Normandy Wilmette Kitchen Featured on “Designer Kitchens of the North Shore” Kitchen Tour

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Normandy Remodeling

Normandy Remodeling will be sponsoring the “Designer Kitchens of the North Shore” kitchen tour of 2012, held by the Junior League of Evanston – North Shore. The money raised from this event will fund future projects and programs of the organization such as scholarships and the “Job Readiness” program.. “The Junior League of Evanston – North Shore does a significant number of meaningful projects for the community, and it made sense for us to sponsor such a respected organization,” said co-owner of Normandy, Andy Wells.

One of Normandy’s award winning kitchens was also selected as one of the seven kitchens to be featured on the tour. From the smart storage in the crisp white cabinetry to the subtle, organic accent color, this kitchen has a truly timeless appeal. The owners’ main goals when remodeling their 1968 Colonial was to open the kitchen to the family room so it didn’t feel so isolated and to accommodate a large eating area. “They wanted to create a ‘living kitchen’ that would function as the central gathering space for the family,” said Normandy Designer, Vince Weber. The existing kitchen was bumped out 10’ to make room for a cozy banquette to satisfy the need for an eating area. The dark stained island was designed to look like a furniture piece, and helps to connect the kitchen to the adjoining family room.

To read more about the details of this beautiful kitchen, click here. If you would like to learn more about the event or purchase tickets, click here.

Countertops are Here

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Normandy Remodeling

The end is drawing near as Normandy Designer Leslie Lee shares the progress of her kitchen renovation, step by step as she experiences it. This steady renovation progress is due in large part to our amazing project superintendent, Rick Ruh. Rick has kept a close eye on the schedule and all the details for Leslie’s project to ensure the everything moves along quickly and smoothly. You can always click here to find the first story in the series which includes some amazing “before” photos and see all the wondrous progress that’s been made so far.

The countertops are now installed, and although Sophie doesn’t look too impressed (there she is looking tired and bored – but what do 14 month olds know anyway) – Gary and I are psyched. I was able to work with the fabricator to be sure my favorite part of the stone, the big white and gray blobs, were located in a prominent spot, right on the island.

The kitchen sink is in place now too. I choose a great Kohler stainless steel model with the smart divide feature. You can see that middle divider is lowered so that it’s much easier to clean big pots and pans. Love that feature.

In the powder room, the new vanity has been set up too. It looks like a little piece of furniture, rather than a built in piece. I like this look for a small bathroom space. It seems a bit lighter.

Cabinets Bring the Kitchen to Life

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Normandy Remodeling

A kitchen remodel can be so exciting, and if you aren’t living through yours right now then we have your fix. Normandy Designer Leslie Lee has been blogging about her kitchen renovation since it began and today we get to see one of the biggest design elements be placed…the kitchen cabinets.

Gary, Sophie, and I were traveling for a few days, and arrived home to this unbelievable sight. I almost shed a tear when I saw the cabinets in place. This is coming together exactly as I envisioned it. I can definitely understand that homeowners (who aren’t designers) have difficulty envisioning what their new space might look like. It’s so important to rely on some who can visualize it. Let’s just say Gary is lucky his wife is in the remodeling business – ha!

There are many piece of the puzzle yet to be completed (countertops, trim, sink and faucet, backsplash, electrical trim, floor staining, appliances), but it is really shaping up.

A few of my favorite cabinet details:

- The area where the microwave will be built in, and the diagonal wine cubbies were installed. The depth of these cabinets was reduced to allow for a little larger seating area at the island.

- The leg details on the side of the island. I had to do some special depths on the cabinets here too in order to get the look I wanted. I love how the legs break up all of the paneling on the side of the island, and provide visual interest.

- The four little drawers next to the location where the beverage fridge will be installed are so cute – I love them!

The countertops are being fabricated now – so hopefully those will be coming next.

To read about this entire kitchen remodel, starting from the beginning, just click here and you’ll see where it all began.

