off the rack? That’s off the mark for this Chicago-area homeowner—when it comes to her outfits and her kitchen.
“This client is a fashion and lifestyle influencer who wanted to create a space that’s a reflection of her,” designer Amy Storm says. “That called for a mix of glam elements with traditional style that’s appropriate to this house.”
The home, built in the 1990s, exudes classic appeal. Its kitchen, however, was showing its age—in its aesthetic and its function. “These are homeowners who host Sunday evening soirees for a small army of friends,” Storm says. “The existing setup wasn’t working.”
So Storm got out the sledgehammers. She and her team gutted the existing kitchen and the adjacent pantry and mudroom to remove dated fixtures and give the cramped footprint some much-needed breathing room.
New Shaker-style cabinetry in a warm gray hue establishes an elegant foundation as it delivers a wealth of storage.
Slabs of gray-veined Super White quartzite on backsplashes and counters exude the luxe look of marble in a durable package that’s smart for parties and for a family with four kids. Function also gets a boost with the exit of an awkward tiered island and the entrance of a multifunction unit with drawers on one side, seating on the other. A hardworking prep spot topped with butcher block is handy to both the range and the main sink.
But fashion isn’t forgotten. Brass-and-acrylic legs dress the
entertaining-minded end of the island. “It was a process to have them made, but it was worth it,” Storm says. “It ties to the whole fashion thing. And it’s just plain sexy.”
A custom range hood—stainless steel with antiqued-brass straps and polished-nickel rivets—launches a sophisticated mix of metals. Brass repeats on barstool bases, pendant lights, and pleasingly chunky hardware from Buster + Punch, while the glimmer of polished nickel continues on faucets.
“Mixing metals brings extra layers and texture to a space,” Storm says. “It adds warmth, too, especially when you include brass, bronze, or rubbed iron.”
Even more warmth and tactile delight comes from wood— most strikingly on the ceiling, where Storm laid oak planks in a herringbone pattern. Slim layered oak boards give the look of beams. “The ceiling was a game-changer,” the designer says.
“It adds such drama.”
But Storm didn’t stop there. For the kitchen’s pièce de résistance, she created an entertainer’s dream: a wine wall com-
plete with two wine refrigerators and storage for glasses and more. Brass wire mesh and gold-painted accents on doors further elevate the aesthetic. “The level of detail speaks to the beauty and quality of this space,” Storm says.
The jewelrylike wire mesh, sourced in England, also glams up the door between the wine cabinets. It leads to a reimagined pantry, office nook, and mudroom, all hidden from guests.
“I love how we were able to include moments that give the kitchen a current, modern edge,” Storm says. “They’re the perfect complement to this classic house and its fashionforward owner.” +
Designer: Amy Storm
Wine wall Brass library lights add sultry glimmer to a built-in that houses a vast array of vintages. Dining room The Art Deco-inspired dining table is a melding of creators, led by Storm. She purchased the metal base from Ambella Home and then had a wood tabletop made to fit by Illinois-based furniture company Rest & Repine. Gold-painted detailing on the table nods to decorative bling on chairs. Doors and windows to the backyard are framed in black to continue the thread of black started in the kitchen.
