With Summer on its way, having a home bar is the perfect setting to host a gathering with family and friends, and having a functional and totally modern home bar will allow you to do so!

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW For many, extra time at home during COVID left them wanting more from their homes. Whether you realized the shortcomings of your space or simply wanted to combat boredom, a well-designed and functional home was no longer a want, it became a need. Tina found herself wanting more from her Old Irving Park home and reached out to The Kitchen Studio about adding function to her kitchen to make the most of the available real estate. At the end of the day, there is nothing better than returning home to a bright and happy space you love. And this kitchen wasn’t that for Tina. Dark and dated, with a palette from the past and features that didn’t make the most of the available square footage, this remodel required vision and a fresh approach to the space. Lead designer, Stephanie Cole’s main design goal was better flow, while adding greater functionality with organized storage, accessible open shelving, and an overall sense of cohesion with the adjoining family room. The original kitchen featured a large pizza oven, which was rarely used, yet its footprint limited storage space. The nearby pantry had become a catch-all, lacking the organization needed in the home. The initial plan was to keep the pizza oven, but eventually Tina realized she preferred the design possibilities that came from removing this cumbersome feature, with the goal of adding function throughout the upgraded and elevated space. Eliminating the pantry added square footage and length to the kitchen for greater function and more storage. This redesigned space reflects how she lives and uses her home, as well as her love for entertaining. The kitchen features a classic, clean, and timeless palette. White cabinetry, with brass and bronze finishes, contrasts with rich wood flooring, and lets the large, deep blue island in Woodland’s custom color Harbor – a neutral, yet statement color – draw your eye. The kitchen was the main priority. In addition to updating and elevating this space, Tina wanted to maximize what her home had to offer. From moving the location of the patio door and eliminating a window to removing an existing closet in the mudroom and the cluttered pantry, the kitchen footprint grew. Once the floorplan was set, it was time to bring cohesion to her home, creating connection between the kitchen and surrounding spaces. The color palette carries into the mudroom, where we added beautiful new cabinetry, practical bench seating, and accessible hooks, perfect for guests and everyday living. The nearby bar continues the aesthetic, with stunning Carrara marble subway tile, hints of brass and bronze, and a design that further captures the vibe of the kitchen. Every home has its unique design challenges. But with a fresh perspective and a bit of creativity, there is always a way to give the client exactly what they want [and need]. In this particular kitchen, the existing soffits and high slanted ceilings added a layer of complexity to the lighting layout and upper perimeter cabinets. While a space needs to look good, it also needs to function well. This meant making the most of the height of the room and accounting for the varied ceiling features, while also giving Tina everything she wanted and more. Pendants and task lighting paired with an abundance of natural light amplify the bright aesthetic. The cabinetry layout and design compliments the soffits with subtle profile details that bring everything together. The tile selections add visual interest, drawing the eye to the focal area above the range. Glass-doored cabinets further customize the space and give the illusion of even more height within the room. While her family may be grown and out of the house, Tina was focused on adding function without sacrificing a stunning aesthetic and dreamy finishes that make the kitchen the gathering place of any home. It was time to love her kitchen again, and if you’re wondering what she loves most, it’s the niche with glass door cabinetry and open shelving for display paired with the marble mosaic backsplash over the range and complimenting hood. Each of these features is a stunning point of interest within the kitchen – both brag-worthy additions to a perimeter layout that previously felt limited and lacking. Whether your remodel is the result of special needs in your home or simply the excitement of focusing your energy on creating a fun new aesthetic, we are here for it. We love a good challenge because there is always a way to make a space better – adding function and beauty simultaneously.

Details make the wine bar perfect: storage for all sorts of beverages, glass front display cabinets, and great lighting. Photography: A&J Photography, Inc.

Custom Cabinets for a Butlers pantry. Non-Beaded Knife Edge Doors with Glass Recessed Panel. Exposed Hinges and a polished knobs. Small drawers flanking bar sink. Painted in a High Gloss Benjamin Moore Hale Navy Finish. Microwave drawer in adjacent cabinet. Large Room crown and molding on bottom of cabinets. LED undercabinet Lighting brings a brightness to the area.

Joshua Lawrence Studios

Stephen Reed Photography

8-foot Wet Bar

The allure of this kitchen begins with the carefully selected palette of Matt Lacquer painted Gin & Tonic and Tuscan Rose. Creating an inviting atmosphere, these warm hues perfectly reflect the light to accentuate the kitchen’s aesthetics. But it doesn't stop there. The walnut slatted feature doors have been perfectly crafted to add depth and character to the space. Intricate patterns within the slats create a sense of movement, inviting the eye to explore the artistry embedded within them and elevating the kitchen to new heights of sophistication. Prepare to be enthralled by the pièce de résistance—the Royal Calacatta Gold quartz worktop. Exuding luxury, with its radiant golden veining cascading across a pristine white backdrop, not only does it serve as a functional workspace, it makes a sophisticated statement. Combining quality materials and finishes via thoughtful design, this kitchen allows our client to enjoy a space which is both aesthetically pleasing and extremely functional. Feeling inspired by this kitchen or looking for more ideas? Visit our projects page today.

Modern & Indian designs on the opposite sides of the panel creating a beautiful composition of breakfast table with the crockery unit & the foyer, Like a mix of Yin & Yang.

This creative walkway is made usable right off the kitchen where extra storage, wine cooler and bar space are the highlights. Library ladder helps makes those various bar items more accessible.

Dark mahogany handcrafted bar Washington, DC This residential bar was designed to serve as our clients' new holiday party centerpiece. Beautifully adorned with hand carved pieces and stained with a rich dark mahogany. Our artisans achieve an unmatched level of quality that helps balance both the level of detail and the material used. For more projects visit our website wlkitchenandhome.com . . . . #custombar #homebar #homebardesigner #homebardesign #luxurybar #luxuryhouses #barstools #tablebar #luxuryhomebar #barbuilder #bardesigner #entertainmentroom #mancave #interiorsandliving #dreamhome #woodcarving #carving #carpenter #residentialbar #bardecor #barfurniture #customfurniture #interiordesigner #pubbar #classicbar #classicdesign #barcabinet #luxuryfurniture #barnewjersey #winenewjersey

Dark mahogany handcrafted bar Washington, DC This residential bar was designed to serve as our clients' new holiday party centerpiece. Beautifully adorned with hand carved pieces and stained with a rich dark mahogany. Our artisans achieve an unmatched level of quality that helps balance both the level of detail and the material used. For more projects visit our website wlkitchenandhome.com . . . . #custombar #homebar #homebardesigner #homebardesign #luxurybar #luxuryhouses #barstools #tablebar #luxuryhomebar #barbuilder #bardesigner #entertainmentroom #mancave #interiorsandliving #dreamhome #woodcarving #carving #carpenter #residentialbar #bardecor #barfurniture #customfurniture #interiordesigner #pubbar #classicbar #classicdesign #barcabinet #luxuryfurniture #barnewjersey #winenewjersey

This stadium liquor cabinet keeps bottles tucked away in the butler's pantry.