#BrickandGable is a beautiful bungalow built in the 1920’s. What it needs is a kitchen for the 2020’s! This isn’t solely a kitchen remodel, we are also consolidating the staircase to the attic and basement into one, opening up more space for the kitchen and a mudroom. Add in a bit more space reconfiguration and a bathroom remodel, and #BrickandGable is a full first floor remodel!

Here are our plans for the kitchen. It’s going to be so open, bright and spacious! We can’t wait to show you some of the materials chosen, a mix of modern and historically balanced with pops of pattern.

Don’t miss a moment of this remodel, use the hashtag #BrickandGable to follow along with the progress!

#PennyPark proves that you can pack a lot of style in a small space! We put a slightly modern twist on a 1930’s classic with this master bath remodel. Period style hex and dot tile floor were traded for a large format hexagon. Traditional brass finishes were kept but in a sleeker plumbing style. And a juxtaposition of Carrara marble and warm afrormosia wood is a marriage made in heaven. #PennyPark is complete and here is a complete tour!

#BerylGlen is our newest kitchen remodel and we can barely wait for the Before/After on this one! These clients are not afraid of color and have chosen color matching cabinetry in Benjamin Moore’s Bavarian Forest. There are not enough heart-eye emojis to express our excitement!

Here is the plan. As you can see, the kitchen will be completely opened up creating a much more functional, efficient space.

In addition to the kitchen, we are also remodeling the master bath/closet. Keep track of this project by following the hashtag #BerylGlen! Progress to come soon!

#HomeBase is really a home run in our book! Ok, we’ll quit the baseball puns, but as you can see our clients at #HomeBase are sports enthusiasts. Our challenge here was to improve the layout and flow of the basement and embrace the homeowner’s interests to create a stylish and functional space for all ages.

We pulled accent colors from the artwork, but overall kept the furnishings neutral and let the texture do the talking.

The fireplace was rebuilt with stacked stone and a beautiful wood mantle.

What basement would be complete without a built-in kitchenette? Perfect for entertaining and keeping refreshments handy.

All memorabilia and other artwork was provided by the homeowner and we had everything professionally framed and installed.

A big part of the remodel was the reorganization. The stairway was opened up and the bathroom was relocated and rebuilt for easier accessibility to the living space. We love the combination of this custom vanity, patterned tile and black accents on the hardware!

This basement is so full of light, with a real casual elegance. We definitely wouldn’t mind coming over to watch a game or two!

#ClearView is aptly named because that is exactly what we provided for this homeowner!

This is how it looked originally. As you can see, space wasn’t really the issue here. The layout was not using the space to it’s full potential and the arched detail separating the kitchen from the living area made re-organizing the layout challenging.

With the open layout, we created some much-needed fluidity throughout the kitchen, breakfast nook and living room.

The dining room remains as it was before with the exception of the entrance, it was relocated and supported with beautiful bold beams. We also added the spectacular light fixture. PS- It’s articulating! It can be reconfigured into endless creative positions.

The living room was updated with a sleek stacked stone hearth and custom shelving.

The warm mix of materials is what make this home so stunning. From warm wood cabinets to textured marble countertops, all pieces are working in harmony here. We love how this whole space immediately announces a sense of style, while still maintaining a relatability making anyone feel welcome.

Photography by Aimèe Mazzenga, aimeemazzenga.com.

We are talking support beams, actually! Whether they were structural and load-bearing or simply an eyesore, we’ve had to get creative with a few projects where beams just didn’t want to leave the party. Case 1 – #SmithBarrow

It was really important to the homeowners that the kitchen/living room area have an open layout with a very clean look. However, with the large open floor plan it is impossible to not have a load-bearing beam. We found that we could create structural support by building a coffered ceiling. Not only did it solve the problem, but it added so much character and dimension, we now can’t picture the room without it! Case 2 – #GreekIsland

The post and beam stuck out like a sore thumb in this kitchen. Removing them was going to be very costly, so we decided instead to incorporate them into the design. We used the crown molding detail, particularly where the beam meets the hood, to create a seamless look. Those elements are still present, but now hidden in plain sight.

