The clients were interested in preserving the feel of their home originally designed in the International Style tradition and in bringing their kitchen back to the original feel of the home. The renovation is a reinterpretation, not a restoration of the original kitchen. Materials selections were important in an effort to reinforce the organic feel of this home. Original St. Charles metal cabinets were electrostatically painted in the field and a new metal pantry cabinet was designed reusing original hardware to accommodate a new double oven. Masonry walls that move from the outside of the structure to become interior walls were uncovered by removing some supplementary cabinetry. The flooring material is a natural cork tile complementing the masonry walls and serving as a good resilient, durable surface under foot while working in the kitchen.
In order to provide more efficient workspace, an island of natural maple with stainless steel legs and marble tops was designed. Existing perimeter countertops are resurfaced with a French limestone and a full height backsplash of the matching marble at the continuous window strip. A new cooktop was installed to work with the existing ventilating hood. To create a relationship between a separate dining area and the workspace of the kitchen, shelving and a maple built-in desk and file drawers to accommodate cookbooks and a home office were designed. A maple buffet was also designed to provide additional storage and entertaining space. | | | Location | River Forest, Illinois | | Design | 2001 | | Construction | 2001 | | Design Principal | Ann F. Clark | | Project Team | Kirsten Rachford | | General Contractor | Prairie Construction Group | | Photography | Alyce Henson | | | | Featured in Better Homes and Gardens, September 2006, “Playing for Keeps” | | | | | | |
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