The homeowners wanted a rustic country kitchen and the knotted alder cabinets with the oil rubbed brass handles made that idea come true. The alder has a clear satin finish to had a little sheen but still show the detail of the wood. -Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

THE SETUP Once these empty nest homeowners decided to stay put, they knew a new kitchen was in order. Passionate about cooking, entertaining, and hosting holiday gatherings, they found their existing kitchen inadequate. The space, with its traditional style and outdated layout, was far from ideal. They longed for an elegant, timeless kitchen that was not only show-stopping but also functional, seamlessly catering to both their daily routines and special occasions with friends and family. Another key factor was its future appeal to potential buyers, as they’re ready to enjoy their new kitchen while also considering downsizing in the future. Design Objectives: Create a more streamlined, open space Eliminate traditional elements Improve flow for entertaining and everyday use Omit dated posts and soffits Include storage for small appliances to keep counters clutter-free Address mail organization and phone charging concerns THE REMODEL Design Challenges: Compensate for lost storage from omitted wall cabinets Revise floorplan to feature a single, spacious island Enhance island seating proximity for a more engaging atmosphere Address awkward space above existing built-ins Improve natural light blocked by wall cabinet near the window Create a highly functional space tailored for entertaining Design Solutions: Tall cabinetry and pull-outs maximize storage efficiency A generous single island promotes seamless flow and ample prep space Strategic island seating arrangement fosters easy conversation New built-ins fill arched openings, ensuring a custom, clutter-free look Replace wall cabinet with lighted open shelves for an airy feel Galley Dresser and Workstation offer impeccable organization and versatility, creating the perfect setup for entertaining with everything easily accessible. THE RENEWED SPACE The new kitchen exceeded every expectation, thrilling the clients with its revitalized, expansive design and thoughtful functionality. The transformation brought to life an open space adorned with marble accents, a state-of-the-art steam oven, and the seamless integration of the Galley Dresser, crafting a kitchen not just to be used, but to be cherished. This is more than a culinary space; it’s a new heart of their home, ready to host countless memories and culinary adventures. The Galley Sink dresser features many options neatly tucked away into a custom arrangement for ease of access while entertaining.

We designed under cabinet lighting to fit this kitchen. LED strip lights are below each upper cabinet and two puck lights above the stove top for efficient task lighting and an attractive light splash against the bead board. The paneled door to the dishwasher is a great asset to this kitchen; letting the cabinetry remain the focal point. -Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

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Chicagoland Home Products makes entertaining easier for this Chicagoland homeowner. Friends and family applaud this full wall built-in custom entertainment center. You will be able to take a few bows when you look beyond the local furniture store, collaborate with CHP and build exactly the custom storage solution you need to fit your space, instead of searching for something that never quite works with the area you have. CHP will incorporate your ideas, with their expertise, to deliver a custom built-in design that will debut on schedule and on budget. The star of this entertainment area is the large screen TV, recessed between nearly two dozen shelves and supported by a cast of drawers and doored cabinets. White, with shaker fronts, provides continuity for the face of this project. Large, square, brushed chrome handles keep everything clean across the entire wall. Crown and base moldings provide the bling for show time. Drawers are handy just below the monitor. Frosted glass inserts, below the recessed area, provide cool class to the whole design. Behind the scenes of this entertainment center are options for A/V equipment, receivers and accessories.

To maximize storage in this small space we retrofitted the drawers to go around the gas line. To have more counter top surface we stole a few inches from the adjacent room which made all the difference for this small kitchen!

The cabinetry was crafted to shape around the kitchen appliances, maximizing the available space for storage. The dark quartz counter tops and white oak cabinetry combined gives this kitchen a warm and modern atmosphere. - Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950’s. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the décor with a painting from my client’s father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Grey from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

This lovely family kitchen is bright and welcoming with the large window. The sunlight and the natural cherry cabinets and floors warm the entire kitchen. The hardware is oil rubbed brass and it adds a classic touch to the cabinetry. -Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

The creamy texture of the floor tile contrasts with the alder cabinets in the best way, drawing the eye directly to the cabinets with their oil rubbed brass hardware. The recycled beams add a rustic touch to the country theme and the homeowners love the fact that Caves Millwork crafted the cabinets to incorporate the beam while still providing maximum storage space. -Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

A small backyard and limited space preventing a home addition - this Studio Shed is the perfect solution for gaining the much needed extra room.
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A customized design pantry will divide and conquer space that is not used to its fullest potential. The space is maximized with our space-saving solutions. Adjustable shelves, pull-out drawers, baskets, rotating corner shelves help you save space and increase the visibility of your pantry.

CUSTOM DESIGNED AND BUILT BY BRIMCO BUILDERS 5500 SQ FT
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Natural light was used to enhance the quartz counter tops and create a cheerful atmosphere in this kitchen. A large peninsula dominates the kitchen and provides room for family members to sit and enjoy one another's company. - Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2013 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic living room remodel in New York

BC&J Architecture designed a floating home that is now located at its permanent location on the Willamette River in Portland. The home was constructed at a Marina an hour from the final home location. Upon completion, the home was floated up the Willamette River to the current site. The homeowners were looking for a river side, cottage style house well suited to entertaining. At 2,100 square feet, the home has an open floor plan with a large kitchen opening to a dining room and the living room with views onto the river. Upstairs, the master bedroom extends toward the river under a large centered dormer. On the opposite side of the master bedroom is a bonus room under a symmetrical dormer that will serve as guest quarters when adult children and grandchildren visit.