Richly layered in design, this Chicago Bungalow kitchen was designed by Fred M. Alsen of fma Design; he outwits trends via timeless design. In order to achieve the flexibility & harmony of today & yesterday in this kitchen, the award winning veteran designer had to acknowledge this was a design which would thrive on restrictions. Yet, he conspired with time and materials; and livable luxury unfolded. Lucky, lucky kitchen. Designer: Fred M Alsen | fma Interior Design | Chicago Custom cabinetry by Greenfield Cabinetry Mike Kaskel Photos

Featuring a fresh view of the new pantry wall, kitchen table, and food preparation area. The pantry wall provides much needed storage and a convenient staging area for storing groceries. The custom 36" x 48" table and chairs was created when the homeowner couldn't find an appropriate size and style to complement the cabinetry This view of the kitchen featuring the rich old fashioned tones of the custom alder cabinetry with frameless full overlay doors in a shaker split door style and balanced by the Geriba Beach granite with a full backsplash. The countertop is one of the focal points of the kitchen. The countertop selected was Geriba Beach Granite which is Brazilian granite noted for its 'great movement'. It is an ivory colored granite with very rich random patterns of burnt amber which complements the wood tones of the cabinetry. It features crystals that display an opalescent quality providing the granite a three dimensional character that, according to the homeowner, 'sparkle' when highlighted. A full height backsplash was cut from the same slab as the countertop and provides continuity and visual appeal. To avoid dark surfaces, eight 6" recessed dimmable lights were strategically located for perimeter task lighting, and either SNL LED under cabinet lights were used as well. Shaw Medin 18" square porcelain floor tile in a lighter tone helps create the illusion of a larger space with less grout joints.

This kitchen, all in white, conveys a sense of timeless elegance, homely warmth and perfect craftsmanship. The focus is on the finely structured wood which is used in a number of different ways: as a delicate solid wood edge, in the varied interior fittings and as a top quality wall panel which acts as a flowing transition to the living area.

This kitchen, all in white, conveys a sense of timeless elegance, homely warmth and perfect craftsmanship. The focus is on the finely structured wood which is used in a number of different ways: as a delicate solid wood edge, in the varied interior fittings and as a top quality wall panel which acts as a flowing transition to the living area.

The large and luxurious farmhouse kitchen is a masterpiece of construction, featuring an expansive space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The kitchen boasts an array of high-end appliances, including a professional-grade stove and oven, a large refrigerator, and a dishwasher. The countertops are made of durable and elegant quartz, which provides ample workspace for meal preparation and entertaining. The cabinetry is crafted from the finest materials, with intricate detailing and a rich, warm finish that perfectly complements the farmhouse aesthetic. The kitchen also includes a spacious island, which provides additional storage and workspace. Large windows allow natural light to flood the space, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Overall, this farmhouse kitchen is a true masterpiece of construction and design, offering the perfect blend of style and functionality.

Taking good care of this home and taking time to customize it to their family, the owners have completed four remodel projects with Castle. The 2nd floor addition was completed in 2006, which expanded the home in back, where there was previously only a 1st floor porch. Now, after this remodel, the sunroom is open to the rest of the home and can be used in all four seasons. On the 2nd floor, the home’s footprint greatly expanded from a tight attic space into 4 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. The kitchen remodel, which took place in 2013, reworked the floorplan in small, but dramatic ways. The doorway between the kitchen and front entry was widened and moved to allow for better flow, more countertop space, and a continuous wall for appliances to be more accessible. A more functional kitchen now offers ample workspace and cabinet storage, along with a built-in breakfast nook countertop. All new stainless steel LG and Bosch appliances were ordered from Warners’ Stellian. Another remodel in 2016 converted a closet into a wet bar allows for better hosting in the dining room. In 2018, after this family had already added a 2nd story addition, remodeled their kitchen, and converted the dining room closet into a wet bar, they decided it was time to remodel their basement. Finishing a portion of the basement to make a living room and giving the home an additional bathroom allows for the family and guests to have more personal space. With every project, solid oak woodwork has been installed, classic countertops and traditional tile selected, and glass knobs used. Where the finished basement area meets the utility room, Castle designed a barn door, so the cat will never be locked out of its litter box. The 3/4 bathroom is spacious and bright. The new shower floor features a unique pebble mosaic tile from Ceramic Tileworks. Bathroom sconces from Creative Lighting add a contemporary touch. Overall, this home is suited not only to the home’s original character; it is also suited to house the owners’ family for a lifetime. This home will be featured on the 2019 Castle Home Tour, September 28 – 29th. Showcased projects include their kitchen, wet bar, and basement. Not on tour is a second-floor addition including a master suite.

The family wanted lots of storage, but limited use of floating shelves around the window provides visual interest whilst making the most of the lake view. The “Calacatta Gold” quartz on the island was also used on the backsplash, which rises to the top floating shelf for a clean, beautiful look.

