We LOVE Built-Ins

Built-ins are a great way to capture unused space to create fun, extra storage throughout your home.  Check out this creative way of utilizing the space beneath your stairs:

The beauty of custom-built built-ins is that, well, they can be customized to fit with exactly how you use a room. Notice the ribbon and paper holders to the left of this picture. Love it!                   

A custom-built wall unit around a flat panel TV creates an entire wall as a focal point and not just the TV.

A mud room doesn't have to look muddy. I love everything about this mud room set up - the cubbies, the benchseat/cabinet combo, the hooks, the shelf, the mirrow, the pendant light, the wall pockets - everything!!!

Bench seating and bookshelves are the best! Such an ingenuous idea over just being up against a blank wall.

Perfect built-in cabinet for oils and spices!

These built-ins are a perfect way to customize your office space.  I love the smaller shelf above the windows and the wallpaper at the back of the shelves.  The use of color in this space along with texture (the top shelf baskets and the bamboo shades for one example) really pulls this office space together.

Scroll to Top

A Kitchen Facelift that Looks Like a Brand New Kitchen

One of our latest projects was a kitchen/family room facelift that with a few changes, made the whole project look like a completely brand new space.
 

BEFORE:  As you can see, the sliding door opened right up into the fireplace area.  We replaced that door with a double-hung window and put a door going out to the deck and gazebo in the center of the bay window instead.  The tile floors were replaced with hardwood flooring and the kitchen peninsula was removed to create a more open traffic pattern.

AFTER:  A new, beautiful island was installed with pendant lighting above it, opening up the flow of the room.  Notice the new window by the fireplace, creating a space that the homeowner can now create a cozy, comfortable seating area in.

BEFORE

AFTER:  New countertops and a newer model ceiling fan along with pendant lights above the island complete the look of this kitchen, making it look completely brand new.  The existing cabinets are over 10 years old and you would NEVER know it.  Notice how lovely the new flooring looks too.

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

AFTER:  Notice the correct distance between the island and the the wall cabinetry.  Using a contractor who is aware of proper clearances and keeping the working triangle intact is imperative when doing a kitchen remodel!  Also notice how well the new island cabinetry blends with the existing cabinetry.  You would never know there is a more than 10 year difference in the age of the cabinets.  A testimony to using cabinetry from a reputable manufacturer and dealer.

The Not So Big House Comes to Libertyville

It's been a busy fall with full-time school being a huge focus of my time. During the semester, we were invited to a field trip to visit Sarah Susanka's Not So Big House contribution to the new School Street Subdivision that is being built in Libertyville, Illinois.  Being that we are huge fans of Sarah's and model our own business after her concepts, we were so excited that one of her homes was being built in our area and that we were given this opportunity to enjoy a private tour. 

The idea of the School Street Subdivision is to have an urban feel to it with the homes being narrow and taking up most of the lot space. The homes feature a large front porch to encourage getting to know the neighbors in your community. The development is right in the downtown area of Libertyville, close to the train station, to encourage a lot of walking and public transportation use. Very cool concept and development.

The following are pictures of our trip to visit the home. Notice that a signature design feature of Sarah's is to use differing ceiling heights in an open floor plan to differentiate the spaces throughout the home. She also likes to use different paint colors to add interest and drama (don't be afraid to use color!) along with using the same trim throughout the home to connect the rooms.

The third floor as seen here contains a secret get away loft space accessible via a hidden door and ships ladder. This room can also double as a meditation room or a writers/artist studio

Sarah was previously invited by Marvin Windows to design a signature window.  How cool is it that she then included that window in the design of her School Street Home?

Reproduction lighting in the stairwell. The combination of natural and artificial lighting bouncing around through the stairwell create a "daylight shaft" to brighten the back of the house.

The modest-sized kitchen has many unique design features that make a small space a fun and interesting space to spend time in.  Beautiful lighting and tile work along with an eating area with a bench seat complete the Not So Big look and feel of the room.

In this sitting room, a Murphy bed is installed to accommodate visitors. The sofa is part of the bed and doesn't need to be moved to a different place.

Taking space out of the walls to create multiple built-ins is another intelligent and interesting design feature.

With the house taking up most of the lot space, an outdoor living and gardening area has been created on the rooftop in the back of the house.  Notice the recreation of Sarah's signature window as a design feature at the end of the outdoor space.

