Tag Archive: Karen Chanan
Giving Wood a Second Life
Posted on January 25, 2019“There isn’t a piece of reclaimed wood that I wouldn’t or couldn’t try to use,” said Normandy Designer Karen Chanan. Reclaimed wood isn’t just for rustic spaces – its beauty makes it versatile for many different design styles. Mixing and matching with existing wood finishes is one of the benefits of reclaimed… more
Normandy Remodeling Prevails at NARI Remodeling Excellence Awards;Wins in Multiple Design Categories
Posted on January 23, 2019The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) recently held their annual Remodeling Excellence Awards, where Normandy Remodeling was honored with eight awards within the kitchen remodel, home addition and bathroom remodeling categories. The Remodeling Excellence Awards are bestowed to Chicagoland designers and contractors who have demonstrated exceptional designs in remodeling projects within the past… more
Oak Park Remodel for a Growing Family
Posted on August 17, 2018It can be difficult to live in a small, outdated space. But add young children into the mix and it gets even more complicated. This was the case for a growing family in Oak Park. With two small children, they were in desperate need of a functional kitchen and updated first floor bathroom. To get… more
Normandy Designers Created Award-Winning Projects for their Clients
Posted on January 25, 2018What do a kitchen, an entertainment center, a second story addition, and a powder room all have in common? They are just a sampling of the projects that recently received Remodeling Excellence Awards from NARI Greater Chicagoland. In fact, there were 15 Normandy projects that claimed awards this year, representing renovations from 14 different homes… more
Kitchen Ideas: Options for an Island End Cap
Posted on April 13, 2017Kitchen islands are an extremely popular request, most often desired for their prep space, seating and storage. However, while many concentrate on the island shape, material and color, there are other details to dress up its design. One such option is embellishing the ends. Here are some insights from Normandy Designer Karen Chanan on how… more
Preserving a Vintage Feel in a Newly Remodeled Space
Posted on March 21, 2017While an older home offers plenty of character, oftentimes the layout is no longer practical for today’s modern family. The good news is that when the time comes to remodel, there are plenty of options that will allow homeowners to maintain the charm and integrity of the home, while adding useful updates that will improve… more
Normandy Dominates Remodeling Excellence Awards
Posted on January 27, 2017Wins in Kitchen, Addition & Interior Remodeling Categories The National Association of the Remodeling Industry recently held their 7th annual Remodeling Excellence Awards, where Normandy Remodeling was honored with seven awards within the kitchen remodel, home addition and interior remodeling categories. The Remodeling Excellence Awards are bestowed to Chicagoland designers who have demonstrated interior and… more
Normandy Design Team Earns Nine Remodeling Excellence Awards
Posted on January 27, 2016We are proud to share that Normandy is the recipient of nine Remodeling Excellence Awards from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) of Greater Chicagoland. These prestigious, annual awards are presented to Chicago-area remodelers who have produced high-quality interior and exterior renovations. These nine awards represent the work of Normandy Designers Laura Barber,… more
Kitchen Design Trends: Selecting a Honed Countertop Finish
Posted on November 4, 2015There are so many choices to consider when preparing for your kitchen remodel; it’s easy to overlook some of the seemingly minor details during planning. Selecting a finish for your countertop is one such easily overlooked detail, yet various options for texture and finish can create a unique and striking work surface for your kitchen. … more
Bathroom Niche Shelving Moves Beyond the Shower
Posted on May 8, 2014When deciding whether or not to add a wall niche to the bathroom, it is important to keep in mind the purpose of the shelving. Unlike typical wall shelving, niche shelving is recessed into the wall. This provides homeowners the opportunity to add accent colors, decorative elements and lighting, which further highlight the space. “If… more
Tile Accent Walls
Posted on September 5, 2013In an earlier blog post, we shared several accent walls largely covering paint and design options. However, tile accent walls deserve a post all their own. “Tile accent walls are something so different than what you’ll typically see,” says Normandy Designer Karen Chanan. “It’s almost a showpiece really, with a depth and texture that makes a design statement.”… more
Benefit of Kitchen Prep Sink
Posted on May 1, 2013If you love to entertain or your family almost always has more than one person in the kitchen, preparing a meal, or baking, then a prep sink might be worth looking in to. “Prep sinks are a great option for households that have multiple people who are going to be using the space simultaneously,” says… more
Vessel Sinks For Every Style
Posted on April 10, 2013Vessel sinks so often fall into the modern category when it comes to style, but they’re really compatible with traditional and transitional styles, too. “The more angular vessel sink that usually comes to mind fits the modern style, but if you go with a vessel sink that has a textured floral pattern with a nice… more
Latest Bathroom Color Trends
Posted on March 7, 2013There are so many different color schemes and palettes out there for homeowners to choose from, and frankly, it can be overwhelming. Normandy Designer Karen Chanan was kind enough to take some time and share the top bathroom color trends she’s seeing right now. 1. “Blues are so popular in bathrooms. No matter the shade,… more
Bathrooms Without Tubs a Growing Trend
Posted on November 1, 2012To take out the bathtub or not take out the bathtub – that is the question many homeowners are struggling with. It seems the days of soaking in the bath have run their course, and people would rather have a bigger, more luxurious shower with body sprays, rainfall shower heads and the like. So what is… more
