These homeowners wanted a vintage, loft-like kitchen aesthetic in their typical Chicago row house kitchen.  “As a starting point, we were fortunate enough to have a beautiful existing exposed brick wall to work with that was very rich in color and texture,” commented Normandy Designer Kathryn O’Donovan. “It was quickly determined that the brick wall would become the focal point of the space.”

“To further enhance the loft aesthetic, I proposed installing a large transom window with open shelving and custom metal brackets below, enabling the wall to still be functional and highlight the exposed brick,” says Kathryn. “The neutral off-white for the perimeter cabinetry allowed for the brick colors to pop and brings in a light and airy feel to the design.”

This kitchen recently received a First Place Remodeling Excellence Award from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, Greater Chicagoland, which recognized the kitchen design as one of the best in the area.

If you’re a fan of the open shelving in this kitchen, take a look at this article where Kathryn shares how to make open shelving work in your space!