Design the Perfect Kitchen

Client Profile:

Vicky and Andrew Richmond recently purchased their first home: the top floor of a 3 Flat in North Chicago. Vicky likes the neighborhood feel and the easy walk to the El, which is how she commutes to her Marketing job. Andrew bikes to his photography studio when weather permits. They’re remodeling their 3-bedroom flat and have put a large portion of their budget into the structure of the building, closing windows that looked onto brick walls and adding clerestory windows for light. They also added a back deck so they can barbeque when the weather is good.

The Challenge:

Keeping budget in mind, The Richmonds wanted this remodel to be timeless, not trendy. They wanted the materials to be compatible with the age of the flat so it would feel like they’ve been there forever, and they prefer clean lines. They make some weekday meals at home together and enjoy experimenting with “take-out fusion,” the practice of combining leftovers from favorite restaurants and adding new ingredients. A kitchen with lots of workspace that could also be used as a gathering place for family and friends was a must.

The Solution:

A combination of traditional materials with the clean streamlined lines of Bosch appliances gives the Richmond kitchen the perfect modern feel that will stand the test of time. The soft off-white perimeter cabinets keep the feel light and are a great companion for the dark cherry island and banquette cabinets. The brushed nickel handles and pyramid knobs make a beautiful statement on both the off-white and cherry cabinets and give a nod to the Mission Period. A simple, oversized fabric light fixture is a clean contemporary complement to the rectangular island.

_{• All homeowners appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.}

The stainless steel gives more traditional material choices an edge, and the Bosch appliances’ clean lines quietly support the design. The 30" cooking center answers every need with 5 gas burners, a microwave that ventilates, a European convection oven and a warming drawer. It’s a lot of capability in a small footprint.

When working with a small space, consolidate functions into one appliance when possible. Having a warming drawer included in the dual fuel slide-in range is a great example of a multi-tasking appliance.

Turning wall depth cabinets to the side of an island counter adds visual interest to the island and provides convenient dish and glass storage near the dishwasher.

Eating areas on the same level as the work surface allow large counters for production cooking (like holiday cookies) and a great place for laying out a buffet.

Stainless steel appliances are the perfect counterpart to traditional materials, giving the overall design a clean, modern accent.

To achieve a truly modern look, combine elegant traditional materials with clean contemporary styling. Using a delicate-looking motion granite with a clean square-mitered edge and combining it with a geometric stone tile splash combines the best of traditional and contemporary. Using formal finishes on cabinetry but flattening the profile and squaring the edge detail is another great way to transition.