Inspired Interiors Blog

Sleek Standout – A clean, contemporary design fits state-of-the-art equipment into a long and narrow space

Designer Emily Mackie Norris of Inspired Interiors received an unusual challenge from clients in suburban Virginia. They hired her to remodel the kitchen of their traditional house into a contemporary space, but asked her to do so by working from photographs and three dimensional models. The couple flew in twice to Chicago to see her plans progress. “It was extremely interesting from a design challenge and not problem not being there,” she says.

The greater challenge was figuring out how to incorporate the multiple work stations the owners sought into the room’s long, narrow shape (15’x 5’6”) as well as how to allow traffic to flow easily around the zones. But Norris did that, too. Near the main sink, a triple bowl, she incorporated a flat screen TV. By the range of the long island, which Norris made the room “110-percent efficient,” she included a second sink for prepping and a landing space close to the wall ovens. There’s also a large baking center nearby with a pop-up mixer; that zone is far enough away from the cooking equipment to keep multiple cooks out of the way of one another. The island also features casual seating and an upper tier for resting food items. A warming drawer was placed near the door to the dining room so that plates and dishes would remain hot. The main eating area for six, another request, has its own windowed corner with storage underneath the banquette.

The room’s clean modern lines feature two different cabinet materials, one in a creamy gloss laminate and the other in a light-colored wood that mimics quarter sawn cherry but is really reconstituted veneer. Both are environmentally sensitive and constructed from recycled content. Color comes from the limestone rectangles on the floor, laid in brick pattern; the Red Dragon granite on countertops and along the backsplashes; and the stainless steel hood with clear glass canopy. A pass-through links the main sink and dining room; pendants lights at various levels dangle above the dining table.

Dining Room Before

PARK RIDGE, IL – Almost four years after moving into her home Mrs. Jones* had not gotten around to updating the dining room. Despite the change in furniture, the room still reflected of the style of previous homeowner, not this busy working mom. With an upcoming family celebration on the calendar, something needed to be done!

It all began one Saturday simply with help on color selection but what resulted later was a beautiful room transformation.  Despite an overall vague idea of her stylistic desires, one thing Mrs. Jones did know was that she was tired of the cranberry red color and wanted anything other than red.  She really wanted a color that was interesting and different from what everyone else was choosing.  Inspired Interiors delivered by using Benjamin Moore’s “Mink Violet” on the walls.

Dining Room After

While the room was receiving a paint makeover, Inspired Interior designers came up with a window treatment sketch, which was sent to Mrs. Jones for approval.  Inspired Interiors found the perfect neutral fabric and coordinating trim –both sent off to the workroom for completion- in addition to emailing Mrs. Jones a variety of wall sconce selections.

Once the painting was complete Inspired Interiors returned to finish and style the room.  They requested Mrs. Jones to leave out any artwork they could use, also asking for permission to “borrow” accessories from other rooms in the home.   Finally, after exhausting the resources at their disposal, they asked the client for an accessory budget and the shopping began!  While her room was being completed, Mrs. Jones was able to keep her normal Saturday routine of shopping and shuttling kids to their sports activities.

To stay within budget, but also keep the project moving along, the team provided the homeowner with fabric samples & re-upholstery quotes for the chairs.  Chandelier suggestions and quotes were also given in case the client wanted to replace the chandelier at a later date.

Dining Room After

In the end, an uninteresting everyday room transformed into a stunning, elegant dining room that was calling for a celebration!  Wedding crystal was brought out of hiding and shone brilliantly against the new ”Mink Violet” walls.  Tall vases with foliage were added to give some interest to the space but would required little homeowner maintenance.   Inspired Interiors even drew from the colors in the homeowner’s china, incorporating them in the room’s accessories. An adorable crystal cupcake holder, used to hold votives and surrounded with a seasonal wreath, provided a stylish and maintenance free centerpiece on the table.  Inspired Interiors even found coordinating table linens to help preserve the table’s beauty.  In addition, the team created a gallery wall to highlight the family’s photos through the generations – perfect for a room that will be used to gather family together for birthdays, graduations and holiday celebrations.

What was once an unused  ‘pass through’ room is now an elegant gathering space admired by all.  It is a room that Mrs. Jones plans plans to use not only for parties, but also as a quiet and beautiful setting in which her children can do homework during the week.  Mrs. Jones loves her new dining room – especially the color.   “It’s something I would have never thought of.  It’s gorgeous! …To have someone come in, use things that have meaning to my family and add some fresh accents all while being mindful of my taste & style was definitely worth it!”

Dining Room After

*Name changed to maintain client privacy