A major challenge of this Bloomfield Hills kitchen renovation was to rethink its spatial layout to create a more functional dining and entertaining area. The homeowners also wanted a warm, inviting space filled with natural light, unique design elements and a cohesive flow that honored the character of the home. Adjusting the depth of the perimeter Inspira Cabinetry Concordia cabinets made room for a perfectly sized island that provides seating without overwhelming the space, notes the designer. Modifying walls and windows, including removing a small window by the buffet that allows the inclusion of statement cabinetry, lets more natural light flow into the space. Incorporating glass doors into the buffet gives it a China cabinet-inspired look. Along the perimeter, a Blanco PRECIS low-divide Silgranit sink is paired with a Moen Align pull-down faucet below the sink, with Bosch dishwasher close at hand. A 36″ Dual-Fuel Professional Range from Monogram is topped with a custom range hood with Zephyr liner. Flash Series ceramic wall tile from Arizona Tile covers the walls, adding light and shine. A Monogram refrigerator and freezer, as well as Presrv refrigerator drawers from Zephyr and GE Profile microwave oven are also featured. One standout feature of the previous kitchen was a brick wall with a fireplace, which the designer knew she wanted to keep. As a complement, existing ceiling beams were wrapped with natural wood, which adds warmth and continuity to the space. Playing with a mix of black, gold and creamy tones ensures a balance of bold accents and soft neutrals while replacing the original slate floor tiles with large wood planks offers a better connection to the kitchen’s new design vision.

Brand new, modern duplex in Inwood Park! This 2 story home is connected by a beautiful metal staircase with open risers, superior interior finishes, smooth walls, and large rooms with big windows for tons of light! Entertain in your kitchen featuring Bosch freestanding gas range, Bosch counter depth fridge, and a quartz island with waterfall edges. Upstairs, in your master suite you can find a huge bathroom with a large shower for 2, wall hung toilet, and the biggest closet with LEDs throughout! This home has 1 flex room which can be used as a home office, workout room, or movie room. Enter your backyard through 16 foot sliding glass doors to green turf and an amazing color changing pool! Located just minutes from Lemmon, Inwood, Mockingbird and Lovers. Welcome to your new home!

This kitchen embodies a bright and timeless elegance, combining high-quality materials and thoughtful details for a harmonious aesthetic. Dura Supreme white painted cabinets provide a clean and refined foundation, paired with Richelieu cabinet hardware in brushed nickel for a subtle yet polished accent. The countertops feature White Valley Granite, bringing natural beauty and texture to the space. A marble tile backsplash in a brick pattern adds a classic touch, complementing the cabinetry and countertops seamlessly. Benjamin Moore paint colors—Bleeker Beige and Swiss Coffee—enhance the overall warmth and brightness of the design. Top-tier appliances include a Wolf gas range, Bosch panel-ready refrigerator, and Miele speed oven, ensuring both functionality and a streamlined appearance. The Rohl single bowl fireclay sink and Grohe faucet offer durability and sophistication, blending practicality with style. The design is completed by engineered hardwood flooring, which adds warmth and durability, tying together the space with an inviting and cohesive look.

The kitchen was designed to incorporate the natural light from the large windows so there are very few upper cabinets. However, the island adds a lot of storage as well as a pantry to the right of the island. The appliances are all Bosch with a self-retracting downdraft ventilation system and a remote blower installed away from the kitchen to limit the amount of noise during operation.

This kitchen, all in white, conveys a sense of timeless elegance, homely warmth and perfect craftsmanship. The focus is on the finely structured wood which is used in a number of different ways: as a delicate solid wood edge, in the varied interior fittings and as a top quality wall panel which acts as a flowing transition to the living area.

This kitchen, all in white, conveys a sense of timeless elegance, homely warmth and perfect craftsmanship. The focus is on the finely structured wood which is used in a number of different ways: as a delicate solid wood edge, in the varied interior fittings and as a top quality wall panel which acts as a flowing transition to the living area.

Brand new, modern duplex in Inwood Park! This 2 story home is connected by a beautiful metal staircase with open risers, superior interior finishes, smooth walls, and large rooms with big windows for tons of light! Entertain in your kitchen featuring Bosch freestanding gas range, Bosch counter depth fridge, and a quartz island with waterfall edges. Upstairs, in your master suite you can find a huge bathroom with a large shower for 2, wall hung toilet, and the biggest closet with LEDs throughout! This home has 1 flex room which can be used as a home office, workout room, or movie room. Enter your backyard through 16 foot sliding glass doors to green turf and an amazing color changing pool! Located just minutes from Lemmon, Inwood, Mockingbird and Lovers. Welcome to your new home!

The large and luxurious farmhouse kitchen is a masterpiece of construction, featuring an expansive space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The kitchen boasts an array of high-end appliances, including a professional-grade stove and oven, a large refrigerator, and a dishwasher. The countertops are made of durable and elegant quartz, which provides ample workspace for meal preparation and entertaining. The cabinetry is crafted from the finest materials, with intricate detailing and a rich, warm finish that perfectly complements the farmhouse aesthetic. The kitchen also includes a spacious island, which provides additional storage and workspace. Large windows allow natural light to flood the space, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Overall, this farmhouse kitchen is a true masterpiece of construction and design, offering the perfect blend of style and functionality.