We hope you found the tour interesting and that you gain some inspiration from the pictures for a project you may want to do in your own home.  As you will see if you visit the School Street Subdivision website, you too can visit and tour her house through May 19th of this year. We hope that you do!

Diary of a Dream Kitchen

A customer came to us with the desire to create their dream kitchen.  They specifically wanted someone who could think outside the box and not just give them a cookie-cutter space.  A dream kitchen can mean many different things to many people.  For some it's a kitchen made for serious meal preparation.  For some it's a place to entertain the masses.  And, for this customer, their dream was to make their kitchen much more efficient, including incorporating an area of the current kitchen that in its original life was meant to host a breakfast table, but wasn't being utilized much by the customer.

In the design process it was decided that we would move the main sink from its current location to the under-utilized breakfast area at the front of the house. This area would also now include a 7' wide, triple-casement window allowing for the customer to enjoy the new view out to her beautiful gardens of native plantings. The moving of the main sink will allow for a prep sink to be installed near the old main sink area.



In the initial meeting with the customer, they came up with a wish list and you can see how we tackled each item:

• A lot of drawer space, plate/dish dividers in deep, pot and pan storage drawers that will be included in the island

• Better lighting - we will be using LED ribbon lighting with dimmable drivers for up-lighting above the cabinets and under-cabinet lighting, along with new sloped-can lightsng (allows for more focused lighting)

• Elimination of the soffits to create a larger, more up-to-date feel to the space

• More efficient use of the cabinets with the inclusion of a bookshelf

• Quartz countertops

• Make the refrigerator look more built-in

Along with the kitchen remodel, the laundry room and pantry spaces were swapped to turn the current pantry space into a laundry room/mudroom space by the door with new seating, storage and cabinetry throughout.

 

 The old laundry room was then used to create a nice, organized new pantry.

 

As this customer did, add to the beauty and creativity of your project by choosing fabulous tile, fixtures, knobbery, lighting, etc.  Make your space your own to enjoy for many years to come.

Stay tuned for the next chapter of this dream kitchen remodel.

The Skinny on Countertop Comparisons

Choosing a countertop material can be daunting when there are so many options out there and so many different needs and desires of the homeowner.  We have come up with a pros and cons chart to help you compare the different choices.  Keep in mind that the kitchen countertop choices listed here are primarily categories. Within each category there are numerous other options available to you. For example, there are multiple solid surface manufacturers, each with their own design formulas, styles and innovations. Once you narrow your choice down to a few countertop categories, spend some time exploring the various choices within each option.

Once you have narrowed down your choices, contact us with any questions or concerns you have and to see samples in person.  We can then get you on your way to having the perfect countertops to suit the needs of you and your family.

Click here to see our quick-glance chart on the pros and cons of countertop choices.  Thanks to the folks at HGTV, there are articles written about each choice I am comparing that also include a price range and maintenance instructions for each choice.  Just click on the name of the countertop type and you will be taken directly to the article.  You can also click on this blog title for an article from HGTV on choosing the right kitchen countertops.

Be Courageous About Color in Your Kitchen!

I love this selection of pictures from Better Homes and Garden about using color in your kitchen. Whether it's a subtle touch of color in the background that is complemented with decorative items or your dishes or outright fabulous use of color in the wall, cabinet or tile color, as you can see, using color in your kitchen can be an amazingly outrageous way to personalize your kitchen to reflect exactly who you are. We can be so afraid to creatively individualize our homes for fear of what people will think or the dreaded "resale value" argument, but forget about it. This is YOUR home and you want it to bring a comfort to your soul and a smile to your face. If adding punches or full out color to your kitchen will do just that, GO FOR IT! Enjoy the pictures and let us know what you think. And, if you've used color to express yourself, well, ahem . . . pictures PLEASE!
Find the Perfect Kitchen Color Scheme

Kitchen Spring Cleaning Tips

It is that time of year again, time for spring cleaning and the kitchen is a REALLY great place to start. When the kitchen is fresh and clean, the whole house feels clean. Use these tips to get yourself motivated and started . . .

