Search results for "Unnoticed" in Home Design Ideas

Our client had been living in her beautiful lakeside retreat for about 3 years. All around were stunning views of the lake and mountains, but the view from inside was minimal. It felt dark and closed off from the gorgeous waterfront mere feet away. She desired a bigger kitchen, natural light, and a contemporary look. Referred to JRP by a subcontractor our client walked into the showroom one day, took one look at the modern kitchen in our design center, and was inspired!
After talking about the frustrations of dark spaces and limitations when entertaining groups of friends, the homeowner and the JRP design team emerged with a new vision. Two walls between the living room and kitchen would be eliminated and structural revisions were needed for a common wall shared a wall with a neighbor. With the wall removals and the addition of multiple slider doors, the main level now has an open layout.
Everything in the home went from dark to luminous as sunlight could now bounce off white walls to illuminate both spaces. Our aim was to create a beautiful modern kitchen which fused the necessities of a functional space with the elegant form of the contemporary aesthetic. The kitchen playfully mixes frameless white upper with horizontal grain oak lower cabinets and a fun diagonal white tile backsplash. Gorgeous grey Cambria quartz with white veining meets them both in the middle. The large island with integrated barstool area makes it functional and a great entertaining space.
The master bedroom received a mini facelift as well. White never fails to give your bedroom a timeless look. The beautiful, bright marble shower shows what's possible when mixing tile shape, size, and color. The marble mosaic tiles in the shower pan are especially bold paired with black matte plumbing fixtures and gives the shower a striking visual.
Layers, light, consistent intention, and fun! - paired with beautiful, unique designs and a personal touch created this beautiful home that does not go unnoticed.
PROJECT DETAILS:
• Style: Contemporary
• Colors: Neutrals
• Countertops: Cambria Quartz, Luxury Series, Queen Anne
• Kitchen Cabinets: Slab, Overlay Frameless
Uppers: Blanco
Base: Horizontal Grain Oak
• Hardware/Plumbing Fixture Finish: Kitchen – Stainless Steel
• Lighting Fixtures:
• Flooring:
Hardwood: Siberian Oak with Fossil Stone finish
• Tile/Backsplash:
Kitchen Backsplash: White/Clear Glass
Master Bath Floor: Ann Sacks Benton Mosaics Marble
Master Bath Surround: Ann Sacks White Thassos Marble
Photographer: Andrew – Open House VC

During a showroom meeting with Lana Galloway, CKBR, UDCP, while preparing selections for their Downers Grove Kitchen remodel, their third project in six years, our clients received a startling phone message; there was water coming out from under the door into the hallway of their 15th floor Sandburg Village apartment. This was to be their refuge while their suburban Kitchen was removed!
The kitchen waste stack, located at the Kitchen sink, had backed up into the unit. The issue had gone unnoticed for several days while the water encompassed a large amount of the unit, causing wood floor, cabinets and drywall damage.
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Insurance claims were swiftly filed and soon Galloway began designing a second kitchen remodel. Our clients were so disgruntled, their first thought was to repair only enough to sell, but once the drawings and material selections began, there was a change of heart.
By removing the entry closet/book shelf, Galloway was able to enlarge the existing kitchen footprint. In the new design, the refrigerator was moved to the right of the buildings existing chase, the chase was then disguised with a false pantry door, the Peninsula seated area was repositioned, and the work aisle expanded with the additional cabinetry on the sink wall. The dark stained engineered flooring, installed to the strict codes of the building, creates a sleek back-drop for the contemporary cabinetry.
The beauty inside this unit now matches the glorious views of the city and our clients are now enjoying their two new LaMantia Kitchens.