For this project, the entire kitchen was designed around the “must-have” Lacanche range in the stunning French Blue with brass trim. That was the client’s dream and everything had to be built to complement it. Bilotta senior designer, Randy O’Kane, CKD worked with Paul Benowitz and Dipti Shah of Benowitz Shah Architects to contemporize the kitchen while staying true to the original house which was designed in 1928 by regionally noted architect Franklin P. Hammond. The clients purchased the home over two years ago from the original owner. While the house has a magnificent architectural presence from the street, the basic systems, appointments, and most importantly, the layout and flow were inappropriately suited to contemporary living. The new plan removed an outdated screened porch at the rear which was replaced with the new family room and moved the kitchen from a dark corner in the front of the house to the center. The visual connection from the kitchen through the family room is dramatic and gives direct access to the rear yard and patio. It was important that the island separating the kitchen from the family room have ample space to the left and right to facilitate traffic patterns, and interaction among family members. Hence vertical kitchen elements were placed primarily on existing interior walls. The cabinetry used was Bilotta’s private label, the Bilotta Collection – they selected beautiful, dramatic, yet subdued finishes for the meticulously handcrafted cabinetry. The double islands allow for the busy family to have a space for everything – the island closer to the range has seating and makes a perfect space for doing homework or crafts, or having breakfast or snacks. The second island has ample space for storage and books and acts as a staging area from the kitchen to the dinner table. The kitchen perimeter and both islands are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Paper White. The wall cabinets flanking the sink have wire mesh fronts in a statuary bronze – the insides of these cabinets are painted blue to match the range. The breakfast room cabinetry is Benjamin Moore’s Lampblack with the interiors of the glass cabinets painted in Paper White to match the kitchen. All countertops are Vermont White Quartzite from Eastern Stone. The backsplash is Artistic Tile’s Kyoto White and Kyoto Steel. The fireclay apron-front main sink is from Rohl while the smaller prep sink is from Linkasink. All faucets are from Waterstone in their antique pewter finish. The brass hardware is from Armac Martin and the pendants above the center island are from Circa Lighting. The appliances, aside from the range, are a mix of Sub-Zero, Thermador and Bosch with panels on everything.

This kitchen, all in white, conveys a sense of timeless elegance, homely warmth and perfect craftsmanship. The focus is on the finely structured wood which is used in a number of different ways: as a delicate solid wood edge, in the varied interior fittings and as a top quality wall panel which acts as a flowing transition to the living area.

The large and luxurious farmhouse kitchen is a masterpiece of construction, featuring an expansive space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The kitchen boasts an array of high-end appliances, including a professional-grade stove and oven, a large refrigerator, and a dishwasher. The countertops are made of durable and elegant quartz, which provides ample workspace for meal preparation and entertaining. The cabinetry is crafted from the finest materials, with intricate detailing and a rich, warm finish that perfectly complements the farmhouse aesthetic. The kitchen also includes a spacious island, which provides additional storage and workspace. Large windows allow natural light to flood the space, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Overall, this farmhouse kitchen is a true masterpiece of construction and design, offering the perfect blend of style and functionality.

Taking good care of this home and taking time to customize it to their family, the owners have completed four remodel projects with Castle. The 2nd floor addition was completed in 2006, which expanded the home in back, where there was previously only a 1st floor porch. Now, after this remodel, the sunroom is open to the rest of the home and can be used in all four seasons. On the 2nd floor, the home’s footprint greatly expanded from a tight attic space into 4 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. The kitchen remodel, which took place in 2013, reworked the floorplan in small, but dramatic ways. The doorway between the kitchen and front entry was widened and moved to allow for better flow, more countertop space, and a continuous wall for appliances to be more accessible. A more functional kitchen now offers ample workspace and cabinet storage, along with a built-in breakfast nook countertop. All new stainless steel LG and Bosch appliances were ordered from Warners’ Stellian. Another remodel in 2016 converted a closet into a wet bar allows for better hosting in the dining room. In 2018, after this family had already added a 2nd story addition, remodeled their kitchen, and converted the dining room closet into a wet bar, they decided it was time to remodel their basement. Finishing a portion of the basement to make a living room and giving the home an additional bathroom allows for the family and guests to have more personal space. With every project, solid oak woodwork has been installed, classic countertops and traditional tile selected, and glass knobs used. Where the finished basement area meets the utility room, Castle designed a barn door, so the cat will never be locked out of its litter box. The 3/4 bathroom is spacious and bright. The new shower floor features a unique pebble mosaic tile from Ceramic Tileworks. Bathroom sconces from Creative Lighting add a contemporary touch. Overall, this home is suited not only to the home’s original character; it is also suited to house the owners’ family for a lifetime. This home will be featured on the 2019 Castle Home Tour, September 28 – 29th. Showcased projects include their kitchen, wet bar, and basement. Not on tour is a second-floor addition including a master suite.