DESIGN ROBYN SCOTT AMY KARTHEISER STEPHANIE LARSEN

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AMY KARTHEISER HAS TURNED A PROBLEM INTO A BEAUTIFUL, WELL-DESIGNED SOLUTION IN THIS CHIGAGO HOME. THE CHOICE OF NATURAL MATERIALS CREATES A SPACE THAT IS WARM AND INVITING, YET STILL DECIDEDLY MODERN. WE SPOKE WITH AMY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS IMPECCABLE KITCHEN PROJECT.

WHAT IS THE BACKSTORY ON THIS KITCHEN? The clients were referred to us by a previous client, which is always exciting for us. Based in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, the husband and wife wanted to design a kitchen that solved a unique set of problems: the husband was tall and always hitting his head on the previous stove hood, and they were lacking valuable seating for their family. To tackle these design challenges, we removed the stove (and hood) from the island, and added additional seating around it, making the space perfect for shared family meals and after school homework. In addition to these reconfigurations, a complete kitchen update followed suit.

Werner Straube

WELCOME HOME.

natural beauty

CLEVER KITCHEN

AMY KARTHEISER re-imagines a kitchen with unique challenges for a family living in a former manufacturing loft turned Chicago area home.

Werner Straube

THIS PAGE ABOVE: The industrial feel of this re-imagined manufacturing plant is warmed up with natural stone and wood finishes to create a warm environment. ABOVE RIGHT: One of the homeowner's requests was solved by installing a work station tucked away, but close to the kitchen. The work area is bathed in light from existing glass blocks. BOTTOM: The new kitchen includes a dining area that truly makes this the heart of the home. FACING PAGE: Reconfiguring the layout allows for clever storage solutions like this coffee nook carved out under the stove hood and cleverly masked by a sliding porcelain panel.

Werner Straube DESIGNER: Amy Kartheiser SITE: amykartheiserdesign.com LOCATION: Chicago, Illinois

Werner Straube WHAT WAS YOUR CLIENT'S MOST UNIQUE REQUEST? They needed to add a workstation to the existing, limited space. To create this experience within the kitchen, we put a simple desk in front of the glass block windows. Not only does the desk feel tucked away, it reaps the benefits of this unique design element, soaking up the light that pours in from top to bottom.

WHAT PROBLEMS DID YOU ENCOUNTER AND HOW DID YOU SOLVE THEM? Aside from the height-impeding challenges, functionality and storage were also key here, as in any space. To utilize the updated stove hood and optimize storage, we installed a walnut niche behind a sliding porcelain door, which lives underneath the hood itself. The clients use this extra space as a coffee bar, storing all cups and other accessories for their morning brew.

WERE THERE ANY UNIQUE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS THAT WERE DESIGNED INTO THIS SPACE?

This home actually has an interesting heritage, as it was originally an old manufacturing plant before being redesigned with residential use in mind. The original glass blocks in the kitchen allow for an abundance of natural light to shine through while also delineating the space. We also incorporated glass pendants above the island to create a disappearing effect, providing unobstructed views of the cabinetry.

WHAT BRANDS/SUPPLIERS DID YOU SPECIFY TO CREATE THIS BEAUTIFUL SPACE? The appliances are from Abt. The kitchen sink is from Galley. We specified Sub Zero for the glass door refrigerator, wine refrigerators, and stove. MGSI supplied the porcelain countertops and the kitchen hardware is from Katonah.

Werner Straube

seasonal living

SEDONA STYLE

seasonal living

SEDONA STYLE

DESIGNER STEPHANIE LARSEN HAS A PASSION FOR CREATING ENVIRONMENTS FOR CLIENTS THAT SPEAK TO WHO THEY ARE, HOW THEY LIVE, AND WHAT THEY LOVE. HERE SHE TALKS TO US ABOUT HOW SHE GOT STARTED, HER RECENT TRANQUIL VISTA PROJECT, AND WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT DESIGNING IN HER REGION.