Showpiece Kitchen

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Normandy Remodeling

When Normandy Designer Ann Stockard met with these Naperville homeowners, they shared their wishes for a highly functional, packed with storage, show stopping kitchen. The resulting kitchen that Ann designed and built met the homeowners’ objectives and then some.

The white painted cabinets 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 Ann. “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 that Ann made was reconfiguring the shape of the island. The original island had an unusual shape that created a long distance between the prep area at the island and 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.

Lighting can have a dramatic impact on a kitchen, and this was no exception. Additional overhead lights were added to provide highly visible work surfaces. Decorative Swarovski crystal pendants over the island were carefully chosen 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.

Thinking about creating your own show stopping kitchen? Then we invite you to see more kitchens that Normandy has remodeled, learn more about Ann’s background, or schedule an appointment to meet with a designer.

Michigan Kitchen Remodel

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Normandy Builders

Kitchen remodeling

She is from Chicago, He is from Marquette, MI and when the time came for them to choose where to raise their young family, they found much of what they were looking for in a charming vintage home in Marquette. The home they selected had stunning lake views, but the current layout of the home didn’t quite do the view justice.

Since the couple has ties to the Chicago area, they began working with Normandy Designer Chris Ebert to put their mark on the house. They wanted to capitalize on the natural beauty of their setting and to create a home that was more in tune with their growing family’s needs.

Kitchen remodeling

By repurposing a few rooms and removing a few walls, Chris was able to create a design that complimented the views as well as their lifestyle. The new kitchen took the place of the old dining room and provided much better workspace for homeowners who love to cook and entertain. To maintain the existing footprint of the old dining room and now new kitchen, a large walk-in pantry was created in an adjoining space so that ample storage would be easily accessible. To improve flow for parties the bar was moved into the front entry hall, which allowed the kitchen to remain open and uncluttered.

The kitchen’s working fireplace is a nod to its original function of the dining room, but adds to the comfortable, vintage feel of the kitchen. The white painted perimeter cabinets with glass fronts are reminiscent of what one would find “back in the day”.

Kitchen remodeling The large, dark stained island boasts a second sink and seating for casual dining and conversation. The island has a Caesarstone countertop, which gives the look of Carrera marble but is far more durable. The butcher block counter at the end of the island has an abundance of lighting for prep work and houses the prep sink. The contrast in heights, colors and textures of these two countertops provides a nice visual break for this long island while balancing the sleek look of the Caesarstone with the warmth and charm of natural wood.

The homeowners are enjoying their newly remodeled kitchen that is as comfortable on lazy Sunday mornings as is for bustling dinner parties.

Elmhurst Kitchen Remodel Wins NARI Award

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Normandy Builders

Elmhurst Kitchen Remodel Before

This Elmhurst IL homeowner was faced with an outdated kitchen that lacked functionality, current design appeal, and an integrated eating area. She began working with Normandy Builders Designer Ann Stockard to create a warm and inviting kitchen that would fulfill their goals for the space.

The first challenge was to add an island with seating into a space that was currently a bit too tight. By borrowing a few feet from an adjoining area and modifying the layout, the island was able to fit comfortably, and give them the integrated eating area that they were seeking.

The homeowner selected clean lined, simple cherry cabinets, and with the help of Designer Ann Stockard, added subtle touches in the tile and floors to add visual interest without becoming visually overwhelming.

Award Winning Elmhurst Kitchen Remodel by Ann Stockard of Normandy Builders Starting with a small mosaic size tile for the backsplash in an iridescent champagne color, this backsplash was extended all the way to the 9 ½ ft ceilings above the sink to create a dramatic impact. Then Ann added a honed Caesarstone countertop, which has a more natural and rustic texture that contrasts nicely with the mosaic tiles. For the floors Ann suggested a rectangular tile and set them in a herringbone pattern to add another layer of subtle visual interest.

Lighting was another element that increased the warmth of the space. By adjusting the location of a window, and adding recessed lights and pendants, the kitchen glows with the warmth of light, day or night.

Building from the warm undertones of the cherry cabinetry with champagne colored tile, enhanced lighting, and an open and welcoming floor plan, this homeowner created her perfect kitchen.

