When a special opportunity to purchase a condo with amazing views of Lake Michigan became available, homeowners quickly bought the property for a family get away residence. The building location was prime North Shore Chicago real estate, and the unit was in excellent condition– but had not been updated in over 30 years. Good thing the new owners had vision and embraced the opportunity to transform the space! The clients engaged Steve Karp from Bentwood of Chicago for a kitchen design solution that would update this space, both aesthetically and functionally for modern living. See the stunning transformation of this condo remodel – both before and after!

Condo Remodel – a Before and After Story

Solving the Design Puzzle for Open Floor Plan

The design challenge for this remodel project was creating a layout for family living that felt spacious yet offered the function for a compact space. Shown above is the conceptual kitchen elevation where everything comes together nicely in an updated Galley Style kitchen that extends to include the butler’s pantry and laundry.

Part of the process is fully exploring design options on paper—showing how a design translates when walls are moved, doorways are widened, and islands are added.

The Big Reveal – How the Must Have List Turned into Reality for this Condo Remodel

Must Have #1: Open Floor Plan

From Compartmentalized and Dated …

… to Breathing Room and Elegant

Must Have #2: Kitchen Island with Seating

From formal dining cramped …

… to Pull up a seat and let’s chat

Must Have #3: Laundry & Pantry

From Service Area… 

… to Flexible Storage and Designated Laundry

Must Have #4: The View

From just a peak of the lake …

… to just-look-at-that-lake view

Design Details that Made a Difference

When updating existing homes, good design and function are key for today’s projects; this will breathe new life into a home and add value.

Below are some noteworthy decisions that made this transformation successful:

Custom Cabinetry

Flat panel rift white oak cabinetry with handsome custom stain created a strong modern statement on the focal wall that carried into the pantry area. Custom polished nickel hardware added luxury style and function, with complementing hardware styles as shown above.

Floating Shelves

Open shelving matching custom cabinetry added a nice design element and offered easy access to everyday items like coffee mugs, etc.

Professional Appliances

Wolf™ Induction Cook top and 30”convection wall ovens offered convenience in performance cooking and baking.

Thermador 36” Refrigerator/Freezer unit with integrated cabinetry panels was a perfect selection for this family kitchen. This kept the focal wall seamless and funcitonal!

Sliding Pocket Door

Custom metal and seeded glass door by Wilmette Hardware added convenient separation to laundry and butler’s pantry. Function never looked so good!

Laundry / Butler’s Cabinetry

Stackable Miele™ Washer and Dryer saved space here, and made this area ready for easy family laundry. Extending cabinetry to the ceiling and the full length of the wall maximized storage; plus picking up additional countertop space was a win-win!

New Year – New Project Opportunities

As we are off to a New Year and planning home remodel projects, we hope you find inspiration in our Before and After Project Story. Here is a helpful guide for planning for a new kitchen or any room with custom cabinetry.

Cheers to a new year and a new space to last a lifetime!

Find Inspiration Near You

Inspired to update your own space? Click here to set up a personal consultation to explore the possibilities for your home. Not close to Chicago? Click here to find the closest authorized Bentwood dealer to you. Then, we’ll connect you with a designer in your area and get started with your vision right away!

Not quite ready to begin a project? Look through our gallery to find inspiration and discover the beauty of Bentwood.