This previously unnoticed half-bath/laundry room is now a stunner thanks to the Renovisions team. The overall idea was to create enough storage and organization for this busy household yet be beautifully distinctive for guests who use this space. This plan included a stackable washer and dryer center with shelf, clothes rod and pull-down drying rack which was a creative space saving solution to maximize use of the laundry closet. Renovisions re-used the existing entry door and built-out a pocket which not only makes the space feel larger and less cluttered but is easier to enter and exit. When the Renovision was completed and turned over to our client, she was absolutely thrilled with the results as indicated by her comment below. Gorgeous light blue/grey marble basket weave floor tile is a perfect match for the dark blue/grey painted finish of the furniture piece vanity with slotted shelf for towels and accessories. The sconce light fixtures in chrome finish adds a little sparkle to this clean and classy look. Beautiful marble-look quartz countertops tie in nicely and played a part in transforming this ordinary powder room into a high-functioning, beautiful part of the home that is comfortable, livable and well appointed.
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Our client had been living in her beautiful lakeside retreat for about 3 years. All around were stunning views of the lake and mountains, but the view from inside was minimal. It felt dark and closed off from the gorgeous waterfront mere feet away. She desired a bigger kitchen, natural light, and a contemporary look. Referred to JRP by a subcontractor our client walked into the showroom one day, took one look at the modern kitchen in our design center, and was inspired!
After talking about the frustrations of dark spaces and limitations when entertaining groups of friends, the homeowner and the JRP design team emerged with a new vision. Two walls between the living room and kitchen would be eliminated and structural revisions were needed for a common wall shared a wall with a neighbor. With the wall removals and the addition of multiple slider doors, the main level now has an open layout.
Everything in the home went from dark to luminous as sunlight could now bounce off white walls to illuminate both spaces. Our aim was to create a beautiful modern kitchen which fused the necessities of a functional space with the elegant form of the contemporary aesthetic. The kitchen playfully mixes frameless white upper with horizontal grain oak lower cabinets and a fun diagonal white tile backsplash. Gorgeous grey Cambria quartz with white veining meets them both in the middle. The large island with integrated barstool area makes it functional and a great entertaining space.
The master bedroom received a mini facelift as well. White never fails to give your bedroom a timeless look. The beautiful, bright marble shower shows what's possible when mixing tile shape, size, and color. The marble mosaic tiles in the shower pan are especially bold paired with black matte plumbing fixtures and gives the shower a striking visual.
Layers, light, consistent intention, and fun! - paired with beautiful, unique designs and a personal touch created this beautiful home that does not go unnoticed.
PROJECT DETAILS:
• Style: Contemporary
• Colors: Neutrals
• Countertops: Cambria Quartz, Luxury Series, Queen Anne
• Kitchen Cabinets: Slab, Overlay Frameless
Uppers: Blanco
Base: Horizontal Grain Oak
• Hardware/Plumbing Fixture Finish: Kitchen – Stainless Steel
• Lighting Fixtures:
• Flooring:
Hardwood: Siberian Oak with Fossil Stone finish
• Tile/Backsplash:
Kitchen Backsplash: White/Clear Glass
Master Bath Floor: Ann Sacks Benton Mosaics Marble
Master Bath Surround: Ann Sacks White Thassos Marble
Photographer: Andrew – Open House VC

Our client had been living in her beautiful lakeside retreat for about 3 years. All around were stunning views of the lake and mountains, but the view from inside was minimal. It felt dark and closed off from the gorgeous waterfront mere feet away. She desired a bigger kitchen, natural light, and a contemporary look. Referred to JRP by a subcontractor our client walked into the showroom one day, took one look at the modern kitchen in our design center, and was inspired!
After talking about the frustrations of dark spaces and limitations when entertaining groups of friends, the homeowner and the JRP design team emerged with a new vision. Two walls between the living room and kitchen would be eliminated and structural revisions were needed for a common wall shared a wall with a neighbor. With the wall removals and the addition of multiple slider doors, the main level now has an open layout.
Everything in the home went from dark to luminous as sunlight could now bounce off white walls to illuminate both spaces. Our aim was to create a beautiful modern kitchen which fused the necessities of a functional space with the elegant form of the contemporary aesthetic. The kitchen playfully mixes frameless white upper with horizontal grain oak lower cabinets and a fun diagonal white tile backsplash. Gorgeous grey Cambria quartz with white veining meets them both in the middle. The large island with integrated barstool area makes it functional and a great entertaining space.
The master bedroom received a mini facelift as well. White never fails to give your bedroom a timeless look. The beautiful, bright marble shower shows what's possible when mixing tile shape, size, and color. The marble mosaic tiles in the shower pan are especially bold paired with black matte plumbing fixtures and gives the shower a striking visual.
Layers, light, consistent intention, and fun! - paired with beautiful, unique designs and a personal touch created this beautiful home that does not go unnoticed.
PROJECT DETAILS:
• Style: Contemporary
• Colors: Neutrals
• Countertops: Cambria Quartz, Luxury Series, Queen Anne
• Kitchen Cabinets: Slab, Overlay Frameless
Uppers: Blanco
Base: Horizontal Grain Oak
• Hardware/Plumbing Fixture Finish: Kitchen – Stainless Steel
• Lighting Fixtures:
• Flooring:
Hardwood: Siberian Oak with Fossil Stone finish
• Tile/Backsplash:
Kitchen Backsplash: White/Clear Glass
Master Bath Floor: Ann Sacks Benton Mosaics Marble
Master Bath Surround: Ann Sacks White Thassos Marble
Photographer: Andrew – Open House VC

