Project Logistics

Libertyville is a village of 20,315, located north of Chicago and five miles west of Lake Michigan. Busy Highway 21 provides its broad main street lined with charming, old-fashioned buildings that house upscale shops, and trendy restaurants, making the village a popular destination, with free parking adding to the attraction. Local historical sites include the Cook House and the Liberty movie theater, where a young Marlon Brando once worked. A variety of activities liven up the village throughout the year, from the popular summer farmers market to each month’s merchant-sponsored First Friday. Other draws include award-winning schools, local forest and nature preserves, a huge sports complex, and easy Metra access, making Libertyville a commuter-smart place to call home, all wrapped up in a friendly, small-town environment.

Job

Even with an abundance of cabinets the original kitchen was cramped and dark. The owner wished to modernize the space, opening it up into the living room/family room area. Larger openings were also desired between the dining room and family room and between the kitchen and hallway, with the hope of creating a more open concept space.

Summary

All cabinets, countertops, appliances and backsplash tiles were removed. After the desired wall sections were taken down, the old structural supports were replaced with micro-laminated beams.  The new openings were reframed, all walls and ceiling areas repaired or replaced as needed, and the original wood floors repaired where necessary. Without the old soffits, the new cabinets, in Regency White Shaker Maple, were set to the ceiling with attractive crown molding. Under-cabinet lighting was installed to enhance food prep below on the Daltile Soapstone granite counters. On the walls above the counters, a subway-patterned backsplash in Daltile’s Arctic White Modular continued the modern flair. Saved appliances were reinstalled with the stove repositioned under a modern exhaust hood and a second oven built into the newly-created peninsula. The old sink was swapped for a white farmhouse style with a one-piece gooseneck faucet, and above, a Regency custom window lets in lots of light. To the right of the sink, open shelving replaced several cabinets, working together with the open peninsula and breakfast bar to create a spacious feel.

End Result

The homeowner was delighted with the resulting transformation of a dark, closed-in kitchen into the hub of a large, open concept family area. If you desire a kitchen renovation in Libertyville, IL, contact the professionals at Regency Home Remodeling.