GLEN ELLYN, IL — When people talk about making healthy lifestyle choices, they often consider diet and exercise programs. However, for these homeowners who were building their dream home in the suburbs of Chicago, they extended those considerations to the design, construction and selection of materials for their new residence that would serve their family of five, which included kids that ranged in age from elementary to college.
“The entire home was designed and built with good health and well-being in mind,” says Amy Storm, owner/principal designer, Amy Storm & Company in Glen Ellyn, IL, who worked with Greenside Design Build and Moment Design to bring the dream to fruition. “All of the decisions that were made – everything from how the home was framed to the materials, finishes and fabrics, even any paint, sealer, etc. – were approved by an outside consultant who specialized in healthy materials. We wanted to ensure that everything we sourced met the strictest health standards. That meant we had to ask a lot of questions, and in some cases, find new trade partners to meet these high standards.
“Each of us learned and grew our knowledge and skill sets around healthy home building products and procedures,” she continues. “Many products are in the marketplace, but are hard to find, generally more expensive and never just ‘so easy’ to spec. However, when a client is passionate about something, so are we!”
As that health-focused objective evolved in the kitchen, the team even paid close attention to where they positioned appliances, strategically locating them so they wouldn’t have any negative impacts on health, the designer relates. As well, an abundance of windows and doors, which encompasses an entire wall floor-to-ceiling, maximizes the amount of natural light that flows into the space to minimize the amount of artificial lighting needed during the day.
“And, since the home is positioned and landscaped to offer privacy, we didn’t really need to put any window treatments on the back of the house,” she adds. “We were able to allow those windows to bring in a ton of natural light. Also, the doors, which lead to the patio, give them easy access to the backyard where they can sit and enjoy the outdoors.”
With regard to materials, a focus on health led to choices such as the natural stone slabs, specifically Bettogli Superiore quartzite, selected for the countertops, the backsplash behind the BlueStar range and the accent behind the open shelves.
“We chose quartzite because it is a natural material, rather than something that is manmade,” Storm explains. “This particular quartzite also has an aesthetic benefit because it has such depth to it. When you look at it on the surface, it looks white, but as you look deeper you find dark blues and browns beneath. That depth is such a beautiful characteristic of quartzite, in general. It has so many layers, colors and textures within it.”
- Wall of Windows: Allows an abundance of natural light to flow into the kitchen
- Bettogli Superiore Quartzite: Echoes the home’s exterior colors to provide continuity inside
- Copper Details: Add warmth to the space
Promoting Continuity
Inspiration for the quartzite, as well as for many other finishes throughout the home, came from the home’s exterior and its wooded lot location.
“The home’s exterior is clad with a really beautiful stone with a lot of color,” she says. “Besides the typical buffs, tans and creams, it also has dark blues and grays. We brought that same stone into the foyer and lined one of its walls as a way to connect the inside of the house to the outside. This Bettogli Superiore quartzite also has those same colors, so when my clients walk into their kitchen, the space feels very connected to the rest of home. It’s all very fluid.”
Continuing the palette, Storm repeated the stone’s colors elsewhere in the kitchen, including as the custom Hoosier House cabinetry, which, since there aren’t any upper cabinets, is customized for optimum functionality. A classic white, Benjamin Moore’s White Heron, echoes the stone’s background and dominates as the perimeter cabinetry, which includes a tall pantry for dish storage and as panels for the Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer. A dark blue hue, Benjamin Moore’s Raccoon Fur, is featured on the super-sized island.
“The island is huge!” she relates. “It’s the size of two king mattresses side by side. You do need some go-go gadget arms for cleaning the middle, but it has appliances, seating and lots of storage built in all around it, so it is highly functional, fits perfectly in the space and is quite stunning with its natural stone top.”
To provide further continuity, the designer continued the blue hue as wing walls along the cooking and perimeter walls.
“We designed the cabinetry to be captured within the wing walls to give it a built-in feel,” she explains.
Dark hues continue within the space via a pair of custom light fixtures from The Urban Electric Co. that hover above the island. As well, the BlueStar range showcases a deep, dark blue finish with stainless steel trim and copper knobs and handles.
“We loved the copper accents on the range so we invited that detailing into the rest of the kitchen,” Storm relates. “For example, we lined the hood over the range, and we incorporated some copper into the shelves along the perimeter wall. It is just enough to make it feel super intentional and to connect all the parts and pieces of the kitchen and add some beautiful warmth.”
Features for the Whole Family
Storm carried the dark blue cabinetry color from the main kitchen into the working pantry to make the spaces feel connected. Tucked behind the cooking wall, the pantry is conveniently accessed to one side of the range.
“This home was designed to not only be functional for the husband, wife and kids who are still living at home, but also for the college-age kids when they come home so there are a lot of bathroom/bedroom ensuites and the basement is outfitted with a ping pong table, golf simulator, bar and even a workout room and guest spaces,” she relates. “One of their daughters also loves to bake, so the scullery was created for her.”
A wall of windows allows natural light to flow into the room where the daughter can make her creations on the Caesarstone Piatra Grey quartz countertop below. A nearby sink allows for easy cleanup. A cabinet with folding and recessing doors conceals small appliances and convenient shelving, while a wealth of storage in base cabinetry drawers keeps baking supplies close at hand. A pair of JennAir refrigerator drawers keeps perishable items and beverages cold. Retaining space for a stool gives her a place to dream about her next masterpiece.