Modern Italian Bedroom Collection Bellagio by ALF. Featured with a supple shape of the headboard the Bellagio bed can no be unnoticed. The entire bedroom collection is made in a gorgeous Coffee Walnut High Gloss finish that creates warm and cozy environment in your interior. Casegoods of the Bellagio bedroom: nightstands, dresser, chest, vanity and wardrobes - are all decorated with metal profiles and circular handles that create an engaging geometric pattern. Spacious wardrobes in different configurations (3-, 4- and 6-door versions) complete the collection providing lots of storage space for all your needs.
Dimensions:
Queen Bed: W65" x D89" x H54"
King Bed: W81" x D89" x H54"
California King Bed: W81" x D95" x H54"
Nightstand: W26" x D20" x H21"
Dresser: W63" x D22" x H29"
Mirror: W42" x D1" x H42"
Chest: W32" x D20" x H53"
Vanity: W51" x D22" x H30"

The "Illusionist" kitchen is a 2nd place winner in the prestigious Subzero and Wolf kitchen design contest in the state of Ohio. This tremendous house, which is situated on the lake, boasts a main kitchen and a prep kitchen. Its name was generated from the complete invisibility of the main kitchen's working components, whereas all of the appliances were completely concealed to provide a seamless look allowing for an unconventional look that is streamlined yet completely functional. The goal of the homeowners in the design stages were to simplify a more conventional house layout. A more predictable formal dining room was eliminated creating a merge of the main kitchen with a central eating area. The combining of these two spaces helped to develop the concept that the kitchen was an 'illusion'; accessible when necessary but unnoticed in every other way so there was less of a feel of being in a kitchen and more of a sense of being in a gathering area for family and friends to enjoy. The main kitchen boasts three ovens, a 36" Subzero refrigerator and a 36" Subzero freezer, all of which are paneled with white glass, providing a perfect reflective surface for the lake in the backdrop. The island is dual purposed, housing a sink and a 36" induction Wolf cooktop on one side and providing seating for 10 in a custom built banquette. The light fixture above the custom glass and stainless steel table is the "Etoile" from Terzanni while the massive light fixture over the island is the "Sospesa" from Fabbian and boasts a 2" sheet of glass with inset halogen lighting that is nearly invisible suspended from the 10' ceiling that features a drop ceiling with cove lighting. The prep kitchen, which was the 'workhorse' for everyday use is also a fully functional space, featuring additional 36" Subzero refrigerator and freezer, a 36" oven, microwave, two prep sinks (one in the island and one to the left of the freezer) and a concealed barstool which pulls out from the island and 'disappears' when not in use. A built-in dog feeding station allows for conveniences for all family members of this modern household.

After living in this home for a decade, Crystal Lake residents Ken & Bonnie needed an update to their tired original kitchen to meet the needs of their busy family. Together with the expertise of designer Scott Christensen at Advance Design Studio they planned to completely reconfigure the entire space. They began by removing the restrictive peninsula and replaced it with a generous island designed to house an expansive farmhouse sink, convenient pull out trash receptacles, and a hidden dishwasher. Now there was ample room to add island seating to accommodate family gatherings, or for just “hanging out” with teenagers.
A dramatic new focal point was created with the design of an elegant range area featuring a beautiful custom wood mantle hood detailed with crushed glass handmade tile. Hidden storage houses every spice imaginable right at the cook’s fingertips. Double-stacked glass cabinetry emphasizes the impressive height of the room that was a wonderful architectural element that previously went unnoticed in the original kitchen.
The entire kitchen and breakfast nook was opened up to the 2 story family room by integrating enlarged arched openings. An outdated desk area was transformed into a beautiful breakfront bar with beverage refrigeration, glass display cabinets and plenty of new storage for entertainment pieces. An espresso nook was tucked neatly between tall cabinetry, and an old fashioned closet with shelves was converted into an efficient chef’s dream of organized custom pull out pantries.
“I am the leader of the Scott Christensen fan club,” says Bonnie. “With my busy family and a full time career, Scott made the process of designing this space so easy for me. He didn’t overwhelm me, but carefully determined what I liked and offered me two thoughtful solutions for just about everything - complete with his expert opinion that I really respected.”
Bright white Jay Rambo custom made maple cabinets are accented by Cambria quartz counter tops and simple subway tiles. Original hardwood floors were refinished and stained a darker shade, and stair risers and balusters were painted white to coordinate with the smart wainscot details throughout the first floor. The end effect is a cohesive first floor that flows together with grace and a level of elegance perfectly suitable for this stately Crystal Lake home.
Designer: Scott Christensen
Photographer: Joe Nowak

