Kitchen of the Week: Sleek White-and-Wood Look in 140 Square Feet
A Chicago couple transform a small condo kitchen using lots of natural light and a bright and warm contemporary style
This two-story 1871 Chicago building holds special meaning for Joseph De Vito and his wife, Adriana Carrasco. De Vito’s grandparents lived in a 700-square-foot condo on the second floor. His aunt used to own the property. And in 1991, De Vito opened a fast-food business on the first floor.
After recently moving into the condo on the second floor, De Vito and Carrasco wanted to give special attention to revitalizing the home. The previous kitchen offered little worth keeping: ruby red walls, vinyl flooring, a low ceiling, virtually no natural light and aging white metal cabinets and white appliances.
Acting as project manager, De Vito raised the ceiling to over 12 feet and added a skylight and a balcony door to bring in much-needed natural light. He then worked with cabinetmakers Kornel Tadeuszuk and Kyle Kiperman to create new storage and style with a mix of sleek flat-panel white cabinets and warm wood-look laminate units that form a bright and welcoming contemporary look. A marble slab backsplash adds an elegant touch, while hammered brass pendant lights and a commercial-style faucet with a punch of orange add industrial flair.
After recently moving into the condo on the second floor, De Vito and Carrasco wanted to give special attention to revitalizing the home. The previous kitchen offered little worth keeping: ruby red walls, vinyl flooring, a low ceiling, virtually no natural light and aging white metal cabinets and white appliances.
Acting as project manager, De Vito raised the ceiling to over 12 feet and added a skylight and a balcony door to bring in much-needed natural light. He then worked with cabinetmakers Kornel Tadeuszuk and Kyle Kiperman to create new storage and style with a mix of sleek flat-panel white cabinets and warm wood-look laminate units that form a bright and welcoming contemporary look. A marble slab backsplash adds an elegant touch, while hammered brass pendant lights and a commercial-style faucet with a punch of orange add industrial flair.
After: De Vito knocked the kitchen back to the studs and removed all the components. He raised the ceiling to over 12 feet and added a fixed skylight. “That was one of the biggest improvements we made to the apartment,” he says. “I knew going in we were going to do something extremely drastic. That window, the door and the skylight really add lots of light.”
On the left, a new custom 4-by-8-foot fixed window and a glass-paneled door with a transom window above it also bring in generous amounts of light.
Slab-front matte white laminate cabinets and white walls and ceiling (All White by Farrow & Ball) enhance the light and give a sleek, contemporary look. Wood-look laminate upper units and details surrounding the range area and the back of the island mimic the look of white oak and add warmth. “We wanted to keep the kitchen very neutral and minimal and not use a bunch of different colors,” De Vito says.
Engineered white oak flooring runs under the island and into the living room. The main kitchen flooring is white 48-by-48-inch porcelain tile. The white paneled door on the right side is the front entry.
Cabinets: Eurodekor laminate in Vicenza Oak and Elegante Matte White, Egger
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On the left, a new custom 4-by-8-foot fixed window and a glass-paneled door with a transom window above it also bring in generous amounts of light.
Slab-front matte white laminate cabinets and white walls and ceiling (All White by Farrow & Ball) enhance the light and give a sleek, contemporary look. Wood-look laminate upper units and details surrounding the range area and the back of the island mimic the look of white oak and add warmth. “We wanted to keep the kitchen very neutral and minimal and not use a bunch of different colors,” De Vito says.
Engineered white oak flooring runs under the island and into the living room. The main kitchen flooring is white 48-by-48-inch porcelain tile. The white paneled door on the right side is the front entry.
Cabinets: Eurodekor laminate in Vicenza Oak and Elegante Matte White, Egger
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A polished slab of Bianco Venatino white marble forms the elegant backsplash. White quartz countertops provide durable work surfaces that complement the cabinets and porcelain flooring. Waterfall edges on the island and a lack of cabinet hardware elevate the clean look.