Case 3 – #TrestleWilliams

The actual inspiration for the name of #TrestleWilliams, these beams luckily required a more straightforward solution. They really just made the space look smaller than it was. With further investigation they were non-bearing and we were able to remove them, making the whole room feel more spacious.

Brilliant in blue! #TrestleWilliams is finished and it’s pure magic! It has that Parisian glamour meets classic refinement vibe. And one of those open layouts that make cooking, serving, socializing and just basic everyday life easier.

The basic layout didn’t change (click here to see how it started) but the addition of floating shelves, hidden storage and reconfiguring the new cabinets and appliances open up the space in a big way, not to mention add a healthy dose of style!

The backsplash is actually marble tile, cut to the size of subway tile. It has the same modern feel as subway tile, but a subtle difference that is stunning.

Another large portion of the project was the addition of a mudroom. Originally, the door to the garage opened directly into the kitchen area and the now-mudroom was used as a laundry room. We moved the laundry to the 2nd floor and turned the entry to the garage into a mudroom. The addition of the mudroom makes that space so much more functional, and with the sliding barn door for privacy, it’s really easy to keep the kitchen clutter-free.

Photography by Aimèe Mazzenga, aimeemazzenga.com.

#ModernCottage started in much the same way as #SmithBarrow. The clients were looking for a historic home to make their own and had narrowed it down to a few options. We toured these locations and suggested the one we felt had the most “dream home” potential.

We are opening up one of the archways in the family room leaving a nice view of the new addition. It will feel more spacious without compromising that historic charm.

We are also bumping out the back of the home. This additional space will house the kitchen and dining room on the ground floor, and additional bedrooms on the second floor.

We are utilizing every space in this plan. This project truly follows E&B’s mantra: Less House, More Home.

Demo is already well underway and we’ve broken ground for the addition. Use #ModernCottage to follow along with the progress of this project.

From the latest trends to timeless pieces that never go out of style, we are constantly scouting out products and inspiration for our clients. But at the end of the day, we have our own personal favorites we come home to. We created ‘Five Favorites’ as a fun way to share a little of our individual style from time to time. Carrie is stepping in this time with her picks for winter.

Living in the midwest, you definitely adopt a healthy appreciation for cold weather. Luckily, there’s a lot to look forward to when winter comes around. Personally, it really is one of my favorite times of the year. Here are 5 of my favorite things about wintertime. (Clockwise from left) SWEET TRADITIONS. Every year Brandie makes her famous rum balls. You really haven’t lived until you’ve had one!

SNOW DAYS. When the whole world seems to shut down. There’s something so peaceful about it, not to mention it’s a great excuse to spend a lazy day with family. A CHILDHOOD FAVORITE. Ghiradelli’s hot chocolate is the best. It’s definitely an adult version of our childhood favorite. Delish! COZY FOOTWEAR. This one is pretty self-explanatory. Who wouldn’t want to spend all day in a pair of fuzzy slippers? ANNUAL ENTERTAINMENT. The Navy Pier Winter Wonderfest is something we like to see every holiday season. There is so much to do, and you can’t help but get in a festive mood with all the lights, music and the amazing view of the Chicago skyline.

Imagine waking up every morning to a panorama of Navy Pier. Drinking in the bright blue water of the Chicago Harbor along with your café au lait. Well, #HavenOnTheHarbor gets to do just that!

The condo originally had a tiny kitchen in the interior, missing out on the glorious views of the lake. The original goal with the renovation was to achieve a kitchen that functioned well and allowed people in the kitchen to be included with the living room. It did not include a view, a bedroom was occupying the space with the windows. However, once we opened up the walls, the homeowner loved how you could see the lake from every angle. So ultimately we decided to eliminate the bedroom and move the kitchen there instead.

This required a complete redesign the week of demolition as well as a new permit. A stressful time for sure, but such a great end result!

Two really special features in the kitchen are the range, which is the brand new induction range from Wolf, and the hood, custom made by a local fabricator.

The countertop is a very cool material from Levantina called cygnus leather that has an amazing texture.

Click here to see the full journey of #HavenOnTheHarbor.

Photography by Aimee Mazzenga.