This couple has raised two children in their home of nearly 25 years. With their children off to college and work, their hall bathroom, only occasionally used by guests, went primarily unnoticed for several years. During COVID, one of their adult children moved back home, and they decided the space needed to be updated for their next phase of life.
The space generally worked okay for the family so they weren't interested in a significant overhaul. Instead, we focused on several small improvements to tailor the space to their needs. Primarily, they wanted an updated aesthetic. They are drawn to high-contrast contemporary interiors, and we used that as inspiration for this room. We also needed to focus on improving storage. The bathroom already had sufficient storage, but most of it was hard to access and underutilized. They wanted to incorporate double sinks, and we needed to modify the sunken bathtub to accommodate easily washing their grandchildren during visits.
The storage closet was unusually deep at nearly three feet, so we included a storage cabinet with large roll-out trays instead. We used the rest of the additional space to incorporate a concealed shower niche, perfect for family members to all have their own shelf.
We raised the tub to sit on top of the floor tile and selected a double swing door shower enclosure, which can be opened to provide clear access to the tub while bathing small children. We included a decorative shower niche with a bold geometric tile to add contrast to the space.
We opted for double sinks at the vanity with wall-mounted faucets and recessed medicine cabinets. Wide drawers and vanity pull-outs were incorporated into the base cabinetry, while large black wall sconces flank the medicine cabinets to create balance along the wall.
Two-tone metals are included throughout the space to emphasize the use of light and dark finishes. Deep charcoal large floor tiles juxtapose the light, horizontally veined wall tiles cladding the entire room. Similarly, light gray cabinets were paired with a suede-finished black countertop to round out the visually striking design.

The "Illusionist" kitchen is a 2nd place winner in the prestigious Subzero and Wolf kitchen design contest in the state of Ohio. This tremendous house, which is situated on the lake, boasts a main kitchen and a prep kitchen. Its name was generated from the complete invisibility of the main kitchen's working components, whereas all of the appliances were completely concealed to provide a seamless look allowing for an unconventional look that is streamlined yet completely functional. The goal of the homeowners in the design stages were to simplify a more conventional house layout. A more predictable formal dining room was eliminated creating a merge of the main kitchen with a central eating area. The combining of these two spaces helped to develop the concept that the kitchen was an 'illusion'; accessible when necessary but unnoticed in every other way so there was less of a feel of being in a kitchen and more of a sense of being in a gathering area for family and friends to enjoy. The main kitchen boasts three ovens, a 36" Subzero refrigerator and a 36" Subzero freezer, all of which are paneled with white glass, providing a perfect reflective surface for the lake in the backdrop. The island is dual purposed, housing a sink and a 36" induction Wolf cooktop on one side and providing seating for 10 in a custom built banquette. The light fixture above the custom glass and stainless steel table is the "Etoile" from Terzanni while the massive light fixture over the island is the "Sospesa" from Fabbian and boasts a 2" sheet of glass with inset halogen lighting that is nearly invisible suspended from the 10' ceiling that features a drop ceiling with cove lighting. The prep kitchen, which was the 'workhorse' for everyday use is also a fully functional space, featuring additional 36" Subzero refrigerator and freezer, a 36" oven, microwave, two prep sinks (one in the island and one to the left of the freezer) and a concealed barstool which pulls out from the island and 'disappears' when not in use. A built-in dog feeding station allows for conveniences for all family members of this modern household.

