full of character, and the design team, led by Lily Dierkes of LK Studio, leaned into those details. Rather than imposing a new aesthetic, the design was built around the home’s original DNA. The kitchen—though small—was treated as a design-forward space. O’Brien Harris brought in full-height cabinetry that wraps the entire lower perimeter of the room with no exposed drawers, allowing a clean, sculptural feel. The wood cabinetry was finished in a soft, low-sheen white paint and contrasted with bright yellow upper cabinets—a bold choice that felt perfectly suited to the spirit of the home. O’Brien Harris also crafted a built-in bookshelf and entertainment center for the living room, combining crisp painted cabinetry with leather cup pulls. Because of O’Brien Harris’ custom capabilities, their work extended well beyond the kitchen. They were engaged to design and fabricate custom built-ins throughout the home, including bedroom cabinetry and bespoke bunk beds—showcasing the craftsmanship and creativity that distinguish their work. This project is a true reflection of how O’Brien Harris brings thoughtful craftsmanship and custom solutions to every corner of the home.