A pair of hammered brass metal dome pendant lights add a touch of warmth. The updated kitchen also includes recessed LED ceiling lights and undercabinet light strips.
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A pair of hammered brass metal dome pendant lights add a touch of warmth. The updated kitchen also includes recessed LED ceiling lights and undercabinet light strips.
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The kitchen features all-new appliances, including a 30-inch stainless steel electric convection wall oven with built-in microwave and a 30-inch stainless steel gas cooktop.
Long drawers below the cooktop store pots and pans and everyday cooking utensils.
Appliances: ADA 800 Series gas cooktop in stainless steel, 30 inches, and 500 Series combination oven in stainless steel, 30 inches, Bosch
Long drawers below the cooktop store pots and pans and everyday cooking utensils.
Appliances: ADA 800 Series gas cooktop in stainless steel, 30 inches, and 500 Series combination oven in stainless steel, 30 inches, Bosch
A 36-inch French door refrigerator has the same white laminate fronts as the surrounding cabinetry. “The panels for the refrigerator were built to spec,” Tadeuszuk says. “It hides the fridge, and it’s one less appliance you have to see. It makes the kitchen less busy.”
Refrigerator: Panel-Ready Built-In French Door, 36 inches, Fisher & Paykel
7 Big-Picture Kitchen Remodeling Trends Happening Now
Refrigerator: Panel-Ready Built-In French Door, 36 inches, Fisher & Paykel
7 Big-Picture Kitchen Remodeling Trends Happening Now
Here’s a look at the updated wall with the new window and 36-inch steel entry door with glass insert and transom window. “When you’re dealing with an apartment as small as ours, every light opening is a huge plus,” De Vito says.
A brass plaque on the wall to the left of the glass door dedicates the home to De Vito’s grandparents.
On the interior side of the island, a paneled trash and recycling center sits to the left of the sink. A space to the right with a stool now contains a stainless steel dishwasher, which hadn’t been installed when these photos were taken.
Door: Steel Entry Door Slab, 36 inches, Pease Doors
A brass plaque on the wall to the left of the glass door dedicates the home to De Vito’s grandparents.
On the interior side of the island, a paneled trash and recycling center sits to the left of the sink. A space to the right with a stool now contains a stainless steel dishwasher, which hadn’t been installed when these photos were taken.
Door: Steel Entry Door Slab, 36 inches, Pease Doors
The 32½-inch stainless steel undermount single-basin sink comes with a rack and basket strainer that helps with food prep. A modern commercial-style chrome faucet features a punch of orange. “Because everything is so minimalist, we were looking for some kind of pop of color,” De Vito says. “That orange is one of our favorite colors.”
Sink: Crosstown, Elkay; faucet: Essence, Grohe
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
Sink: Crosstown, Elkay; faucet: Essence, Grohe
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
This view of the kitchen from the living room highlights the easy connection between the two spaces. “I love that the kitchen looks muted or neutral, like part of the home,” Tadeuszuk says.
The remodeled kitchen gives De Vito and Carrasco the bright, user-friendly space they wanted. “I think the functionality is great,” De Vito says. “Everything is within arm’s reach. We cook a lot, and it’s easy to get around and it works for our lifestyle.”
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The remodeled kitchen gives De Vito and Carrasco the bright, user-friendly space they wanted. “I think the functionality is great,” De Vito says. “Everything is within arm’s reach. We cook a lot, and it’s easy to get around and it works for our lifestyle.”
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Joseph De Vito and Adriana Carrasco
Location: Chicago
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters)
Cabinetmakers: Kornel Tadeuszuk and Kyle Kiperman of CraftedWild Cabinetry
Before: The former kitchen had certainly seen better days. Aging appliances, a sink and limited cabinets lined up against one of the ruby-red walls. The laminate countertops and vinyl flooring were fading. The 8-foot ceiling created a cramped feel, and a solid door on the left blocked potential light and views from the balcony.