The "Illusionist" kitchen is a 2nd place winner in the prestigious Subzero and Wolf kitchen design contest in the state of Ohio. This tremendous house, which is situated on the lake, boasts a main kitchen and a prep kitchen. Its name was generated from the complete invisibility of the main kitchen's working components, whereas all of the appliances were completely concealed to provide a seamless look allowing for an unconventional look that is streamlined yet completely functional. The goal of the homeowners in the design stages were to simplify a more conventional house layout. A more predictable formal dining room was eliminated creating a merge of the main kitchen with a central eating area. The combining of these two spaces helped to develop the concept that the kitchen was an 'illusion'; accessible when necessary but unnoticed in every other way so there was less of a feel of being in a kitchen and more of a sense of being in a gathering area for family and friends to enjoy. The main kitchen boasts three ovens, a 36" Subzero refrigerator and a 36" Subzero freezer, all of which are paneled with white glass, providing a perfect reflective surface for the lake in the backdrop. The island is dual purposed, housing a sink and a 36" induction Wolf cooktop on one side and providing seating for 10 in a custom built banquette. The light fixture above the custom glass and stainless steel table is the "Etoile" from Terzanni while the massive light fixture over the island is the "Sospesa" from Fabbian and boasts a 2" sheet of glass with inset halogen lighting that is nearly invisible suspended from the 10' ceiling that features a drop ceiling with cove lighting. The prep kitchen, which was the 'workhorse' for everyday use is also a fully functional space, featuring additional 36" Subzero refrigerator and freezer, a 36" oven, microwave, two prep sinks (one in the island and one to the left of the freezer) and a concealed barstool which pulls out from the island and 'disappears' when not in use. A built-in dog feeding station allows for conveniences for all family members of this modern household.

The "Illusionist" kitchen is a 2nd place winner in the prestigious Subzero and Wolf kitchen design contest in the state of Ohio. This tremendous house, which is situated on the lake, boasts a main kitchen and a prep kitchen. Its name was generated from the complete invisibility of the main kitchen's working components, whereas all of the appliances were completely concealed to provide a seamless look allowing for an unconventional look that is streamlined yet completely functional. The goal of the homeowners in the design stages were to simplify a more conventional house layout. A more predictable formal dining room was eliminated creating a merge of the main kitchen with a central eating area. The combining of these two spaces helped to develop the concept that the kitchen was an 'illusion'; accessible when necessary but unnoticed in every other way so there was less of a feel of being in a kitchen and more of a sense of being in a gathering area for family and friends to enjoy. The main kitchen boasts three ovens, a 36" Subzero refrigerator and a 36" Subzero freezer, all of which are paneled with white glass, providing a perfect reflective surface for the lake in the backdrop. The island is dual purposed, housing a sink and a 36" induction Wolf cooktop on one side and providing seating for 10 in a custom built banquette. The light fixture above the custom glass and stainless steel table is the "Etoile" from Terzanni while the massive light fixture over the island is the "Sospesa" from Fabbian and boasts a 2" sheet of glass with inset halogen lighting that is nearly invisible suspended from the 10' ceiling that features a drop ceiling with cove lighting. The prep kitchen, which was the 'workhorse' for everyday use is also a fully functional space, featuring additional 36" Subzero refrigerator and freezer, a 36" oven, microwave, two prep sinks (one in the island and one to the left of the freezer) and a concealed barstool which pulls out from the island and 'disappears' when not in use. A built-in dog feeding station allows for conveniences for all family members of this modern household.

Our client had been living in her beautiful lakeside retreat for about 3 years. All around were stunning views of the lake and mountains, but the view from inside was minimal. It felt dark and closed off from the gorgeous waterfront mere feet away. She desired a bigger kitchen, natural light, and a contemporary look. Referred to JRP by a subcontractor our client walked into the showroom one day, took one look at the modern kitchen in our design center, and was inspired!
After talking about the frustrations of dark spaces and limitations when entertaining groups of friends, the homeowner and the JRP design team emerged with a new vision. Two walls between the living room and kitchen would be eliminated and structural revisions were needed for a common wall shared a wall with a neighbor. With the wall removals and the addition of multiple slider doors, the main level now has an open layout.
Everything in the home went from dark to luminous as sunlight could now bounce off white walls to illuminate both spaces. Our aim was to create a beautiful modern kitchen which fused the necessities of a functional space with the elegant form of the contemporary aesthetic. The kitchen playfully mixes frameless white upper with horizontal grain oak lower cabinets and a fun diagonal white tile backsplash. Gorgeous grey Cambria quartz with white veining meets them both in the middle. The large island with integrated barstool area makes it functional and a great entertaining space.
The master bedroom received a mini facelift as well. White never fails to give your bedroom a timeless look. The beautiful, bright marble shower shows what's possible when mixing tile shape, size, and color. The marble mosaic tiles in the shower pan are especially bold paired with black matte plumbing fixtures and gives the shower a striking visual.
Layers, light, consistent intention, and fun! - paired with beautiful, unique designs and a personal touch created this beautiful home that does not go unnoticed.
PROJECT DETAILS:
• Style: Contemporary
• Colors: Neutrals
• Countertops: Cambria Quartz, Luxury Series, Queen Anne
• Kitchen Cabinets: Slab, Overlay Frameless
Uppers: Blanco
Base: Horizontal Grain Oak
• Hardware/Plumbing Fixture Finish: Kitchen – Stainless Steel
• Lighting Fixtures:
• Flooring:
Hardwood: Siberian Oak with Fossil Stone finish
• Tile/Backsplash:
Kitchen Backsplash: White/Clear Glass
Master Bath Floor: Ann Sacks Benton Mosaics Marble
Master Bath Surround: Ann Sacks White Thassos Marble
Photographer: Andrew – Open House VC