Microwave
 Fill a microwave-safe mug two-thirds full of water and add a few splashes of lemon juice or some fresh lemon slices. Microwave it on HIGH for 4 minutes. When it's done, leave the door closed and keep it in there for another 4 minutes. The moisture from the steam and the acid from the lemon will loosen the food particles. After 8 minutes total, remove the mug and wipe down the interior with a wet paper towel. Take out the glass plate and give it a good washing with soap and water. To finish up, wipe off the outside of the microwave with a surface-appropriate cleaner.

Refrigerator

Remove everything from your fridge and take out the bins and shelves. Wash them in hot, soapy water to remove any food bits and get them clean. If you want to disinfect, or if the mess is really caked on, add a little bleach to your water as well. While they're drying, use disinfecting wipes to scrub the walls, floor, inside door, and wire shelving. If any spots are discolored, mix some baking soda, lemon juice, and water to make a paste, and scrub at these spots. They should come clean and whiten back up.

To finish, use your vacuum hose and clean the bottom vents and coils in the. This will help your refrigerator to run at its peak capacity, keeping your energy bills down and your food cold. Finally, use a surface-appropriate cleaner for the front and sides, and you're done! Keep up with this every month or so, and you'll be on your way to a continually clean kitchen.


Stove and Oven
Start by cleaning your stovetop to get rid of cooked-on food particles and film that can build up over time.

Electric Stoves
For food on the coils, use a mild soap and water mixture and clean them. Make sure they are fully dry before reattaching them. Take out the metal trays under the coils and soak them in hot, soapy water. Scrub off all food stains with an abrasive sponge and clean them thoroughly. If they seem beyond repair, you can buy new trays for a small cost. Using a soapy sponge or antibacterial wipes, clean off the stovetop and get any food bits and crumbs out of underneath the coils.

Flat Top Stoves
When it comes to cleaning kitchen appliances, these are the easiest to clean and keep clean. For a quick cleaning, use a soapy sponge and wipe off any residue. For tougher stains, use a specially-formulated Flat Top Stove cleaner such as Scotch-Brite Scratchless Cooktop Cleaner.

Gas Stoves
Many gas stoves now have removable grates that can be washed in hot, soapy water or even put in the dishwasher. Check your manufacturer's instructions and wash them accordingly. Then, take a soapy sponge or antibacterial wipes and scrub the stove surface clean.

Oven

Most ovens now have a self-cleaning feature so you don't have to work so hard. However, the fumes are strong, so open up the windows and stay out of the kitchen while it's going through the cleaning cycle. When spring cleaning your kitchen, save this task for last and relax in another part of the house. For small messes that don't require an entire self-cleaning cycle, a spot cleaner like Easy Off® Fume Free Oven Cleaner works well.

Coffeemaker

Depending on the quality of your water, mineral deposits can build up inside the water reservoir over time, affecting the taste and quality of your coffee. To clean it, mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and water and run it through the coffeemaker without any coffee. Depending on how much buildup your machine has, you may need to repeat this. Finally, run a pot of just water through a brewing cycle before making coffee to clean out any vinegar residue.

Cabinets

One cabinet at a time, take out the contents and wipe down the shelves with antibacterial wipes. Clean out any expired food, and make sure dishes are arranged in a way that best serves your daily life. If you use shelf paper, replace any paper that's too dirty or torn. Finally, use a mild dish detergent and water to wipe down the fronts of each cabinet. Clean the handles and pulls as well. And use glass cleaner to polish up any glass-front cabinets. The results will give you a clean kitchen that shines.

*Note: Check the manufacturer's instructions beforehand for any special cleaning precautions for your particular cabinet finish.

Pantry

Since the pantry is behind closed doors, it's east to constantly take food out and put more in without giving much thought to its order (or the food wedged in the back). But over time, things can become so disorganized that you forget what you have, and food goes bad or you end up buying more of something you don't need. Begin by removing everything from the pantry and following the kitchen cleaning tips for cabinets, above. Lay everything out on a countertop or table, and take stock of what you actually have. Start by throwing out any expired foods. Then, organize foods into like groups, like canned goods, spice packets, and cereals. For smaller items, wire shelving like these from the Container Store can help you get organized. If you have a lot of small items like dry soup mixes and spice packets, try hanging a plastic shoe organizer on the inside of the door. The compartments are the perfect size for smaller odds and ends that tend to get lost.

Follow these kitchen cleaning tips for spring cleaning your kitchen and enjoy a neat, organized, and clean kitchen all year long.