“THE SECRET TO DESIGNING A SEAMLESS HOME IS IN TREATING THE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES AS TWO HALVES OF A WHOLE. IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT MAKING EACH SPACE FUNCTIONAL, IT’S ABOUT CREATING THE LINKS THAT TIE THESE TWO SPACES TOGETHER, ESTABLISHING A SENSE OF HARMONY THAT WELCOMES THE EYE AND ENCOURAGES OCCUPANTS TO ENJOY THE HOME IN ITS ENTIRETY, WHETHER THAT’S INDOORS OR OUT.” ~ STEPHANIE LARSEN

GET THE LOOK

BABY CARONESS ACCENT TABLE

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR HISTORY AND DESIGN PHILOSOPHY. When I was in high school, my dad asked me what I would pursue if money was no object. I knew in my heart that the answer was interior design and it’s a passion I’ve been following ever since. 25 years later and I’m incredibly grateful that I was pushed to follow my interests from an early age, setting the foundations for the knowledge that I continue to build upon today. To me, great design is about going beyond materials and finishes to create a finished space that brings together elegance and functionality in equal measure. It’s about creating balance in a way that fits each client’s unique lifestyle, telling a story of who they are and what they love, and giving them the space to indulge and celebrate in the joys of everyday living.

WE LOVE YOUR *TRANQUIL VISTA* PROJECT AND THE ACCESSIBILITY ASPECTS. CAN YOU TELL US MORE? Sedona is a relatively small community and my client came to me through a word-of-mouth recommendation looking to transform her vacation home into a tranquil and functional full-time residence. Recovering from an injury, it was vital that the client’s remodeled space not only looked beautiful but also helped to enhance and streamline every aspect of everyday living. In each room we ensured that surfaces were kept flat and wheelchair-friendly, with curbless showers, wide hallways and expanded door frames that allowed for easy navigation. This remodel also included a significant expansion of the home’s interior and exterior spaces, adding just over 500 square feet of livable space including a new master suite and

a generous extension of the home’s back patio, each placing a spotlight on the property’s panoramic red rock views. Physical therapy was another factor that played an important role in my client’s day-to-day life and so we included a treadmill pool as part of the outdoor living space to help assist in her recovery process. Additionally, aging-in-place was a factor that influenced many design decisions. Easy-to-clean, petfriendly performance fabrics were utilized whenever possible, and additions like a dry bar off of the master suite enabled effortless accessibility to everyday comforts. Finally, creating a seamless transition between the home’s indoor and outdoor living spaces was a top priority as we wanted the home to carry a sense of harmony and easy-flow as you moved between the interior and exterior. This was achieved by bringing many of the home’s interior motifs into the outdoor living space, utilizing pattern, organic textures and a continuous palette of soft neutrals to generate a relaxed continuity that tied the property together.

WHAT MAKES DESIGNING IN SEDONA DIFFERENT? In Sedona we are fortunate to have some truly wonderful weather with over 300 sunny days every year. Because of this, there is a unique opportunity to really utilize your home’s exterior as an extension of the living space. Patio spaces don’t just have to be for entertaining, with the right design decisions they can play a key role in your everyday lifestyle. I love to incorporate features like NanaWall’s Folding Glass Walls to create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, carrying through interior motifs and connecting the home in a way that enhances functionality and takes advantage of Sedona’s favorable climate for outdoor living.

CURRY PUMPKIN SOUP

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4.Transfer the mixture to a saucepan. Add the pumpkin, milk, salt and pepper. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes. 5.Allow the soup to cool a bit and then blend it in a blender or food processor until smooth. 6.Return the soup to the saucepan and stir in the mushrooms. 7. Serve the soup in the prepared pumpkins garnished with chives, sour cream and seeds.

FALL FRUIT GALETTE

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The instructions:

1. Cut the butter into ½ inch cubes by slicing the sticks of butter down the center lengthwise and again on the other side to create 4 long strips. Then cut the sticks into cubes. Place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. 2. Place dry ingredients in a food processor and give it a few pulses to be sure it is well mixed. Place butter cubes in the food processor and give it 8-10 pulses until you have small pea-sized pieces of butter coated in flour. 3. Add the icy cold water one tablespoon at a time and give the dough a pulse after each addition. The dough is done when it looks crumbly but holds together when you pinch it. 4. Divide the dough in half and knead each portion just enough to shape it into a disk about ½ inch thick. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator for at least one hour or up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

LOOKING AHEAD

WINTER WONDERLAND ! GET READY FOR COZY FIRES, WARM COCOA, AND ALL THE BEST OF THE WINTER SEASON.

OUR WINTER ISSUE WILL FEATURE NEW SEASONAL RECIPES, ENTERTAINING, WINTER WELLNESS, AND, AS ALWAYS, INCREDIBLE DESIGN STORIES! LOOK FOR IT IN DECEMBER.

WE INVITE YOU TO CONNECT WITH US ABOVE AND ENJOY A COMPLIMENTARY SUBSCRIPTION BY CLICKING HERE.