CHICAGO — When developers purchased this old banjo factory in the industrial section of Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood 30 years ago and turned it into townhouses, each of the eight dwellings could have been special. Interiors with exposed brick walls and original wood posts and beams of the historic building offered initial promise, but the full potential of this residence ultimately fell short. The small U-shaped kitchen functioned poorly for multiple users, and its white, traditional styling just didn’t fit the vibe of the architecture.
The homeowners and their son lived with the less-than-desirable design for 10 years before recently turning to Fred M. Alsen, fma Interior Design, to create a space that realized the home’s true potential.
“They wanted a remodel that would provide a more authentic feeling of the architecture – with the exposed brick and original 13′ wood ceiling – but still be current,” says the Chicago designer. The design also needed a layout that worked for the way the family lived in and used the space. Since there were no closets, storage was a concern as well.
FOUNDATIONAL CHANGES
Alsen started by choosing which elements to keep. The short list included the brick, posts and beams as well as the main sink’s location. Foundational changes included removal of the 3″ red oak flooring that was replaced by 5″ natural walnut planks to give a current look and feel that referenced the historic building’s original pine planks.
The designer also replaced the old, white, plain glass windows with divided glass windows in a bronze finish to give the look of iron windows typically found in old industrial buildings. About 6″ of height was added in the process. The previous windows also lacked sills, so Alsen had custom sills made from salvaged oak beams with accents of embedded copper elements. This picked up on the original copper air vent pipe that was discovered inside the long granite box backsplash built underneath the previous windows.
“That copper pipe was a great find,” he says. “Since it was the air vent for the sink, we needed to keep it. We left it exposed, so I had an artist polish and then flame-torch it to give it an aged look. It turned into a great piece of artwork for the space.”
Based on a strong foundation, Alsen added elements that satisfied the homeowners’ desire for a larger kitchen that multiple people could conveniently use.
“He and his son do the cooking, and she likes to bake on weekends,” he mentions.
Alsen expanded the kitchen, doubling it in size, and created ‘his’ and ‘her’ spaces so both could be in the kitchen, but out of each other’s way. Common elements to both sides include Corsi Group Greenfield Cabinetry alder wood cabinets in a Coastal stain and matte finish. Bevels around the doors add detail. Accents of Cerused quartersawn white oak in a Barnwood finish – upper cabinets on her side and cabinetry trim on his side – add contrast and depth. Caesarstone Wild Rice countertops are complemented with a backsplash of 3/8″ matte/polished Micron Mocha glass tile from Eleganza Tile.
“The tile matches perfectly with the cabinets and blends in with the brick,” he says. “We liked the small size because larger tile would have overpowered everything else in the room, as well as competed with the brick wall and taken away from the windows. The polished tiles give a bit of shine and sparkle when the undercabinet lights are on, and the matte tiles offer texture. It is the perfect mix!”
‘HER’ SPECIAL FEATURES
Special elements on her side include a baking center, complete with a GE Monogram French door wall oven and plenty of storage for baking supplies, trays, etc.
Alsen also designed this area to be dual-purpose, serving as a bar when they entertain. Features include a Dacor wine refrigerator and glass door cabinets for wine glasses and entertaining supplies. The textured glass panels showcase a custom autumn leaf texture to pay homage to the trees visible through the windows.
“I wanted a bit of a pattern rather than plain or reeded glass, which is something you might expect, and something that would be a bit boring,” he notes. “The leaf texture brings the trees into the house so the space isn’t as disconnected with the outside.”
To the left of the baking center is a wall of cabinetry that reaches to the original wood posts and beams. Tucked behind the doors is storage for cleaning and office supplies. The inclusion of office space was important since she sometimes works at home. A smart TV, conveniently recessed into the back wall and framed with salvaged wood, serves as a computer monitor when needed.
“She can sit at the island and work,” he says. “Or, when she’s making conference calls and needs a larger monitor than what’s on her laptop, she can use the TV. When he’s cooking, he can Skype with his friends who like to cook, so they can cook together. And, of course, they can stream the news and search for recipes. It’s multi-functional.”
The uppermost row of cabinets along this wall stores items that are only needed a few times a year. Alsen made them accessible by using a custom walnut and iron rolling ladder that, when not in use, is stored on the opposite wall of the kitchen. “During storage, it acts as a piece of artwork,” he states. “When the lights are on, the cutouts in the metal steps create beautiful shadow designs on the wall.”
‘HIS’ SPECIAL ELEMENTS
His side includes everything needed for cooking and prep, such as a Blanco prep sink, double trash can pull-out cabinet and plenty of storage. A GE French door refrigerator at the end of the run is easily accessed by everyone – including the person cooking as well as anyone else who wants to grab something – without anyone having to cross into the actual cooking area.
The run of cabinetry connecting his and her sides features a second pull-out trash cabinet and storage with roll-out shelves for everyday glassware, dishes and silverware. Also along this wall, Alsen included the main clean-up Blanco sink – with an instant hot and cold filter tab – and a dishwasher. “Someone can easily load or unload the dishwasher without disturbing anyone who’s in the main cooking/prep area,” he says.
The island in the center of the room features a foundation of quartersawn oak, topped with Caesarstone Bianco Drift quartz. It houses a GE Monogram induction cooktop with a Monogram Advantium speedcooking oven underneath, which also serves as the microwave. Alsen included plenty of storage for spices, knives and other cooking utensils, as well as a wide cabinet with roll-out shelves for small appliances and other items used on a regular basis.
Storage for optimum organization was an important consideration in the design. “A lot of thought was given as to how they would use the space,” he notes. “Everything has a place and every cabinet has a pull-out so they can be very organized. When there isn’t enough storage space, people end up putting things where there is room, not necessarily where it makes sense. Now it’s all laid out for them and they know exactly where to find everything.”
Seating for up to four people provides plenty of space for family interaction. “This is where the family hangs out doing homework, household paperwork, working from home and eating casually,” he says.
LIGHTING CHALLENGES
Given the ceiling’s 13′ height, one of the most difficult considerations was for lighting. Alsen added one large fixture – with Edison bulbs – over the island as a decorative focal point. “This fixture is more for ambient light,” he says.
To fulfill task lighting needs over the island, he installed a hidden flood light on the ceiling. The bulb is dimmable by the wall switch as well as by an app on their phones. “Overall, there are six options of lighting to layer the kitchen in the necessary lighting,” he says. “And, of course, all are dimmable! During the day, the large windows also bring in filtered light that brings out the beauty of the finishes and space.”