Naperville Kitchen Remodel Wins NARI Design Award

Normandy Remodeling Designer Ann Stockard received a First Place Remodeling Excellence Award from National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Greater Chicagoland for a kitchen remodel she completed in Naperville, IL.  This kitchen was one of 12 Normandy projects recognized with a 2011 Remodeling Excellence Award.  Stockard has also won two Remodeling Excellence Awards in 2010.

Stockard worked closely with the homeowners to improve the layout and functionality of the kitchen, as well as to create a showpiece kitchen that would add a notable “wow” factor to their home.

Stockard and the homeowners selected white painted cabinets to provide a crisp, timeless look, while the rich stained island provides a welcome contrast to the space.  “Bringing the cabinet heights all the way to the ceiling provides additional storage space and makes the room feel taller,” says Stockard.  “Green granite countertops coordinate with the pale green subway tile in the backsplash, which also features a decorative bead board vertical tile and glass mosaic insets.” 

One of the notable layout changes was the reconfigured shape of the island.  The original island had an unusual shape that created a long distance between the prep area at the island, the sink, and cook top.  The new island shape has brought the prep area much closer to the sink, range and refrigerator, making meal preparation much quicker and more enjoyable.  The shift in the island also allowed for the addition of a hutch cabinet for functional storage.

Additional overhead lights were added to provide highly visible work surfaces.  Decorative Swarovski crystal pendants over the island were carefully selected to pick up the subtle amber hints in the mosaic glass accent tile, hardwood flooring and window trim.  An amber dupioni silk chandelier over the table compliments the Swarovski pendants while coordinating and tying together the amber tones of the room.

The newly made over kitchen features a more user friendly layout, additional storage space, and a timeless look that will make it the show piece of the home for years to come.