Our client had been living in her beautiful lakeside retreat for about 3 years. All around were stunning views of the lake and mountains, but the view from inside was minimal. It felt dark and closed off from the gorgeous waterfront mere feet away. She desired a bigger kitchen, natural light, and a contemporary look. Referred to JRP by a subcontractor our client walked into the showroom one day, took one look at the modern kitchen in our design center, and was inspired!
After talking about the frustrations of dark spaces and limitations when entertaining groups of friends, the homeowner and the JRP design team emerged with a new vision. Two walls between the living room and kitchen would be eliminated and structural revisions were needed for a common wall shared a wall with a neighbor. With the wall removals and the addition of multiple slider doors, the main level now has an open layout.
Everything in the home went from dark to luminous as sunlight could now bounce off white walls to illuminate both spaces. Our aim was to create a beautiful modern kitchen which fused the necessities of a functional space with the elegant form of the contemporary aesthetic. The kitchen playfully mixes frameless white upper with horizontal grain oak lower cabinets and a fun diagonal white tile backsplash. Gorgeous grey Cambria quartz with white veining meets them both in the middle. The large island with integrated barstool area makes it functional and a great entertaining space.
The master bedroom received a mini facelift as well. White never fails to give your bedroom a timeless look. The beautiful, bright marble shower shows what's possible when mixing tile shape, size, and color. The marble mosaic tiles in the shower pan are especially bold paired with black matte plumbing fixtures and gives the shower a striking visual.
Layers, light, consistent intention, and fun! - paired with beautiful, unique designs and a personal touch created this beautiful home that does not go unnoticed.
PROJECT DETAILS:
• Style: Contemporary
• Colors: Neutrals
• Countertops: Cambria Quartz, Luxury Series, Queen Anne
• Kitchen Cabinets: Slab, Overlay Frameless
Uppers: Blanco
Base: Horizontal Grain Oak
• Hardware/Plumbing Fixture Finish: Kitchen – Stainless Steel
• Lighting Fixtures:
• Flooring:
Hardwood: Siberian Oak with Fossil Stone finish
• Tile/Backsplash:
Kitchen Backsplash: White/Clear Glass
Master Bath Floor: Ann Sacks Benton Mosaics Marble
Master Bath Surround: Ann Sacks White Thassos Marble
Photographer: Andrew – Open House VC

The "Illusionist" kitchen is a 2nd place winner in the prestigious Subzero and Wolf kitchen design contest in the state of Ohio. This tremendous house, which is situated on the lake, boasts a main kitchen and a prep kitchen. Its name was generated from the complete invisibility of the main kitchen's working components, whereas all of the appliances were completely concealed to provide a seamless look allowing for an unconventional look that is streamlined yet completely functional. The goal of the homeowners in the design stages were to simplify a more conventional house layout. A more predictable formal dining room was eliminated creating a merge of the main kitchen with a central eating area. The combining of these two spaces helped to develop the concept that the kitchen was an 'illusion'; accessible when necessary but unnoticed in every other way so there was less of a feel of being in a kitchen and more of a sense of being in a gathering area for family and friends to enjoy. The main kitchen boasts three ovens, a 36" Subzero refrigerator and a 36" Subzero freezer, all of which are paneled with white glass, providing a perfect reflective surface for the lake in the backdrop. The island is dual purposed, housing a sink and a 36" induction Wolf cooktop on one side and providing seating for 10 in a custom built banquette. The light fixture above the custom glass and stainless steel table is the "Etoile" from Terzanni while the massive light fixture over the island is the "Sospesa" from Fabbian and boasts a 2" sheet of glass with inset halogen lighting that is nearly invisible suspended from the 10' ceiling that features a drop ceiling with cove lighting. The prep kitchen, which was the 'workhorse' for everyday use is also a fully functional space, featuring additional 36" Subzero refrigerator and freezer, a 36" oven, microwave, two prep sinks (one in the island and one to the left of the freezer) and a concealed barstool which pulls out from the island and 'disappears' when not in use. A built-in dog feeding station allows for conveniences for all family members of this modern household.