“…my Mother made sure that the stove looks like an airplane…”

Posted on December 6, 2010 by Normandy Builders

One of our clients recently shared her son’s 4^th grade social studies project for his unit on maps. He chose to map his newly completed Normandy kitchen because the kitchen is an important part of his home and his life, as he explains in his paper. We loved his description of the role his kitchen plays in his home, and are so happy we can be a part of creating these lifelong memories. The following is the unaltered, unmodified text that we were provided, his drawing, and the Normandy rendering of the space designed by Stephanie Bryant so you can see for yourself what a nice job he did of representing his kitchen.

Social Studies

November 18, 2010

Map Project

Map of the kitchen

I mapped our kitchen because the kitchen is an important place in most homes. In the beginning, people probably only used campfires to prepare dinners. Now many homes have kitchens that do many different things for different families. Our kitchen is important because it is where I do most of my homework, help prepare dinners, clean, and entertain my friends with great after school snacks.

My kitchen is located in the back of the first floor of my home. The kitchen is 18 feet by 20 feet; the cook top is located on the east wall. The kitchen opens into our great room on the west side of our house. We have a breakfast bench and table on the south wall of the kitchen. My map only shows the kitchen and all of its contents.

This map is useful and important because it is a new kitchen and it will help my cousins find what they need and where to put things away when they visit during the holidays. I like the kitchen because my mother made sure that the stove looks like an airplane and even bought a new blender to encourage my brother and I to enjoy fresh fruit mixed up.

This map shows the bench where I sit during breakfast and dinner. The family has great moments together socializing at this bench. The map also shows the island which is in the middle of the kitchen, this is where I do most of my homework. It shows how much hardwood floors there are for me to dance on. It also shows where I can cook and store food, pots and pans, and dishes. I can even use the sink that is located in the center of the island. The refrigerators keep our food safe. We are able to cook because of the stove and we have a separate refrigerator for adult drinks. There are a lot of windows, so I can look out and see my neighbors.

My grandmothers share a lot of stories with me when they visit. They always spend time in the kitchen because they both enjoy cooking and making great feasts. We also entertain a lot of friends in our kitchen and family room, which is west to the kitchen. We have music in our kitchen and because I like music it makes homework so much more fun to do. Ms. Stephanie designed this kitchen with plenty of floor space. We have enough flooring for me to do my Michael Jackson dance steps. I often get my family to dance with me in the kitchen. This kitchen has a lot more space than our old kitchen. So this kitchen is unique in that I have and continue to make many memories in our kitchen.

The kitchen is my favorite place because my family has a lot of really fun times together. There is always something going on in the kitchen and that is where Thanksgiving and birthdays and many other celebrations are held. So it is just a very fun hangout spot.

The End

2 Time Award Winning Kitchen in Wilmette

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Normandy Builders

This beautiful kitchen is a part of every day life for one lucky family in Wilmette, IL. Whether it is entertaining family and friends, enjoying quiet Sunday morning breakfasts or gathering together during meal prep time, this timeless kitchen is the perfect backdrop for creating lifelong family memories.

It just so happens that a panel of judges agrees that this kitchen is pretty special indeed. Having just won a “2010 Remodeling Design Award” from Remodeling Magazine, this space has previously recognized as “Best of the Best” by Professional Remodeler Magazine in 2009.

Normandy Designer Vince Weber, worked closely with the homeowners to create an open and spacious floorplan with timeless beauty and appeal. “The existing kitchen was isolated from the rest of the house,” says Weber. “One of the redesign goals of the homeowners was to tie the kitchen with the living room to create a ‘living kitchen’ that would function as the central gathering space for the family.” The resulting design paired timeless colors and classic inset cabinetry to give the kitchen a casual elegance. The island was designed to feel like a furniture piece, which creates a visual divide between functioning kitchen, and the informal eating and living space.

Weber worked closely with the homeowners throughout the design and construction process to ensure that their goals were being met. In the end, the homeowners are very happy with their new “living kitchen” and are proud to have this two-time award winning space in their home.