When designing your ideal kitchen, one of the biggest challenges can be creating the right flow for the people using the space. In this award-winning solution for a Burr Ridge, IL home, Normandy Designer Becca Ruggiero swapped out a two-tier island that was creating a bottleneck for this family who loves to gather in the kitchen.

Another layout shift included creating two separate areas for meal prep and dining, so the eating area s shifted to the end of the island. This also offered a space for visitors to sit and chat comfortably during the cooking process. The design, which was centered around a statement range hood, is now a sophisticated space for the whole family.