After living in this home for a decade, Crystal Lake residents Ken & Bonnie needed an update to their tired original kitchen to meet the needs of their busy family. Together with the expertise of designer Scott Christensen at Advance Design Studio they planned to completely reconfigure the entire space. They began by removing the restrictive peninsula and replaced it with a generous island designed to house an expansive farmhouse sink, convenient pull out trash receptacles, and a hidden dishwasher. Now there was ample room to add island seating to accommodate family gatherings, or for just “hanging out” with teenagers.
A dramatic new focal point was created with the design of an elegant range area featuring a beautiful custom wood mantle hood detailed with crushed glass handmade tile. Hidden storage houses every spice imaginable right at the cook’s fingertips. Double-stacked glass cabinetry emphasizes the impressive height of the room that was a wonderful architectural element that previously went unnoticed in the original kitchen.
The entire kitchen and breakfast nook was opened up to the 2 story family room by integrating enlarged arched openings. An outdated desk area was transformed into a beautiful breakfront bar with beverage refrigeration, glass display cabinets and plenty of new storage for entertainment pieces. An espresso nook was tucked neatly between tall cabinetry, and an old fashioned closet with shelves was converted into an efficient chef’s dream of organized custom pull out pantries.
“I am the leader of the Scott Christensen fan club,” says Bonnie. “With my busy family and a full time career, Scott made the process of designing this space so easy for me. He didn’t overwhelm me, but carefully determined what I liked and offered me two thoughtful solutions for just about everything - complete with his expert opinion that I really respected.”
Bright white Jay Rambo custom made maple cabinets are accented by Cambria quartz counter tops and simple subway tiles. Original hardwood floors were refinished and stained a darker shade, and stair risers and balusters were painted white to coordinate with the smart wainscot details throughout the first floor. The end effect is a cohesive first floor that flows together with grace and a level of elegance perfectly suitable for this stately Crystal Lake home.
Designer: Scott Christensen
Photographer: Joe Nowak

The "Illusionist" kitchen is a 2nd place winner in the prestigious Subzero and Wolf kitchen design contest in the state of Ohio. This tremendous house, which is situated on the lake, boasts a main kitchen and a prep kitchen. Its name was generated from the complete invisibility of the main kitchen's working components, whereas all of the appliances were completely concealed to provide a seamless look allowing for an unconventional look that is streamlined yet completely functional. The goal of the homeowners in the design stages were to simplify a more conventional house layout. A more predictable formal dining room was eliminated creating a merge of the main kitchen with a central eating area. The combining of these two spaces helped to develop the concept that the kitchen was an 'illusion'; accessible when necessary but unnoticed in every other way so there was less of a feel of being in a kitchen and more of a sense of being in a gathering area for family and friends to enjoy. The main kitchen boasts three ovens, a 36" Subzero refrigerator and a 36" Subzero freezer, all of which are paneled with white glass, providing a perfect reflective surface for the lake in the backdrop. The island is dual purposed, housing a sink and a 36" induction Wolf cooktop on one side and providing seating for 10 in a custom built banquette. The light fixture above the custom glass and stainless steel table is the "Etoile" from Terzanni while the massive light fixture over the island is the "Sospesa" from Fabbian and boasts a 2" sheet of glass with inset halogen lighting that is nearly invisible suspended from the 10' ceiling that features a drop ceiling with cove lighting. The prep kitchen, which was the 'workhorse' for everyday use is also a fully functional space, featuring additional 36" Subzero refrigerator and freezer, a 36" oven, microwave, two prep sinks (one in the island and one to the left of the freezer) and a concealed barstool which pulls out from the island and 'disappears' when not in use. A built-in dog feeding station allows for conveniences for all family members of this modern household.
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